Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build.

WBPickups · 10-23-2008, 12:26 PM

Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) Detailed
Every once and awhile I get a customer who sends me a guitar that is somewhat problematic with getting the right pickups for it.

PRS guitars are some of the best guitars out there. Fantastic woods, excellent builds and great to play but sometimes all these exotic options of wood can make for a pretty guitar that may look great, sound really cool acoustically but plugged in they just are not happening.

Most of these problems with the PRS guitars I get called a lot about are the IRW & BRW guitars. I will break it down and explain the problems with these guitars as easy as possible. A solid neck made of Indian or Brazilian rosewood can make the guitar sound wonderful acoustically. They can be loud and smooth when strummed. The necks feel like heaven. Smooth as a baby's butt and just an ease ~ to play. I myself have fallen for these personally. Love the feel and the look.

*On a side note. Some of you don't know this but I have built a couple of guitars and had the pleasure of working with both IRW necks and BRW necks. I have to tell you the Brazilian rosewood has the most sweetest aroma when carving with it. I love the smell but doing so may have exposed me to some toxic and cancerous dust when breathing it but it smelled so sweet that I couldn't resist it. (sorry for the ADD moment)

OK, back to the post here. My customer Mike had this great PRS IRW CU22 that he bought a while ago but it became a Case Princess pretty soon after he brought it home and plugged her in. The all rosewood necked guitars can sound rather dull and lifeless plugged in. They may be alive acoustically but plugged in rather ho hum. Chords can sound mushy. The single note stuff doesn't bloom that great at all.

So Mike really loved his IRW CU22's feel and playability but was left rather disappointed with the tone plugged in. He had it for awhile when he met an endorser of mine at the PRS Experience a month back and my endorser told him about some specific custom winds I do for these all rosewood necked guitars. He was intrigued and got a hold of me and wanted the custom pickup set built for this guitar. Not to leave anything for chance he decided to send me the guitar after we talked a bit about options for pickups he may want.

He gave me Carte Blanc to do whatever I wanted to make this guitar look good and play great.

So I decided to document the build process of this project. and explain as much as what I can without giving away the secrets to my Indian Tuned pickups but show what goes into some custom work. Here's some pictures of the guitar that Mike sent me, and some pictures of her at my shop right before I play her and do a before video clip.

At my shop..

Decided to go with Double Creams! I thought it would make her have a retro look. Got rid of the rotary switch. Got rid of the treble bleed cap. Went with a Standard McCarty style wiring scheme.

WBPickups · 10-23-2008, 12:32 PM

Here's the bridge pickup being built..

Leads being soldered.

Braided 2 wire and a separate black coil cut wire for splitting the pickups.

JasonC · 10-23-2008, 12:32 PM

Cool post Will! Thanks for sharing that.

WBPickups · 10-23-2008, 12:35 PM

Heat shrink...

wires tucked in...

Ready for a light potting per customers request..

TheMrsWB · 10-23-2008, 06:55 PM

before

after

Es Paul · 10-23-2008, 07:09 PM

Great post Will! My buddy is looking at some PRS's. They're great. I know where he has to go for some Pick Ups!

TheMrsWB · 10-24-2008, 01:17 PM

Packing the guitar, I decided to take another picture of it. Mike asked Will to sign the top which Will really didn't want to. He kept telling him it would devalue the guitar but Mike insisted.

5F6-A · 10-24-2008, 03:04 PM

Great thread!!! Will, you are a true artisan!

WBPickups · 10-25-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5F6-A

Great thread!!! Will, you are a true artisan!

Thank you Hilario. This guitar was quite a trickey one. I had to do 2 winds per pickup to get it right. The stock PRS Pot as another factor that it read around 410 on the volume and with the FULL rosewood neck, the pickups sounded a little muddy even after my tricks I did to them. I did some quick tone vids (before and after) and will post them soon. It's Saturday and after pulling a 19 hour day yesterday. I am being a couch potato watching ET with the girls and playing here on the laptop. So it's safe to say that Laura grounded me from the shop today.

