I Played Every PRS 24 (and it STILL didn't change my mind)
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- čas přidán 17. 12. 2022
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Guitars In This Video (Sweetwater Affiliate Links)
PRS SE Standard 24 Vintage Cherry
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PRS SE 24-08
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PRS S2 Standard
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PRS S2 Custom
imp.i114863.net/2rPkm0
PRS CE 24
imp.i114863.net/2rPkm0
PRS Custom 24 Core 10 Top
imp.i114863.net/vnLzd3
In this video, we're putting every model of the PRS Custom 24 to the test. We're comparing every model from the least expensive to the most expensive to see which one is the best all-around PRS Custom 24. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this comparison will help you find the perfect PRS Custom 24 for your needs. So join us as we compare each model and determine the ultimate winner in this PRS Custom 24 face-off.
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I’m a PRS owner, got 6 of them in fact. I only have one Gibson, an SG special that I use for slide. I keep trying Les Paul’s to see what all the fuss is about and have even owned a few but always end up selling them after a few months. The idea you have to try 10 Gibson’s to find a good one is not a selling point in my book!
I agree with you there.. I've had two Gibson Les Pauls, and couldn't get on with either of them despite wanting to! Over-rated and over-weighted.. that's my opinion.
@@kevh9497 over weight! I had one that would have been of use as a boat anchor. So much shoulder pain, even with a thick strap
@@MandyFlame Yeah so unnecessarily heavy. I think that as a boat anchor a Les Paul would probably pull the boat down to the ocean bed! :-)
Do you feel any "neck dive" with your SG? It seems to be a common complaint with that model. Well... come to think of it, I've heard people say the same regarding the Les Paul.
A good LP was my hardest guitar to find. Took me 7 years. I tried so many. I got put onto PRS while looking for a LP. I did finally find the LP
I think that consistency is a major part of their vibe. If you like the feel of a PRS you basically just have to decide how much you are willing to pay for the look and feature set your heart desires.
that is also a good perspective
All facts. If you want to journey through lots of bad Les Paul to find "the one" have at it. I like to know the quality I'm paying for in the internet age.
@@MetallicA29 there is still something amazing about picking up a random guitar that just has a certain "mojo", but that journey isn't for everyone.
Can confirm this
@@MetallicA29 the only guitar ive bought since my first one online was a g&l legacy because i trust their consistency. Every other one i tried in person. Nearly even picked up an old silvertone with hershey pickups cause it had incredible crunch on rhythm but decided against it cause it had glaring issues i could only see in person.
First I have an SE Custom 24-08, and I got it SPECIFICALLY because of the combination of the 6 pos switch AND separate coil split switches. Not only can you get combinations of Hum and Single, you just can't with 1 push-pull, but using the switches adds tonally. With a push pull, the non used coil is shunted to ground, but is not 100% out of the circuit. With the mini toggles, it completely takes the one coil out of the circuit.
I have owned at least 20 guitars over my 50 years of playing and I have to disagree with Rhett’s statement that PRS guitars “lack character” and that Gibsons have it, sometimes, if you hunt for the right one. My McCarty HB II core is, hands down, by far the finest instrument I have ever owned. The coil tapped 58/15 LT’s give me the best single coil tones I have ever experienced, and the HB tones are there in spades. The craftsmanship is second to none. My S2 McCarty 594 solid body has the same neck carve, controls, and bridge, and after upgrading the tuners to the ones on my core, and swapping in some Phat Cat P90s, it is stunning. I added a GK-3 with ease and use it with my GR-55 Guitar synth with great results. I live in Northern VT and don’t have the luxury of traveling to guitar store and spending hours shuffling through exact copies of the same model. The “character” in many Gibsons comes from inconsistent manufacturing and sloppy QC. I have always loved Gibsons and have owned more than any other brand, so I know what I am talking about.
Just recently picked up a 35th anniversary custom 24 in a slightly ugly yellow green burst and personally, I love it. The whole idea that every Gibson is different and finding a good one is rare is a nice romantic idea, but as an unpaid hobbyist I just wanted to get a well made, well playing beautiful guitar that I knew would last me ages with less issues than a Gibson. The fact that it’s incredibly versatile and can get both Fenderesque and Gibsony tones means taking just one guitar to get multiple nice sounds when I do jam with friends and family. I feel in no way that my guitar lacks any “vibe” or “feel” or any of these intangibles. It’s all there if you ask me. In my opinion, these intangibles are more up to the player than the guitar. Less time searching for or fighting with gear = more time playing and improving your own personal vibe, feel and touch on the instrument. It’s all in the hands and heart at the end of the day.
Totally agree. I also have 35th anniversary in a goldtop. Definitely my go to. Years ago I got rid of a custom 22 because I thought it was too “generic “ sounding. Huge mistake. I own 2 Les Paul Standards that I really like, but they aren’t close to my PRS. I think PRS has really improved their pickups from the early years.
I agree up to a point. I do think the PRSes generally have less character than other guitars, but that's a tradeoff I'm willing to make for a sound and feel that is MUCH more reliable and consistent. At the same time, I wouldn't have a PRS as my only guitar. I like having the ability to grab a guitar with a lot of character that also frets out when I try to bend the high E string at fret 17 OR grab the PRS that is going to play every note with the same feel and tone and no issues but will be slightly less interesting to listen to.
Right, lots of romance in bad QC and guitars that are purposefully beat to sh*t at the factory for an extra 2k, but that’s about it. I have a Core, an S2 Vela (a guitar Rhett would likely love), and a CE24 Semi (and LP, Strat, Tele etc). When it comes down to covering myriad styles live and in the studio… the PRS’s get more use than anything else, even when I think they won’t. Consistency, reliability, playability, flexibility…. (and beauty) are what you want when it matters. SE outranking a Core 😂. S2s are truly amazing and overlooked though.
