*Update - After listening back and having more time with the 58/15LT (Core) in my 594, I'm really liking the LT pickups more than the S2 on even the distorted tones! I think this comes down to how they "feel" while playing, and the LT feel a bit more "mushy" with gain (maybe Alnico 2 mags vs A5 in S2?), which made me have to try harder to play cleanly, but they sit REALLY well in a mix. I can still hear the S2 as tighter bass response and a little more punchy, but the evenness of the LT with the pleasant EQ curve is really evident and noticeable on everything. What do you all think? This comparison has really been such an interesting ride.
Nice! I’m sure they would both have “optimal” settings for your taste. Did you have to tweak the eq and gain? I change them up a bit for different guitars. If I go from single coil to p-90 I have to adjust the volume and bass
Wow! Great comparison - thank you! They both sound great, but I can see either one excelling at different jobs. The way that you covered different genres, lead and rhythm, really helps me sus the tones of these pickups. Thanks again!
I just installed the 58/15 LT pickups and RS Guitarworx Modern Harness in my S2 and I think it made a massive improvement. Very polished sounding and just sweet.
I see a bunch of comments touting one or the other as 'clearly superior'... Honestly, on most settings, they sound virtually identical. Seriously; the placement of the furniture in the room will change your sound more than switching between these pickups.
I bet if the labeling on the clips were switched, all the commentators preferences would switch too 😂. I have the SE version, I’m sure they’d all tell me how it sounds horrible, when it sounds exactly like this.
The main difference is because on the S2 the guitar is wired with .033UF capacitors instead of the .022uf capacitors used on the core and most other humbucker setups Les Paul’s etc. - I rewired mine with orange drops 50”s style and it made a large difference - a lot more clarity and less muffled sounding, holding off on a pickup change for now as it improved the tone greatly - try it out before swapping pickups
Capacitor values make zero audible difference when the pots are fully up. This whole comparison was done with the pots fully up. The “best” capacitor values are situational, depending on the playing style, amp/signal chain, and to boot, the ear of the player. There was plenty of difference between these pickups.
@@haskitt Thank you, that is 100% correct. With 500k in series with the cap to grnd the cap makes ZERO difference. I,ve found ALL the import PRS PU's are wound hotter than the USA models and usually diff. mags too. No matter what PRS say's.
Excellent video! This is what I've been looking for, thank you! I have a 594SC a S2-594DC. You can hear the difference, but I really wanted to find an AB comparison to be sure. Then bang! Here it is. It's been a great deal of help. A while back, I came a cross a set of the LT's for sale at a decent price. They're going in the S2 and the S's in one of my other guitars.
Hi great job! I bought the S2 singlecut 594, and just for fun I put in 57/08 pickups and felt they have more clarity and a sweeter overall tone, but I am not an expert. Your video has great sound and both pickups sound great to my ears. Nice work!
I ended up working the 58/15"s" pickups down and the pole pieces up.. The cap comment below is interesting. If I end up with a change, probably Dimarzio Bluesbucker neck ( I like the p90 sound) and some paf in bridge. But, I am now enjoying the 58/15"s" units with the stock treble bleed enough to leave my s2 as is.
The LT’s have a better top end and have more character in them. The gain tones sound cutting through the mix better with LT’s. Also the split coil sounds way too dull n flat on S2. the only thing S2 pickups are good for (high gain) I’m not much of a high gain player. Killer review btw mate!! Very well showcased the length n breadth of both pickups. Thanks a lot 🙏
ya I don’t hear it lmao. Only the bridge pup was slightly different and that could be due to small differences in setup height. I’m not gonna say you’re just saying that because the LTs are more expensive but…. there really is such a negligible difference. come up with the same opinion in a blind test
The LTs have definitely more clarity. The S in some situations got close to the LT in terms of tone. Those S are not bad pickups. The previous pickups manufactured in Asia were really bad, but I think the S is good enough for most applications. I would say if you are a professional and need a studio quality instrument for high quality recordings, get the Core 594. For most of the gigs and not very professional recordings the S2 is enough. I have an S2 thinline and sounds amazing and it is one of the most comfortable guitars to play I had. Thank you Scott for the samples!!!
Both great sounding pickups with very similar tonal qualities. Seems to me that an EQ pedal is all that's needed to get them to match instead of paying $500 to swap out the pickups.
Thank you! I'll try the stock pickups (58/15s) that come with the guitar. But, I may change them out for Dimarzio PAF Masters, they are my favorite. Thanks again!
Though there is a discernible difference between the two (LT's by a long nose), I feel a more accurate test would involve USA LTs WITH factory USA harness & components vs. "S" pickups and their attendant imported harness & components. Interesting vid. Thanks!
I just purchased an S2 standard 22 with 58/15s and really like the pickups. I'm thinking about upgrading but not sure why. I appreciate your video, thanks 😊
Went looking for this comparison after picking up a Custom 24 S2. I’m finding the stock neck pup a little too bassy. But after watching this, I don’t think upgrading to the Core version would be worth it. They sound different, but neither version sounds bad. Just different. To the extent that I couldn’t tell which was which when not looking at the screen.
