Not a fan of PRS? How!?!?! I just recently bought my first PRS SE(I'm a Strat/Tele/Ibanez RG guy) and ever since I purchased the 24-08, I haven't touched my other guitars, and they're MIA/MIJ!!! PRS is killing it with the SE. I can only imagine how amazing a core model is. Purchasing one soon. PRS is my new favorite!
If you put the American made PRS 85/15 pups in your guitar you’ll be in shock how much better they are than the 85/15 SE Asian made one you have in it. It’s insane how different the same model pup is when it’s the real ones from America. Do it and you’ll seriously be like, WTF?
@@BAND-MAID-USA I ended up purchasing a CE24 and then a core Custom 24-08 lol so I haven't even touched the SE in like 6 months!🤣I keep it in a case in case I need to take a guitar to a friend's house or a family thing.
Thats how its suppose to be! I used to keep all my guitars in cases my father did the same before me and yet ive found so much more fun and love for my instruments having them around its like having an old Ferrari if you only take it out on weekends then its not justifying ownership as the old quote goes "own the ______, dont let the ______ own you" so use it! Worst comes to worst you invest a slight bit of money into a re coat of lacquer or poly whatever was used if you love the guitar and dont ever intend on selling it then its worth it and especially if its a high dollar instrument let that baby breathe and make some sweet music with it! Even better yet as hes done use it gigging then everyone gets to appreciate it and trust me youll get noticed so much more with a flashy guitar especially if you can play said flashy guitar! Rock on you all 🤘🏻👊🏼
Things I did with 85/15s pickups - cost: $0. 1. lowered them almost to the mounting rings. 2. dialed all tone controls on my amp down about 20% and use the volume and tone on the guitar to tailor to songs. They sound more vintage and rounder now, not as harsh and crispy. Also rotated both pups still attached in their mounting rings 180*. Simply unscrew the 4 screws per ring, flip them around and put back in. I did have to pull the extra lead wire from the switch cavity to reach. Now the single coil bridge has more body and the middle position split has quack like a Strat in the 2 or 4 position. I also suggest raising the pole pieces on the wound strings. It helps even tone with the unwound strings and gives more snap to the low E and A strings. In the end, what amp, effects, settings etc. you're playing through will have more affect on tone than which pickups are in a guitar.
Thanks for sharing!! On my 8/5/15s I just did the lowering and turning down tone controls on the amp and it seems like it helped. Certainly feels more expressive and I'm getting better smooth tube breakup sounds.
I am new to guitar and just got my first PRS. At first the sound caught me off guard. I turned all effects off my amp and eq to noon position and then dialed in a great tone for the PRS. I love it now, but have wondered what raising the poles would do. Hadn’t thought about flipping them as well...thank you, this gave me some ideas for when the time comes!
Awesome review. I appreciate you also not defending that you don’t like the pickups and get mad. I’ll end up probably doing this down the line. Thanks for making this video!
I am swapping my stock pups from my PRS SE Tremonti Custom to Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Specials. Your video explanation on the process confirmed what I thought I was gonna need to do.
since the prs allows you to split the pickups, do I have to buy a special pickup or can any humbucker pickup work? i was looking for tim henson signature pickups, would they work?
Great video! Thinking about doing the same to my new SE. I have that same pickup config in a Jackson (stock mj dinky) and it really sings. Would love to have that same range in this PRS. Thanks for making the vid on your upgrades!
Nice! I did what you did on my Tremonti SE but added core PRS lampshade knobs. Took it up a notch on an old Singlecut with some Fishman Classic Humbuckers and a new GT tusq nut along with PRS locking tuners and PRS knobs. The mods are worth it IMO. It gives you core quality sound with SE Cost! Great Video! 🤘🏼
I just bought the same one but black gold burst. I have 20 guitars very expensive ones and I’ve never been so inspired to play a guitar than I was with this guitar right off the bat. I’m so impressed with this guitar I’m thinking about getting another one maybe one with binding on the neck.
I shopped Reverb for my SE, got a great one for 550$, then swapped the tuners and pickups. JB neck Pearly Gates bridge. It's now my number 1 guitar. Best feeling neck I've ever played.
i can't seem to find a video with PRS and pearly gate bridge that's what i was thinking and wanted to hear. Would you consider doing a sample just letting some tones ring out or something?
@@whiskerandojoe it would be quite different depending on which amp, but I get tones quite similar to Billy Gibbons through my VHT special 6 ultra with a little boost. I can really push that amp hard with pearly gates in the bridge, mine is a custom 22 semi-hollow. The tones on the Seymour Duncan site are close to what mine sound like, and are probably better audio than anything I could upload
@@whiskerandojoeliterally hype pickups. Just like everything else in the guitar world. Paying double or triple for them is so dumb. Lower or raise your pickups. If possible the pole pieces too before you waste money on the Gates. Also, an EQ pedal is the most important pedal you’ll ever own. Pickups do very little as far as to. Clarity they can do a little better if well made. But pups are 1 of the biggest scales in the guitars world. Unless they’re just cheap garbage pups. Worry about your cab speaker before anything tone wise. And buy an EQ pedal and adjust the height of your pups.
Great video, Thanks! I purchased a PRS SE Standard in March. It felt great but sounded well, not so great. I also think there is a wiring problem because there was no difference between switch position 1 and position 2 and the pickups were so bright it caused both my boss Katana and fender champ x2 to make an awful chirping noise. At least I have some idea where to start. Thanks again!
I picked up a mint used PRS SE Mark Holcomb for £540. Basically just a hardtail custom 24 but with Seymour Duncan alpha and omega pickups worth £300. Absolute steal. Looks badass too!
Very convenient the timing of this coming on right after a prs video and as im looking to upgrade my prs both american models and import models thank you sir!
I changed the pickups in my PRS se twice ! They are 4 conductor for the coil split , so remember if your new pickups have only 2 wires make sure you know which wire is earth and live first 👍
Great vid, i'm sure i'll refer to it. Doing a Sentient/ Pegasus install on my Custom 24 SE in a week. That JB really rocks wow. I really want to put orange drop caps too, but not sure which ones, I think .001 uf and .022 uf.
I like the stock pups, and I have several to compare with, SD Jazz, Classic 57, Probuckers 2 and 3, SD Hyperion, SD Solar, Fender Blackouts etc etc I think the PRS pups do a good job in particular as a package for such low price. Someone said it was Carlos Santana that convinced Paul to release a gig worthy low price guitar for newbies/students so they don't quit because of crappy guitar. Great idea if true!
It is.. the PRS SE "Santana" model is affordable(ish)... At Sweetwater its $829. The US version is $4300 at GC. He wanted PRS to build that.. Unlike the Yamaha SG Santana model that was astronomically expensive for the day with no lower cost alternative with his name attached. (I used to have one of the lower cost SG's. An SG500.. still a GREAT guitar with all the important stuff that made the SG line so awesome)
Aside from the brand of tuners, I did the exact mods to my Standard 24. No matter what I wanna play, it gives me the sound I need. But I'll admit that it shines for punk and hard rock.
