What's the "classic" PRS electric

[CoolerKing]

I'm wanting to take a tour of the PRS factory sometime in the Autumn. I figured while I was there I would take a look at their offerings and not knowing much about their guitars, was going to poll the room as to what the "classic" offering is.

Looking around on their website and seeing various artists use them, it seems the Custom 24 Floyd is what I'd be looking at.

What sayest thou?

[steveh]

Originally Posted by CoolerKing

I'm wanting to take a tour of the PRS factory sometime in the Autumn. I figured while I was there I would take a look at their offerings and not knowing much about their guitars, was going to poll the room as to what the "classic" offering is.

Looking around on their website and seeing various artists use them, it seems the Custom 24 Floyd is what I'd be looking at.

The "classic" PRS is unquestionably the CU24 (NOT with a Floyd; the earliest had the PRS "MannMade" trem, and PRS subsequently started making their own version of this). The CU24 was also the basis for the first "limited edition" PRS, the Signature (1987-1990 IIRC).

The CU24 was what they started with in 1986, and was a real cross between a strat and a Gibson, which was the main appeal (plus the fact that, at the time, it was much better made than either). As the years have gone by, the models have generally gravitated towards Gibson, with 22 frets, thicker bodies etc., but the archetypal PRS is the CU24.

Cheers,
Steve

[steveh]

PS: If you're interested in what make waves these days, then it would be the DGT.

Obs, the Silver Sky is creating a stir, but it's hardly "classic" PRS

Cheers,
Steve

[CoolerKing]

Cool thanks guys!

[guitararmy]

In fact when PRS first got started the main models were the Custom and the Standard. The “24” wasn’t part of the model name since a 22 fret version didn’t exist yet.
The Standard was a mahogany body while the Custom had a maple cap. Both came with the MannMade Trem as mentioned above. 5-way rotary pickup knob, “sweet” switch, and no tone control!

I still have my first PRS, a Vintage Yellow Custom from 1987...

[KevWind]

In the "Core" (USA made) series the current best selling are probably the Custom 24 and the McCarty 594. In the "Bolt On" series it's the Silver Sky, with the CE 24 very close in sales (I chose the CE 24 as my first electric and still love it)

But the most numbers of sales (arguably because of lower price but still great quality and finish ) is the SE series in which I believe there also the SE custom 24 is the top seller.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by steveh

The "classic" PRS is unquestionably the CU24 (NOT with a Floyd; the earliest had the PRS "MannMade" trem, and PRS subsequently started making their own version of this). The CU24 was also the basis for the first "limited edition" PRS, the Signature (1987-1990 IIRC).

The CU24 was what they started with in 1986, and was a real cross between a strat and a Gibson, which was the main appeal (plus the fact that, at the time, it was much better made than either). As the years have gone by, the models have generally gravitated towards Gibson, with 22 frets, thicker bodies etc., but the archetypal PRS is the CU24.

Cheers,
Steve

+1. The classic PRS is the Custom 24. There are some other modern 'classics' though as pointed out.

[rockabilly69]

whoops double post!

[rockabilly69]

I think my 1994 Custom 22 looks is a classic! Although I did change the pickups and tuners (I kept the original parts though)

[Dru Edwards]

Wow, it looks fantastic! I prefer 22 fretters over 24 fretters due to the location of the neck humbucker.

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

I think my 1994 Custom 22 looks is a classic! Although I did change the pickups and tuners (I kept the original parts though)

[FreeRangeTrout]

It would be hard to go wrong. They are all fine, well-made instruments. I had a McCarty made in 1999 that was wonderful. East Indian rosewood neck and fretboard. Classic humbuckers but I ended up selling it when I migrated to single coils and so forth.

The McCarty has both the wonderful approach of Paul Reed Smith, dovetailed with the tradition/pioneering of Ted McCarty.
https://www.prsguitars.com/index.php...l/mccarty_2021

Just my 2 cents.

[jmkratt]

Another vote for the Custom 24.

[CoolerKing]

The artist I most associate with PRS is Carlos Santana, as well as Alex Lifeson. Mayer too I guess, although his looks like a strat to me!

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by CoolerKing

The artist I most associate with PRS is Carlos Santana, as well as Alex Lifeson. Mayer too I guess, although his looks like a strat to me!

Santana is probably the big name artist with longest history with PRS

And now the 3 single coil Silver Sky is Mayers PRS "baby"
But he also played a PRS Super Eagle on the Dead and Company tour's

Some other PRS artists I like are include
Mark Lettieri and David Grissom

here is Grissom ripping at the Austin City Limits 40 th anniversary finale

https://youtu.be/yM0fXtg4SOY?t=133

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by CoolerKing

The artist I most associate with PRS is Carlos Santana, as well as Alex Lifeson. Mayer too I guess, although his looks like a strat to me!

I have the book below. I think this is where I read that Paul went to a Santana concert just to show him one of his guitars and let Santana take it so he could try it out. Santana loved it and the rest is history.