Username: Password:

Author Topic: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?  (Read 3876 times)

frictionfraction

  • Junior Flyweight
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • VH2s, Flat 50s, Abraxas
Picked up a used PRS Custom 22 a couple of months ago and now want to change the pickups.  The existing pickups are not bad but lack a bit of zest and have too much microphonic squeal.  I also don't tend to use the single coil settings so think I will go for a three way blade switch to replace the existing five way. 
So I was looking at Riff Raffs or VH2s. I play funk and rock from chillis to Metallica.   Any thoughts, comments, experience?  Thanks

richard

  • Lightweight
  • ***
  • Posts: 821
Re: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2016, 03:32:40 PM »
I would look at Abraxas and Rebel Yells. Both sets are extremely versatile and have a good track records with PRS guitars. Both are medium output with the Abraxas leaning towards vintage and the RY towards modern. I can't say which set I prefer - they are both great. What amp are you using ?
PRS Bernie Marsden Abraxas set
PRS S2 Singlecut RY's
JV Strat  IT Bridge
Gibson SG JB bridge
Fender Mex Tele Thinline TV Jones Classics
Fender Bassbreaker 15
Yamaha THR 100 Dual
Quilter Aviator Cub

frictionfraction

  • Junior Flyweight
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • VH2s, Flat 50s, Abraxas
Re: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2016, 05:24:52 PM »
Using a boogie Mark 5 35

Slartibartfarst42

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 2125
  • Random Solution
Re: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2016, 07:52:29 AM »
My natural inclination here would be to go with something from the vintage hot category as it will cover the most ground. The obvious choice, in my opinion, would be the Abraxas as it's probably the most versatile pickup in the range. I just don't think you can go wrong with the Abraxas.
BKP owned:

Bridge - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; A-Bomb; Holydiver; Miracle Man; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

Neck - Emerald; Cold Sweat; Crawler; Holydiver; Sinner; Trilogy Suite

ericsabbath

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 4702
    • Colidium
Re: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?
« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2016, 01:34:50 PM »
I had a '96 mccarty with a riff raff in the bridge and it was the most versatile guitar I ever had
perhaps the best sounding guitar as well, although I'm a les paul guy (I still have the same pickup in a '73 lp custom)
Riff Raff, Mules, Black Dog, VHII's, Cold Sweat

HEadoftheAges

  • Flyweight
  • *
  • Posts: 70
  • BKPs: Mule Set, Abraxas Set.
Re: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?
« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2016, 03:44:20 PM »
I have a similarly-scaled instrument (custom-built Monson Nomad), and I have a VHII in the neck position; I love it. I will say, however, that my next standard-scale guitar will have a set of Abraxas pickups in it.

-Alec

frictionfraction

  • Junior Flyweight
  • *
  • Posts: 14
  • VH2s, Flat 50s, Abraxas
Re: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2016, 06:20:33 AM »
Abraxas seem to be the favourite.  My tendency towards the riff raffs was based around getting a bit of grit into the prs.   

ericsabbath

  • Welterweight
  • ****
  • Posts: 4702
    • Colidium
Re: PRS Custom 22 Stoptail - Riff Raffs, Vhlls or something else?
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2016, 05:54:21 PM »
the forums favorites change every six months tops (I'm here for almost 10 years)  :grin:
the abraxas was an overlooked model for a long long time, so now it's in its best rep moment
I've never heard a BKP model that doesn't sound great in a PRS
if you want grit, the main options are the riff raff, vhII, rebel yell and emerald (the emerald being the closest to the stock prs dragon II)

Riff Raff, Mules, Black Dog, VHII's, Cold Sweat