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last updated 6/24/06

My modifed PRS SE Soapbar II with Full Sized Humbuckers

click to see how I changed the Duncan Antiquity pickups from Alnico II magnets to Alnico V

Modifying the pickup cavities.

The short dimension of the cavity needed to be increased about 1/4" and the corners of the edge that was not changed needed to be filled to take the pickup mounting ring's screws. Also had to add the wells to accommodate the pickups height adjust brackets.

I changed the controls to dual types to have volume and tone for each pickup. The control near the bridge is volume (neck, center; bridge, ring) and the control near the switch is tone. The dual pots came from Stewart McDonald. They were the only audio taper dual 500K pots I could find that had long enough bushings (1/4" is too short for rear routed control cavities).  After I took these photos I added a nylon washer under the center knob to make it stick farther up.

I would have preferred larger pots, shafts and knobs. I have a set of nice large CTS dual 500K with beautiful large knurled knobs, like for a '61 Jazz Bass, but the bushings are too short. I'm not wild about the taper on these pots either. Much too sensitive at the fully CW (full up) end.

Here's my wiring. This guitar is dead quiet. The switch is the only original electronic part.