PRS Query

[SonOfIAm]

Why is it that some people look down on the PRS CE series over any of their other models? I have owned a 2003 Brazilian McCarty, a 1998 CE-22 and a 2006 CE-24. I have played many other Customs, McCartys and CE's and I absolutely love the feel of the CE's maple neck over any of them. What makes them any less of a guitar than any other in their line? They have the same bodies, neck carve options, neck joint, fretboards, hardware and electronics. The only difference is that the CE's have a bolt on neck! What gives? :?

 

[Rocky]

Most people I know think very highly of the CE series.

They dont have the same neck joint....one is a bolt on one is a set neck.

 

[SonOfIAm]

What I meant is the type of joint is the same, the only difference is one is bolted on the other is glued. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[MrMarkIII]

Arguably, it takes more skill, time, and money to make a set-neck guitar.
Doesn't really make it better, but you know how people are.

 

[flieger67]

PRS makes great guitars out there in Maryland, whether it's a bolt-on CE or a Private Stock instrument. If I recall correctly, Alex Lifeson played mostly CE's when he started using PRS's. And he could certainly afford any PRS that he wants.

My first PRS was a used CE and it was a great guitar. At times, I wish I still had it, but it's got a good home now with Steve Lynch.

 

[Commander Coo1]

for the longest time i tried many prsi, but passed by the bolt on models. then one day i said what the hell, and picked one up. i have owned 2 prsi and both have been ce24s. i love them and would not trade it for another guitar (within reason. i mean i could sell a private stock and get a few CEs lol)

 

[jdurso]

I dont know anyone who thinks lowly of the CE line.... i think it more comes down to the tone. To me the CE, especially the CE24, is PRS's shred guitar. Most shredders I know gravitate towards Ibanez for one reason or another, but the fact that it has a bolt on maple neck can make or break many peoples decision between a CE or Custom. A lot of the guys that I know that play PRSi have more rock/heavy rock oriented tone, which a lot of times sounds better with a mahogany neck.

So its not so much that the neck is bolt on, but rather the difference between maple and mahogony (at least thats my perspective). Also the neck carve plays into it too.... shredders tend to like flatter necks, which the CE doesn't have, at least when compaired to an Ibanez. Now I'm not saying a maple bolt on is just for shredders, but most of the time the non-shredders who would look at a PRS are a lot of the time more interested in a mahogany or rosewood neck for the darker, warmer tones.

Just as an example that there is much love for the CEs, their new artist model (Hiland) is more or less a CE24 with different pickups. That guitar is all the rave right now among the PRS community.

http://www.prsguitars.com/hiland/

 

[Turumbar82]

"To me the CE, especially the CE24, is PRS's shred guitar."

In my opinion you are completely correct about this. I love the CE's feel and they have that fantastic look that PRS have but they shred. I feel like my next guitar will be a CE.

 

[jdurso]

"To me the CE, especially the CE24, is PRS's shred guitar."

In my opinion you are completely correct about this. I love the CE's feel and they have that fantastic look that PRS have but they shred. I feel like my next guitar will be a CE.

Well they do more than shred, but out of the PRS line its definitely the shredder of the family. They are incredible guitars, super agressive capible of amazing tones.

 

[UltraGary]

If I ever look up or down at a CE.....I'm usually thinking "**** I need to get one of those."

 

[Commander Coo1]

i agree, it s more agressive and geared towards shredding and thrash kinda sounds

 

[Rocky]

i agree, it s more agressive and geared towards shredding and thrash kinda sounds

A CE 24 has the same electronics package and pickups as a Custom 24. Same can be said of the CU22 and CE22.


WHile both can be used for a multitude of sounds to say they are geared for thrash and shred is incorrect. The CE and Custom lines are designed to fit many styles.

 

[jdurso]

i agree, it s more agressive and geared towards shredding and thrash kinda sounds

A CE 24 has the same electronics package and pickups as a Custom 24. Same can be said of the CU22 and CE22.


WHile both can be used for a multitude of sounds to say they are geared for thrash and shred is incorrect. The CE and Custom lines are designed to fit many styles.

First off we're just talking about the CEs (not the customs) and infact we're comparing them to the Customs. Second, if i implied the CEs were DESIGNED for shred, I apoligize because I didnt mean it to come off that way. What I meant to convey is that out of the entire PRS line the CEs, especially the CE24 is the most shred guitar IMO. Nothing to do with the electronics or pickups, but in the neck and neck joint (being a bolt on). That neck is what gives the CEs their bright reflection and shortened sustain which are both beneficial to a shred player. That is one of the reasons why shred players tend to gravitate towards Ibanez, who seem to have created a nice little niche for themselves in the shred community. With that said, I think that makes them a better fit and geared towards (whether Paul did it purposely or not) shredders at least in the PRS line.

 

[Turumbar82]

there's nothing wrong with saying they are better for shredding. lol I don't think anyone is saying they were made specifically for that purpose and that you can't use a CE24 for anything else.

I think the main issue is to the OP, I don't know anyone who looks down on the CE's. The play great, sound great, and look great and I am very close to convincing myself to get one! lol

If a person does look down on them it's because they have a personal preference toward something else.

 

[Rocky]

First off we're just talking about the CEs (not the customs) and infact we're comparing them to the Customs. Second, if i implied the CEs were DESIGNED for shred, I apoligize because I didnt mean it to come off that way. What I meant to convey is that out of the entire PRS line the CEs, especially the CE24 is the most shred guitar IMO. Nothing to do with the electronics or pickups, but in the neck and neck joint (being a bolt on). That neck is what gives the CEs their bright reflection and shortened sustain which are both beneficial to a shred player. That is one of the reasons why shred players tend to gravitate towards Ibanez, who seem to have created a nice little niche for themselves in the shred community. With that said, I think that makes them a better fit and geared towards (whether Paul did it purposely or not) shredders at least in the PRS line.

How is less sustain a plus for a shredder?

 

[Commander Coo1]

the sustain on mine is jsut as good as my tremonti SE that i have that has a hardtail instead of trem. but they are a more agressive sounding guitar than a custom so in my opinion they are the better choice for thrash kinda stuff, but it is by no means all it can do, i can get very nice smooth jazz tones out of it too. so im just saying if you are trying to fit a shred/thrash metal style, the CE fits the bill a bit better than a custom.