Agreed on the pickups. I’ve always been a strat guy, and struggled to ever find a humbucker equipped guitar I enjoyed enough over the years to call my own. I love 335’s but the semi hollow body isn’t much more friendly in the noiseless category than a strat, and the noiseless single coils never did it for me either. If you’d have told me I’d end up with a PRS I probably wouldn’t have believed you, but here we are. I even like the full humbuckers better than the split options, though the split is without a doubt the best I’ve played personally. I debated between a custom 22 and 24 and the 24 sounded better to my ears. I think the neck pickup being closer to the bridge took away some of the bass frequencies that I’m not a fan of in most Les Paul’s.
Green & yellow both colors I don't really care for but if it said ugly burst along with the colors on the hang tag I'd have to buy it and never take the tag off of course
I love that he’s sharing his honest opinions and not just taking money to rep a brand. Personally, I love my PRS. It’s helped me pay a lot of bills.
That's funny, guitars caused some of my bills👍
TRUE dat my friend!
Kinda brutal right after Paul did his podcast though, but kudos to the honesty.
Thats what PRS is for me. It's never the thing I want to play. But it's reliable across the board. I never have bad days on. I just don't feel a connection to it as much compared to other brands. But in a professional sense, PRS makes sense.
@@annekedebruyn7797that is just fanboyism with the other brands
My ce24 is my favorite guitar, and so far the most comfortable guitar I’ve ever played. To me, it feels better than even the top line PRS models, something about that satin maple bolt on just feels amazing
I've had them all and the CE-24 was my favorite. The core was pretty special too but not 2K$ special over the CE. They may not sound overly different in this video but the playability and build construction, fretworks, etc.. makes a huge difference. The CE had also the most comfortable neck that I've ever played.
I’m thinking of getting the new SE CE .
@TheHuester44 don't know if you ever picked up that SE CE24, but for you or anyone else reading this...
It's a good guitar. I own a 21 CE24. It's an awesome guitar. The SE version of it , while it doesn't sound or feel quite as refined, is a dang good guitar and captures a lot of what I think makes the CE24 awesome.
They all sound great, and as an "old" novice (I'm 67), I take comfort in knowing that I'll get a great sounding guitar when I buy PRS. Glad that the more experienced among us have the option of shopping for the perfect Gibson, shout out to Tim Pierce for helping you find your R9. Thanks for showing these, I appreciate your clarity and honesty. I learn something new with every episode
As a PRS, Gibson, Fender, Carvin, Jackson owner, in my experience for myself I think PRS have the mojo. Definitely not vintage vibe, definitely not a Les Paul or Strat but man they sing and play great. They look awesome if you are into that style of guitar and the attention to detail is very great. Expensive, definitely. Inspiring, for me definitely! But again music and instruments are very personal things. I love my core Tremonti and Core Custom 24. One day I will love my Core Special 22, when it ships that is.
Yes they are like... always with an overdrive on ahahah. Very kid focused, that's why they behave (imho) better than any other humbucker guitars with distortion handling
True to that. 😊
Agreed guitars don’t have mojo that is a feeling produced by us in our own brain it’s a matter how you can trigger to fire on 8 cylinders when you play. No amp or guitar creates feeling that’s a myth. I create feeling and it can be by a room if Rhett played their lowest line prs on a stage like Madison square garden I bet it would all of a sudden create mojo. It’s opinion why he doesn’t like them but it’s like having the flu and you get on that 57 Strat the mojo is gone why ? You fell key word feel crappy . So their are many factors in trying a guitar. For me when I was signed I was in custom shops in private rooms catered to so of course all the guitars played well lol.
Agree. My Vela literally drips vibe. All of my PRS have something about them that no other axe in the stable has (or I wouldn’t have spent the $$$)
I feel like most people don't like PRS because it's not a vintage Strat or LP.
Thanks Rhett! This was very informative and honest. They do make a great product, and their consistency is why pro's use them on the road. I 100% agree that each player has his or her own personal attachment to an instruments Vibe. I learned a long time ago that Price tag and Brand name do not inspire my playing. I have a few budget guitars that have such incredible vibe that they constantly in my hands, while my higher end guitars sit watching.
I find that PRS guitars are really comfortable & natural to play, and think the 25” scale length is the perfect balance with easy string bending, and their tuning stability is by far the best I’ve seen on a non-locking nut tremolo guitar. I love my CE24 & SE24, but now I’m very intrigued by the sound of the S2 you highlighted with its vintage-style pickups!
The other guitarist in my band plays PRS guitars and I play a Carvin DC127 and we both love that 25" scale. It's just great.
even their acoustics go nuts. mine stays in tune so damn well its almost like I can't believe it lmao
I agree. As a newly retired person, I'm re-entering the world of guitar after 40 years of stepping away from playing and the S2 looks like an absolutely stellar instrument to embark on the next stage of my musical life! BTW...your videos are addictive:)
I don’t want to sound crazy but because generally PRS are rather perfect there’s no where to run ! So alway been bit nervous trying them out
Welcome to the club. I have an S2 Custom I bought in 2014. It's a very good guitar, quite versatile, gig or jamworthy. Mine has the 85-15s and they are a little on the hot side. I'd recommend it for someone with a limited budget looking for a single very good guitar. If you can, find a store that has them to try them so you can feel the whole thing, but particularly the neck.
Good luck Doc, you will find that the world of electric guitars (in particular) is a lot different 40 years hence. Hey, maybe you'll win this one!
Congrats. S2 are amazing. Except their korean 58/15 S pickups. That was the only disapointment i had on my S2 Thinline. Replaced pickups like literaly same week after a couple rehersals. Too hot, too boomy and too hot. Did I mention too boomy :)?
@@tadask.4931 I had a 2011 se single cut. Pretty much the lowest priced prs on earth. Only this on it that sucked was the nut. The pickups were SO DAMN GOOD that I rarely played anything else for months.
The CE is my perfect guitar. I love the 85/15 pick-ups (clear and opens, the PRS sound), and the bolt-on necks. It is subjective but I think they have their own character.
I agree. Love my CE 24’s.
Yep. Agreed. Plus, the neck is satin finish and feels soooo nice.
