Next PRS?!

[alex1fly]

This started as a techie discussion where I was listing out differences in tech specs between models, but it got long and hairy (perfect joke opportunity) so I'm attempting to suss it down into something more manageable.

I've had a SE Custom 24 for a couple months. You can see it in my avatar (are they still called avatars?). Love it, didn't know what I was missing by playing mainly Strats for the last 20 years, want to try more PRS guitars.

In your opinion(s), where does the Custom fit, tonally/musically/spiritually within the SE line? What does it do well, and what does it fall short at?

What models should I look at next? I play mainly jazz, funk, blues, rock, prog, but also dabble with metal, country, and plain jane open chord folk-ey type songs. I would consider getting another PRS to compliment the SE Custom, or even replacing it with something that's a better fit.

Thanks, Alex

 

[veinbuster]

I think the custom 24 is a great all purpose guitar. I don’t think it really falls short anywhere, except perhaps sounding like a strat. But that was never its job.

For something in a different tonal space, I would try something hollow. Zach Meyers were really popular, for example.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I think the custom 24 is a great all purpose guitar. I don’t think it really falls short anywhere, except perhaps sounding like a strat. But that was never its job.

For something in a different tonal space, I would try something hollow. Zach Meyers were really popular, for example.

Plus if you buy used there are some really top notch bargains out there.

 

[alex1fly]

I find the split coil mode on the Custom to be really close to the Strat sound with the exception of the middle pickup sound or the notch tones. For neck only and bridge only, it's about as similar to a Strat as one Strat is to another. It even has the trem spring reverberation (where's the eyeroll emoji?!)

 

[Mozzi]

As a mainly strat player, the Custom 24 kind of sits somewhere between a Strat and a Les Paul so I would probably consider the SE245 as that is more on LP side. I don't believe that certain guitars are specific to a genre and can be used for anything. I think its more about whether you like the way it sounds and plays and using that to play the music you want rather than being restricted to use a guitar for a specific genre only.

Of course there are other guitars in the SE range so you have quite a bit of choice - inc Hollowbodies, signature modes etc. A Hollowbody could well be a good option to consider too as something different to add to your toolbox of options...

 

[bodia]

Ummm....Santana is the correct answer!

 

[Frank McNerney]

Ummm....Santana is the correct answer!

True that !

 

[Egads]

Are you wanting to stay in the SE range? There are quite a few used S2s in the new SE price range. There are quite a few used CEs in the the upper end of the SE range and all over the S2 range...

 

[Stephen J.]

In your opinion(s), where does the Custom fit, tonally/musically/spiritually within the SE line? What does it do well, and what does it fall short at?

What models should I look at next?

The Custom 24 is kind of the hub that all the other models revolve around. They come and go, but it is pretty much the mainstay that does everything well.
Have you looked at the Hollowbody II, Hollowbody Standard or Starla? Those might be the furthest departure from the 24.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I recently got offered an NF3 for new SE HB money. Probably the bargain of the century.

I was so tempted, but financial sense prevailed.

“What an idiot Alnus!”

 

[ViperDoc]

FIVENINEFOURWITHOUTHESITATION.

 

[Tonart]

Ultimately all models from PRS or any other brand are mainly permutations of:
- Singlecut vs doublecut (huge tonal difference)
- Trem vs stoptail (ditto)
- Humbucker vs singlecoil (ditto)

The opposite of those permutations to a custom would be an SC245 or SC594 with coil splits, or maybe a Paul’s guitar with stoptail.

 

[shinksma]

Lots of good suggestions here.

A singlecut with stop tail is probably a good counterpoint to your CU24. Whether you go SE (Zach Myers), S2 (594), or core (too many to list, esp. if you buy used) will depend on your budget.

The SE Holcomb (6 or SVN) will get you into metal-djent territory. Though I'm annoyed at him for being a jerk.

The SE Hollowbody (either variation) is a nice option too - Epi Casino type territory, from what I gather.

An S2 Vela will get you into country-rock territory. Find a semi-hollow, maybe.

 

[AragonWingfoot]

I guess it depends on how much you’re willing to spend, if you want a core that’s versatile try to find a used 509. The 509 can do everything imaginable, especially what you mentioned. If you’re looking to try to stay SE, I’ve heard lots of good things about the new SE Hollow-bodies. I personally have a wood library Hollowbody and love it to death.

 

[dogrocketp]

First, the custom has to stay. It is the basic building block for a guitar player. I’d go play an SE hollowbody standard, and an SE hollowbody ll if I were you. I had a hollowbody core spruce top for two weeks, and didn’t bond at all. I grew up playing archtops, still have a couple and wanted a thinner, lighter one to play. I’ve tried most everything over the years and nothing quite hit the spot. I played the standard, and bingo! You can get the woody, smokey archtop sound on the neck pickup, a good R n’b tone with the middle setting, and a more rock oriented sound with the bridge. It weighs nothing, and the tone control gives you good sound change. You’d then have solid and hollow, two of the basic musical food groups.

 

[alex1fly]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and for contextualizing the SE Custom within the SE line! It is a great guitar and as I rotate through the stable I'm impressed at how good the neck feels and how well it stays in tune all over the fretboard. The neck is definitely the widest of any guitar I've owned but it doesn't feel chunky - just great.

I'm torn between getting another PRS because I'm darn sure I'll love it, versus getting something with a middle single coil which is what I need the most looking at it objectively. Does PRS make any besides the Silver Sky and 509?

 

[bodia]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and for contextualizing the SE Custom within the SE line! It is a great guitar and as I rotate through the stable I'm impressed at how good the neck feels and how well it stays in tune all over the fretboard. The neck is definitely the widest of any guitar I've owned but it doesn't feel chunky - just great.

I'm torn between getting another PRS because I'm darn sure I'll love it, versus getting something with a middle single coil which is what I need the most looking at it objectively. Does PRS make any besides the Silver Sky and 509?

If your ok with buying used, you can look for the DC-3, 305 and NF-3

 

[Stephen J.]

If your ok with buying used, you can look for the DC-3, 305 and NF-3

Used Swamp Ash Specials go for pretty low prices as far as USA made PRS guitars go.
Brent Mason Signatures are also available and the occasional Special. EG series from earlier production years.

 

[Egads]

Used Swamp Ash Specials go for pretty low prices as far as USA made PRS guitars go.
Brent Mason Signatures are also available and the occasional Special. EG series from earlier production years.

If you see a BM for SE or S2 prices LET ME KNOW! I really should have bought any of the ones I was watching when they were around $1500. The color was never perfect, and I stupidly assumed they would be around.

 

[Stephen J.]

If you see a BM for SE or S2 prices LET ME KNOW! I really should have bought any of the ones I was watching when they were around $1500. The color was never perfect, and I stupidly assumed they would be around.

It seems like the price of the Brent Masons went from around $1,500 to well over $2,000 fairly recently. I was lucky and got mine used while they were still in production. I would like to get a maple fretboard one as well, but that’s not going to happen.
I think the Swamp Ash Special is still a great guitar for the money opportunity these days. Three way toggle or five way blade. They sound great. They play great. They look great.