Did PRS cut corners? PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin demo

When I unboxed the PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin, I asked my husband to guess the price. "Oh, that has to be like $1,200," he replied. Friends, it's $499. And, spoiler alert, it rules.
And I don't think my husband is out of pocket for thinking this! When I think of ‪@prsguitars‬, my mind has always gone to their more expensive models. The PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin has changed my outlook on PRS as a company.
I'd understand if you thought PRS would have to cut some serious corners. The thing is...I don't think they did. Sure, you're not getting the curly maple top, but you're getting a seriously well-built guitar that's equally appealing to beginners and seasoned pros who want a rock-solid backup that won't break the bank.
Learn more and pick one up:
sweetwater.sjv... (Sweetwater, HIGHLY preferred affiliate)
tidd.ly/3I7mlHt (Reverb affiliate link)
#PRS #PRSguitars #GuitarDemo
From the product description:
Originally introduced in 1988, the CE has become an essential part of the PRS line-up, offering the snap and response of bolt-on construction. The SE CE 24 Standard Satin is the most affordable CE yet, pairing an all-mahogany body with a bolt-on maple neck.
The mahogany body features a thin satin finish that results in a highly resonant instrument,
and the maple neck’s semi-gloss finish provides a smooth playing feel. The PRS 85/15 “S” pickups provide extended high and low end with clarity and balance, while the push/pull tone control adds the versatility of coil taps.
This workhorse instrument delivers looks, tone, and playability, and is a great option for beginning players through professional musicians thanks to its high-quality build and popular price tag.
BODY
Body Construction: Solidbody
Body Wood: Mahogany
Top Carve: Shallow Violin
NECK
Number of Frets: 24
Scale Length: 25” [635 mm]
Neck Wood: Maple
Neck Construction: Scarfed
Truss Rod: PRS Double-Acting
Neck Shape: Wide Thin
Neck Depth at the Nut: 13/16” (20.64mm)
Neck Depth at the 12th Fret: 57/64” [22.6 mm]
Neck Width at the Nut: 1 11/16” [42.85 mm]
Neck Width at the Body :2 ¼” [57.15 mm]
Fretboard Wood: Rosewood
Fretboard Radius :10” [254 mm]
Fretboard Inlay: Birds
Headstock Logo Signature: “SE”
NECK/BODY ASSEMBLY
NBA Type: Bolt-On
HARDWARE
Bridge: PRS Patented Tremolo, Molded
Tuners: PRS Designed Tuners
Hardware Type: Nickel
Nut: PRS
Truss Rod Cover: “CE”
ELECTRONICS
Treble Pickups: 85/15 “S”
Bass Pickups: 85/15 “S”
Controls: Volume and Push/Pull Tone Control w/ 3-Way Toggle Pickup Switch
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Strings: PRS Classic 9-42
Tuning: Standard (6-String): E, A, D, G, B, E
Case: Gig Bag
FINISHES
Charcoal, Turquoise, Vintage Cherry
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[@andiebetjemann7920]

This simpler design appeals to me more than the maple top glossy shiny ones.

[@phipschi4255]

wish they'd come with dot inlays though

[@Texasbluesalley]

Every PRS guitar I've played, including the two S2 models I own, have been incredibly well built. Not surprised at all that the same is true of their lowest priced instruments. Kind of crazy they're doing the bird inlays for this price.

[@GetOffset]

I know!!! I think it's why my husband assumed it'd be nearly 3x the price.

[@OfficialDreamTheater]

@@GetOffset AND they're fancy looking pearloid inlays instead of a gray stain/flat gray finish like the SE Silver Sky! The SE Silver Sky is a visual miss in my opinion because of the cheap looking flat gray truss rod cover, tuner buttons, and inlays. Big reason why I haven't purchased one.

[@abstractvisions]

I completely agree. I recently purchased the new Swamp Ash Special and I’m absolutely blown away by its quality, sound, and playability. I have owned some SE’s in the past and I was a bit middle of the road on them, but these new SE’s coming out are next level.

[@kylebaker8619]

Honestly the split coils are the best part of this guitar. The humbuckers are way to muddy for me. I wish stuff like this was around when I was learning because I would have been all about this.

[@GetOffset]

I have to agree--the single coil sound is where it's at for me. I usually just chalk it up to not being a big fan of humbuckers in general.

[@kylebaker8619]

@GetOffset great review, by the way.

[@GetOffset]

Tysm!

[@Robstafarian]

The great thing about cheap guitars with humbuckers is the huge variety of aftermarket pickups at various output levels and prices which can mount, including: the full spectrum of conventional humbuckers, true P90s (e.g. BG Pickups's Pure 90), true P90s in hybrid humbuckers (e.g. Seymour Duncan P-Rails), P90ish humbuckers (e.g. Railhammer Humcutter), and humbuckers which defy convention (e.g. Wilde Pickups [**not** "Bill Lawrence USA"] L-500 and L-90, Fralin Twangmaster and Big Single).