I don’t think there is anything subjective there. The CE models have a unique sound in the PRS line. Especially the older CE22.
I love my CE24. It is now a CE24-08 which is even cooler. Had finish problems so while it was getting warranty work I had PRS mod it. It's the one I just pick up and feel "at home" with.
i love my standard 24 SE, it played great out of the box and the pickups are useable, looking to upgrade soon but if you don’t upgrade those pickups i wouldn’t blame you. it’s a solid guitar with great versatility, which for me is good because I don’t stick to one genre. great reviews!
I've always felt the same way about PRS. I bought a Canadian made Godin instead, SSH with a coil split and rolled fingerboard, for $500. The 24-08 was really cool and tempting but it just seemed played out. If I ever get one in that $5k range, their custom shop might be worth looking at over others...idk. I do feel like they pushed guitar value forward a ton, and I appreciate the brand for that.
It did my heart good things to finally hear you play a Tremonti riff of some sort! And man that CE 24 is an absolute monster!
With arms wide open?. Mark is super talented I just wish the rest of the band would have held together better.
LOVE my CE
@@d.rowley5023 he played a bit of a variant riff of “My Sacrifice”
We did he not play a single cut or any of the Tremonti sigs??? 😭
@@ethanjones3992 probably because this video was comparing custom 24 models at varying quality/specs, and price points…
To be honest I could not tell a discernible difference in tone between the lowest grade and the highest grade PRS.
They're surprisingly consistent.
I've been thinking about it. My theory is that the more they can dial in on exactly what makes a difference, the better they get at disseminating that knowledge to their partners.
As opposed to having an artisan picking up these things via experience over years, which isn't cheap knowledge.
That would probably be the PRS pick-ups they make. The difference is possibly in the playability and some small options. Then again, there probably isn't a huge difference there either.
Stérile guitars for me .
We’ve tested both the 85/15 “S” and 85/15 TCI pickups, and they have a very similar frequency response. It makes perfect sense that they would sound very similar.
I work at guitar shop and we are PRS dealers. Having tried every model at every level I 100% agree with your assessment Rhett! The S2 is the magic price for appointments goldilocks zone. As a side note I personally think all the 24s would look aesthetically better with covered humbuckers. So I found it affirming that you chose the 1 guitar that had covered pickups in your lineup. Great video! Cheers
Thanks for the hugely informative video. You totally confirmed my sense of the S2 line being the sweet spot. (I may have a great chance to by the custom 24 at a great used price too! )
I honestly really like that at basically any level, you are getting a prs. I have an older se standard 24 and there have only been three gripes with that guitar. The pickups in that year range weren't very good (still usable though) the tuning machines got pretty loose feeling pretty quick and the plastic nut that came on then stock was more prone to cause tuning stability issues. All of those were pretty easy fixes and it is now one of my mainstay guitars. Was always one of the best feeling guitars I had which is why I put the money into it over the years.
Man, Nu metal was huge when I was in that 12-14 year old range where your music taste develops, so for me the PRS guitars through a Dual Rectifier or Engl Fireball were the sound on EVERYTHING I listened to. I have yet to play a PRS guitar, but they look beautiful. I still don't understand why they never did a Brad Delson signature with the Hybrid Theory Soldier on it.
That was all over MTV yes ! P.O.D, Incubus, Linkin Park, Staind, Puddle of Mudd... who else do I forget ??
@@sepultubob Creed. So, so much Creed.
Dude... that era of music began my obsession of learning about sound in the guitar universe, seeking out how bands got "that" sound. With a little research and to my surprise, all of my favorite bands I was listening to at the time were using PRS and Mesa, that was "The Sound" man you are so right, haha. Still love it!! 😆🔥🔥🔥🔥🤘🏻
@@B2Rockin Yet most of them didnt record with them so it wasnt how to get "that" sound.
@@soulie13 haha and probably nikelback as well 😂
Big thanks for doing this Rhett! I was looking for a video on each tier, something recent. Thank you sir!
Great video, Rhett, I’m glad Sweetwater helped you do this. It’s a really good way to help people figure out what guitars might be right for them when they’re trying to figure it out. As a beginning guitarist, I idolized the Gibson Les Paul guitar, it was my dream guitar. My favorite players played them. Jimmy Page, Duane Allman, Paul Kossoff, Peter Green and many others. My first one was a used 1981 wine red Custom with chrome hardware. Nice guitar, but it had a twist in the neck that would have required major surgery to correct.
I replaced it with a 1980 natural finish Standard, an amazing guitar, played like dream and sounded even better, it was perfect. About a year later (1988) the Standard was stolen and it broke my heart. I didn’t play guitar for over six months, my enthusiasm for guitar was gone. I’d had a dream come true and then lost it, just like that. Since then, I don’t really have a desire to own a Les Paul, while I still like the players, owning one isn’t a priority anymore.
Almost a year ago, I got my first PRS, an SE Zach Myers in Trampas green and I love it, it’s now my favorite guitar and while I still like Les Pauls, PRS is the one for me. I’m saving up for another PRS, likely an S2 McCarty 594. I like the consistency, the versatility and the neutral quality because I can get the sound I’m hearing in my head and it’s always there for me and that’s what I like about them. As guitar players, I think we focus too much on gear, when we should focus more on playing the guitar instead, which I’m going to go do right now. Thanks for the video!
Rhett, heard your podcast where you interviewed PRS.
I already respected you, but you earned a lot more respect by giving your honest opinion. Most people wouldn’t do what you just did. Be proud.
Thanks for the great comparison vid! I found myself gravitating to the one you picked. I bought a SE 24-08 a year ago on a whim - always wanted to get to know a PRS and it was on sale. The coil split thing is a novelty - I guess it's a good back-up guitar for live work if your Gibson or Fender or main guitar goes down. I think if I were to get another PRS I'd go for 245 (Les Paul design), maybe the Tremonti - essentially a LP with whammy bar . . .
Thanks for doing this video! I love this series, and the “What is the *AMP* sound?” vids. Awesome stuff.
