R
raybarbeemusic
Member
I bought a DGT standard in October. Among other issues, the d string pole on one pickup and the D and A on the other were not adjustable as the bobbins were stripped. This is the second time this year I've seen this. I bought a SE CU24 piezo earlier this year with the same issue. I contacted the dealer, which is only about 20 minutes from the PRS factory. They tried to obtain replacements. This went on for 3 months. After I sent the originals back and asked that they checked the new ones to be sure they didn't have the same issue, they emailed back that they DID have the same issue. Store owner contacted PRS. This was the response, and my response. Note that PRS apparently changed foreign makers some time in the last year or so. I have NEVER experienced this with the old supplier, nor have I EVER experienced this with any other pickup from any maker. I've been a repair guy for decades and played nearly 50 years. I've dealt with 5-6 figures of pickups. have over 1K of them here right now. I've seen all kinds of things, but never stripped bobbins that the maker says are SUPPOSED to be randomly stripped. Completely unacceptable.
Note from store owner with PRS response:
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I understand we had a customer return his PRS SE DGT “S” pickups stating the screw pole pieces were “stripped” because some would not travel up and down when adjusted. To verify, we ordered replacements and confirmed the same behavior.
I reached out directly to PRS PTC (Skitchy), and this is intentional design, not a defect. On these pickups:
• The screw poles do not thread into the baseplate
• They thread into the bobbin only, typically to the point of being even with the cover
• Some screws will not freely travel without being supported from underneath
• PRS’ position is that individual screw height adjustment has minimal tonal impact on this design; overall pickup height is the primary tonal control
This means replacement pickups will behave the same way and if he’s accustomed to fully threaded, freely adjustable pole pieces, the stock pickup simply won’t do what he wants.
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My response:
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My thoughts are that this is outrageous on the part of PRS. "Our bobbins are designed to be stripped". What a bunch of complete BS. No other pickup maker in the world would kick out that kind of insane statement. If they were telling the truth, none of the pole pieces would be adjustable. As that is not the case and some are just randomly stripped, they are obviously spitting out BS.
They also assume they are talking to someone who knows nothing about pickup design or how they function. This is doubly insulting. "Screw height adjustment has minimal tonal impact on this design". THEIR DESIGN IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER CHEAP HUMBUCKER. Pole piece adjustment matters for string balance and bass/treble balance. PERIOD. In the 5-6 figures of pickups I've dealt with in 50 years, I've never seen another maker who would claim that, nor another make with this problem. Even the cheapest Chinese junk has poles that will adjust.
FUTHER: ALMOST ALL commercial humbuckers have screw poles that thread into the bobbin and NOT INTO THE BASS PLATE. That includes all Duncans, DiMarzios, Throbaks, Wolfetones, BKP, etc etc etc. Amazingly, ALL their pole pieces are adjustable. I've only occasionally seen some cheap pickup where the screws thread into the baseplate. It's rare, and stupid.
Note from store owner with PRS response:
------------------------
I understand we had a customer return his PRS SE DGT “S” pickups stating the screw pole pieces were “stripped” because some would not travel up and down when adjusted. To verify, we ordered replacements and confirmed the same behavior.
I reached out directly to PRS PTC (Skitchy), and this is intentional design, not a defect. On these pickups:
• The screw poles do not thread into the baseplate
• They thread into the bobbin only, typically to the point of being even with the cover
• Some screws will not freely travel without being supported from underneath
• PRS’ position is that individual screw height adjustment has minimal tonal impact on this design; overall pickup height is the primary tonal control
This means replacement pickups will behave the same way and if he’s accustomed to fully threaded, freely adjustable pole pieces, the stock pickup simply won’t do what he wants.
----------------------------
My response:
================
My thoughts are that this is outrageous on the part of PRS. "Our bobbins are designed to be stripped". What a bunch of complete BS. No other pickup maker in the world would kick out that kind of insane statement. If they were telling the truth, none of the pole pieces would be adjustable. As that is not the case and some are just randomly stripped, they are obviously spitting out BS.
They also assume they are talking to someone who knows nothing about pickup design or how they function. This is doubly insulting. "Screw height adjustment has minimal tonal impact on this design". THEIR DESIGN IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER CHEAP HUMBUCKER. Pole piece adjustment matters for string balance and bass/treble balance. PERIOD. In the 5-6 figures of pickups I've dealt with in 50 years, I've never seen another maker who would claim that, nor another make with this problem. Even the cheapest Chinese junk has poles that will adjust.
FUTHER: ALMOST ALL commercial humbuckers have screw poles that thread into the bobbin and NOT INTO THE BASS PLATE. That includes all Duncans, DiMarzios, Throbaks, Wolfetones, BKP, etc etc etc. Amazingly, ALL their pole pieces are adjustable. I've only occasionally seen some cheap pickup where the screws thread into the baseplate. It's rare, and stupid.
But I fuckin hate strats
