Hi everyone, this is my first post. I want to buy a core PRS, but I can’t decide between a custom 24 or a DGT. They are very different models, but they are the 2 that intrigue me. With covid (and my local GC having not having a DGT) I decided to order an SE standard 24 so I can get a basic idea of what the scale length and 24 frets felt like.
I’ve played for 30 years. Mostly Gibson and Fender, I also have a few inexpensive guitars. But I’ve never played a 24 fret guitar, or one with a 25” scale. $500 seemed really good for what is offered on this model. I had no illusions that it would be some amazing guitar, but I figured it would at LEAST be similar quality to a $400 squire classic vibe or $500 Epiphone.
Guitar showed up with some issues that were the fault of the retailer, not PRS. So I had to return it. But playability wasn’t affected, so I had almost a full day to try it out before shipping it back.
First impressions: feels cheap, almost toy-like. Felt like I could break it in half with my bare hands and I’m not a strong guy. By comparison, the Squire classic vibe tele I have is better in every single way. The squire feels like a solid, legit instrument. Better pots, better fit & finish, better tuners, better nut, etc. I was under the impression that the se standard is just like the more expensive ($800+) SE custom 24. Only difference being the maple cap & veneer on the custom. I was told this standard 24 has the same pickups, pots, nut, tuners, Trem, etc, as the custom 24 SE models. If that’s true, I wouldn’t buy an SE for half price. Im guessing the older Korean ones are far & away better.
I can say without hesitation, this is the cheapest-feeling guitar I’ve played in recent memory. My best guess is that PRS went all-in on making the standard 24 LOOK nice, i.e. binding, birds, Paul’s sig, zebra pups, etc. But quality simply wasn’t there in any aspect.
I won’t let this dissuade me from buying a core model. But man, Paul should not be putting his name on this. It’s bad for his reputation in my very humble opinion. My 2 cents anyhow.
I’ve played for 30 years. Mostly Gibson and Fender, I also have a few inexpensive guitars. But I’ve never played a 24 fret guitar, or one with a 25” scale. $500 seemed really good for what is offered on this model. I had no illusions that it would be some amazing guitar, but I figured it would at LEAST be similar quality to a $400 squire classic vibe or $500 Epiphone.
Guitar showed up with some issues that were the fault of the retailer, not PRS. So I had to return it. But playability wasn’t affected, so I had almost a full day to try it out before shipping it back.
First impressions: feels cheap, almost toy-like. Felt like I could break it in half with my bare hands and I’m not a strong guy. By comparison, the Squire classic vibe tele I have is better in every single way. The squire feels like a solid, legit instrument. Better pots, better fit & finish, better tuners, better nut, etc. I was under the impression that the se standard is just like the more expensive ($800+) SE custom 24. Only difference being the maple cap & veneer on the custom. I was told this standard 24 has the same pickups, pots, nut, tuners, Trem, etc, as the custom 24 SE models. If that’s true, I wouldn’t buy an SE for half price. Im guessing the older Korean ones are far & away better.
I can say without hesitation, this is the cheapest-feeling guitar I’ve played in recent memory. My best guess is that PRS went all-in on making the standard 24 LOOK nice, i.e. binding, birds, Paul’s sig, zebra pups, etc. But quality simply wasn’t there in any aspect.
I won’t let this dissuade me from buying a core model. But man, Paul should not be putting his name on this. It’s bad for his reputation in my very humble opinion. My 2 cents anyhow.
