CU24 or CE22

enfilade

enfilade

New Member
Joined
May 31, 2013
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Hey guys, I'm here to ask my PRS friends advice!
I'm looking at buying one of these two guitars. One is a 2004 Custom 24 with HFS pickups and one is a 1996 CE22 also with HFS. Both with birds but I've never seen a CE with birds before. Is this normal?
Both are in great condition and both i have been offered at a reasonable price.
I plan on using the guitar for drop tuning and for heavy rock (think Karnivool for the aussies ;)) so which one is going so suit better, or handle the tuning?
Any advice and opinions would be appreciated!
cheers
 
That's a GREAT looking CE22! Birds were an upcharge and yes, they're not as common as dots on a CE (the inverse applies to Customs)

There's not much in it really and it comes down to your tone and neck shape preference. The CE with the wide fat bolt on maple neck should have more snap, and the CU wide thin set mahogany neck should be more rounded.

Any chance of playing both?

Both will handle drop tuning as long as they are setup right, the nut will need slotting, the trem claw screws adjusted and more than likely the intonation, action and possibly relief.
 
Yeah man i'm leaning more towards the CE due to the unfinished maple neck. All my guitars are rosewood and 22 fretters so the feel will fit in nicely. But that Custom 24 lol

I'll definitely be having a play on both but i basically wanted to know if there are any technical aspects in regards to handling the drop tuning and if any one of this guitars was better suited. you covered it nicely mate.
 
Normally I'd say a C24, but that CE looks *****ing stunning, clearly superior to the c24 (in terms of visual aesthetic)
 
Something else to consider are the tuners on these guitars. It looks like the 24 has the old winged tuners, while the CE has Phase II. I don't know if they have different limitations as far as how large a string will fit in each. If you're planning on using super-heavy gauge strings, you may want to be certain that the tuners you pick can accommodate them. Maybe some others here can comment. Also, most people find the Phase IIs easier to use, but there are fans of both. Be sure to check them out when you look at the guitars.

Other than that, I think tuning and playability will be the same for both. If it were my choice to make, I'd be comparing the neck shape and weight of the guitars. And put me down as preferring the looks of the CU24. Way better than the CE IMO. To each his own I guess.
 
Yes, you should buy both. ;)

Honestly, I think you may find the maple neck of the CE to be the biggest difference with your current guitars (what do you have?), but the 24 frets on the Cu24 may also be a great bonus.

Hmm, I think I'd go for the CE22, because of the birds, maple bolt-on neck, and that fantastic top! (Although that Cu24 top is nothing to sniff at either!)
 
shinksma said:
Yes, you should buy both. ;)

Honestly, I think you may find the maple neck of the CE to be the biggest difference with your current guitars (what do you have?), but the 24 frets on the Cu24 may also be a great bonus.

Hmm, I think I'd go for the CE22, because of the birds, maple bolt-on neck, and that fantastic top! (Although that Cu24 top is nothing to sniff at either!)
Click to expand...

I currently have a MEQ, HBII and an Aussie made Belman thats much like a PRS. I wish i could buy both haha

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Whats peoples opinions on the HFS pick ups? I've had the dragon 1's that were great (wish i still had them) I've got 59/09's in the MEQ and 57/08's in the HBII. Also have a set of seymour duncan JB's in the Belman that sound great to. Will the HFS hold up well with heavy rock or is there a better option out there?
 
I'm into the 24! I wish I had it so my blog (yesiammyrone.tumblr.com) and my guitar matched!
 
enfilade said:
Will the HFS hold up well with heavy rock or is there a better option out there?
Click to expand...

The HFS is good with high gain stuff, but for my taste, not much else. It's OK, but not great. I've had DiMarzio 36th anniversary pickups in my CEs and those are nice for a good variety of rock sounds. I currently have 59/09s in the bridge position of my CEs and they are definitely my favorite. Great for hard rock, and pretty much better than the HFS for anything as far as I'm concerned.

I like the Vintage Bass pickup for the neck position, which is probably what is in those 2 you're looking at. But I'm on the bridge pickup 90% of the time and am not so picky about the neck pickup.

I'd love to see more pics of that CU24 if you end up buying it. That color looks great with the black knobs and pickup rings.
 
I have Dragon 1's in my CE22 and that tone is tops. The difference in these two guitars in the maple neck. More highs and more snap. The pups will be high output and clear. Just roll off the tone pot to get the balance for cleans. I'd pick the Ce22.
 
If it's a 96 CE22 then I would have though it has dragons as the pickups - I've got a 94 ce22 and it handles metal very well. The guys in karnivool use CE's so I'd say you can't go wrong!
 
vim fuego said:
If it's a 96 CE22 then I would have though it has dragons as the pickups - I've got a 94 ce22 and it handles metal very well. The guys in karnivool use CE's so I'd say you can't go wrong!
Click to expand...

I thought it would have had the dragons also, but he tells me they are the original pick ups and are HFS. Maybe he is incorrect?
 
It looks like the case tape on the CU says it's a 10 top. Could be the photo isn't showing how good of a top it really is. Both look great. I'd go with the CE, but I'm partial to them. I'd also swap pups, but I'm probably in the minority. I just never got along with the HFS and Vintage Bass pups.

Good luck. I think the good news is that you can't really go wrong!
 
Im going for a road trip to play the CE tomorrow and there's a big chance my wallet will be empty before I get around to the CU24 :)
thanks for all the advice and input guys, I always enjoy coming on here for info.
 
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