Should you buy a PRS SE Custom 24? Honest Review and Sound Test

PRS SE Custom 24 Review

Here's my honest and unsponsored review of my PRS SE Custom 24. I've had it for about 6 months so i've really had a chance to get to know its strengths and weaknesses.

Hopefully you find this video informative if you're thinking of buying a Custom 24.

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[diceberg]

Like many have said, I really appreciate a review from someone who plays clean. And I 100% agree with your assessment. I bought the same guitar about a year ago and loved the neck pick-up and hated the bridge PU (the singles are thin and not very useful IMO). The problem is that although I loved the neck pick-up, when I heard recordings of me playing live with a band, I was drowned out. I just wasn’t cutting through the mix. But the playability is just so natural. I was thinking of getting a new guitar this year but instead decided to mod my PRS SE to my dream specs. I put in Fishman Fluence Classic pickups and locking tuners (I also replaced the frets with stainless steel but that was more for longevity and replaced the knobs just for aesthetics) and its now just an incredible instrument. The sound on both pickups and both humbucker voices is just lush. The split coils now are out of this world, especially the neck which has that clarity and chime that you’d expect from a strat. So now I feel like I’ve got the best of all worlds, a PRS build but with clear, strong, and versatile tones.
Downsides on my mod are only the cost. After the investment in the new hardware and the labour, I’ve almost doubled the cost of the guitar. But honestly, there isn’t a guitar on the planet for even that combined price that I’ve heard come close.
Thanks again for your review. Great stuff.

[piemmetubo]

For me the ergonomics AND playability is the No. 1 requirement.
The sound can always be adjusted, by changing parts and/or working on pedals and amplifier.

[auduneggen]

Cool. I just bought one of these second hand based on this and other reviews. By the way, the ”binding” on these isn’t actually binding, but scraped off finish so the maple wood shows. Under the flamed veneer is probably two or more pieces of maple, so I would guess the ”splice” you see in the binding, is actually a seam from two different pieces of maple under the veneer.

[NOLASkaGuitarist]

The "binding" that you speak of is not actually binding, it's just left uncolored in that area so you see the wood underneath. The line you're seeing is not an extra piece of binding, it's the glue line where the pieces of wood that are joined together to make the body. Even the high end core PRS models do not have binding on the body, it's the curly maple of the the top finished in natural to look like binding.

[banana]

Great review. You used cleans which are SO much more useful than spamming distortion which has zero objective value and MOST important was you were honest about the flaws and didnt just do yet another bootlicking review like the big channels where they just senselessly praise everything relentlessly! Great honesty!

[bobbya]

Very nice! You’ve got me wanting another PRS! I like your color choice also. My experience is that PRS guitars feel really good in your hands and are a joy to play.

[huginstarkstrom]

I have 2 PRS SEs - I have changed PU in both of them. One has the Seymour Duncan P-Rail set for P90/Single coil or HB sounds (24 sound possibilities?), the other has 2 Di Marcios and new Potis. Both sound absolutely amazing now. If you know what you want you can really mod them into something well above the price range.

[daniel_chayra]

Cool to see someone with your tone play a prs! Very dynamic and groovy!

[JamesPetroff]

I put on PRS locking tuners and Seymour Duncan hot rodded Humbuckers (JB in bridge and Jazz in neck). It is really, really nice. I bought it used for $650 and put in $240. It is surely as good or better than my USA Fender Strat or Gibson Les Paul. It is lighter, easier to play, and gorgeous (high flame Black Gold Burst).

[ThunderMetal-on]

It sounds amazing played by you. I ordered one it should arrive within a month. By the way the tattoo you have on your right arm is one of the best I've ever seen. It looks amazing the colors and the quality.

[mrtexican]

Man, this makes me remember my SE Singlecut that I regrettably sold…the action and tuning stability was always soooo solid. I might need to get another one soon.

[keithporter]

Thanks for a cracking review! This was really, really useful for me and you've given me exactly the perspectives and details I needed. Hugely appreciated!

[MRxr]

i have an SE from when they first came out 12 years ago. first thing i did was scrap the pick ups. i didn't buy the guitar expecting a flawless finish or tone. i was after the playability. the SE's are a fraction of the price and a working mans tool to have fun swapping stuff in and out. still love my single cut rock machine.

[kategabriella]

You are so so talented. Brings a tear to my eye

[jameshunter]

I literally just got this same guitar. Really a Gibson guy. Love the Tele sound with coil tap in middle selection. Like having a Tele with a tremolo. Play mostly at church on worship team, this guitar is actually perfect. Also have the SE Piezo PRS. Both together cost less than my main Les Paul. Great job PRS!!!

[RudyVisuals]

Awesome review and thanks for pointing out all the good and bad points. I've been a fender man all my life but picked up one of these in my local guitar shop and they had to kick me out after a couple of hours! Hoping to save up for a couple of months and buy this soon but man the price is a lot more here in the UK!

[Riley_Rawlings_official]

The stock pickups on a PRS SE are solid to me.. Its definitely subject to opinion, but it's wild to me that some people throw so much shade at them and how they sound. If you use them correctly for the desired tone, especially.

[musicalgear]

Nice picking. Finally a demo where I can actually hear the guitar. great job!

[tannermay]

Thanks for not going full shredding metal head. Way better tone and caters to more players

[allanjcarpenter]

That bit of “binding” you note is actually a seam on the maple cap.