Yeah, the openness and character is way more noticeable on clean… With gain to me it’s mostly about the thickness of the Lows and resonant peaks in the high mids being different.
Great video! I’ve found some 58/15 LT’s to go in my s2 594, never liked the 58/15 “s”, always found them lacking clarity. I always play low gain/clean so really hoping the LT’s will be a worthy upgrade 🤞
How can you get the LT 58/15s instead of the S models imported. I would like to buy the S 24-08 custom and replace the imported S 58/15s with the American made 58/15s. I don’t know why those pick ups are not made available to customers. Especially buying a PRS S 2 made in the same plant but putting the import made 58/15s. Come on Paul.
To my ear it sounded like the LTs had a more open jangly sound with better definition between each note. The S2s sounded more compressed and woofy. I did like the S2s in sigle coil more than the LTs, but other than that I preferred the LTs. I think with a pickup height adjustment and a screw height adjustment the S2s could open up a bit moreb but I'd still prefer the LTs.
I agree, though I do like the LTs more in single mode (I didn’t demo this but neck in single and bridge in bucker is glorious!). I did the S2s first and had really messed with the height and the pole height a lot before I recorded them… They lost a lot of definition as I lowered them... neck especially, which in general I found to be a struggle to get the definition that I wanted.
I got to say after recently acquiring a se swamp ash special I'm looking to switch pickups to either the 58/15 lt's or lollar el dorado's. It's the lower mid in the S's, 58/15s or 85/15s, that I just can't eq out. I like the split coil sounds a lot, but the humbucker definitely leaves something to be desired. My current solution is to run a Timmy at unity gain and dump a bunch of bass out. You were totally right about height adjustment etc. It just doesn't get you there.
Good job! I have the "S" pickup in my SE 594 and they are quite good for that guitar. I also bought a set of 58/15 LT USA pickups but I'm not sure if it's worth the trouble to install them in the SE. Are you still loving the USA pups? Should I go for it or put them in my CE instead?
I have several PRS guitars and my 594 hollow and 594 double cut have the 58/15 lts. Ive played church to metal with both. My se hollow vody with the S im giving to someone because they dont have a great sound with high gain
I have a core 594 with the LT and wish I could buy a set to put in my s2 singlecut but but only can find used sets occasionally for $400+ (too rich for me). I'm going to try a set of the 58/15s I ordered on ebay in the s2 since I'm not feeling the s2 #7 pickups. Thanks for the video comparison.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been testing out the Lollar imperials compared to the LT, and while this is a gross oversimplification and I’m doing a video of it, the imperials are really what I expected the LT to be like... The LT are beautiful pickups for so many things, but they are really quite unique and quirky, and I really think Lollar made a more versatile PAF pickup with the imperials.
The lt neck definitely has a little more low end and a little warmer. The difference is very small though with headphones on so pretty much negligible in a mix. The bridge on the lt was way to twangy for me. I know thats exactly what some people would want just not me. I like the lt neck more but its barely noticeable but i like the s2 bridge way more so i would take s2.
PRS LT pickups are very greedyly overpriced, so I purchased Chinese, very good quality Donlis pickups. I installed a neck pickup A2 7.2k, so same specs as a bridge PRS pickup. Result is the same as PRS, so it is sweet and musical. After that I installed 16k A5 JB and it is all mushy and bassy, as most of "metal" pickups, except Dimarzio Super Distortion which is great. So I installed this Donlis neck pickup back on a bridge position and it sings.
Wow so many sounds lol. To my ears through my crappy ear buds I think the core stayed a lot tighter with overdriven tones. I kinda liked the S2’s better on the clean tones though
The core just sounds more open like the sound just resonates better . The S2 lacks midrange compared and highs but technically a guitars highs are still mids.
I have a core SC594 Semi-Hollow, so I’m used to the core LT pickups. The S2 pickups are pretty close, but I the core ones sound sweeter. I’d be curious if the S2 electronics (wiring, pots, etc.) are the same as core, or are import, and if so, what effect they have on the tone. In other words, your S2 with core 58/15LT vs my Core 594 with the same pickups - all else being equal. Interesting test - I bought a SC594 when I saw Time Pierce’s video where he kept going back and forth with Howard Leese’s ‘59 Les Paul and there was literally no difference in tone.
The S2 models do not use the same wiring or the same pots as the core. The pots are import. Part of the reason for the price difference compared to the core model My S2 McCarty came with a defective 3 way toggle. I think the tech I had try to fix it said the switch was import as well. Waiting to see what kind of replacement PRS mails me. Besides the issue I've been having with the switch , I love the guitar, and the pick ups sound good
Great vid man….thanks….ya played thru just about every scenario…actually aside from playing with your teeth…I think you hit em all….ha ha ha…thanks again man.
That's interesting, the difference in tone does not seem as dramatic as when S2s are compared with core models. Most reviewers say that's pickups, but here I don't hear it ...
@@haskitt Very possibly that is due to youtube compression. So can you say that s2 version, when fitted with the proper pickups is just the same in terms of tone, dynamics and articulation?
