I just turned 50 and may wonderful daughter gave me a bright green one. Its beautiful! It needed some picky work, i polished the frets, truss adjust, set up etc. Now that thats done, its AMAZING! I've only had it three days now, but i cant put it down!
Earlier this year, I needed a new "travel guitar" for practicing on business road trips (read: not too expensive, with split-able humbuckers for hotel rooms with loads of RFI). I picked up an SE Custom 24-08, and within a couple of months, I bought the Custom 24, too, just to see which I prefer. My plan was to sell one, but, they're both excellent and different enough from each other that I decided to keep both. Some of my observations, which may be at odds with the video presenter, here: - With tone at 10: In Humbucker mode, they are brighter than a Les Paul. In Single Coil mode, they are brighter than a Strat. But, in ALL modes they have a LOT of bass. You can reduce the bass by rolling off the volume a bit on the guitar, and you can tame the brightness by rolling back the Tone knob. With the stock treble bleeds in place, these guitars encourage the player to adjust the knobs. Think of "5" as "neutral." If you simply dime all the knobs out of habit, you'll miss out on much of the tonal versatility of these guitars. - I find the Single-coil tones on both guitars very usable. Do they sound like Stats or Teles? Not really, though the 24-08 comes closer. But they DO sound like single coils, and again, experiment with the knobs please! On some clean amp settings, the single coil middle position on the Custom 24 can sound like a plugged-in acoustic. A handy option to have available. - Both my guitars have the stock SE tuners, and I have had ZERO trouble with them AFTER making one minor tweak. The tiny philips head screws that hold the tuner buttons on ALSO serve to adjust the tension/resistance of the tuning machines. As the come from the factory, they are so loose that breathing heavily on them might knock them out of tune. (Hyperbole Alert) Just take a small screwdriver and add a tiny bit of tension (1/8 turn?). This will make the tuners hold tension much more reliably. Of my 13 guitars, these two are now tied for first place in terms of tuning stability. - I don't know what to do with the "Sound in my Head", comment. Kind of a pointless observation, since no one knows what that sound is. I don't care if it sounds like a Core, and, like most players, I have zero frame of reference for that, anyway. Do I like the sound enough to keep it? Yes. I have no plans on changing the pickups. I like them as is, and don't see the point in making all my guitars sound the same. - In the coil-split middle position, the Custom 24 seems to give you some of the out-of-phase quack of positions 2/4 on a Strat. Not so on the 24-08; it's more akin to the in-phase middle on a Tele. - Both guitars feel EXACTLY the same. If I couldn't hear them, I couldn't tell them apart by playing. - The stock 9-gauge strings are too light, and too bright (tinny). These guitars feel and play better with 10s. Also aids in tuning stability and rattle-free low action. - The visual quality of the maple veneers varies WILDLY. So much so that, I really think Mr. Smith should step in and require better judgement from the Indonesian plant. I stalked eBay, Reverb, Sweetwater, Wildwood, and Dave's for over a month for each guitar, waiting to pounce on one with an top that I liked. Honestly, there's no excuse. Some of the tops are so lame/mismatched that they should be priced as factory seconds. Even Harley Benton seems to have better consistency in this area. - No regrets. Lovely guitars, with thoughtful design features that truly make them a joy to play. If forced to sell one, I'd keep the Custom 24.
I got the SE Standard 24 with the 85/15 pickups just about 2 years ago in 2020. I fiddled with the pickup height and I love the tones it gives. And the playability is amazing. The split coil sound is not a strat but it is a single coil tone. And I like that it gives different tones than my other guitars. I don't want all my guitars to sound alike. I like to learn what differences each guitar gives me. So yeah, I'm still in love with the stock SE Standard 24.
Glad to see you got and like your PRS. Great guitars…I have three of them (all SE models). I changed the tuners not because of tuning instability but because locking tuners make changing strings so much easier.
I'm mainly a SG player and I fell in love with a PRS SE Santana, and it was instantly comfortable to play both sitting down and standing. It has been had a new nut cut for it and set up for GHS strings. The circuitry has all been upgraded and the pickups were replaced. I used left over pickups - SD WLH in the neck and a SD 59 / Custom in the bridge.
I have a 2021 Se Custom 24. I put locking tuners on it and the Wilkinson locking saddles (brilliant!) and it's a great guitar. With the locking at both ends, I can go crazy with the whammy and it stays perfectly in tune. Love the neck carve, the weight, everything. The newer SE's are brilliant.
Thanks for this video! I've exactly this model, with a proper setup it's awesome for the price. Stunning look, really fast neck! I've done 3 hardware upgrades in order to have the guitar perfectly usable in every condition: - PRS SE Locking Tuners - Graphtech Tusq XL nut - Switched to 2 USA PRS HFS + Vintage Bass (only for a personal taste, stock pickups are really good) Now the guitar stays in tune even with massive dive bombs with the bar! Last changes were cosmetic only: changed the rings to a more "USA look" + changed the knobs with USA Lampshade amber. With + 400€ more or less I have upgraded it to a really perfect axe. Out of box the only change this PRS SE need is tuners+nut or you can hear little tune issues. Awesome guitar, the frets are perfect (I had guitars with same price range with problems on frets...), not heavy, amazing.
Tim Mahoney (311) has used PRS for ages. I'm 45 years old and he is the inspiration that made me want a PRS. Now, I have my PRS on order. I can't wait for it to get here. PRS is making it to order and is projected at the end of December. Merry Christmas to me! 🥰
I have the same guitar, and I love everything about it. Now, one thing I learned is that it's a bright sounding bridge humbucker and if you want it in a sweet rounded growl you have to turn the tone to 5 or 6. If you want to play punkrock then tone at 10. I never had a guitar where I'm dialing back the tone on a bridge humbucker. That's a plus in my books!
I own this very model. While I still love my Les Pauls and my Stratocasters, my new PRS Custom SE 24-08 is currently doing most of the heavy lifting on my band's album. Fantastic instrument.
It’s impossible for a builder to make a guitar that suits everyones needs…I use PRS because they play and feel great, they are 100% reliable…they just plain work…great stuff my man!!!
glad you said this about it not being the sound in your head. I felt this too (just from watching vids, i don't own one) and thought I was being fussy but it's not the tone I'm looking for and you helped me realise that if I bought one i'd need to change the pickups, so thank you! I just like the look, smaller size/weight, and price tag over LP's but would like more of that classic PAF tone.
I have the exact same guitar. As a matter of fact, the figuring on your veneer top's pattern is very similar to my own. That being said, I purchased this guitar to use as a knock around at our seasonal campsite, where we have a destination trailer on the Delaware. I have two other PRS guitars, a 1993 Custom 24 10 Top and a 2016 CE24 and it holds it's own with them. I was blown away at what a great this guitar this turned out to. While the coil taps don't emulate single coil pickups, the sounds are usable. Like you, I also changed to the locking tuners.
Been loving my SE Standard 24-08 for six months. Build quality and playability are exceptional at this price point. I have no issue with tuners, try them before switching. Sound options are great. It is on par with my PRS core cu 24 and more flexible. I have a strat as well and it has a different set of sound options. Love them all.
I have an SE 24 Custom. Absolutely love it. I'm picking it up over my go to guitar of over 30 years. I actually do use the split coil feature in the middle position. Doesn't give a true strat single coil sound, but for certain songs, it gives me enough of that vibe that I don't have to switch to a strat. However, agree that sometimes you just need to use a strat if that's the tone you want. Also find it super comfortable. Had a 2 hour rehearsal wearing the guitar the entire time. Never got tired or sore. My SG2000 starts to kill my back after about a half hour. Also borrowed a PRS CE from a buddy. Honestly like the SE way better and it's half the cost. Didn't like the CE pickups, the rotary switch (older model), or the neck profile.
Have the Tobacco Burst standard version. I’ve been playing it at church for around 9 months. I find myself liking it more and more and more. (I put the SE locking tuners on mine as well). It does everything I need, is easy on my back, stays in tune and is easy on my fretting hand.
I have three guitars - Squier classic vibe tele, Epiphone Les Paul, and a PRS SE 24-08. The PRS is the most comfortable and easy to play of the three to me. I did put in PRS locking tuners and changed to the PRS lampshade knobs. Really love my PRS. I preferred the pickups in the PRS CE I owned for a while, but I’m happy with the sound as it. I like that it is a bit hotter and brighter than my Les Paul.
PRS SE 245 is my first guitar since 2020. And I love it! Since then I try lot of guitars from other brand, but I don’t know why I always back to PRS. And last year I bought PRS SE Silver Sky and I don’t regret my decision. About the sound, for me (because most of the time I am a keyboard player) it not really bother me. Yes its sound different with the other brand but I still love it. I’m planning to buy other PRS guitar in the future and 24-08 eriza verde is one of them.
I've had many different brands of guitar but the PRS is the most comfortable and easy to play no matter the type of music I'm playing it's a pleasure to play can't say that about any other guitar I've owned.
I have been playing acoustic guitar for years and recently decided to migrate more toward electric. Had a few low end electrics that I play but really wanted to invest in a "Nice" guitar. After much homework and many UA-cam videos I ended up buying this same PRS SE Custom 24/08. I also found this guitar very comfortable to play and am loving the fretboard. Before I replaced the strings I also invested in the locking tuners as I heard others talk about the tuning issues with the SEs Anyway I Love this guitar and can't stop playing it daily, I feel I made the right choice and have no regrets! Thank you, excellent video
I have a 2015 SE Custom in Cherry Sunburst. The tuning stability is the fault of the nut. When I first got it it would stay in tune for as little as 5 minutes!!! I had a custom made bone nut installed and it now stays in tune for HOURS
I've been playing se 24-08 for the past year. I agree with the pros, so I'll share my thoughts on the cons: 1) tuners - same, immidiately switched to locking tuners. 2) coil split - I love it. that's the thing that brought my attention to this model and it works for me personally. 3) what this guitar does not work with for me is some heavy overdrive and distortion. Clear tone and crunch, some light OD - great, but for heavier sound I prefer my LP with 490R and 498T. All in all the SE 24-08 managed to replace a strat and a tele (but not an LP), it just works for me. In terms of sound, as a couch guitar player - these 2 guitars seem to be enough for me.
