Any PRS CE 24 Users?

[Lazarus1140]

Please review. Do you have any likes, dislikes, comments?

I am gassing for a new guitar and, for the money, I'd jump on a Gibson 2018 Studio, but the radical nut to tuner string angle is pretty much a deal breaker for me ... so the search goes on. I've played 3 SEs, and they were all OK, but none particularly stirred up the lust to own in me, and I have an SE baritone that isn't what I hoped it would be. Still, it is decent for the price. But what about the CE 24s?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Any PRS CE 24 Users?

I've never owned one of these, but my rhythm guitarist has one as his workhorse guitar and I've played it quite a bit.

I would describe it as the PRS equivalent of the "Standard" line that Fender and Gibson both have. There are definitely better guitars in PRS's catalogue, but the CE's are the best if you don't wanna take out a loan. They play smooth and have excellent stock pickups (stock pickups have always been a strong point for PRS).

If there is one thing I really like about CE's, it's that every now and then PRS releases a line of limited edition semihollow 24's made from reclaimed wood. If you happen to be able to find one of these, they tend to have higher quality in general than their solidbody counterparts.

I say go for it. They are good guitars that are well worth the money and it will probably hold its value better than are Gibson Studio.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Any PRS CE 24 Users?

What are you looking for out of a guitar?

If you're looking for a super-strat then you're looking in the right direction. If not then I'd look elsewhere.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Any PRS CE 24 Users?

Well, I have project guitars that might qualify as superstrats, but none start with Mahogany.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Any PRS CE 24 Users?

Well, I have project guitars that might qualify as superstrats, but none start with Mahogany.

The CE 22 I have sounds like a Custom 22 with a bit more upper midrange. There's more snap on the attack.

If you've never played a Custom 24 then it'll be hard to describe the sound. I could say it's a cross between a Fender and a Gibson... but what you imagine and what I'm actually thinking about will most likely be two different things.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Any PRS CE 24 Users?

I have a CE22. Definitely snappier attack and slightly less elastic feel than my other PRSs. That's the maple vs mahogany. Nice sustain for a bolt-on, though it is a hair less lively than my PRS setnecks (which are long tenon). Very good neck feel, and I agree with somedude that it's more Stratlike in character than most PRS models. It has the splendid PRS trem bridge, smooth & precise, really a joy to use and IMO just about the best six-screw trem available. The early ones had a five-way rotary; I believe recent models have a traditional three-way switch with a pull-split in the tone knob.

Mine's a '97 with Dragon 1 pickups, quite different from the ones in newer CEs- which now feature (much more singlecoily-sounding) 85/15s. I'm told the 85/15s are based on Paul's original 80s T&B pickups which have been personal favorites of mine for more than thirty years. The Dragon1 bridge has a fantastic lead voice but doesn't clean up as well with the volume knob as many others. It sings sweetly at volume and has nice bite when you dig in, but rolling it back you get vowel tone, not what I would call chimey.

Here's a pic- a rather pretty axe, I think:

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Any PRS CE 24 Users?

If you're looking for a super-strat then you're looking in the right direction. If not then I'd look elsewhere.

After researching a bit more I see what you mean. The bodies are thinner + bolt neck. In my opinion the PRS still has some advantages in the Strat/Les Paul middle ground, with the 25" scale, and arguably a superior headstock/angle providing straight string paths to the tuners and with enough break angle to negate the need for string tee, and reputedly an excellent tremolo.

I still might be better off going for a build for easily $500 less.