Pickup recommendations for PRS

[DEWD]

Looking to swap the stock pickups in my PRS SC250. I really like the stock pickups and have them in another SC250 but this is going to be my "mellower" guitar and I don't need those screaming pickups in it. I'm looking for something about as hot as a JB with tighter bass and more natural mids. I don't want something real bassy or low mid oriented. I'd like a good powerful low end that is tight, lots of mids and screaming highs that are articulate. Considering the Afwayu set, 57 Classic Plus/57 Classic (yeah I like them ) and the new Slash pickups. I'm not stuck on those so if you can think of something that may be closer to what I'm looking for let me know. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI - This will be my classic rock, 80's metal, modern hard rock guitar. I don't need something with gobs of output for modern metal, I already have that covered with other guitars. Thanks!

 

[Neeklaus]

I can't recommend the Suhr Aldrich bridge pickup enough...it's amazing.

 

[Ventura]

One of the Vintage Hot models from BKP....

Can't lose.

Period.

V.

 

[droptrd]

Afwayu.

 

[jkdsteve]

Afwayu.

I don't have a recommendation but that's not exactly a mellow pickup...fantastic sounding with tight low end and great mids without being harsh in the highs...*GAINY* as heck though innit?

 

[DEWD]

I can't recommend the Suhr Aldrich bridge pickup enough...it's amazing.

Tried that one. It's a cool pickup and also on my short list for this guitar.

 

[DEWD]

Afwayu.

I'm not sure what to expect from this pickup. It seems people either love it or hate it. Does it have a ton of low end? I had a Solution and it was cool but too bassy and dark for me in mahogany guitars. Is the Afwayu the same way?

 

[jessebondrocks]

the prs 57/08's are incredible. that is the ONLY choice for you... LOL.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

EMG 81/85. Can't recommend this combo enough. Made my PRS a totally different animal.

 

[DEWD]

the prs 57/08's are incredible. that is the ONLY choice for you... LOL.

Yeah I had 57/08's in another PRS and they do sound GREAT!

 

[DEWD]

EMG 81/85. Can't recommend this combo enough. Made my PRS a totally different animal.

I have guitars with EMG's but this one needs passives.

 

[boof]

EMG 81/85. Can't recommend this combo enough. Made my PRS a totally different animal.

I have guitars with EMG's but this one needs passives.

I have a BKP miracle man in one of my PRS guitars love it.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

EMG 81/85. Can't recommend this combo enough. Made my PRS a totally different animal.

I have guitars with EMG's but this one needs passives.

I have a BKP miracle man in one of my PRS guitars love it.

And that's close enough for government work.

 

[sgtsteiner]

I'm a long-time PRS player/collector and I can say from firsthand experience that Tom Holmes Humbuckers -- the H/455 and H/450 set -- sound ridiculously good in Paul's guitars.

If you've never heard the Holmes, they're about as good a P.A.F. style pickup as you'll come across -- many tone freaks consider them the finest pickups currently being made. (FYI -- Tom makes them himself at his home in Tennessee)

The great thing is they have plenty of gain, but are beautifully articulate no matter what style/amp set-up you're into. They're expensive, sure, but they sound incredible. Once you hear 'em, it's hard to forget 'em.

Cheers and best of luck!

 

[dass101]

I'd stay away from the Aldrich set. I have one and I love it, but it's very modern and VERY hot. It seems to me that it's quite the opposite of what you are looking for.
For vintage PAF tones I'd take a good look at WCR pickups, it seems that all the Les Paul fans love them. I played a couple of different sets and they are very tasty, if that's what you are looking for.

 

[Les Zombie]

prs #6 are nice.

 

[Les Zombie]

prs #6 are nice.

 

[droptrd]

Afwayu.

I'm not sure what to expect from this pickup. It seems people either love it or hate it. Does it have a ton of low end? I had a Solution and it was cool but too bassy and dark for me in mahogany guitars. Is the Afwayu the same way?

Yeah the afwayu would be the same way. So you probably wouldnt like it then

 

[vchizzle]

prs #6 are nice.

I like this pickup alot as well. Everyone on birdsandmoons seems to hate these pickup and I don't get why...pretty balanced pickup all around.

You could try a WCR Godwood - Very PAF, open sounding, not compressed, lots of harmonics. For me it was a little too vintage sounding and a hair too bright. I like a little bit of that compressed sound in my pickups. It was brighter than the rest of my guitars and I needed a little more continuity switching between guitars. Might've been different if I had WCR's in all my guitars.

I have some McCarty pickups I'd sell, they're pretty vintagey sounding. PM me if interested.

 

[DEWD]

Thanks for all the suggestions. That gives me a lot to consider. I guess I should clarify that I'm looking for something similar the JB in output but tighter and more natural sounding. I want a medium hot to hot pickup that can do classic rock, 80's metal and hard rock (VH, Jake E. Lee, Randy Rhodes, etc.). I'm not really into vintage PAF-type pickups for my style.