PRS S2 Standard 24 Satin pickup swap?

[Alex Kenivel]

I've had this S2 since about 2016 and have been in love with it. It wasn't until I got my Prestige AZ2402 that I realized how dull/muddy the HFS pickups in the S2 are (like everyone has been telling me).

Im ready for a pickup change and don't know where to start. Should I try something tried and true like a JB/Jazz?

 

[la szum]

Pickup recommendation threads are always fun. I have nothing to offer, though.

What are you aiming for, AK? Or hoping to achieve?

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Should mention that I like the look of covered pups

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Pickup recommendation threads are always fun. I have nothing to offer, though.

What are you aiming for, AK? Or hoping to achieve?

Less mud, more clarity and punch.

 

[la szum]

Less mud = stay away from a JB in the Bridge. Especially as you ratchet up the gain.

Jazz or a '59 in the Neck is a great choice. '59 would be less warm and more articulate.

 

[T Gobbs]

Duncan Distortion?

 

[paisleywookiee]

Custom 5 in the bridge, '59 in the neck.

 

[Stone]

Ive been looking long time for a bridge pickup for my Revstar

Narrowed it down to
DiMarzio PAF pro, or the Crunchlab, leaning more towards the PAF pro

 

[FuzzyAce]

Should mention that I like the look of covered pups

Laughs in Double Cream Super Distortion

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Custom 5 in the bridge, '59 in the neck.

Black powder coat

 

[littlebadboy]

I've got a DiMarzio D-Activator X set on my S2 Standard 22 and I find them very versatile for cleans to chugging, including everything in between. I opted for a parallel switch over split, as well as a tone circuit bypass, and it gives me more tonal options.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I've got a DiMarzio D-Activator X set on my S2 Standard 22 and I find them very versatile for cleans to chugging, including everything in between. I opted for a parallel switch over split, as well as a tone circuit bypass, and it gives me more tonal options.

ah yes, i was oogling your posts on the PRS forum. This gave me the black covers GAS

 

[greatmutah]

My S2 Custom 24 also had the HFS/VB S combo. I went with a 59 Neck and SH-5 Custom for the bridge. Haven’t looked back. Great pickup combo. Definitely some nice PAF like clarity in the SH-5. I have mine uncovered but I may toss some raw nickel covers on one of these days.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

DiMarzio D-Activator (you can get them covered). Thank me later.

 

[aivoryuk]

Ive been looking long time for a bridge pickup for my Revstar

Narrowed it down to
DiMarzio PAF pro, or the Crunchlab, leaning more towards the PAF pro

I have recently installed a Paf Pro in a music Man axis sport which tonally seemed to be quite dark. It now sounds really good

 

[Eagle]

The boot camp series from BK is very good I would strongly recommend any of them. Available in standard and F with or without covers and also zebra. Short legs and four conductors so all bases covered. There are obviously a lot of good options for pickups and most are better than the standard ones

 

[Alex Kenivel]

DiMarzio D-Activator (you can get them covered). Thank me later.

I've got a DiMarzio D-Activator X set on my S2 Standard 22 and I find them very versatile for cleans to chugging, including everything in between. I opted for a parallel switch over split, as well as a tone circuit bypass, and it gives me more tonal options.

59 Neck and SH-5 Custom for the bridge

Custom 5 in the bridge, '59 in the neck.

So is it the consensus that D-Activators are a more modern sound with higher output and the SH-5/59 are less output and less modern? I don't really like a very high output but I don't like the idea of a "scooped" bridge humbucker like I've read about the SH-5

How would they all sound split?

It really feels like throwing darts blindfolded! I'm almost leaning toward the SD's because the covers look cooler

 

[greatmutah]

The SH-5 is still fairly high output. Like 14K. You could go with the Alnico II Custom Custom which has a bit more midrange. I’ve heard the Custom 5 (which uses an Alnico V) is more scooped. They’re all the same coils. Just different magnets.

 

[TheTrueZoltan!]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of SD pickups. All the ones I've tried so far have had sonic quirks that annoyed me. Some too boomy, others harsh and ice-picky, none of them sounded really balanced.
The output of the D-Activators is comparable to that of a JB, but they simply sound sooo much more balanced and pleasant.

 

[la szum]

Listening to the diverse music you play and write, AK, I would choose the more versatile option.

Not vintage. Not modern. Somewhere in the middle. Goldilocks style.