New pickups for a mccarty

[staavie]

Hi guy's.
I have recently bought a prs mccarty, I sold my les paul custom because the guitar was too heavy, but , i like the sound from the lp custom more than the mccarty.
Now my question, with which pickups can i sound so closely as possible to a les paul sound?
You have already helped me with choosing pickups for my prs 24(thanks for that)
I hope you can give me advice for this question too.
Thanks in advance.

Staavie.

[Taller]

Well, the bottom line response is that a Les Paul sounds like a Les Paul and a PRS sounds like a PRS. They're different animals in a number of ways - from the thickness of the mahogany to the scale length, to the style of bridge... they're just going to sound different from one another.
But don't feel bad - you're not the first to buy a PRS and try to make it sound like a Les Paul!;)

That said, there are a number of people who've been less than thrilled with the stock McCarty pickups [myself included].
A popular combination is a SD '59 neck pickup coupled with a SD Custom Custom [my personal choice] or Custom 5 bridge pickup.

I really love my McCarty and accept it for the PRS that it is [which is a good thing!]

If you've gotta have those Lester tones, I'm afraid you're just going to have to settle for a Les Paul!:)

[Adam]

I don't mean to be Mr. Obvious, and for that reason I'm almost hesitant to post this since I never see anybody else suggest it....

...but why not just put '57 RIs or Burst Buckers in your McCarty? It won't sound _exactly_ the same, no, but I think it'll be a d*mn site closer than any 3rd party copies.

[Dan Desy]

I don't mean to be Mr. Obvious, and for that reason I'm almost hesitant to post this since I never see anybody else suggest it....

...but why not just put '57 RIs or Burst Buckers in your McCarty? It won't sound _exactly_ the same, no, but I think it'll be a d*mn site closer than any 3rd party copies.
I've thought of that in the past as well. But now I don't have a McCarty anymore... Still, if I did, that would be one of my top votes. #10s, 57s or BBs, in no particular order.

I believe folks on TGP have done it with good results. A search in the Guitar section over there would probably reveal many posts on the topic.

[Adam]

I've thought of that in the past as well. But now I don't have a McCarty anymore... Still, if I did, that would be one of my top votes. #10s, 57s or BBs, in no particular order.

I believe folks on TGP have done it with good results. A search in the Guitar section over there would probably reveal many posts on the topic.
There we have it, folks. Dan the Mod Man has spoken!!

[Dan Desy]

There we have it, folks. Dan the Mod Man has spoken!!
Dan the Mod Man? I like it!

Man, how many monikers will I end up with on here? At least they're all good :D
I wouldn't mind having a bad one, though... ;) I'm sure Jo will find me one!

[Chris N]

Well, I'm in the middle of writing a review of the pickup change I finally did to my McCarty, but I'll let you in on the secret early.;) Especially since I'm so excited about it. I put a Seymour Duncan 59'/Neck & Custom 5/Bridge in my 2001 McCarty. I'm very, very impressed. I fuddled around for a long time not being sure whether I should swap the pups out. I always thought the the stock pups were not to my liking and lacking, but was never quite sure if it was the answer. Man, it was the answer bigtime. This guitar is out of this world now.

I will post a more in depth review shortly with more details and specific information. But the short of it. I would recommend to anyone to change the stock McCarty pups. And if you looking for more beef, than I recommend the combination above.

[Dan Desy]

Well, I'm in the middle of writing a review of the pickup change I finally did to my McCarty, but I'll let you in on the secret early.;) Especially since I'm so excited about it. I put a Seymour Duncan 59'/Neck & Custom 5/Bridge in my 2001 McCarty. I'm very, very impressed. I fuddled around for a long time not being sure whether I should swap the pups out. I always thought the the stock pups were not to my liking and lacking, but was never quite sure if it was the answer. Man, it was the answer bigtime. This guitar is out of this world now.

