NEW to BKP - PRS Modern Eagle II set ?

[matthewmsp]

Hi Phil I am still sticking with the Crawler in the bridge but starting to think about the VH II for the neck. I noticed you have this on your PRS ? Could I just ask your thoughts on that ?

I thought it would balance well with the crawler with them both being Alnico V ?

Thank you
Matthew

[PhilKing]

Hi Matthew,

I like the VHII for it's openess and split sounds.  Having said that it can really perform as an overdriven pickup and give you some great soaring lead tones.  I originally had them on my Artist, but changed to Mules, because I was looking for a little less bass on that guitar.  On the ME, they are perfect.  It will be an interesting match with the Crawler.   

Cheers
Phil

[Telerocker]

I'm curious how the Crawler-bridge and the VHII-neck match. I only have a VHII-bridge and a Mule-neck (not in the same guitar).

[matthewmsp]

Thanks Phil, I spoke with one of the guys at BKP and they thought the crawler in the bridge and the VH II in the neck would work well. I was planning to get a decision on which pickups to go for by the end of this week.

The three pickups I have in mind for my PRS Modern Eagle II are Crawler, VH II and Abraxas

Either matching sets or a combo. I am really struggling to decide with having no prior knowledge of BKP. I feel I'm going in circles but all help is welcome.

Thank you
Matthew

[ericsabbath]

with the crawler being fat, round, middy and smooth and the vhII being punchy, bright, focused, articulate and slightly midscooped, I'd expect the abraxas to be the midterm

[matthewmsp]

funnily enough the Abraxas was where i started off my search, i was concerned that maybe it wasn't enough output for more hard rock / prog rock tones but i have heard some tasty audio examples that might tell me otherwise now. That why i was airing on the side of caution with the Crawler bridge.

I have had some advice on here from a few folks that the crawler bridge in my PRS might not be a good choice, maybe a bit too dark etc. However, I spoke with Tim Mills at BKP and he said they would be just fine in a PRS like mine as a set.

Ben at BKP came up with the VH II's as a set which was another option.

I want to get these ordered probably tomorrow mainly for my own sanity so any last minute advice from those who know would be lovely.

Matthew

[RowdyBreezer]

FWIW, I too was fearful that the Crawler bridge would be too dark in my Gibson LP Special and it is absolutely perfect!  It may be darker compared to other BKPs, but compared to other brands of popular humbuckers, it's just right!

Full disclosure - I do not own or have much experience with a PRS.

[richard]

It's so difficult to choose - would you be able to take advantage of the return policy ? In your position I don't think I'd go for VHIIs but I can't really say why - maybe not as much output as you're looking for ? I would also be thinking about Rebel Yells which are wonderful, such a FAT pickup but really cuts as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_kDhMwAluI

I've been playing a lot today swapping between my RY guitar and my Abraxas guitar. They both sound great but very different and I really can't say which set I prefer.

[matthewmsp]

Hi Rowdy, thanks for that, out of interest do you have the neck crawler too.....how do you find that ? It's not the bridge Crawler I'm worried about I am more worried about the neck being to dark and wooly.

Richard how do you find the Abraxas set in your PRS? Your right I think, that the VH II might not be for me....not as a set anyway. I kind thing Abraxas or crawler.

I think !!!

Matthew

[RowdyBreezer]

Sorry, man I just use the Crawler Bridge.  I like my neck pu's much tamer, so I use a mule there - which also works well, BTW.

Prior to the Crawler bridge I had the Rebel Yell in there, but everything I played felt like it sounded like Steve Stevens - which is not a bad thing, just not what I was looking for.  To me, the RY has a spike somewhere close to the 2khz (total guess?) range that gives it that signature sound.

BTW, I play Southern Rock.

[ericsabbath]

listening to the Waiting for the Punchline album right now
gotta say the VHII set with some mild clean boost would work really really well for these tones

[matthewmsp]

Thanks Eric, yeah the tone on that album is awesome I feel. Really organic raw and gutsy but not too much distortion. That tone best matches what I'm after really you reckon VH II would be better than Crawler or Abraxas ?

[ericsabbath]

Thanks Eric, yeah the tone on that album is awesome I feel. Really organic raw and gutsy but not too much distortion. That tone best matches what I'm after really you reckon VH II would be better than Crawler or Abraxas ?

for that sort of tone, definitely
the bridge vhII is one of the most articulate pickups I've played, even for BKP standards
it's like a punchier and clearer version of the mule
if you're looking for articulation over compression and sustain, the vhII is the winner

[matthewmsp]

Hi Eric, thanks for the comment. I thought the VH II set when I chatted with Ben at BKP would suit that tone. But since then I've been right round the houses with Abraxas and Crawlers.

Aggghhhhh !

I was worried that the VH II set would be a little weak on output but I've heard some very chunky riffing demos. I was also worried that they might have to much top end as I didn't want too much top end shrill.

Thoughts anyone.

Matthew

[ericsabbath]

both VHII bridge and neck have a pretty chunky low end
it has a bright top, but definitely not shrill
the slightly recessed mids actually helps with the clarity, specially in mid heavy mahogany/maple guitars
didn't try them in any PRS, but the set sounded amazing in the les pauls I tried
the riff raff sounded absolutely beautiful in the PRS mccarty I had, even better than in my lp custom, and I wouldn't expect the VHII to be any less