Refreshing to watch an honest, independent guitar review. A PRS is the next guitar on my buy list. Still tossing up between an SE or spending more on a S2 or CE24 Semi Hollow. Currently have a Tele, Les Paul and a 335 copy
I've had an SE semi-hollow custom 22 (older flat top version) for years. I regularly stop in to the local guitar shop and tryout expensive guitars....none of them seem to do anything better. Some sound a bit different, but none play any smoother. I did my own setup work, and when a pot went scratchy, I replaced both and upgraded pickups to SD Pearly Gates. Next up is a coil split, to try it out. All this to say, I seen no reason to spend more than SE money to get a fantastic guitar.
I have an S2 with the same pickups and switching system. I don’t superlove the split coils on their own, but blending in the middle position delivers some really interesting tones. Especially neck humbucker + bridge split. That’s become a go-to clean sound for me.
I have a custom 22 from the early 2000s, I changed the pickups and the rotary switch, now it’s just a two humbucker with a 3 way switch and sounds great.
Thanks good vid. I have many old and new guitars. 3 PRS SE soap bar, 245, Paul's and 1 S2 594. I don't have your model but each is amazing easier to play and more stable than many top names. Great stuff. Fun
PRS just released a video with Paul himself explaining bits and pieces around the pickups. Paul is actually very fond of singlecoils, and has a sort of testbed guitar that allows pickup changes on the fly, and he shows humcancelling pups that approach singles more truthfully. The standard PRS humbuckers are indeed fairly hot, which makes a coilsplit lose a lot of focus and output - which is why that trick usually fails to impress. If you going to change out these pickups as you're looking for a good singlecoil sound, then I'd suggest adjusting the current pickup heights to that sweet spot while in singlecoil mode.
Had mine for a year or so now. First thing i did was change the tuners exactly as you did. I know what you mean about the sound but 2 weeks ago i put a heavy brass trem block on and brass saddles too. It's a whole new guitar now! Much more resonant and dynamic as a result. The sound is much closer to what was "in my head". Also, a little volume boost with a compression peddle really helps the split coils sound to my ears.
I have the S2 version of the same guitar. It came with the locking tuners and is very comfortable to play. It looks amazing. What you say about it not being a jack of all trades is spot on. The single coil sounds aren't quite like a strat. I have found that I can really get close to the sound SRV uses on Cold Shot if I split the bridge PU and use the neck PU as a humbucker. But it will not cover all of the sounds that you can get with a strat. The PUs used as humbuckers don't get the humbucking sounds I want. They just don't sound like Gibson PAF style pickups. I really like the guitar it just doesn't cover all the bases like I expected it to do.
Very helpful review! I’ve been looking at a PRS Custom 25 for a while and comparing to other guitars with what I think of as more distinctive sounds. I do often fell that the PRS, while an amazing instrument, is just a little generic sounding and I also felt like the coil split wasn’t quite there either. I have. Classic Vibe Strat and a Yamaha Revstar with P90s (which I really love) and am leaning toward an HSS guitar to try to get a jack of all trades. But there’s a reason PRS sells so many of those guitars! Thanks again for the great review.
Really interesting! I was the same 'a PRS, one day . . .' and I finally bought this exact same one about 6 months ago - same colour, the lot. It's one of my 'at home' guitars along with a nice MIM Strat. I really enjoy it and as far as the cons you mention: not playing live so haven't hit any tuner problems (yet?), it's my only split-coil, that's part of why I was intrigued but I just take it as is - I have the Strat in the other room, and I'm happy to have a bit of a different sound . . . I have a few other guitars at the studio and this is, well, different 🙂 Re: some comments here re: changing pick-ups and wiring etc. - go for it! I'm not averse to that, don't feel a need with this one but I bought an Epi Casino and put in Lollar P90s + 50's loom and I will also be putting Monty's Underspun PAFs etc. into an Epi Cantrell 'Wino' in a bit - I bought both of these with the express purpose of 'modding them up' - prices here in HK were really good so worth it for me. I'm hearing good things about Murray's Pick-Ups in Oz - might be worth having a chat with him? Happy playing!
I own some high end guitars but I got an SE Custom 22, 6 months ago. The stock tuners were terrible, so I put on a set of SE locking tuners for €60 and it has transformed the guitar, no more tuning issues and it got rid of all the annoying creaks and pings with trem use. Even the strings seem to ring out a little better. I thought that the nut was part of the problem but it works perfectly fine now and there’s absolutely no need to change it. Getting a set of Tonerider Alnico II Classics or Alnico IV Classics as I’ve read great things about them, or a set of Bareknuckle Mules. It’s a superb guitar and yes very addictive and fun to play.
Thanks for this video. It helps me Resist the G.A.S. 👍 I've been tempted before but these models have two things I'm leery of. 1 tone, 1 volume - I like the sound of the Middle position with the neck dialled back a touch. That needs another volume control at least. 24 frets - puts the neck pickup in a different place. Different sound to the one in my head ... 😜
Great honest review. Thanks. I'm looking at a used PRS Custom SE24... Have and had Les Pauls, SGs, strata, teles, Gretsch... And too many more...lol.. I revert back to my 70's Strat... But curious about the par.
I have the eriza verde colour. Love it. It's my first PRS and I've got an Ibanez JS1000, Les Paul Tribute, Mexican 75th anniversary strat and Zach Myers signature...this guitar is probably the most comfortable to play. I'm not a fan of the single coils, but my favourite position is the middle position with single coil rhythm/humbucker bridge combination.
Love mine! I’m always turning down treble on my many strats anyway so this is fine w me when split. Couple suggestions. Move pups away from strings and compensate volume w amp or pedals, use 9s and/or an eq pedal to manage single coil sounds. I use 8.5 and backed off pups a bit and have 2 eq 7 band pedals. There’s nothing I can’t do with this baby. Rock on
I've got my SE 24-08 coming in next week! I don't have many options within the brand unless i want to drop a lot of $, but stoked all the same. It'll be a different kind of beast for me, as I've been a 22 fret, Strat-style / Les Paul player for the longest time. I do agree with what you said on not seeing the 24-08 as a jack of all trades guitar. It's got it's own vibe. It'll definitely handle a gig just fine, but I'm not gonna expect it play like my Schecter Johnston or Gibson Trad. Les Paul. Can't wait for it to come in
Everything you said is spot on about not quite getting a good single coil tone or getting that sound in your head. I bet you’ll like the single coil tone a bit better with some lower output humbuckers. I’m not sure if I could ever get a convincing Stevie Ray Vaughn or David Gilmour tone out of a split humbucker but I’m still intrigued by this guitar because I’ve been wanting something nice with 24 frets for a while and for this price point it’s a sweet guitar. Plus like you mentioned, I’d like to take my playing into some new territories. Cheers!
Wow! You hit the nail on the head in this video. Perhaps we have similar taste, because I have the same exact pros and cons. I’m not Strat crazy, but I do have love for them, and know what they are supposed to sound like, specifically when playing in the neck position. My PRS custom 24 zebrawood doesn’t deliver ANYTHING like that chime that a Strat is renowned for. When the coil split control is engaged, the only change is in regard to the intensity of the pickups. It merely sounds like a weakened version of the same pickup, but the tonal characteristics stay exactly the same. Overall, the tones I get are not bad, but they’re also not familiar. That’s not bad, but when your guitar heroes all seem to play Fender and Gibson, the guitar doesn’t exactly give you what your looking for when you’re used to hearing classic tones on recordings and performances. I can say with all certainty, that PRS is it’s own thing for sure. I don’t mean that as an insult, it’s just the best way I can describe my experience with their instrument. For me it’s a little weird because I don’t have original material, so I’m always trying to make it do something that my other instruments just do naturally. I don’t know if this makes me sound like a dick, (or crazy), but the instrument doesn’t seem to have the same kind of life inside of it like that of it’s competitors, but it’s not lacking life either. Additionally, It’s a very bright sounding guitar. The electronics work beautifully, but if you’re the type of player who likes to turn your tone knob up to 10 and never look back then you’ll realize immediately that the natural voice of the instrument is BRIGHT! Even when playing on the neck pickup. Probably due to the 24 frets vs 22? I have no complaints there, but you do want to dial this guitar in to avoid shrill tones. Thats not an insult either, it just means that the tone pots have a large sweeping range from dark to light, and it’s best to use them to your advantage and experiment with them. Conversely, mine plays extremely comfortably, (more so than my Fenders and Gibsons), and it’s one of the most beautiful guitars I own, which we like to pretend doesn’t matter so much, but it really does. Honestly, the fit and finish are perfect, and it’s the lightest guitar I own. Even PRS’s strap that I bought was of a high quality, and the most comfortable one I own. PRS does an incredible job on their affordable SE line. Because I’d like a better single coil guitar, I’ve though of maybe selling it and going for an SE Silver Sky instead. Sorry for the long comment, but I couldn’t agree more with your points. Overall, I think that this is an incredible instrument and I do love it very much, but it would be best if I wrote original music so that I’m not forced to compare it to other brands simply because they are familiar. Thanks for the video!
My PRS was gifted to me. . . ! I think it really sings. . . !! I love the sound this baby produces. . . ! It feels good in my hands, and I love the playability.
I have the same guitar and I agree on most of the points. 1. It is extremely comfortable 2. Weight is just perfect - not too light, not too heavy 3. Addictive - I'm not sure I totally agree with this because I owned my for about a year now and it is my newest guitar so I might lean towards it because it's still "new", but I do lean towards it often 4. Looks beautiful 5. Tuners - not the greatest but didn't have real issues with it 6. Coil split - I didn't really like split sounds on mine so I changed switches to 3-way ones with Split/Series/Parallel and it is much more usable 7. Sound in my head - it sounded a lot muddier than my other guitars so I ended up changing pickups - I've put Suhr SSV+ in bridge and SSV in neck 8. 3-way pickup toggle - It is a total garbage. I'm having problems with mine every other day and I'll end up changing it. I've seen others have problems with that switch as well
I've had my PRS for 3 years. No issues with the 3-way toggle switch and the sound in my head. Everything else is spot-on! Also it is not my newest guitar. I've purchased a Gretsch solid body more recently a Charvel San Dimas Style 1. and I owned a Godin solid body and my original 2012 American Strat. I actually play them all: The Charvel took 2nd place from the Strat but the PRS is still the mos fun to play.