I find your experience interesting! Because my music journey has led me in the exact opposite direction. Over time I’ve become less interested in Gibsons and adore PRSs. Not to say Gibsons can’t be cool, or that I wouldn’t mind having one. But I’m not eager to spend my money on one.
However I am eager to spend money on a PRS, and can’t wait to buy a CE24 in the next year or so. I also completely agree that the S2 is the PRS to get first (and perhaps only PRS to get, if one is wanted). My S2 Custom 24 has been the most inspiring, fun, creatively unleashing instrument I’ve ever played.
I guess more than anything I’m thankful we’ve found guitars we love. I spent a long time not having a “me” guitar, and I feel fortunate to have found one that resonated with me. Seeing your adoration of your R9 reminded me of finding my PRS, and I hope every guitarist has that kind of moment.
I love it when you review stuff. You aren’t scared to disapprove of things. It brings more weight to the things you do like. Thanks for your integrity!!
You’re very good at doing your thing over any style. I only really noticed this recently. You always sound like you. With both what you play and the tone and effects you use. No matter what the genre is. I think it separates you from being a session player in that respect. Not an easy thing to achieve. Impressive. 👍
I remember checking the S2 at NAMM a few years back. The look with the pickguard was the first thing that was attractive, but the playability was just as good as the others. Really killer guitar, good choice!
"Sorry Paul, your guitars are too consistent and well made. You need to put a few turds out to make the rest seem special!" 😄
Rhett says, “I like the dot in lays over the birds”
Everybody is entitled to their own opinions…
Yep I have to side with Rhett on that one. Give me the classic dots or moons any day. The birds are just a bit much for my tastes. Ditto on the crazy flame tops, I’ll take a classic very subtle flame every time. Or just straight up mahogany. Probably why my favorite PRS’s these days are the satin S2 singlecut standard and Vela models. No lack of character in those, especially the Vela.
He's insane
I prefer the dots too.
Love the nod to alter bridge. I don’t play that style of music anymore, but they were the ones who made me want a PRS. Great guitars
I picked up an S2 Custom from a Guitar Center years ago, couldn't put it down - and still can't. The paint job isn't flashy, but it sounds amazing in so many studio situations, and plays like a dream.
Great video, Rhett. I have the PRS SE Custom 24-08 35th Anniversary Edition and I absolutely love the coil taps. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
That Creed riff took me right back to the early 2000s
Some WWF/WWE video with My Sacrifice in the background
I agree that the S2 line is some of the best value. You should checkout the S2 Vela especially the Semi-Hollow version. I think you might find some of that character you're looking for,
I have a first run se custom I got as a high-school graduation gift. A guitar repair friend of mine played a bunch and picked the best sounding one. He also owned a few of the "real" versions and I noticed then how similar they sounded. There are subtle tone differences but prs is prs and I think they've done a great job of maintaining their sound through all levels.
I've had a similar struggle. Nothing wrong with PRS guitars. Wonderful quality and very clear. However no distinct voice or sweet spot. I went to sweetwater gearfest to get a new electric guitar and take advantage of the sales. Played many PRS, fender, gibson, gretsch etc. Spent the whole day going back and forth between them comparing. I ended up leaving with a Mexico strat that day.
The Mexican fender line is pretty cool although I'm having trouble finding them
Maybe the lack of “distinct voice” is because players are just trying to copy the tones of others instead of finding their own sound? I laugh at these sorts of comments. Blind tests have shown none of you can actually discern a Fender from a Gibson from a PRS from a Harley Benton.
Ya they've always felt very lifeless to me and lacking character. Beautiful guitars but I really struggle make it sound the way I want.
Your breakdown is spot on! I think because of the consistency across the line, the different models are the personality? There were significant sound/tone differences between all those models. PRS has such a strong brand identity it’s hard not to hold the Core Models up as the “Ultimate”.
Price point discussion is also true. Even though the S2 Standards are darker sounding, they offer the best bang for the buck. The S2 22 Standard would be my pick (…better neck carve for me)
The consistency of a guitar manufacturer being framed as a criticism is confounding for me. Is it not a good thing that an affordable guitar can sound as good as an expensive one?
I picked up a used S2 Standard 24 for $700 and I think that's were you'll find the best value overall. It's just a great guitar but funny enough always felt it lacked a bit of mojo like Rhett was saying. It's strange because it's a phenomenal guitar.
drop in a set of 36anniversaries!
Smart man
I'll never part with my sc 250...it has mojo for days...when I first got it I thought it didn't have much mojo, but then I tuned it down to D standard (10-52) and it came to life...and it's gotten better over the years...although it needs a fret level soon...from me playing the shit out of it...it just has the most sustain of any guitar I've played...and yes I've played a burst!!
Before switching pickup my experience with it was pretty stale too. Yeah the neck is great, the intonation were good but the sound were too "safe" and anemic to my liking.
I then switched my 2011 s2 mira pickup with wizz. Gotta say those wizz sure got them mojo.
@@redcomn imho, pups are the only weakness PRS have, there are guys who seem born to play stock PRS guitars and can really work those pups like Simon McBride and Bryan Ewald but for my playing they sound a bit sterile.
good review....thank you and merry Christmas
I also couldn’t bond with PRS for many years. Then came out the Paul’s Guitar with TCI pickups (narrow field, P90 sounding). That was exactly the sort of guitar/sound I was looking for. I bought it and have no regrets. I absolutely love that guitar. It’s a great complement to my strats and mid 90’s Parker Fly Deluxe.
Man, a nice prs just feels unlike anything else. I didn’t play a ton of them all in a row, but a 10 top McCarty 594 with P90s came up for sale in my area and it was too good of a guitar and a deal to pass up. The prs body carve is so nice to the touch, and the dynamic range of the instrument is truly stellar. It’s as good or superior in build quality to my Suhrs and my Riggio tango Marquis. I’m not going to fanboy over them, but I will play that one and very much enjoy it!
