SE Pauls guitar v SE Standard 24-08 v SE Custom 24-08

The Saint

The Saint

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Mar 31, 2024
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Hi Folks.

Just dipping my toe into Pauls world of guitars and I'm going to my local dealer this week to try out a few models.

They have three SE's that have caught my eye, Paul's guitar, the Standard 24-08 and the Custom 24-08. Oh yes and a Schizoid, but's that's another story...!

All three SE's above seem to have similar specs, with a few minor wood and hardware variations.

Obviously they escalate in price but what are your experiences when it comes to actually playing these guitars..?

I'm open to other suggestions around the same price point.

I know everyone has their favourites, but all objective comments are welcome..

Thanks

Graham
 
Just checked their website again.

The Custom 24-08 and Paul's guitar are the same price.
 
All 3 are just as versatile. Pretty obvious, but it’s going to come down to whether you want a trem, neck feel, 22 vs 24 fret feel, and if any of the three sound better to you. Glad that you are going to play them first.
 
I've got the Custom 24-08 and love the feel and playability. Also just got an SE Swamp Ash Special, which is very different feel and sound. Love having both but they are completely different. Your best bet is to get the ones you are considering in your hands and try them out. It usually becomes pretty clear which one is the one for you once you do. You can't go wrong with PRS, in my opinion. It's just a matter of finding the one you connect with. It's great that they have 3 models in stock you can try. I was able to try a Swamp Ash Special but had to order the one I got because I really wanted the Iri Blue color (which took over 4 months due to backorder).
my-prs-se-custom-24-08-and-swamp-ash-special.9
 
I have the Se CU24-08 and find it hard to put down, lovely to play and sounds great, also have an SE Tremonti which is …. A different beast, all 3 will be great but as said, best to try as it will come down to feel and what you want to get from it.
 
Nothing better than being able to play them. In my experience SE's have more quality variation than Cores so giving them each a tryout can be very helpful and you may know pretty quickly which one you like best.
 
Out of those three se I'd go standard 2408. Theres something to be said being able to play them and supporting local. What feels best is most important and being able to establish a relationship with a local shop is a always a bonus. Unless that local dealer is a Guitar Center or something.

But, if I was starting my PRS journey over I'd be on the lookout for a good deal on a s2 standard. Used you can find one for equal or less than all those and you're already ahead in the game.
 
Well, it happened...!

Today I spent the whole day (yes, really..!) at the dealers and tried around 8-10 PRS models along with a few Silver Sky's and Fenders. The PRS Schizoid was the one I really thought I'd come away with, but it didn't do it for me. Can't really articulate it, just didn't feel right.

The Sky's were very nice but if I was going to get another Strat type, it would have to have a gloss maple neck and these had a kind of satin finish.

Various Fender Strats came and went, then I got started on the other PRS models. All were SE's and I could probably have come home with any of them. I might have been tempted with a Fender Strat as well, but the one I liked was just too much money on the day. And I wanted to come home to a wife and not two guitars and a set of divorce papers..!

I really fell in love with a Custom 24-08 in Blood Orange. It played well, the set up was spot on and it was drop dead gorgeous. If I had stopped there, that would have been the one.

But I deliberately left Paul's guitar until last. And I'm glad I did.

There were three to choose from, one charcoal grey and two turquoise. To be honest, the grey one didn't look as good as the photo's on their website so I didn't get round to playing it.

Both the turquoise guitars played exceptionally well but in single coil mode they were head and shoulders above the other models. I was using a small Fender valve amp, think it was a Pro Junior.

I could feel that it was between these two. The thing that tipped it for me was the body wood. The tops were very similar but the backs were very different.

Both bodies were in three parts and on one, the centre piece was exactly that. In the middle and symmetrical. The other had the centre piece offset and it didn't line up with the neckline at all so it just didn't look right. It may have just been my OCD as no one would see it apart from me. It was also a darker mahogany and matched the headstock perfectly.

So I chose the first, symmetrical, one. The dealer gave me a good price on some gear I had to PX and also price matched another dealer who had an identical model but for less coinage. I have dealt with them for over 20 years and the service is just superb. Hence I keep going back.

Before I left, I popped upstairs to take a peek at their "Elite" section of guitars. Lots of very high end stuff there including 5-6 PRS. The price tags on all these guitars had me grinning from ear to ear. Just astonishing. But they obviously sell so good luck to their new owners.

If I'm allowed to post photo's on this thread, I will upload some soon.

Thanks very much to those who offered advice, I truly appreciate it.

Graham
 
Last edited:
The Saint said:
Well, it happened...!

Today I spent the whole day (yes, really..!) at the dealers and tried around 8-10 PRS models along with a few Silver Sky's and Fenders. The PRS Schizoid was the one I really thought I'd come away with, but it didn't do it for me. Can't really articulate it, just didn't feel right.

The Sky's were very nice but if I was going to get another Strat type, it would have to have a gloss maple neck and these had a kind of satin finish.

Various Fender Strats came and went, then I got started on the other PRS models. All were SE's and I could probably have come home with any of them. I might have been tempted with a Fender Strat as well, but the one I liked was just too much money on the day. And I wanted to come home to a wife and not two guitars and a set of divorce papers..!

I really fell in love with a Custom 24-08 in Blood Orange. It played well, the set up was spot on and it was drop dead gorgeous. If I had stopped there, that would have been the one.

But I deliberately left Paul's guitar until last. And I'm glad I did.

There were three to choose from, one charcoal grey and two turquoise. To be honest, the grey one didn't look as good as the photo's on their website so I didn't get round to playing it.

Both the turquoise guitars played exceptionally well but in single coil mode they were head and shoulders above the other models. I was using a small Fender valve amp, think it was a Pro Junior.

I could feel that it was between these two. The thing that tipped it for me was the body wood. The tops were very similar but the backs were very different.

Both bodies were in three parts and on one, the centre piece was exactly that. In the middle and symmetrical. The other had the centre piece offset and it didn't line up with the neckline at all so it just didn't look right. It may have just been my OCD as no one would see it apart from me. It was also a darker mahogany and matched the headstock perfectly.

So that was the one I chose. The dealer gave me a good price on some gear I had to PX and also price matched another dealer who had an identical model but for less coinage. I have dealt with them for over 20 years and the service is just superb. Hence I keep going back.

Before I left, I popped upstairs to take a peek at their "Elite" section of guitars. Lots of very high end stuff there including 5-6 PRS. The price tags on all these guitars had me grinning from ear to ear. Just astonishing. But they obviously sell so good luck to their new owners.

If I'm allowed to post photo's on this thread, I will upload some soon.

Thanks very much to those who offered advice, I truly appreciate it.

Graham
Click to expand...

Congrats. Looking forward to your new guitar thread, with lots of pics, please;)
 
You Chose well. I agree the pickups sound better in the Paul’s than 24-08 SE. It’s a lot more clearer. I’m not sure if it’s the core bridge or what. But it’s a clear difference.
 
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