@@yulian1980 I can confidently say it's not “UA-cam compression” causing the difference between playing and listening back. The raw wav files captured in logic demonstrate the same difference. It’s the response and translation between what is put into the pickups by the player and what comes out. As far as whether the S2 594 is the same as a core 594, I really can’t say because I’ve never played a core.
@@haskitt Well, I was just saying that I might heard it wrong due to the youtube thing, not you. I appreciate your efforts in this videos and time you spent answering my questions ))
I may have missed this in the intro, but did you change the pots and caps as well? Did you try lowering the neck pickup (original) before swapping? Not bashing genuinely curious because I have a S2 594 sitting in a box next to me that was just delivered (waiting for it to warm up). My line of questioning revolves around an experience I had with a Les Paul Jr. that was mushy until I changed out the wiring harness, and it was literally night and day.
Good question, I did work with the height of the pickups and the pole pieces. But I left the pots and caps all stock... my whole point and question with this was really "what does the 58/15LT pickup set sound like in the S2 guitar?", so the pickups could be compared on an even playing field. I might end up changing the pots, but really, the issue I have with the pickups isn't really lack of treble, but presence of bass. A higher value pot would get me more treble, but wouldn't change how much bass is there. I think the pickups have plenty of treble, just more bass than I would like, or expected it to. What I will almost definitely do is put a treble bleed on the neck pickup so when I roll it off it will retain the treble but lose some of the bass and output. Right now there's no treble bleed on the stock wiring. Thanks for watching, and enjoy that 594!... it's honestly my instant favorite guitar. Really a game changer, and I think the stock pickups are a great set for the guitar.
@@haskitt Thanks Scott. The like for like comparison makes sense, I was just curious if you had made other changes before the pickups. I just had a chance to try my 594, and it sounds pretty great through my setup. I was expecting to hear something right off the bat that would make me want to pull pickups and wiring harness, but not so. Very different experience from the S2 I had ~5 years ago. The neck is fantastic too.
@@johnmurray3346 believe it or not, I have thought of this, John. 😜 one of my two favorite amps doesn’t have a bass knob (swart), and the other rolls off other frequencies I actually want with the bass knob (Princeton ’68). One of the many reasons pickups are subjective… different amps! And, amps are subjective for many other reasons.
I don’t know why people can’t just admit it- there’s not 15 cents worth of difference in the 2. And 99.999% of the people you play for damn sure can’t tell the difference. And there damn sure isn’t enough to justify the cost. Buy and play what you want, nobody cares. In a concert setting this is especially true. The music is so loud they couldn’t distinguish the difference in a $500 SE or a $10,000 PRS.
I thought the same thing till I actually played both in person, you hear things you just cant hear in videos. To me it was worth the $500 upgrade. Id do it again if I got another S2
And if I spent $500 on them I’d suddenly hear a big difference too. I have no doubt some people have the ability to distinguish subtle differences in music but until you can pass the blindfold test I stick with my answer. And I especially stick by the part about what your audience hears.
@@williamcondra3811I spent the $500 because I first heard the difference or else I would of held on to my money. I don’t make needless purchases unless I think is worth it. I feel the sound is more apparent through my specific amp. The 58/15”s” sounded a lot more muffled and less warm. To each their own, I am just giving my personal experience on the matter. Nothing wrong with the “S” model if that sound speaks to you but the fact that you are watching this video means you are curious as well and perhaps haven’t tried both side by side in person you might be surprised
The Core 58/15LT is much more open and dynamic sounding. The S2 sounds overwound (which it also is, relatively), and it kind of chokes the sound in a very non-musical way.
Very good comparison and very useful. Nice playing too. I'm thinking to change my fender american select stratocaster hss 2012 for PRS 594 Mccarty (2018). I have doubts, even if it could be better a S2 or a S2 35th anniversary Custom 24. What do you think about these guitars?
Thanks Jose! That's tough. I'd say if you play your Neck/Middle on the strat a lot you'd really miss it with the 594, but personally I couldn't be happier with the playability and versatility of this guitar (I'd have to say I like it more than my strat). It's definitely not "stratty" when you go to coil split mode, but it can get more spanky single coil sounds. Cheers and good luck!
I didn’t change any of the electronics… And yeah I really wish they would include a treble bleed on these pots. Once I decide for sure on what pick ups I like I’m going to put a treble bleed on the neck for sure, maybe the bridge. Cheers!
PRS make nice guitars, but their pups suck. You can hear a great difference from the "S" to the "LT" set. Less tin-canny but still not worth it. With any half decent set of Gibsons or whatever is to your liking they start to sound great. Particularly if you increase gain on the amp somewhat, it's basically impossible to play the "S" set above 4 to 5 on the guitar tone knob, unless you dial the volume below 7 to 8. Even with the pups lowered waaaaay down.
