New pickups for a PRS

[gmr]

Hi guys!

I've read a lot here but it's my first time posting.
I'd like to upgrade a 2021 PRS SE, mounted with their 85/15 S humbuckers, in a classic "3 way blade switch + volume + tone with split" (not the 24/08 stuff they make with the two mini switches for splitting coils).

I'd like to reach a Gojira-like, rich and heavy tone. Here's a more precise list of what I have in mind:

- Humbuckers (obviously)
- passives (splittable or not, whatever)
- good amount of gain but not extreme
- rich low-end, generous mids, smooth trebles (guitar in standard D, never lower, so no extreme downtuning which can mess with the range of some pickups)
- not a "tight" response: I'm not looking for a percussive/djenty tone, I don't need an excess of grit/clarity. Sixteenth notes blasted on the lower strings are a mess in 3-6KHz with "djenty" pickups, I'm looking for the opposite haha ; the pickups must be agressive enough for heavy and fast riffs but not have an extreme amount of trebles.
- after that list... Alnico, not ceramic, I guess?

I've checked the Warpig and the Ragnarok ones, do you think they would fit? Or would you recommand something else?
It would be my first BKP order, I've only tested some in shops, and you know, youtube reviews are often biased (amps, mixing, etc.)... So I prefer asking here :D

Thanks!

Julien

[Asorb]

To me, it really sounds like you described Silo pickups. I've gone through many BKP pickups (though not warpig or ragnarok), and for me Silo has been the best all around metal/rock pickup. I consider them medium-high output, so nothing extreme. The output feels similar to typical JB/tonezone etc type of pickups, and they keep a good balance with neck pickup.

"rich low-end, generous mids, smooth trebles" pretty much exactly sums up Silo tonal character. Actually I expected Silo to be darker, but it's more like smooth but extended treble, where it doesn't sound muffled at all, but highs are smooth and slightly laid back. This is a clear difference to ie. Tone Zone, where the treble detail is just missing. The focus of the sound is in the broad mids (especially low mids) and also bass, but nothing is exaggerated to the point of becoming muddy. The response is tight and fast, but not in any way sterile or overly modern. I really like how Silo has tons of tone and a bit of vintage character in it, but still aggressive enough for almost any kind of metal except maybe extremely detuned djent. So if a Gojira-type of tone is desired, I think Silo will nail exactly that. It's also an excellent lead pickup, which can't be said of all more djent-oriented pickups.

[Yellowjacket]

I find the idea of a 'djent pickup' laughable as I have gotten great death / traditional metal tones with a set of Juggernauts.  The way one plays has a lot to do with tone.

Not sure what I would put in a PRS for metal.  Maybe Aftermaths?  They are beautiful sounding metal pickups.

[timmy_pix]

A lot of this depends on your amp and how hard you want to push it or how much heavy lifting you're happy for it to do.

At first glance I'd say this sounds like Holydivers, Silos or True Grits. Good full mids, smooth top end, rich/warm low end applies to all three, but then they all tweak that recipe a little. The Silo is basically a tweaked Holydiver in some ways - same wire and a similar wind, but symmetrical coils and different poles in the Silo. The True Grit is a bit more open in the mids and a bit chunkier down low.

As a left-field suggestion, Joe Duplantier's signature Dimarzio is relatively low-output but aggressively voiced. The Black Dog does a similar trick in being "low-output modern" - aggressive midrange, sounds mean as anything when you pile on the gain, but then dial it back and it's incredibly clear and open. If you like a bit of built-in compression then it might not be the right choice, but if you're happy to have that more open option and then a boost pedal for when you want to get angry, it really delivers. I've got them in a 7-string and they were quite happy doing Gojira-tinged proggy/death metal in D standard with a low G.

[ericsabbath]

For Duplantier's tones, I would pick something like a VHII or Black Dog, but you're describing a silo or holy diver

[Asorb]

I'd say the difference between Silo and Holy Diver was bigger than I expected. Silo was actually significantly brighter in the higher end of treble, which surprised me. Holy Diver seemed to roll off the high end more. Silo is also somewhat more percussive in the attacks and has a more neutral sound in the mids, while Holy Diver is clearly very high mid focused, making it a more 80s sounding pickup. Silo sounds a bit heavier and more modern, but both these pickups have tons of tone on character. For leads Silo is good but Holy Diver is even better.

[crazedfandango]

Having gotten my PRS SE Custom 24 back from the Tech yesterday with its new Black Dog pickups in, I am surprised how versatile they are.  I play lighter stuff though and don't do the djent thing, but even with stacks of gain the pickups retained their clarity.