85/15 vs TCI 's' pickups

MAlister

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Joined
Jan 17, 2025
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1
Hi all,

I'm after a custom 24 SE - my budget doesn't stretch to S2 or core yet, so this is all in reference to the 's' import pickups. I have idolised Custom 24's and never pulled the trigger on one. I've seen a Custom 24 35th anniversary that I think is for me - black gold burst with abalone inlays - but the switches are like a Paul's guitar layout, and the pickups are the TCI's, not the 85/15's.

Now I'm a pop-punk, post grunge, nu-metal, teen of the 2000's, kind of guy and wanting that era sound through my dual rectifier. The TCI's are described as 'warmer' with 'less attack' which I don't want to hear. But then I like the write up saying they were more like raucous p90's... Can people fill me in on the details? Would this guitar be a resentment? I've not got the cash to make a snap purchase, and would rather hold on for a better fit model with 85/15's if this were the case... I'd be keen to hear if someone has experienced the same.

For context, I walked into a store determined to make a purchase, played the only custom which was a 24-08 (TCI equipped), and honestly, I preferred the 58/15 McCarty they had, so I bought that instead. I'm still GASing for a custom 24 though... Much help needed from fellow PRS fans, and many thanks in advance.
 
Welcome to the Forum!

My custom 24 is an S2 Anniversary so I have the American made 85/15's
And a comparison really wont help you
but the struggle I had with the guitar might
The guitar was a gift so I didn't get to play it before it was bought
When I first started playing it, I didn't like it at all
I was really disappointed
but I couldn't trade or sell it for fear of offending my BFAM
Luckily I stayed with it
It took me several months of playing with the pick up heights and angles to get the sound and tone I wanted
And I know my technique greatly improved as well
But now the guitar is my number one
and I love the sound I get

TLDR -
Take time with one
play with the pickup height & angles
you may find just what you are looking for even if you were disappointed at first
 
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