This is interesting. I have this exact model too and the switch seems a bit funky and the tuners are a bit lame. Seems like for the price they could at least put locking ones on it...
I have what I think is the next model down, in the SE Custom line. It has a three-way blade selector and a push-pull pot for coil split. I absolutely love it. I love the hotness of the pickups, I think they're quite well rounded, and even though the split isn't 100% single-coil authentic, it is one of the best sounding split humbucker sounds I've ever heard. It's full and not brittle, which has been my experience with other similar setups. It doesn't sound like a Strat, of course... My tuners are great. This is the most stable guitar in the whole house, in terms of tuning. It's the guitar I know is going to be in tune when I pick it up. My one gripe is that it suffers from the dirty electronics that seem to be the common bane for the model. You see guys complaining about this all over the internet. The pots and switch quickly get noisy if you don't play it for too long. One day, I'll just swap those out and be done with it. Thankfully, it is my go-to, so I play it enough that they clean out and the issue is minimized. As to sounding like I'd hoped, it does. I was aiming for something like a "woman" tone somewhere between Clapton and Santana, but that could Metal-up, if needed, and it does all of those things wonderfully.
I own the Ezra green version and I adore it. I also changed the tuners but I did it post purchase from Sweetwater. I personally really love the split coil and my PRS sounds how I imagined. Esp when I put it in drop C tuning.
I changed the pickups in mine. The JB in the neck sounds really good split. I also changed the tuners and the nut. Changing the nut improved the sound too. I bought the core nut
I added a .033 capacitor, wired the same as S2 that has the same pickups. You may also want to try lowering the pickups. I also changed the tuners, added a Graph Tech nut, the S2's knobs and pickup rings and a Pure Tone output jack.
I've owned a couple SEs and have one right now. I love it. Regarding locking tuners, I had them installed on my previous SE and they didn't do anyting for tuning stability. While locking tuners don't hurt, the main thing that causes a guitar with a trem to go out of tune is the nut. If you have friction it will go out of tune. I don't have locking tuners on my current SE which actually holds tune better than my old SE. I agree on the coil spliting, in that it really does not get you anything stratty. I like the pickups, but they area tad hot in some areas and I may change them to a DiMarzio PAF Pro set which has always worked for me as a good medium output hot but not too hot PAF tone. I just thin the stock pups are a bit one size fits all and PRS has leaned too much into higher output pups. The original PRS models that Paul was producing in the early 80s came with Seymour Duncans, I think the Custom, which is a hot pickup, so when PRS want to load a lot pickup into a model they go with what is sort of their own version of a Custom and I think it can be too much for some players. I used to love high output pickups when I was playing heavy rock and metal as a teen but fell out of love with high output pickups when I realized how much better medium to vintage output sounded with the higher gain amps of the time like the Boogie I was using. I go for a more 70s kind of tone so over the end of breakup but not over the top. I love the weight of this guitar even though it's a tad heavier than my last SE which was unusually light for any guitar. The balance is even better on this one too. And it plays like butter and looks awesome. I can't think of cooler looking ax. Rock on.
I have that exact guitar. Agree on every point. Switched to two Seymour Duncan pickups. Neck: '59 Model Humbucker (PAF) and Bridge: SH-5 Custom Humbucker. Got rid of the coil splits, was a pain to re-wire. The difference in sound was massive, now I completely love this guitar. Can get me anywhere from PAF sounds to TOOL riffs. I run this through a BOSS Katana 100 mk2 with the Diezel VH-4^2 as a preamp through the FX Loop and it sounds disgusting. I also run it through a Fender Blues Jr. and the PAF sounds great. Bonamassa/Cream vibes. Use my strat for strat tones.
I had a 1989 CE 24, didn’t know what I had. Traded it for a Gretchen Country Gentleman, big mistake. Later on had a friend sell me his SE custom 24, fantastic. When PRS re-released the CE 24 in 2016 I snatched one up, love it. Then found a SE Santana(22 fret), love it. Found a S2 22 fret in matt black, love it. Finally found a used SE 35th anniversary 24-08, love it. Your fight weight and comfort count on the enjoyment of the instrument while playing on and off the stage. And I have played Les Paul’s, strats and telescope. The PRS line is a stand out.
20yrs ago I worked at a guitar shop, and all the guys looked down on PRS in favor of Gibson because they associated PRS with all the nu-metal guys playing them. Looking back over the past 20yrs PRS has evolved and imho put out better overall consistency and quality control in their products. I think the stigma against PRS has faded over the years as they've established themselves as a consistent quality brand. I can't recommend PRS enough!
Got the s2 version recently that have the same pick ups and you’re so right re: coil split. Just grab the strat for single coil, but the feel of these guitars is incredible
i agree with the pickup swap. these are wild pickups. they wanna make noise. It definatly has that vintage sound. Remember...this is in essence a throwback to the first PRS guitars. I actually held one of pauls first built guitars, it was built from an old table or dresser rather as it had a hole in it where a knob for a drawer was placed. Its in Daves guitar shop museum ,upstairs in lacrosse wisconsin. plus when you split the coils their is a drop in volume. I need the consistancy of the volume. I just recently upgraded a late 90s fender showmaster with the scorpion inlay. I put a loller p90 in the neck positin and a suhr thornbucker in the bridge position. it is the most versatile guitar ive ever owned. balanced, punchy. it does all things that it should do very well and sounds great. The se 2408 sounds excellent when you have some dirt on it. All the coil splitting etc is right on. clean is another matter. if your recording and you dont have the luxury of a kick ass strat or tele...this guitar will do it for you. Itll do a whole lot more as well...if you take the time to adjust levels etc. live ...the clean tone volume is reduced. you will have to reliy on a volume pedal, boost or front of house and a good audio engineer to boost your signal in those areas that you play clean on those single coil pick up configurations. overall this guitar is great for home studio recording as its very versatile. Live gigs as long as you arent trying to switch from a strat to a les paul etc, your good. you get my drift. great video and great discussion.
I too, put the PRS locking tuners on my SE custom 24-08 at the get-go as well. Oddly this is the FIRST PRS that has stuck with me. I've tried 4 others over the years. I never get along with the tone, until the 24-08. I'm a Humbucker guy. FWIW, going milder output PUPs, will make the coil tap tone even thinner and worse.
"Don't tell my wife!" Love it man. There's a walk-in closet in my wife's practice room that I use as a warehouse. All but one instrument has a hard case, and that includes mandolins, violins, ukuleles, basses and who knows how many guitars at this point. If you're careful and step over things you might make it to the back of this closet without injury. And then there's the issue with amps. Don't get me started. Meanwhile, she plays in 5 different orchestras and community bands, is out 5 nights a week at rehearsals. She plays flutes and piccolo. You could take my 335 case and fit everything she uses in it with room for a music stand and charts. We're all afflicted buddy. Anyway, I have a PRS Tremonti SE with the very same top and color. Super hot pickups which takes a little getting used to but I have done a fair amount of stuff that usually demands the LP with this instrument and I think the world of it. And yes, it's really comfortable! Have not done any mods at all as there is no need. If I want a Strat, I get the Strat out, etc. But this thing is a joy to play and it lives on a stand in the house where it gets picked up quite often. No need to compare it. Just appreciate it for the beautiful instrument it is.
Good job mate! Think this is the first video I've seen which actually gives a balanced look at a PRS guitar. All the others fal into 2 groups, aren't they great, or they're not a Fender / Gibson and a consequently sh#t! Fully understand what you mean about them not producing the true single coil / humbucker sounds you need as a professional, but as a beginner that's not important to me. What I want is a guitar that will give me the ability to emulate the greats while I'm learning and the versatility of this means I can do that. Think it's also great that this has a wide thin neck like an acoustic, after all that's what most beginners start on. Shows PRS have really thought about what newbies need ina Student Edition (SE) guitar. Think I'm going to buy one.
You won't be disappointed! As I mentioned, it's one of those guitars that you just gravitate towards to play. Any instrument that makes you want to practice/play more is a win in my books! Thanks very much for watching
Hello. I am a luthier and musician. I have the same guitar and…100% agreed with every single word you just said. I changed tuners at the first day of having it (I just had a set in my room as I’m a luthier), also changed belt lockers for a Shaller ones,I also suggest to use Mono gig bag as original one is not really good one (hard case also not so good quality). The pickups are pretty OK for a gigging around,but quite weak for a studio job or festivals. Considering to buy some SD. Rest of the things about PRS - it’s very cool guitar with a perfect playability and outlook.
I personally would look for a used S2. You'll have the same issues with the pickups as they are the same but overall quality is far superior and USA made. The necks on the USA models take like 2 weeks alone to complete. That being said the SE's are surely one of the best imported mid priced guitars available. The Strat however is king.
I have had mine for 2 months, changed the tuners to locking and new knurled knobs. Loved the feel of the neck and playability. HATED the pickups at first, too bright and "jangly" but realised that they are good for some styles of music. I wind the tone down to half and that worked for my ears. I would not say they are hot pickups so have to work the amp for the gritty stuff or a bit of edge. Weight is good and and looks amazing, well made. I will give it some more time but may end up changing pick ups? Then again you don't want all your guitars to sound the same? Probably a good guitar for recording, very clean.
Condivido la sua opinione. Bellissima chitarra, molto comoda, giusto prezzo, ma anche per me "IL MIO CERVELLO DICE CHE NON È IL MIO SUONO" come mi è capitato di sentire con altre chitarre che ho avuto. Sicuramente cercherò di avvicinarmi al "mio suono" CAMBIANDO PICK UP. Grazie.
At 5:44 I've come to accept that split coils are more a sound of their own than a replacement for the real deal. The best solution for someone who wants or needs both might be a HSH configuration. Nice review and long view perspective.
