58/15 vs 85/15

[Sculptair]

I my saw my almost dream guitar today, a beautiful Custom 24-08 except it had 58/15's rather than 85/15's which is what I would prefer. Unless I'm mistaken, PRS does not list 85/15's in their online store. At $4900, I can't afford to make a mistake. What to do???

 

[Steve Dombroski]

It is my understanding that the 58/15's are essentially 85/15's with covers. Now, if you're talking 58/15LT's, that's another story. However, I've heard fantastic things about those as well. I would recommend not passing up the perfect guitar because of pickups. Those can always be swapped out.

 

[pac90]

the 85/15 is hotter than the 58/15 but the 58/15MT has multitap - fancy splits

 

[bodia]

Snag the 24/08. The 58/15 MT pickups in the 24-08 and the Cu22 SSH are to die for. Glorious tone for days, and the best splits they have to offer. Is there ground that you specifically need the 85/15 to cover?

 

[Sculptair]

For the heaviest chord expressions and searing leads I like the chunk and sing of a hotter pickup. I've seen videos of split 85/15's...and that's what I want. If I could buy 85/15's and swap them out I would...but I don't see that they are available for purchase, and I really don't want to go 3rd party. It's tempting but at this price it will probably be the last guitar I ever buy...so I don't want to settle for anything. Thx for the input guys!

 

[gush]

For the heaviest chord expressions and searing leads I like the chunk and sing of a hotter pickup. I've seen videos of split 85/15's...and that's what I want. If I could buy 85/15's and swap them out I would...but I don't see that they are available for purchase, and I really don't want to go 3rd party. It's tempting but at this price it will probably be the last guitar I ever buy...so I don't want to settle for anything. Thx for the input guys!

Check your PMs

 

[Ironwolf]

there is a thread describing the pickups.
https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/58-15-and-85-15-pickups.23155/

I think the 85/15 and 58/15 appear to be wound very similarly, and have slightly different EQ's
several people have reported that 58/15 has ever slightly more bass, slightly darker, which probably translates to the highs being knocked down slightly,
which you may expect with a cover.
they have similar resistance. however my newish, 85/15 bridge pickup measured 8.6 Kohms not the specified 9.0
I feel like the 24-08 was kind of designed with the 85/15 in mind,
so I'm sure you can find your dream guitar with 85/15

 

[Screamingdaisy]

The 58/15s sound like the 50s. Very classic, slightly honky.

The 85/15s sound like 70s hard rock (pre-Super Distortion). More top end bite and a fuller, firmer bottom end response.

Interestingly, my 58/15s are more overwound than my 85/15s. If you’re looking for chunk and sear I’d hold out for 85/15s. I think the 58s are better at smooth and/or bluesy.

IMO

 

[Dirty_Boogie]

The 58/15s sound like the 50s. Very classic, slightly honky.

The 85/15s sound like 70s hard rock (pre-Super Distortion). More top end bite and a fuller, firmer bottom end response.

Interestingly, my 58/15s are more overwound than my 85/15s. If you’re looking for chunk and sear I’d hold out for 85/15s. I think the 58s are better at smooth and/or bluesy.

IMO

100% agree. I reach for my McCarty with 58/15s for stuff like the Allman Brothers (sweet, smooth mid-range) and my CU22 with 85/15s for anything hard rock or metal (hotter, with more bite and low end). There's a noticeable difference.

 

[Josef Antinucci]

I’m new but signed up to post a link oh Paul explaining his pickups. Can’t post a link being new! Oh well. 58 and 85 are the years they were trying to reproduce. 15 is the year they released it.

 

[Tone-y]

Doesn't the 24-08 only come with the multi tap 58/15MTs. If you'd rather have 85/15 then it seems there's not much point getting a 24-08 over a normal custom 24?

 

[Josef Antinucci]

Doesn't the 24-08 only come with the multi tap 58/15MTs. If you'd rather have 85/15 then it seems there's not much point getting a 24-08 over a normal custom 24?

G'morning Tone-y~ The standard pick up on the 24-08 is the 85/15's. I happen to have a wood library model and the person who orders the 10 guitars gets to choose not only the wood but the electronics in a pre-existing guitar in rotation. My 24-08, pictured in profile, has the 58/15's and they are MT (Multi-Tap).