The PRS SE Custom 24 has carved out a significant space in the guitar world, offering a blend of premium features and playability at a price point that’s accessible to a wide range of musicians. I recently acquired one of these instruments, a Royal Blue model, and after spending considerable time playing and exploring its capabilities, I’m ready to share a comprehensive review. What makes this guitar so compelling, and does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in and find out.
First Impressions and the Allure of a Deal
My journey with the PRS SE Custom 24 began with a bit of serendipity. During a Black Friday sale, I stumbled upon this guitar at an unbelievably low price of $399.99. Having seen it typically listed between $675 and $800, this deal was simply too good to pass up. Even though the sale was officially over, luck was on my side as the store still had a couple in stock.
Upon inspecting the first box, I noticed a slight discoloration on the fretboard edge, prompting me to request another. The second box revealed a pristine guitar, free from any blemishes – a crucial reminder to always inspect a guitar before purchasing, if possible. While quality control has improved significantly across guitar manufacturing, wood remains a natural material, and variations are inevitable.
The PRS SE Custom 24 had been on my radar for years, ever since the introduction of the first Santana SE model. These guitars are crafted in Korea by World Musical Instruments, drawing inspiration from the iconic American-made PRS Custom 24, a top-tier instrument with a price tag around $2,700. While the American PRS guitars are undeniably world-class, the Korean-made SE series has gained recognition for bridging the gap, offering professional-level quality at a more attainable price. In fact, many professional guitarists have embraced the SE models for their exceptional value and performance.
PRS SE Custom 24: A Closer Look at Features and Design
My PRS SE Custom 24 boasts a striking “royal blue” finish, a deep, rich blue hue enhanced by a flame maple top veneer. The body is constructed from mahogany, contributing to the guitar’s warm and resonant tonal character. It features a 24-fret maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, shaped into PRS’s comfortable “wide thin” profile, and adorned with what feel like medium-jumbo frets.
The guitar is equipped with two humbucker pickups, both of which offer coil-tapping capabilities, adding versatility to its sonic palette. A vintage-style tremolo system and a three-way blade switch complete the hardware package. The tuners and pickups are designated as “PRS Designed,” indicating they are crafted to PRS specifications but manufactured overseas. Specifically, the bridge pickup is a PRS Designed SE HFS Treble, and the neck pickup is a PRS Designed SE Vintage Bass – foreign-made interpretations of their American counterparts. A graphite nut is another feature that contributes to smooth tuning and sustain.
prs se custom 24 royal blue flame maple top
Sound and Versatility: Exploring the Tones of the SE Custom 24
The coil-tapping feature is a standout element of this guitar, providing a significant expansion of its tonal range. Engaging both pickups in coil-tapped mode yields a sound that hints at Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster characteristics, but with its own distinct flavor. The humbuckers themselves are fairly high-output, delivering a robust and articulate sound whether played clean or with distortion. While some players opt to replace the stock pickups, I find them perfectly capable and versatile for a wide range of styles, at least for now. Similarly, while locking tuners are a popular upgrade, especially for tremolo use, I don’t anticipate needing them given my moderate tremolo usage.
The PRS SE Custom 24 truly excels in the “crunch” zone, delivering articulate and dynamic tones that are ideal for rock and blues styles. Think AC/DC or similar genres where overdrive is present but not overly saturated. For recording purposes, this guitar is destined to be my go-to for those crunchy rhythm and lead tones.
Feel and Playability: A Neck That Inspires
Neck feel is subjective and deeply personal to each guitarist. However, for me, the PRS SE Custom 24 boasts the most comfortable neck in my collection. The “wide thin” profile is indeed wide but not excessively so, and its slim depth fits my hand perfectly. It strikes a balance between substantiality and speed, making it comfortable for both rhythm playing and lead work.
The guitar is also lightweight, noticeably lighter than some of my other guitars, enhancing playing comfort, especially during longer sessions. The body contour is ergonomic, and the double-cutaway design provides effortless access to the upper frets, although I rarely venture beyond the 22nd fret in my playing.
While it’s important to acknowledge that the SE Custom 24 doesn’t quite reach the elevated standards of its American-made counterpart, it undeniably holds its own against other guitars in the sub-$1000 price range. In my experience, it even surpasses some lower-end American-made Les Pauls in terms of overall quality and playability.
Craftsmanship and Value: How PRS Delivers Quality at a Price
The incredibly low Black Friday price I paid was likely below Sam Ash’s typical profit margin, if not at a loss for them. Even at its regular sale price of around $650, the PRS SE Custom 24 represents excellent value. But where does PRS cut corners to achieve this more accessible price point compared to the American-made models?
