Which do you prefer, the Custom 24 or the Custom 24 08 (with their latest pickups?) _

[Revelation]

I personally think both are great guitars. I initially wanted the 08 as it provided more sounds, and the split coil has more top end though they sound a little thinner than the standard version. I also liked the 3-way toggle switch as well.

In the end I went with the standard Custom 24 as it has a little bit of a warmer sound. The TCI pickups in the 08 sound a little like a P90 to me and have less bass than the Custom 24. which then makes it have a little more mid range. But I have also heard many great sounds come from the 08 as well as the type of amp you use can make a difference. Which you prefer and why?

 

[SinSir]

PRS should have stopped with the.Cu24 at 5909. Would love the switching of Cu2408 but wouldn't trade the 5909 for TCI. If I wanted TCI pickups the MEV is the way I'd d go.

 

[László]

PRS should have stopped with the.Cu24 at 5909. Would love the switching of Cu2408 but wouldn't trade the 5909 for TCI. If I wanted TCI pickups the MEV is the way I'd d go.

For me, the bottom line is that the CU24 is a pretty adaptable platform - pick the pickups you prefer and generally you'll get a focused midrange with a touch of fatness and gristle that can do a lot of things.

The CU24 with 59/09s was great. But I had the CU24 with 85/15s and that one was also great. Neither was necessarily better, all this pickup stuff is down to playing and musical style, tone preference, amp combinations, etc.

I like the 24/08 with the TCIs, too. I have a hard time disliking the CU24s, especially from the 59/09 versions on, though my first one was a 1991 with VB and HFS, and those pickups needed to be changed out (for me, YMMV).

 

[Revelation]

The 59/09's they say are great for distortion but the 85/15's sound better for clean tones and are still good with distortion as well.

 

[intothevoid]

The 59/09's they say are great for distortion but the 85/15's sound better for clean tones and are still good with distortion as well.

I would agree with that

85/15s sound more versatile to me. My CU24 has 59/09s and it’s great for modern rock but sometimes I feel the guitar lacks a bit of beef in the bottom end - I feel that’s inherently part of what you get with a CU24 given the body thickness. The McCarty 594 in comparison has more low end due to the thicker body

 

[BrianC]

I have both but strongly prefer the 3 way vs blade.

 

[Rider1260]

After going thru 3 different CU24s found the 35 anv CU24/08 ( actually BrianC found it ) , 85/15 TCI pickups , 408 switching and a pretty chunky Pattern Reg neck pretty sure its the one for me.

 

[MarcWink]

That's a tough call to make. I like the 24-08 switching better than the 5 way blade, but I've not had an opportunity to play one of the current crop of Custom 24-08's with the TCI pickups.

Having said that, before my day job got hectic (public defender), I was gigging my 35th Anniversary Custom 24 (408 switching at 85/15 TCI pickups) a lot more than my 10th Anniversary S2 Custom 24 with the same pickups. The 35th Anniversary just gives me a little bit more flexibility, and to be honest, I really prefer having the neck pickup split for clean sounds and for leads.

 

[Glide-bpm]

I like a 5 way with the following wiring: 1. bridge HB 2. bridge single/tapped 3. some combo bridge/neck
4. neck single coil/tapped 5. neck HB, blade switch. I use a 10 way Hiway switch to have humbuckers
combined in the middle down position, and two single/taps for bridge and neck in the middle up position switching.

 

[bodia]

I'd go 08. I don't care for the position of the blade switch

 

[Bogner]

I Like The Ones With Fat Necks, No Blade Switches Or Rotary And No Mini Toggles. That Model Is My Favorite.

 

[SinSir]

For me, the bottom line is that the CU24 is a pretty adaptable platform - pick the pickups you prefer and generally you'll get a focused midrange with a touch of fatness and gristle that can do a lot of things.

The CU24 with 59/09s was great. But I had the CU24 with 85/15s and that one was also great. Neither was necessarily better, all this pickup stuff is down to playing and musical style, tone preference, amp combinations, etc.

I like the 24/08 with the TCIs, too. I have a hard time disliking the CU24s, especially from the 59/09 versions on, though my first one was a 1991 with VB and HFS, and those pickups needed to be changed out (for me, YMMV).

Agreed. The Cu24 is a helluva platform. Like many, it's what brought me to PRS. Truthfully I've liked most versions for one reason or another.

But..regardless of which pickups any of prefer in a Cu24 to get the 2408 you gotta dig the TCI with the proprietary shape. No swapping out like your 91. That's the biggest deciding factor to me over switching for the Cu24 and Cu2408 discussion.

Now the 35th mentioned above would be best of both worlds.. slap in some 5909 and I'd be set.

 

[SinSir]

The 59/09's they say are great for distortion but the 85/15's sound better for clean tones and are still good with distortion as well.

Funny how were all differnet. The cleans are what I don't like about the 8515 and what I do with the 5909. I'm mostly a clean player with a lil dirt and knob twisting. The 8515 are almost too unforgivingly clean.

 

[László]

But..regardless of which pickups any of prefer in a Cu24 to get the 2408 you gotta dig the TCI with the proprietary shape.

True.

As it happens, I've liked all the 408 style pickups ever since I had the original Signature Limited that introduced them. But I like the 59/09s as well as the 85/15s. I'm easy. To me, all good.

Funny how were all differnet. The cleans are what I don't like about the 8515 and what I do with the 5909. I'm mostly a clean player with a lil dirt and knob twisting. The 8515 are almost too unforgivingly clean.

I share your 'clean with a lil dirt' aesthetic.

I have no problem with either 85/15s or 59/09s in a CU24, but also liked the 85/15 cleans best. They just worked well with the way I play, and with all of my amps.

As you say, we're all different! Plus, there's the amp interaction, personal stylistic stuff, and how our own hands/ears/brains work to make a sound that magnifies every little difference for each of us.

As I always say, there's no best; there's just what's best for you! All things are valid.

 

[StSpider]

24-08 all the way. I do not enjoy position 2 to 4 on the 5 way switch much, and would rather have individual splits.

 

[Headset]

I prefer the 24-08 with 8515s and the 3 way blade switch vs toggle. When performing live though I prefer the simpler switching of the custom 24.

 

[Glide-bpm]

True.

As it happens, I've liked all the 408 style pickups ever since I had the original Signature Limited that introduced them. But I like the 59/09s as well as the 85/15s. I'm easy. To me, all good.


I share your 'clean with a lil dirt' aesthetic.

I have no problem with either 85/15s or 59/09s in a CU24, but also liked the 85/15 cleans best. They just worked well with the way I play, and with all of my amps.

As you say, we're all different! Plus, there's the amp interaction, personal stylistic stuff, and how our own hands/ears/brains work to make a sound that magnifies every little difference for each of us.

As I always say, there's no best; there's just what's best for you! All things are valid.

HELL YES to the original 408 pickups!!!!!!!!!!!!