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What Pickups Does The Paul Reed Smith 408 Come With Stock?

2025-09-04 08:01:57 154

4 Answers

Weston

2025-09-05 00:32:16

I geek out on wiring diagrams, so here’s the short technical scoop: PRS typically ships the 408 series with their own PRS-wound humbuckers, but 'which' humbucker depends on the production year and whether it’s a Core/Artist/SE model. Many Core-level 408s come with higher-end PRS pickups voiced for clarity and midrange punch; SE-level ones will have PRS-designed humbuckers made in lower-cost factories but still voiced for that PRS character. To identify them without paperwork, test the DC resistance (hottest pickups will read higher ohms), inspect for stamped codes or PCB labels in the cavity, and note magnet type if you can see polepiece construction.

If you plan to mod, the usual upgrades people try are PRS '58/15' style sets for warmth or a Seymour Duncan 'JB'/'Jazz' combo for a bolder, more American rock voice. Also check whether your guitar has stock coil-splitting or push-pull pots — many 408s have wiring that supports coil taps which drastically increases tonal options.

Zara

2025-09-07 07:40:16

Okay, this one pops up a lot in forums and it’s a fun little detective hunt: the pickups in a Paul Reed Smith 408 aren’t a single immutable thing across every guitar — PRS tends to outfit different runs and models with different PRS-wound humbuckers. If you’ve got a Core or Private Stock 408, it will most likely have PRS’s proprietary humbuckers that lean toward the ‘58/15’ or ‘85/15’ family depending on the era and voicing requested. SE or more budget-oriented runs often get PRS-designed bridge and neck humbuckers that are made to be versatile, sometimes with coil-split capable wiring.

If you want to be precise about a specific instrument, the easiest routes are to check the spec sheet for your model year on PRS’s site, look at the paperwork that came with the guitar, or pop the control cavity and note any stamped pickup markings or pot wiring colors. Oh, and measuring DC resistance with a multimeter helps too — it’ll tell you whether you’ve got a hotter modern humbucker or a lower-output vintage-style winding. Personally, I like digging through old PRS catalogs and serial-number posts to pin down exact pickup names when a spec list isn’t handy.

Clarissa

2025-09-09 16:20:49

My take as someone who’s swapped a dozen pickups over the years: the stock PRS 408 pickups are, more often than not, PRS’s own humbuckers tuned for balance and note definition rather than raw, in-your-face output. They tend to sit comfortably between vintage warmth and modern clarity — great for players who like chords and single-note articulation equally. Depending on the exact model year, you might hear slightly more glassy top end or a warmer midrange; PRS tweaked their windings across different runs, so two 408s can feel close but not identical.

For a player who loves both cleans and crunchy overdrive, the stock pickups usually do the job, but if you chase a particular era (think '60s throaty PAF vibe or modern aggressive rock bite), swapping to a set like a PRS '58/15' or an aftermarket Seymour Duncan set can hone the sound. I usually recommend trying the guitar through your amp for a few days before deciding — pickups settle in and your ear adapts, so you might love the stockers after a week of jamming.

Quinn

2025-09-10 19:15:06

Short and practical: pickups in a PRS 408 vary by model year and tier; PRS fits Core/Private Stock guitars with higher-end PRS-wound humbuckers and SE or lower-tier runs with PRS-designed humbuckers made to a different spec. If you want to know exactly which ones your specific guitar has, grab the serial number and check PRS’s archived spec sheets or email their customer service. You can also open the control cavity and look for markings or measure DC resistance to get clues.

If you’re thinking about changing them, decide first whether you want more output, vintage warmth, or coil-splitting versatility — that’ll guide you toward a PRS '58/15' style, a hotter humbucker, or a set with easy split options. Personally, I like keeping stock for a bit then swapping if the vibe doesn’t click.

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Related Questions

Which Tonewoods Does The Paul Reed Smith 408 Feature On Models?