Frankly, I think we're all fools - glorious fools at that, but still, in many ways, quite daft. The differences are, in truth, minute, and even if you discern a clear difference, sometimes the 'better' one sounds better and sometimes the "cheapo-foreign-obviously inferior" collection of wire, magnets and plastic (which because they were wound by legendary sound wizards in countries that "should produce the best guitars" are obviously better) sounds, for whatever reasons, more pleasing to your ears. So people, do as many blindfold tests as possible and then you might not assume that the pickups in your otherwise decent guitar, necessarily need replacing. And unless you are actually able to spot which one is which every time, and that the lesser ones truly do dishonour to your earholes, then save yourself a bit of dough and hey, maybe spend it on your gorgeous wife who has let you get away with your obsessive shenanigans thus far. Rock on!
I was really hoping to come here and learn that the LT's are simply a waste of money if you already have the (s)... But they definitely sound better. I think if I were recording with the McCarty, this wouldn't even be an option... Fortunately, I can probably get buy with them. Paul just looks like an ass by charging $250/pickup.
@@haskitt I just bought my first PRS - an S2 McCarty 594 Thinline and absolutely love it. I will probably swap out the pickups at some point, but for the time being I'm just going to enjoy playing on such a beautiful instrument.
@@haskitt yeah, they sound good for sure. I found I had to really dial up the treble on my amps for them tho...I ended up putting bareknuckle Mules in my 594 and they are relatively low output but still a lot more power and brightness than I got from the LT’s. Wouldn’t mind getting another 594 and keeping to stock down the line just for fun. I would just except for a vintage, low output tone guitar and dial the amps accordingly...probably not playing anything too heavy on it.
@@haskitt Have not tried them but they seem to be the best of the bunch. I even like the AL2 better than the Fralin Pure PAFs in my 339 Gibson. Very clear with bell like tones. Great articulation
*Update - After listening back and having more time with the 58/15LT (Core) in my 594, I'm really liking the LT pickups more than the S2 on even the distorted tones! I think this comes down to how they "feel" while playing, and the LT feel a bit more "mushy" with gain (maybe Alnico 2 mags vs A5 in S2?), which made me have to try harder to play cleanly, but they sit REALLY well in a mix. I can still hear the S2 as tighter bass response and a little more punchy, but the evenness of the LT with the pleasant EQ curve is really evident and noticeable on everything. What do you all think? This comparison has really been such an interesting ride.
Yes, Alnico 2 pickups aren't as tight in the bass as Alnico 5. Alnico 5 are brighter / tighter.
Nice! I’m sure they would both have “optimal” settings for your taste. Did you have to tweak the eq and gain? I change them up a bit for different guitars. If I go from single coil to p-90 I have to adjust the volume and bass
I think you're assessment was apt
This is such an important video to us niche audiophile, PRS playing, budget conscious, split coil, guitar players.
Thanks man! Great vid.
Ha! All 5 of us 😂 cheers!
Keeping as many variables out of the equation really helped. Thanks for this effort!
Cheers! Glad it helped!
GREAT compare and contrast pickup shootout video! Same riff, different pickup... excellent! Thanks!
Wow! Great comparison - thank you! They both sound great, but I can see either one excelling at different jobs. The way that you covered different genres, lead and rhythm, really helps me sus the tones of these pickups. Thanks again!
Glad it helped, cheers!
I can hear a slight difference, but it’s so small I think I’d just go with the less expensive 58/15s
Nice comparison, more useful than most, thanks.
I just installed the 58/15 LT pickups and RS Guitarworx Modern Harness in my S2 and I think it made a massive improvement. Very polished sounding and just sweet.
man!!!! your video is on point! great job! thanks, you just saved me from spending $600 on those pickups. You got a SUB! 👍🏽
Cheers!!
I see a bunch of comments touting one or the other as 'clearly superior'...
Honestly, on most settings, they sound virtually identical. Seriously; the placement of the furniture in the room will change your sound more than switching between these pickups.
I bet if the labeling on the clips were switched, all the commentators preferences would switch too 😂. I have the SE version, I’m sure they’d all tell me how it sounds horrible, when it sounds exactly like this.
The main difference is because on the S2 the guitar is wired with .033UF capacitors instead of the .022uf capacitors used on the core and most other humbucker setups Les Paul’s etc. - I rewired mine with orange drops 50”s style and it made a large difference - a lot more clarity and less muffled sounding, holding off on a pickup change for now as it improved the tone greatly - try it out before swapping pickups
Capacitor values make zero audible difference when the pots are fully up. This whole comparison was done with the pots fully up. The “best” capacitor values are situational, depending on the playing style, amp/signal chain, and to boot, the ear of the player. There was plenty of difference between these pickups.
@@haskitt Thanks for doing this but.... check the Lollar pickups tone truth capacitor value vid..... very interesting.
@@haskitt Thank you, that is 100% correct. With 500k in series with the cap to grnd the cap makes ZERO difference. I,ve found ALL the import PRS PU's are wound hotter than the USA models and usually diff. mags too. No matter what PRS say's.
Excellent video! This is what I've been looking for, thank you! I have a 594SC a S2-594DC. You can hear the difference, but I really wanted to find an AB comparison to be sure. Then bang! Here it is. It's been a great deal of help. A while back, I came a cross a set of the LT's for sale at a decent price. They're going in the S2 and the S's in one of my other guitars.
