Prs Standard 22 v/s Ce 22 hog v/s Ce Mapletop. Which one?

Cris_mas

Cris_mas

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So, finally i have a small chance to buy a "holly grail", but i have been thinking how different they are from each other since i have no chance to play them where i live (Prs's are scarse here) so i will have to import. My question is, which one is better suited for me? I play many different genres, crossing between blues, classic rock, prog rock, prog metal, alternative rock, ambient, etc. and i've been reading that CE's are snapier and "better definied" sounding (i'm not sure if this means peaky or harsh sounding) v/s the Standard, made of hog (more nassal sound maybe?). I'm looking for maximum note articulation, great distorted and clean tone and versatility since my style is broad and weird (undefined perhaps heh).

On your experience, which one could be better for what i do?
From budget, i'm looking something under $1100 usd. I'm aiming to Ce's made between 95' to 00'
PD: i noticed the guy of one of my favourite bands, Karnivool plays a CE24 and sounds darn great. I love that sound.

I know there's a ton of posts like this, but i think i narrowed my search to the ones in the tittle, so my point is in the difference between CE Standards (pre 2000), CE mapletops and Standards (not the s2 ones)

thanks!! good day :)
 
I currently own a 2001 standard 22, a 2006 CE24 mahogany and 2001 mccarty(these can be found within your budget. As for sound, I think of them like this.

Standard 22 = All the sweetness and grunt of a vintage SG
CE mahogany = like a classier LP Studio, can still do all the sweet stuff but can also bite your face with twist of a dial
Earlier Mccarty = think of the most beautiful vintage LP sounds and then add PRS build quality. All the above are killer's and you can't go wrong with any of the ones you've mentioned. Good luck with your search
 
When I first started looking at PRSi, I was always looking at the Custom 24 and 22 models. I got the store to take them down and I had a chance to play them. I compared them to my Tremonti SE with USA pickups (the original c2003 one), they all played beautifully and felt great! But the sound never got me excited, except for the USA Tremonti they had. I didn't try any of the "lesser" bolt on models, I figured if I am going to spend the money, then get a good one! One day after maybe a year of casually playing Customs and mccartys and maybe a 513 I broke down and tried a lowly CE. It was an instant change for me, the CE had the quality and feel of the customs, but sounded so much more alive to me! I wound up getting a used CE24 that was a bit rough but sounded great! Then I found a really pretty CE24, and that is the only guitar I have been playing for the past 10-12 years. I played mostly classic rock/hard rock/metal. Now, I play Praise and Worship at my church and my CE has been able to get the tone I want for all the genres I have wanted to play. It has been a long time since I have played an all mahogany CE, but I know for me, it wasnt as good as the maple mahogany version. I also have not tried an alder/maple one. I think the 90s CE guitars are awesome guitars, every bit as good as the customs (better to my taste) etc.

I did change out my pickups to a Duncan JB and Alnico II Pro, which also helps give a very wide range of tone/output, and I switched to the 3-way push pull from the rotary.
 
Cris_muschilensis said:
The same, why?
Click to expand...

For the tones you're going for, the CE w/maple cap should deliver the goods. I owned an all-hog Standard ('87), and it was a great sounding guitar, but it did not have the snap of any of the maple topped PRS that I've owned/played and heard. The CE is just a great all-around electric instrument, and you save some $$$ to boot!
 
I vote for the CE24 with maple cap. I have a newer one which has a more shallow carved maple top and the new 85/15 pickups so I can't speak with any direct experience for the sound of the 90's-2000's CE's. But from what I've heard in online demos, and from others, those older CE's also sound freaking stellar! I was going to buy one but changed my mind after playing a new CE24 at Guitar Center.

For what it's worth, I didn't buy the new CE24. Instead I found my 2016 CE24 used for $1200. So if you have an interest in the newer model, you can probably consider one of these as well. I just found this one on reverb - https://reverb.com/item/14926420-paul-reed-smith-ce-24-electric-guitar-trampas-green. The older CE's have a more carved top which look awesome if you find one with a nice figured top. But the newer CE's have nice tops as well and possibly more comfortable to play.??? Also the 85/15 pickups are awesome in my opinion. They are great with a bit of dirt and don't get muddy (I play through DSL 15 and sometimes in stereo with Blues Jr.) Look at the top on this one - https://reverb.com/item/14101117-paul-reed-smith-ce-24-2017

Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with the 90's or 00's CE's either. (Although pay attention to pickup swaps. - if pickups were swapped, make sure they will work for you.) Check out the top on this one - https://reverb.com/item/14883576-2007-prs-ce-24-flame-maple. This black 1993 CE looks pretty sweet too. https://reverb.com/item/14767319-prs-ce-24-maple-top-1993-black

good luck! :)
 
Wow! I'm not sure if i can stretch the budget but i Will try to get one of those old extra carved top cute ones!! I thought Maple neck w/hog body would be more balanced but there seems to be a consensus about the opposite. I'm worried about the over harmonics this wood combo Will make since i set the eq with mids quite boosted. Thanks guys!
 
I have a CE24 Mahogany. I have bought and sold CE maple tops because they did not sound as good. I even swapped pickups and did blind tests with my son to make sure. It's a one-piece heavy slab of mahogany.

I actually never loved the HFS and put a Pearly Gates in the bridge. The VB in the neck sounds great to me, no reason to change.
 
Spatten said:
I have a CE24 Mahogany. I have bought and sold CE maple tops because they did not sound as good. I even swapped pickups and did blind tests with my son to make sure. It's a one-piece heavy slab of mahogany.

I actually never loved the HFS and put a Pearly Gates in the bridge. The VB in the neck sounds great to me, no reason to change.
Click to expand...
so maybe the pickup choice on that particular guitar may *ruin* it's tone. Mmm...interesting.
 
I wasn't crazy about the HFS in the maple top either! All 3 will be great guitars surely, different people will prefer different models. Maybe buy 2 and sell one?
 
InTooDeep said:
I wasn't crazy about the HFS in the maple top either! All 3 will be great guitars surely, different people will prefer different models. Maybe buy 2 and sell one?
Click to expand...
wish i could, but budget is tight and GF would kill me if i do that heh. On the other hand, the bank i'm taking a loan would be happy ;)
 
Cris, Are you outside of the US? Many of us (myself included) have bought older CE24's that are great. Norman's Rare Guitars has a red one for a Grand that will be exceptional, and has a hard case. I have a 2003 maple top, and my son has a 2006 Blazing copper. Like some of the others, I changed the pickups, to 57/08. My son likes the stock pickups and rotary.
 
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