4 Answers2025-09-04 00:53:20

Whenever I look at the PRS 408 lineup I end up geeking out over the wood choices more than the finish—there’s a clear PRS signature in the combos they use. Most of the regular-production 408s tend to pair a mahogany body with a carved maple top, and that maple can be plain, flamed, or quilted depending on the run. The mahogany gives the low end warmth and sustain, while the maple top adds attack and clarity, which is exactly why PRS loves that pairing. For fingerboards you’ll usually see rosewood, ebony, or pau ferro across different models, and neck woods are commonly mahogany or maple. On some limited editions and private-stock pieces PRS has experimented with alder, swamp ash, walnut, or even korina tops—those are less common but show up if you’re hunting a specific year or shop model. If you’re trying to predict tone: think warm and rounded from the mahogany core, with spank and articulation from the maple top, and then the fingerboard wood fine-tunes the bite and feel. I always tell friends to play a few examples in person—woods matter, but so does setup and pickups, and the 408 family really rewards close listening.

Who Originally Manufactured The Paul Reed Smith 408 Pickups?

4 Answers2025-09-04 13:02:46

I was digging through my old PRS catalogs the other day and got into a nerdy spiral about pickups — the PRS 408s are a fun bit of history. Those pickups were originally produced in-house by Paul Reed Smith's operation in the U.S. They were a PRS-branded design conceived by Paul and his team and built at the Maryland shop during the period when PRS made most of their own magnetic hardware. Over time PRS shifted some production and sourcing — SE and some later versions of PRS pickups were made overseas or with outside partners — so people sometimes get mixed up and think a company like Seymour Duncan or another well-known maker built the 408s. But if you’re talking about the original 408 pickups that shipped with U.S.-made PRS instruments, they were PRS-made, reflecting the company's hands-on approach at the time. That little provenance nugget makes them feel more grounded, at least to me.

Can The Paul Reed Smith 408 Handle Drop Tunings For Metal?

4 Answers2025-09-04 08:32:52

Totally—my 408 has seen everything from classic rock crunch to down-tuned sludge, and with the right setup it absolutely handles drop tunings for metal. When I switched to drop D and then lower (drop C/B), I bumped string gauges, had a tech tweak the intonation and truss rod, and swapped in locking tuners. That stabilized the low end and kept the strings from flopping around. The 408's neck and bridge hold up nicely; the main work is getting proper tension and intonation. For aggressive chugging I also preferred a higher-output humbucker to keep the low notes tight and present through distortion. If you plan to live in really low territory (drop A or below) often, consider either a baritone setup or a 7/8-string instrument. For casual or occasional lower tunings though, heavier gauged strings, a solid setup, and maybe a noise gate will get you a thick, focused metal tone. I still love how versatile the 408 is after that tweak.

How Does The Paul Reed Smith 408 Sound Compared To A Custom 24?

4 Answers2025-09-04 23:03:41

Honestly, the first time I put a set of ears on both guitars back-to-back I was struck by how differently they inhabit the same musical space. The Paul Reed Smith 408 felt like a more modern, punch-forward instrument to me — thicker low end, a bit more grind when you push the amp, and a focused attack that sits nicely in a mix. Notes feel compressed in a pleasing way, so high-gain chords chime without getting woolly. By contrast, the 'Custom 24' sounded airier and more balanced: sweeter mids, bell-like harmonics on clean tones, and more open high end. Sustain on the 'Custom 24' sings in a way that encourages melodic leads and nuanced dynamics. If you like heavy rhythms, palm-muted chugging, or a guitar that tightens up with distortion, the 408 leans toward that modern, aggressive vibe. If you prefer shimmering cleans, singing lead lines, or something super versatile for blues, rock, and everything in between, the 'Custom 24' will reward you. Play both through your amp and through a pedal chain — the 408 reacts brilliantly to pedals that tighten and saturate, while the 'Custom 24' shines with gentle overdrive and reverb. For me, choosing between them usually comes down to what songs I want to play that night.

Why Do Players Prefer The Paul Reed Smith 408 For Rock Music?

