Big tonal differences: SE CU 24 vs SE CU 22

[jacenty]

I really like my 2008 PRS SE Custom 22 but wanted to upgrade to something with a nicer finish, so I ordered an SE Custom 24 30th Anniversary, thinking it will be the same just improved - more frets, great looks, split coil, etc.

However, I am surprised how different this guitar feels and sounds.
The new CU 24 is a lot brighter and is missing that sweet warmth on the neck pickup.
It has A LOT hotter output and a Wide Thin neck, as opposed to a Wide Fat on CU 22.

I am wondering if it's simply a difference between CU 22 and CU 24 or the specs have changed that much since 2008.

The CU 24 SE is a beautiful, very well crafted instrument but I'm having a hard time warming up to it.
Does this just mean I have a natural preference towards CU 22s with Wide Fat or can CU 24 sound the same?

 

[dkilpatrick]

I swapped the pickups out on my CU 24 30th anniversary and it improved the tone quite a bit. I didn't much care for the stock SE HFS/VB.
its also one of the most comfortable guitars I've played. I'm not sure if the specs on the pickups have changed since 2008 but I would suggest finding a set you like and changing them out.

 

[jacenty]

Good point. I just found that the 2008 model has 'PRS designed treble and bass humbucking pickups', so not the same as 30th anniversary.

 

[andy474x]

I had an original version SE CU22 as well, and now have an SE CU24, and feel very much the same about the tonal differences. And to be honest, I preferred the tone of the 22. I think the 24 is brighter because of the maple neck (vs mahogany on the 22), and maybe because the 24's neck is thinner too. Also, some of the 30th SE's had ebony boards, so that could be playing into your difference. It's a bummer, because the 24's are beautiful and comfortable instruments... they can just be a little piercing at times. I tuned my 24 down a step for drop C, and it's really in its stride in lower tuning, the brighter aspect keeps things defined and tight. But I never really felt like it was what I wanted in standard tuning. If you're still in your return period, I would take it back and hold out for one of the new 22's. Or go for one of the S2 satins!

 

[jay]

Also, consider that the 22 has the neck pick up at a different distance from the bridge and this should make it sound brighter anyway, even if they had the same pick ups.

 

[dkilpatrick]

There was another thread somewhere on this forum that spoke about the tonal differences between 22 fret and 24 fret guitars in a more general sense. Not specific to these two models.
but on a 22 fret guitar the neck pickup sits right about where a 24th fret would be if the neck continued. This has been referred to as a tonal "sweet spot". On a 24 fret guitar the neck pickup is set closer to the bridge as fas as the scale.
There is probably some truth to why the CU 22 sounds "warmer" in the neck pickup.
Also as andy474x mentioned the neck is mahogany instead of maple.

 

[jacenty]

Thanks for all the suggestions, everybody. It's been very helpful!