WCR, Wagners, Timbuckers, Voodoo, Duncan - What to put in a PRS CU22?

[BBQLS1]

I'm thinking about some new pups for my CU22. I have had SD Jazz/JB, 59's, Custom Custom in there and have gone back to the Dragon IIs. They all got muddy when I turned the volume knob down, and the 59s were boomy and glassy. I tend to like A2 type mags and want sweetness on the neck and Van Halen on the bridge. I'd also like them to spit well as I love a neck single sound.

I was thinking WCR Darkbursts, but what do I know?



Guitars from Mars - I restarted with a new title to get a little more interest. Thanks for your input.

[riverastoasters]

I'm thinking about some new pups for my CU22. I have had SD Jazz/JB, 59's, Custom Custom in there and have gone back to the Dragon IIs. I was thinking WCR Darkbursts, but what do I know?

I like Dragon Is about four thousand times better than I like Dragon IIs. So I would suggest those.

Other than that? I'd be pretty interested to hear how the WCRs do.

[T. Caster]

They all got muddy when I turned the volume knob down, and the 59s were boomy and glassy.


The muddy sound with volume down should be remedied with a pot/cap upgrade from RS guitars.

http://www.rsguitarworks.net/cms/index.php

Dan

[GuitarsFromMars]

No worries,bro...good luck in finding what pleases your ear....

[Blue Strat]

My CU22 came stock with Dragon Is. I never really fell in love with the guitar until changing them out. Wagner suggested a Goodwood in the bridge and a Darkbust for the neck. The difference was AMAZING! Better tone, harmonics and controlled feedback and much more Les Paul sounding.

I do find the bridge pickup to be bright and usually roll back the tone control (that's what it's there for) for leads so 2 darkbursts may be the way to go. Good luck!

[wolf5150]

Hi
I have a bridge darkburst in my CU22 at the mo and it's great for lead but too muddy for rhythm, so I've just ordered a Goodwood from Jim.

I tried a filmore, way too hot.

Why don't u like the Goodwood ??

[Blue Strat]

Hi
I have a bridge darkburst in my CU22 at the mo and it's great for lead but too muddy for rhythm, so I've just ordered a Goodwood from Jim.

I tried a filmore, way too hot.

Why don't u like the Goodwood ??

I do like the Goodwood, but with the tone control all the way up, I find it a bit bright for a lot of lead work. No problem though, the tone control is there for a reason. Based on your experience with the Darkburst, maybe the Goodwood was the best choice after all.

[johnny q]

The muddy sound with volume down should be remedied with a pot/cap upgrade from RS guitars.

http://www.rsguitarworks.net/cms/index.php

Dan

Or clipping the bright cap and re-wiring the guitar "50's style"

Also - dont rule out the Duncan SH5 Custom, the one with the Ceramic Mag or the Duncan Sh14 Custom C5 with the A5 mag. The former does metal/hard rock better and the latter does vintage hot better.

JQ

[paintguy]

I do like the Goodwood, but with the tone control all the way up, I find it a bit bright for a lot of lead work. No problem though, the tone control is there for a reason. Based on your experience with the Darkburst, maybe the Goodwood was the best choice after all.

Maybe change the A5 mag for a A2. Should smooth it out, warm it up, and take off a little brightness on the Goodwood. Jim sells numerous mags.

I have to admit, this is the first time I have heard someone describe a Goodwood as bright.

Best of luck to both of you.

[Blue Strat]

I have to admit, this is the first time I have heard someone describe a Goodwood as bright.



I've seen others with the same comment. It's probably the guitar/pickup combination. You'd have to be half deaf (probably more, I'm over 50 and my hearing ain't the greatest) not to think my setup isn't bright.

[the_Chris]

I have some Wolfetone Marshallheads (Alnico 5 magnets) in my PRS McCarty and they're absolutely PERFECT for that guitar. The humbuckers are fat, rocking PAFs and split they do very good single coil type tones.

[Blue Strat]

I have some Wolfetone Marshallheads (Alnico 5 magnets) in my PRS McCarty and they're absolutely PERFECT for that guitar. The humbuckers are fat, rocking PAFs and split they do very good single coil type tones.

Are you, by chance, related to "The Donald"? ;)

[Jeff Flowerday]

I vote WCR Darkbursts.

[Seakayak]

WCR Goodwood bridge and a Crossroads neck!!
I have a PRS Standard 24 (all mahogany), so it's maybe a bit tricky to compare to your CU22, but anyway, the Standard 24 had PRS HFS and Vintage bass pickups. I emailed Jim Wagner, and he suggested a Goodwood bridge and a Crossroads neck. I also installed an RS Guitarworks PRS kit, and the results are fantastic. Really beautiful smooth tones,detailed, but no harshness. I found myself playing the Goodwood bridge clean (as a humbucker), something the HFS could not do. I'm sure you will like the single coil sounds. I think you can specify what magnets you want. The RS Guitar works schematics diagram is well done, and the controls work as they should, i.e., you don't lose much treble when rolling down the volume. Good stuff!