4 Answers2025-09-04 14:39:42

Honestly, the first thing that hooks me about the Paul Reed Smith 408 for rock is how effortlessly it sits between crunchy rhythm and singing lead. On stage I like guitars that don’t fight me: the 408’s construction gives a solid, sustaining foundation so when I crank gain the chords stay tight and the leads bloom without getting woolly. The pickup voicing tends toward clarity in the midrange so power chords cut through a drum-heavy mix, while single-note lines still sparkle. Playability matters too — the neck shape and balanced weight let me move across the fretboard fast during long sets, which makes playing riffs from classic rock to modern alt much less tiring. The switching layout feels intuitive when I need quick tonal changes between verses and solos. All this makes it a favorite when I want one guitar that can cover diverse rock styles without constant setup tweaks — I can dial it in, plug into my amp or pedalboard, and it behaves. It’s the kind of guitar that keeps me smiling during both practice and live nights, and that reliability makes me reach for it first.

Is The Paul Reed Smith 408 Worth Buying Used Today?

4 Answers2025-09-04 23:09:10

Okay, here's the practical take: if you find a Paul Reed Smith 408 used at a sensible price, it's absolutely worth strong consideration. I’ve played a handful of PRS instruments over the years and the brand’s build quality and attention to setup are real — necks tend to be comfortable, fretwork is usually excellent, and finishes hold up. What matters most buying used is condition and setup: check neck relief, fret wear (look for flat spots or deep grooves), functioning electronics (pots, switches), and hardware rust or stripped screws. Ask if it comes with the original case and any receipts or service history. Try it through an amp you know and listen for buzzes and dead frets. Play open chords, bends, and dive into the higher frets; make sure intonation and trem functionality (if it has one) are solid. If you’re buying online, insist on high-res photos of the neck heel, fret ends, headstock, and the cavity wiring. Price-wise, compare similar-year listings and factor in a professional setup cost if needed. If it plays well and the price is right, a PRS tends to age like wine — a used 408 can be a very satisfying buy that keeps giving.

What Is The Resale Value Of A Paul Reed Smith 408 Right Now?

4 Answers2025-09-04 11:33:53

Okay, diving straight in — if you’re trying to figure out the resale value of a Paul Reed Smith 408 right now, I’d judge it mostly by condition, year, and finish rather than a single magic number. In my experience browsing Reverb and eBay and chatting with folks on guitar forums, a typical Core/standard 408 in nice, played-but-well-kept condition tends to land in the roughly $1,200–$3,500 range in the US market. Mint examples with original case and paperwork, rare figured tops, or limited-run finishes can push toward the high end of that band or slightly beyond. Conversely, heavily worn, modified, or older models with fretwear or electronics issues often sell for much less — sometimes down near the $800–$1,200 area. If you’ve got a Private Stock, artist-signature, or an especially rare finish on your 408, expect collectors to pay a premium; those can easily jump into the $4k+ territory depending on provenance. My go-to tips: search completed listings on Reverb/eBay for your exact model and finish, note sale prices (not just asking prices), and factor in buyer fees and shipping when deciding your own price. Photograph everything, list specs plainly, and you’ll get a much better result than a vague guess — I learned that the hard way with a previous guitar flip.

Where Can I Find Vintage Paul Reed Smith 408 Listings Online?

4 Answers2025-09-04 05:09:51

If you're hunting for a vintage Paul Reed Smith 408, I usually start at the obvious online gear marketplaces and work outward from there. Reverb and eBay are my go-to for listings — they both have filters for year, finish, and price, and you can saved-search alerts so you get pinged when something pops up. I check seller feedback carefully and ask for close-up photos of the headstock, neck heel, and cavity routing. For older guitars those details tell you a lot. Beyond the big sites, I poke around specialized classifieds and forums like The Gear Page, PRS Forum, and regional Facebook groups. Dealers who specialize in vintage instruments sometimes list on their own sites or on Instagram, and Japanese sites like Yahoo Auctions and Rakuten can surprise you with well-preserved finds if you're okay using proxy services like Buyee. I always budget for shipping/insurance, and if the serial looks unusual I ask for warranty cards or original receipts — provenance matters more than you think.

What Pickups Does The Paul Reed Smith 408 Come With Stock?

4 Answers

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Can The Paul Reed Smith 408 Handle Drop Tunings For Metal?

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