Jen turners tone on Natalie Merchants tiger Lilly album was killer. She used a PRS and I would buy one just because of that. If I was Paul Reed Smith, I would sign her to a big fat contract and send her around hocking his guitars. Man! She killed it!
💯
I’m going to have to revisit that album. Thanks for the reminder!
It's so funny because it's come to that. When I bought my first PRS in 94, they were still kind of "newer" and considered almost like a specialty item. I remember reading an interview with Paul that he stood by his product so much that he didn't have anybody that was an official endorser of his product in terms of getting the gear for free. There were plenty of people that were in PRS ads or they would endorse as players (Ted Nugent & Carlos Santana were probably the first 2 that caught my eye)... but those guys didn't get them for free. I think that's super cool.
Carnival is one of my go to songs for testing headphones and speakers. You want that big warm sound without being muddy. Cool album.
@@jaricklosey4607 100%.
Always appreciate your reviews man!
"These guitars lack vibe." "They lack character." The common denominator in this case is you, Rhett. And the same with any of us. We (the players) don't vibe...with it (guitar shaped object). Every guitar has some affordances that the player can exploit. Every guitar has some limitation, which the player overcomes. So, it seems Rhett vibes with some classic styles and tone, and because of the inconsistency in Gibbies, he played a bunch of guitars over years to find some combination of wood and pickups and playability that matched your sound concept. So that's a win! But still, it's not the guitar, it's the player. And I could pick up your number one and get nothing from the experience.
And the fact that the S2 is so close to the Core is a very very common characteristic of any line of product or any scale of improvement; with graduated or graded improvement, there are diminishing returns on investment of time, money, and expertise in execution. One can always spend more, but any difference in aesthetics are approaching the point of a difference in personal taste, and the difference in materials, design, build execution, playability and performance starts to exceed the point were a human player can make use of the modicum of improvement to some playability or audible advantage.
That was such a great intro Rhett, it had feels for days man 🤘🏼🙏🏼
I have a CE 24 that I bought a few years ago for $2k and with the ability to coil split and has the clarity of the core 85/15s I think it should be in the #1 spot. Definitely agree it's hard to recommend a $5k guitar especially when the SE line has gotten REALLY good over the years.
Hit me up 👆 I got something special for you 💌🎁
Love this he is being straight with us about what he thinks. Great job man…. I have never owned a PRS, I would like to try them maybe have one
They all look and sound so amazing! I haven’t still played the Electric Guitar, this looks exciting to give it a try!
I wasn’t much of aPRS fan until relatively recently. These guitars have a very really rich and warm sound regardless if one is dealing with an SE an S2 or a Core
Thanks Rhett! PRS have been on my wish list for some time and this video is very helpful to making a decision on a PRS purchase.
Thanks for the video Rhett!! I'm still in love with the 24 custom core, but realized how cool the s2 custom is and I will keep it even if I get a core. Keep it up!!
Thank you! I’ve been watching your Chanel grow for a long while now, and always enjoy your knowledge and opinion.
Hit me up 👆 I got something special for you.. 💌🎁
I think the S2 line is incredibly underrated. I kind of agree with your list although personally I would put the CE at number 1 and then S2 on the second. The core being at the end of the list mainly due to its price. I think it's too expensive for what it is and for that money I can get a Majesty which has more features and looks cool.
Though I was surprised how similar they all sounded, having played a CE24 I think it’s the best of the bunch. The feel, tone, and finish are excellent on that model. As an avowed Fender guy, I find the bolt-on neck on the CE24 a refreshing break from glued-in necks for the snappy tone in produces. Maybe my opinion would change if I played them all back to back, but for now it’s the CE24 all the way.
Yeah I totally agree. I have the CE24 Semi hollow and as a Fender guy, I love how the neck is bolt on and satin finish. I don't like a glossy neck.
Agree. My DWCE24 is my favorite guitar of all time.
@@TheFenderman1983 love my CE "24-08". Mine is a semi-hollow with the 24-08 style switching added to the guitar by PRS. I love the guitars tone, feel, and versatility.
Great job on comparing the different models!
2 yrs ago friend sold me Prs soapbar 2 se for $100. It was so smooth and just fun to learn on. I now am proud owner of Santana semi-hollow gold custom se, and their parlor $299! I'm having best retirement for 76yr healthy drummer.
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Nicely done. No sugar coating or BS. No regurgitation of PRS lore. Thats why I trust you're content.
My experience, I played so many PRS and Gibby's trying to fall for one or the other. The analogy I come away with is that PRS akin to digital, Gibson are analog. What I mean is, PRS all felt about the same, craftmanship was always consistent, feel always very close, never a lemon or outlier. You either like it or you don't, but to me a bit soulless. Gibsons vary so much, between different models, years and within the same, you could hate one and love the next. I always found them too fussy but I keep searching for the unicorn.
Find me a guitar that feels like a Fender, sounds like a Gibson and looks like a PRS.. is that too much to hope for?
I like what you said about consistency being a feature and a bug. For me, PRS's line is amazing. It's huge value, because I’m not going to spend more than about $1k. They punch way above their weight. It's when you get up to the upper echelon where the consistency falls short of artistry.
I'm with you on #1. I own a S2 Standard 22. Was able to get it used for under $1000 and I like the layout of the controls. Plays well with the updated electronics that I don't feel the need to update. It's not my favorite guitar but feels great to play and is a great intro to the brand and have it be able to cover all your bases.
I play what I can afford still watch out for se's n other second grade axe's
Hey, thanks for that review now I know which one I’m going to buy. I’ve been on the fence for two years. I really appreciate this video.👍👍🇺🇸
Back in 1988-89, I worked as an assistant to the guitar salesperson at Chuck Levin’s Music Center not far from PRS’ birthplace in Maryland. Jon would get the whole crew psyched for every unboxing of the latest works of art that popped out of the PRS shipment, adding them to the already beautiful display of dazzling guitars. I knew back then that one day I would own a PRS guitar, which still hasn’t happened but will! I still have my Takamine cutaway acoustic which I purchased there, which “spoke to me” as I compared it to two other guitars with consecutive serial numbers. Thanks for the explanation Rhett. I’ll be keeping it in mind as my PRS purchasing day arrives.