I have to say, I really miss those LTS… I sold them because they’re so expensive but they’re a phenomenal set of pickups
I liked the 58/15 S a bit more because of the higher brighter sound I was hearing. Thanks for the video. 🎶🎸🎶
yeah, as much as I prefer the mellower tones from the LT set, I admit those S2 pickups definitely would cut more in a band.
same! I've been thinking about upgrading pickups in my s2 but I like my pickups more :)
Would be great to see a Video comparing the PRS 58/15 LT pickups vs the new 58/15 LT S pickups in the SE 594.
The LT S pickups are horrible (at least in the S2 I bought)
@@EyeballK1dreally? What year is your S2?
According to my conversation with PRS Customer service, the 58/15 S and 58/15 LT S are the same pickups, just rebranded.
Hi great job! I bought the S2 singlecut 594, and just for fun I put in 57/08 pickups and felt they have more clarity and a sweeter overall tone, but I am not an expert. Your video has great sound and both pickups sound great to my ears. Nice work!
Nice, it's hard to get this guitar to sound bad!
I ended up working the 58/15"s" pickups down and the pole pieces up.. The cap comment below is interesting. If I end up with a change, probably Dimarzio Bluesbucker neck ( I like the p90 sound) and some paf in bridge. But, I am now enjoying the 58/15"s" units with the stock treble bleed enough to leave my s2 as is.
The LT’s have a better top end and have more character in them. The gain tones sound cutting through the mix better with LT’s. Also the split coil sounds way too dull n flat on S2. the only thing S2 pickups are good for (high gain) I’m not much of a high gain player. Killer review btw mate!! Very well showcased the length n breadth of both pickups. Thanks a lot 🙏
ya I don’t hear it lmao. Only the bridge pup was slightly different and that could be due to small differences in setup height.
I’m not gonna say you’re just saying that because the LTs are more expensive but….
there really is such a negligible difference. come up with the same opinion in a blind test
That guitar is a beauty. The color reminds me of Bernie Marsden's "The Beast!"
The LT’s just have a weird response and resonance to them. I love it. The 594 is an fantastic instrument. Great video!
The LTs are fuller and with more clarity, particularly when you play clean. However, the differences become less noticeable the higher the gain.
Thank you, this was really helpfull! Beautiful playing there..
Thank you, cheers!
The LTs have definitely more clarity. The S in some situations got close to the LT in terms of tone. Those S are not bad pickups. The previous pickups manufactured in Asia were really bad, but I think the S is good enough for most applications. I would say if you are a professional and need a studio quality instrument for high quality recordings, get the Core 594. For most of the gigs and not very professional recordings the S2 is enough. I have an S2 thinline and sounds amazing and it is one of the most comfortable guitars to play I had. Thank you Scott for the samples!!!
yeah those were great versatile pickups... they just felt a little stuffy to me on that guitar and through my gear.
Both great sounding pickups with very similar tonal qualities. Seems to me that an EQ pedal is all that's needed to get them to match instead of paying $500 to swap out the pickups.
This is my favorite of your guitars.
Gotta love a PRS. :-)
Great video ! Definitely nicer cleans with the core the difference not so noticeable when adding gain.Just bought the S2 McCarty 594 slimline
Great tones all around!
Yeah, hard to be very disappointed in any of these.
Thank you! I'll try the stock pickups (58/15s) that come with the guitar. But, I may change them out for Dimarzio PAF Masters, they are my favorite. Thanks again!
They make a great paf!
Though there is a discernible difference between the two (LT's by a long nose), I feel a more accurate test would involve USA LTs WITH factory USA harness & components vs. "S" pickups and their attendant imported harness & components. Interesting vid. Thanks!
dude..I absolutely love that first riff!!! What chords are you playing if you wouldn't mind?
I just purchased an S2 standard 22 with 58/15s and really like the pickups. I'm thinking about upgrading but not sure why. I appreciate your video, thanks 😊
You selling your old 58/15’s?
@@stringbender5597 sure, I replaced them with seth lover pickups and don't want the stock pickups
Great video! Very helpful. Really looking forward to the comparisons with Imperials! I didn't miss that, did I?
Nope, a actually just did the pup swap yesterday - Really wanted to give myself a while to play the LTs. Next week! Cheers
Great comparison.
Went looking for this comparison after picking up a Custom 24 S2. I’m finding the stock neck pup a little too bassy. But after watching this, I don’t think upgrading to the Core version would be worth it. They sound different, but neither version sounds bad. Just different. To the extent that I couldn’t tell which was which when not looking at the screen.
Yeah if you find the stock Neck bassy, that 5815lt might actually be worse for you. It’s super dark in comparison to the Neck.
For me, the difference is most noticeable clean on the bridge pickup, especially when tapped. Seem much harder to pick out a difference with gain.
Yeah, the openness and character is way more noticeable on clean… With gain to me it’s mostly about the thickness of the Lows and resonant peaks in the high mids being different.