Thanks for taking time to show us your mods. Every opinion helps. It's important that,as guitarists we give "input "! This may sound a bit off, but I like single coils for distortion. Actual single coil pickups...not splitters.
Hi Colton, just saw this video today. Thanks for showing up the whole process. I would like to ask, have you consider, or someone else, having P90s on the PRS? Due to the cavities size, we need to go for a P90s humbuckers size correct? i read people say they don't sound that well as the normal size, but would love to hear opinions. Cheers
Love this video. Absolutely hate the SE Custom 24 pups. Tried all SE models and pups sound terrible on all of them. Muddy, underwater, or like they are being muffled under a pillow. So disappointing because my ‘88 Core custom 24 sounds beautiful. This is great video because it not only confirms there’s a way to make the SE sound as great as it looks and feels but shows how. Thanks so much. Interested to know if any other pup replacement recommendations.
What a great video man. I have a 2010 25th anniversary SE. and a couple of months ago put the same pickups. Next will be the tuners. Feels like a new guitar. Also my other guitar is a majesty and 100% with you.
Great video! I currently own a CE model and I love it. I’m waiting on a single cut 245 SE to arrive that’s on back order. When it comes in I’m gunna do a review and a shootout between a couple different SE and American models like the CE.
Hi Brian thanks for the tip I bought a set of these I put them in my usa prs standard they sound great!! Pick your brain if I may I have a pes se dgt model the mids cut through in a live application but no low end do you think 🤔 they would improve the tone & warmth of that guitar I use a pedal platform in front of clean amps thanks any perspective would be welcome
I've got an old Cherry Red PRS SE Custom 24 (the one without the contouring on the front of the body) that I'm in the process of restoring back to full playability, I'm going to be installing two Gibson USA PAF (Silver Shield) Humbucking pickups I salvaged from my old Gibson USA Les Paul Studio guitar, hopefully they'll sound good in the PRS SE Custom 24, I recently bought a PRS truss rod cover, a set of two plastic ivory PRS pickup rings, and a complete PRS trem bridge on eBay since I needed them in order to complete the restoration, I also need to make a small 2mm thick piece of rosewood in order to install a new nut because the original nut-shelf was sanded to accept a Floyd Rose locking nut, I originally wanted to install a Floyd Rose trem on it but I ended up abandoning the install because of some issues.
Correct. I have SDs in other guitars and though the tone is slightly different it is by no means a great improvement over the stock PRS. But kids will swear by that so as to retain their delusions.
I agree ,mine sound great.I'm going to swap out the tuners and the trem.Probably will go with bv the se locking tuners and the Mann made vos2,it drops right in and is cast bronze and solid machined brass.
thank you for the video Colton your se custom sounds really good i’m goin to be doin some upgrades to mine pickups locking tuners from prs i want all black but they don’t have them in all black your pickup choice was and is exellent i really like the way they sound
I have the 35th Anniversary model with the TCI pickups. Heard a criticism if the PRS pickup but never TCI's. Have you tried them? I will NOT be changing mine, only upgrading the tuners.
Just got a PRS Se. I change the bridge pickup and the small micro doesn't the string position. The string position are too large for the seymour duncan distortion. Do you have any suggestion of pickup that are larger than normal.
Great video! Can you please help me to select the perfect option for upgrading pickups? I need to know about some other pickups and your opinion, which is - Suhr SSH for Bridge and SSV for Neck for my PRS SE CUSTOM 24-08 2021 SERIES 6-STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR C844EV - ERIZA VERDE. How this combination will work? I need the PRS tone character too!
I came here on a quest to see if it's worth upgrading the pickups of my PRS SE Custom 24, I also have the charcoal grey model. Love the guitar but I also don't like the stock pickups. Also bought the PRS locking tuners for mine .Thanks for the video!
Distraught. Good word. Describes that kind of situation well! Good review of a PRS SE. I found my SE (Paul’s Guitar) to be in somewhat similar condition as you described when I first received it, although the pickups are decent. New Gotoh locking tuners, truss rod and action adjust, and very important (ha), a new custom dragon truss rod cover, and I officially announce this guitar to be one I am proud to own. It has its own sound, different than my Fender Strat Deluxe Plus or my Gibson Les Paul Tribute, but that difference is what makes it special. Yours is a nice looking guitar. PRS makes some of the most beautiful guitars at decent prices. Great review with detail of the changes you have made. Enjoyed watching it!
Bobby Allred thanks for the comment and for watching! Sounds like you’ve done some killer mods yourself! The se is quickly becoming my go to in the studio for exactly the reasons you mentioned. It has its own feel and sound.
Colton River I have also tried D’Addario NYXL 09-042 strings, Elixir Optiweb 09-042 strings (on the PRS currently), and of course the PRS strings it came with, which are supposedly 09-042 also, but seemed to be more like 010-046. I am leaning more towards going back to the D’Addario NYXLs. Which strings do you use?
Bobby Allred I use NYXL .0095s - i found this size was the best for the cu24 se. I don’t use that size on any other guitar, for some reason that guitar really feels like it likes that gauge to me. Nyxls are my preferred bc you get a little bit of the coated feel without the actual annoying coating. Thanks for the comment man!
Colton River thanks for replying. I agree that the NYXL is a good fit, and I replaced the Elixirs that I had on my PRS yesterday, going back to the NYXL 009-042. Immediately my guitar felt better with increased quality of sound and better playability IMO, although that 009 likely needs to be increased a bit. I’m thinking 010, but maybe I’ll try the 0095 first. I’ve tweaked everything else on the PRS, and I feel like it deserves the same attention with strings.
Soooo... i have an SE standard 24 and i want to knowis the nut graphite and if not should i change the nut? Something tells me it will make a difference too.
I just ordered a new PRS SE Custom 24 and a set of (PRS) locking tuners as well. I'll give the stock pickups a fair try first as I normally do before making a change. I'll most likely end up putting in a set of Seymour Duncan pickups in it. I'm thinking about which ones to go with but, first really want to hear how it sounds stock.
Need help! I am using the same model (PRS SE custom 24). I want to change the pickup ring to black. do you know the diagram? or link to buy it. afraid of wrong size. TQ
I put the PRS metal buckers in my SE. Added locking tuners, and had the gloss neck sanded to give it a satin feel. One of the BEST guitars in my arsenal, even over my more expensive guitars.
