JRod4928
Power User
I played the PRS SE CE Standard the other day.
I was optimistic when I tested it out. But I noticed the fretboard edges were sharper than I liked, making the neck feel a bit uncomfortable. The fretboard itself and the body's satin finish felt a little rough to the touch (rougher than my Squier satin finish guitar). The pickups aren't quite up to snuff, but that's to be expected for the price... It did have nice weight to it, and everything was solid, as expected - I'm sure it's a quality instrument.... The SE CE Standard felt like a Schecter Diamond Deluxe that I used to own.
Edit. Am I being critical? Maybe. But with the name PRS comes the expectation of perfection. It's a fine instrument but it isn't perfect. There's a reason why it's $500.
Is the SE CE Standard worth $500? Absolutely. Especially for a beginner or someone wanting a PRS to gig with and don't care about the appearance of a non-maple top.
Is a USA Custom 24 worth an extra $3000-4000? Probably not.
This is exactly what they've done over the years. I bought my USA Cu24 10 years ago for almost the same price (new) as your CE24.
I mentioned this in a PRS Forum like 5 or 6 years ago and got pitchforked out of the place.
I was optimistic when I tested it out. But I noticed the fretboard edges were sharper than I liked, making the neck feel a bit uncomfortable. The fretboard itself and the body's satin finish felt a little rough to the touch (rougher than my Squier satin finish guitar). The pickups aren't quite up to snuff, but that's to be expected for the price... It did have nice weight to it, and everything was solid, as expected - I'm sure it's a quality instrument.... The SE CE Standard felt like a Schecter Diamond Deluxe that I used to own.
Edit. Am I being critical? Maybe. But with the name PRS comes the expectation of perfection. It's a fine instrument but it isn't perfect. There's a reason why it's $500.
Is the SE CE Standard worth $500? Absolutely. Especially for a beginner or someone wanting a PRS to gig with and don't care about the appearance of a non-maple top.
Is a USA Custom 24 worth an extra $3000-4000? Probably not.
What does PRS’s $499 guitar mean?
It gives PRS the incentive to raise their core model prices even higher through the roof, that's what!
I have a CE24 that I bought brand new in 2021 for $1999 out the door.
I have a McCarty that I bought brand new a year ago for $3450 out the door after getting a great discount from my local guitar store.
As we know, both of those models are now priced much higher.
PRS core models are now priced out of my range, and I've rarely been skimpy on guitar purchases.
This is exactly what they've done over the years. I bought my USA Cu24 10 years ago for almost the same price (new) as your CE24.
I mentioned this in a PRS Forum like 5 or 6 years ago and got pitchforked out of the place.
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