Comparing the Different PRS SE Pickups

[@etaknar]

Since I was looking forward to using a digital amp to 'dial in a tone', I decided the SE CE was the best for me in their lineup after seeing this. Didn't think I would find one (I was thinking I would get used or a Yamaha) but I scored a real nice sounding one with a turquoise top at an absurd price by layering some sales on each other. The nuts discount paid for my amp. It's my first electric (I've played many strings, just not electric) and I am having so much fun with it, thank you for the help.

[@beatfish]

Great analysis, thanks!

[@ibinTZY]

This is a very informative video. Would love to see you do these sort of videos more with some other famous guitars or pickups. This video also proves how pickups actually makes a difference on your overall tone.

[@phlag35]

Yes because until now it was a controversial debate whether pickup makes a difference on tone... XD

[@charlesharper7292]

I really appreciate the video. I have been considering the new satin PRS.

[@davlavmusic7070]

The Satin CE24? Great guitar.

[@travelbydragonfly]

I have a Satin and a Standard 24-08, and I had a Paul's guitar which I just sold. IMO the only decent sound is when both coils are split. In general I the both the 8515's and TCI's are too bright and harsh. That is probably why the split coil settings sound good. I just changed out the Satin pickups to some Dimarzio 36th anniversary PAF's that I had laying around. The good news is they sound quite a bit better as humbuckers. Less bright and glassy. The bad news is, as single coils there is more of a drop off in vol. and presence. They still sound pretty good though, and more like what I'm used to when splitting humbuckers. Bottom line, I would recommend putting your favorite humbuckers in the Satin for more useable sounds.

[@davlavmusic7070]

Yeah, I don't mind the brightness of the neck pickup so much, but I might swap the bridge pickup. I have a Duesenberg Grand Vintage in a drawer that may find its way into the Satin...

[@travelbydragonfly]

@@davlavmusic7070 The bridge is the easiest one to change because the lead wires are normal length. The neck has extra long lead wires to reach the pickup selector. I had to add 4 or 5 inches of wire to it.

[@jakob27]

I found that if I dialed back the tone a bit the humbuckers ripped.

[@thesmallnotesduo]

Hey man, awesome video. And great playing.

[@davlavmusic7070]

Thanks!

[@davidvaught7762]

One “SOUND” that ALWAYS gets over looked in 95% of any electric guitar video…… CLEAN……. with both pickups in HUMBUCKER mode. I always compare this sound against my ‘95 Les Paul Standard. ( Not bragging here, I just got real lucky and got one that has a great sound) This particular “sound” is very chimey and bell like. If chimey is a word. But there is a certain, almost ring to it that makes a Les Paul a Les Paul. My 95 PRS CE 22 pretty much nails that sound. ( again, not bragging, this one was a gift from my son ). This sound makes a great base from which I add on a bit of Chorus, delay and reverb, to get the spatial sound these guitars excel at. My PRS CE 24 ( Still not bragging, birthday present) does NOT have that exact sound. It’s a 24 fret and the pickups positioning does not produce that sound. It still makes a pretty cool sound, but not that sound and with 3 different sets of pickups, and 3 different guitars, that should be included. It is its own animal, just like 3rd guitar. Just saying…… FUTURE REVIEWERS………. DO IT ! Thanx, Dave…..Yadkinville, N.C. USA

[@knuckleheadcollections]

Very cool running it through the meters. Also, I have the SECE with the 85/15s, and now that I understand the sound spectrum a little more (if you will), it gives me a better idea on how to set up my app, now that I know they're a little heavy on the top end. Good stuff. Thanks a lot. 🥸👍🏼

[@chrisjuestel7005]

I just got an SECE as well. I'm coming from playing acoustic for the last number of years, mostly, so I'm a rookie when it comes to working with my tone. So stupid basic question... can I compensate for any upper end harshness and warm it up by working with the tone pot on the guitar or EQ-ing it out externally? If so, is one of those methods preferable over the other?

[@ClNoBody]

Well done and very interesting. I have a SE Standard 24-08 which had the TCI "S" pups and I could hear what I didn't like in your sound samples. My guess is that the missing top end sounds bla to me. I installed some SD HSPs and it's like a new guitar and sounds much better for my purposes. Nice delivery of useful data points.

[@saintbodhisatva]

HSPs = Hot Phat Cat Silencer P90s?

[@ClNoBody]

@@saintbodhisatva HSP = Humbucker Sized P90s (I have the "Vintage" Phat Cat Silencer.

[@SaberOW]

TCI S also in the 35th anniversary SE Custom 24

[@rhoydotp]

Thanks for this. I've been doing the volume roll off to tame the harshness on the SE CE like you mentioned in your previous video. Works great but I wonder if a cap change will help getting the full range of the pot.

[@HighSpeedirt1]

I switched out the cap to a .047 and installed a 300k volume pot on my SE custom, worked for me.

