Looking for my first PRS - custom 24, 22, McCarty 594, or semi-hollows of each?

[Danny G]

Hey all! I’ve been lusting after a PRS after playing a few at a local guitar store about two years ago - custom 24, 22, and mccarty. I was blown away by how awesome all of them felt! Now, it’s time for me to finally get one.

I have an 05 62 Strat remake and a 2019 Gibson R9. Therefore, I want a PRS that is going to be different enough to “fit” between them. I play a lot of John Mayer, RHCP, foo fighters, 70/80s rock, and the heaviest I ever get is Metallica.

I enjoyed the pattern, pattern thin, and pattern vintage on one of the McCartys I tried, but I slightly preferred the normal pattern. Therefore, the neck pattern isn’t a huge issue to me.

My take from doing almost two years of research is the McCarty 594 has a Les Paul “vintage” tone while maintaining a modern feel. I like the thought of that, but I’m not sure if that can justify buying a new guitar that’s similar to my R9.

The allure to the custom 24 for me is that it’s the quintessential PRS guitar and its versatility. My only drawback is I rarely play that high up on the neck that I doubt the extra 2 frets is worth it to me. Then that brings the custom 22 into the discussion. I’ve read multiple posts saying the custom 22 is also very “Les Paul” like.

The last factor is if I should go for a semihollow version. I’ve always lusted after a Gibson ES-335 type tone after seeing Dave Grohl play live, but I don’t like how large the body is as I find it a bit uncomfortable. Would a semihollow McCarty 594 be different enough than my LP, or would a custom 22/24 (or even a semi hollow version) of those be a better choice?

In summary, I want a PRS that will fit between my strat and LP, but there are so many damn options that I need your guys’ help!

I’m only looking to buy one ... for now!

 

[Ovibos]

For me the extra 2 frets are more about moving the neck pickup to a less bassy position

 

[Stephen J.]

Careful, or you are going to end up with a Strat and Les Paul that collect dust.

From what you have described, I would think a Custom 22 with the Pattern neck profile would probably make you happy and you would never look back. All of them are great guitars, so that is probably true for any of them. I think the ergonomics of the guitars is where I am the most sensitive. Other people don’t care. I have a hard time comparing PRS tones to Gibson because I can’t play a Gibson long enough to really know what it can do.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Dweebs]

My opinion, not that it's worth much, is as follows. You've clearly spent lots of time reading about the differences between the different models, and how they'd differ from what you have now. Realistically and i may be shot for saying this, i'm pretty sure looking at the bands you've listed you could quite easily get pretty damn close to most of the tones of those artists have using either the strat or les paul. So if it were me, rather than look at 'what prs can i get that will sit perfectly between these 2 guitars' I'd do what you did a couple years ago, go play a few at your local store, have a look online, and one of them will scream out to you, and you'll love it, and that's the one you should buy. Even if it's the sounds / feels exactly like something you already have. I've just ordered mine, I'm on a 6-9 month wait for a s2 custom 24 35th anniversary. I had a normal s2 custom 24 in the same color in my hand in the store that I could have bought there and then, but I really wanted the 35th anniversary, so i'm gonna wait. My advice would be the same, find one you think 'I love this' and then buy it.

Good luck on your searches my man, and regardless of what you get, i'm sure you'll love it.

 

[21Hemispheres12]

Based on what you said I’d go for either a Custom 24 or semi hollow 594. I have a Les Paul G0, semi hollow 594 and Custom 24-08 and they are all very different animals. The 594 with it’s low output pickups and semi hollow body sounds very big and airy but still has nice top end too, it reminds me very much of a Collings I35LC. The 24-08 can really do anything and is my most played guitar now, I can easily go from metal to classic rock to great single coil clean tones with my Helix. My Les Paul has Wolfetone Marshallheads in it so it’s pretty much just a straight rock/80s metal beast, tons of mid drive but still decent cleans.

If I had to keep only one guitar though it would definitely be my 24-08, as much as I love the other two that one just seems to fit my overall style the best.

 

[dogrocketp]

I’d limit my search to a CE24 or a custom 24. The 30th Anni S2 Custom 24 would be well worth the wait. I played only 22 fret guitars for about 40 years. I love my 24 fretters because they sound different in a really good way. Of course, I still have 22 fretters.

