Used PRS Custom 24 advice needed

[IRG]

So all of a sudden I might have an opportunity to sell my CS Tele, and could possibly use those funds to buy a used Custom 24, which is high on my list. New ones are out of my price range, unless I go into the S2, which I already have a S2 Standard 22 (which I like a lot). If I go new with a S2 Custom 24, I'd have extra funds left over for something else. But having a Core would be nice.

Which leads me to older models, like a 2005, 2008, 2012, what are the differences I should look for, and are certain years better with different pickups (when did they stop using the HFS pickups?), number of controls, etc. My S2 has a Pattern regular which I like, and I have a SE Lowery which has a wide fat neck, and I like that as much if not more. So a Pattern thin might feel a little small to me, hard to say.

Should I post a few I'm looking at (using Reverb at the moment) for the masses to critique? TIA.

 

[IRG]

Alright, I'll post a few, see what we think.

1. 2012 Solana Sunset color, 10 top. Pattern regular neck, V12 finish, 59/09 pickups, on sale for 3 months now, condition is brand new. Guitar Sanctuary in TX is seller. $2495

2. Same seller. 2012, Blue Crab Blue, pattern thin neck, 59/09 pickups. New. Signed headstock (?) $2695

3. 2008 Amber, 10 Top, hot HFS pickup in bridge, vintage neck, regular neck, rosewood neck btw, used in excellent condition $2300

4. 2005 Ruby Red, 10 Top Flame top, excellent condition, HFS pickups, wide/thin, 3 day return $2299.

 

[hackenfort]

Best to try them out if you can. I always thought the HFS was a great sounding pickup, but some don't care for it at all, but I like the rotary switch much better than the blade (sound wise) I do think the blade is much easier to use. As for the Rosewood neck, they feel so great, and some say sound much better too. One of my favorites was the KL (Korina Limited) 24 fret model, super light weight and rang out like a bell. Where in Upstate NY are you? I'm just north of Syracuse.

 

[IRG]

Best to try them out if you can. I always thought the HFS was a great sounding pickup, but some don't care for it at all, but I like the rotary switch much better than the blade (sound wise) I do think the blade is much easier to use. As for the Rosewood neck, they feel so great, and some say sound much better too. One of my favorites was the KL (Korina Limited) 24 fret model, super light weight and rang out like a bell. Where in Upstate NY are you? I'm just north of Syracuse.

Thanks for the help! I'm in Ithaca. Tough to try these out, as I'm looking at them online, some of the dealers are far away. The one exception is that one with the rosewood board, in Cadyville, NY, which is still probably 4+ hours away.

 

[Drew]

If you are going to use any kind of gain, the HFS is still the better stock bridge pickup and its not even close. I'm talking true tube gain. I'm sure guys that use a Kemper or AxeFX will chime in and try to claim otherwise. The 57/08s are great and very smooth but there is just not enough push. The 59/09 are great for low to slightly medium gain but get really raspy with an annoying treble accentuation beyond that.

 

[IRG]

If you are going to use any kind of gain, the HFS is still the better stock bridge pickup and its not even close. I'm talking true tube gain. I'm sure guys that use a Kemper or AxeFX will chime in and try to claim otherwise. The 57/08s are great and very smooth but there is just not enough push. The 59/09 are great for low to slightly medium gain but get really raspy with an annoying treble accentuation beyond that.

Thanks, and very helpful. Yes, I like gain, lol. Amp and pedal. Right now I run my amp fairly clean, it's just a 15w Fender, gain comes from a Wampler Triple Wreck and Euphoria, and a Bearfoot Candy Apple Red fuzz. Might get a Mesa RectoVerb for a milestone birthday later this fall.

I have an SE HFS in my Clint Lowery, and actually really like it a lot for gain as well. Something tells me I'd probably like the American HFS just as much if not more

 

[CantankerousCarl]

In consideration of the preference for the HFS/VB, and preferring a beefier neck, I think that 2008 with the rosewood neck is screaming "buy me IRG." That thing is delicious...

