JJDon
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2020
- Messages
- 129
I've never played the original CEs, but I have a newer CE24 and 2 Custom 24s. I am actually planning to sell my CE24 soon to fund another PRS, but its not because it sucks or anything. Its as close to a USA Custom 24 as you'll get. The newer CE24s are basically a Custom 24, except for the bridge. I think the tuners are different, but they're locking and I can't tell much of a difference between it and the Custom 24s. I actually like the bolt on neck radius and feel of the fretboard on the CE24, but I think you can tell and feel the difference between the USA made bridges of the Custom 24 and the CE24. Its nothing huge, but if you've been playing a while, you can probably tell.
IMO, it really comes down to budget, what neck profile you like, and what switching configuration to you like. If the Custom 24s came with a 3 way toggle and you prefer that, it would be a no context (Custom 24). But since most don't, and if you prefer a 3 way toggle, you may want to grab a CE24. Also, if you like the neck having that slightly unfinished wood feel or can find a satin neck CE24, you may also want to go with a CE24. And like someone else said, you can always swap the import trem out for the John Mann trem.
Personally, I much prefer the look of the newer CE24s with birds and toggle switch. I don't think the rotary knob of the older CE24s is practical. Also, the 85/15 pickups in the newer CE24s are my favorite pickup and the only other guitar you can find them in is in the Custom 24.
IMO, it really comes down to budget, what neck profile you like, and what switching configuration to you like. If the Custom 24s came with a 3 way toggle and you prefer that, it would be a no context (Custom 24). But since most don't, and if you prefer a 3 way toggle, you may want to grab a CE24. Also, if you like the neck having that slightly unfinished wood feel or can find a satin neck CE24, you may also want to go with a CE24. And like someone else said, you can always swap the import trem out for the John Mann trem.
Personally, I much prefer the look of the newer CE24s with birds and toggle switch. I don't think the rotary knob of the older CE24s is practical. Also, the 85/15 pickups in the newer CE24s are my favorite pickup and the only other guitar you can find them in is in the Custom 24.