I will post a more in depth review shortly with more details and specific information. But the short of it. I would reccomend to anyone to change the stock McCarty pups. And if you looking for more beef, than I reccomend the combonation above.
Isn't the '59 just a great neck pickup? :dude:

[Chris N]

Isn't the '59 just a great neck pickup? :dude:Yep!! It's so great having chords jump off the fretboard and not turn to mush.

One other thing and a nice suprise. I got the 59' in a 4-wire setup. I was worried it wouldn't be useful. I'm so glad I did. It sounds great split. It's not so much that you can get a Straty sound out of it, but that it's a very useful tone. Along with the Custom 5 split (which I was also concerned wouldn't match up to the McCarty split) I'm really liking the tones I'm getting. Way better than the McCartys'.

[Dan Desy]

Yep!! It's so great having chords jump off the fretboard and not turn to mush.

One other thing and a nice suprise. I got the 59' in a 4-wire setup. I was worried it wouldn't be useful. I'm so glad I did. It sounds great split. It's not so much that you can get a Straty sound out of it, but that it's a very useful tone. Along with the Custom 5 split (which I was also concerned wouldn't match up to the McCarty split) I'm really liking the tones I'm getting. Way better than the McCartys'.I personally found the McCarty split sounds good and useful. But so are the Duncan's. Glad they worked out for you!

[Big Mike]

Those are all great pups. (I love the 59's too) 57 Classics very nice pickup too can't go wrong there.


I don't have a McCarty, but to me, at least in the Neck, Alnico II is the bomb ( Duncan APHII). Dickie Betts tone is my Bench mark for Neck LP tone, and that has nailed it in several guitars. Some that would surprise I'm sure.

Hollow Tele with the above, nailed the Fillmore East tone through my ( now former) Marshall.

[Chris N]

I personally found the McCarty split sounds good and useful. But so are the Duncan's. Glad they worked out for you!I should clarify. I used the McCarty split often too and found them useful. It was one of the reasons I was so nervous about changing pups. I never agreed with those that thought the split sounds were useless on the McCarty. But I still wished they had more. But above all else I wanted the McCarty to kick butt in humbucker mode and the way they sounded split was going to be secondary.(I will play a Strat or similar for great single coil sounds) So this is what's making me so overjoyed. The fact that they kick is split mode too.

I guess one thing I need to keep in mind is the Custom 5 is probably further away from the stock McCarty than it is similar. Also, while the McCarty build wise is the guitar for me, the pickup choice and most likely the general intent (blues/classic rock) was not suited for the style of music I play. I'm more a fusion crossing over into the heavy realm. Not Heavy Metal but just heavy, but with ability to get nice clean tones. So I needed a little hotter guitar on one hand but not always. You know, what it boils down to is I want versatility. And now that's what I got. I guess that's why I'm so happy and maybe sounding like I'm overly bashing the stock pups. That's not my intention, but I can't deny the fact I was going to sell the McCarty at one point even though I loved the way it played because it just wouldn't cover the bases for me. I'm glad I held onto it.

[staavie]

Thanks for all your help guy's.

I think i'm going for the 95'-custom 5, is the wiring (4 wire) difficult?
Must i flipping a magnet?

Staavie.

[Jim Collins]

Do you mean the '59 and the Custom 5?

Get both pickups with four conductor leads. The Custom 5 comes that way, anyway, but the 59 comes stock with vintage style wiring, which does not allow for coil splitting. The 59 can be ordered with four conductors.

You do not have to flip a magnet. Both pickups are wired the same way. Bare wire to ground (volume pot casing). Green wire to ground (volume pot casing). Black wire to three-way toggle switch. Red and white wire joined together, and soldered to the DPDT switch on the tone pot. (Red and white of ONE pickup joined together, soldered to lug #3, and the red and white of the other pickup joined together, and soldered to lug #6. You'll see the white leads of the McCarty pickups soldered to those lugs.)

[staavie]

Do you mean the '59 and the Custom 5?

Get both pickups with four conductor leads. The Custom 5 comes that way, anyway, but the 59 comes stock with vintage style wiring, which does not allow for coil splitting. The 59 can be ordered with four conductors.

