Custom 24 or 30th anniversary custom 24??

[bruno_k]

Hi! I have a Custom 24 SE and -meanwhile- like playing on it more than on my other guitars. And for that reason...I decided to go for a US-made Custom 24! But there are choices!! The problem is: I am unable to decide:dontknow: to go for a:
-Custom 24 or a
-30th anniversary Custom 24

In germany the Custom 24 is considerably cheaper (about 400 to 700 Euros) as compared to the 30th anniversary model. The 30th anniversary model has the new pups (85/15) and some bling effects (hybrid hardware, line in the fingerboard, nice headstock). On the other side the material of the birds on the custom 24 (for me) looks nicer (as compared to 30th anniversary model).

a) Is the 30th anniversary worth the price difference. What do you think?
b) Is there a relevant or only "slight" difference between 59/09 and the new 85/15 pickups?
(ps: I had the posibility to play a 30th anniversary, but do not have the chance to compare it to the standard us custom 24)
(ps 2 blood orange or jade??? )
Thanks!!

 

[Suppalak Klabdee]

The Custom 24 30th Anniversary really is special.

Mine is Jade, and really love it!

 

[Drew]

eh...the 30ths are more about bling. Sound-wise, both are very close. I believe the 15 pickups are hotter. I personally like the regular CU24s better than the 30ths. Purfling always screams asian-made guitar to me. Am I a cork sniffer for thinking that? Darn right. The birds on the regular model are way better. MOP is plain jane to me. IMO, the cost isn't worth it for what is essentially just a different set of pickups.

 

[László]

eh...the 30ths are more about bling. Sound-wise, both are very close.

I'm going to bet you haven't lived with the 85/15 pickups for any length of time. They're the most incredible pickups I've ever encountered on a guitar of this style. They're very clear, open, have a gorgeous high end, and a tight bottom. I love them, and while I really like the 59/09s too, I think these are more interesting and versatile pickups.

As to the bling, well, that'a a personal consideration of course.

 

[Solteroblues]

I also agree that if it were me, I'd go for the regular CU24 and skip the 30th... And I owned a 30th for a very short time, but I also did not like the birds as much

 

[GTinSpanishFort]

I like the birds but, the pickups(85/15's) in my 30th Cu24 are noisy. So much so that I sent it back to sweetwater for repair. Also, I notice a very slight pop when going to the 4th and 2nd position of the 5 way. I will say, I recently tried another cu24 that had the same pop except only in the 4th position. I asked the shop owner why the guitar did that and he gave me a smart answer that it was something in my body that made the guitar do that. Well, I've played other cu24's and 22's that did not pop in anyway when switching. Also, I played an artist package cu24 this past weekend that had 59/09's supposedly(at least that's what guitar center salesman said) and the pickups and switching were completely silent. I'm actually debating either a) selling or trading the 30th or b) changing out the pickups for 59/09's or some bare knuckles. Sweetwater evaluated it and compared it to another 30th cu24 and also emailed the tech center at prs. They decided that the pickups and switching were functioning as designed. Their exact words. I will say it sounds great clean but, I haven't directly compared it to another cu24 but, I will. I'll be taking mine to another store to compare to a regular cu24, not artist package- want to make the fight fair.

 

[Whitecat]

I prefer the sound of the 30th (which will be mainly because of those pickups). In fact I prefer it to any CU24 that ever came before it. Never desired a CU24 very strongly before but I consider the 30th edition a must-have. It's an order of magnitude better, IMO.

Tone is purely subjective though, so if possible, try both!

 

[Suppalak Klabdee]

Definitely it is not about blings. I do not like the 30th anniversary birds at all (although that purfling is something that I always like and always on my want list). Moreover, I have never actually found any, again, any Custom 24 that I like. The neck pickup somehow always sound weird to me, somewhat muddy and not clear definition.

The 85/15 on the other hand, is very lively. No mud to be found. Every notes, in every pickup position, ring out clearly with great definition. Even with higher gain, it still hold itself really well.

Anyway, that is just me. People have their own preference so the best way is to try both and ask yourself what you prefer.

 

[Whitecat]

I should say too that the birds look better in person/up close than they do in pics... in photos they almost look like S2 birds, which I can't stand, but they are more subtle/pretty in hand.

 

[bruno_k]

THX very much guys for your helpful comments. I would go for the regular Custom 24, if there wouldnt be that hype on the new 85/15s...

 

[HANGAR18]

30th Anniversary models are awesome!

 

[Spikedog007]

Can't help on the PUP question since my CU24 has HFS/VB (which I really like), but as for color choice, my vote is for Jade. I love that color, much more than blood orange. My $.02

 

[bruno_k]

The decision has been made: just ordered the 30th Ann Cu24 - mainly cause of those new pickups (which I played with an Orange Amp and liked very much). Since it is not on stock with "pattern thin" (which I prefer) it is now ordered in the US and I have to wait...(4-6 month or even more ). But when the time is over a dream comes true...(anticipation is half the fun...roud. Thanks again for your help.

 

[László]

The decision has been made: just ordered the 30th Ann Cu24 - mainly cause of those new pickups (which I played with an Orange Amp and liked very much). Since it is not on stock with "pattern thin" (which I prefer) it is now ordered in the US and I have to wait...(4-6 month or even more ). But when the time is over a dream comes true...(anticipation is half the fun...roud. Thanks again for your help.

Nice! I'll give you some positive reinforcement: good choice!

 

[Spikedog007]

So which color did you choose?

 

[IRG]

Along similar lines, I'm not sure what the difference is between the S2 Custom 24, and the S2 Custom 24 30th Anniv. Same price, the 30th Anniv has I think the same specs, but less color choices. They seem close to identical otherwise.

 

[drdoom8793]

Along similar lines, I'm not sure what the difference is between the S2 Custom 24, and the S2 Custom 24 30th Anniv. Same price, the 30th Anniv has I think the same specs, but less color choices. They seem close to identical otherwise.

AFAIK, the S2 24 and the S2 24 30th Anny are identical spec-wise. However, in my experience, I've preferred the S2 30th Anny over the regular S2 24. I'm assuming this is just the difference of guitars more so than an actual difference between the models.

 

[Chemist24]

Great choice on the 30th anniversary! You won't regret it!

 

[Whitecat]

I really think you made an excellent choice. What colour did you choose?

 

[bruno_k]

I really think you made an excellent choice. What colour did you choose?

Blood orange! Jade is also very cool. So, the colour for the my next PRS is already set