paul reed smith se custom 24 electric guitar guide

If you are shopping for a paul reed smith se custom 24 electric guitar, the short answer is that it is a strong first PRS for a player who wants one rock-ready guitar for many styles. Our top pick is the PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive with Gig Bag, because the listing includes a gig bag and has 4.6 stars from 37 ratings on Amazon. The alternative is the PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive, which has the same rating and review count but a different listing, so check its details before you buy. The rest of this guide covers the specs, the limits and who should skip it.

How we researched

We compared six search results, including two retailer pages, one Guitar World review, one retailer listing for a used model and one owner post on Reddit. We also looked at three Amazon listings for the PRS SE Custom 24. Owner experience comes from a single Reddit post, so treat it as one buyer's story, not a pattern. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

At a glance

Buying criteria, in order of weight

1. Build and playability: scale length, fret count and neck shape. These decide how the guitar feels under your hand.
2. Tonal range: the pickups and the coil-split control. This decides how many styles the guitar covers.
3. Included extras: a gig bag matters if you are starting out and have no case.
4. Amazon ratings: the star average and the number of ratings, read together.
5. Price tier: we use tiers only, since prices change.

How we chose

We ranked the options by the criteria above. Our evidence has three tiers. Verified specs come from the retailer and maker-style pages in our material. One Guitar World review gives an expert view. Owner experience comes from a single Reddit post, which is too small to count as a pattern. Nothing was tested hands-on. We will update this guide when listings or product details change.

What the SE Custom 24 gets right

The SE Custom 24 keeps the classic PRS layout. Guitar World reports a 635mm (25-inch) scale length, 24 frets, a vibrato and two humbuckers that can be coil-split. The reviewer calls the Custom's sounds 'rock-ready' with 'good coil-splits', which matters if you want humbucker power and a brighter single-coil tone from one guitar. The same review says 'it's impossible to question the craft', and it praises the guitar's build quality.

The spec sheets agree on the core details. A used SE Custom 24 '22 listing lists a beveled maple top with flame maple veneer, a mahogany body, a 10-inch radius rosewood fingerboard with bird inlays, 85/15 'S' pickups and a PRS patented molded tremolo. A Martin Music listing confirms the 25-inch scale, 24 frets, 1 11/16-inch nut width and the same 85/15 'S' pickups.

The review adds one detail to know: the SE version uses a glued-in maple neck, not a bolt-on design. The retailer NE Music Center describes the guitar as a 'workhorse' with 'addictive playability' and says every PRS SE ships with a gig bag.

Owner experience and the limits

The owner post we found is a Reddit thread titled 'Bought this PRS SE CUSTOM 24 as my fist electric guitar'. The buyer calls it an excellent guitar for a first electric. One post is an anecdote. It suggests the guitar works as a starter, but it does not show how it holds up over years.

The review also names two drawbacks. The reviewer would like 'a less showy looking version' and notes that the classic colours are offered more widely. The guitar is also made by Cor-Tek in Indonesia, not in the USA. That matters if you care about where the guitar is built, and the review treats it as a difference from the USA-made models.

The Amazon listings have their own gaps. The Exclusive with Gig Bag and the Exclusive each have 37 ratings. The plain PRS SE Custom 24 has 5 stars from only 2 ratings, which is too few to judge. The Amazon pages we had do not list the specs for each listing, so check the finish, pickups and included accessories on the live page before you buy.

Recommended picks

The site may earn a commission on the Amazon links below, and the price does not change for you. Our first pick, the PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive with Gig Bag, sits in the over $300 price tier and suits a beginner who needs a case. The PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive has the same rating and review count, so it suits a buyer who wants to compare listings and check the finish. The PRS SE Custom 24 has a perfect rating, but only 2 ratings, so do not read much into it.

How to choose

If you want a case included and a guitar you can start on, pick the PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive with Gig Bag. If you want to compare listings and the finish matters most, pick the PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive and read its page closely. If you want a bolt-on neck or a USA-made guitar, skip this model, because the review says the SE uses a glued-in neck and is built in Indonesia.

FAQ

Is the paul reed smith se custom 24 electric guitar good for beginners?

One owner called it an excellent first electric. The review praises its playability and sound range, but one post is not a pattern. Try one in a shop if you can.

Does it come with a gig bag?

NE Music Center says every PRS SE guitar ships with a gig bag. Check the specific Amazon listing, because the Exclusive with Gig Bag name suggests it is included there.

How is it different from the USA-made Custom 24?

The review compares the SE to USA-made Core and CE 24 models. It points to differences in hardware, top carve and neck construction. It does not give a full side-by-side, so check the maker's own pages for the full range.

Conclusion

The paul reed smith se custom 24 electric guitar is a solid, versatile choice for a player who wants humbucker power and coil-split tones in one guitar. The spec sheets agree on the core build. Buy the Exclusive with Gig Bag if you want a bag included, check the other listings for finish and details, and skip it if you need a bolt-on neck or a USA-made instrument.

Sources

• Guitar World: PRS SE Custom 24 and 24-08 review
• Dave's Guitar Shop: SE Custom 24 '22 listing
• Martin Music: Paul Reed Smith SE Custom 24 specs
• NE Music Center: SE Custom 24
• Reddit: owner post on the PRS SE Custom 24