SE Standard 24 vs SE Costum 24

[Mikexsa]

Hey everyone this is my first post,
I am a Singer/Songwriter who loves to play Nu Metal, Grunge etc.
Played all my life with Fender and Gibson SG, but after recording with different amp/studios/pickups/you name it, something didnt felt right,
It wasn't enough HEAVY for me.

I want to purchase my first PRS, because all of my favourite artists have been playin' with them...

Linkin Park Guitar sound at "Meteora" album is gold, and I absolutely love it.
I heard that they used PRS Custom 24 for the main heavy riffs, this is what im aiming for.

Now I know its kind of stupid but I really hate the Custom colors. I'm more into the solid one color guitars, and Standard 24 offers them to me.

These are my questions:
1. Does the sound is really difference?
2. Does it feels the same?

I'm not a versatile player, for now at least, I'm more into Nu Metal Heavy riffs.
Mind that I'm trying to achieve the LP sound.

Thanks in advance!

 

[shimmilou]

Hi Mike.

The sound can differ just a bit between the two, all mahogany on the standard (warm) vs a maple cap on the custom (snappy/bright). I don’t hear a dramatic difference, but it is there.

The feel should be the same, as close as can be between any two similar guitars.

 

[Mozzi]

Hey everyone this is my first post,
I am a Singer/Songwriter who loves to play Nu Metal, Grunge etc.
Played all my life with Fender and Gibson SG, but after recording with different amp/studios/pickups/you name it, something didnt felt right,
It wasn't enough HEAVY for me.

I want to purchase my first PRS, because all of my favourite artists have been playin' with them...

Linkin Park Guitar sound at "Meteora" album is gold, and I absolutely love it.
I heard that they used PRS Custom 24 for the main heavy riffs, this is what im aiming for.

Now I know its kind of stupid but I really hate the Custom colors. I'm more into the solid one color guitars, and Standard 24 offers them to me.

These are my questions:
1. Does the sound is really difference?
2. Does it feels the same?

I'm not a versatile player, for now at least, I'm more into Nu Metal Heavy riffs.
Mind that I'm trying to achieve the LP sound.

Thanks in advance!

No doubt Linkin Park used a Core Custom 24 with different Pick-ups to those that are in the current Custom 24 and no doubt a pedals and Amps to get their sound. It also depends on whether you want to get the same sound or happy to get close enough. Close enough though is subjective and what I may consider close enough you may not.

The sound between a Custom and a Standard does differ and again this is subjective, but whether its too different for you or not, only you can answer. The main difference is that a Standard is a mahogany body whilst a Custom adds a Maple Cap and a maple veneer to look like the Core Custom 24. Both will have a similar feel though as they have the same necks - unless you go for a special edition maple neck model. The solid Mahogany guitars are generally darker and its similar to the difference between a Les Paul Standard and Les Paul studio because they too differ with thestandard having a Maple Cap.

If you prefer the Standard aesthetically, then its probably the best guitar to go for regardless of the differences in sound. The neck tone will be brighter than a Standard 22 because the neck pick is closer to the bridge. That includes the Les Paul as the neck PU is further from the bridge. What you have to remember is that the Custom 24 was a guitar that falls in the middle between a Strat and a Les Paul and therefore isn't really a PRS SE alternative to an Epiphone Les Paul. It may share a similar mahogany, set neck, double humbucker 3+3 Headstock build like a Ls Paul but it also has a thinner body, trem bridge, straight string pull headstock like a Strat - as well as 24rets which changed the neck PU sound giving it its own thing. It won't be a Les Paul alternative but its own unique thing.

Its best to try both the Custom and Standard but its not really worth it if you don't particularly like the tops on a Custom. Its much better to get the guitar that you prefer, that makes you want to play it and happy to be seen playing too. You may prefer the darker Standard too for what you are playing too but you can only find out which you prefer by playing both in the same type of sound to the rig you use. If you play with gain/distortion, try both with that type of setting so you can hear something similar to the sound you can get at home. The extra brightness of the Custom may be better for note clarity or the Standard sounds more like you envisioned. A few tweaks on you own settings anyway, turn up/down the treble for example and the two may sound alike anyway.

I think its easier to teak the sound with the array of settings available from the tone control, the pedal settings, amp EQ and even after market PU's etc so the Sound difference probably won't be radically different. Playability and feel should be similar too but I still think you should try and then buy the one that you feel happiest to buy - even if that means buying a Standard just because you prefer the way it looks more.

 

[Mikexsa]

No doubt Linkin Park used a Core Custom 24 with different Pick-ups to those that are in the current Custom 24 and no doubt a pedals and Amps to get their sound. It also depends on whether you want to get the same sound or happy to get close enough. Close enough though is subjective and what I may consider close enough you may not.

The sound between a Custom and a Standard does differ and again this is subjective, but whether its too different for you or not, only you can answer. The main difference is that a Standard is a mahogany body whilst a Custom adds a Maple Cap and a maple veneer to look like the Core Custom 24. Both will have a similar feel though as they have the same necks - unless you go for a special edition maple neck model. The solid Mahogany guitars are generally darker and its similar to the difference between a Les Paul Standard and Les Paul studio because they too differ with thestandard having a Maple Cap.

If you prefer the Standard aesthetically, then its probably the best guitar to go for regardless of the differences in sound. The neck tone will be brighter than a Standard 22 because the neck pick is closer to the bridge. That includes the Les Paul as the neck PU is further from the bridge. What you have to remember is that the Custom 24 was a guitar that falls in the middle between a Strat and a Les Paul and therefore isn't really a PRS SE alternative to an Epiphone Les Paul. It may share a similar mahogany, set neck, double humbucker 3+3 Headstock build like a Ls Paul but it also has a thinner body, trem bridge, straight string pull headstock like a Strat - as well as 24rets which changed the neck PU sound giving it its own thing. It won't be a Les Paul alternative but its own unique thing.

Its best to try both the Custom and Standard but its not really worth it if you don't particularly like the tops on a Custom. Its much better to get the guitar that you prefer, that makes you want to play it and happy to be seen playing too. You may prefer the darker Standard too for what you are playing too but you can only find out which you prefer by playing both in the same type of sound to the rig you use. If you play with gain/distortion, try both with that type of setting so you can hear something similar to the sound you can get at home. The extra brightness of the Custom may be better for note clarity or the Standard sounds more like you envisioned. A few tweaks on you own settings anyway, turn up/down the treble for example and the two may sound alike anyway.

I think its easier to teak the sound with the array of settings available from the tone control, the pedal settings, amp EQ and even after market PU's etc so the Sound difference probably won't be radically different. Playability and feel should be similar too but I still think you should try and then buy the one that you feel happiest to buy - even if that means buying a Standard just because you prefer the way it looks more.

Thank you so much, I'll think about it.