PRS Custom 24 vs. PRS CE 24

WantzChas

The thread title says most. I have wanted a PRS since playing a SE Custom a while back, think it was January. I absolutely loved how it played and how the guitar sounded unplugged.

Only problem is no birds. I like the birds on the fretboard and only for that reason I won't settle for the normal SE and SE Customs, except maybe the SE Paul Allender which has the "bats in motion" fretboard inlays and I really like the purple burst. I remembered a thread a while back when someone asked about the Ibanez EGEN and it was said that gold hardware doesn't age well.

Is there any other differences between the CE24 and Custom24 apart from the neck construction, Bolt on vs. neck through and maple vs mahogany. I tried listening to youtube vids, but is hard to make comparisons. And price wise, anyone remembered seeing what they retailed for recently?

A mouth full, thanks.

EDIT: Sigh, I just realized the CE also don't have the birds.

aja

Why not have inlays done afterwards? Get the guitar you really want then send it to Mervyn Davis or similar to have ostriches, budgies or whatever you want put on the fretboard

Vick

Gold hard wear duzint age well,in the since that the gold stuff comes off(in exception to those guitars that are plated with real gold,like the epi elitists,they last a lot longer,but cost A LOT more...),but yea...don't let that bother you man
Guitars are made to be played,and a little wear hear and there add character ?

Vick

O and ps:http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-prs-se-25th-anniversary-custom-24-w-birds-scarlet-red-b003atfpw6.html

tentop

But you can get SEs with birds. 25th anniversary SE Custom 24: http://www.prsguitars.com/25thsecustom24/index.html

Orianthi Signature: http://www.prsguitars.com/seorianthi/index.html

Mikael Akerfeldt Sig: http://www.prsguitars.com/semikaelakerfeldt/

tentop

That 25h SE Custom 24 is the cheapest way you'll ever get birds, considering you'll have to pay close to 4 times or more if you want a USA with birds.

WantzChas

I just saw on Guitar Centers website what the Customs retail for. Quite far out of my league. And you don't see too many PRS guitars second hand. I'll look into the SE's with the birds. The Orianthis sig looks nice.

Muhammad

My first question would be what is your budget?
If you think a USA custom is out of your range, you might consider a second hand model..
Music Connection have a few secondhands, ranging from 10k up.
Not all have burds, but they do have some, and you might even get a few bob off the price if you trade in a decent instrument..

singemonkey

I've seen a couple going on gumtree from R18K-24K. I don't know much about PRS (besides the fact that Emperor Palpatine plays one?

http://alexplorer.net/guitar/text/guitar/wars.html

I wouldn't be surprised if you could find something second-hand for under 20K

tentop

The Allender is an awesome axe. The purple and gold has been discontinued though so if you can get your hands on one, get it now. The new versions come in red and green with silver hardware and EMG actives. There's something special about the old purple original.

Banditman

Simple - look at the SE range as PRS's Epiphones or Squiers although they're better guitars.

It's the lowest cost way into PRS ownership, but they're very different birds (pun intended) compared to the full USA jobs. 2nd hand is probably going to the be the way to go for you, but there's nowt wrong with that. There was a nice looking Custom 24 on Gumtree a little while ago. Try this one.

http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-PRS-Quilttop-Custom-W0QQAdIdZ192325785

MoJo-JoJoe

WantzChas wrote: The thread title says most. I have wanted a PRS since playing a SE Custom a while back, think it was January. I absolutely loved how it played and how the guitar sounded unplugged.

Only problem is no birds. I like the birds on the fretboard and only for that reason I won't settle for the normal SE and SE Customs, except maybe the SE Paul Allender which has the "bats in motion" fretboard inlays and I really like the purple burst. I remembered a thread a while back when someone asked about the Ibanez EGEN and it was said that gold hardware doesn't age well.

Is there any other differences between the CE24 and Custom24 apart from the neck construction, Bolt on vs. neck through and maple vs mahogany. I tried listening to youtube vids, but is hard to make comparisons. And price wise, anyone remembered seeing what they retailed for recently?

CE's have (had - see below) maple tops. Not as figured as the average Custom, but maple nonetheless. CE Mahogany (bolt-on maple neck) and Standard (set mahogany neck) were all-mahogany bodies.
The maple necks of the CE's were satin nitro finished. Sound-wise the CE's had more snap and a touch more top-end and slightly scooped sounding than the set-mahogany-neck Customs/Standards.

A mouth full, thanks.

EDIT: Sigh, I just realized the CE also don't have the birds.

The CE models and Standard models have been discontinued. There were some CE's available with birds for a short time a couple of years ago, but really a slim chance of finding one of those.

You really should be shopping for a model based on how it sounds and not so much if it is available with birds, but I guess that's your choice. Note that there are/were different birds on the USA models through the years. Original solid birds (depending on model, either "abalone" or "mother-of-pearl"), 20th Anniversary birds, 513 birds, early 305 birds (like 513 birds, but made from different material), newer hollow/outline birds, and now also 25th Anniversary shadowed birds. That's excluding any special runs or Private Stock models where other options are/were available.

BTW: Congrats on discovering the wonderful world of PRS. Too many people have opinions on them but have never even tried one.

arjunmenon

MoJo JoJoe wrote: BTW: Congrats on discovering the wonderful world of PRS. Too many people have opinions on them but have never even tried one.

Well said, Joe.
Personally, i have only tried Aubs' Standard 24 & a ME 2. Both guitars are awesome.
My only gripe is that i wish PRS came out with an ibby-like all access neck joint ?

aubs1

Arjun Menon wrote:
Personally, i have only tried Aubs' Standard 24...........

Well Arjun, next time you around, in a few weeks, you will get to play the Custom 24, and the others you did not get to yet!!!! hahahahaha.. ?

I bought my Std. 24 purely becuase I wanted the "MOONS" since I already had the C24 with BIRDS........... ?

WC........the moons are cool too!!!!

arjunmenon

aubs1 wrote:
Arjun Menon wrote:
Personally, i have only tried Aubs' Standard 24...........
Well Arjun, next time you around, in a few weeks, you will get to play the Custom 24, and the others you did not get to yet!!!! hahahahaha.. ?

I bought my Std. 24 purely becuase I wanted the "MOONS" since I already had the C24 with BIRDS........... ?

WC........the moons are cool too!!!!

Ha ha..itching to try your Custom 24, the JS and the loverock...eh and the Tele ?
Should be in Joburg in the middle of April. My chops are going to be shite though :-[
Back to the subject though, your standard 24 really does RAWK!
I'd really like to try an ME3 & the 25th 513.
I got dream, hey ?