CE 24 now or wait for a 408?

[srmd22]

I have been looking around for my next PRS, as I am currently without one, and I don't like it. After catching up on current models and watching youtubes etc, I am thinking I would really dig a 408, or a 2408. I like the versatility and the sound of the split narrowfield in the neck. However, I can't find any around to try, and don't have time to drive a whole bunch these days to hunt one down. I could get one on reverb or something, but I would rather play it first. I did come across a very nice CE 22 with the 85/15's at the local GC, and I have to say, it was very nice. I am tempted to just grab that one - it is a Trampas Green - and call it a day. Bird in hand etc, plus it will save me a bunch of cash, as the 408's seem to be at a premium.

I will say, it seemed to me that the different pickup positions had less variety in the CE24 then I have heard with my other PRSi, but I think that is a function of the evening out of the volume changes in the split coil positions. In any event, all positions sound nice, and usable.

What would you do - grab the available less feature laden model, or just be patient, maybe risk an online purchase? The main thing for me is weight - I like them 7.5 or under. I don't care as much about neck profile these days - I used to be a fat necker, but now I like variety.

 

[garrettb]

If you think you'll be happy with the CE24, then go for it!

The 408 has even less of a difference between humbucker and single coil mode.

 

[Rider1260]

You can't go wrong ether way
I really like the 408 pickups.
If you get the CE you could then save up for the 408 because the correct answer is you need both.

 

[srmd22]

If you think you'll be happy with the CE24, then go for it!

The 408 has even less of a difference between humbucker and single coil mode.

Is that true? The SC sound of the neck 408 sounded really convincingly strat-like to me on the vids I watched - but I don't know if that translates to real life. The CE had a more subtle difference, a little thinner and clearer - more single coil like, but not as annoyingly thin as other PRS split coil sound from my past experience.

 

[garrettb]

Is that true? The SC sound of the neck 408 sounded really convincingly strat-like to me on the vids I watched - but I don't know if that translates to real life. The CE had a more subtle difference, a little thinner and clearer - more single coil like, but not as annoyingly thin as other PRS split coil sound from my past experience.

It was for me when I tested the Paul's Guitar and Brent Mason. I really love those narrow 408 pickups, but I'm not sure if the difference between humbucker and single coil modes is enough. I'd have to try them in a band context.

The regular split-with-resistor wiring they use on a lot of guitars works really well for me. Especially with a compressor on the pedal board, single coil mode is very useful even for solos.

 

[srmd22]

It was for me when I tested the Paul's Guitar and Brent Mason. I really love those narrow 408 pickups, but I'm not sure if the difference between humbucker and single coil modes is enough. I'd have to try them in a band context.

The regular split-with-resistor wiring they use on a lot of guitars works really well for me. Especially with a compressor on the pedal board, single coil mode is very useful even for solos.

The regular split you mention - is that the traditional version, with the volume drop? Do you step on the compressor when you hit the coil tap, or leave it on always?

 

[Outlier22]

If it was me I'd go for the 24-08. I just want the 24 frets though.

 

[toothace]

the correct answer is you need both

^^This.

 

[garrettb]

The regular split you mention - is that the traditional version, with the volume drop?

Not exactly. For the last several years PRS has been using resistors on their split coil wiring. The resistor prevents the coil from being completely cancelled. It preserves more output and fullness of tone compared to fully cancelling a coil.

With that wiring, the 85/15 pickups split better than any other pickups I've heard. I don't feel like I'm missing anything, but it would be fun to compare to the 85/15 MT pickups in the 24-08.

Do you step on the compressor when you hit the coil tap, or leave it on always?

I'm a light compression always-on person.

 

[bodia]

Not exactly. For the last several years PRS has been using resistors on their split coil wiring. The resistor prevents the coil from being completely cancelled. It preserves more output and fullness of tone compared to fully cancelling a coil.

With that wiring, the 85/15 pickups split better than any other pickups I've heard. I don't feel like I'm missing anything, but it would be fun to compare to the 85/15 MT pickups in the 24-08.



I'm a light compression always-on person.

I'll chime in with respect to the MTs. 58/15MTs in my Special Ltd are even better. Especially cool with that NF in the middle. Great tones with a clean amp (and with gain, too). A great clean amp really allows them to shine.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

You can't go wrong ether way
I really like the 408 pickups.
If you get the CE you could then save up for the 408 because the correct answer is you need at least 5!

Fixed

 

[Fuku]

WAIT! Get the 2408...(408 second choice). You’ll be glad you did. Also on the 408’s...if you lower the pickups a little, humbucker and single coil tones are more like they should be. It was a little hard to hear much difference until I tried the lower settings. Just a thought.