The LT's sound better to me. More musical and clear. Not as muddy but still close to the average ear i'd say
Great video! I’ve found some 58/15 LT’s to go in my s2 594, never liked the 58/15 “s”, always found them lacking clarity. I always play low gain/clean so really hoping the LT’s will be a worthy upgrade 🤞
I really think the bridge LT has more clarity, but the neck is a tough call with how boomy it can be
How can you get the LT 58/15s instead of the S models imported. I would like to buy the S 24-08 custom and replace the imported S 58/15s with the American made 58/15s. I don’t know why those pick ups are not made available to customers. Especially buying a PRS S 2 made in the same plant but putting the import made 58/15s. Come on Paul.
@@stevejones7231 they’re now available separately for $500 on Sweetwater in a limited quantity.
To my ear it sounded like the LTs had a more open jangly sound with better definition between each note. The S2s sounded more compressed and woofy. I did like the S2s in sigle coil more than the LTs, but other than that I preferred the LTs. I think with a pickup height adjustment and a screw height adjustment the S2s could open up a bit moreb but I'd still prefer the LTs.
I agree, though I do like the LTs more in single mode (I didn’t demo this but neck in single and bridge in bucker is glorious!). I did the S2s first and had really messed with the height and the pole height a lot before I recorded them… They lost a lot of definition as I lowered them... neck especially, which in general I found to be a struggle to get the definition that I wanted.
I got to say after recently acquiring a se swamp ash special I'm looking to switch pickups to either the 58/15 lt's or lollar el dorado's. It's the lower mid in the S's, 58/15s or 85/15s, that I just can't eq out. I like the split coil sounds a lot, but the humbucker definitely leaves something to be desired. My current solution is to run a Timmy at unity gain and dump a bunch of bass out. You were totally right about height adjustment etc. It just doesn't get you there.
Good job! I have the "S" pickup in my SE 594 and they are quite good for that guitar. I also bought a set of 58/15 LT USA pickups but I'm not sure if it's worth the trouble to install them in the SE. Are you still loving the USA pups? Should I go for it or put them in my CE instead?
And now (2024) they come (finally) standard with the core pickups 😊
Seriously?
@@haskitt Yeah ! That's what they say 😁 No idea what they will cost now though ......
LT vs S:
- neck - 15:23 vs 15:39
- middle - 15:55 vs 16:12
- bridge - 16:28 vs 16:44
I have several PRS guitars and my 594 hollow and 594 double cut have the 58/15 lts. Ive played church to metal with both. My se hollow vody with the S im giving to someone because they dont have a great sound with high gain
LT are a great set!
I have a core 594 with the LT and wish I could buy a set to put in my s2 singlecut but but only can find used sets occasionally for $400+ (too rich for me). I'm going to try a set of the 58/15s I ordered on ebay in the s2 since I'm not feeling the s2 #7 pickups. Thanks for the video comparison.
For what it’s worth, I’ve been testing out the Lollar imperials compared to the LT, and while this is a gross oversimplification and I’m doing a video of it, the imperials are really what I expected the LT to be like... The LT are beautiful pickups for so many things, but they are really quite unique and quirky, and I really think Lollar made a more versatile PAF pickup with the imperials.
Contact Tim at Bare Knuckle Pickups. I’m sure he has something that’s close and he’s very quick to respond and very accommodating
close but the 58/15lt have more clarity. enough of an audible difference to upgrade imho.
I agree it's a big difference - the price of those LTs makes me want to find a more affordable replacement, though!
The S version seems to have a Fuzz tone like quality in overdrive / lead tones. The LT is cleaner.
The lt neck definitely has a little more low end and a little warmer. The difference is very small though with headphones on so pretty much negligible in a mix. The bridge on the lt was way to twangy for me. I know thats exactly what some people would want just not me. I like the lt neck more but its barely noticeable but i like the s2 bridge way more so i would take s2.
I heard a little bit more clarity in the LTs, but not enough of a difference for the price, for me anyway.
yeah, for sure like the LT is better, but I am def searching for a less expensive alternative to the LT‘s!
The differences dont really translate well on compressed YT.. In the room 58/15lt are to me the best sounding paf's I have ever heard
PRS LT pickups are very greedyly overpriced, so I purchased Chinese, very good quality Donlis pickups. I installed a neck pickup A2 7.2k, so same specs as a bridge PRS pickup. Result is the same as PRS, so it is sweet and musical. After that I installed 16k A5 JB and it is all mushy and bassy, as most of "metal" pickups, except Dimarzio Super Distortion which is great. So I installed this Donlis neck pickup back on a bridge position and it sings.
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of these Donlis pickups, I’m curious. I agree, the LT pickups are ridiculously overpriced
Wow so many sounds lol. To my ears through my crappy ear buds I think the core stayed a lot tighter with overdriven tones. I kinda liked the S2’s better on the clean tones though
I kinda like the spankier S2 more!
S2 10th anniversary got LT pickup!
The core just sounds more open like the sound just resonates better . The S2 lacks midrange compared and highs but technically a guitars highs are still mids.
THANKS !!
I have a core SC594 Semi-Hollow, so I’m used to the core LT pickups. The S2 pickups are pretty close, but I the core ones sound sweeter.
I’d be curious if the S2 electronics (wiring, pots, etc.) are the same as core, or are import, and if so, what effect they have on the tone.
