Beginner help - SE Custom 24 or CE24

[Uncle Bob]

The idea that a beginner shouldn’t have nice gear is... foreign to me, to put it kindly.

I tried to buy a Helix from someone last summer. In conversation, I mentioned I’d only been playing for six months. He turned into a jerk really fast, saying he wouldn’t sell it to me. “This is not beginner gear! You have no business owning this unless you’re gigging!” Uh, I’ll find another person to give my money to, space cadet.

Whatever a person wants is what they want. There’s no harm in it.

Literally nobody in this thread has said that the OP shouldn’t have nice gear. Suggest you re-read it.

 

[RC Mike]

Literally nobody in this thread has said that the OP shouldn’t have nice gear. Suggest you re-read it.

The sentiment you’re suggesting is that a beginner shouldn’t buy more guitar than they need—whatever need actually means. That’s great, but it’s a different opinion than my own.

There’s space for different opinions, just as each beginner is unique in their desires and their budget.

It’s also subjective in how we define “nice”. Personally, I value American-made guitars more than those made in Indonesia. That’s just another personal opinion that doesn’t need to be imposed on anyone, either.

The OP was asking about buying a CE. If that’s what he wants, there’s no need to try talking him into a lower line. You may not think he’d be able to appreciate the differences, but that’s for him to decide. There’s no wrong choice there.

 

[Uncle Bob]

The sentiment you’re suggesting is that a beginner shouldn’t buy more guitar than they need—whatever need actually means. That’s great, but it’s a different opinion than my own.

There’s space for different opinions, just as each beginner is unique in their desires and their budget.

It’s also subjective in how we define “nice”. Personally, I value American-made guitars more than those made in Indonesia. That’s just another personal opinion that doesn’t need to be imposed on anyone, either.

The OP was asking about buying a CE. If that’s what he wants, there’s no need to try talking him into a lower line. You may not think he’d be able to appreciate the differences, but that’s for him to decide. There’s no wrong choice there.

I’m beginning to wonder if we’re reading the same thread? The OP is questioning whether to buy a SE C24 or a CE24, so I’m not trying to talk him into buying a ‘lower line’. Honestly, there’s so much ‘made in the USA’ bollocks on this site it’s unreal!

The guy is a total beginner, and you guys are suggesting he needs to buy a $$$$ guitar (the suggestion being that a SE model won’t be good enough). Seriously? Do you know what SE stands for?

Somebody had better tell Paul Smith that his loyal fans don’t think the SE is even worthy of beginners now, at which point he’ll obviously stop them being made. Jeez...

Bob out.

 

[veinbuster]

I choose PRS. I typically have a mentality of buy once cry once. Would I be making a mistake buying a ce24 as my first guitar?

Bill

I’m beginning to wonder if we’re reading the same thread? The OP is questioning whether to buy a SE C24 or a CE24, so I’m not trying to talk him into buying a ‘lower line’. Honestly, there’s so much ‘made in the USA’ bollocks on this site it’s unreal!

The guy is a total beginner, and you guys are suggesting he needs to buy a $$$$ guitar (the suggestion being that a SE model won’t be good enough). Seriously? Do you know what SE stands for?

Somebody had better tell Paul Smith that his loyal fans don’t think the SE is even worthy of beginners now, at which point he’ll obviously stop them being made. Jeez...

Bob out.

Actually, you are the one pushing your opinion and being argumentative.

I quoted the OP’s actual question and actual statement of his mind set.

The question was: would it be a mistake for a CE to be his first electric? Absolutely not.

The OP also stated a preference for buying once. Again, that favours a CE over an SE because he will be less likely to feel compelled to upgrade later.

 

[alantig]

I'm wondering if the OP has decided to play banjo instead.

Or maybe he's just decided to have some...

 

[veinbuster]

I'm wondering if the OP has decided to play banjo instead.

Or maybe he's just decided to have some...

I prefer cherry pie.

 

[danktat]

I prefer cherry pie.

I prefer "cutie-pie"...but that is just me

 

[CrimesAgainstMusic]

My first electric was a barely playable Squire Strat, and I was grateful to have it. When I could afford a good guitar, my first purchase was a core Cu24 Artist Package. From a $150 guitar to a $3500 guitar. Man what a difference! I loved every minute of playing it. And yes, I sucked at playing. Still do. One has nothing to do with the other.

Dig That ! My philosophy exactly !

In answer to the OP's original question, buy the CE. They as I understand it are less labor intensive Cores, but still have a bit of body carve, and US electronics & pickups. Probably not a bad deal for the $$$

Not to say the SE's would not suffice, as they are cool too (and more guitar than my skills merit)

But maybe like comparing a good Honda... to an Acura. One is gonna have intangibles over the other that will make it worth the extra $$$

 

[Broseph]

Dude literally said be gentle and here we are arguing . I still say if you can swing it then grab the CE. You’ll will be less inclined to upgrade along the journey or ask what the American carve and pickup would be like. But if you can’t go above SE financially than don’t sweat it. You’ll have a blast. And if you chose wrong it may stink financially to take a slight hit reselling but won’t be end of the world! Have some fun learning and jamming out.