You do not have to flip a magnet. Both pickups are wired the same way. Bare wire to ground (volume pot casing). Green wire to ground (volume pot casing). Black wire to three-way toggle switch. Red and white wire joined together, and soldered to the DPDT switch on the tone pot. (Red and white of ONE pickup joined together, soldered to lug #3, and the red and white of the other pickup joined together, and soldered to lug #6. You'll see the white leads of the McCarty pickups soldered to those lugs.)
Thanx for help me Jim.
Now I know everything thanks .
Staavie.

[daddycam]

i also put the '59 and custom 5 in my mccarty rosewood and am digging it. go for it!

[richedie]

Chris, do the C-5/59 combo in the McCarty seem a lot hotter than the McCartys? I find the C-5 to not feel or seem very hot which is a good thing. I am thinking of changing my McCarty pickups to this set some day. I'll have to order a chrome set, unless I can find a used Dragon II set which I also really like.

[Nonix]

You guys sound like you are always swapping pickups.... I live in fear-- I just see the screw driver slipping and putting a nice gouge across my top!!!!
but seriously, brave souls, .... assuming the soldering is not a prob.... I just wonder how many screws you have to pull, how you anchor the PU in the wood and set the height. I suppose you adjust by ear (volume vs. sustain)... but that means stringing up before the plastic ring is on, eh??? Then unstringing and putting the ring on or what? Care to enlighten me?

N

[Big Mike]

You guys sound like you are always swapping pickups.... I live in fear-- I just see the screw driver slipping and putting a nice gouge across my top!!!!
but seriously, brave souls, .... assuming the soldering is not a prob.... I just wonder how many screws you have to pull, how you anchor the PU in the wood and set the height. I suppose you adjust by ear (volume vs. sustain)... but that means stringing up before the plastic ring is on, eh??? Then unstringing and putting the ring on or what? Care to enlighten me?

N
Nah, the 4 screws in the corners, anchor the ring to the body. The 2 screws on either side of the pickup raise or lower, and mount the pup in the ring. So you set it low, screw it in the body, wire it up, string it up and then adjust by ear. 2 solder connections per pickup, if your careful and judicious, it's really no big whoop.

Welcome to BaM.

[DoobieK]

Duncan makes some fine pups. I used to use them and tried most of them at one time or another. However, the WCR Fillmores are my favs for both my McCarty's. Very LP'ish. I get mine covered, with four conductor. They sound nice split too.

[Chris N]

Chris, do the C-5/59 combo in the McCarty seem a lot hotter than the McCartys? I find the C-5 to not feel or seem very hot which is a good thing. I am thinking of changing my McCarty pickups to this set some day. I'll have to order a chrome set, unless I can find a used Dragon II set which I also really like.No, I don't believe they are that much hotter than the stock pups. They must be somewhat because they do drive my amp more. The main thing I like is the C5 is just much beefier yet clear and concise, and the 59' is definitely less muddy and sweeter. And I feel together they're more balanced and split work as good or better than the stock. IMO

I would get the 4-wire version of the 59' also, so you can split it. I had to wait a little while for it, but it was worth it.

[Chris N]

Nah, the 4 screws in the corners, anchor the ring to the body. The 2 screws on either side of the pickup raise or lower, and mount the pup in the ring. So you set it low, screw it in the body, wire it up, string it up and then adjust by ear. 2 solder connections per pickup, if your careful and judicious, it's really no big whoop.One thing I had to do with mine was file the mounting ears down a little to get them to fit and slide freely in the body rout. I don't see anyone saying they had to do this, so maybe it was some odd thing with my guitar or the specific pups. But I agree no big deal. Just be careful.

I actually took all the guts out and copper shielded all the cavities and touched up all the soldering too.

I should add that I do electronics work for a living so I have an advantage.

[richedie]

One thing I really like about PRS pickups and this is something my friend Rob and I talked about yesterday.......they are very even and balanced in nature. Smooth and round highs (no shrieking), solid mids, and tight, punchy bass. I am thinking if I ever changed pickups in my McCarty it would be the PRS #10s or Dragon IIs.

