system. The main difference is usually the chassis ground: 4-conductor uses the hot wire’s shielding as ground, while 5-conductor adds a dedicated orange wire for the chassis. Wire Function USA 85/15 (General) 85/15 "S" (Import) Hot (Signal) White (Bridge) / Red (Neck) Black (Bridge) / White (Neck) Coil Tap / Split Red & Black (Joined) Red & White (Joined) Green & Bare Chassis Ground Shielding / Orange Orange / Bare Note: PRS uses reverse polarity
If you are working on a PRS SE model, the "85/15 S" pickups follow a different, more "standard" color scheme: Wiring diagram for 85/15 TCI - Official PRS Guitars Forum
| Function | Wire Color (UPD) | Destination | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | White | Switch or Volume pot input | | Pickup Ground | Black | Potentiometer casing | | Shield | Bare | Potentiometer casing (same as Black) | | Coil Tap / Link | Red | Push-pull lug (via 1.1k resistor) | | Series (rare) | Green | Usually taped off / unused | Prs 85 15 Wiring Diagram -UPD-
Whether you are upgrading your SE or fine-tuning a Core model, the PRS 85/15 pickups
PRS has updated their 5-way blade switching on models like the Custom 24-08 . This gives you five distinct voices without drilling new holes. Here is the current 85/15 wiring for that system: system
The PRS 85/15 pickup set is a modern masterpiece. Introduced to replace the classic HFS/Vintage Bass combo, the 85/15 aims to deliver the best of both worlds: the clarity and chime of a vintage PAF, with the tight low-end and articulation required for modern high-gain playing. The “85/15” name refers to the recipe—85% of the vintage tone and 15% of a modern edge.
If you’ve followed an old (non-UPD) and your guitar sounds wrong, check these three issues: This gives you five distinct voices without drilling
To read any diagram for this pickup set, memorize this table:
Whether you are replacing a broken pot, upgrading your electronics, or simply trying to understand the inner workings of your instrument, this updated (-UPD-) guide provides the most current schematics, detailed breakdowns, and professional tips for wiring your PRS 85/15s.
Treat White as your primary live wire and Black as your main ground.