PRS Pickups -- 59/09, 57/08, 53/10, \m/

[padavis]

Anyone have these recorded in a controlled way? I have read the differences but I'd really like to hear them through the same amps one after the other if possible.

As of now, I have no intentions of changing from my 53/10s but I'd sure like to hear the differences and also I'd like confirm my thoughts that the 53/10 are amazing pickups.

 

[Sensates]

I would love to have more info on these. Too bad PRS are so secretive on their pickups.

 

[Tone Loco]

Anyone have these recorded in a controlled way? I have read the differences but I'd really like to hear them through the same amps one after the other if possible.

As of now, I have no intentions of changing from my 53/10s but I'd sure like to hear the differences and also I'd like confirm my thoughts that the 53/10 are amazing pickups.

Are those the ones they used in the p22 for a while?

 

[LJD]

Can confirm, 53/10 are magic.

 

[padavis]

Are those the ones they used in the p22 for a while?

Yes I've read that.

 

[FractalGarden]

I guess I'll be that guy. I bought my P22 because I was after two things - the piezo and the 53/10s. The former is still excellent. The latter .... not so much. Fought with them for a few months before installing 3rd party pickups that now make this guitar a total keeper. Whatever magic is supposed to be in them is lost on me.

 

[LJD]

I guess I'll be that guy. I bought my P22 because I was after two things - the piezo and the 53/10s. The former is still excellent. The latter .... not so much. Fought with them for a few months before installing 3rd party pickups that now make this guitar a total keeper. Whatever magic is supposed to be in them is lost on me.

Funny. I have them in a HBII, and I couldn't remove the piezo system fast enough. The 53's split (I use resisters) sound so good, like P90s.

 

[kselbee]

I've got a modern eagle Quattro that I've had for a couple years and I've just decided to swap out the 53/10s. They're ok but I'd rather have something a bit hotter.

 

[skhan007]

Can confirm, 53/10 are magic.

I took the 57/08's out of my McCarty Smokeburst to try out a set of 53/10's. I don't think the 57/08's are going back in anytime soon. The 53/10's are a grand slam home run, IMO. The split sound, especially, is among the best I've heard from a humbucker. I wish I knew the secret recipe that made these pickups so good. The DC resistance when split is very low, so I think it's the underwinding for sure, plus something about the wire/materials they used.

 

[paintguy]

I've got a modern eagle Quattro that I've had for a couple years and I've just decided to swap out the 53/10s. They're ok but I'd rather have something a bit hotter.

What did you go with? I'm pretty happy with the 5708's in my Custom 24. I would love to try the 5310's. I have read different feedback on them from being anemic/lifeless/weak to utterly fantastic and single coil like. I wouldn't mind picking up a pair. Pretty hard to find on the used market.

If you decide to sell yours....

 

[kselbee]

What did you go with? I'm pretty happy with the 5708's in my Custom 24. I would love to try the 5310's. I have read different feedback on them from being anemic/lifeless/weak to utterly fantastic and single coil like. I wouldn't mind picking up a pair. Pretty hard to find on the used market.

If you decide to sell yours....

I haven't done anything yet.... but may try the 59/09s or something else. I have a PRS Singlecut Trem with a pair of Suhr Aldrich pickups and that thing is a MONSTER. Crazy good with those pickups. I've considered putting the same in the Quatro but feel like I should try something different.

I definitely won't sell the 53/10s just in case I ever want to return it to stock. I think they're good pickups... they do sound single coil like but that's not really my thing. I actually like the tone on the wound strings but the unwound strings sound a bit thin for my liking. Can anyone comment on the 59/09s? That's what I'm leaning toward trying.

 

[paintguy]

I haven't done anything yet.... but may try the 59/09s or something else. I have a PRS Singlecut Trem with a pair of Suhr Aldrich pickups and that thing is a MONSTER. Crazy good with those pickups. I've considered putting the same in the Quatro but feel like I should try something different.

I definitely won't sell the 53/10s just in case I ever want to return it to stock. I think they're good pickups... they do sound single coil like but that's not really my thing. I actually like the tone on the wound strings but the unwound strings sound a bit thin for my liking. Can anyone comment on the 59/09s? That's what I'm leaning toward trying.

I actually bought a set of covered 5909's and put them in a Gibson Explorer. They sound good but I think they are a tad hot for my liking. I think I have developed a love for the lower output PAF style pickups, hence the desire to try 5310's. I do mostly play rock with distortion but I think lower output pickups work better for me and my Soldano SLO.

I have heard others say the 5909's are a great hotter PAF style pickup, as well as the Suhr Aldrich which I believe is even hotter.

 

[padavis]

Wow this has really turned in to a great conversation! Thanks again for all that have chimed in. Have any of you compared the 53/10s to their actual P90s?

 

[jetydosa]

Funny. I have them in a HBII, and I couldn't remove the piezo system fast enough.

Isnt the Piezo in the HBII a totally different system that whats in the P22?

I can remember trying the HBII piezo some time ago and not being at all impressed, but Ive played a P22 and was blown away by the acoustic tones.

 

[Otto Tune]

The problem with opinions is you may be looking for a different sound than I am.
So, if I tell you that I love the 57/08's (I do) you may find something else fits your tone better.

 

[GlueMan]

The problem with opinions is you may be looking for a different sound than I am.
So, if I tell you that I love the 57/08's (I do) you may find something else fits your tone better.

I believe that's why he asked for a recording in the OP

 

[Pearl-o]

To throw another option in the ring, the new 58/15's offer more clarity and less warmth (some might say darkness) than the 57/08's, but they're not as hot as the 59/09's.

I have yet to play any of the 53/10's, but I've been GASsing intensely for a 53/10 Limited.

 

[LJD]

The story from PRS is a certain kind of wire was used for the 53/10's, similar to early P90s, and it's now too difficult or expensive to obtain. As PAF pickups go they are hotter than the typical humbucker, slightly higher output than the 57/08s. When I put them in my HBII I noticed a big difference in the neck pickup warmth. It didn't get muddy at all, but it filled in the lows, lo mids perfectly for what can lack with a hollowbody. The bridge pickup was a little less "bratty" than the 57/08, not as harmonically rich but I thought the 57/08s had too much for my guitar. They feel more responsive, and mine are a little microphonic which I love in hollowbodies.

 

[aeiou (why?)]

had 57/08 in a CU24
59/09 in a dirty 100
53/10 in a ME quatro

found the 59/09 a bit harsh, but loved the others. but the models were different too

 

[bettset]

i bought a used santana that the previous owner put 53/10's in. haven't recorded them yet, but the output is a bit less than the santana's. i like the variation. he sent the original pickups with the sale. maybe i'll put them in a lp since prs has ruined me for lp's lol. i also have the 59/09's in a custom i bought a few yrs ago. very nice too. i know prs keeps the pickups secretive which does suck. but i like what prs has done. i get great variety from their pickups. at least with the amps i have.......all of them work for me. makes using the volume and tone controls much more useable. doesn't matter if i use a pick or fingers. they just ring right.......the over/under tones or whatever else anybody refers to these as