PRS SE Custom 24-08 Review

Feels as good as it looks!

I love the color and binding on this Sweetwater exclusive. Don't be turned off by this being an SE model. The quality and attention to detail on mine is shockingly good. The fretwork is actually nicer than a PRS CE I used to own. I did change out the knobs for the PRS lampshade style knobs. I just prefer the look and feel of those. I also added the PRS SE locking tuners.… read more The guitar held tune just fine, but I like locking tuners for the string change convenience. The pickups sound better than I anticipated as well. Thought I might have to change them out for something else, but after playing this for a month, they are staying. A very comfortable and easy to play guitar imo. Couldn't be happier with my purchase. And a special thank you to Parker who helped me find exactly what I was looking for (I'm annoyingly picky).

---

Cancel Comment

Awesome Guitar, Great Service

The sustain on this guitar is just incredible and it is absolutely beautiful! Aric Brenner provided excellent service throughout the purchase and delivery. He even sent photos of the actual guitar that was available for my approval before shipping. Sweetwater is the best!

---

Cancel Comment

Perfect, with Some Effort on my Part

I'm a player since 1978, still play in a part-time band, and I own some other good guitars: Gibson, Fender, Taylor, Gretsch, etc. I'm going to write a fair evaluation of this instrument, based on my experience with it over the last 20 months both recording and gigging with the guitar. Spoiler alert: I REALLY like it--it's the best 'all around' guitar that I own, but it took a bit… read more of work on my part to get it there. Before I begin, I'll say that the experience of buying from Sweetwater was (and always is) fantastic. I was able to look at quite a few versions of this model; the sales tech gave me item numbers over the phone, and I viewed eight different models before zeroing in on this one. I also used their 3-payment plan, which made it easy to buy when I wanted it, and their personal sales reps follow up with you on everything. You just can't beat Sweetwater's customer service. I'll start with the things I love about this guitar. First, the pickups are hot but articulate, and sound great clean or overdriven. The dual coil taps produce excellent single coil sound, springy, but it doesn't sound exactly like a Strat--quite usable, especially with both pups on in single coil (which cancels the single coil hum). The 25" scale length and wider neck width/cut make it a joy to play, and the PRS body cut is well-balanced and comfortable. The controls layout puts everything right where I want it--I honestly wouldn't change anything about the design or sound. It's easily the most versatile guitar that I own, and it always goes to the gig. Plus, it's flat-out gorgeous. When the guitar first arrived, the action was set high, so I immediately lowered it to my preferred height--no real problem there. I played it every day to stretch out the strings, but I noticed that there were some issues with it staying in tune. This was happening with all six strings, though some were worse than others, and they seemed to be sticking in the nut. I struggled with it for the first four months, but ultimately it required some work to correct the problem. First I bought a Graph Tech Black TUSQ nut (specifically for PRS guitars, $13) and PRS replacement locking tuners ($100). I decided to pay a luthier ($180) to install these, as well as set up the trem bridge so that I can use the trem to pull notes up a whole step. I could have done the installations myself and saved a bit of money, but I wanted to make sure that it was done right and well. After the extra work, the difference is night and day, and I would easily put this guitar up against the higher-end PRS models, or expensive guitars made by other big players in the industry. It's the guitar I reach for first. Considering the additional parts, I think that the replacement nut made the difference, and I don't know if my issues with the stock nut were to do with the composite material from which it was made, or if it happened when they were slotting it in the factory. The locking tuners are a bonus to speed up string changing but probably weren't needed, though they do provide a little more stability with string pitch. So that's my assessment. I'm giving this a 4-star review because despite the issues that I had, it otherwise has exceptional build quality, tone, and playability, and I think that the issue that I had with the nut is minor by comparison. The extra expense & work not withstanding, I'm still VERY happy that I bought this guitar. I'll play it for years.

---

Cancel Comment

Lovely guitar, great sound

I've been playing a Tele for a while now, so this is a little different. Sustain is incredible. Neck is wider---a plus but also a slight adjustment for me. FEEL of the instrument is great when I sit to play: very balanced, arm lays nicely along the upper body and my hand rests neatly on the bridge (-when that's what I want.) For some reason, my Tele bridge "bites" me at times; this… read more one never does. Color is lovely, finish is smooth. A real eye-catcher. (And to be honest, I wasn't crazy about the green version---this color suits me to a T.) Plays easy. The 8 pickup configurations provide a diverse palette of tones.

---

Cancel Comment

So much more than I expected!

This guitar is so much more than I expected. Has a perfect setup. I can dial into any sound and there's absolutely zero hum from the pickups. My spine is rapidly deteriorating and I was hoping I could drive into it without an increase in pressure. I think this I'll be able to play this guitar long after my neck will force me to close the cases on my others. And the service...called… read more me and went over what I wanted and it's the best setup ever. My excitement was matched only by the tech. Worth the wait and well worth the price...and, oh Yeah...at is GORGEOUS!

---

Cancel Comment

I sold my mint sunburst PRS CE that I bought new in 94.

This guitar has everything the CE had and more for much less the $$$. It is lighter but still have the mahogany body. once I got it I realized I would not play my USA PRS CE. So I sold it. Haven't looked back. It's an amazing guitar. Arrived well packing and in excellent condition. Finish detail is actually slightly better that the CE. Stays in tune. Can't say enough! Own an older… read more PRS SE single cut and a PRS SE one. All excellent guitars.

---

Cancel Comment

Great Guitar

Everyone knows about the exemplary customer service offered by Sweetwater. That held true when i bought this guitar. Ashton Vaudt was very helpful, as usual. Thanks, Ashton! The guitar arrived on time and it was in perfect condition. I'm used to playing 10s and this came with 9s. At first i kept accidentally bending the strings, but i'm used to them now. The guitar is great.… read more Plays well, stays in tune, sounds great and is comfortable to hold. I have zero complaints. I'm not suddenly a good guitar player, i feel really goid playing it. Great looking, too!

---

Cancel Comment

2nd PRS

I purchased A PRS Starla from Sweetwater before..Great guitar.. Decided to buy the custom 24 0 8...My sales engineer Chris came in on his day off to assist me. My drive is 4hrs.one way...That is above and beyond customer service..Sweetwater and the staff are no.1 in my book...And the 24-08...An amazing guitar....Definitely a customer for life.

---

Cancel Comment

Excellent guitar for the money

Fit and finish is flawless. Fretwork impeccable. Neck feels fast and comfortable. All the knobs and switches feel high quality. Pickups sound great with clean tones and extremely high gain. Very happy with my purchase. Great value!

---

Cancel Comment

Love it!

What a beautiful guitar that just feels so right in your hands! This is my first PRS guitar and the SE quality is OUTSTANDING! The frets were impeccable and standard set up from factory was very good. And the versatile 85/15 pickups...sound great. The wide thin neck feels so smooth and nice. I would have preferred a satin neck but so far no issues with the high gloss neck.… read more I can move around the fret board with ease. I read some reviews about tuning stability. I have not had any issues after STRECHING the strings several times. I bend those strings and use the trem and go several days without needing to be re-tuned. I am currently playing through a Bugera V22 tube amp and this guitar sounds so sweet and smooth on the clean channel. I throw on a dirt pedal and the bridge PU is splendid. I have had several guitars including Gibson and a fender like (G&L) and this PRS definitely has its own sound which I love. For the price this is a tremendous value. Not cheap but a lot cheaper than a USA made PRS custom. Some day maybe! Lastly, a big shout out to Nick Reedy! Simply great customer service during the order process since I had to wait a while for it to come in stock. I am a Sweetwater customer for life!

---

Cancel Comment