 

[veinbuster]

A 594 will give you a Les Paul sound, but it won’t play anything like your R9.

A custom will get you farther away for the R9 tone, quite far if that is what you are looking for. I don’t feel semi hollow changes the sound that much - it is lighter and a good look though.

 

[Silvertree]

Custom 24.

 

[Danny G]

I truly appreciate all of your replies which have all given me good insight. It’s honestly a bit frustrating that all of these are “good choices” but it’s also comforting knowing that PRS doesn’t have a terrible guitar in its lineup meaning I can’t go wrong with what I end up choosing. I’d still love to hear more opinions and differing perspectives!

 

[Aahzz]

Add me to the Custom 24 group in answering this. No, you may not use the 2 extra frets, but relocating the neck pickup to accommodate those 2 frets gives it a different voice. I find it clearer and more pleasing. You may have the same experience...

 

[Mozzi]

If you are sticking to a Cu22, 24 or 594, the guitar that fits 'most' in between the Strat and R9 is the Custom 24. Whether you play those extra 2 frets or not is not really the point. The point is that because of those 2 extra frets, the Neck pickup is closer to the bridge which gives a 'different' sound to a 22 fret neck guitar and also why its going to be the most 'different' from the R9 too.

The 594 could essentially replace your R9 - although there are some subtle differences and of course, you get coil splits too. Its also going to be the most familiar due to its layout but realistically, its the most similar guitar to an R9 in PRS's current line-up.

The Custom 22 is somewhere in between the Cu24 and 594 as it offers the same layout, trem and pickup selection choices as the regular Custom 24 (although there are a variety of different versions of Cu24's available) and will sound a bit more like a LP because of the neck Pup placement. Of course both the Cu22 and Cu24 have a few 'split' coil options from its 5-way that you won't get on an R9.

The neck carve on each of these is different. The Cu24 offers a choice of Thin or Regular which is a bit narrower at the nut but a bit thicker. The Cu22 has the same thicker neck as Pattern regular with the same nut width as the Pattern Thin, and the 594 has a shorter scale and thicker, asymmetric Pattern Vintage neck - same width as the Thin and Pattern neck of the others. As such, each may feel a bit different to you too. The Customs are thinner bodies as well so that may be something to consider but both are more modern instruments compared to the Vintage inspired 594.

As far as whether or not to consider the Semi-hollow options, I think these add very subtle impact to the tone and the biggest advantage is weight relief - not that these guitars are all that heavy (depending on what you consider heavy of course). I do like the look of F-holes myself so I think that adds to its aesthetic as well.

There are a number of other guitars available and a few variations on each of these two. It really comes down to what you want first as a 2nd, 3rd etc soon follow. The Custom 24 is perhaps the closest to the 'middle' between a strat and LP in the range and the guitar that is perhaps the most 'PRS' of them all. That being said, they all offer something 'more' than you can get from either of your guitars and increase your options. Everyone of the Core guitar models are superb, incredibly consistent and exceptional instruments so it really comes down to what flavour you prefer or need.

 

[bodia]

Don’t listen to these guys.

What you really need to take a look at is the Custom 22 Special Semi-Hollow Limited. Seriously, take a look at these. If all else fails, buy a Santana!

Welcome to the forum, and good luck on your hunt!

 

[Warmart]

CU24 or Santana for your 1st PRS. 2nd, 3rd, 4th are up to you.

 

[Rider1260]

Don’t listen to these guys.

What you really need to take a look at is the Custom 22 Special Semi-Hollow Limited. Seriously, take a look at these. If all else fails, buy a Santana!

Welcome to the forum, and good luck on your hunt!

What Bodia said is 100% correct !!!! "Custom 22 Special Semi Hollow Limited" is what you need
Others to look at

408
509 / 513
DGT
A regular McCarty ( not the 594 )


Iqemej by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152274366@N08/

 

[Danny G]

What Bodia said is 100% correct !!!! "Custom 22 Special Semi Hollow Limited" is what you need
Others to look at

408
509 / 513
DGT
A regular McCarty ( not the 594 )


Iqemej by

Holy **** that’s a beaut! I’ve never seen the special 22 ... or maybe I have. I’ve seen a custom 22 semi hollow, but I don’t think it was the “special”

 

[Mozzi]

The Special is a 'special' instrument and well worth checking out. Its a Custom 22 with extra versatility...