 

[László]

Hey Gang


my first post here so be gentle. I am a total newbie guitar player have a really cheap acoustic that I have been learning the basics on using guitar tricks. Would like to buy an electric and start taking lesson. I choose PRS. I typically have a mentality of buy once cry once. Would I be making a mistake buying a ce24 as my first guitar? I know its no where near the top of the line but would like to start off with something decent. Is it worth for someone beginning to jump up on a super nice guitar or...... Anyways any and all advice is welcome!


Bill

CE. Great guitar, and as you know, buy once, buy right.

 

[CrimesAgainstMusic]

The "problem" with guitars, is that you ae not going to "buy once"...Whichever one you buy say the SE first after a year or so, you will have "advanced" enough , to buy the CE. If you buy the CE first , you will like it so much, you will feel it needs a "backup " to take the stress of day to day usage off it, and buy an SE !

You will be happy with either. And happier ... with both !

 

[alantig]

I prefer cherry pie.

I could say...

But I'm not that kind of guy, so here you go...

In fact, have a second helping...

 

[Pseudohobbit]

CE24. They are wicked good.

 

[DISTORT6]

 

[CrimesAgainstMusic]

"The Laws of Toys", (Guitars are a major toy category) are :

1. Pay for the toy upon purchase (pay off the card upon receipt of the toy)
2. Buy the best toy you can.
3.No financing (unless the dealer offers something crazy like 48 Month No Interest !!! ) ... then you can buy a toy when you ain't got a toy budget !

As a beginner or novice player, from what I can see, it would be pretty hard to "go wrong" from either of your choices. $400 will buy and instrument one can "grow" into, and maybe even "exploit" as they gain some skills

A guitar like a CE , is a "lifetime" guitar, as it provides a beginner a platform they will probably never out grow.
Arguably , the same can be said about a SE, as the only thing that makes it "affordable" is the labor cost savings. Making the same guitar in the US would easily increase the cost by half again as much

They are all good. I kinda like the quasi violin curve made available in the CE, and then there are the US electronics & pickups ...

But then you may wanna change the pickups in either a SE or CE over time so... I appreciate that we all are crazynuts over guitars , during a period where the is an embarrassment of riches regarding available product ...

Buy Both ...

 

[CrimesAgainstMusic]

Hey Gang


my first post here so be gentle. I am a total newbie guitar player have a really cheap acoustic that I have been learning the basics on using guitar tricks. Would like to buy an electric and start taking lesson. I choose PRS. I typically have a mentality of buy once cry once. Would I be making a mistake buying a ce24 as my first guitar? I know its no where near the top of the line but would like to start off with something decent. Is it worth for someone beginning to jump up on a super nice guitar or...... Anyways any and all advice is welcome!


Bill

Dude...

I think you may have created a "problem" for me ...

In advising you, on what to do with your money

I started looking at the CE line. My intro to PRS like many folks, was with their fine line on import guitars, the SE's

They are so cool, I wondered what the Amurrican stuff would be like. At $4,000 I didn't have to "wonder" too tough, as I was not goin' there.

But ... That Paul Guy , listened to the advise I gave him at AXPONA in 2019 (I Think it was 2019) ... and that was to make me a short scale guitar with a skinny neck . Paul's response was ... "Security ! Arrest this man !!! "

So , after bribing the Cook County authorities to release me, and signing the Governor's decree that I should never play out loud in public ... Paul made me the S2 McCarty 594 Thinline . Guess he felt guilty. I forgive him, as I love the guitar....

The CE line ... despite being re-designed to reduce its manufacturing costs was one that didn't capture my attention. I mean like there are screws holding the neck on ! Like it was a Brand F !

I own a coupla Brand F's all with the screws where the neck attaches... They are all cool . But I guess GuitarHeads associated bolt on necks, with Tele's & Strats, and glue on necks with Les Pauls, and of course the glue-on guys cost more !

So any bolt on ... should be cheaper ! ... But in the real world of manufacturing , not really. So the "re-introduction"

So getting past the screws where the neck attaches ... And they really are not "budget" by any standard even now
I find myself diggin' on the kinda violin carve (not as pronounced as a Core) ... the locking tuners and Amurrican pickups... .

See the Fiscal 2021 Toy Budget was conceived with the idea of copping an SE Hollowbody and maybe from a different Toy Category , a long telephoto lens ...

But now you got me lookin' at these CE beasts ! They will hog the entire Toy Budget ! And I'm all confused as a result !

