BKP HB/P90 combo in PRS Hollowbody II

[skeeter]

Hi, I have this great PRS Hollowbody II w/ piezo.  I love the guitar, but I've always had it in the back of my mind that the pickups were kinda dull and could probably have a little more character.  This was before PRS got serious about PAF pickups, etc..   So, years later, with more personal gear experience and a couple of great sets of BKPs, I'm going back to this guitar and thinking of what I could do.

Since we can do any P90s in humbucker size these days, I was thinking of putting a P90 in the neck and a HB in the bridge.  Particularly because I would like a nice jazz tone in the neck, and the way PRS hollow bodies are, it's really a pain to install switches to split the coils - which would be really handy with the piezo/blend functionality.  Since I'd rather not drill any holes for a new switch, I would think a P90 would blend well with the piezo, while also giving me a classic jazz tone on it's own.

Has anyone done this kind of thing?  Are there any weird balancing/calibrating issues? 

I'm thinking either the Stormy Monday or Mule in the bridge and either a Manhattan or Blue Note in the neck. 

I've never had a Mule in anything, and am dying to try one out, so would lean that way (w/ a BN in the neck for a little more output than the MH) - but it does seem like SM's are recommended a lot for hollowbody guitars. 

What do you guys think? Thanks!

[Telerocker]

Mules will do a great job (too) in a hollowbody. The neckpickup is my fav BKP. Sometimes I play some jazz with it. The Mule-neck performs very good in that respect and also the more crispy blend of the bridge and the neck, so I think you should elaborate on a calibrated Mule-set. They're so balanced, dynamic and crisp, with almost 3D clean tones. Amazing pickups (in the right guitar).

Of course you can go for a hb-sized P90 in the neckposition. A lot of players have mixed sets (hb bridge, P90 neck). I believe Chris at BKP has Bluenote in the neck with a humbucker in the bridge. A Manhattan would be me first choice for jazz. Personally I would not hesitate to install a calibrated P90-set.

[Dave Sloven]

Yeah if I could play jazz (!!) I would install a Manhattan calibrated set, no question.  With the art-deco covers. P-90s are great in the bridge

[pac90]

guitarist magazine review of macon with similar combo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2EivbPyJ-c

[Telerocker]

guitarist magazine review of macon with similar combo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2EivbPyJ-c

Wow, brilliant guitars and hefty pricetags in the Macon-line. I'm lucky I have a Patrick Eggle made customstrat with a Crawler and Irish Tours. My workhorse for years and years.

[skeeter]

Cool, well putting aside the P90 options for now, which low output PAF might be better - a set of the Mules or Stormy Mondays?

The guitar has a maple cap AND back, which makes it a little bright, but I don't think that's a huge concern.  I'm just looking to keep a sweeter high end when overdriven.

So much has been said about the Mules and I love the clips I've heard, and I'm dying to try them in something. 

HOWEVER, I'm curious if you guys think the Stormy Mondays might be better for low output in a hollowbody? I don't think I've had an A2 pickup before, not sure how different it is from an A4.  If the SM's are similar to the Mules, just less output, I'm down. 

Otherwise, I'm not so sure, as I know I like the sound of the Mules (at least in solidbodys).  I suppose a big question is whether they clean up nicely enough and can retain a rounded high end when distorted.  I don't want something to be too thin or brittle, and I want the neck to remain tight and focused.

[Kiichi]

Well both are great. The Mule is the gold standard 59 PAF tone and the polar oposite of a one trick pony. Play a little with the guitars controlls and the range is awesome. No problem cleaning up and such.

However, the Stormy will be sweeter, no doubt. It is a little less output too. Just had a little jam session with my 10th set, which are quite related to a hotter Stormy, and man, what a tone. The AII delivers such sweet and natural cleans and when you add overdrive it just warms your heart. Instant classic.

Both would work for you and youŽd be happy with both, I am sure of that. Still, I would say get the Stormys for this hollow and the mules later in a solid. With the maple the sweetened high end should come in handy I recon.

[AndyR]

Between Stormy Monday and Mule, I'd say Stormy Monday for what you're describing.

I have Mules in an ES335. They've been my favourite humbucker for years... until I got some Stormies for a Les Paul Traditional in January this year.

The Mules have been in a Les Paul - fab sound, and slightly grittier than Stormies - but they've been in the ES335 for a couple of years and I never thought I'd move them. With height adjustment an using the vol/tone controls, I can get what you're describing, and they'll be an excellent all rounder...

But, personally, I'm thinking of getting another set of Stormies and go through performing the "335 surgery" again.

The Stormies will happily rock and scrunch, but the top-end is so much sweeter and more open sounding than the Mules.

Like Kilchi says, you'd be happy with both, I too am sure of that. But I think Stormies would have the same effect on you as they do on me - oh my goodness, how can it be this good?