Pickups close to PRS 85/15?
- Thread starter '59
- Start date
nienturi
Active member
There are very limited info about those pickups. All i can find is neck has wound 8.15K loaded with A5 magnet, bridge has wound 9.03K, A5 magnet. Both have brass baseplate.
Too limited information. Hence with being very few information i would choose Fortitude from Dimarzio for the bridge. And Air Classic bridge model for the neck.
Masta' C
Well-known member
I'm a big fan of the 85/15's, as well (don't even mind the square bobbins!).
When the 85/15 set became available at retail, PRS listed the specs as 8.3K (bridge), 7.5K (neck), both with Alnico 2. This puts you in the ballpark of several Duncan sets: Seth Lover, Antiquities, A2Pro, Pearly Gates, etc.
However, DCR is difficult to compare between makers and only tells part of the story. For example, the Antiquities and A2Pro are much warmer and smoother than the 85/15. The Seth Lover and Pearly Gates are closer, but not exact.
With that said, I'd actually recommend checking out the High Voltage set or even the '78 set, now that they are standard production. Still A2-powered, but just a touch more "oomph" than either the Seth or PG.
When the 85/15 set became available at retail, PRS listed the specs as 8.3K (bridge), 7.5K (neck), both with Alnico 2. This puts you in the ballpark of several Duncan sets: Seth Lover, Antiquities, A2Pro, Pearly Gates, etc.
However, DCR is difficult to compare between makers and only tells part of the story. For example, the Antiquities and A2Pro are much warmer and smoother than the 85/15. The Seth Lover and Pearly Gates are closer, but not exact.
With that said, I'd actually recommend checking out the High Voltage set or even the '78 set, now that they are standard production. Still A2-powered, but just a touch more "oomph" than either the Seth or PG.
alex1fly
Well-known member
I’ve tried a lot of pickups and think the 85/15 is pretty unique. A vintage hot PAF set might get you close. Will wish you luck lol
The partial split is just a resistor. I’ve been playing with them lately. Haven’t tried one in a non PRS split. Bear in mind PRS voiced the 85/15 specifically to have a good split sound.
EmiAba
Active member
I have the 85/15s version. They are supposed to be a copy more or less of the original american version. They came with a 2019 limited edition prs custom 24 se. I was not able to find out any spec on line or at least something to rely on. They are metered around 8 and close to 9 respectively neck and bridge and to my ears ( and I repeat to my ears) they seem loaded with an A2 the neck and an A5 the bridge. The neck has a full and sweet tone while the bridge is a bit more scooped in the mids and harsh under gain. I think you can compare them with a less warm APH1 and a 59 bridge with less character.
Masta' C
Well-known member
The USA versions of the 85/15 are a bit more refined and clearer sounding than the "S" versions, but they're generally close in terms of voicing and output. To be clear, there have been a few iterations of the "S" versions and user-reported specs are kind of all over the place. The older ones were produced by G&B, later ones were produced by Cort, and now they're being made by G&B again. I've had all 3 generations and, personally, I find the Cort versions from roughly 2020-2024 to be closest in sound and clarity to the USA models, but there are still subtle differences.
Anyways...
Directly in line with what @alex1fly suggested, the '78 and High Voltage sets I recommended above are both "vintage hot" sets and are likely to be more similar to the 85/15 set than some of the pickups you'd *think* would be a match on paper (i.e. A2Pro, Seth, PG set, etc).
Interestingly, another forum user replaced their USA-made 85/15 set with a Whole Lotta Humbucker set a couple years ago and felt that they actually sounded very similar to the 85/15 set.
I remember liking the WLH set myself, so this might be another option to consider. Like my other recommendations, the WLH is another "vintage hot" set, but they use A5 mags for a little more punch and bite than you typically get with an A2 (which the '78 and High Voltage sets both use).
Anyways...
Directly in line with what @alex1fly suggested, the '78 and High Voltage sets I recommended above are both "vintage hot" sets and are likely to be more similar to the 85/15 set than some of the pickups you'd *think* would be a match on paper (i.e. A2Pro, Seth, PG set, etc).
Interestingly, another forum user replaced their USA-made 85/15 set with a Whole Lotta Humbucker set a couple years ago and felt that they actually sounded very similar to the 85/15 set.
I remember liking the WLH set myself, so this might be another option to consider. Like my other recommendations, the WLH is another "vintage hot" set, but they use A5 mags for a little more punch and bite than you typically get with an A2 (which the '78 and High Voltage sets both use).
soulforger
Active member
I've never tried them side by side, but I've always felt the 85/15 as kind of Dimarzio PAF Pro "esque" in both output and character/voicing. Maybe they'd be way off if I actually compared, but that's how I think of them.
soulforger
Active member
I'd start by trying a used set of the 85/15 "S". They are easy to find used, sometimes pretty inexpensive as well (there is a set on Reverb right now for $40) They sound very close to the US version but have the traditional bobbins.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Personally, I would never replace the USA version with the "S" series models, but I also wouldn't rush out to replace the "S" series with the USA versions in most cases.
FYI...there's a Cort-made "S" set from 2021 in black for $30 shipped on Reverb right now! If I didn't already have a spare set on hand, I'd be all over these: https://reverb.com/item/92884222-prs-85-15-s-humbucker-pickup-set-2024
FYI...there's a Cort-made "S" set from 2021 in black for $30 shipped on Reverb right now! If I didn't already have a spare set on hand, I'd be all over these: https://reverb.com/item/92884222-prs-85-15-s-humbucker-pickup-set-2024
soulforger
Active member
True, replacing US with the S may not make sense, I had kind of interpreted the OP as wanting something similar for other guitars. Btw, I have always been curious about trying 85/15s out in other guitars just to see. For the PRS if you don't dig the squabbins (I don't either haha) there's always covers. You might have to hunt down some that actually came off of other PRS squabbin pups though to make sure they fit.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
I don't think you can fit a cover on them. I have an 85/15 set and they completely fill the ring
soulforger
Active member
I forgot that the squabbins have a 10" radius like the fret board as well...
I guess I was just confused because they still sell some pups with covers on them, those must all have traditional bobbins underneath...
I guess I was just confused because they still sell some pups with covers on them, those must all have traditional bobbins underneath...