Hey friend good morning, I'm Gary, I have a PRS tremonti just bought but my high E is getting caught on the front pick up, any suggestion on a fix. Only problem
Thanks for your informative video! I had a few questions: 1. Did you get the JB in trembucker spacing (TB-4) or standard spacing (SH-4)? I thought the bridge humbucker of SE's are in trembucker spacing. 2. How is the balance when playing seated without wearing a strap? Does it tend to dive towards the body side? 3. Does the gloss neck finish bother you? 4. Do you have you any problems with the stock output jack? 5. Toggle switches or blade switches? Do you have a preference? 6. Is the cavity shielded? 7. Is the stock nut bad quality? 8. Have you tried alternative tunings with the floating bridge? 9. What string gauge are you using? 10. Does the body dig into your forearm?
This explains a lot of those nasally low output in my 85/15 pickup. I might go for a PATX set since I enjoy Blues Saraceno tone that much. Cheers to this lovely video insight!
Just picked up PRS SE with the same jazz/jb hotrodded set! Set up at sweetwater. I was curious if you're getting high harmonic chirping when playing? Ex. alternate picking on a open D string give me this high pitched harmonic overtone like a pinch harmonic over the D note. applies on every string any fret and gets worse the harder I play. Tried lowering the pick ups especially the JB but still the same problem. Any ideas by any chance?
dmikmusic really interesting. I have not had that problem at all with mine. I’m not even sure how’d you diagnose that issue. Is it only with gain/ distortion or are you getting it on clean too?
@@coltonriver4456 Yeah it's really weird. Sweetwater set it up for me and I immediately noticed this. They said it sounds normal, so I took it to a local luthier and he said he would need to look into it deeper because he can't spot the problem at first glance. Waitlist was long so I took it back hoping it's just the strings taking a loooong time to break in.. Here's a few clips if you're curious. What do you think? Clean tone - clyp.it/f4yqyx5f?token=e78b2beec945cf5398146a907f1883f1 Gain - clyp.it/mgby4wgk?token=597eef7d15e3f2e6d70e1eb604072bdc Fingers - clyp.it/mbfksx4s?token=5b83ddec06ed42075c43ea28e6e938db
dmikmusic I just listened to the clips. I hear what you’re getting at. I can see why they would say there’s nothing wrong with it bc frankly I doubt they want to do the work of trying to diagnose this. Since you said it’s any fret, my best guesses are in order: problem at the saddles of the bridge/ neck needs slightly adjusted bc you’re having a faint impact with a fret further down the board/ possibly slightly miswound pickups (although that’s unlikely)/ the nut is cut wrong. All of them except for the pickups are pretty easy to fix honestly. Try adding little scraps of paper under the offending strings at the bridge and then retune and see if the ringing disappears - you’ll at least isolate whether it’s a string or pickup issue. From there unless you are one, professional luthier might be your best bet. This is like an electronics issue in a car, maybe not the worst in the world but noticeable and really hard to track down. Sorry man P.s. if I hadn’t known you tried to adjust then already I’d swear the pickups are too high which is what it sounds like to me, that being said it can help at least describe the problem to a professional
@@coltonriver4456 Hey man! Thanks for the indepth help! I am definitely not a pro at this so your input definitely helped troubleshooting. Yes, I tried lowering pickup unreasonably low too and it had the same problem. First I tried cover the strings inbetween the nut and headstock but that didn't solve the issue. However, I tried adding a scrap of napkin under all the strings above the screws that connect the bridge to the guitar. It definitely dampened the annoying chirp. Not completely gone but less loud than before. Would this mean my saddle would need to be adjusted due to strings hitting a fret on the higher frets? Do you advise I goto a local professional for this as I really don't trust shipping it back to sweetwater lol.. Opens more variables for something to go wrong. You're input was the best one out of all the forums and reddit posts I did. Thanks so much. I hope sweetwater can reimburse atleast a portion of their crap setup they did EDIT: Another thing I JUST noticed today was. Whenever I slide on some lower frets and most higher frets than 6-7th fret, I can a really bad warble. I muted all the other strings to avoid potential sympathetic vibration. Is it just because I suck at guitar or is something off about this that can relate to the obnoxious picking overtones WARBLE CLIP : clyp.it/3zn2t1ns?token=c911a84956d42db8827cb5c13fe34e31
dmikmusic hey! Thank you for the compliments! A couple of things here: 1. Yeah to me if the paper makes the issue less then it’s either a saddle problem or a problem at the nut but most likely saddle since you have it multiple areas. I would definitely mention this to sweetwater and request at least a partial refund as the setup is clearly not ideal. 2. The warble. This is really interesting as I cannot figure out what would cause it. It literally sounds like dissonance from a off vibration or some kind of ringing issue. This may be from the the saddle/nut problem but that sounds really strong and really distinct and I doubt it’s wholly your technique. I would probably end up taking this to a professional luthier. Sweetwater clearly can’t get the setup right and if the luthier tells you the neck is not fixable or it needs different saddles, nut, etc then I would be talking to sweetwater about a refund. Sorry all of this has happened to you man and good luck with the resolution.
@@CoryA2503 yes, they have a smaller sound and that is my problem. they can cut through a mix easily but they have no "presence" on stage. I love PRS craftsmanship and their sound but sometimes it leaves me feeling like I "brought a knife to a gun fight".
Gibsons wouldn't be far off from that, they're naturally meant to be warm and a bit mellow. If you're opting for more "cut" to your sound, I'd recommend new pickups. An overwound PAF style may be what you're looking for, since they can clean up like vintage-style humbuckers but also have more punch at 10. I don't think you'd see that same change going between stock S2 pickups and Vintage Gibson pickups
I have a 2008 core model that I replace the pick ups in for the very same reason I thought that sounded horrible, I also replaced the rotary switch with a 3 way and I love the guitar now
Thnx for the video. I want a PRS but since I live in Chile,.we are doomed to pay much more money in taxes to import a guitar. I like the CE models but are too much expensive. What do you think if I buy a SE and upgrade it?
Paul Reed-Smith & Carlos Santana's decision to go with the Korean-made-for-PRS student edition range was the best thing for guitarists starting out since the invention of, say, beer or else the kebab. Full stop. There is simply nothing wrong with any of them that would hinder a learner from learning successfully. Intonation, frets, balance, finish, electronics - all perfectly passing muster at an affordable price (especially second-hand - there are *thousands* of them out there). Back when I was a teenager, cheap guitars were unbelievably crap...
Was about to facepalm somebody modifying a PRS Custom 24. Have a 1994 version, fully stock, and wouldn't change a thing about it, though I understand some people are not fans of the 5 way rotary pickup selector. Then I realized I had dyslexia and didn't read the "SE" part of the title of this video. Lol. My philosophy on modding guitars is that anything that cost you less than $1,500 is fair game. Starting around the $2,000 mark, I'm thinking "Why would you spend that much on a guitar you're gonna mod anyway?" Mid-priced guitars like in this video and budget guitars are great to mod anyway you like. Personally, I wouldn't trade my 1994 PRS Custom 24 for any amount of these mid-price or budget guitars, but that's mostly because of sentimental value. Great video btw. Looks like a versatile beast of a guitar :)
Jazz and a 59 I dig it. The tone is clean. I have thought about that set up also. I have a Schecter Tempest Cutom that I want to change them out. Thought about the Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates models. You've given me good ideas for the Custom 24 I just ordered. Maybe the Pearlys in the Schecter and the Jazz and 59 in the PRS. Thanks good video.