[Big Mike]

One thing I really like about PRS pickups and this is something my friend Rob and I talked about yesterday.......they are very even and balanced in nature. Smooth and round highs (no shrieking), solid mids, and tight, punchy bass. I am thinking if I ever changed pickups in my McCarty it would be the PRS #10s or Dragon IIs.

Changed your mind again huh Rich? :D

[SteveK]

I have a JB in the bridge and a Jazz in the neck of my McRosewod and love 'em. OTOH, I have a set of brushed nickle/gold McCarty's in my HBI with a coil tap switch added...sound great!

[ikkyu2]

I live in fear-- I just see the screw driver slipping and putting a nice gouge across my top!!!!

Yep, that's step 1.

Step 2 is where I am: I'll put the screwdriver in the screw, then hold the tip firmly there with thumb and forefinger of my left hand while turning slowly with my right. My left hand immobilizes the screwdriver.

Never slipped so far. I think part of the trick is don't let your mind wander while you are working.

[richedie]

Changed your mind again huh Rich? :DHonestly Mike, I remember you saying the Artist pickups which are around the same output as the McCartys didn't have enough output to push your amp...but the #10s and DIIs did have the push. I started to wonder what amp you use and realize once again that a lot of this depends on the amp in use.

I run a Line 6 Vetta halfstack so I really don't have a tube preamp to hit hard, hence the lower output pickups seem to bring more warmth to the equation, but still plpenty of grunt when needed.

[Big Mike]

Honestly Mike, I remember you saying the Artist pickups which are around the same output as the McCartys didn't have enough output to push your amp...but the #10s and DIIs did have the push. I started to wonder what amp you use and realize once again that a lot of this depends on the amp in use.

I run a Line 6 Vetta halfstack so I really don't have a tube preamp to hit hard, hence the lower output pickups seem to bring more warmth to the equation, but still plpenty of grunt when needed.Oh yeah. It's all good. Just some friendly teasing. Yeah, with my Rivera, low output pups are fine. No problem at all.

Now that I've lived with the #10's for awhile, they are great. I like them a lot, but I still prefer the DII's.

As always, your milage may vary, etc etc.

EDIT: The artist pups are fabulous. There was too much drop in output for me from the DII's or I would have kept them. I need the output's to be close, or I have to start fiddling with the pedals.

[richedie]

I hear ya Mike, maybe that is why the McCartys and Burstbucker Pros seem to work...they are close enough in output to not have me reaching for the gain or volume. With my amp, I can make low output p'ups do just about anything.

[A440]

I'm keeping the stocks in there right now cuz they work pretty well for the blues and classic rock stuff I'm doing right now. I'm still eyeing the WCR stuff and also the Fralin Unbuckers which were apparently created by Lindy, in part, based on his dissatisfaction w/the stock pickups in his McCarty.

[richedie]

I'm keeping the stocks in there right now cuz they work pretty well for the blues and classic rock stuff I'm doing right now. I'm still eyeing the WCR stuff and also the Fralin Unbuckers which were apparently created by Lindy, in part, based on his dissatisfaction w/the stock pickups in his McCarty.
What are the unbuckers?? I am interested!

[A440]

ck out www.fralinpickups.com (http://www.fralinpickups.com) for more info

[King Cobra]

To be honest I was never knocked out by the split sounds in my McCarty. Almost useless. I found the Humbucker tones pretty good........but also longed for what I was *used* to hearing from a Mahogany Maple capped guitar. But no doubt about it.........the looks and playability more than made up for any shortcomings. Still why not get all you can get out of your guitar? So I swaped in a set of Lollar Humbuckers and the guitar just came ALIVE. I never used the split so I didn't wire it in. I have a Grosh Strat that I also use for when I want to go that way. I highly reccomend Jason Lollars products.........not only does he make a great product , he is super cool to deal/talk with.

[King Cobra]

On another note I find this the case with most PRS uses unless you are into Heavy Nu Metal...........Pick up changes are a must.

