PRS SE Custom 24 – Guitar Encyclopedia Entry

General Information

Name: PRS SE Custom 24
Type: Solid-body / HH / Modern Versatile
Year: 2024
Mods: PRS SE Locking Tuners

Historical Context & Relevance

The PRS SE Custom 24 is one of the flagship models of the SE (Student Edition) series, created by Paul Reed Smith to offer high-quality, accessible instruments with design roots in PRS’s U.S.-made Core lineup. Built in Indonesia by Cor-Tek, this model brings signature features—like the 25” scale, bird inlays, and 85/15 pickups—to a wider audience at a fraction of the cost.

Designed for intermediate to advanced players looking to move beyond beginner gear, the SE Custom 24 combines professional-grade playability, elegant styling, and tonal versatility. Its 85/15 ‘S’ pickups and push/pull coil-split feature make it a flexible workhorse across genres, while its set-neck construction and carved maple veneer retain the upscale PRS aesthetic.

Its reputation for value, comfort, and versatility has made it one of the most widely recommended “next step” guitars. Though not as premium as PRS’s Maryland-made Core models, the SE Custom 24 offers much of the same DNA—and it’s become a staple in studios, stages, and personal collections alike.

Story

This guitar marked a turning point in my collection—a true upgrade. I’d been playing more seriously and needed something that could grow with me. The charcoal finish immediately caught my eye, and once I picked it up, I was struck by the craftsmanship. Everything from the neck carve to the fretwork felt refined and reliable.

More than just a good-looking instrument, the PRS SE Custom 24 quickly became my go-to guitar for anything from funk to blues to rock. The 85/15 ‘S’ pickups and coil-splitting deliver a ton of usable tones. The feel is smooth, the tone is bright and snappy when you want it to be, and warm when you need depth. It’s incredibly adaptable.

Even the included gig bag impressed me—far better than what most brands offer at this price. No, it’s not a U.S.-built Core model, but it plays like a much more expensive instrument. Every time I pick it up, I’m reminded why it was such a great move. It just works—and it works beautifully.

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Sound Samples

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Specs

Price Range: $850–$900 USD

Body

Construction: Solidbody
Top Wood: Maple
Veneer: Flame Maple
Back Wood: Mahogany
Top Carve: Shallow Violin

Neck

Number of Frets: 24
Scale Length: 25″
Wood: Maple
Shape: Wide Thin
Construction: Multi-Ply
Depth at 1st Fret: 13/16″
Width at Nut: 1 11/16″
Width at Body: 2 1/4″
Truss Rod: PRS Double-Acting
Truss Rod Cover: “Custom”
Neck/Body Assembly: Set neck

Fingerboard

Material: Rosewood
Radius: 10″
Inlays: Birds

Electronics

Pickup Configuration: HH
Neck Pickup: PRS 85/15 “S”
Bridge Pickup: PRS 85/15 “S”
Controls: Volume, Push/Pull Tone Control for Coil-Split
Switch: 3-Way Blade

Hardware

Bridge: PRS Patented Molded Tremolo
Tuners: PRS Designed
Hardware Finish: Nickel
Nut: PRS
Strings: PRS Classic 9-42
Tuning: Standard EADGBE
Case: Padded PRS SE Gig Bag