I got one that was stripped with different color and they put a Floyd Rose on it Ibanez Floyd Rose cut it out for an Ibanez Floyd Rose what do you think about
Great video!! I also have a PRS SE Custom 24 in a Tobacco Burst and I also changed the tuner to the same type of locking tuners which I purchased from John Mann’s Guitar Vault (I couldn’t find them on the PRS sight at the time). FYI John Mann makes a lot of after market parts for the PRS guitars. I have been searching for some good replacement pickups myself and do like the one you installed!! It always makes me nervous when I watch anyone change out tuners with a pair of pliers instead of using the correct size wrench, like nails on a chalk board, but that’s me!! Again Great Video!! What were those pickups again? I need to research them! Thanks!!
Hey man thanks for the comments! You’re absolutely right about using pliers on the lock nuts and anyone reading this in the future should listen to Tim here. Spend the 1.50 on the correct sized nut wrench. I used a Seymour Duncan Jb (model SH-4) in the bridge position and a Seymour Duncan Jazz (model SH-2) in the neck. Extremely versatile and solid sounding pickups. With the coil split you can legitimately use them for any genre. Are there better choices? Sure but this gets you a great tone across the board for any solid mahogany guitar imo.
My bridge pickup died so in the process of switching pickups Seymour Duncan 59 in the bridge and Seymour Duncan pearly gates in the neck and your write the neck is nice I love the body style as well.
Never seen this guy cept a sweetwater ad. Looks cool. Sold my 2 S2s for a Schecter and a PRS SE standard. I actually like the Standard better, like you the neck of course. Started getting carpal tunnel and I told myself that neck was best but it’s just too thick. The Standard feels right for my hands and the wide thin feel is very good for lead stuff to me.
Thanks for this video, I ordered a prewired harness for a custom 24 for a Duncan swap, but I have a second Custom that I want to keep the wiring, but I’m getting lost with the wiring colors, just have the white and black are the splits, and reds are hot, but ugh the separate jumper wire from the tone pot to the switch and I’m guessing the bridge actually goes to the switch? The prewired harness set me back $72, but $150 for the pickup combo you have plus the locking PRS tuners instead of the harness is the route I’m thinking, but I’ll definitely do some more research and take pictures. Best wishes and thanks
Hi, thanks for the vid. Definitely my view too regarding mid range guitars for gigging. My Custom SE24 mod was Seymour Duncan P-Rails plus triple-shot rings for 4 sounds per pickup, plus independent switching (24 sounds). Tone switch would have been redundant so used that for phase reverse of neck pickup for Peter Green tones (and another 24 sounds in the process) 🙂 Incidentally, also agree re position of switch: modded my MM Silo HSH for the same reason (ok it aint mid-range, but I got it cheap when they weren’t fashionable), with 3 way slider for HBs and separate on/off for SC. Had push pulls for HB splitting but will add triple shots to that too as I find them easier when playing live.
First upgrade is the biggest bang for the buck, which is the hollow cheap plastic nut. Use a GraphTech TUSQ XL #6643. Makes a TON of diff in the sustain and the tuning stability. You can literally feel the extra resonant energy thru the neck and body. Next is definitely the pickups, if they're the garbage 85/15S model. They sound nice clean and up to moderate volume, but anything needing gain or energy is muddy and lifeless. I changed my Cu24 to a Duncan Custom in the bridge and a Pearly Gates in the neck. On my Tremonti I used a PRS USA HFS in the bridge and a Vintage Bass in the neck. Last I put in the new PRS SE Locking Tuners.
Mine too came from Sweetwater with old strings. I asked and they sent me a new set free of charge. And I replaced the knobs as I found the stock ones too slippery.
Not a fan of PRS? How!?!?! I just recently bought my first PRS SE(I'm a Strat/Tele/Ibanez RG guy) and ever since I purchased the 24-08, I haven't touched my other guitars, and they're MIA/MIJ!!! PRS is killing it with the SE. I can only imagine how amazing a core model is. Purchasing one soon. PRS is my new favorite!
If you put the American made PRS 85/15 pups in your guitar you’ll be in shock how much better they are than the 85/15 SE Asian made one you have in it. It’s insane how different the same model pup is when it’s the real ones from America. Do it and you’ll seriously be like, WTF?
@@BAND-MAID-USA I ended up purchasing a CE24 and then a core Custom 24-08 lol so I haven't even touched the SE in like 6 months!🤣I keep it in a case in case I need to take a guitar to a friend's house or a family thing.
@@BAND-MAID-USAI just picked up a set of 85/15 core pickups for my standard 24
This guys gigging guitar would be my trophy guitar
Thats how its suppose to be! I used to keep all my guitars in cases my father did the same before me and yet ive found so much more fun and love for my instruments having them around its like having an old Ferrari if you only take it out on weekends then its not justifying ownership as the old quote goes "own the ______, dont let the ______ own you" so use it! Worst comes to worst you invest a slight bit of money into a re coat of lacquer or poly whatever was used if you love the guitar and dont ever intend on selling it then its worth it and especially if its a high dollar instrument let that baby breathe and make some sweet music with it! Even better yet as hes done use it gigging then everyone gets to appreciate it and trust me youll get noticed so much more with a flashy guitar especially if you can play said flashy guitar! Rock on you all 🤘🏻👊🏼
Duncan pickups and PRS guitars are a match made in heaven! Makes sense why Mark Holcomb picked that combo too
Things I did with 85/15s pickups - cost: $0. 1. lowered them almost to the mounting rings. 2. dialed all tone controls on my amp down about 20% and use the volume and tone on the guitar to tailor to songs. They sound more vintage and rounder now, not as harsh and crispy. Also rotated both pups still attached in their mounting rings 180*. Simply unscrew the 4 screws per ring, flip them around and put back in. I did have to pull the extra lead wire from the switch cavity to reach. Now the single coil bridge has more body and the middle position split has quack like a Strat in the 2 or 4 position. I also suggest raising the pole pieces on the wound strings. It helps even tone with the unwound strings and gives more snap to the low E and A strings. In the end, what amp, effects, settings etc. you're playing through will have more affect on tone than which pickups are in a guitar.
Thanks for sharing!! On my 8/5/15s I just did the lowering and turning down tone controls on the amp and it seems like it helped. Certainly feels more expressive and I'm getting better smooth tube breakup sounds.
