They are different but also very close to each other too. I could happily use either and just use the EQ to get the different sounds if I needed them. I can't say one was 'better' to my ears and sometimes I thought I preferred the stock and other times the 57/08's The 57/08's seemed a bit brighter and hotter - slightly breaking up on one of the clean demo's and certainly seemed a touch brighter with more mid scoop. Whichever Pick Up set you go for, both sound great!!!
Excellent comparison and in most settings and most certainly in the clean zone, the McCarty are king interestingly. In the break up zone (definitely where I personally dwell), the early and original 57/08s just smash it out the park. They just take that guitar into tonal Nirvana and add a sweetness and harmonic 3D that is hard, if not impossible to beat. I think, if we had of continued into the breakup territory, the 57/08's would take the crown ultimately. But in a live situation, perhaps the originals may cut through the mix better, with their strong mid-range character and if someone found the right pedal to compliment them, who is to say 'what is and what should never be'! Great and scientific comparison. Well done! 🏆
I’m in the market for an older McCarty…to my ears, the 57/08s sound clearer, a bit hotter and better in the split sounds, a bit more modern maybe…the o.g. McCartys sound sweeter, softer and more classic which I prefer
Thanks for the video. I'm replacing the stock 245 pickups in my 2008 McCarty ll with57/08s. The 245s are a bit too punchy to my ears, and without a tone knob, one cannot change the tonal character. Do the 57/08s have a just lite more difinition than the stock McCarty pickups?
Hi Paris. The 57/08‘s have way more clarity and are also hotter than the stock pickups. They remind me a bit of Burstbuckers. I know that the opinions are different on the point that they are hotter. Apparently the aftermarket 57/08‘s are hotter than the ones that came stock. FYI I measured the resistance on both stock McCarty and 57/08‘s. McCarty stock Bass 7,96 KOhm Treble 8,88 KOhm 57/08‘s Bass 8,70 KOhm Treble 9,11 KOhm Cheers,
@@marcocardoni1970 The pickups which came stock in the McCarty ll were not stock McCarty pickups (which I like). These were the same pickups which came stock in the Mira. As to aftermarket 57/08s, the 57/08s came from the PRS factory by a PRS rep. There should be no difference between my pickups and the ones that come stock in another PRS with these pickups.
@@marcocardoni1970 the stock McCarty ll pickups were 245s. I've owned 2 other late 90s McCartys and those pickups sound very good. I sold my '98 because I wanted a 75 Strat. I recently sold my '99 McCarty Hollowbody ll because I just got so tired of the color (a very bright cherry red sunburst). My current '08 McCarty ll is a beautiful dark sunburst on an Eastern maple flame top (think early Gibson flame tops).
When there's any type of OD or distortion, I don't think McCarty pickups can be beat, for me at least. I'd put them up against any other pickup on the planet.
Thanks for this.
They are different but also very close to each other too. I could happily use either and just use the EQ to get the different sounds if I needed them. I can't say one was 'better' to my ears and sometimes I thought I preferred the stock and other times the 57/08's
The 57/08's seemed a bit brighter and hotter - slightly breaking up on one of the clean demo's and certainly seemed a touch brighter with more mid scoop.
Whichever Pick Up set you go for, both sound great!!!
Any ever try super distortions in a McCarty?
Excellent comparison and in most settings and most certainly in the clean zone, the McCarty are king interestingly. In the break up zone (definitely where I personally dwell), the early and original 57/08s just smash it out the park. They just take that guitar into tonal Nirvana and add a sweetness and harmonic 3D that is hard, if not impossible to beat. I think, if we had of continued into the breakup territory, the 57/08's would take the crown ultimately. But in a live situation, perhaps the originals may cut through the mix better, with their strong mid-range character and if someone found the right pedal to compliment them, who is to say 'what is and what should never be'!
Great and scientific comparison.
Well done! 🏆
Thanks 😉
Great video, thanks man!,
The 57/08 are much better
I’m in the market for an older McCarty…to my ears, the 57/08s sound clearer, a bit hotter and better in the split sounds, a bit more modern maybe…the o.g. McCartys sound sweeter, softer and more classic which I prefer
Thanks for the video. I'm replacing the stock 245 pickups in my 2008 McCarty ll with57/08s. The 245s are a bit too punchy to my ears, and without a tone knob, one cannot change the tonal character.
Do the 57/08s have a just lite more difinition than the stock McCarty pickups?
Hi Paris. The 57/08‘s have way more clarity and are also hotter than the stock pickups. They remind me a bit of Burstbuckers. I know that the opinions are different on the point that they are hotter. Apparently the aftermarket 57/08‘s are hotter than the ones that came stock. FYI I measured the resistance on both stock McCarty and 57/08‘s.
McCarty stock
Bass 7,96 KOhm
Treble 8,88 KOhm
57/08‘s
Bass 8,70 KOhm
Treble 9,11 KOhm
Cheers,
@@marcocardoni1970 The pickups which came stock in the McCarty ll were not stock McCarty pickups (which I like). These were the same pickups which came stock in the Mira. As to aftermarket 57/08s, the 57/08s came from the PRS factory by a PRS rep. There should be no difference between my pickups and the ones that come stock in another PRS with these pickups.
@@marcocardoni1970 the stock McCarty ll pickups were 245s. I've owned 2 other late 90s McCartys and those pickups sound very good. I sold my '98 because I wanted a 75 Strat. I recently sold my '99 McCarty Hollowbody ll because I just got so tired of the color (a very bright cherry red sunburst). My current '08 McCarty ll is a beautiful dark sunburst on an Eastern maple flame top (think early Gibson flame tops).
to me, the 57/08 just sound better.
When there's any type of OD or distortion, I don't think McCarty pickups can be beat, for me at least. I'd put them up against any other pickup on the planet.
I prefer the vintage warmth of the McCartys, the 57/08 are too bright and brittle