I picked up mine just a few weeks ago. I agree with you one every aspect of your review. I am thinking of changing the tuners as well. As far as the pickups, I need to play it for a few more months to see if I want to really change them. What pickup’s would you use? I have strats, SSH’s, humbuckers, p-90’s, teles and Gretsches. I like the fact that these sound different. It fills a void. But I have to say they sound just a bit generic without a soul. So I’ll keep it as is for now. Probably change the tuners soon. But yes it makes play better and differently than the other guitars. You review is dead on perfect
I have the regular SE without the extra switches. I took out the push-pull pots and replaced them with standard CTS pots. I replaced the pickups with the Peacock Set from Missing Link Audio. They're amazing pickups but more for vintage-y bluesy stuff. They're very open, organic, "alive" sounding pickups. Check out intheblues for a demo of them. I needed something similar but with more balls, so MLA made me a custom set. I'm hoping to get them installed in the next couple of weeks. I also replaced the nut and tuners. Mine has the PRS lockers like yours has. I'd love another CU24 though, in the eriza Verde color. It reminds me of the Kramer that Dave Sabo from Skid Row plays. I'd buy one of those, but I hate Floyd Rose tremolos. They're a headache. But definitely look into Missing Link Audio for pickups.
I have the Tempus (?) Green one and I have a lot of the same pros and cons. My observation, based on my personal taste, is that the pickups are too hot, too brittle and almost sterile sounding. Good note separation, but lacks character. So I switched them out for the Seymour Duncan 59's and that rounded out the sound way better. One thing to keep a note about is with the 24 frets, the pickups are closer together so you're giving up some of the woodiness that you get by the neck pickup because it's further up the body on a typical guitar. Otherwise, the craftsmanship, beauty and now with the fixed pickups, it's what was in my head.
I've had a PRS Paul Alender SE for some years now, and I love it - no tuning issues with the stock tuners, but yes, it would just be a sweet quality upgrade. Now the sound; I love it from shimmery clean to filth. But may I suggest you try to run into a Strymon Compadre going into a Strymon Sunset.... banging! Regards changing pick-ups, I did consider this, but Compadre into Sunset gives a very satisfying tone - and with all my guitars. By the way, yours is a beauty.... I like my bats on the Paul Alender, but I still lust after those swallows :)
I've got exactly that one only semi hollow (one fhole), and a 3 way switch instead of a toggle. Your toggle placement is better, actually, mine gets trapped beneath the bar.. Anyway... It's a flawless guitar...I don't play it much though. I think if I gigged it would at least be my back up, if not my choice. But sitting at home, tone is more important than comfort...but honestly, I don't play my Les Paul a bunch, either. I'm on my Charvel DK24 80%of the time🤷♂️ I have been trying to decide whether to... a)sell it to help fund my next B) keep it and upgrade the pickups C) keep it til I've got enough to sell it and get an S2 D) just keep it for a great back up in the future when I gig. Cool video👍 Edit: oh, I just saw your mini toggles. Mine has a push pull tone knob.
I just bought this guitar. And I found that if you just lower the neck pickup a little then everything is correct. My jack of all trades is a 2006 Fender American Deluxe with the fourth generation noiseless
I’m on the same page as you mostly, PRS are so nice, Desirable. Had two top end models first was a custom 24 looked and played amazing. Whilst it sounded nice it wasn’t great thing me the tone I wanted, I’d plug my sg in or start or Les Paul and instantly got an inspiring tone, the PRS never went there very neutral sounding. Sold it after 8 months. Few years later I got the itch to buy another different one. A PRS P22, like a custom 22 but with the piezo pickup. Same deal, just never had its own voice. Single coil split was just a quieter thinner sound and not anything like a single coil. Humbuckers sounded plain. Overall both prs’s sounded too bright. So I put my Les Pauls bare knuckle pickups in it that I love and was shocked how bad they sounded in the PRS, same problem. Boring sound, too bright. So sold that too :(. Wanted so much to like them but The sound is unusable cannot get the sound in my head. Fast forward to today I still see PRS and get the itch to buy another. 😂 I thought about ripping the electronics out and just doing 50’s style Les Paul wiring, but it probably would be a waste if time, ‘I think it’s the guitar itself. It’s not for me. I have a fender ultra luxe Jaguar coming tomorrow that seems(hopefully) the missing link I’m after to compliment my SG & Les Paul.
I really appreciate your comments about splitting the coils. As PRS advertises, I was hoping that these TCI coils would yield some satisfying single coil tones, but apparently not. Honestly, I have yet to hear any split hummers sound like decent single coils. Better to save some $ by investing in the less pricey Custom 24, and then switching to my Strat when desiring single coil tones. 😛
Also, i like the pickups. Ive got lots of guitars with singles so i dont mind the variety. If you cut the tone back a little they sound great, but they are a little noisy. Thats nothing some proper shielding cand handle though.
I own a SE Custom 24. And, like you, I also am not a fan of split coil pots. So, I had mine removed, swapped out the pickups for 57/08s and changed the capacitors for 0.015 oil and paper Bumblebees. Now, the tone growls and howls like Eric Clapton’s Cream era ‘64 SG. Try it... The sound surpasses most Gibson Murphy Lab custom jobs for a fraction of the price.
As a mediocre(at best) guitar player, and after owning a PRS Custom24SE for a few weeks now it is has become my favourite guitar to play. As bonus, instead of hearing “not another guitar” from my other half, she thinks it looks beautiful, and it does, with a turquoise quilted maple top and headstock.
I changed out the pickups on my S2 Custom 22 to Lollards Imperials. Night and day difference. I think there’s been enough comments about the harsh lower tier PRS bridge and slightly dull neck that they’d have taken some notice by now
I own the same guitar and yes i agree with everything you said. I too added locking tuners and I deleted the coil split and I replaced the pickups with alnico 2 PAF style pickups and hey presto MAGIC. I must also mention bridge requires a bit of work to get action perfect for me as saddles bottomed out when lowering string height and bridge required lowering in the body, other than that no problems (HA HA ). One last thing I also used a paper in oil cap .022uf Bare Knuckle brand and this elevated sound to Monster value.
Prs has a prs md. It had split coil. But has active witb 2 9 volts. It’s great. I think it was to be expensive to make. They stopped. But. U can find them
I own a 22 fret version and also put locking tuners on it and added coil splitting. Something about the sound of a 24 I just cant get along with. The 22fret SE is the way to go
I totally agree with you that PRS guitars are inspiring, and have lead me to new musical ideas! Have you had a chance to try out a PRS CE? The first PRS I tried out was their 513. Two blade switches intrigued me! It was high up on the wall, and I couldn't see the price tag. Once it was down, even though I couldn't afford it, I decided to try it out. I *LOVED* the playability! But like you and your 24-08, the tones were slightly lacking for me. I was hooked on that playability though, so I kept looking and trying out different models. I eventually found a used CE, and it played AND sounded *better* than any of the other PRS guitars I tried. Maybe this was because I came from playing a strat like you. The thinner and satin neck was a huge improvement, and even though the neck is bolted on, the neck to body connection looks identical to their set necks (minus the unobtrusive bolt plate) Just like your 24-08 SE, I don't think it is a perfect replacement for a strat, even when the coils are split. Split coils still have less quack than single coils. But, I like the sound. It's unique. If you try one out, let me know what you think!
Awesome!!! I have tried a couple of CE's and loved them. They are a lot harder to come buy these days in Australia but definitely a cool guitar and also great dollar value. Thanks for checking out the video 👍
@@TheMusicLoop I did a search on where Sweetwater ships, and you're right, it's limited... except that they ship to some US Military bases. Got any friends who are on one? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_bases Also, I'm not a lawyer, and have no idea if this is a good or really bad idea, legally speaking.
This video is 1 year old. But i would just drop the pickups low... I still remember how i found the neck sound of my strat too harsh, one day accidentally i lowered it (wrong screw, i was moving the guard😅) and voila... Then i started noticing ALL my favorite strat players had the pickups just a few milimiters over the pickguard 😅
thank you for the great reviews about this guitar. I was wondering if you had any issues with the neck and the frets, due to humidity or temperature changes. How is the fret job ? thanks
Too hot for my liking too. Had it for 8 months and the playability is just as good, almost feels like home with my Ibanez's. But,... well you've said it. (Not that sound heard up here 🤔)
Gibson quality just isn't there and hasn't been for decades. I don't want to pay $3k plus and still have to work on the guitar after paying that price! Give me a PRS that's ready to play right out of the box any day of the week. Sounds great and performs exactly how I want and need and it looks great!
I just turned 50 and may wonderful daughter gave me a bright green one. Its beautiful! It needed some picky work, i polished the frets, truss adjust, set up etc. Now that thats done, its AMAZING! I've only had it three days now, but i cant put it down!
Happy birthday and what an incredible present from your daughter. Enjoy the new axe!
Earlier this year, I needed a new "travel guitar" for practicing on business road trips (read: not too expensive, with split-able humbuckers for hotel rooms with loads of RFI). I picked up an SE Custom 24-08, and within a couple of months, I bought the Custom 24, too, just to see which I prefer. My plan was to sell one, but, they're both excellent and different enough from each other that I decided to keep both. Some of my observations, which may be at odds with the video presenter, here:
- With tone at 10: In Humbucker mode, they are brighter than a Les Paul. In Single Coil mode, they are brighter than a Strat. But, in ALL modes they have a LOT of bass. You can reduce the bass by rolling off the volume a bit on the guitar, and you can tame the brightness by rolling back the Tone knob. With the stock treble bleeds in place, these guitars encourage the player to adjust the knobs. Think of "5" as "neutral." If you simply dime all the knobs out of habit, you'll miss out on much of the tonal versatility of these guitars.
- I find the Single-coil tones on both guitars very usable. Do they sound like Stats or Teles? Not really, though the 24-08 comes closer. But they DO sound like single coils, and again, experiment with the knobs please! On some clean amp settings, the single coil middle position on the Custom 24 can sound like a plugged-in acoustic. A handy option to have available.
- Both my guitars have the stock SE tuners, and I have had ZERO trouble with them AFTER making one minor tweak. The tiny philips head screws that hold the tuner buttons on ALSO serve to adjust the tension/resistance of the tuning machines. As the come from the factory, they are so loose that breathing heavily on them might knock them out of tune. (Hyperbole Alert) Just take a small screwdriver and add a tiny bit of tension (1/8 turn?). This will make the tuners hold tension much more reliably. Of my 13 guitars, these two are now tied for first place in terms of tuning stability.
- I don't know what to do with the "Sound in my Head", comment. Kind of a pointless observation, since no one knows what that sound is. I don't care if it sounds like a Core, and, like most players, I have zero frame of reference for that, anyway. Do I like the sound enough to keep it? Yes. I have no plans on changing the pickups. I like them as is, and don't see the point in making all my guitars sound the same.