In other words, your S2 with core 58/15LT vs my Core 594 with the same pickups - all else being equal.
Interesting test - I bought a SC594 when I saw Time Pierce’s video where he kept going back and forth with Howard Leese’s ‘59 Les Paul and there was literally no difference in tone.
I agree… so expensive but I sort of wish I had kept the LT set. Sold the Guitar a while back
The S2 models do not use the same wiring or the same pots as the core. The pots are import. Part of the reason for the price difference compared to the core model My S2 McCarty came with a defective 3 way toggle. I think the tech I had try to fix it said the switch was import as well. Waiting to see what kind of replacement PRS mails me. Besides the issue I've been having with the switch , I love the guitar, and the pick ups sound good
Great vid man….thanks….ya played thru just about every scenario…actually aside from playing with your teeth…I think you hit em all….ha ha ha…thanks again man.
Ha! Thanks! 😬🎸
That's interesting, the difference in tone does not seem as dramatic as when S2s are compared with core models. Most reviewers say that's pickups, but here I don't hear it ...
I felt much more of a difference than I heard, but I feel like the "know your gear" comparison was similar in difference.
@@haskitt Very possibly that is due to youtube compression. So can you say that s2 version, when fitted with the proper pickups is just the same in terms of tone, dynamics and articulation?
@@yulian1980 I can confidently say it's not “UA-cam compression” causing the difference between playing and listening back. The raw wav files captured in logic demonstrate the same difference. It’s the response and translation between what is put into the pickups by the player and what comes out. As far as whether the S2 594 is the same as a core 594, I really can’t say because I’ve never played a core.
@@haskitt Well, I was just saying that I might heard it wrong due to the youtube thing, not you. I appreciate your efforts in this videos and time you spent answering my questions ))
I may have missed this in the intro, but did you change the pots and caps as well? Did you try lowering the neck pickup (original) before swapping? Not bashing genuinely curious because I have a S2 594 sitting in a box next to me that was just delivered (waiting for it to warm up). My line of questioning revolves around an experience I had with a Les Paul Jr. that was mushy until I changed out the wiring harness, and it was literally night and day.
Good question, I did work with the height of the pickups and the pole pieces. But I left the pots and caps all stock... my whole point and question with this was really "what does the 58/15LT pickup set sound like in the S2 guitar?", so the pickups could be compared on an even playing field. I might end up changing the pots, but really, the issue I have with the pickups isn't really lack of treble, but presence of bass. A higher value pot would get me more treble, but wouldn't change how much bass is there. I think the pickups have plenty of treble, just more bass than I would like, or expected it to. What I will almost definitely do is put a treble bleed on the neck pickup so when I roll it off it will retain the treble but lose some of the bass and output. Right now there's no treble bleed on the stock wiring. Thanks for watching, and enjoy that 594!... it's honestly my instant favorite guitar. Really a game changer, and I think the stock pickups are a great set for the guitar.
@@haskitt Thanks Scott. The like for like comparison makes sense, I was just curious if you had made other changes before the pickups. I just had a chance to try my 594, and it sounds pretty great through my setup. I was expecting to hear something right off the bat that would make me want to pull pickups and wiring harness, but not so. Very different experience from the S2 I had ~5 years ago. The neck is fantastic too.
@@haskitt turn the bass on you’re amp down.... 🤷🏻♂️
@@johnmurray3346 believe it or not, I have thought of this, John. 😜 one of my two favorite amps doesn’t have a bass knob (swart), and the other rolls off other frequencies I actually want with the bass knob (Princeton ’68). One of the many reasons pickups are subjective… different amps! And, amps are subjective for many other reasons.
@@haskitt fair enough
Have too many guitars,was lookin at the S2 but then the SE 594 has the same pups(58/15 LT "S") as the S2 & its $1000 more ,so why get the S2
Cool!
I’m planning on getting the 58/15 lt tci to replace my 58/15 lt s on my prs se McCarty, just wondering if it’s really worth it? Thank you.
The LTs sound much more open and clear.
The LTs are just a little bit smoother than the "S"s.
I don’t know why people can’t just admit it- there’s not 15 cents worth of difference in the 2. And 99.999% of the people you play for damn sure can’t tell the difference. And there damn sure isn’t enough to justify the cost. Buy and play what you want, nobody cares. In a concert setting this is especially true. The music is so loud they couldn’t distinguish the difference in a $500 SE or a $10,000 PRS.
I thought the same thing till I actually played both in person, you hear things you just cant hear in videos. To me it was worth the $500 upgrade. Id do it again if I got another S2
And if I spent $500 on them I’d suddenly hear a big difference too. I have no doubt some people have the ability to distinguish subtle differences in music but until you can pass the blindfold test I stick with my answer. And I especially stick by the part about what your audience hears.
@@williamcondra3811I spent the $500 because I first heard the difference or else I would of held on to my money. I don’t make needless purchases unless I think is worth it. I feel the sound is more apparent through my specific amp. The 58/15”s” sounded a lot more muffled and less warm. To each their own, I am just giving my personal experience on the matter. Nothing wrong with the “S” model if that sound speaks to you but the fact that you are watching this video means you are curious as well and perhaps haven’t tried both side by side in person you might be surprised
The Core 58/15LT is much more open and dynamic sounding. The S2 sounds overwound (which it also is, relatively), and it kind of chokes the sound in a very non-musical way.