So it is all your fault

BTW, have you decided what to cop yet ? I'm thinkin CE for sure now ...

 

[Woggers]

Hey Gang


my first post here so be gentle. I am a total newbie guitar player have a really cheap acoustic that I have been learning the basics on using guitar tricks. Would like to buy an electric and start taking lesson. I choose PRS. I typically have a mentality of buy once cry once. Would I be making a mistake buying a ce24 as my first guitar? I know its no where near the top of the line but would like to start off with something decent. Is it worth for someone beginning to jump up on a super nice guitar or...... Anyways any and all advice is welcome!


Bill

If I could only have one guitar for the rest of my life, it would be a CE24. Pre 1995 ideally, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. Go for the gold, my friend, grab a CE!

 

[Moondog Wily]

So one of the problems here is that OP does not have a way to try these guitars before buying them. I was in the same position when I purchased my McCarty 594 HB II in February this year. No dealerships within thousands of miles, and with covid, I ain't flying somewhere to try out some guitars, especially considering playing for me is a hobby.

That said, when I got my HB II, I fell in love immediately. I would have loved to be able to sit down with it and and SE HBII, but that was not an option. Add to that, when I was kid, my sister bought me a poster that said "My tastes are very simple, I like to have the best". It was true from a very early age and even true today. I would rather pay top dollar and know I have something I want to keep for the rest of my life, rather than something that will either deteriorate more quickly and or not meet my expectations and I will then be trying to sell or trash (like I did to my cheap Yamaha 12 string, it was just unplayable, so I Pete Townsend'd it).

Now I got my first "nice" guitar in 1991, a 1970 Martin D12-20. I was aware at the time, that I could not play this guitar to save my life, but I had to have it. Paid $800. It did nothing to inspire me. I purchased an Eko Kaddett in 1993 or so (Italian 6 string electric), and it did not inspire me to play. In 2006 (others were in this time, but nothing worth mentioning), I got my Fender Strat Hwy 1, it did not inspire me to play much. In 2007, purchased my second MM Stingray Bass (my first one had to be sold during hard times in the 90's), and every time I pick it up, I don't want to put it down. Usually leaves my hands when they start hurting! In March of 2020, I purchased a Martin J-40 brand new, and although I think it sounds phenomenal, it did not inspire me to play much, but I did anyway because I had paid so much money for it! But when I got that HB II, I knew from the first chord that I was going to LOVE playing this thing, and it has very much inspired me to play. I loved it so much, I purchased my second PRS 16 days after purchasing my first one. And it played even better than the first one!! And I have a third one on layaway (a Private Stock). I have paid off about 1/2 of what I owe on these guitars, but they will all be mine (two already are) and I have no intention of ever selling any one of them. I intend to donate them to some child music program when I pass (considering I have no heirs).

These incredible instruments (my PRS's and my MM Stingray) can motivate you to play more. Can help you to play better. And can make your jaw drop just looking at them. Does that mean that an SE would not do the same? I have no idea, never tried one and neither can the OP. But I do know that the right guitar (which may be the more expensive one or may not) will make you more motivated and allow you to do things you could not do on other git fiddles! At least, that is my experience.

OP, if you can somehow get your hands on one to play, that would go a long way. Maybe you can put an add on Craigslist and explain your situation. Along comes a PRS lover who has both and is willing to let you try them. Hands on would be first choice, but if you can't, you can't.

Best of luck and when you pull the trigger, be sure to post some pix! We love the six string porn here!!!

Cheers~
MW

 

[CrimesAgainstMusic]

I bought my first USA PRS , an S2 McCarty 594 Thinline... sight unseen, despite having big chain dealers (Sam Ash , GC) within easy driving distance. This because with the demand PRS sees for US product, and Covid disruptions, even the biggies do not have these guitars hangin on the wall waiting to be caressed and played !

But ,from owning the SE's, up front , I could assume some things. BTW ... it took 6 months from date of order, to delivery, so any not in stock USA PRS ordered today, will probably pop up next year ...

But there are plenty USA Guitars around, and SE Hollowbodys are at a few stores. Check the responses I got on my "Dealers That Post Photos and Weights of Guitars Thread. Lots of good information there in the replies

Again, you can't go wrong with either choice. The Wide Thin neck profile of the SE is wider than the Pattern Thin of the CE, and the CE neck is probably more comfy . Scale length the same (both 25" ?) and fretboard radius ...

CE comes with American pickups, that you probably won't feel the need to run out and replace. Not to say the SE 's are not good, bit I'm sure the US pickup is probably more pleasing.

Buy the CE. Dammit, you got me finagling on how to come up with the extra $$$ for a CE Semi Hollow !

 

[JohnG]

CE 24 for all the reasons discussed throughout this thread.

(Mike Keneally is such a great artist. Thanks for that.)