Labor costs are a significant factor. Manufacturing in Korea, where labor expenses are lower than in the USA, contributes to cost savings. Wood selection is another area. PRS employs a grading system for its woods. The highest-grade, hand-selected woods are reserved for the top-tier American PRS guitars. The American models utilize high-rated woods, while the SE series uses woods of a slightly lower grade. Additionally, SE models may incorporate more pieces of wood glued together in the body construction, while American versions typically use fewer pieces.
Historically, many SE guitars featured flat tops, while American PRS guitars boasted carved, arched tops. However, the SE Custom 24 incorporates a semi-arched top, adding to its aesthetic appeal and resonance. While not as dramatically arched as the American version, it’s a visually pleasing and functional design element. The flame maple top is achieved through a thin veneer, a cost-effective method to provide the sought-after figured look without the expense of a thick, high-grade maple top. This veneer is real wood, albeit thinly sliced, allowing PRS to deliver the flame maple aesthetic at a more consumer-friendly price.
Components such as pickups, tuners, the nut, and the bridge are also less expensive on the SE models compared to their American counterparts. However, this doesn’t equate to poor quality. For instance, the graphite nut on the SE Custom 24 is a notable upgrade over the plastic nuts commonly found on Fender’s Standard series Stratocasters and Telecasters.
Despite these cost-saving measures, the PRS SE Custom 24 excels due to the skill and craftsmanship of the Korean luthiers who build these instruments. Their expertise is evident in the guitar’s overall quality and attention to detail. The vintage-style tremolo bridge surpasses those found on many Fender Standard series guitars. The fretwork is exceptional, comparable to what you’d expect from an American-made Fender or Gibson. Remarkably, the factory setup on my guitar was excellent, requiring no adjustments – a rare occurrence in my experience. The care and workmanship invested in this guitar are palpable, reflecting PRS’s commitment to maintaining brand standards even in their more affordable lines. The initial guitar I inspected with the fretboard discoloration was an anomaly, highlighting the generally high level of quality control.
Finish also plays a role in guitar tone. More elaborate and time-consuming finishing processes, used on American PRS guitars, can contribute to a more resonant instrument. Heavier, less expensive finishes can sometimes dampen the sound.
Ultimately, every component in an electric guitar contributes to its overall sound, but some differences are subtle. While higher grades of wood may offer marginal sonic improvements, the core elements – neck feel, body resonance, pickup quality, and overall workmanship – are paramount. The American PRS Custom 24 may cost four times as much as the SE version, but it doesn’t necessarily sound four times better. Furthermore, with high-gain overdrive, tonal differences between guitars become even less pronounced, often imperceptible to the average listener.
The Complete Package: Gig Bag Included
An often-overlooked but valuable addition is the included PRS gig bag. It’s a high-quality bag that provides ample protection for the guitar, a welcome surprise at this price point.
Final Verdict: Exceptional Value and Performance
At the Black Friday price of $399, the PRS SE Custom 24 was an absolute steal, a no-brainer purchase. Even at its typical price range of $650 to $750, it remains a highly competitive and commendable guitar that can confidently stand alongside its peers. While I might hesitate slightly at the higher end of that price range, considering other options in that market segment, the PRS SE Custom 24 offers a compelling blend of features, playability, and PRS quality. Once you venture beyond the $1,000 mark, you enter the realm of exceptional instruments like American-made Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Paul Studios.
However, for players seeking PRS quality, versatile tones, and exceptional playability without breaking the bank, the PRS SE Custom 24 is an outstanding choice. It’s a guitar that punches well above its weight, offering a taste of high-end craftsmanship and performance at a price that makes it accessible to a wide range of guitarists.
(Updated Content – Reflecting Long-Term Ownership)
Long-Term Ownership Insights (Updated 4/29/17 & 5/30/20):
After years of owning and playing this PRS SE Custom 24, my appreciation for it has only grown. It remains one of my top three favorite guitars. Over time, I’ve made a few personal modifications to further enhance its playability and tone:
- Rolled Fretboard Edges: This subtle modification significantly improved neck comfort, creating a smoother, more broken-in feel.
- Upgraded Tuners to Locking Grovers: While not strictly necessary, locking tuners offer enhanced tuning stability and string changing convenience.
- Bridge Pickup Swap to Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates: This pickup upgrade made a substantial difference in the guitar’s tone. The Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates has become my favorite humbucker, offering a warm, articulate, and harmonically rich sound that perfectly complements the PRS SE Custom 24.
While further upgrades like saddle and nut replacements are possibilities, the pickup swap has been the most impactful change, elevating the guitar’s sonic capabilities even further. Despite owning more expensive guitars, including a PRS S2 Satin 24, the SE Custom 24 continues to see regular playing time and remains a cherished instrument in my collection.