I bought my Heartfield EX-1 right about then from WMC.
I got my first decent amp at Chuck Levin’s, an Ampeg Reverberocket in 1965
Love this series, probably does well with the algorithm too. Keep them coming brother
Great vid and highly insightful!
When people say a PRS sounds sterile, what they really mean is it doesn't sound like a Gibson or fender or whatever famous vintage guitar majority of bands played from the 60's onwards. Which I find it a bit funny since I would hope other guitars would have their own sound instead of constantly trying to mimic the past. I guess you can say they have Rose tinted boomer glasses. And hey, I love those sounds too! If I wanted those sounds I'd get a gibson or fender, which i have. PRS guitars have their own sound, i guess you could say its more modern in that notes seem to have more clarity and ring to them, a Hi-Fi sound. Its not going to have that gibson throaty mid punch or fender twang. And thats what I like about them besides how amazingly comfortable they feel and play. Its a new avenue to explore sonic territory to find your own sound, instead of trying to sound like the bands you grew up listening too.
As for vibe, to each their own. Certain things click for some and not for others. I should preface and say for over 15 years I hated/memed on PRS due to some of the bands I grew up that played them plus their price. It wasn't until recently when I just happened to pick up a PRS SE 22 semi hollow that my mind completely changed and was blown away at how nice of a guitar it was especially at that price range. Before that I was a big Jazzmaster and Strat guy, with a epiphone and gibson les paul. Now here I am, just ordered a used PRS CE24 off reverb and can't wait to play it.
Have an S2 custom from a few years ago. I love the way it plays and looks. The only draw backs for me is the pickups are a little too high end but can be fixed with a tweak of an EQ. The other issue is the column pot does not swell or increment well. It’s either there or it’s not.
My SE Custom 24 was like that. Someone suggested swapping out the .022 capacitor for a .047, so I tried it. Makes a bit of a difference.
@@briank6789 Did you notice the difference with or without coil split? I mean I like the bridge humbucker of my S2 but with coil split it’s a bit too bright.
Try lowering the height of the pickups
@@MachineGunJelly584 haven't tried coil splitting since I did that, so I can't say.I never really use the coil split on either of my 2 guitars that have it. I have a strat for single coil stuff.
For me, PRS is one of those brands that the more you dive in, the more you feel that mojo. I think Paul and his team give off an unabashed sense of passion and it kind of defeated any sense of “sterility” that might be associated with the brand
Every time someone dogs PRS as not having Mojo, it’s usually an admitted Fender or Gibson fan. Those guitar companies have made literally 95% of the music we know and love and we’ve been hearing them since we were kids. I think that’s the real of it. I love my silver sky because it can sound like a fender and it can also not. It helps me make my own sound and not just sound like every strat I hear in music all the time.
A guitar is just wood with electronics. The mojo comes from the player not the guitar.
Yes the guitar can enhance the player's skill but if the player sucks.......the player sucks.
And even if the guitar sucks or it's not comfortable to the player..........if the player can't overcome.....the player sucks.
The guitar doesn't make the player.....the player makes the guitar
i purchased my PRS for about 750 dollars witch was a great deal at the time. The one i got was the PRS SE Custom with the Floyd Rosa upgrades and blacked out 85 / 15 s pickups, i can say i have been so happy with this guitar and its the one i pick up when i wanna shred yet it handles smooth and cleaner tones fairly well to. Though i will say having the Floyd Rosa additions make the wammy alot of fun.
Thanks, good overview of the lineup.
Rhett have u tried the S2 Vela models? Those are so good specially the hollow body ones which have tons of character! Good video btw, is super useful to have this kind of face to face tests 💛
I’ve been thinking about trying one of them out great looking and interesting features.
Thumbs up on the Vela - my favorite PRS model.
The vela is the PRS model i want to try most.
The Velas are killer guitars. Especially the satin finish ones. They’re almost the anti-PRS. They have everything that makes a PRS great (consistency, ergonomics, great necks, and phenomenal playability) with none of the stuff that turns people off about PRS (bird inlays, over-the-top flame tops, questionable colors) and they add a healthy dose of character. The top-loading Tele-ish bridge seals the deal. I bought one and loved it so much I had another one within a year.
@@Plexi417 I own the Satin finish Vela Semi-hollow. Completely agree with everything you said. It has tons of personality but can still cover a lot of ground without losing its own voice.
For my ears the top of the line one sounded like the best of all of them. Good attack and nice and thick sounding.
Solid video thanks for the info and demos
My Core McCarty was $4200 and change. I was shopping against an R9 or R7 (I'd previously owned both and had a hankering for another). I could not find an R9 for less than $7k. I could not find an R7 for less than $4999. This isn't even getting into Murphy Lab stuff. The fit and finish of the PRS was better than the 3-5 different "R" LPs I tried. I preferred the playability of the PRS, and being in MD, I kind of liked knowing it was built "down the road". Though Rhett doesn't like the coil-split tones - for me it equals versatility on a gig. End of the day I went Core PRS and have loved it each day since. But to each their own. Happy Holidays....and keep the change ya filthy animal(s)
Interesting video response to PRS. I've been playing PRS's as my main guitar for many years at this point. My dream guitar was the custom 24 and I played that guitar for a handful of years until I came across the CE-24, which is now my #1 go to guitar for literally everything. I have owned 4 different SE models, two of which currently reside in my arsenal. I've owned the S2 Standard 24 which to me, I wasn't a fan of. It felt too much like an SG and a toy at the same time. I LOVE the SE line as of 2017 and beyond. They have gotten a ton better quality wise and feel wise. The thing with PRS is that they pay incredible attention to the tiniest details in the guitar, which is why they are so expensive (inflation also has played a part in that as well, unfortunately; CE-24's used to be 2k and custom 24's used to be 3500.). To hold an opposing viewpoint, I actually really love that they are consistent across the board. To me, that means I know that no matter what PRS I pick up for a gig, I know exactly what to expect and that's a great feeling. With that being said, not everyone is going to enjoy a PRS and that's okay. That just leaves more for the rest of us who do ;-) haha!