She want's me to rest my arm.

***b-squared*** · 10-25-2008, 07:09 PM

Looks awesome, Will.

Can't wait to hear it.

BB

808 · 10-25-2008, 08:12 PM

Looks killer Will!!!

I can't wait to hear the clips!

Bluesjam · 10-25-2008, 08:31 PM

Looks Great.

st.bede · 10-26-2008, 12:24 AM

I played an PRS with the rosewood neck and A/Bed it against my PRS (90s swamp ash speacial with lollars) and I thought the rosewood neck one was pretty good...it did not lack any tone in my experence....for me my gutiar won but just by a little and I thought to myself that if it had some excellent PUs (like yours...you know how much I love my WBs) it could have won....please comment will or others

I am sure you made that guitar really shine...I have to get one and send her to you too

Es Paul · 10-26-2008, 03:28 PM

19 hrs?? Will, my friend, you need a big rest!

WBPickups · 10-27-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Es Paul

19 hrs?? Will, my friend, you need a big rest!

I took a 2 hour power nap in there somewhere. I'm into working when it's quiet in the evenings. No phone calls to interrupt. I like working at night. Doing this type of work, you don't realize the tome going by when you enjoy it.

Es Paul · 10-27-2008, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WBPickups

I took a 2 hour power nap in there somewhere. I'm into working when it's quiet in the evenings. No phone calls to interrupt. I like working at night. Doing this type of work, you don't realize the tome going by when you enjoy it.

I guess you're right. If you really enjoy what you're doing. It's not a waste of time at all. Some people can never find that enjoyment, and make it their business at the same time. Good stuff!

st.bede · 10-27-2008, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.bede

I played an PRS with the rosewood neck and A/Bed it against my PRS (90s swamp ash speacial with lollars) and I thought the rosewood neck one was pretty good...it did not lack any tone in my experence....for me my gutiar won but just by a little and I thought to myself that if it had some excellent PUs (like yours...you know how much I love my WBs) it could have won....please comment will or others

I am sure you made that guitar really shine...I have to get one and send her to you too

HEY WILL....am I crazy????? it seems like our experences differ a bit...(and I feel like I could have to re-evalueate my ears because I know your a tone god)

WBPickups · 10-27-2008, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.bede

HEY WILL....am I crazy????? it seems like our experences differ a bit...(and I feel like I could have to re-evalueate my ears because I know your a tone god)

WBPickups · 10-27-2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.bede

I am sure you made that guitar really shine...I have to get one and send her to you too

Send her up! Let's get her done!

st.bede · 10-27-2008, 12:46 AM

WILL..what about my damm question.....feel free to critize me, I can take it....(my next axe will be a hollow body....but I really did like the rosewood neck PRS)

WBPickups · 10-27-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.bede

WILL..what about my damm question.....feel free to critize me, I can take it....

Maybe it's late or I am just losing my mind.. But what's the damn question..LOL!

st.bede · 10-27-2008, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.bede

I played an PRS with the rosewood neck and A/Bed it against my PRS (90s swamp ash speacial with lollars) and I thought the rosewood neck one was pretty good...it did not lack any tone in my experence....

lack tone?....(and, do not worry about losing your mind...I lost mine many a year ago and people still like me...go figure)