[@andrewbecker3700]

The best pickups by far, are the 58/15 LT's that they use in the McCarty .594 and a few other premium models. They're PAF clones, that have a 3 wire circuit for coil tapping. This keeps the Low Turn pickups from sounding thin like many coilsplit pickups can.

[@davlavmusic7070]

I do like those, I just can't get past the giant necks on the SEs with those pickups.

[@andrewbecker3700]

@@davlavmusic7070 Yep, the pattern vintage neck carve is one of the main reasons I bought my McCarty .594 Singlecut standard in vintage cherry. You could most definitely bludgeon someone quite easily with it. Very solidly built construction. One often overlooked drawback to these extra fat bodied models, is the limited hardcase options. Many cheapy LP style hardcases WILL NOT accommodate the beasty sized PRS models. Mines nestled in a Gator Deluxe TSA chainsaw case, with some custom foam inserts to keep it level. DO NOT force the lid closed on ANY McCarty model from PRS in these chainsaw cases! This wedges the neck tight, lifting the body off the bottom of the case! Without proper added padding under the body, you WILL break the guitar using these cases! But once you get the right size pieces of foam or whatever in there, they start conforming to the guitars body shape. As long as a guitar can't shift around in the case, your generally OK.

[@spokes28]

? I am considering purchasing the SE McCarty 594 because of its shorter scale. Would you make a guess as to where it’s pickups would place along side your three SEs? Thank you.

[@davlavmusic7070]

Since they are termed "LT", meaning low turn, I would expect them to be low resistance - perhaps just below where the 8515's are. But I would expect that they would have an EQ curve closer to the TCI or DGT pickups - not as much top end as the 8515s.

[@BarCynBeaulieu]

Directly straight on top !!

[@tymanngruter1808]

The 85-15 are just in the middle in my ears, more metal sounded, am i right? 🙏

[@davlavmusic7070]

I think they can better fit that role than the others. They are not high output, but the clarity makes them better suited to high gain, I think.

[@Mrnangpu]

The Paul's Guitar and the DGT sound more polished/sparkle than the Ce24

[@Luke_Williamson]

Very interesting stuff man. Question. Hypothetically could you take the pickup eq curve and apply it to an eq in qc or fractal so single coils can get closer to humbuckers🤔

[@davlavmusic7070]

I think you could, to an extent. You'd need to boost the level as well, obviously.

[@sudipghatak4666]

Thanks

[@dcboogie]

Informative vid thanks, but what amp did you use?

[@davlavmusic7070]

Quad Cortex

[@dcboogie]

@@davlavmusic7070 sounds great

[@seisette]

What's a good equivalent pickup of the 85/15 S?

[@davlavmusic7070]

You mean pickups that you can but on their own, like Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, etc. Not sure, really. Maybe the Full Shred from Seymour Duncan? PRS pickups tend to be rather unique, IMO.

[@minuano08]

New to channel. GREAT video. I subscribe🎉

[@davlavmusic7070]

Thanks for subbing!

[@minuano08]

@davlavmusic7070 Keep - Keepin It Real, my friend. Very refreshing!! 😎🎸🎶🤟

[@Disruptor23]

You forgot santana pickups which is reaally good.

[@albionvideo]

Careful, interesting work. The "Fade EQ" spectra match what my ear hears: TCI pups sound congested in HB mode (but great split). The overall EQ spectra are surprising, because my SE DGT's neck pup has a high-end sibilance/presence not present in my 85/15's (which are magically balanced). The TCI pups' low resistance when split is just baffling: These pups are built with a reverse tap, which kicks in extra windings on the primary coil when you split to it. To my ear, there's virtually no volume drop when you split them. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@OscarBenben]

TCI are the bests

[@ramirosaenz1145]

DGT neck is fatter than a les Paul 60s neck?

[@davlavmusic7070]

I don't think it's fatter, but I would say it's for bigger "shoulders". It's hard to describe - decibel it's own thing.

[@JGAbstract]

I think the ones in the satin guitar sound really bad, I'm surprised everyone says they sound great.

[@davlavmusic7070]

The 8515 pickups definitely have an edge to them. I like them with high gain, but they can be a little harsh. I find that by just turning them down to 8 or 9 on the volume tames some of that. But I agree - they are not my favorites of these pickups.

[@edwards438]

Thomas Linda Lopez Brenda Walker Michelle

[@hophopkins3526]

Hi, I've been considering getting first electric guitar and have set my sights on the PRS SE lineup. My question is that in your opinion how do you think of the versatility of these pickups? I need a guitar that's kind of a "swiss army knife" and can do modern tones(high gain) as well as vintage tones(classic rock, blues). I very much like the look of the covered humbuckers of the DGT but I'm afraid that it might not be versatile enough.

[@davlavmusic7070]

Yeah, I'm not sure how well the DGT pickups would do high gain. I think the 8515s would be best in that area and would overall be closest to the Swiss army knife you're looking for.