I am new to guitar and just got my first PRS. At first the sound caught me off guard. I turned all effects off my amp and eq to noon position and then dialed in a great tone for the PRS. I love it now, but have wondered what raising the poles would do. Hadn’t thought about flipping them as well...thank you, this gave me some ideas for when the time comes!
LOL!
Always wanted a PRS. Always loved the craftsmanship and sound.
Awesome review. I appreciate you also not defending that you don’t like the pickups and get mad. I’ll end up probably doing this down the line. Thanks for making this video!
I am swapping my stock pups from my PRS SE Tremonti Custom to Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Specials. Your video explanation on the process confirmed what I thought I was gonna need to do.
I just got a Tremonti SE, would you recommend the Saturday Night Specials
@@DavidMorales008 sure! I liked the stock pups, and I also like the SNS as well
since the prs allows you to split the pickups, do I have to buy a special pickup or can any humbucker pickup work? i was looking for tim henson signature pickups, would they work?
Great video! Thinking about doing the same to my new SE. I have that same pickup config in a Jackson (stock mj dinky) and it really sings. Would love to have that same range in this PRS. Thanks for making the vid on your upgrades!
Nice! I did what you did on my Tremonti SE but added core PRS lampshade knobs. Took it up a notch on an old Singlecut with some Fishman Classic Humbuckers and a new GT tusq nut along with PRS locking tuners and PRS knobs. The mods are worth it IMO. It gives you core quality sound with SE Cost! Great Video! 🤘🏼
LOL!
That’s what I did too ! Nice to see it’s not so stupid and I’m not a weirdo for upgrading it
buddy.. you sir are my hero.. I needed to see this big time!
I just bought the same one but black gold burst. I have 20 guitars very expensive ones and I’ve never been so inspired to play a guitar than I was with this guitar right off the bat. I’m so impressed with this guitar I’m thinking about getting another one maybe one with binding on the neck.
This is video is great, high quality and very useful...thank you so much, exactly what I needed
I shopped Reverb for my SE, got a great one for 550$, then swapped the tuners and pickups. JB neck Pearly Gates bridge. It's now my number 1 guitar. Best feeling neck I've ever played.
i can't seem to find a video with PRS and pearly gate bridge that's what i was thinking and wanted to hear. Would you consider doing a sample just letting some tones ring out or something?
@@whiskerandojoe it would be quite different depending on which amp, but I get tones quite similar to Billy Gibbons through my VHT special 6 ultra with a little boost. I can really push that amp hard with pearly gates in the bridge, mine is a custom 22 semi-hollow.
The tones on the Seymour Duncan site are close to what mine sound like, and are probably better audio than anything I could upload
@@whiskerandojoeliterally hype pickups. Just like everything else in the guitar world. Paying double or triple for them is so dumb. Lower or raise your pickups. If possible the pole pieces too before you waste money on the Gates. Also, an EQ pedal is the most important pedal you’ll ever own. Pickups do very little as far as to. Clarity they can do a little better if well made. But pups are 1 of the biggest scales in the guitars world. Unless they’re just cheap garbage pups. Worry about your cab speaker before anything tone wise. And buy an EQ pedal and adjust the height of your pups.
@@BAND-MAID-USA thanks for insights! i appreciate your time/response
I got an SE for $300 bucks in mint condition and I am putting core 85/15 pickups in it
I have one too! Love it, came with 85/15’s…not bad.
Great Post…I subscribed!!!
Great video, Thanks! I purchased a PRS SE Standard in March. It felt great but sounded well, not so great. I also think there is a wiring problem because there was no difference between switch position 1 and position 2 and the pickups were so bright it caused both my boss Katana and fender champ x2 to make an awful chirping noise. At least I have some idea where to start. Thanks again!
Not worried about someone knocking over ya $700 guitar is a new kind of peace 😂 i just got one of these. Love it!
I picked up a mint used PRS SE Mark Holcomb for £540. Basically just a hardtail custom 24 but with Seymour Duncan alpha and omega pickups worth £300. Absolute steal.
Looks badass too!
Very convenient the timing of this coming on right after a prs video and as im looking to upgrade my prs both american models and import models thank you sir!
I changed the pickups in my PRS se twice ! They are 4 conductor for the coil split , so remember if your new pickups have only 2 wires make sure you know which wire is earth and live first 👍
Rob Phillips very good point! I should have put that in the video. Thank you for the comment and the tip!
Great vid, i'm sure i'll refer to it. Doing a Sentient/ Pegasus install on my Custom 24 SE in a week. That JB really rocks wow. I really want to put orange drop caps too, but not sure which ones, I think .001 uf and .022 uf.
I like the stock pups, and I have several to compare with, SD Jazz, Classic 57, Probuckers 2 and 3, SD Hyperion, SD Solar, Fender Blackouts etc etc I think the PRS pups do a good job in particular as a package for such low price. Someone said it was Carlos Santana that convinced Paul to release a gig worthy low price guitar for newbies/students so they don't quit because of crappy guitar. Great idea if true!
It is.. the PRS SE "Santana" model is affordable(ish)... At Sweetwater its $829. The US version is $4300 at GC. He wanted PRS to build that.. Unlike the Yamaha SG Santana model that was astronomically expensive for the day with no lower cost alternative with his name attached. (I used to have one of the lower cost SG's. An SG500.. still a GREAT guitar with all the important stuff that made the SG line so awesome)
Also, and correct me if I’m wrong here, but wasn’t the first ever Santana signature guitar also the first ever SE?
Thanks for the video, Colton. Very helpful.
have one since 2013 and love it changed my pickups and tuners with locking tuners also which are Schaller m6 minis
Aside from the brand of tuners, I did the exact mods to my Standard 24. No matter what I wanna play, it gives me the sound I need. But I'll admit that it shines for punk and hard rock.
Thanks for taking time to show us your mods. Every opinion helps. It's important that,as guitarists we give "input "!
This may sound a bit off, but I like single coils for distortion. Actual single coil pickups...not splitters.
I have this guitar, thought i didnt like the pickups .... simply rolled down the tone knob a bit and i love them.
Hi Colton, just saw this video today. Thanks for showing up the whole process. I would like to ask, have you consider, or someone else, having P90s on the PRS? Due to the cavities size, we need to go for a P90s humbuckers size correct? i read people say they don't sound that well as the normal size, but would love to hear opinions. Cheers
Love this video. Absolutely hate the SE Custom 24 pups. Tried all SE models and pups sound terrible on all of them. Muddy, underwater, or like they are being muffled under a pillow. So disappointing because my ‘88 Core custom 24 sounds beautiful. This is great video because it not only confirms there’s a way to make the SE sound as great as it looks and feels but shows how. Thanks so much. Interested to know if any other pup replacement recommendations.
the only good prs video ive found
Great vid and funny too. Great job. Subbed!