I have an s2 I like the bridge tones but find the bass on they neck pickup is to boomy
yeah I was essentially in the same boat. i'm such a neck pickup guy that stock just didn't work for me.
Very good comparison and very useful. Nice playing too. I'm thinking to change my fender american select stratocaster hss 2012 for PRS 594 Mccarty (2018). I have doubts, even if it could be better a S2 or a S2 35th anniversary Custom 24. What do you think about these guitars?
Thanks Jose! That's tough. I'd say if you play your Neck/Middle on the strat a lot you'd really miss it with the 594, but personally I couldn't be happier with the playability and versatility of this guitar (I'd have to say I like it more than my strat). It's definitely not "stratty" when you go to coil split mode, but it can get more spanky single coil sounds. Cheers and good luck!
❤
To my ears it doesn't worth the upgrade, I might even find the "s" neck pickup better
Stock is definitely more versatile… That LT Neck Pickup was just made for cleans imo, so I love it.
Anybody try swapping magnets on the S'?
That’s a good idea… certainly not a $$ risk opening them up
I have the same guitar did you upgrade the pots and Capacitors? My volume on the neck rolls off so much treble
I didn’t change any of the electronics… And yeah I really wish they would include a treble bleed on these pots. Once I decide for sure on what pick ups I like I’m going to put a treble bleed on the neck for sure, maybe the bridge. Cheers!
PRS make nice guitars, but their pups suck. You can hear a great difference from the "S" to the "LT" set. Less tin-canny but still not worth it. With any half decent set of Gibsons or whatever is to your liking they start to sound great. Particularly if you increase gain on the amp somewhat, it's basically impossible to play the "S" set above 4 to 5 on the guitar tone knob, unless you dial the volume below 7 to 8. Even with the pups lowered waaaaay down.
I ear no difference for me it's the same. It change nothing.👍😉
the LT;s sounded more free and open
So close to each other to me doesn’t worth the upgrade
Frankly, I think we're all fools - glorious fools at that, but still, in many ways, quite daft. The differences are, in truth, minute, and even if you discern a clear difference, sometimes the 'better' one sounds better and sometimes the "cheapo-foreign-obviously inferior" collection of wire, magnets and plastic (which because they were wound by legendary sound wizards in countries that "should produce the best guitars" are obviously better) sounds, for whatever reasons, more pleasing to your ears.
So people, do as many blindfold tests as possible and then you might not assume that the pickups in your otherwise decent guitar, necessarily need replacing.
And unless you are actually able to spot which one is which every time, and that the lesser ones truly do dishonour to your earholes, then save yourself a bit of dough and hey, maybe spend it on your gorgeous wife who has let you get away with your obsessive shenanigans thus far. Rock on!
Those are very close. At least after you tube and heaphones
I hear the biggest difference on my TV speakers and one pair of headphones, oddly enough. Really different resonant peak between the sets.
I was really hoping to come here and learn that the LT's are simply a waste of money if you already have the (s)... But they definitely sound better. I think if I were recording with the McCarty, this wouldn't even be an option... Fortunately, I can probably get buy with them. Paul just looks like an ass by charging $250/pickup.
I agree with all of this! Just scored another set of LT for $350… the ones in this video are long gone (as is the 594), but I really missed them.
@@haskitt I just bought my first PRS - an S2 McCarty 594 Thinline and absolutely love it. I will probably swap out the pickups at some point, but for the time being I'm just going to enjoy playing on such a beautiful instrument.
I’m not a fan of the LT’s or the S2 pickups. I have the actual core 85/15s and the LT’s just sound so weak in comparison.
That makes sense - they're not very high output. That's precisely what I liked about the LTs. Cheers!
@@haskitt yeah, they sound good for sure. I found I had to really dial up the treble on my amps for them tho...I ended up putting bareknuckle Mules in my 594 and they are relatively low output but still a lot more power and brightness than I got from the LT’s. Wouldn’t mind getting another 594 and keeping to stock down the line just for fun. I would just except for a vintage, low output tone guitar and dial the amps accordingly...probably not playing anything too heavy on it.
Night and day difference, Core is better.
Fully agree
Same empty can sound !
Both PRS pickup sets sound like empty cans?
Made the Switch on mine and went with Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro. Better than both of these.
Glad you like them! I’ma big fan of A2 buckers. Have you played the LT set?
@@haskitt Have not tried them but they seem to be the best of the bunch. I even like the AL2 better than the Fralin Pure PAFs in my 339 Gibson. Very clear with bell like tones. Great articulation
How did your pole pieces and strings line up?
Your using the same guitar on both comparisons. Lol
Yes… that’s the point of a pickup comparison, so it’s isolating the pickups as the variable. Am I missing something about your comment?
They really lack the definition of the core pickups, think I’ll pass on the s2.
In a blind test, don't think you could tell which is which.