 

[Fuku]

This was my deal. I have a “Brent Mason “ model and it took adjusting the pickups lower to get that more noticeable difference . The tone sounds better too in my opinion.

 

[JJJ]

I think that rings true for most tapping options. Most pickups sound like a wet fart when you have them raised too high in any configuration

This was my deal. I have a “Brent Mason “ model and it took adjusting the pickups lower to get that more noticeable difference . The tone sounds better too in my opinion.

 

[László]

I love the 408 pickups.

The thing about the coil splits boils down to this:

First, keep in mind that the 408 pickups are crisper and more airy sounding than traditional humbuckers in the first place. The narrower neck pickup (and bridge on the Paul’s Guitar) are closer to single coil clarity to begin with.

The split coils sound like a single coil version of the humbucker pickup. They don’t sound like a completely different pickup. It’s voiced to be like the humbucking version, only thinner/slightly crisper. If you have an appreciation of details, you’ll like this. If you’re playing with a lot of gain, or aren’t sensitive to that kind of thing, you may not like the subtlety.

As I said up top, I love this about the pickups. Not only do I like subtle, but there’s no need to re-set pedals and amps when all you want is a thinner, single coil tone. It’s consistent.

It’s a bit subtle, but so often what distinguishes a really great tone is the little details. And that’s the case with the 408s.

As one of the session players I bring in for ad projects said when he heard my 408-equipped guitar, “There isn’t any gig I couldn’t do on this guitar all by itself.” High praise, indeed, from a picky picker (no pipers or pecks of pickled pepper were harmed in producing this post ).

 

[srmd22]

It's a tough choice. I see now that the 2408 has the same pick ups as the CE24 - I would imagine the two sound pretty much the same, except for the additional sounds available on the 2408. Makes me wonder if a CE24 is a good way to get a feel for that profile without the large $$ commitment for the 2408. The 408 has "408" pickups - looks like the neck is more like a NF. Is the bridge like a 85/15? I imagine not exactly, or it would not have a different name; maybe it is voiced a little differently to work with the different switching scheme.

Looks like I will probably risk an online purchase, due to availability of choice and convenience. I am thinking maybe the 408 is what I want. I know I really loved the NF's that were in my McCarty 25th Anniversery Narrow Field (why did I sell that one again?). There is one really nice one with a pattern neck I might go for.

I noticed online there are some 408s available from as long as 6 or 7 years ago - have there been any changes, any reasons why one might prefer an older or a newer one (besides age)?

 

[srmd22]

Bump - just wondering if there have been changes to the 408 line - pickups or other specs for example, since 2013.

 

[garrettb]

Bump - just wondering if there have been changes to the 408 line - pickups or other specs for example, since 2013.

Just the changeover to the Gen III trem starting with 2017.

 

[Mozzi]

The 408 and Custom 24 are going to be different. Not only do they have different pick-ups but the extra 2 frets on the 24 pushes the Neck pick up closer to the bridge too so you will get a different tone from any of the positions that incorporate the neck pick-up. On my 2018 Custom 24, that is 4 out of the 5 selectable positions and I would assume its going to be similar with the 2408 too as only 1 position, the Bridge on its own, will potentially be 'similar' - although its still a different PU of course. If PRS made a Custom 2208, that would be closer to a 408 - although you do have more options to switch your PU's if you wanted with the Custom 22.

At the end of the day, and I say this to everyone who is trying to decide between 2 guitars - especially those that are 'different', is to go for the one that you 'prefer'. Both a 408 and Custom 24 offer the same body shape, same scale length, same neck carve, same trem and locking tuners so the difference is in the PU's and placement of the neck PU which affects the tone - both in Humbucker and Split. I haven't compared the Bridge PU's on both a 408 and CU24 (which has had various different PU's in it anyway) through the same Amp with the same settings to see how these differ but you may prefer one over the other. At least with the 24, you can (more easily) replace the PU's if you prefer to do that sort of thing.

I could say it's better to buy the Custom 24-08 because that's what MY preferences are but at the end of the day, its NOT my money, not me that is playing it, not my ears that are hearing it etc so it really must be your choice. Your preferences (both musically and set-up) are different to mine so you may prefer the 408 and find that suits you far better, offers much better tones to work with from your perspective and fits your music style better too. Both guitars will no doubt be built to the very high standards that PRS set and, like I said probably going to feel very similar to play so the best bet is to find out which offers the tones you want.

The other option of course is to buy the 408 and a 'cheaper' 24 as you could look to the SE range for a Custom 24. It may not have the variations of a 24-08 but you will get a lot of what the Core Custom 24's offer at a fraction of the price. The 408 isn't available in the 'cheaper' ranges so you could do compromise on the CU24 if buying 2 'core' PRS models is not financially viable at the moment.

 

[srmd22]

@Mozzi: Thanks, very well said!