Amazing intro to the video 😂, that is soooo much me!
Glad I found this. Best help video for this DYI project. Thanks a bunch.
Sharp looking guitar! I have the Zach Meyers prs, I think I going to change the pickups down the road
What a great video man. I have a 2010 25th anniversary SE. and a couple of months ago put the same pickups. Next will be the tuners. Feels like a new guitar. Also my other guitar is a majesty and 100% with you.
Nice video and that’s a great guitar, been looking at a PRS, nice man!
Great video! I currently own a CE model and I love it. I’m waiting on a single cut 245 SE to arrive that’s on back order. When it comes in I’m gunna do a review and a shootout between a couple different SE and American models like the CE.
Hi Brian thanks for the tip I bought a set of these I put them in my usa prs standard they sound great!! Pick your brain if I may I have a pes se dgt model the mids cut through in a live application but no low end do you think 🤔 they would improve the tone & warmth of that guitar I use a pedal platform in front of clean amps thanks any perspective would be welcome
I've got an old Cherry Red PRS SE Custom 24 (the one without the contouring on the front of the body) that I'm in the process of restoring back to full playability, I'm going to be installing two Gibson USA PAF (Silver Shield) Humbucking pickups I salvaged from my old Gibson USA Les Paul Studio guitar, hopefully they'll sound good in the PRS SE Custom 24, I recently bought a PRS truss rod cover, a set of two plastic ivory PRS pickup rings, and a complete PRS trem bridge on eBay since I needed them in order to complete the restoration, I also need to make a small 2mm thick piece of rosewood in order to install a new nut because the original nut-shelf was sanded to accept a Floyd Rose locking nut, I originally wanted to install a Floyd Rose trem on it but I ended up abandoning the install because of some issues.
Honestly, the stock PRS pickups are better to my ears than most SD pickups I hear swapped in them. Not worth the upgrade.
Correct. I have SDs in other guitars and though the tone is slightly different it is by no means a great improvement over the stock PRS. But kids will swear by that so as to retain their delusions.
I agree ,mine sound great.I'm going to swap out the tuners and the trem.Probably will go with bv the se locking tuners and the Mann made vos2,it drops right in and is cast bronze and solid machined brass.
It’s 2021, people nitpick about everything these days.
The stock 85/15s pickups in my Custom 24 SE are excellent. I didn’t hear anything in this video to change my mind.🇺🇸🎸
@@Jamescreaney boomer alert
thank you for the video Colton your se custom sounds really good i’m goin to be doin some upgrades to mine pickups locking tuners from prs i want all black but they don’t have them in all black
your pickup choice was and is exellent i really like the way they sound
very interesting, Thank you
I have the 35th Anniversary model with the TCI pickups. Heard a criticism if the PRS pickup but never TCI's. Have you tried them? I will NOT be changing mine, only upgrading the tuners.
When using the SD wiring diagram and you spit the SD humbuckers which coils will be working and which will be off? Slugs? Screws?
Just got a PRS Se. I change the bridge pickup and the small micro doesn't the string position. The string position are too large for the seymour duncan distortion. Do you have any suggestion of pickup that are larger than normal.
Can trembucker pickups fit?
Hi man great video, i wonder what would be a "nicer" set of pickups? any suggestions?
Great video! Can you please help me to select the perfect option for upgrading pickups? I need to know about some other pickups and your opinion, which is - Suhr SSH for Bridge and SSV for Neck for my PRS SE CUSTOM 24-08 2021 SERIES 6-STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR C844EV - ERIZA VERDE. How this combination will work? I need the PRS tone character too!
I came here on a quest to see if it's worth upgrading the pickups of my PRS SE Custom 24, I also have the charcoal grey model. Love the guitar but I also don't like the stock pickups. Also bought the PRS locking tuners for mine .Thanks for the video!
Distraught. Good word. Describes that kind of situation well! Good review of a PRS SE. I found my SE (Paul’s Guitar) to be in somewhat similar condition as you described when I first received it, although the pickups are decent. New Gotoh locking tuners, truss rod and action adjust, and very important (ha), a new custom dragon truss rod cover, and I officially announce this guitar to be one I am proud to own. It has its own sound, different than my Fender Strat Deluxe Plus or my Gibson Les Paul Tribute, but that difference is what makes it special. Yours is a nice looking guitar. PRS makes some of the most beautiful guitars at decent prices. Great review with detail of the changes you have made. Enjoyed watching it!
I added PRS Phase 3 locking tuners to my SE Paul’s and that’s it, great guitar 👍
Bobby Allred thanks for the comment and for watching! Sounds like you’ve done some killer mods yourself! The se is quickly becoming my go to in the studio for exactly the reasons you mentioned. It has its own feel and sound.
Colton River I have also tried D’Addario NYXL 09-042 strings, Elixir Optiweb 09-042 strings (on the PRS currently), and of course the PRS strings it came with, which are supposedly 09-042 also, but seemed to be more like 010-046. I am leaning more towards going back to the D’Addario NYXLs. Which strings do you use?
Bobby Allred I use NYXL .0095s - i found this size was the best for the cu24 se. I don’t use that size on any other guitar, for some reason that guitar really feels like it likes that gauge to me.
Nyxls are my preferred bc you get a little bit of the coated feel without the actual annoying coating.
Thanks for the comment man!
Colton River thanks for replying. I agree that the NYXL is a good fit, and I replaced the Elixirs that I had on my PRS yesterday, going back to the NYXL 009-042. Immediately my guitar felt better with increased quality of sound and better playability IMO, although that 009 likely needs to be increased a bit. I’m thinking 010, but maybe I’ll try the 0095 first. I’ve tweaked everything else on the PRS, and I feel like it deserves the same attention with strings.
Soooo... i have an SE standard 24 and i want to knowis the nut graphite and if not should i change the nut? Something tells me it will make a difference too.
I just ordered a new PRS SE Custom 24 and a set of (PRS) locking tuners as well. I'll give the stock pickups a fair try first as I normally do before making a change. I'll most likely end up putting in a set of Seymour Duncan pickups in it. I'm thinking about which ones to go with but, first really want to hear how it sounds stock.
Need help!
I am using the same model (PRS SE custom 24).
I want to change the pickup ring to black.
do you know the diagram? or link to buy it. afraid of wrong size. TQ
Great video that came at a perfect time. Thanks much
Great video! Love PRS guitars 🎸.
Great video, thanks for sharing this!
I put the PRS metal buckers in my SE. Added locking tuners, and had the gloss neck sanded to give it a satin feel. One of the BEST guitars in my arsenal, even over my more expensive guitars.