I know money is always an important consideration...........but I feel PRS should let his ego go a bit and offer other Pick up combinations . When a person is already paying $2500 for a guitar he shouldn't have to then invest another $300-400 to get it perfect..................just my $.02.............

[King Cobra]

ck out www.fralinpickups.com (http://www.fralinpickups.com/) for more info


My Second option!! Fralins are magical.............

[richedie]

To be honest I was never knocked out by the split sounds in my McCarty. Almost useless. I found the Humbucker tones pretty good........but also longed for what I was *used* to hearing from a Mahogany Maple capped guitar. But no doubt about it.........the looks and playability more than made up for any shortcomings. Still why not get all you can get out of your guitar? So I swaped in a set of Lollar Humbuckers and the guitar just came ALIVE. I never used the split so I didn't wire it in. I have a Grosh Strat that I also use for when I want to go that way. I highly reccomend Jason Lollars products.........not only does he make a great product , he is super cool to deal/talk with.
I hear from many that the split tones of most humbuckers are pretty much useless so I think I would rarely if ever use split tones from any humbucker. most say theu are useful however for recording, some jamming, etc. Apparently, don't expect any split coil to cut much in a live situation. Personally, I'd rather have a single coil guitar.

The only exception would be the fact that I would love to try the Rio Grande humbuckers that are designed to be a true single coil in split mode. The Muy Grande is one of these. Tom Anderson also claims that many can not touch the split tones and cut of his humbuckers.

[richedie]

I don't find PRS pickups designed for nu metal at all.....especially the versatile McCarty and Dragon II models to name only a few! For the most part, their humbuckers are super versatile. The McCarty pickups can do quite a bit but I just sometimes want more cut. Maybe PRS #10s or Dragon IIs are in order. PRS guitars seem to sound amazing stock and with so many after market PRS options.....it difficult not to stay with PRS pickups.

I have talked to three people who have replaced the stock pickups in their other guitars with McCarty p'ups because they are so balanced and versatile. Apparently, one guy said the Mc's brought his SG to life. There was another guy who installed them into his Robin Avalin. The one pickup set I'd consider outside PRS is the Rio Grande BBQ/Texas set which is one of the BEST pickup sets I have heard to date. These pickups destroyed my opninion of Duncans - at least the ones I've tried.

[King Cobra]

I don't find PRS pickups designed for nu metal at all.....especially the versatal McCarty and Dragon II models to name only a few! For the most part, their humbuckers are super versatile. The McCarty pickups can do quite a bit but I just sometimes want more cut. Maybe PRS #10s or Dragon IIs are in order. PRS guitars seem to sound amazing stock and with so many after market PRS options.....it difficult not to stay with PRS pickups.

I have talked to three people who have replaced the stock pickups in their other guitars with McCarty p'ups because they are so balanced and versatile. Apparently, one guy said the Mc's brought his SG to life. There was another guy who installed them into his Robin Avalin. The one pickup set I'd consider outside PRS is the Rio Grande BBQ/Texas set which is one of the BEST pickup sets I have heard to date. These pickups destroyed my opninion of Duncans - at least the ones I've tried.


Maybe Nu Metal was a bad choice of words..........but I bet that many who swaped for the McCarty Pick ups used Rack systems were a nice balanced but bland signal is wanted instead of a certian inherent character.

[zerolight]

i found the bridge pup in the mccarty too dark. so i ended up replacing it (and the neck to keep it matching) to Santana Zebra's. they sound fabulous in the mccarty. obviously you lose the coil tap though.

[richedie]

i found the bridge pup in the mccarty too dark. so i ended up replacing it (and the neck to keep it matching) to Santana Zebra's. they sound fabulous in the mccarty. obviously you lose the coil tap though.
Santana's zebras? Aren't they supposed to be similar to the Dragon IIs? I still long for a touch more cut in the McCartys.

[zerolight]

you can get a rough comparison on the PRS site. I believe the zebras are a little bit different to the Dragon IIs. I think the Satana III pups are closed to Dragon IIs. I could be wrong. They have a lovely creamy-ness to them.