I also found this video very interesting, and to be honest 180 degrees from what I was expecting. I also have been through much of the PRS progression, starting in 2014 with the SE Custom 24 and then SE Custom 22, then later moving up to the S2 line with a Standard 24, then an S2 Custom 24, and just about 2 years ago found a great condition used core Custom 24 for almost half of what a new one cost, so I couldn't resist. I did skip the CE line, but having played with another guitarist who had one of the early 1990s versions, I knew that was also a great guitar. Based on my experience I was fully expecting Rhett to proclaim that nothing else in the PRS line comes close to the core guitars. When I first received mine, I picked it up and before I even plugged it in I could tell this was a special instrument. Mine is a later model with the 85-15s, and even though my Standard 24 has the 85-15 "S" pickups, the difference was immediately noticeable. I do like to play more toward the clean end of the spectrum, so that surely influences my opinion, but I had never heard a set of pickups that had the balance of output and clarity that the core 85-15s had (still haven't). I know it all comes down to taste, but to me there is a very noticeable difference going from the S2s to the core. Now I certainly don't own, and haven't played, anywhere near the variety of guitars that Rhett has, but I do own a fair collection of Fenders, a couple of Gibson LPs, as well as guitars from Epiphone, Ibanez, Schecter, and have played quite a few others, but if you told me out of every guitar I've ever owned or played that I could only keep one, the PRS core would be the one I would pick. Thankfully I will never have to make that choice...
Great honest review video. I have 6 PRS models, all SE's. Never had any desire to even try a core model. Even if they are better in any way, there's no way you could ever convince me they are "that much" better and worth paying 5-6 times the price. Same goes for my Gibsons, as well as the $400 Squier classic vibe that I like better than my $1700 Fender "professional". The cost differences lie heavily in the different labor cost to build them, not in the quality of the finished product.
So no discernible difference between an SE and core model PRS in terms of sound and quality ?
Are we talking about wine or guitars? My only want out of a guitar is playability. 😊
Thanks. Very insightful. Does a more expensive pickup sound better?
Took the tour at Stevensville before the pandemic. Highly recommended if still avail. Things that stood out for me: the specialty woods area with all that beautiful handpicked material; the ladies in the pickup room meticulously winding the coils (for the core models); the guy fitting a neck into a pocket - watched him for 10 minutes sanding the neck end on a flat block and attempting to fit it over and over until it just slid into the body perfectly (exactly what you're paying for when you buy hand-made); and of course Paul himself in the custom guitar shop working with the tools. Walked away thinking how well focused this business is. Love my core Mira violin burst, bought of all things on eBay at a nice price. Risk paid off. Gave it to the setup department while I was down there and they gave it back like new. The older Mira's have a slightly smaller body with nearly symmetrical horns, just excellent weight and feel.
They all sound pretty dang good to me. The 2 most expensive ones did have a little bit more of a tasteful bite to my ears. Like I said tho, they all sound very good. The lowest end one sounds better than anyone else’s “affordable” line in that range. That bein said, I just have never cared for how they look and feel. I like what ya said there Rhett, they don’t inspiredme either.
Great video Rhett. Appreciate it. Actually help me lean where I was already heading. The s2 range is hard to beat.
Great review, Great playing..I bought exactly that model that you rate as #1, it's a superb guitar, over the moon with it
I bought a PRS SE Custom 24 about a year ago from a local dealer. I tried 4 different SE's both Custom and Standard 24's and they were amazingly consistent. All were pretty nicely setup and playable out of the box and basically I bought the the finish I liked the best. I passed this guitar to my luthier for fine tuning and he could find very little that needed adjusting out of the box! Loved the feel of the tremolo and at this point it's my "go to" guitar for the dual humbucking rock tones but it's not bad getting single coil tones in the tap position. I had originally planned to change the pickups but so far, I just haven't been unhappy with what's in there. I've had very few electric instruments where I've found that to be the case. Usually it's the noise that make me change the electronics but these pickups are quiet enough even working close to my large screen monitors. My Strat has Zexcoils, every other single coil has been too noisy.
Could you tell me if the coil split position gets the same volume sound than the full humbucker position or not?
@@Dami1rush No it's not the same level it's roughly 60% but it does a great job of being a very suitable single coil sound.
I love PRS. I have had my CE24 since high school 22 years ago after saving up to buy it and it is still my number one guitar. I also love Mesa Boogie, which is another brand I know you’re not really into 🤣. It makes sense to me that you are not as into PRS or Mesa because your tastes tend to be retro whereas those brands tend to be used more in modern rock and metal a lot, which is where my interests lie. I always find that they sound great and have a more balanced sound overall. I think the guitars you played all sounded great and really liked the more expensive ones the best, in no small part because they look the best to me. Oh well, to each their own.
I would also add that it really depends on who is playing and the style of music. I remember watching Alex Lifeson play Les Pauls and a PRS on Rush’s 30th anniversary concert DVD and thought he sounded better with the Les Pauls while on the other hand seeing Al Di Meola playing with Return to Forever for the Live at Montreux DVD and thought he sounded better with the PRS than the Les Paul. Same thing with Opeth, their sound is heavily intertwined with PRS guitars and I think the balanced clarity of a PRS is an important part of that sound.
Anyway, rock on!
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It seems to me you kind of are punishing PRS for being consistent. I love my PRS. I got tired of playing and looking through so many dud Gibson’s that were basically over priced boat anchors. I have played strats and Tele’s as well for years. I don’t think you can fault a company that strives to make every guitar great. I think your review was Harsh.
Agreed.. "lacking character" because you don't have to search for the best guitar within a lineup of identically specced guitars... Strange.