st.bede · 10-27-2008, 12:58 AM

your gone already.....next time

10-23-2008, 12:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
WBPickups Master Winder V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NORCAL Posts: 1,727 Thanks: 8 Thanked 15 Times in 5 Posts	Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) Detailed Every once and awhile I get a customer who sends me a guitar that is somewhat problematic with getting the right pickups for it. PRS guitars are some of the best guitars out there. Fantastic woods, excellent builds and great to play but sometimes all these exotic options of wood can make for a pretty guitar that may look great, sound really cool acoustically but plugged in they just are not happening. Most of these problems with the PRS guitars I get called a lot about are the IRW & BRW guitars. I will break it down and explain the problems with these guitars as easy as possible. A solid neck made of Indian or Brazilian rosewood can make the guitar sound wonderful acoustically. They can be loud and smooth when strummed. The necks feel like heaven. Smooth as a baby's butt and just an ease ~ to play. I myself have fallen for these personally. Love the feel and the look. *On a side note. Some of you don't know this but I have built a couple of guitars and had the pleasure of working with both IRW necks and BRW necks. I have to tell you the Brazilian rosewood has the most sweetest aroma when carving with it. I love the smell but doing so may have exposed me to some toxic and cancerous dust when breathing it but it smelled so sweet that I couldn't resist it. (sorry for the ADD moment) OK, back to the post here. My customer Mike had this great PRS IRW CU22 that he bought a while ago but it became a Case Princess pretty soon after he brought it home and plugged her in. The all rosewood necked guitars can sound rather dull and lifeless plugged in. They may be alive acoustically but plugged in rather ho hum. Chords can sound mushy. The single note stuff doesn't bloom that great at all. So Mike really loved his IRW CU22's feel and playability but was left rather disappointed with the tone plugged in. He had it for awhile when he met an endorser of mine at the PRS Experience a month back and my endorser told him about some specific custom winds I do for these all rosewood necked guitars. He was intrigued and got a hold of me and wanted the custom pickup set built for this guitar. Not to leave anything for chance he decided to send me the guitar after we talked a bit about options for pickups he may want. He gave me Carte Blanc to do whatever I wanted to make this guitar look good and play great. So I decided to document the build process of this project. and explain as much as what I can without giving away the secrets to my Indian Tuned pickups but show what goes into some custom work. Here's some pictures of the guitar that Mike sent me, and some pictures of her at my shop right before I play her and do a before video clip. At my shop.. Decided to go with Double Creams! I thought it would make her have a retro look. Got rid of the rotary switch. Got rid of the treble bleed cap. Went with a Standard McCarty style wiring scheme. __________________ www.wbpickups.com my personal email. THIS IS OUR NEW NUMBER, PLEASE MAKE NOTE: call me at 530-917-1356. Better than email or PM's. OR MSN/Live Messenger wbpickups@aol on throughout the work day. www.bcrmusic.com www.ristguitars.com Popping Enzyte & Living Large!

10-23-2008, 12:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
WBPickups Master Winder V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NORCAL Posts: 1,727 Thanks: 8 Thanked 15 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Here's the bridge pickup being built.. Leads being soldered. Braided 2 wire and a separate black coil cut wire for splitting the pickups. __________________ www.wbpickups.com my personal email. THIS IS OUR NEW NUMBER, PLEASE MAKE NOTE: call me at 530-917-1356. Better than email or PM's. OR MSN/Live Messenger wbpickups@aol on throughout the work day. www.bcrmusic.com www.ristguitars.com Popping Enzyte & Living Large!

10-23-2008, 12:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
JasonC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,339 Thanks: 24 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Cool post Will! Thanks for sharing that.

10-23-2008, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
WBPickups Master Winder V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NORCAL Posts: 1,727 Thanks: 8 Thanked 15 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Heat shrink... wires tucked in... Ready for a light potting per customers request.. __________________ www.wbpickups.com my personal email. THIS IS OUR NEW NUMBER, PLEASE MAKE NOTE: call me at 530-917-1356. Better than email or PM's. OR MSN/Live Messenger wbpickups@aol on throughout the work day. www.bcrmusic.com www.ristguitars.com Popping Enzyte & Living Large!

10-23-2008, 06:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheMrsWB V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Redding, Ca Posts: 732 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. before after __________________ Peace and Love to all.... www.wbpickups.com www.ristguitars.com www.bcrmusic.com Wheres the love?

