PRS

PRS Custom 24

Ranked #4 in Electric Guitars

743 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

Flagship US build with the best out-of-box consistency and support reputation in the business. The guitar most likely to be played, stock, in twenty years.

Consolidated from 18 cited sources across 15 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

17 positive sources
1 mixed source

See the sources

Flagged as a product to avoid

1 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick.

The USA-made SE Custom 24 delivers the overwhelming majority of this guitar's performance, playability and looks for far less, and outranks the core model on every value-oriented buying guide; paying core-model money here buys a headstock and a ten-top, not a meaningfully better playing experience.
Flagged 10 September 2026

Why the boards include products to avoid

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Pros & cons

✓ Industry-leading out-of-box consistency
✓ Core line hardware: locking tuners and a robust trem
✓ Named best versatile all-rounder in GuitarMetrics' 2026 roundup
✓ A superb, versatile all-rounder nobody disputes
✓ USA-made build quality with a ten-top

✗ The SE Custom 24 delivers most of its performance and looks for far less
✗ Core-model money buys badge prestige more than a better playing experience
✗ Higher cost than many comparable models

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 7 articles, 6 video reviews and 5 community sources

17 positive sources

What To Know & Where To Buy Article

This guitar has not only stood the test of time but has also become a cherished instrument among musicians who value both aesthetics and sound quality. Its legacy is further cemented by its role in interrupting production for the limited 25th Anniversary edition in 2010, a testament to its enduring appeal and innovative design.

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Play and Trade Guitars Play and Trade Guitars · 109K subscribers · Jan 2026

Look at this, Lake Blue is a fantastic finish.

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Guitar Interactive Magazine 547 · reviewer · Oct 2025

When you think of Paul Reed Smith guitars, you think style, performance, and innovation, and their 40th Anniversary Custom 24 Satin is a perfect example of why they have that well-earned reputation. Limited to just 500 pieces worldwide and available in five finishes, this guitar is equal parts celebration and showpiece.

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Pedal Experiments Pedal Experiments · 11.6K subscribers · Sept 2025

Look at the grain on this. It is sublime. It doesn't even do it justice because it's in real life. It just there's so much going on here. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

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Andertons Blog Elliot Stent · reviewer · Nov 2025

With its bird fingerboard inlays, dual humbuckers, carved top, 24 frets and ergonomic contours, the Custom 24 is considered a modern classic among guitarists. The Custom 24 certainly set the precedent for PRS’ future designs, with many of its features dripping down into its other models.

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Guitar Talk | Guitar Gear Giveaway Guitar Talk | Guitar Gear Giveaway · 11.5K subscribers · Aug 2026

And they certainly live up to that reputation. So, on the bridge, you can get a nice aggressive sound, a nice bright sound without sounding too ice picky. On the neck, you can get a nice warm full-bodied tone without any of the muddiness.

Watch F Facebook Facebook post

The PRS SE Custom 24 is widely praised as a high-value guitar that delivers Core-level playability and tone for around $849 new. Owners highlight its versatile 85/15 "S" pickups, comfortable Wide Thin neck, and solid tuning stability, with many saying it’s hard to beat under $850.

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Guitar Coach TH Guitar Coach TH · 6.2K subscribers · May 2026

This shade of pink is so beautiful and sweet, it's especially unique.

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Guitar World Article · Nov 2025

Its build quality is terrific, its tonal versatility is staggering, and its playability makes it addictive. At $170 off this Black Friday, it's incredible bang-for-your-buck.

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Lloyd Meeks Lloyd Meeks · 322 subscribers · Oct 2025

But what that does mean is that higher up in the register, it's slightly closer to you and slightly more comfortable and your access is better with the Custom 24 because you've got the dual cutaways. Whereas the Les Paul, if you have it square on your body sitting down like this, your arm doesn't feel like it goes out as far to get down towards the nut. Now, the other thing to pick out on physical feel is the scale length. The PRS has a slightly longer scale length and what that means is that the strings always feel like they've got a little bit more tension on them.

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Guitar World Article · Oct 2022

Great design, perfectly executed with immaculate builds, the PRS SE Custom 24 is a testament to the good health of the SE project, offering a serious guitar for the money.

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guitarguitar guitarguitar · reviewer · Feb 2026

If ever a guitar were greater than the sum of its considerable parts, it would be the PRS Custom 24.

Read P r/PRSGuitars u/gpaint_1013 · owner

The custom 24 is, in my humble opinion the finest guitar available on the market today.

Read thread P r/PRSGuitars reddit.com

I have a SE Custom 24. Everytime I pick it up, I'm shocked how good the pickups are.

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Guitar Chalk Bobby Kittleberger · reviewer · Apr 2026

I won't try and hide my enthusiasm - this guitar is truly exceptional.

Read G r/guitars u/Which-Bus-2305 · owner

I don't think you can go wrong with the SE 24 custom.

Read thread F Facebook Jerry Atkinson · owner

Loved the top on this new one!

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1 mixed source

Sergio Serra Music Sergio Serra Music · 3.2K subscribers · May 2025

It sounds really nice and I I really can't say that there is like 4,000 years of difference from this one to that one. Uh this uh this is you know uh it's not obvious uh but it's what I think. Uh would I still buy it if I had the money to justify? Uh probably used.

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Frequently asked questions

It ranks #4 of 19 on our electric guitars tier list, in A tier. That placement draws on 18 cited sources across 15 outlets.

None of the 18 sources with a clear view is critical of it. The SE Custom 24 delivers most of its performance and looks for far less. Core-model money buys badge prestige more than a better playing experience. Higher cost than many comparable models.