Great shoutout and impressions about the different ranges of PRS. I agree with you the S2 line is incredibly great value for the money. Since I started playing the guitar I always dreamed of having a PRS Custom 24. But I could never afford one. I could buy a used Tremonti SE, put some Seymour Duncan Invaders in it with 4 push-pull pots and I loved that guitar very much, mostly for down tuned heavier stuff. After that I bought a second Tremonti SE. Swapped the pickups for a SD Slash set and I liked that as well, mainly as a solid hard rock player. But then the time has come in 2016 and I could trade these two for a 2009 Starla Core model in vintage cherry red. That guitar has the vibe, the mojo and all the buzzwords you can say for that kind of instruments. This is still my favorite number 1 instrument. It simply feels like home. After that I had as a backup a SE Standard 24 in blue. Somehow I could not connect with that one. I wanted to swap the pickups but I decided to trade that guitar too. And it was a good decision. I got a 2009 SE Santana One with only one P90 pickup. That guitar is a beast as well. I used it for recordings, on stage, it has a great vibe and sound I really like it. The pickup in it is absoultely amazing for cleans and dirty tones as well. In March 2022 I decided to give a try and purchase an S2 Singlecut Standard in frost green metallic. The look and the feel of the guitar is stunning. But somehow I could not connect to that guitar because of the pickups and electronics. But now I decided to swap things and not trade the guitar. I decided for a Duesenberg D-Tron set and swapped the pushpulls for PRS 500k tone pots and swapped the volume pots too for PRS 500k pots. Now it became my other favorite guitar. So as written in the beginning, the S2 line is incredible value for the money, if you don't like the pickups and electronics just change them to your desire but apart from that it's basically the same as core line. S2-s are first class guitars for musicians of any kind of style.
Rhett , very nice comparison. I too found it difficult to separate tonal quality between the models ,but iPad speakers are not anything like studio monitors. I opted for a $2,600 Brent Mason signature with a Korina body in natural finish with H S H pups and a 5 way blade sw. Very versatile and plays like s dream.
Hey @rhett shull when are you picking the winner for the giveaway?
I always thought there was something wrong with me because my opinion of PRS guitars was that they lacked character or any personality whatsoever. I 've owned a Custom 22 and a McCarty Soapbar over the years but, although they were outstanding instruments, I was never able to connect with them. Thanks, Rhett, for, for demonstrating to me that I'm not crazy!
discovered you yesterday and im really enjoying your music and style
Interesting & informative thanks for the thoughtful breakdown & giveaway!! Cheers from Northern California!!
@Rhettshull the price draw for the PRS was meant to be awarded on the 17th but it still says the winners haven't been picked?
This is my thoughts on all of these electric guitar tone videos, please let me say that i thoroughly enjoy Rhett and all the great players on CZcams! I always learn something new from their content…That said here’s my thoughts… any time I watch a guitar review or shootout, or comparison, if the player is using overdrive, a pedal or amp tube distortion, it’s extremely hard to ever tell any difference between the least expensive models, and the top of the line guitars! Something to think about…with the humbucker crowd out there… Do you think that it EVER entered the mind of Seth Lover, and consequently Les Paul, that their pickups and guitars were designed to be played overdriven? Pick up a Les Paul/Mary Ford record…the tones are clean as a whistle! That’s what those instruments were designed to sound like! Comments, please…
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I also struggled with finding a PRS I really connected with, but after playing the CE 24, I finally found one I liked. Part of it was the pickups, but a lot of it came down to that satin neck.
God bless you, man! Def would not have chosen your #1. I'm glad you like it. Looks like my very 1st guitar from the JC Penny catalog. To each his own.
Oh! I like cheap [but pretty] guitars. I'd go for the bottom Indonesian guitar, but if I could splurge I'd go for the one with the mini coil taps.
That "vibe" you talking about is pure nostalgia with a good dose of marketing and conformism/stagnation. These are, as you said, tools. A chunk of wood with strings attached. I'd love to see you reviewing a modern guitar, like Abasi Concepts or even a recent high end Ibanez. p.s. I have a couple of PRSes and Gibsons/Fenders and like to play them all.
You are 100% correct. If PRS had come out before Gibson the opinions on "vibe" would be switched. This drives me crazy about guitar players.
@@mvalentino5650 nope
It is, nostalgia
And a little sliver of nostalgia is valid, it's real, it's a good thing
But mostly, mostly it's bullshit.
Gibson has its heritage, PRS has impeccable quality... they're both established brands, and they both make amazing instruments...PRS every one, Gibson... well, every tenth one? They can't all be zingers. (Looking at PRS)
PRS has better qc, but if you want those, they're $4,300 dollars, that's $1500 more for that level of quality. The CE is almost the price of a standard Gibson
The "vibe" or "character" with products that don't work right or it's hit or miss on whether you get a "good" one is just the same in the car world. Wonky British roadster that doesn't run when it's damp or the roof leaks? Great character. Miata that starts up every time and doesn't leak? Soul-less machine.
Got a Gibson where the bridge doesn't intonate right or the neck has an angle to the body? Character. Got a quality made instrument? Soul-less tool of the devil.
@@dougdavis8986 yep
I got the CE 24 when it was only $1800. The Sweetwater edition satin finish gives it some character and feel… at least for me. What I love about PRS is that is the consistency and the versatility. The CE cleans up nice but also gets dirty well. To borrow a pedal term, it’s a good ‘platform’ guitar when using a Helix or something similar.
I have one too. Extremely versatile
Loving the melodic playing!
great test. now i can't realy decide. it comes down to feel as well. but well put, they are consistent and close. that makes a hard choice. thanks for this
I love my PRS SE 24/ 08. Killer workhorse. Best of both worlds for me. It can sound like a LP or like a strat. I upgraded the nut and tuners to locking. Killer looks in Eriza Verde green. Looking forward to the PRS SE David Grissom in January.
BTW the SE 24/08 is $929 not $1900 Rhett.
Great video as usual.
Yeah the mistake about the price it’s quite strange especially that in editing he put the correct price in the first part of the video. I guess don’t expect much from a sponsored video, you gotta pay them bills.
I thought that was weird, i didn't think an $1800 SE model exists