Hey friend good morning, I'm Gary, I have a PRS tremonti just bought but my high E is getting caught on the front pick up, any suggestion on a fix. Only problem
Thanks for your informative video! I had a few questions:
1. Did you get the JB in trembucker spacing (TB-4) or standard spacing (SH-4)? I thought the bridge humbucker of SE's are in trembucker spacing.
2. How is the balance when playing seated without wearing a strap? Does it tend to dive towards the body side?
3. Does the gloss neck finish bother you?
4. Do you have you any problems with the stock output jack?
5. Toggle switches or blade switches? Do you have a preference?
6. Is the cavity shielded?
7. Is the stock nut bad quality?
8. Have you tried alternative tunings with the floating bridge?
9. What string gauge are you using?
10. Does the body dig into your forearm?
Just mounted, inspired by your video, the Seymour Duncan JB Trembucker and Jazz Humbucker pair on my 2013 SE. NGD!
JB/Jazz set is incredible. As good as any boutqiue makers' pickups and amazingly versatile.
Thanks for sharing the video with us. 👍
Does this have the Tremolo Bar position
tensioner? Most people wouldn't use
it or care about it, but does it work?
This explains a lot of those nasally low output in my 85/15 pickup. I might go for a PATX set since I enjoy Blues Saraceno tone that much. Cheers to this lovely video insight!
I put the locking tuners and some duncan pickups in my SE standard and it's such a perfect guitar now. Only cost me about $700 total.
Hi, @Colton River I have a PRS Mark Tremonti SE would I be able to install a coil split if I change the pickups to PRS 57/08 pickups?
I was also thinking about Seymour Duncan's Black Winter Sets, too pushed?
Great mod, how accurate (straight) are tuners aligned in back of the neck, will a straight edge be required?
Did you replaced the nut!? Which material is the new one!? Thanks!
Can you put a more secure 4 screw jack plate like Gibson?
Just picked up PRS SE with the same jazz/jb hotrodded set! Set up at sweetwater. I was curious if you're getting high harmonic chirping when playing?
Ex. alternate picking on a open D string give me this high pitched harmonic overtone like a pinch harmonic over the D note. applies on every string any fret and gets worse the harder I play. Tried lowering the pick ups especially the JB but still the same problem. Any ideas by any chance?
dmikmusic really interesting. I have not had that problem at all with mine. I’m not even sure how’d you diagnose that issue. Is it only with gain/ distortion or are you getting it on clean too?
@@coltonriver4456 Yeah it's really weird. Sweetwater set it up for me and I immediately noticed this. They said it sounds normal, so I took it to a local luthier and he said he would need to look into it deeper because he can't spot the problem at first glance. Waitlist was long so I took it back hoping it's just the strings taking a loooong time to break in..
Here's a few clips if you're curious. What do you think?
Clean tone - clyp.it/f4yqyx5f?token=e78b2beec945cf5398146a907f1883f1
Gain - clyp.it/mgby4wgk?token=597eef7d15e3f2e6d70e1eb604072bdc
Fingers - clyp.it/mbfksx4s?token=5b83ddec06ed42075c43ea28e6e938db
dmikmusic I just listened to the clips. I hear what you’re getting at. I can see why they would say there’s nothing wrong with it bc frankly I doubt they want to do the work of trying to diagnose this. Since you said it’s any fret, my best guesses are in order: problem at the saddles of the bridge/ neck needs slightly adjusted bc you’re having a faint impact with a fret further down the board/ possibly slightly miswound pickups (although that’s unlikely)/ the nut is cut wrong.
All of them except for the pickups are pretty easy to fix honestly. Try adding little scraps of paper under the offending strings at the bridge and then retune and see if the ringing disappears - you’ll at least isolate whether it’s a string or pickup issue. From there unless you are one, professional luthier might be your best bet. This is like an electronics issue in a car, maybe not the worst in the world but noticeable and really hard to track down. Sorry man
P.s. if I hadn’t known you tried to adjust then already I’d swear the pickups are too high which is what it sounds like to me, that being said it can help at least describe the problem to a professional
@@coltonriver4456 Hey man! Thanks for the indepth help! I am definitely not a pro at this so your input definitely helped troubleshooting. Yes, I tried lowering pickup unreasonably low too and it had the same problem. First I tried cover the strings inbetween the nut and headstock but that didn't solve the issue.
However, I tried adding a scrap of napkin under all the strings above the screws that connect the bridge to the guitar. It definitely dampened the annoying chirp. Not completely gone but less loud than before. Would this mean my saddle would need to be adjusted due to strings hitting a fret on the higher frets? Do you advise I goto a local professional for this as I really don't trust shipping it back to sweetwater lol.. Opens more variables for something to go wrong.
You're input was the best one out of all the forums and reddit posts I did.
Thanks so much. I hope sweetwater can reimburse atleast a portion of their crap setup they did
EDIT: Another thing I JUST noticed today was. Whenever I slide on some lower frets and most higher frets than 6-7th fret, I can a really bad warble. I muted all the other strings to avoid potential sympathetic vibration. Is it just because I suck at guitar or is something off about this that can relate to the obnoxious picking overtones
WARBLE CLIP : clyp.it/3zn2t1ns?token=c911a84956d42db8827cb5c13fe34e31
dmikmusic hey! Thank you for the compliments! A couple of things here:
1. Yeah to me if the paper makes the issue less then it’s either a saddle problem or a problem at the nut but most likely saddle since you have it multiple areas. I would definitely mention this to sweetwater and request at least a partial refund as the setup is clearly not ideal.
2. The warble. This is really interesting as I cannot figure out what would cause it. It literally sounds like dissonance from a off vibration or some kind of ringing issue. This may be from the the saddle/nut problem but that sounds really strong and really distinct and I doubt it’s wholly your technique.
I would probably end up taking this to a professional luthier. Sweetwater clearly can’t get the setup right and if the luthier tells you the neck is not fixable or it needs different saddles, nut, etc then I would be talking to sweetwater about a refund.
Sorry all of this has happened to you man and good luck with the resolution.
I have an S2 and am thinking of switching out the pickups for some vintage Gibson humbuckers I've had since the 80s. any thoughts?
How different do your S2 pickups sound from the Gibsons? As far as I know, the PRS pickups are meant to have a similar sound to vintage humbuckers
@@CoryA2503 yes, they have a smaller sound and that is my problem. they can cut through a mix easily but they have no "presence" on stage. I love PRS craftsmanship and their sound but sometimes it leaves me feeling like I "brought a knife to a gun fight".
Gibsons wouldn't be far off from that, they're naturally meant to be warm and a bit mellow. If you're opting for more "cut" to your sound, I'd recommend new pickups. An overwound PAF style may be what you're looking for, since they can clean up like vintage-style humbuckers but also have more punch at 10. I don't think you'd see that same change going between stock S2 pickups and Vintage Gibson pickups
@@CoryA2503 good stuff. thanks, my brother, have a good one.
