PRS Custom vs PRS SE

beams

Hey,

I'm looking to do a spot of guitar consolidation at the moment and I was wondering if any of you could provide advice on the title? I've been playing about 15 years off and on and all sorts of styles so I'm looking for an all rounder.

I'm keen on a PRS custom 24 but all of the reviews of the similar SE model don't really differentiate the two in terms of sound quality and playability. I know the Custom is "hand" built in the US and the SE is built under license in Korea, etc. etc. but is there any substantial difference that warrants the 2,000 price increase??? The price is not a major issue, I just don't like being ripped...

Cheers,
D

Savman

Get the real thing, ain't no substitution.

-Chris-

There's a MASSIVE difference between the two.

I play an SE and I love it, but if you asked me to pick a guitar that I'd still own and love in 30 years time, the Custom would have improved with age whereas the SE would still be "just an SE".

That being said, I prefer my SE to my Les Paul Studio, MIM Strat, MIM Tele Thinline etc. - it's head-and-shoulders the best guitar of an "inexpensive" bunch.

Fad

I have an SE and really like it (But im an 18 year old student) hands down, I'd buy the Custom, get the real thing if money isnt an issue.

Dont buy it here though, your wallet will be raped!

-Chris-

Don't buy it without playing it either - it's a lot of money to spend on a guitar that may not be "the one".

Fad

-Chris- wrote: »

Don't buy it without playing it either - it's a lot of money to spend on a guitar that may not be "the one".

True, if your going to the states any time soon, it'd be an idea to hold out until then.

beams

Thanks for the responses. The plan is to play here and buy elsewhere . There's some in the UK for a little over 2 grand so I may grab a Ryanair flight...

I get your point that the Custom would be an investment of sorts and it does look a lot nicer with the contoured profile but does it sound and play much different? I have a couple of Jackson's - one a Randy Rhodes and the other an SE Kelly (explorer) - made in Korea i think. To be honest there's very little in the difference bar price.

dermo909

There's no comparison between the two guitars. I've owned 2 US prs guitars and there is a definite difference between them and the SE line. Head and shoulders of a difference. The feel is different, they play better, sound better, look better, they're better designed, more attention is paid to its construction etc.
Where have you been looking for this guitar? 2k seems very high. You could get one for 1500 if you are not looking for 10 top or birds. Right now I see a custom 22 for 1400, custom 24 for 1290 on guitars4you.co.uk

beams

dermo909 wrote: »

There's no comparison between the two guitars. I've owned 2 US prs guitars and there is a definite difference between them and the SE line. Head and shoulders of a difference. The feel is different, they play better, sound better, look better, they're better designed, more attention is paid to its construction etc.
Where have you been looking for this guitar? 2k seems very high. You could get one for 1500 if you are not looking for 10 top or birds. Right now I see a custom 22 for 1400, custom 24 for 1290 on guitars4you.co.uk

Ok, original it is...

I was looking at them on ebay and a ten top custom 24 is about 2300 euro.

boycey

Go for the US models beams, there really is no comparison.
dermo909 mentioned guitars4you, I've bought three guitars from those guys, including a PRS. Great store , the owner Mark is a good guy to deal with. I'll pm ya a list of summer deals he e-mailed me if you want?

beams

boycey wrote: »

Go for the US models beams, there really is no comparison.
dermo909 mentioned guitars4you, I've bought three guitars from those guys, including a PRS. Great store , the owner Mark is a good guy to deal with. I'll pm ya a list of summer deals he e-mailed me if you want?

Fire me on the list boycey. Fair play. They seem to be reasonable alright. Got a price for a custom 24 10 top (any ideas what the 10 top means?) bird inlay for 2800 from a guy in Ireland... Ouch

dermo909

PRS rate the maple tops on a scale of 1 - 10 for their guitars. A 10 top has the best top available on this scale. However they do hold back extra special tops for special editions and private stock. Some say that the 10 top means that the top is 90% 'perfect' but rating it on a scale is a better way of describing it. You will know a 10 top PRS because it has a '10' written in gold ink on the top right hand corner of the back of the headstock. It is also written in the neck pickup cavity if you take that pickup out.
Bird inlays are usually an upgrade on most PRS guitars and cost an extra couple of hundred on top of the rrp.
Try these sites for PRS:

guitars4you.co.uk
peachideas.co.uk
worldguitars.co.uk
petercooks.co.uk (look under specials)
guitarguitar.co.uk

I bought my singlecut from coda-music.co.uk but they seem to have stopped stocking PRS guitars in any major way.