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10-23-2008, 07:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
Es Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 605 Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Great post Will! My buddy is looking at some PRS's. They're great. I know where he has to go for some Pick Ups!

10-24-2008, 01:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheMrsWB V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Redding, Ca Posts: 732 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Packing the guitar, I decided to take another picture of it. Mike asked Will to sign the top which Will really didn't want to. He kept telling him it would devalue the guitar but Mike insisted. __________________ Peace and Love to all.... www.wbpickups.com www.ristguitars.com www.bcrmusic.com Wheres the love?

10-24-2008, 03:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
5F6-A Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Guitar birthplace Posts: 1,996 Thanks: 27 Thanked 45 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Great thread!!! Will, you are a true artisan! __________________ Julie & Shelley; my kind of heroines. read why... "The tyrant dies and his rule ends, the martyr dies and his rule begins." Sören Kierkegaard

10-25-2008, 07:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
*b-squared* The Velvet Hammer Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: About 15 minutes from the LOU...(STL) Posts: 7,312 Thanks: 73 Thanked 14 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Looks awesome, Will. Can't wait to hear it. BB __________________ I use: WB Custom Pickups RS Guitarworks Electronics Jonesy's Caps My upcoming Game Addiction: http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/

10-25-2008, 08:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
808 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southeast Louisiana Posts: 883 Thanks: 9 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Looks killer Will!!! I can't wait to hear the clips! __________________

10-25-2008, 08:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bluesjam Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 437 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. Looks Great. __________________ Gibson 2001 LP Standard Honeyburst w/WB Habaneros Gibson Les Paul Studio Vintage Mahogany w/ WB Vintage Hot's Fender Jimmie Vaughan Strat w/ WB 6707's set#7 Marshall DSL 50 w/ 1960AX Fender Deluxe Reverb RI

10-26-2008, 12:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
st.bede V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fresno Ca Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 19 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. I played an PRS with the rosewood neck and A/Bed it against my PRS (90s swamp ash speacial with lollars) and I thought the rosewood neck one was pretty good...it did not lack any tone in my experence....for me my gutiar won but just by a little and I thought to myself that if it had some excellent PUs (like yours...you know how much I love my WBs) it could have won....please comment will or others I am sure you made that guitar really shine...I have to get one and send her to you too __________________ Peace: is not the lack of dischord but an active process that transforms the present dischord into harmony through reverence "to criticize without vision is to be complicitious with dominance" Carolyn Casey "Go easy and, if you can't go easy, go as easy as you can" Jennifer Stone.... (from KPFA Cover to Cover) for me ORANGE IS THE CHANGE thank you 5F6-A

10-26-2008, 03:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
Es Paul Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 605 Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. 19 hrs?? Will, my friend, you need a big rest!

10-27-2008, 12:46 AM	#20 (permalink)
st.bede V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fresno Ca Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 19 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. WILL..what about my damm question.....feel free to critize me, I can take it....(my next axe will be a hollow body....but I really did like the rosewood neck PRS) __________________ Peace: is not the lack of dischord but an active process that transforms the present dischord into harmony through reverence "to criticize without vision is to be complicitious with dominance" Carolyn Casey "Go easy and, if you can't go easy, go as easy as you can" Jennifer Stone.... (from KPFA Cover to Cover) for me ORANGE IS THE CHANGE thank you 5F6-A

10-27-2008, 12:58 AM	#23 (permalink)
st.bede V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fresno Ca Posts: 1,664 Thanks: 19 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Custom Job (PRS CU22 IRW) A Pickup build. your gone already.....next time __________________ Peace: is not the lack of dischord but an active process that transforms the present dischord into harmony through reverence "to criticize without vision is to be complicitious with dominance" Carolyn Casey "Go easy and, if you can't go easy, go as easy as you can" Jennifer Stone.... (from KPFA Cover to Cover) for me ORANGE IS THE CHANGE thank you 5F6-A