I have a 2008 core model that I replace the pick ups in for the very same reason I thought that sounded horrible, I also replaced the rotary switch with a 3 way and I love the guitar now
I have the red fade. Looking to upgrade pups.
Thnx for the video. I want a PRS but since I live in Chile,.we are doomed to pay much more money in taxes to import a guitar. I like the CE models but are too much expensive. What do you think if I buy a SE and upgrade it?
Nice... about to start the mods on my 24 SE... Which model of strap locks are they?
I got a PRS SE and did the Same to my guitar 🤘🏻😄🤘🏻 now im thinking about getting a MannMade USA Upgrade Kit to 😄😄😄
Can u still use the coil tap with the new pickups
Paul Reed-Smith & Carlos Santana's decision to go with the Korean-made-for-PRS student edition range was the best thing for guitarists starting out since the invention of, say, beer or else the kebab. Full stop. There is simply nothing wrong with any of them that would hinder a learner from learning successfully. Intonation, frets, balance, finish, electronics - all perfectly passing muster at an affordable price (especially second-hand - there are *thousands* of them out there). Back when I was a teenager, cheap guitars were unbelievably crap...
LOL!
Was about to facepalm somebody modifying a PRS Custom 24. Have a 1994 version, fully stock, and wouldn't change a thing about it, though I understand some people are not fans of the 5 way rotary pickup selector. Then I realized I had dyslexia and didn't read the "SE" part of the title of this video. Lol. My philosophy on modding guitars is that anything that cost you less than $1,500 is fair game. Starting around the $2,000 mark, I'm thinking "Why would you spend that much on a guitar you're gonna mod anyway?" Mid-priced guitars like in this video and budget guitars are great to mod anyway you like. Personally, I wouldn't trade my 1994 PRS Custom 24 for any amount of these mid-price or budget guitars, but that's mostly because of sentimental value.
Great video btw. Looks like a versatile beast of a guitar :)
Jazz and a 59 I dig it. The tone is clean. I have thought about that set up also. I have a Schecter Tempest Cutom that I want to change them out. Thought about the Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates models. You've given me good ideas for the Custom 24 I just ordered. Maybe the Pearlys in the Schecter and the Jazz and 59 in the PRS. Thanks good video.
I got one that was stripped with different color and they put a Floyd Rose on it Ibanez Floyd Rose cut it out for an Ibanez Floyd Rose what do you think about
Great video!! I also have a PRS SE Custom 24 in a Tobacco Burst and I also changed the tuner to the same type of locking tuners which I purchased from John Mann’s Guitar Vault (I couldn’t find them on the PRS sight at the time). FYI John Mann makes a lot of after market parts for the PRS guitars. I have been searching for some good replacement pickups myself and do like the one you installed!! It always makes me nervous when I watch anyone change out tuners with a pair of pliers instead of using the correct size wrench, like nails on a chalk board, but that’s me!! Again Great Video!! What were those pickups again? I need to research them! Thanks!!
Hey man thanks for the comments! You’re absolutely right about using pliers on the lock nuts and anyone reading this in the future should listen to Tim here. Spend the 1.50 on the correct sized nut wrench.
I used a Seymour Duncan Jb (model SH-4) in the bridge position and a Seymour Duncan Jazz (model SH-2) in the neck. Extremely versatile and solid sounding pickups. With the coil split you can legitimately use them for any genre. Are there better choices? Sure but this gets you a great tone across the board for any solid mahogany guitar imo.
My bridge pickup died so in the process of switching pickups Seymour Duncan 59 in the bridge and Seymour Duncan pearly gates in the neck and your write the neck is nice I love the body style as well.
How bout the sound when you split the coil since you changed it.
Never seen this guy cept a sweetwater ad. Looks cool. Sold my 2 S2s for a Schecter and a PRS SE standard. I actually like the Standard better, like you the neck of course. Started getting carpal tunnel and I told myself that neck was best but it’s just too thick. The Standard feels right for my hands and the wide thin feel is very good for lead stuff to me.
Thanks for this video, I ordered a prewired harness for a custom 24 for a Duncan swap, but I have a second Custom that I want to keep the wiring, but I’m getting lost with the wiring colors, just have the white and black are the splits, and reds are hot, but ugh the separate jumper wire from the tone pot to the switch and I’m guessing the bridge actually goes to the switch? The prewired harness set me back $72, but $150 for the pickup combo you have plus the locking PRS tuners instead of the harness is the route I’m thinking, but I’ll definitely do some more research and take pictures. Best wishes and thanks
Is there a way to eliminate the floating bridge?
Did you get Std spacing pups or F spaced pups for this guitar?
Hi, thanks for the vid. Definitely my view too regarding mid range guitars for gigging. My Custom SE24 mod was Seymour Duncan P-Rails plus triple-shot rings for 4 sounds per pickup, plus independent switching (24 sounds). Tone switch would have been redundant so used that for phase reverse of neck pickup for Peter Green tones (and another 24 sounds in the process) 🙂 Incidentally, also agree re position of switch: modded my MM Silo HSH for the same reason (ok it aint mid-range, but I got it cheap when they weren’t fashionable), with 3 way slider for HBs and separate on/off for SC. Had push pulls for HB splitting but will add triple shots to that too as I find them easier when playing live.
Did you look for a used PRS S2? could be a better value even with the upgrades. But congrats on your guitar. cheers!
Really helpful and simple!
Can you upgrade to a FU-tone big block? what kind of screws does it have?
Which locking tuners did you use for replacement
First upgrade is the biggest bang for the buck, which is the hollow cheap plastic nut. Use a GraphTech TUSQ XL #6643. Makes a TON of diff in the sustain and the tuning stability. You can literally feel the extra resonant energy thru the neck and body.
Next is definitely the pickups, if they're the garbage 85/15S model. They sound nice clean and up to moderate volume, but anything needing gain or energy is muddy and lifeless. I changed my Cu24 to a Duncan Custom in the bridge and a Pearly Gates in the neck. On my Tremonti I used a PRS USA HFS in the bridge and a Vintage Bass in the neck.
Last I put in the new PRS SE Locking Tuners.
I played the new se custom 24 the other day and I cant get it out of my head. I don’t need another guitar right now but I really need it .
Mine too came from Sweetwater with old strings. I asked and they sent me a new set free of charge. And I replaced the knobs as I found the stock ones too slippery.
mcarrera77 hey good advice! I never thought to ask them!
I put the same set in my squire and it sounds incredible. I have a PRS Paul’s guitar SE and I think you just sent me on a mission dammit!!
😀
Right there with you I’ve had all the way up to a core McCarty and the pickups are always bland to my ear. The S2 has the same pickups as the SE.
Wow, didn't know PRS SE has a burst color...nice!
Their fire red burst is sexy too. The way the black blends into the red burst is so good