I have one of these too...

 

[bodia]

Plus, you said you’re into Mayer. The Cu22 SSH is based off of the Super Eagle he had built for the first round of Dead & Company gigs.

 

[Callan]

The custom platform is awesome, I'll think you'll be happy with any of the variations.
I love my cu22 - it's my number one gigging guitar for sure.
My cu24 from 2012 was my number one for a while, but the thin neck was smaller, and I needed a bit of time switching between it and something a bit thicker.

For this reason, my vote is a cu22 - any of them

Semi hollow is another flavor, as is the special.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them brand new.
Second hand, older ones might have pickups or switching that might be less desirable (personal opinion).

I would also look at the hollowbody 2, fantastic guitars that can give a great flavor to rock sounds.
(HBii is my current #2 for gigging)

 

[Danny G]

The Special is a 'special' instrument and well worth checking out. Its a Custom 22 with extra versatility...

I have one of these too...

Mozzi, I’ve read some of your older posts from 2019 when you got the SSH. If you had to pick one between your CU24 and the SSH, what would it be? Which one is more special to you?

 

[Mozzi]

Mozzi, I’ve read some of your older posts from 2019 when you got the SSH. If you had to pick one between your CU24 and the SSH, what would it be? Which one is more special to you?

Different flavours. All my guitars are regular Core guitars that perform a role in my collection. Like trying to pick between a Strat or Les Paul, they both are the right tool for certain jobs and the 'best' is the one that fits the job you want/need to do.

The Cu24 is, as I explained above, different from the Cu22 and an LP because of the different position relative to the bridge of the neck Pickup. That gives it a different sound in 4 out of the 5 positions of the 5-way and, because of the neck joining the body at a higher fret, has slightly better higher fret access - even if you don't use 23/24 a lot (if ever), if can still make reaching fret 20 or 21 easier for example. The 85/15's are quite a modern sounding pickup so its great if I want something different to a 'classic' Les Paul type sound.

The Special Semi-Hollow is a Custom 22 with many more options. Effectively a Custom 22-08 with the added Narrowfield giving 4 more variations on tonal options - 12 options in total. That gives you a LOT more ways to tweak the sound to taste. It comes with the 58/15 MT's which are a bit more like a classic LP too - a bit more punch than the 58/15 LT's in the 594 so again 'different' from the Custom 24 and being a semi-hollow, doesn't weigh a lot either. I say its the most versatile 'double' humbucker guitar I have - I know it has 3 pickups - but you can still only use 2 together at any one time (without modding). Its certainly more on the Gibson side....

I think if I didn't have either right now, I would be looking to pick up the Special as a priority - mostly because PRS are no longer making these and its the closest to a Super Eagle I think I will ever get. The Custom 24 is such a great instrument too BUT I would know that PRS will be making these for a LONG time as its their most iconic instrument so I would know I could find one at anytime in the future - new or used. From that perspective, I guess the Special is more 'special' because its a Limited Edition. As these get bought up, you will have fewer and fewer options to pick the top or colour you want so I would probably prioritise that. Its also the reason I bought a Charcoal Cherry Burst because they weren't taking orders, no more were being 'made' (only those already ordered) and therefore I had to find the 'next' best if I wanted one. If a Cu24 isn't available right now in a colour or top you like, you can wait until you find one and there is a LOT more choice anyway.

Maybe the way to look at it is that the SSH is a 'version' of the Custom22 along with the Cu22 Piezo and the Cu24 has a few versions too - Piezo, 24-08, Floyd. Therefore, the same principal applies to a degree as I said above in my first message. If you decide the Cu22 is the way to go for you, then the Special is probably the one to go for unless you want a Piezo or 85/15's. If you want to go for the Cu24, you still have to decide which particular variation and neck carve you prefer or if its the 594, its Single or Double Cut. The Cu24 is still going to be the guitar that sits more in between the Strat and Les Paul with all the others being more on the Gibson side - just different flavours and with varying extra options as well