[@kylebaker8619]

@Robstafarian absolutely! Get a set of good $250 pickups and keep the total price under $1000. Definitely not a bad idea. The rest of the guitar is nearly flawless

[@tobyjohnson6722]

I actually think of SE models when I think of PRS’. Must be because of how crazy affordable they are on the used market here in the UK

[@GetOffset]

That's totally fair! I haven't followed PRS as much as I know I should, but I've really been impressed with their models across the board. From affordable to high-end, you can tell they take pride in churning out guitars that will make whoever buys them happy

[@lunamatic9775]

Getting value for the money is pretty great, and it's relatively easy to replace and service something like this compared to a fancy custom model. The pickups seemed pretty versatile as well.

[@GetOffset]

Couldn't agree more!

[@alfredcakeburn1166]

Insane value over here in the UK now Emily with Peach Guitars putting them out at £399...

[@dananthony6258]

I really want a green one. I have a thing for green guitars. I'm weirdo like that. I'm never going to get a strat the rate I'm going. I really want one too.

[@ryangilby]

Can I ask if you had the tone knob half or all down? Because if it was wide open the whole time, I’d say the pots need to be 1meg ohm if not triple that!

[@GetOffset]

Tone knob was up.

[@FrKyleSanders]

I’ve been vacillating on whether to pick one up. Such a good bargain!

[@GetOffset]

Yeah, I can see this making a big splash, especially among newer players.

[@FrKyleSanders]

For sure! Talk about a solid first instrument. For me, I just love getting the most out of cheaper gear. If the build quality is good, it get the sounds I’m looking for and I don’t have to pay a grand to get that, then it’s perfect.

[@poesybeat]

If it had moons instead of birds it would be perfect

[@adamstein9333]

Can I fit an S2 standard pick guard on it? My favorite Guitar!

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

It just occurred to me my Ibanez SZ is their take on a PRS.

[@adamstein9333]

Yes but the SZ series are way better than these!

[@Robstafarian]

I am very new to the channel, and I have a genuinely-well-intentioned question: why not use a tube preamp, such as a Synergy module in a Synergy SYN-1 chassis? I would not presume to ask, had I not seen the gear peaking from those shelves. Regarding nut widths, I really hope the PRS SE Standard line gets a DGT model; its neck profile and nut width are roughly halfway between an SE Silver Sky and a Wide Fat neck.

[@leonardskinerd7758]

I can't answer for her but as a viewer of this channel for a while, Emily and her regular guests don't seem to be "tube amp snobs". I've never heard them talk about chasing "that tube" sound or saying "nothing sounds like a tube amp". It's kind of refreshing, actually.

[@Robstafarian]

​@@leonardskinerd7758 Respectfully, none of that relates to the question I asked or why I asked it. Most people I have come across who use digital modeling, apart from session guitarists, do so either due to budget or volume restrictions. The equipment visible on the shelves seems to indicate that budget may not be a problem, and a tube preamp such as I described would bypass the volume problem; getting back to the equipment on the shelves for a moment, I was struck that they represent several ways to avoid using tubes while spending about as much money as a Synergy module costs-such that two or three of them could cover the cost of a Synergy SYN-1 chassis and a module. Though I am definitely a fan of Synergy's products to date (and eagerly awaiting the SYN-20IR lunchbox head), my curiosity which led me to post that comment was (and still is) both genuine and innocent. I cannot speak to whatever "tube amp snobs" have poisoned social media discourse such that snobbery if not outright combativeness commonly is presumed, as I have gone out of my way not to use social media other than KZbin and Discord. I come bearing smiles and hugs, amiable and convivial, wishing no ill and holding no grudge. ❤

[@GetOffset]

Have you tried the Benson Chimera app from Mixwave? It's VERY impressive. And very convenient. I live in a townhouse and you the wall behind me is where my neighbors' very cute babies nap and I'm trying to be a good neighbor. I tried a few other solutions and just prefer the Benson plugin.

[@Robstafarian]

@@GetOffsetI do not use digital modeling because I design my guitar circuits such that the option of driving a tube preamp is within reach. All digital modeling involves an input limit for the analog-to-digital converter (i.e. ADC), hence interacting with them is the exact opposite of driving a tube preamp. Dedicated tube preamps (e.g. the Synergy SYN-1 chassis loaded with a Synergy preamp module) allow one to control volume exactly like a digital model while still interacting with a tube preamp as though one were using a tube amp. With the exception of cost, of which I am extraordinarily cognizant due to poverty, there is no need to do without tubes.

