CE-24 SH vs Custom 24 SH

[c340]

I recently had a Private Stock built up with the favorite specs that I had picked up from the various PRS guitars I have owned. Its base model was a Semi Hollow Custom 24. This was because I absolutely loved the CE-24 Semi Hollow that I had. I went for the Custom model because I wanted the violin carve, which would allow me the to have the trem-up cavity routed into the top, which the PTC told me could not be done on a CE. I also figured a set neck would provide greater sustain and stability.

Guess which guitar I never owned though? A Custom 24. Turns out, the CE has a feel and sound that I actually am missing from the private stock! Oops!!

The private stock is still a fantastic guitar, but its surprisingly heavy (especially for a semi hollow with a large electronics cavity for piezo) and lacks the brighter resonance of the CE. I loved grabbing my CE and how light weight it was; how loud and resonant it was playing it acoustically. I'd imagine this has to do with the CE having a thinner maple top, and bolt on neck. The African mahogany, ebony fingerboard, and roasted maple used on the PS also might just be heavier pieces of wood, and the piezo electronics could be adding to the weight.

I remember reading somewhere that Paul Smith actually always preferred the CE over the Custom for similar reasons.

Anyone else prefer the CE over the Custom?

 

[Glide-bpm]

I love my CE's JUST AS MUCH as my Customs and other guitars!!!

 

[DISTORT6]

I recently had a Private Stock built up with the favorite specs that I had picked up from the various PRS guitars I have owned. Its base model was a Semi Hollow Custom 24. This was because I absolutely loved the CE-24 Semi Hollow that I had. I went for the Custom model because I wanted the violin carve, which would allow me the to have the trem-up cavity routed into the top, which the PTC told me could not be done on a CE. I also figured a set neck would provide greater sustain and stability.

Guess which guitar I never owned though? A Custom 24. Turns out, the CE has a feel and sound that I actually am missing from the private stock! Oops!!

The private stock is still a fantastic guitar, but its surprisingly heavy (especially for a semi hollow with a large electronics cavity for piezo) and lacks the brighter resonance of the CE. I loved grabbing my CE and how light weight it was; how loud and resonant it was playing it acoustically. I'd imagine this has to do with the CE having a thinner maple top, and bolt on neck. The African mahogany, ebony fingerboard, and roasted maple used on the PS also might just be heavier pieces of wood, and the piezo electronics could be adding to the weight.

I remember reading somewhere that Paul Smith actually always preferred the CE over the Custom for similar reasons.

Anyone else prefer the CE over the Custom?

Love the honesty.

 

[d^rren]

I do love bolt-on guitars with maple necks.

 

[dogrocketp]

I love them all for different reasons.

 

[Broseph]

I like the McCarty configuration on CEs over the core blades. I also like the snap they have. Weights for CEs can vary quite a bit. More so than the cores. My heavily modded CE custom 24 semi hollow is just an ounce under 7 lbs.
when in doubt grab a CE you like and mod away to your preference! Took me years to admit it but I have come around to accepting that I like a cheaper “bolt on” vs core custom 24. I even went as far as to install all core level tuners and tremolo

 

[thewesdavis]

I love my CE - it was my main axe for a long time and still gets heavy play - but what really surprised me was how quickly I bonded with my OG (mid-late) 90s Standards...they're no frills rock machines.