- In the coil-split middle position, the Custom 24 seems to give you some of the out-of-phase quack of positions 2/4 on a Strat. Not so on the 24-08; it's more akin to the in-phase middle on a Tele.
- Both guitars feel EXACTLY the same. If I couldn't hear them, I couldn't tell them apart by playing.
- The stock 9-gauge strings are too light, and too bright (tinny). These guitars feel and play better with 10s. Also aids in tuning stability and rattle-free low action.
- The visual quality of the maple veneers varies WILDLY. So much so that, I really think Mr. Smith should step in and require better judgement from the Indonesian plant. I stalked eBay, Reverb, Sweetwater, Wildwood, and Dave's for over a month for each guitar, waiting to pounce on one with an top that I liked. Honestly, there's no excuse. Some of the tops are so lame/mismatched that they should be priced as factory seconds. Even Harley Benton seems to have better consistency in this area.
- No regrets. Lovely guitars, with thoughtful design features that truly make them a joy to play. If forced to sell one, I'd keep the Custom 24.
I got the SE Standard 24 with the 85/15 pickups just about 2 years ago in 2020. I fiddled with the pickup height and I love the tones it gives. And the playability is amazing. The split coil sound is not a strat but it is a single coil tone. And I like that it gives different tones than my other guitars. I don't want all my guitars to sound alike. I like to learn what differences each guitar gives me. So yeah, I'm still in love with the stock SE Standard 24.
Glad to see you got and like your PRS. Great guitars…I have three of them (all SE models). I changed the tuners not because of tuning instability but because locking tuners make changing strings so much easier.
I'm mainly a SG player and I fell in love with a PRS SE Santana, and it was instantly comfortable to play both sitting down and standing. It has been had a new nut cut for it and set up for GHS strings. The circuitry has all been upgraded and the pickups were replaced. I used left over pickups - SD WLH in the neck and a SD 59 / Custom in the bridge.
I have a 2021 Se Custom 24. I put locking tuners on it and the Wilkinson locking saddles (brilliant!) and it's a great guitar. With the locking at both ends, I can go crazy with the whammy and it stays perfectly in tune. Love the neck carve, the weight, everything. The newer SE's are brilliant.
Thanks for this video!
I've exactly this model, with a proper setup it's awesome for the price. Stunning look, really fast neck!
I've done 3 hardware upgrades in order to have the guitar perfectly usable in every condition:
- PRS SE Locking Tuners
- Graphtech Tusq XL nut
- Switched to 2 USA PRS HFS + Vintage Bass (only for a personal taste, stock pickups are really good)
Now the guitar stays in tune even with massive dive bombs with the bar!
Last changes were cosmetic only: changed the rings to a more "USA look" + changed the knobs with USA Lampshade amber. With + 400€ more or less I have upgraded it to a really perfect axe. Out of box the only change this PRS SE need is tuners+nut or you can hear little tune issues.
Awesome guitar, the frets are perfect (I had guitars with same price range with problems on frets...), not heavy, amazing.
Tim Mahoney (311) has used PRS for ages. I'm 45 years old and he is the inspiration that made me want a PRS. Now, I have my PRS on order. I can't wait for it to get here. PRS is making it to order and is projected at the end of December. Merry Christmas to me! 🥰
He is actually one of the original "artist roster" for PRS. Enjoy - what a present!
I have the same guitar, and I love everything about it. Now, one thing I learned is that it's a bright sounding bridge humbucker and if you want it in a sweet rounded growl you have to turn the tone to 5 or 6. If you want to play punkrock then tone at 10. I never had a guitar where I'm dialing back the tone on a bridge humbucker. That's a plus in my books!
I own this very model. While I still love my Les Pauls and my Stratocasters, my new PRS Custom SE 24-08 is currently doing most of the heavy lifting on my band's album. Fantastic instrument.
I got my first PRS a couple years ago, and I've absolutely loved it.
SE?
It’s impossible for a builder to make a guitar that suits everyones needs…I use PRS because they play and feel great, they are 100% reliable…they just plain work…great stuff my man!!!
Nice job! We strive to make the best guitars we can and glad they are appreciated. #WeMakePRS
glad you said this about it not being the sound in your head. I felt this too (just from watching vids, i don't own one) and thought I was being fussy but it's not the tone I'm looking for and you helped me realise that if I bought one i'd need to change the pickups, so thank you! I just like the look, smaller size/weight, and price tag over LP's but would like more of that classic PAF tone.
Great wisdom. One day, I'll afford a PRS. So true! Thank you for guiding me as I learn to play guitar.
Thanks for watching!
I have the exact same guitar. As a matter of fact, the figuring on your veneer top's pattern is very similar to my own.
That being said, I purchased this guitar to use as a knock around at our seasonal campsite, where we have a destination trailer on the Delaware. I have two other PRS guitars, a 1993 Custom 24 10 Top and a 2016 CE24 and it holds it's own with them. I was blown away at what a great this guitar this turned out to. While the coil taps don't emulate single coil pickups, the sounds are usable.
Like you, I also changed to the locking tuners.
Been loving my SE Standard 24-08 for six months. Build quality and playability are exceptional at this price point. I have no issue with tuners, try them before switching. Sound options are great. It is on par with my PRS core cu 24 and more flexible. I have a strat as well and it has a different set of sound options. Love them all.
Definitely agree re tuners. I check my tuning before playing each day and it rarely needs tuning and if it does, it's a minor tweak.
I have an SE 24 Custom. Absolutely love it. I'm picking it up over my go to guitar of over 30 years. I actually do use the split coil feature in the middle position. Doesn't give a true strat single coil sound, but for certain songs, it gives me enough of that vibe that I don't have to switch to a strat. However, agree that sometimes you just need to use a strat if that's the tone you want. Also find it super comfortable. Had a 2 hour rehearsal wearing the guitar the entire time. Never got tired or sore. My SG2000 starts to kill my back after about a half hour. Also borrowed a PRS CE from a buddy. Honestly like the SE way better and it's half the cost. Didn't like the CE pickups, the rotary switch (older model), or the neck profile.
Glad you're enjoying it!
Have the Tobacco Burst standard version. I’ve been playing it at church for around 9 months. I find myself liking it more and more and more. (I put the SE locking tuners on mine as well). It does everything I need, is easy on my back, stays in tune and is easy on my fretting hand.
I just bought a Les Paul and I love it. I still have a PRS on my list so the 24-08 looks to be a great option. Thanks for your video.
Enjoy the LP!
I have three guitars - Squier classic vibe tele, Epiphone Les Paul, and a PRS SE 24-08. The PRS is the most comfortable and easy to play of the three to me. I did put in PRS locking tuners and changed to the PRS lampshade knobs. Really love my PRS. I preferred the pickups in the PRS CE I owned for a while, but I’m happy with the sound as it. I like that it is a bit hotter and brighter than my Les Paul.
Sounds like all sonic bases are covered - nice!
Thank you sharing pro &cons,great review, i rely to your opinion
Thanks for watching!
Great information here Des thanks man👍🏻
Good honest review mate fair play.
PRS SE 245 is my first guitar since 2020. And I love it! Since then I try lot of guitars from other brand, but I don’t know why I always back to PRS. And last year I bought PRS SE Silver Sky and I don’t regret my decision. About the sound, for me (because most of the time I am a keyboard player) it not really bother me. Yes its sound different with the other brand but I still love it. I’m planning to buy other PRS guitar in the future and 24-08 eriza verde is one of them.
I've had many different brands of guitar but the PRS is the most comfortable and easy to play no matter the type of music I'm playing it's a pleasure to play can't say that about any other guitar I've owned.
I have been playing acoustic guitar for years and recently decided to migrate more toward electric.
Had a few low end electrics that I play but really wanted to invest in a "Nice" guitar.
After much homework and many UA-cam videos I ended up buying this same PRS SE Custom 24/08.
I also found this guitar very comfortable to play and am loving the fretboard.
Before I replaced the strings I also invested in the locking tuners as I heard others talk about the tuning issues with the SEs
Anyway I Love this guitar and can't stop playing it daily, I feel I made the right choice and have no regrets!
Thank you, excellent video
Love this!! Thanks for sharing!
I have a 2015 SE Custom in Cherry Sunburst. The tuning stability is the fault of the nut. When I first got it it would stay in tune for as little as 5 minutes!!! I had a custom made bone nut installed and it now stays in tune for HOURS
I've been playing se 24-08 for the past year. I agree with the pros, so I'll share my thoughts on the cons:
1) tuners - same, immidiately switched to locking tuners.
2) coil split - I love it. that's the thing that brought my attention to this model and it works for me personally.
3) what this guitar does not work with for me is some heavy overdrive and distortion. Clear tone and crunch, some light OD - great, but for heavier sound I prefer my LP with 490R and 498T.
All in all the SE 24-08 managed to replace a strat and a tele (but not an LP), it just works for me. In terms of sound, as a couch guitar player - these 2 guitars seem to be enough for me.
Good review. I've had one for a good few years. Changed pick ups Suhr Thornbuckers 👍
Refreshing to watch an honest, independent guitar review. A PRS is the next guitar on my buy list. Still tossing up between an SE or spending more on a S2 or CE24 Semi Hollow. Currently have a Tele, Les Paul and a 335 copy
Thanks Rob - would love to hear what you go with
I've had an SE semi-hollow custom 22 (older flat top version) for years. I regularly stop in to the local guitar shop and tryout expensive guitars....none of them seem to do anything better. Some sound a bit different, but none play any smoother.
I did my own setup work, and when a pot went scratchy, I replaced both and upgraded pickups to SD Pearly Gates. Next up is a coil split, to try it out.
All this to say, I seen no reason to spend more than SE money to get a fantastic guitar.
I have an S2 with the same pickups and switching system. I don’t superlove the split coils on their own, but blending in the middle position delivers some really interesting tones. Especially neck humbucker + bridge split. That’s become a go-to clean sound for me.
Definitely is fun discovering the different combinations of sounds, from the pickups
Excellent critique. Same observations here.
I have a custom 22 from the early 2000s, I changed the pickups and the rotary switch, now it’s just a two humbucker with a 3 way switch and sounds great.