[richedie]

you can get a rough comparison on the PRS site. I believe the zebras are a little bit different to the Dragon IIs. I think the Satana III pups are closed to Dragon IIs. I could be wrong. They have a lovely creamy-ness to them.
So, the Santana III is different from the regular Santanas?

[zerolight]

From the PRS site, the Santana III and Dragon II are all but identical. However the Santana Zebra has more power, is a little bit darker, and a bit more modern, than the Santana III tone. These are fitted to the Santana II guitar. Conversely, the Santana bass pup is a little brighter than the Santana III bass pup.

http://www.prsguitars.com/pickups/santanatreble.html


There are sound samples on their site to give you a feel for what u may want. I'd highly recommend the Satana zebras though.

[richedie]

From the PRS site, the Santana III and Dragon II are all but identical. However the Santana Zebra has more power, is a little bit darker, and a bit more modern, than the Santana III tone. These are fitted to the Santana II guitar. Conversely, the Santana bass pup is a little brighter than the Santana III bass pup.

http://www.prsguitars.com/pickups/santanatreble.html


There are sound samples on their site to give you a feel for what u may want. I'd highly recommend the Satana zebras though.
That description sounds a little like the Rio Grande BBQ bridge....plus they are a little cheaper.

The Santana III sounds almost identical to the Dragon II. I guess he wanted a darker, hotter, and more modern tone. I think the Rio BBQ would give you the same.

[King Cobra]

Santana's zebras? Aren't they supposed to be similar to the Dragon IIs? I still long for a touch more cut in the McCartys.

Exactly. More high end. I thought about buying a treble booster at one point until I did the Pick up change. The Lollars are spectacular. But I know the Fralins would have been a great choice as well.

[zerolight]

i find the santanas much smoother sounding than the mccartys. more balanced. more mids. less bass. more woody.

[richedie]

Exactly. More high end. I thought about buying a treble booster at one point until I did the Pick up change. The Lollars are spectacular. But I know the Fralins would have been a great choice as well.
Which Lollars do you have? Aren't you now considering Wagners?

[richedie]

A lot of guys love the C-5/59 in the McCarty and I think part of this is because the McCarty has a lot of natural mids and I guess part of this is the pickup or pickups. But, this is part of the PRS tones and a reason I'd probably go with other PRS pickups like the Dragon IIs.

Some say the C-5 is the perfect pickup for coil tapping. I think the output in the single coil mode is about the same as a standard strat pickup.

[richedie]

Well, I'm in the middle of writing a review of the pickup change I finally did to my McCarty, but I'll let you in on the secret early.;) Especially since I'm so excited about it. I put a Seymour Duncan 59'/Neck & Custom 5/Bridge in my 2001 McCarty. I'm very, very impressed. I fuddled around for a long time not being sure whether I should swap the pups out. I always thought the the stock pups were not to my liking and lacking, but was never quite sure if it was the answer. Man, it was the answer bigtime. This guitar is out of this world now.

I will post a more in depth review shortly with more details and specific information. But the short of it. I would recommend to anyone to change the stock McCarty pups. And if you looking for more beef, than I recommend the combination above.
Chris, did you ever finish that pickup review and post the review?

[King Cobra]

Which Lollars do you have? Aren't you now considering Wagners?I have a set of the Imperial PAF's. $300. They are awesome. I replaced the coil Tap with just a reg. Tone and what used to be a slighty dark guitar has really opened up. I really love it.

However I don't know if its the advertising or just listening to the reviews or even James Wagner himself.....(very cool guy to talk to).....But these PUPS just sound so amazing I want to try a set. Unfourtunately I'm a strat nut so I have several Strats and only 1 humbucking guitar. I play a McCarty becuase I dig the longer scale. I saw a TCM Polaris for sale pretty cheap..........the sportsters are also quite a good buy used. I might just sell 1 strat to get one of these to experiment a little becuase the McCarty/ Lollar combo works too good to mess with. :)