Which PRS for is the "best" for me?

[Ic3Ang3l]

Hello,

Actually I´m in the market for a PRS but I cant decide which one.
The most of my Guitars have bold on Maple necks, so thats one thing that I like, on the other Hand, I don´t have many guitars with set necks.
The Guitar should be versatile, I play from Clean Blues into modern Hard Rock, no Drop Tunings.
It would be nice to have good split sounds.

Do you think a normal Custom 24 is good for that? I have a little bit fear because it only has 1 real split sound.
On the other Hand the CE delivers all I need but it is very similar to other guitars that I have.

What do you think?

Greetings from Germany!

 

[Jazzedout]

Check the 35th anniversary Customs and their split options, if you are buying new.

 

[RallyFanatic]

509 (9 sounds) or used 513 (13 sounds)?

 

[Jock68]

Lots to choose from, yet to come across any I do not like,

 

[Ic3Ang3l]

The 509 and 513 are out because I already have a HSH style guitar, I want something different.

I leaning towards the CE because they have a bold on maple neck but im quite unsure. The core ones looking superb, but most of 24-08´s are not available in Germany..

 

[pgj]

These things range from about $450 to several thousands of dollars. What's your price?

 

[RallyFanatic]

I have a CE and find it quite versatile. For me it covers from blues to rock, and occasionally some 80’s type harder rock. Single coil splits are very useful as well. Someday I may even grab the semi-hollow version. I don’t have a core Custom 24 so couldn’t really compare the two.

 

[Ic3Ang3l]

What's your price?

Let us say, I could buy a new Custom 24 here in Germany. About 4k€.

@RallyFanatic How easy is the Push pull to use?

 

[veinbuster]

I leaning towards the CE because they have a bold on maple neck but im quite unsure. The core ones looking superb, but most of 24-08´s are not available in Germany..

CE is a decent choice if you want a bolt on neck.
24-08 or Paul’s guitar are easiest to use the split controls. I much prefer the mini toggles to a push pull. If there isn’t much selection in Germany, maybe look in other parts of EU.

 

[Ic3Ang3l]

Where are the Sound differences between a 24-08 and a CE?
With the Maple neck, the Sound is snapier and has more attack right?

 

[21Hemispheres12]

I’d say if you want 24 frets then a 24-08 or 35th anniversary custom 24 is your best bet. If you want 22 frets and the option of trem or hardtail then the 408 would be a good choice.

 

[RallyFanatic]

Let us say, I could buy a new Custom 24 here in Germany. About 4k€.

@RallyFanatic How easy is the Push pull to use?

honestly I don’t really switch when playing, sometimes the split just has the sound I want. It’s pretty easy to pop up the knob though, I’d imagine it would be simple with a little practice.

 

[Stephen J.]

I wouldn’t worry too much about choosing the right one. It won’t be long before you get a second one, and then a third. Slowly your other brand guitars will be traded to fund more PRS guitars.

Seriously though, I find the CE and Custom to be pretty different. Maybe it was just the one I tried, but it seemed less dynamic than the Custom 24. Not as rich or complex sounding. But you seem to be leaning towards the CE. If you like what you hear on demos, you will probably like it in person. If it is an option, see if you can get a CE with a return period. Some dealers here will let you return a guitar within a couple days and you are only out the cost of shipping. If you like it, you are set (or in this case bolted).

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Old CE 24 with Dragon 1 pickups. Very versatile and splits are really really good.

 

[Ic3Ang3l]

Maybe it was just the one I tried, but it seemed less dynamic than the Custom 24

Interesting! But this could be the Pickups..?

 

[garrettb]

The 85/15 pickups tap exceptionally well, so if that's a priority, the CE is a great choice. I personally am not a big fan of the stock 2 and 4 positions on the Custom, which makes me glad that the 24-08 and the 35th Anniversary have separate taps for each pickup.

 

[Ic3Ang3l]

I think I go with the CE because I love bold on maple necks.

Another question, how does the Semi Hollow on a PRS affect the tone?

 

[Warmart]

I'd vote for a 35th Anniversary CU24, get the TCI goodness and easier splits via mini-toggle.

 

[Stephen J.]

Interesting! But this could be the Pickups..?

I am pretty sure the pickups are the same. More likely a sum of all parts difference. There was not a huge difference, so don’t hesitate going with the CE.

 

[Ic3Ang3l]

Doesnt have the CU24-08 TCI Pickups too? Because they look very similiar to the 35th Anniversary.