Thanks good vid. I have many old and new guitars. 3 PRS SE soap bar, 245, Paul's and 1 S2 594. I don't have your model but each is amazing easier to play and more stable than many top names. Great stuff. Fun
Sounds like a solid collection!! What ever keeps you motivated to play, is a winner in my eyes
PRS just released a video with Paul himself explaining bits and pieces around the pickups. Paul is actually very fond of singlecoils, and has a sort of testbed guitar that allows pickup changes on the fly, and he shows humcancelling pups that approach singles more truthfully.
The standard PRS humbuckers are indeed fairly hot, which makes a coilsplit lose a lot of focus and output - which is why that trick usually fails to impress.
If you going to change out these pickups as you're looking for a good singlecoil sound, then I'd suggest adjusting the current pickup heights to that sweet spot while in singlecoil mode.
Had mine for a year or so now. First thing i did was change the tuners exactly as you did.
I know what you mean about the sound but 2 weeks ago i put a heavy brass trem block on and brass saddles too.
It's a whole new guitar now! Much more resonant and dynamic as a result. The sound is much closer to what was "in my head".
Also, a little volume boost with a compression peddle really helps the split coils sound to my ears.
That's a great idea!
Lol… Dundee got me. Great vid mate thanks for the info. Can’t see the point in an S2 on these…
I have the S2 version of the same guitar. It came with the locking tuners and is very comfortable to play. It looks amazing. What you say about it not being a jack of all trades is spot on. The single coil sounds aren't quite like a strat. I have found that I can really get close to the sound SRV uses on Cold Shot if I split the bridge PU and use the neck PU as a humbucker. But it will not cover all of the sounds that you can get with a strat. The PUs used as humbuckers don't get the humbucking sounds I want. They just don't sound like Gibson PAF style pickups. I really like the guitar it just doesn't cover all the bases like I expected it to do.
Very helpful review! I’ve been looking at a PRS Custom 25 for a while and comparing to other guitars with what I think of as more distinctive sounds. I do often fell that the PRS, while an amazing instrument, is just a little generic sounding and I also felt like the coil split wasn’t quite there either. I have. Classic Vibe Strat and a Yamaha Revstar with P90s (which I really love) and am leaning toward an HSS guitar to try to get a jack of all trades. But there’s a reason PRS sells so many of those guitars! Thanks again for the great review.
Thanks for watching Chris - appreciate it!
Really interesting! I was the same 'a PRS, one day . . .' and I finally bought this exact same one about 6 months ago - same colour, the lot. It's one of my 'at home' guitars along with a nice MIM Strat. I really enjoy it and as far as the cons you mention: not playing live so haven't hit any tuner problems (yet?), it's my only split-coil, that's part of why I was intrigued but I just take it as is - I have the Strat in the other room, and I'm happy to have a bit of a different sound . . . I have a few other guitars at the studio and this is, well, different 🙂 Re: some comments here re: changing pick-ups and wiring etc. - go for it! I'm not averse to that, don't feel a need with this one but I bought an Epi Casino and put in Lollar P90s + 50's loom and I will also be putting Monty's Underspun PAFs etc. into an Epi Cantrell 'Wino' in a bit - I bought both of these with the express purpose of 'modding them up' - prices here in HK were really good so worth it for me. I'm hearing good things about Murray's Pick-Ups in Oz - might be worth having a chat with him? Happy playing!
I own some high end guitars but I got an SE Custom 22, 6 months ago. The stock tuners were terrible, so I put on a set of SE locking tuners for €60 and it has transformed the guitar, no more tuning issues and it got rid of all the annoying creaks and pings with trem use. Even the strings seem to ring out a little better. I thought that the nut was part of the problem but it works perfectly fine now and there’s absolutely no need to change it. Getting a set of Tonerider Alnico II Classics or Alnico IV Classics as I’ve read great things about them, or a set of Bareknuckle Mules. It’s a superb guitar and yes very addictive and fun to play.
Thanks for this video.
It helps me Resist the G.A.S. 👍
I've been tempted before but these models have two things I'm leery of.
1 tone, 1 volume - I like the sound of the Middle position with the neck dialled back a touch. That needs another volume control at least.
24 frets - puts the neck pickup in a different place.
Different sound to the one in my head ... 😜
I have a core and an se - they both come to my gigs. The SE 24/08 mini toggle switches are effin awesome
Loving my PRS Custom 24. Did put the locking tuners on.
Ive had mine for 4 months play through a katana 100 and love it plays and sounds great
Awesome Karl - glad you are digging it!
Great honest review. Thanks. I'm looking at a used PRS Custom SE24...
Have and had Les Pauls, SGs, strata, teles, Gretsch... And too many more...lol..
I revert back to my 70's Strat... But curious about the par.
Good luck with the purchase!
I have the eriza verde colour. Love it. It's my first PRS and I've got an Ibanez JS1000, Les Paul Tribute, Mexican 75th anniversary strat and Zach Myers signature...this guitar is probably the most comfortable to play. I'm not a fan of the single coils, but my favourite position is the middle position with single coil rhythm/humbucker bridge combination.
Nice collection of guitars!
Love mine! I’m always turning down treble on my many strats anyway so this is fine w me when split. Couple suggestions. Move pups away from strings and compensate volume w amp or pedals, use 9s and/or an eq pedal to manage single coil sounds. I use 8.5 and backed off pups a bit and have 2 eq 7 band pedals. There’s nothing I can’t do with this baby. Rock on
Awesome George - thanks for watching!
I've got my SE 24-08 coming in next week! I don't have many options within the brand unless i want to drop a lot of $, but stoked all the same. It'll be a different kind of beast for me, as I've been a 22 fret, Strat-style / Les Paul player for the longest time. I do agree with what you said on not seeing the 24-08 as a jack of all trades guitar. It's got it's own vibe. It'll definitely handle a gig just fine, but I'm not gonna expect it play like my Schecter Johnston or Gibson Trad. Les Paul. Can't wait for it to come in
Enjoy man! The Schechter Johnston HSS are also great guitars!
Everything you said is spot on about not quite getting a good single coil tone or getting that sound in your head. I bet you’ll like the single coil tone a bit better with some lower output humbuckers. I’m not sure if I could ever get a convincing Stevie Ray Vaughn or David Gilmour tone out of a split humbucker but I’m still intrigued by this guitar because I’ve been wanting something nice with 24 frets for a while and for this price point it’s a sweet guitar. Plus like you mentioned, I’d like to take my playing into some new territories. Cheers!
It's really amazing value for the money and worthwhile checking out! Thanks for watching
Wow! You hit the nail on the head in this video. Perhaps we have similar taste, because I have the same exact pros and cons. I’m not Strat crazy, but I do have love for them, and know what they are supposed to sound like, specifically when playing in the neck position.
My PRS custom 24 zebrawood doesn’t deliver ANYTHING like that chime that a Strat is renowned for. When the coil split control is engaged, the only change is in regard to the intensity of the pickups. It merely sounds like a weakened version of the same pickup, but the tonal characteristics stay exactly the same. Overall, the tones I get are not bad, but they’re also not familiar. That’s not bad, but when your guitar heroes all seem to play Fender and Gibson, the guitar doesn’t exactly give you what your looking for when you’re used to hearing classic tones on recordings and performances.
I can say with all certainty, that PRS is it’s own thing for sure. I don’t mean that as an insult, it’s just the best way I can describe my experience with their instrument. For me it’s a little weird because I don’t have original material, so I’m always trying to make it do something that my other instruments just do naturally. I don’t know if this makes me sound like a dick, (or crazy), but the instrument doesn’t seem to have the same kind of life inside of it like that of it’s competitors, but it’s not lacking life either. Additionally, It’s a very bright sounding guitar. The electronics work beautifully, but if you’re the type of player who likes to turn your tone knob up to 10 and never look back then you’ll realize immediately that the natural voice of the instrument is BRIGHT! Even when playing on the neck pickup. Probably due to the 24 frets vs 22? I have no complaints there, but you do want to dial this guitar in to avoid shrill tones. Thats not an insult either, it just means that the tone pots have a large sweeping range from dark to light, and it’s best to use them to your advantage and experiment with them.
Conversely, mine plays extremely comfortably, (more so than my Fenders and Gibsons), and it’s one of the most beautiful guitars I own, which we like to pretend doesn’t matter so much, but it really does. Honestly, the fit and finish are perfect, and it’s the lightest guitar I own. Even PRS’s strap that I bought was of a high quality, and the most comfortable one I own. PRS does an incredible job on their affordable SE line.
Because I’d like a better single coil guitar, I’ve though of maybe selling it and going for an SE Silver Sky instead. Sorry for the long comment, but I couldn’t agree more with your points. Overall, I think that this is an incredible instrument and I do love it very much, but it would be best if I wrote original music so that I’m not forced to compare it to other brands simply because they are familiar.
Thanks for the video!
Great insights and I definitely agree with what you are saying! Thanks for watching
My PRS was gifted to me. . . ! I think it really sings. . . !! I love the sound this baby produces. . . ! It feels good in my hands, and I love the playability.
Awesome man - sounds like you have found the perfect match! Thanks for watching
I have the same guitar and I agree on most of the points.
1. It is extremely comfortable
2. Weight is just perfect - not too light, not too heavy
3. Addictive - I'm not sure I totally agree with this because I owned my for about a year now and it is my newest guitar so I might lean towards it because it's still "new", but I do lean towards it often
4. Looks beautiful
5. Tuners - not the greatest but didn't have real issues with it
6. Coil split - I didn't really like split sounds on mine so I changed switches to 3-way ones with Split/Series/Parallel and it is much more usable
7. Sound in my head - it sounded a lot muddier than my other guitars so I ended up changing pickups - I've put Suhr SSV+ in bridge and SSV in neck
8. 3-way pickup toggle - It is a total garbage. I'm having problems with mine every other day and I'll end up changing it. I've seen others have problems with that switch as well
I've had my PRS for 3 years. No issues with the 3-way toggle switch and the sound in my head. Everything else is spot-on! Also it is not my newest guitar. I've purchased a Gretsch solid body more recently a Charvel San Dimas Style 1. and I owned a Godin solid body and my original 2012 American Strat. I actually play them all: The Charvel took 2nd place from the Strat but the PRS is still the mos fun to play.
This is interesting. I have this exact model too and the switch seems a bit funky and the tuners are a bit lame. Seems like for the price they could at least put locking ones on it...
