pickup recommendations to replace 85/15

[FatFingerBlues]

Okay I have been playing my 10th Anniversary S2 with the Core 85/15s and I just cant seem to bond with the pickups
its funny but I like the 85/15 S in my SE 24/08
but these seem overly bright and a bit harsh to me

My ideal pickup right now is the SD Pearly Gates that I put in my 2009 SE Singlecut but I cant put them in every guitar I own
or can I?

I have learned how easy it is to change pickups
and what an affect it can have on the sound

How close are the 57/08s to the PGs or a PAF?
I do like the DGT core pickups I've played
but the PGs still sound the best to me

What would you recommend?

 

[Bogner]

Here Are Some Worthy Alternatives To What You Originally Mentioned.

BKP Mule
BKP Black Dog
BKP Rebel Yell
Suhr Aldrich

 

[SinSir]

5909or 5708 neck and 5909 bridge.

5909 kill in my Cu24. I wouldn't have it any other way. I too do not care for the 8515, core or S. I've had both in multiple guitars. No go for me.

 

[KentuckyBoiledChiccan]

Go with PGs, if you like them

 

[Greywolf]

57/08

 

[Birdsofprey]

If you go with a Pearly Gates in the bridge and a Duncan 59 neck you’ll have a nice balance. Haven’t done it on an S2 just a MIK Singlecut stoptail.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Big fan of the 85s, also a big fan of pearly gates

Maybe not a “blues” pickup (surmising style off of user name lol) but I absolutely love the SD Pegasus I put in my LP

 

[Summer]

I've owned many many guitars and the 85/15's are hands down my favorite pickups ever. Rock, blues they give me all I want. In fact I ordered a Private Stock CU 22 and had zero hesitation about throwing these in. My fav ever.

 

[mixmkr]

Lower the treble side of the pickup 1/16th of an inch or conversely raise the bass side.
Then see what you think.

 

[Senor Verde]

Having a few guitars that are the same brand and model, I know not one pickup fits all. However, if you start with something you know and like in one guitar, starting with your favorite will give you a good starting point for improvement in case your favorite doesn't do it for you in the new guitar. So, that's a long way of saying... I would try the PG first and go from there, if needed.

 

[vhalen50]

You can. My favorite pickup has been a SD Saturday night special and its in...alot of my guitars. The 58/15LT in my 594 has been the first pickup ive played that I really enjoyed. But im not spending 500 bucks on a set.

 

[Juan Luis Vidal]

Love the 8515 pickups...maybe my favourite pickups right now. But, if you want something less bright, with powerful but not muddy at all mids, take a look a the DiMarzio DP223BC PAF 36th Anniversary. They have served me me well in the past.

 

[Mentalo87]

I recommend to try the Dragon II (maybe used?) here is why: I own a CE24 with 85/15 and have also the impression that they are very bright, especially the bridge PU. By the end of last year a 1998 CE22 with DIIs joined my collection. And I have to admit that out of all my guitars+PU combinations they sound the most versatile and round to me. I guess the Alnico V play a big part in that. From time to time I‘m tempted to put them into the CE24. Taking into account that maybe no guitar and pickup will sound exactly the same…

 

[SinSir]

I recommend to try the Dragon II (maybe used?) here is why: I own a CE24 with 85/15 and have also the impression that they are very bright, especially the bridge PU. By the end of last year a 1998 CE22 with DIIs joined my collection. And I have to admit that out of all my guitars+PU combinations they sound the most versatile and round to me. I guess the Alnico V play a big part in that. From time to time I‘m tempted to put them into the CE24. Taking into account that maybe no guitar and pickup will sound exactly the same…

Did you swap in an A5? The D2 have A4 in both pickups and 8515 has A2.

It always interesting to read how we all hear things different, rigs and playing style matter. The D2 are one of those pickups I have to be in the mood for and versatile isn't a word I'd use to describe them.

 

[Mentalo87]

Sorry my mistake, they have the stock Alnicos in them. Might be that my PU preference is on the other side of the output range (SD Distortion, SD Custom, Dimarzio Super Distortion) + I‘m getting old. But the DIIs are currently my favorites. I could be mistaken but they seem to be mid forward and very vocal, almost borderline where you can get „quacky“ tones, which I like.

 

[Broseph]

I’m going for PG neck and custom bridge in my custom 24.

 

[SinSir]

Sorry my mistake, they have the stock Alnicos.

almost borderline where you can get „quacky“ tones, which I like.

No worries. I have set here in an Alder Ce22 and with the right amp dialed in just so they can get stratish like tones. I was surprised with such a hairy pickup but when I thought about it. That made some sense to me being all alder and a bolt on maple neck.

 

[alex1fly]

Okay I have been playing my 10th Anniversary S2 with the Core 85/15s and I just cant seem to bond with the pickups
its funny but I like the 85/15 S in my SE 24/08
but these seem overly bright and a bit harsh to me

My ideal pickup right now is the SD Pearly Gates that I put in my 2009 SE Singlecut but I cant put them in every guitar I own
or can I?

I have learned how easy it is to change pickups
and what an affect it can have on the sound

How close are the 57/08s to the PGs or a PAF?
I do like the DGT core pickups I've played
but the PGs still sound the best to me

What would you recommend?

Dunno if you did this already but with the 85/15s I have to work the tone knob. With mine I start with the tone knob at 0 and turn it up until I get the highs I want. Versus literally every other guitar I've ever played where I start with the knob all the way up and turn it down until I get the highs I want.

I replaced the 85/15s several times. Always came back to them. They're different, but they're special. I love the articulation and detail they seem to have built in to them.

 

[FatFingerBlues]

Dunno if you did this already but with the 85/15s I have to work the tone knob. With mine I start with the tone knob at 0 and turn it up until I get the highs I want. Versus literally every other guitar I've ever played where I start with the knob all the way up and turn it down until I get the highs I want.

I replaced the 85/15s several times. Always came back to them. They're different, but they're special. I love the articulation and detail they seem to have built in to them.

My tone is currently at 4
and the pickup is as low as the screws will allow
I am going to try and raise the bass side 1/16th like @mixmkr suggested

 

[FatFingerBlues]

Raising the bass side has help a little
I don't know why I didnt think of that

but still it's not my best sounding guitar
and the question is will I hate it again tomorrow