[@GetOffset]

@@Robstafarian is this true

[@isaiahmateus7640]

Does anybody know when it's going to be released?

[@GetOffset]

Like when it ships? I'm not sure but Sweetwater makes it look like they should be shipping soon.

[@michaellacasse4180]

I bought one, body is nice,pickups nice,fret ends nice, but as I lowered the action started getting a bad buzz, found there's a slight hump in the fret board just effecting the d string from the 8 fret to the 12,,500 dollars is 500 dollars ,im sick to my stomach,ive bought alot of budget guitars with better quality control,maybe I bought an anomaly,but ive always wanted a PRS,buyer beware

[@GetOffset]

Can you return or exchange it?

[@malfunction5448]

I come here for the affirmations. I stay for the gear reviews.

[@GetOffset]

💜💜💜

[@paulburton5150]

Are PRS becoming the people’s guitar company?? Not what I would have ever thought…but comparing this to Gibson’s new $1500 entry point for the stripped back modern lite. Kudos to PRS for this. (Great channel by the way!)

[@GetOffset]

Maybe! They're also going to get a lot more new player affinity, which can last a lifetime.

[@DamianS1893]

Finally, PRS has made a Satin 24 Fret ... And very affordable. I'm definitely interested in this guitar

[@idlepickups]

Love the way you introduce your videos, Emily 😊😊 never change

[@GetOffset]

I'm glad!

[@synonyx]

I played one in store the other day, it could use a pickup/pots upgrade but it was flawless otherwise. Fit and Finish, especially fretwork was amazing!

[@Grand_Alchemist]

To me, the PRS SE CE 24 is just perfect for the price. I am a massive fan of the 25" scale, 10" fretboard radius, 24 frets, and a satin finish on the neck. I used to own an American made PRS Standard, and this guitar feels almost the same. The pickups are hotter and brighter than the Dragon II's, but they are very articulate and sensitive (in a good way). I will probably put in some Seymour Duncan or Fishman pickups in it when I want to upgrade the sound. The guitar itself plays fantastically. I did replace the nut with a core nut (the default has very narrow nut slots and had some binding issues). The bolt on neck feels quite modern and slim (vs say a strat or tele). Also, FYI - This is now my main guitar. It doesn't need to be just used as a backup guitar -- it absolutely holds up against pro guitars like GIbson Les Paul, Fenders, or higher end PRS's.

[@seanrosedotcom]

I have 2 Les Pauls, a custom shop Strat and a USA Vela, and I still bought one of these at GC cause I fell in love with the looks, feel and the way it plays. Who cares what the price is, it's just a great guitar. I WISH my first guitars (long ago!) had been anywhere near this quality!

[@dananthony6258]

The light bulb right next to you could be why the pickups are humming louder than usual. That oldn60 cycle hum ain't nobody's good time for sure.

[@owl448]

also worth noting the top wood is still maple.

[@wilaustu]

So far after watching a few videos about this guitar, I can't really like the pickups, and I'm not a conoisseur of pickups by any means. I just feel like they lack any bite/treble.

[@GetOffset]

Fair enough! For the bones being so affordable, I can see a lot of people hot rodding this guitar with upgraded electronics.

[@joakeen]

Nobody does coil-splitting like PRS. That’s a great guitar and it suits you!

[@GetOffset]

It's great!

[@guithawk-ij8is]

Thanks for the video! I purchased the SE CE24 on sale for around $550 a couple months ago and it is a fantastic guitar. Same basic model as the satin but with the maple top. The fretwork, intonation, and action were perfect out of the box, and it looks and sounds amazing. My first PRS (I'm mainly a Gibson/Gretsch player). Very happy with it!

[@RobertoMcQuack]

Rosewood on a $499 guitar it’s just crazy nowadays.

[@GetOffset]

It's hella rare

[@baileywatts1304]

Alao want to say that I am a PRS fangirl, but the highly figured wood always seems kind of offputting to me. So I'm really glad to see just some nice mahogany grain under a transparent finish. Feels good. Feels natural.

[@Robstafarian]

How did it start for you? For me, it was seeing pictures of a Carlos Santana signature with at least a AAA quilted maple top in Sapphire Smokeburst. I would prefer a purple burst, obviously, but those pictures literally made me gasp.

[@baileywatts1304]

@@Robstafarian I was blown away by the dragon inlays when I was real young. And later when I was in college I got my hands on a SE Santana and it felt really good to hold and to play. I've tried s couple Paul's Guitars but didn't ever have the cash that I could justify the purchase, and those are like a dream.

