PRS SE Custom 24 & 24-08 review

Two decades on, PRS’s SE range is out-selling the USA Core models by some margin. Let’s drop in on a pair of grown-up 2021 models

PRS SE Custom 24 and Custom 24-08
(Image: © Future / Olly Curtis)

Guitar World Verdict

Two great designs, perfectly executed with immaculate builds, the PRS SE Custom 24 and 24-08 are a testament to the good health of the SE project and offer two very serious guitars for the money. The 24-08 just shades it for its switching options and tone, but either way these are a triumph.

Pros

  • +

    Seriously well-sorted Custom with not a hair out of place.

  • +

    It’s impossible to question the craft.

  • +

    Custom has versatile rock-ready sounds with good coil-splits.

  • +

    Slightly sweeter sounds and expanded switching edges it for the Custom 24-08.

Cons

  • -

    We’d love a less showy looking version and, thankfully, there are more classic colours offered.

  • -

    No left-handed Custom 24-08.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

You don’t need us to tell you that 2020 was a tremendously difficult year for manufacturers worldwide. Factory shutdowns, shipping difficulties and even good ol’ Brexit have all played their part as larger scale makers try to catch up with orders. Is it really the time to be launching major new models?  

In another time, perhaps PRS would be popping the champagne corks to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its SE range, a now broad collection of instruments that includes bass guitars and acoustics and has not only contributed considerably to the business but given a vivid taste of PRS’s high-line Core and upwards instruments at a fraction of the price. 

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