[trinitysun]

I've been through quite a few of the "these are awesome" humbuckers that all sounded the same until I got my WCRs. Im not wasting any more time experimenting.

I currently have a crossroads in the neck, which is beautiful. Great cleans, classic tone overdriven.

In the bridge, I have an Iron Man which isnt mentioned much on this forum. This pickup destoys. Very high output, excellent at high gain, but does NOT sound like a metal pickup. This thing still has excellent tone and cleans up as you turn down.

[BBQLS1]

So many choices.

[ChickenLover]

I have a Goodwood and I also think it's a tad bright...I had it matched with a Crossroads in the neck (also kinda bright). They were nice but not quite what I was after in that guitar (I also tried Fillmores). I ended up with a High Order Maximus in the bridge and the stock BB Pro #1 with an A2 magnet in the neck (this is an '03 LP Std.). I think the High Order Maximus is similar to the Goodwood (~9.5K and A5) but it's got thicker mids and a slightly softer top. If Jeff sold them for 3x what he does they'd probably be more highly regarded (it's just human nature to think that more $ means better). Workmanship is top notch...super clean, neat work.

[BBQLS1]

I have a Goodwood and I also think it's a tad bright...I had it matched with a Crossroads in the neck (also kinda bright). They were nice but not quite what I was after in that guitar (I also tried Fillmores). I ended up with a High Order Maximus in the bridge and the stock BB Pro #1 with an A2 magnet in the neck (this is an '03 LP Std.). I think the High Order Maximus is similar to the Goodwood (~9.5K and A5) but it's got thicker mids and a slightly softer top. If Jeff sold them for 3x what he does they'd probably be more highly regarded (it's just human nature to think that more $ means better). Workmanship is top notch...super clean, neat work.

I think there will be a good chance I'll ask for A2s.

[Tone Disciple]

I like Dragon Is about four thousand times better than I like Dragon IIs. So I would suggest those.

Other than that? I'd be pretty interested to hear how the WCRs do.

Hmmm. I prefer the Dragon II's. I say keep those, although another option would be RP's, the only PRS pickups I prefer over DII's.

[Mike Dresch]

I too like Dragon II's, but I like my WCR Fillmores better. The neck is punchy yet smooth, the bridge is fat but still has clarity and can do hard rock like nobody's business. The Fillmore set in my Suhr is awesome. The split tones are great.

[BBQLS1]

I too like Dragon II's, but I like my WCR Fillmores better. The neck is punchy yet smooth, the bridge is fat but still has clarity and can do hard rock like nobody's business. The Fillmore set in my Suhr is awesome. The split tones are great.

Yeah, I like the D2s. I think they are very versatile, but as always, I'm looking for the greener grass. I do wish the bridge was fatter. Most of the time, I'm on my neck pickup though.

[Tone Disciple]

Yeah, I like the D2s. I think they are very versatile, but as always, I'm looking for the greener grass. I do wish the bridge was fatter. Most of the time, I'm on my neck pickup though.


I live on the neck pickup most of the time also, but I am working on improving my use of the overall guitar to include more bridge pu as well. I practice now with a guideline of using pickup changes, volume and tone variations at least three times each per song - just to see where that takes me.

So, here is my question about trying different pickups. Where does it stop? Whenever I have thought about trying some different pickups out I talk myself out of it because I have a hard time running through a bunch of $300-400 experiments that I may not like. I do that with guitars, but I can ususally flip the ones that don't suit my needs or taste. Is that easy to do with pickups as well? I have always thought that it was not that easy to flip pickups without losing $.

[BBQLS1]

I live on the neck pickup most of the time also, but I am working on improving my use of the overall guitar to include more bridge pu as well. I practice now with a guideline of using pickup changes, volume and tone variations at least three times each per song - just to see where that takes me.

So, here is my question about trying different pickups. Where does it stop? Whenever I have thought about trying some different pickups out I talk myself out of it because I have a hard time running through a bunch of $300-400 experiments that I may not like. I do that with guitars, but I can ususally flip the ones that don't suit my needs or taste. Is that easy to do with pickups as well? I have always thought that it was not that easy to flip pickups without losing $.

You can lose money unless you buy used. You can or almost can break even.

[Valtiel]

Ive got a PRS CU22 goldtop coming with Dragon I's, im curious as to hear what those will be like. I always have a 20th Artist CU22 that I put Bareknuckle Crawlers in, I love them so far. Anybody have any bare knuckle love? :cool:

[mrfjones]

The muddy sound with volume down should be remedied with a pot/cap upgrade from RS guitars.

http://www.rsguitarworks.net/cms/index.php

Dan


if they are getting muddy when you turn the volume knob down then what you need is a 50's wiring scheme. that will keep the treble up while you turn down the volume.

[amc]

I am about to put an RS kit into my '93 CU22 along with
a set of WCR's (Darkburst neck and Fillmore bridge) that I've been sitting on.

I don't like the Dragon 1 bridge pickup but have always thought that
the Dragon 1 neck pickup sounds great in this guitar.

So.......

If I were to leave the D1 at the neck, which of these WCR would pair up best
at the bridge?