 

[hackenfort]

There is a fellow named Jim in Auburn NY (http://paulreedsmithprs.com/?page_id=115) I'm not sure how up to date his web page is, but he typically has a good inventory of used PRS and he's a real 24 fret fan.

 

[IRG]

In consideration of the preference for the HFS/VB, and preferring a beefier neck, I think that 2008 with the rosewood neck is screaming "buy me IRG." That thing is delicious...

It is! In fact, I just emailed the guy. I'm very close in price, in terms of selling my Tele to fund this. Fingers crossed. I think the first two are more $ than I can spend, the red one is close too, and I like it a lot. Pattern thin neck though.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

The 20th is doing it for me looks wise, but if you could swing the rosie...

 

[IRG]

There is a fellow named Jim in Auburn NY (http://paulreedsmithprs.com/?page_id=115) I'm not sure how up to date his web page is, but he typically has a good inventory of used PRS and he's a real 24 fret fan.

Thanks, very cool page. He is very close by. He has an unreal 2011 Modern Eagle Quatro for $3250, if I had about $1k more, I might go that route, lol. http://paulreedsmithprs.com/?page_id=2440

 

[drdoom8793]

Maybe I'm crazy but those seem a bit high for a used model unless they're basically mint. I see used ones on guitarcenter.com almost daily for below $2000.

 

[IRG]

The 20th is doing it for me looks wise, but if you could swing the rosie...

#3 and #4 are almost the same price, I made a mistake before. Are these the two you mean?

 

[IRG]

Maybe I'm crazy but those seem a bit high for a used model unless they're basically mint. I see used ones on guitarcenter.com almost daily for below $2000.

The first two are still new I guess, I don't think they've ever sold.

#3 and #4 look to be mint. #3 has a rosewood neck which when new was probably fairly pricey. I did see some listed under $2k, but none that really grabbed me.

 

[Spikedog007]

I agree with Sergio, the 20th birds and the ruby red (probably scarlet red not ruby) look great but if you can do it, you might just fall in love with the RW neck. Plus it sound like you would prefer the regular profile neck rather than the pattern thin.

I have a 2008 (I think) and it's got HFS/VB pups along with the rotary switch. It all depends on your preference as to whether the HFS/VB or the 59/09 pups are more what your looking for. I personally like the HFS/VB combo and think mine gets some great single coil tones. Better than either guitar I have with 57/08's or 59/09's.

 

[Ripthorn]

I used to live just north of Syracuse. One of my buddies at work turns over guitars about as fast as one turns over a burger on a grill. He usually has at least one PRS, but I think he has gone all single cuts as of late. I seem to recall him telling me the GC there had a few PRS, but I never checked it out myself.

 

[IRG]

Here's another contender, pretty fancy looking too, lol. Almond Burst, 2009, Artist Grade top. $2400

Had some mods done to it by PRS.
https://reverb.com/item/764051-paul-reed-smith-killer-quilt-custom-24-2009-almond-burst

 

[IRG]

I used to live just north of Syracuse. One of my buddies at work turns over guitars about as fast as one turns over a burger on a grill. He usually has at least one PRS, but I think he has gone all single cuts as of late. I seem to recall him telling me the GC there had a few PRS, but I never checked it out myself.

I never think of going to the Syracuse GC. I'll see if I can check online to see what they have.

 

[IRG]

There is a fellow named Jim in Auburn NY (http://paulreedsmithprs.com/?page_id=115) I'm not sure how up to date his web page is, but he typically has a good inventory of used PRS and he's a real 24 fret fan.

Man, I just found this one, and at $2250, might be hard to pass up. 2003, zero fret wear, Artist Grade top. Quite flashy overall.

http://paulreedsmithprs.com/?page_id=2634

 

[garrettb]

They're all nice, but dude, number 3, man. Number. Three.