I have what I think is the next model down, in the SE Custom line. It has a three-way blade selector and a push-pull pot for coil split. I absolutely love it. I love the hotness of the pickups, I think they're quite well rounded, and even though the split isn't 100% single-coil authentic, it is one of the best sounding split humbucker sounds I've ever heard. It's full and not brittle, which has been my experience with other similar setups. It doesn't sound like a Strat, of course... My tuners are great. This is the most stable guitar in the whole house, in terms of tuning. It's the guitar I know is going to be in tune when I pick it up. My one gripe is that it suffers from the dirty electronics that seem to be the common bane for the model. You see guys complaining about this all over the internet. The pots and switch quickly get noisy if you don't play it for too long. One day, I'll just swap those out and be done with it. Thankfully, it is my go-to, so I play it enough that they clean out and the issue is minimized. As to sounding like I'd hoped, it does. I was aiming for something like a "woman" tone somewhere between Clapton and Santana, but that could Metal-up, if needed, and it does all of those things wonderfully.
Sounds like you have yourself a beautiful guitar!
When I think of PRS, in my
mind it's all about Santana's smooth creamy tones that flow from the guitar like water. Good luck finding this.
I own the Ezra green version and I adore it. I also changed the tuners but I did it post purchase from Sweetwater. I personally really love the split coil and my PRS sounds how I imagined. Esp when I put it in drop C tuning.
I changed the pickups in mine. The JB in the neck sounds really good split. I also changed the tuners and the nut. Changing the nut improved the sound too. I bought the core nut
I added a .033 capacitor, wired the same as S2 that has the same pickups. You may also want to try lowering the pickups. I also changed the tuners, added a Graph Tech nut, the S2's knobs and pickup rings and a Pure Tone output jack.
Have played around with the height of the pickups but not the capacitor. Will have a look - cheers!
I have the same guitar. All my points are your points, except I like the pickups. Somewhere between my HHS start and my Ibanez RG. TY for the vid!
Great guitar to have in your arsenal - thanks for watching!
Put two Vaughn Skow PAFs in my SE Custom 22. It's a completely different animal now. What a great instrument. And yes... split works beautifully ;)
Love it!
Before you change the pickups!
Lower them, and then raise the screwed in pole pieces. This will also help with the single coil sounds.
Yes, have definitely played around with the heights as well
I've owned a couple SEs and have one right now. I love it. Regarding locking tuners, I had them installed on my previous SE and they didn't do anyting for tuning stability. While locking tuners don't hurt, the main thing that causes a guitar with a trem to go out of tune is the nut. If you have friction it will go out of tune. I don't have locking tuners on my current SE which actually holds tune better than my old SE. I agree on the coil spliting, in that it really does not get you anything stratty. I like the pickups, but they area tad hot in some areas and I may change them to a DiMarzio PAF Pro set which has always worked for me as a good medium output hot but not too hot PAF tone. I just thin the stock pups are a bit one size fits all and PRS has leaned too much into higher output pups. The original PRS models that Paul was producing in the early 80s came with Seymour Duncans, I think the Custom, which is a hot pickup, so when PRS want to load a lot pickup into a model they go with what is sort of their own version of a Custom and I think it can be too much for some players. I used to love high output pickups when I was playing heavy rock and metal as a teen but fell out of love with high output pickups when I realized how much better medium to vintage output sounded with the higher gain amps of the time like the Boogie I was using. I go for a more 70s kind of tone so over the end of breakup but not over the top. I love the weight of this guitar even though it's a tad heavier than my last SE which was unusually light for any guitar. The balance is even better on this one too. And it plays like butter and looks awesome. I can't think of cooler looking ax. Rock on.
Nice one mate, thanks for sharing
I have that exact guitar. Agree on every point.
Switched to two Seymour Duncan pickups. Neck: '59 Model Humbucker (PAF) and Bridge: SH-5 Custom Humbucker.
Got rid of the coil splits, was a pain to re-wire.
The difference in sound was massive, now I completely love this guitar. Can get me anywhere from PAF sounds to TOOL riffs.
I run this through a BOSS Katana 100 mk2 with the Diezel VH-4^2 as a preamp through the FX Loop and it sounds disgusting.
I also run it through a Fender Blues Jr. and the PAF sounds great. Bonamassa/Cream vibes.
Use my strat for strat tones.
Sounds like the perfect combination!
I had a 1989 CE 24, didn’t know what I had. Traded it for a Gretchen Country Gentleman, big mistake. Later on had a friend sell me his SE custom 24, fantastic. When PRS re-released the CE 24 in 2016 I snatched one up, love it. Then found a SE Santana(22 fret), love it. Found a S2 22 fret in matt black, love it. Finally found a used SE 35th anniversary 24-08, love it. Your fight weight and comfort count on the enjoyment of the instrument while playing on and off the stage. And I have played Les Paul’s, strats and telescope. The PRS line is a stand out.
Nice man!
20yrs ago I worked at a guitar shop, and all the guys looked down on PRS in favor of Gibson because they associated PRS with all the nu-metal guys playing them. Looking back over the past 20yrs PRS has evolved and imho put out better overall consistency and quality control in their products. I think the stigma against PRS has faded over the years as they've established themselves as a consistent quality brand. I can't recommend PRS enough!
Got the s2 version recently that have the same pick ups and you’re so right re: coil split. Just grab the strat for single coil, but the feel of these guitars is incredible
Agree - amazing value for money instrument!
i agree with the pickup swap. these are wild pickups. they wanna make noise. It definatly has that vintage sound. Remember...this is in essence a throwback to the first PRS guitars. I actually held one of pauls first built guitars, it was built from an old table or dresser rather as it had a hole in it where a knob for a drawer was placed. Its in Daves guitar shop museum ,upstairs in lacrosse wisconsin. plus when you split the coils their is a drop in volume. I need the consistancy of the volume. I just recently upgraded a late 90s fender showmaster with the scorpion inlay. I put a loller p90 in the neck positin and a suhr thornbucker in the bridge position. it is the most versatile guitar ive ever owned. balanced, punchy. it does all things that it should do very well and sounds great. The se 2408 sounds excellent when you have some dirt on it. All the coil splitting etc is right on. clean is another matter. if your recording and you dont have the luxury of a kick ass strat or tele...this guitar will do it for you. Itll do a whole lot more as well...if you take the time to adjust levels etc. live ...the clean tone volume is reduced. you will have to reliy on a volume pedal, boost or front of house and a good audio engineer to boost your signal in those areas that you play clean on those single coil pick up configurations. overall this guitar is great for home studio recording as its very versatile. Live gigs as long as you arent trying to switch from a strat to a les paul etc, your good. you get my drift. great video and great discussion.
That's so cool about holding one of Paul's early builds! Thanks very much for your input and watching - appreciate it
I have 3 PRS SE'S LOVE ALL OF THEM!!!!!!
I too, put the PRS locking tuners on my SE custom 24-08 at the get-go as well. Oddly this is the FIRST PRS that has stuck with me. I've tried 4 others over the years. I never get along with the tone, until the 24-08. I'm a Humbucker guy. FWIW, going milder output PUPs, will make the coil tap tone even thinner and worse.
Appreciate the feedback!
"Don't tell my wife!" Love it man. There's a walk-in closet in my wife's practice room that I use as a warehouse. All but one instrument has a hard case, and that includes mandolins, violins, ukuleles, basses and who knows how many guitars at this point. If you're careful and step over things you might make it to the back of this closet without injury. And then there's the issue with amps. Don't get me started. Meanwhile, she plays in 5 different orchestras and community bands, is out 5 nights a week at rehearsals. She plays flutes and piccolo. You could take my 335 case and fit everything she uses in it with room for a music stand and charts. We're all afflicted buddy. Anyway, I have a PRS Tremonti SE with the very same top and color. Super hot pickups which takes a little getting used to but I have done a fair amount of stuff that usually demands the LP with this instrument and I think the world of it. And yes, it's really comfortable! Have not done any mods at all as there is no need. If I want a Strat, I get the Strat out, etc. But this thing is a joy to play and it lives on a stand in the house where it gets picked up quite often. No need to compare it. Just appreciate it for the beautiful instrument it is.
I need to get my wife on the idea of a practise room!! Thanks for watching mate - cheers
Good job mate! Think this is the first video I've seen which actually gives a balanced look at a PRS guitar. All the others fal into 2 groups, aren't they great, or they're not a Fender / Gibson and a consequently sh#t! Fully understand what you mean about them not producing the true single coil / humbucker sounds you need as a professional, but as a beginner that's not important to me. What I want is a guitar that will give me the ability to emulate the greats while I'm learning and the versatility of this means I can do that. Think it's also great that this has a wide thin neck like an acoustic, after all that's what most beginners start on. Shows PRS have really thought about what newbies need ina Student Edition (SE) guitar. Think I'm going to buy one.
You won't be disappointed! As I mentioned, it's one of those guitars that you just gravitate towards to play. Any instrument that makes you want to practice/play more is a win in my books! Thanks very much for watching
Hello. I am a luthier and musician. I have the same guitar and…100% agreed with every single word you just said. I changed tuners at the first day of having it (I just had a set in my room as I’m a luthier), also changed belt lockers for a Shaller ones,I also suggest to use Mono gig bag as original one is not really good one (hard case also not so good quality). The pickups are pretty OK for a gigging around,but quite weak for a studio job or festivals. Considering to buy some SD. Rest of the things about PRS - it’s very cool guitar with a perfect playability and outlook.
Good luck with the SD's. Would be keen to hear what you think of that combination
I personally would look for a used S2. You'll have the same issues with the pickups as they are the same but overall quality is far superior and USA made. The necks on the USA models take like 2 weeks alone to complete. That being said the SE's are surely one of the best imported mid priced guitars available. The Strat however is king.
I have had mine for 2 months, changed the tuners to locking and new knurled knobs. Loved the feel of the neck and playability. HATED the pickups at first, too bright and "jangly" but realised that they are good for some styles of music. I wind the tone down to half and that worked for my ears. I would not say they are hot pickups so have to work the amp for the gritty stuff or a bit of edge. Weight is good and and looks amazing, well made. I will give it some more time but may end up changing pick ups? Then again you don't want all your guitars to sound the same? Probably a good guitar for recording, very clean.
