PRS CE 24 or PRS S2 Custom 24?

nuuttinyyssonen

New Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2022
Messages
3
Hello guys, I've had an Epiphone les paul for about two years now and I was thinking of upgrading my guitar to either PRS Ce 24 or S2 custom 24. Cheapest S2 Custom 24 is around 2000€ that I can buy and there is only one CE 24 (somewhat close to me) which is 2021 model and it is used for about 1800€. New CE 24s cost around 2500€. I was wondering which one could be a better pick for me. I like the feeling of a les paul and especially the action in les paul has been fantastic. I play mostly metal and rock, so I'm not much of a clean tone type of guy. I've heard the pickups in CE 24 are much better than in S2's. Are they only good for clean tones and rock or are they good for metal as well? And what about the feeling of the CE 24? Is the action (string height from the fretboard) as good as in my les paul's? I hope some of you might be able to help me with my decision. And also I can't really test the CE 24 because the guitar store that have it, is about 300km away from my home.

Thank you.
 
The CE has a better finish and better pickups I feel. Others might disagree. Also has a thinner neck profile if that matters to you. Both will have 24 frets where you are accustomed to 22 frets. I sold one of my 24 fret guitars recently. Just could not get used to 24 frets. Might not be an issue for you.
 
Welcome, and be aware that any answers here will be to encourage you to buy and buy again. Please note that discussion of new prices is disallowed by forum rules.

The two models are very similar - same 25" scale, same 10" radius, same import bridge, same neck carve. PRS can be set up to play pretty much however you want. It'll be a bit different than your LP, mostly due to a floating vibrato bridge.

PRS actually got pigeonholed for a while as nu-metal guitars, some of the pickups are pretty hot. The USA 85/15 in the CE are kind of "modern PAF" in my mind. Not crazy hot, but better clarity and separation than vintage. They also split nicely.

The biggest differences in my mind between the two are pickups and body.

The S2 has the imported "S" versions of the 85/15. It's supposed to be pretty much the same pickup as the CE, but reviews on that vary.

The S2 tops are gonna be much less fancy than the CE tops, and the carve is a bit different. Some people prefer the S2 carve for comfort reasons.
 
The CE has a better finish and better pickups I feel. Others might disagree. Also has a thinner neck profile if that matters to you. Both will have 24 frets where you are accustomed to 22 frets. I sold one of my 24 fret guitars recently. Just could not get used to 24 frets. Might not be an issue for you.
Pretty sure they're both Pattern Thin these days. There used to be Pattern Regular S2s but that's pretty much over.
 
I wouldn't compare either to a Les Paul. So the enabler answer is get the CE and down the road pick up a S2 single cut S2 594 for your Les Paul. Or vice versa.

Of the two I'd get the CE for the price and pickups. Nothing wrong with the S2 Cu24, but my personal preference is the CE.
 
I wouldn't compare either to a Les Paul. So the enabler answer is get the CE and down the road pick up a S2 single cut S2 594 for your Les Paul. Or vice versa.

Of the two I'd get the CE for the price and pickups. Nothing wrong with the S2 Cu24, but my personal preference is the CE.
Would you say the CE is good for metal playing too? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I haven't had a lot of experience with different guitars. Actually almost any experience. And I'm concerned about the CE's neck and action. I'm wondering how different it is from les paul?
 
I'd you don'tike the beefy neck of the SC 594, theres always the the 594 thinline
Would you say the CE is good for metal playing too? Sorry if that's a dumb question, I haven't had a lot of experience with different guitars. Actually almost any experience. And I'm concerned about the CE's neck and action. I'm wondering how different it is from les paul?

CE would be great for metal. The CE is a double cut two knob bolt on trem guitar with 24 frets. Les Paul it is not.
 
I’ll throw in a vote for the CE24. In my opinion it’s the sweet spot in the PRS line since you are getting US pickups and wiring. I play a good deal of metal and the 85/15 pickups work no problem even for really aggressive stuff, but they clean up and split great so they’re still really versatile. I’ve been favoring my CE24 to my wood library 24-08 lately so to me that’s a testament to how well they hang with the full fledged core guitars at a fraction of the price.
 
I wouldn't compare either to a Les Paul. So the enabler answer is get the CE and down the road pick up a S2 single cut S2 594 for your Les Paul. Or vice versa.

Of the two I'd get the CE for the price and pickups. Nothing wrong with the S2 Cu24, but my personal preference is the CE.

S2 SC594 came to mind, due to your like of Les Paul feel and layout.

GAK have a few to choose from and are lower than the new prices you’ve quoted.

I’ve only suggested them as you were quoting prices in €. I’m sure Thomann and Andertons will have a few in stock also.
 
CE for metal. The 85/15 pickups will do the job. And if you change your mind on pickups you will have core electronics already to work with. Very simple design. Other thing to note is switch (CE) vs blade (s2).
 
Back
Top