85/15 Pickups

[László]

I've only heard a clip of the 85/15 pickups, but what I heard I really liked!

What's the scoop on these? Ceramic or alnico? Vintage or modern (I know it says modern on the spec sheet, but how modern)? Crush-proof box or soft pack?

 

[sleary]

I just heard a clip too. Now I, really curious.

The clip I saw was a sweet water demo with an s2 .....

 

[László]

I just heard a clip too. Now I, really curious.

The clip I saw was a sweet water demo with an s2 .....

After reading your post, I checked out a Sweetwater demo of the CU24 30th Annni model, a white one. The guy demoing it also played an S2 CU24 30th, but I don't think the S2 that I heard had the 85/15s.

My dealer sent me a clip of the pickups that I think highlighted the tone of the pickups a little better. They have a really nice balance of top to bottom, seem a bit more compressed than 57/08s in the video clips I've heard. But that'll be a good contrast with what I have.

 

[Whitecat]

I just watched the Sweetwater video as well as another German one and I have to say this (Core version) is far and away the best sounding CU24 they've ever done IMO. I may trade up a couple for one. Only took 'em 30 years to get it right!

NB - I think that "compression" you're hearing in the pups is partly explained by the fact that it's a 24-fretter - they just naturally have a more focussed sound. It would be interesting to hear the 85/15s on an instrument with 22 frets (and better yet a shorter scale length too).

 

[László]

NB - I think that "compression" you're hearing in the pups is partly explained by the fact that it's a 24-fretter - they just naturally have a more focussed sound. It would be interesting to hear the 85/15s on an instrument with 22 frets (and better yet a shorter scale length too).

Possibly, and I'm not describing the compression as a bad thing - it allows you to vary the volume and still get plenty of oomph with the pickup.

 

[Whitecat]

Possibly, and I'm not describing the compression as a bad thing - it allows you to vary the volume and still get plenty of oomph with the pickup.

Yes indeed - it's a reason to have a 24 fret guitar in your stable full stop IMO. I like the 'cut' - especially on the neck pup.

 

[aristotle]

Even though I have one in-hand, I don't know much about them. My impressions are:

1. Not super high output, but not super low either. Perfect setup for using the guitar to control gain tone.

2. The neck and bridge in parallel single coil mode (position 4) is far and away the best single coil tone out of any PRS I've ever heard. Really different than on other split coil PRS in any configuration...

3. There may be something special going on with the wiring with these in comparison with other CU24s, but tone response changes as a function of volume knob changes is absolutely perfect. Interplay with the tone knob is good too, but the really good part is how tone changes with volume knob changes.

4. Humbucker modes (1,3,5) are more classic PAF than either my DGT pickups, 57/08s or 59/09s. That may be good or bad depending on what you're going for, but it's good for me.

I don't know enough about anything to separate what I'm hearing as a function of pickups versus wiring versus the actual guitar, but one way or the other, they're more than just someplace in the middle of 57/08s and 59/09s

 

[Deleted member 2284]

Just a routine check... I everybody talking about the 85s and NOT the 58s (like in the new SC245 and P245)?

 

[aristotle]

Can't speak for everybody, but I was talking about the 85/15's in the 30th Core CU24's.

 

[django49]

SO, I am thinking the 85/15s are the updated (2015) version of the originals types from 1985 vs the 58/15 as an update (2015) version of the 58/08, such as in the latest hot Mc Singlecut(?)

 

[Whitecat]

I can't imagine the 85/15s have all that much in common with the T+Bs of yore. They sound many orders of magnitude better to me...

 

[László]

Aristotle, thanks for the info!

I'm looking forward to this.

 

[aristotle]

No prob. I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions...

 

[andy474x]

No prob. I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions...

Yeah, Les does a killer Justin Hawkins...

 

[László]

I am Justin Hawkins in a parallel universe.

 

[BrianC]

I feel like we have had this conversation many times - 245's, 5708s, 5909's, M's....now these.

Unfortunately, at least for me, is that the only way to REALLY know if a pup is right for a person is to play it yourself. A pup may sound like it will be the right one on paper but then in person fall short.

I am hopeful.

My pal from MA will get some soon and then I'll know.

 

[László]

Unfortunately, at least for me, is that the only way to REALLY know if a pup is right for a person is to play it yourself.

That's not unfortunate, it's actually the ONLY way to know if an instrument or any part of it is truly right for you.

However, I'm willing to take chances sometimes. With PRS it almost always works out well.

 

[Skeeter]

I'm hoping these are voiced a little more modern than the 5x/0x pickups, but alnico and def not into the \m/ or Tremonti territory.

I too feel like the reference to "85" would mean it would relate to the original T&B's in some sense, maybe higher output?

But who knows, hopefully we'll get some tone reports from the usual suspects soon. Plus, no way they'll be selling these separately any time soon (or if at all), which rules it out for me since I just got a Custom 24.

Nevertheless, I am always curious to see where PRSh is leading us faithful devotees!

 

[aristotle]

It's all subjective, but I wouldn't characterize these things as "modern" at all. In fact, in humbucker mode, they are more PAF-like than any Gibson historic (or 59/09's or even 58/08's). Having never spent any quality time with an '85 CU24, I can't say how closely 85/15's cop that feel. My suspicion is that the moniker is more of a tip of the hat though, and not an attempt at an accurate representation.

All I don't is this would be the last PRS I'd ever let go oh (and I have a few....)

 

[kingsleyd]

Just took a quick look at/listen to the Sweetwater demo. The 85/15s look and sound a lot like the tweaked 57/08s that are in my (series 1) Collection McCarty. I like how they work in a Custom 24!

I have an '86 Custom with the original T&B pickups. Those things really have a sound, for better or worse. At least based on the video I just watched, I can maybe see how the intention might be similar, but overall the new guitar is a lot more refined and sweet sounding. I'm intrigued enough that I might schlep my old VY Custom out to Lexington to compare it with the 30th Anny CU24 in person.