PRS TCI S Humbucker size - my first PRS guitar

[barracooda]

Hello everyone!

I'm learning guitar at a beginner-to-intermediate level, and being an Opeth/Steven Wilson fan, after briefly having owned an Ibanez RG550 (can't deal with the floating trem), I want to try a PRS. My heart was set on a variation of the Custom 24-08 (the Eriza Verde colour, or the 70th anniversary for the ebony fretboard), but to my surprise, from reading around, I gather that the TCI S pickups are not standard size, so if I were to want to upgrade further down the road, I'd either have to move up the range, or do serious bodywork on the guitar.

Also, I was interested in the fixed bridge Mark Holcomb edition, but the uber-flat neck radius is putting me off - however, I did enjoy the audio samples of the Seymour Duncan Scourge/Scarlet pick-ups.

So my big question is do the regular Custom 24 guitars, that apparently use the 85/15 S pickups, have normal holes that can accomodate third party humbuckers, or are these also special, smaller, slimmer versions of the 85/15 S pickups? Same question about the DGT, or... well, any other model.

And what are the models that are a no-no for the humbucker upgrade? Or do all the SE guitars use the smaller versions?
Also, am I overthinking this too much and should just stick with the stock pickups on a 24-08? I know I referenced Opeth and Steven Wilson, but i do listen to more modern-sounding stuff, like Leprous, Haken, Periphery - so I'm not necessarily looking for that fat, vintage tone.

Thank you.

 

[Jimmy]

The TCI S humbuckers in the SE range are standard size. They don’t get narrow until you get to the higher lines (core, S2).

 

[Jimmy]

All SE humbuckers are standard size, with the exception of the new narrowfields in the NF3 and studios.

 

[barracooda]

Oh? That's great news, thank you! How sure are you about this on a scale from 1 to Charlize Theron?

 

[Jimmy]

Charlize Theron. At one point, I researched heavily between the SE Paul’s guitar and the SE 24-08, and bought the latter. They put the TCI S pickups in both at the time.

 

[barracooda]

Tyvm indeed! Now, which one to get....

 

[show_a_little_faith]

I would always suggest giving stock pickups a chance yourself, don't just judge by hearing someone else playing through their rig (and likely on small computer speakers). Also, don't be shy about making adjustments for height of the pickups overall and even the individual pole pieces, as well as EQ on your amp and/or pedals.
Maybe you still will decide these aren't for you, but you might just be surprised too