Which do you prefer, the Custom 24 or the Custom 24 08 (with their latest pickups?) _

[Broseph]

I wish the customer 24 came standard with the McCarty layout. That would be best. It’s why I like the CE models so much. I get the trem but on a McCarty layout. With the added snap of a bolt on. I’ve never been a fan of the blade. It isn’t as intuitive for those of us that are use to a blade of a strat that made perfect sense.

 

[Monahan]

...Which you prefer and why?

Which I prefer:
New 24-08.

Why?
The unique pickup design.
For 40-ish years I've used Fender-type single coils, or Gibson-type humbuckers, and those were/are great. Now however, I find more inspiration from non F/G pickup designs. Currently the PRS Narrow-Field, and Deep Dish pickups have my ears. Those in the new 24-08 (called "TCI" I think...) really appeal to me for that reason. Also, I like the idea of sticking with the stock pickups-- not being able to (easily) swap them out for "something better"-- being forced to live with, explore and discover something new.

Unique pickup design is something I'm really looking forward to with PRS in the coming years. Paul recently made several statements about how excited he is with what they've learned, and what they have planned. Should be fun to watch-- and perhaps even take part in!

 

[deathworlder]

Proprietary pickups? Swipe left...

 

[Andrew Paul]

Oh, right now I can speak to the new 2408 or at least the 2024 version with TCI pickups. Supposedly 2025 version will have special EQ switches like the PS McLaughlin model. So with that being said, I absolutely adore TCI pickups. The MEV was my favorite model until this 2408 came out. I love 24 frets period. Yeah, I know how often do you play on those two extra frets, it’s not about that it’s about muscle memory, feel, vision of where I’m playing…. Whatever it’s a subjective thing besides my first PRS was a custom 24 January 1990 and owned and played many custom 24’s for a long time (rotary switch type). I once purchased a brushstroke 24, which is a Paul’s guitar with a trem and 24 frets, and two narrow 408pickups. I liked it, but wasn’t overly impressed with the single coil tones. Then, PRS came out with TCI pups on a limited edition I believe late 2018. I immediately fell in love with the Tones. Especially the single coil tones. But, they were 22 frets and I lived with it. I was considering someday having a PS build of a Paul’s guitar with 24frets or even better a MEV although it might get crowded with that middle pickup…. Covid came then they were backlogged with private stocks etc., etc. so that whole idea went out the window.

Now I have the new 2024 2408, a dream Guitar for me I love the TCI pups. The single coil sounds, which are slightly different than the Paul‘s because they’re using resistors on the mini switches instead of the capacitor scheme, and from what I understand, they’re gonna use the EQ switches for the McLaughlin model for 2025.

Regarding custom 24 I’ve never owned one with a blade switch on it yet. I plan on checking one out with the new DMO pickups. Hell… you only live once.

There… I almost gave you my life story

 

[Andrew Paul]

I wish the customer 24 came standard with the McCarty layout. That would be best. It’s why I like the CE models so much. I get the trem but on a McCarty layout. With the added snap of a bolt on. I’ve been been a fan of the blade. It isn’t as intuitive for those of us that are use to a blade of a strat that made perfect sense.

When you mention custom 24 with McCarty layout, do you mean three-way toggle on the horn and two volume two tone knobs with push pull tone for single coil taps??? if you did, that would be interesting

 

[gush]

My 2011 cu24 5909 is where I'm at. Fabulous guitar and love the pickups.

There was a push pull mod offered for these that added more options but as much as I think I'd like it I'm not willing to chance screwing up my love for it's current form.

 

[Broseph]

When you mention custom 24 with McCarty layout, do you mean three-way toggle on the horn and two volume two tone knobs with push pull tone for single coil taps??? if you did, that would be interesting

Nope. Regular McCarthy (non 594)

 

[Broseph]

I like that the 24-08 is different than custom 24. I agree that it made sense to phase out the Paul’s guitar for this model to minimize overlap. The TCI pickups are some of the best PRS has ever created. It’s unique sound that PRS should embrace. And I say that as a fan off most core pickups since 07 and onwards.

 

[Sixstringer99]

I was able to change strings and do a full set-up on my new 24-04 (actually built 2023) with the 85/15 pick-ups. I can see why the previous owner wanted to sell the guitar, even though it's in mint condition. The action was way off! Anyway, I compared the 24-08 to the Keisel pickup sound. The pickups are actually fairly similar except (as might Paul say) the 85/15's are a little more high fidelity. They seem to be a little more even across the frequency range. I didn't notice any kind of bump or valley. I can see why some people may think the pick-up brings out all of your playing flaws. They are very accurate.

 

[Floyd_Argus]

I do my own guitar wiring mods, so I wouldn't ever spend the extra $$ for the 24-08 when I could just add that functionality to a Custom 24 myself.

 

[Sixstringer99]

Actually, there was no upcharge for a 24-08 at my local dealer. They had the 2023 Custom 24 and the 2023 Custom 24-08, both 10 tops for the same price. Unfortunately, they sold the 24-08 that I was interested in so I went on the used market and found a slightly used Custom 24-08, 10 top for a little less than the new one. I didn't spend any extra $$.

 

[Sixstringer99]

However, some people said they heard a difference between the Custom 24 and the 24-08, even with the same 85/15 pickups. Is that common?