Agree - a fantastic all round instrument! Thanks for checking out the vid
Condivido la sua opinione. Bellissima chitarra, molto comoda, giusto prezzo, ma anche per me "IL MIO CERVELLO DICE CHE NON È IL MIO SUONO" come mi è capitato di sentire con altre chitarre che ho avuto. Sicuramente cercherò di avvicinarmi al "mio suono" CAMBIANDO PICK UP. Grazie.
At 5:44 I've come to accept that split coils are more a sound of their own than a replacement for the real deal. The best solution for someone who wants or needs both might be a HSH configuration.
Nice review and long view perspective.
Thanks Bill!
I picked up mine just a few weeks ago. I agree with you one every aspect of your review. I am thinking of changing the tuners as well. As far as the pickups, I need to play it for a few more months to see if I want to really change them. What pickup’s would you use?
I have strats, SSH’s, humbuckers, p-90’s, teles and Gretsches. I like the fact that these sound different. It fills a void. But I have to say they sound just a bit generic without a soul. So I’ll keep it as is for now. Probably change the tuners soon. But yes it makes play better and differently than the other guitars. You review is dead on perfect
I've been looking at Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday's but haven't decided yet. Good luck with the tone search - enjoy the guitar!
I have the regular SE without the extra switches. I took out the push-pull pots and replaced them with standard CTS pots. I replaced the pickups with the Peacock Set from Missing Link Audio. They're amazing pickups but more for vintage-y bluesy stuff. They're very open, organic, "alive" sounding pickups. Check out intheblues for a demo of them. I needed something similar but with more balls, so MLA made me a custom set. I'm hoping to get them installed in the next couple of weeks. I also replaced the nut and tuners. Mine has the PRS lockers like yours has. I'd love another CU24 though, in the eriza Verde color. It reminds me of the Kramer that Dave Sabo from Skid Row plays. I'd buy one of those, but I hate Floyd Rose tremolos. They're a headache. But definitely look into Missing Link Audio for pickups.
Will do, that's awesome - thanks for the heads up
I have the Tempus (?) Green one and I have a lot of the same pros and cons. My observation, based on my personal taste, is that the pickups are too hot, too brittle and almost sterile sounding. Good note separation, but lacks character. So I switched them out for the Seymour Duncan 59's and that rounded out the sound way better. One thing to keep a note about is with the 24 frets, the pickups are closer together so you're giving up some of the woodiness that you get by the neck pickup because it's further up the body on a typical guitar. Otherwise, the craftsmanship, beauty and now with the fixed pickups, it's what was in my head.
I've had a PRS Paul Alender SE for some years now, and I love it - no tuning issues with the stock tuners, but yes, it would just be a sweet quality upgrade. Now the sound; I love it from shimmery clean to filth. But may I suggest you try to run into a Strymon Compadre going into a Strymon Sunset.... banging! Regards changing pick-ups, I did consider this, but Compadre into Sunset gives a very satisfying tone - and with all my guitars. By the way, yours is a beauty.... I like my bats on the Paul Alender, but I still lust after those swallows :)
I like how the Allender is different with the Bats! Also awesome to hear that you are still in love with the guitar. Thanks for watching
I've got exactly that one only semi hollow (one fhole), and a 3 way switch instead of a toggle. Your toggle placement is better, actually, mine gets trapped beneath the bar..
Anyway... It's a flawless guitar...I don't play it much though. I think if I gigged it would at least be my back up, if not my choice. But sitting at home, tone is more important than comfort...but honestly, I don't play my Les Paul a bunch, either. I'm on my Charvel DK24 80%of the time🤷♂️
I have been trying to decide whether to...
a)sell it to help fund my next
B) keep it and upgrade the pickups
C) keep it til I've got enough to sell it and get an S2
D) just keep it for a great back up in the future when I gig.
Cool video👍
Edit: oh, I just saw your mini toggles. Mine has a push pull tone knob.
The constant gear battle of buy or sell - good luck!
I just bought this guitar. And I found that if you just lower the neck pickup a little then everything is correct. My jack of all trades is a 2006 Fender American Deluxe with the fourth generation noiseless
Enjoy the new axe!
I’m on the same page as you mostly, PRS are so nice, Desirable. Had two top end models first was a custom 24 looked and played amazing. Whilst it sounded nice it wasn’t great thing me the tone I wanted, I’d plug my sg in or start or Les Paul and instantly got an inspiring tone, the PRS never went there very neutral sounding. Sold it after 8 months. Few years later I got the itch to buy another different one. A PRS P22, like a custom 22 but with the piezo pickup. Same deal, just never had its own voice. Single coil split was just a quieter thinner sound and not anything like a single coil. Humbuckers sounded plain. Overall both prs’s sounded too bright. So I put my Les Pauls bare knuckle pickups in it that I love and was shocked how bad they sounded in the PRS, same problem. Boring sound, too bright. So sold that too :(. Wanted so much to like them but The sound is unusable cannot get the sound in my head. Fast forward to today I still see PRS and get the itch to buy another. 😂 I thought about ripping the electronics out and just doing 50’s style Les Paul wiring, but it probably would be a waste if time, ‘I think it’s the guitar itself. It’s not for me. I have a fender ultra luxe Jaguar coming tomorrow that seems(hopefully) the missing link I’m after to compliment my SG & Les Paul.
Thanks for watching and for sharing your experience
I really appreciate your comments about splitting the coils. As PRS advertises, I was hoping that these TCI coils would yield some satisfying single coil tones, but apparently not. Honestly, I have yet to hear any split hummers sound like decent single coils. Better to save some $ by investing in the less pricey Custom 24, and then switching to my Strat when desiring single coil tones. 😛
Thanks for watching!
Also, i like the pickups. Ive got lots of guitars with singles so i dont mind the variety. If you cut the tone back a little they sound great, but they are a little noisy. Thats nothing some proper shielding cand handle though.
I own a SE Custom 24. And, like you, I also am not a fan of split coil pots. So, I had mine removed, swapped out the pickups for 57/08s and changed the capacitors for 0.015 oil and paper Bumblebees. Now, the tone growls and howls like Eric Clapton’s Cream era ‘64 SG. Try it... The sound surpasses most Gibson Murphy Lab custom jobs for a fraction of the price.
Love it - sounds perfect!
2.2k resistor to ground...beefs up the split a bit, plus gives it a slight phase twist. Or Not.
As a mediocre(at best) guitar player, and after owning a PRS Custom24SE for a few weeks now it is has become my favourite guitar to play. As bonus, instead of hearing “not another guitar” from my other half, she thinks it looks beautiful, and it does, with a turquoise quilted maple top and headstock.
Awesome to hear you are enjoying it. Even better that the other half is on board!! Enjoy
You are 100% right I own one
I put locking tuners the day I brought it home. Then I changed to Pearly Gates. Big difference.
I changed out the pickups on my S2 Custom 22 to Lollards Imperials. Night and day difference. I think there’s been enough comments about the harsh lower tier PRS bridge and slightly dull neck that they’d have taken some notice by now
I own the same guitar and yes i agree with everything you said. I too added locking tuners and I deleted the coil split and I replaced the pickups with alnico 2 PAF style pickups and hey presto MAGIC. I must also mention bridge requires a bit of work to get action perfect for me as saddles bottomed out when lowering string height and bridge required lowering in the body, other than that no problems (HA HA ). One last thing I also used a paper in oil cap .022uf Bare Knuckle brand and this elevated sound to Monster value.
Nice one - sounds like the perfect Frankenstein!
Thankyou. Although I am a bit jealous of your se as the top has that nice Honeyburst finish.@@TheMusicLoop
Prs has a prs md. It had split coil. But has active witb 2 9 volts. It’s great. I think it was to be expensive to make. They stopped. But. U can find them
I own a 22 fret version and also put locking tuners on it and added coil splitting. Something about the sound of a 24 I just cant get along with. The 22fret SE is the way to go
Absofrigginlutly love it 🤙😎
I totally agree with you that PRS guitars are inspiring, and have lead me to new musical ideas!
Have you had a chance to try out a PRS CE?
The first PRS I tried out was their 513. Two blade switches intrigued me! It was high up on the wall, and I couldn't see the price tag. Once it was down, even though I couldn't afford it, I decided to try it out. I *LOVED* the playability! But like you and your 24-08, the tones were slightly lacking for me. I was hooked on that playability though, so I kept looking and trying out different models. I eventually found a used CE, and it played AND sounded *better* than any of the other PRS guitars I tried. Maybe this was because I came from playing a strat like you. The thinner and satin neck was a huge improvement, and even though the neck is bolted on, the neck to body connection looks identical to their set necks (minus the unobtrusive bolt plate)
Just like your 24-08 SE, I don't think it is a perfect replacement for a strat, even when the coils are split. Split coils still have less quack than single coils. But, I like the sound. It's unique. If you try one out, let me know what you think!
Awesome!!! I have tried a couple of CE's and loved them. They are a lot harder to come buy these days in Australia but definitely a cool guitar and also great dollar value.
Thanks for checking out the video 👍
@@TheMusicLoop I did a search on where Sweetwater ships, and you're right, it's limited... except that they ship to some US Military bases. Got any friends who are on one?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_bases
Also, I'm not a lawyer, and have no idea if this is a good or really bad idea, legally speaking.
@@TheMusicLoop Did you ever switch out the pickups? Curious how that worked out for you.
@@dj_tmc no I haven't yet - still playing around with the tone knob to create different sounds
This video is 1 year old. But i would just drop the pickups low...
I still remember how i found the neck sound of my strat too harsh, one day accidentally i lowered it (wrong screw, i was moving the guard😅) and voila...
Then i started noticing ALL my favorite strat players had the pickups just a few milimiters over the pickguard 😅
thank you for the great reviews about this guitar. I was wondering if you had any issues with the neck and the frets, due to humidity or temperature changes. How is the fret job ? thanks
@@franckrichard8077 thanks for watching! No issues with frets at all. Humidity here also has not had any negative effect on the guitar 👍🏼
Too hot for my liking too. Had it for 8 months and the playability is just as good, almost feels like home with my Ibanez's. But,... well you've said it. (Not that sound heard up here 🤔)
Gibson quality just isn't there and hasn't been for decades. I don't want to pay $3k plus and still have to work on the guitar after paying that price! Give me a PRS that's ready to play right out of the box any day of the week. Sounds great and performs exactly how I want and need and it looks great!