Opinions welcomed

[bodia]

So, I'm making a 5 hour trip to a prs dealer in Wisconsin in early May intent to spend some of my hard earned money. I've been looking through their substantial prs stock for weeks trying to narrow down my options. Initially I was positive it would be a Brushstroke 24, but as the days drag on my fortitude seems to be waivering. Now it could be the Brushstroke, or a Tremonti, or maybe a DGT, or a semi-hollow Cu24, or plain old Cu24. Ultimately, it will come down to what feels best when I get there and can touch them all. Just looking for some insight from the masses on my choices. My playing interests lean towards classic rock/metal....rush, priest, maiden....and the blues of srv, clapton, et al. Feedback from anyone that owns one of the aforementioned models would be more than welcome.

 

[DHW]

Has to be Dave's. Their stock will fit right in with what you are looking to play. most of their custom stock is hfs/vb which are hot but can be dialed back just finE. Their pictures, while good, don't capture the essence on many of the prsi they have. The tremontis are amazing. The brushstrokes look much better in person. There's some tops in there that stand out from across the store. You won't go wrong, that's for sure. Make sure you hit the upstairs to see Dave's personal collection while you are there.

 

[AaeCee]

I'd take a hard look at the new 30th Anniversary Cu24's with 85/15 pickups. Everything I see and hear about them so far says they're an incredible package. A few guys on this forum have posted rave reviews about them.

 

[wardog]

Semi cus 24. Gets my vote. I know it will not have the new pickups, but I think it will definitely cover the music you play.

 

[watelessness]

buy one of each because you know you're going to do it eventually so why wait? :creep:

but seriously, you're going to have tons of versatility out of them all. Playability > Tone > Looks. sort out the ones that feel best in your hands then get the one with the best tone.

but really, buy all the things!

 

[CVS]

Go for the CU24 - I have had one for years - a great guitar & I am sure with the new pickups - even better. I have used it for blues & classic rock extensively.

 

[andy474x]

If it were me, I'd go for the brushstroke 24 - it's a custom 24 but with the most versatile pickup system.

 

[Rachmaninoff]

My playing interests lean towards classic rock/metal....rush, priest, maiden....and the blues of srv, clapton, et al. Feedback from anyone that owns one of the aforementioned models would be more than welcome.

I also play this stuff (among other things), and my plain old Custom 24 with HFS+Vintage covers it all. It's a workhorse, very dependable instrument.

 

[László]

It's entirely irrelevant which one you pick, they'll all do what you want. It's only a matter of choosing a flavor. Play them all and see what works best for you.

 

[DHW]

I don't think they have anything but hfs or 57/08 in any of the customs. The stock is a bit dated in that regard and their sales managaer said they wouldn't be ordering new inventory until they sell through what they have. They'll order out of prs inventory or custom order though.

 

[Zafu]

bodia, can't make a suggestion because I'm fairly new to PRS. Just ordered a Cu 24 Anniversary which will be my first PRS. Sounds like you're getting good advice and believe once you are there and able to hold and play each of these, the answer will be revealed. It would be awesome if you were able to take some pics during your visit and share them.

Good luck.

 

[vox801]

I would suggest you see which feels best in your hands.... As you really can't go wrong with any of the models. You'll know when you pick it up.

 

[bodia]

Hey, thanks for all of the input and the votes. I probably should have noted that this will be an addition to the stable. PRSi currently include a 2008 Cu22, a Bernie from 2013, and a 2011 Studio (in addition to an 89 MIJ Strat, ebmm JPX and Sterling JP70). I previously had a '99 McCarty which I let go in 2000, and a 2003 Cu24 and a SC (2001 or 2002), that I had to sell when the taxman came calling in 2008. Ultimately, it comes down to which feels and sounds the best.

The store in question is indeed Dave's. Disappointed that they don't have any new stock, but there has to be over 200 PRSi to pick from. Easily able to play (almost) anything I am looking for, and then some. I stopped in there back in October driving from Chicago to the Black Hills on vacation. Didn't have room at the time to add anything else to the vehicle. I've been trying to figure out a way to convince the wife to go back to Lacrosse since then. Turns out a long weekend drive down the Mississippi River for Mother's Day did the trick. Even got the green light on the addition (which is key as she's becoming more aware of what's hanging on the wall. Can't sneak them in anymore).

And yes watelessness, while I have no intention of owning all of them, I'm sure I will!

 

[ChrisCst22]

Get a little air in that body! Semi hollow!

 

[Drew]

Daves has a ton of the NOS 2007 Brazillian boarded PRS in stock, including a lot of artist topped stuff. That is what I'd be after. Sure, they don't have the newer pickups, but their prices are great.

 

[DHW]

Hey, thanks for all of the input and the votes. I probably should have noted that this will be an addition to the stable. PRSi currently include a 2008 Cu22, a Bernie from 2013, and a 2011 Studio (in addition to an 89 MIJ Strat, ebmm JPX and Sterling JP70). I previously had a '99 McCarty which I let go in 2000, and a 2003 Cu24 and a SC (2001 or 2002), that I had to sell when the taxman came calling in 2008. Ultimately, it comes down to which feels and sounds the best.

The store in question is indeed Dave's. Disappointed that they don't have any new stock, but there has to be over 200 PRSi to pick from. Easily able to play (almost) anything I am looking for, and then some. I stopped in there back in October driving from Chicago to the Black Hills on vacation. Didn't have room at the time to add anything else to the vehicle. I've been trying to figure out a way to convince the wife to go back to Lacrosse since then. Turns out a long weekend drive down the Mississippi River for Mother's Day did the trick. Even got the green light on the addition (which is key as she's becoming more aware of what's hanging on the wall. Can't sneak them in anymore).

And yes watelessness, while I have no intention of owning all of them, I'm sure I will!

Do you guys like spicy food or cajun in general? If so, down by the river there is a Buzzard Billies. I grew up an hour from Lacrosse but we don't get back there very often but when we do that's a must stop place while we are in town! There's some beautiful country around there to see for sure.

Be sure to cruise up to grandad's bluff too. You can see the entire river valley from there, breath taking.

 

[Whitecat]

I'd take a hard look at the new 30th Anniversary Cu24's with 85/15 pickups. Everything I see and hear about them so far says they're an incredible package. A few guys on this forum have posted rave reviews about them.

This. To my ears it's the best sounding CU24 they've ever made.

 

[shinksma]

I have offered no "vote", because I think all those guitars are similar enough that you will find the guitar that speaks to you by playing it rather than by pre-sorting by "type". The Brushstroke 24 is kinda neat, the Semi-Hollow CU24 will give you a slight variation in tone from a solid CU24, blah blah blah. It all sounds good on paper to say how one will differ from the next, but what really counts is when you pick up the guitars - one of them will speak to you more than the rest.

If they all speak to you the same (and are all excellent), then you have a truly fortuitous situation, and I would select the one that looks nicest. I'd be angling for a nice quilted 10-top, but I'm not you...

 

[László]

This. To my ears it's the best sounding CU24 they've ever made.

+1

 

[zebraprs]

Brushstroke 24... Beautiful guitars. but it is not like a Custom 24 at all. it is more like a 24fret Paul's Guitar. I had one hoping it would have all the warmth of a PG. but it was much brighter than I wanted. Great Guitar for sure, just not what I was looking for tone wise.

If it were me, I'd go for the brushstroke 24 - it's a custom 24 but with the most versatile pickup system.