[@GetOffset]

I'm a big mahogany fan! Especially if it gets a bit of a doghair finish. I'm also not super into the highly figured stuff. The figure of Prince's mad cat is just about my limit.

[@Robstafarian]

@@baileywatts1304I would have loved the SE Santana (I had a greenburst one which I named "Esmerelda".), but I cannot use the PRS Wide Fat profile: the nut is too wide and the shoulder hit my thumb knuckle in a very-painful place. My dream PRS is pretty much: * a Santana body * a DGT neck (with the Santana's 24.5" scale length and 24 frets) * a hardtail bridge from the SE Mark Holcomb * two humbuckers * four knobs * two mini toggle switches * a blade selector switch The blade switch would be a Free Way 3B3-01, and the toggle switches would be: series, parallel, and asymmetrical split (favoring the outer coil) for each humbucker. The pickups would be a Wilde L-500R and L-500XL pair, and each pair of knobs would be concentric volume/treble and bass per pickup (G&L style). I figure 42 tonal options with per-pickup, two-band EQ is a good start. 😛

[@stevenbullock9276]

I checked out one of these recently at my local dealer, in satin charcoal. Looked really nice. Seems a good value- mahogany body and same exact humbuckers as the Swamp Ash Special and the Customs.

[@Steven-kj7xq]

This must be aimed at the guitar playing dental hygienists :)

[@GetOffset]

Hah!

[@louisstokes1898]

My SE CE24 is flawless and beautiful and plays like a dream. I love it. Better than many priced hundreds more. I highly recommend it. Get one. NOW

[@GraemeCampbellMusic]

I’ve got a PRS SE Soapbar II made in 2005. It’s a fantastic guitar, two P90s and lovely neck. I bought it in 2021 for £250 used. Absolute bargain.

[@GetOffset]

Very nice!

[@raveoned]

Thank you for this review! I could never find a PRS that spoke to me, but I might just try one of these out! You breaking out some Chet Atkins “Yakety Axe” and it sounding great sold me on these PRS models!

[@GetOffset]

Thanks so much! Glad someone coulda appreciate the Chet nod.

[@methatlovescats3602]

I see a picture of someone using one of these and I saw the color was rubbing off just in the places his hand was and fingers But you need to change the tones

[@iancurrie8844]

Many PRS models don't actually do a real "coil split" even though they call it that. Rather than splitting one coil off to ground, they simply put a resistor in line with the tone knob switch so that when engaged, the "split" coil is still in the circuit and acting, but with a resistor to take away MOST of its signal. This allows it to still cancel hum and sound a little fuller, much like a noiseless "single coil" fender pickup.

[@GetOffset]

ok

[@will_the_don]

☝️🤓

[@iancurrie8844]

@@will_the_don It's my job.

[@Robstafarian]

Such resistors are typically called "mix resistors", as they are essentially fixed blend pots for the humbucker's coils.

[@alvislarson7853]

yo that's kinda cool

[@SisterRose]

I'm a sucker for that trans red finish to be honest, seriously considering this. Feels wild to ever be considering a PRS, especially since Harley Benton make such good copies.

[@GetOffset]

HB makes good stuff but I get it--a new PRS for $500 is wild.

[@shawnmcginnis2508]

I played the SE-CE24 at sweetwater last weekend it held up quite well in comparison to my American CE24. I mean no In wouldnt put them in the same bracket, but for the price, it was awesome and played amazing. I'd seriously look into this guitar.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

EART does, HB sucks

[@michaelolz]

It looks sooo thin in the body. But that’s not a bad thing. I think I like this! Thanks for reviewing this one!

[@GetOffset]

Thanks for watching!

[@garyfarrell954]

satin finishes seem to be en vogue...

[@GetOffset]

I like it more on something like this, a stain. I don't really like it over paint.

[@jeromewagschal9485]

I've always preferred set neck PRS guitars although I've tried a few bolt-on neck models that sounded nice, but at this price it's a no-brainer 🙂 and I know exactly how to customize it... Great video, very well-made, thank you 👍👍

[@DamianS1893]

PRS SE 594 Satin Models would be an excellent addition too

[@JasonTMays]

FIRST!!!! Watching this while texting you!!! I really love your demos and more than I love your demos, I love YOU! cheers!

[@GetOffset]

Awww, thanks Jason! Loved your videos, too! And, obviously, love you too, dude!

[@dandylion6]

Great review. Seems like a no brainer to own one.

[@iancurrie8844]

Paul himself says that SE does NOT stand for "student edition". Carlos Santana once said that of his model, but PRS says that's not correct. Love your videos and hope that's helpful.

[@Robstafarian]

Respectfully, you have your facts a bit mixed. The previous SE line was what Carlos Santana called "student edition", and those models were all called "Santana SE" guitars. The SE series was later revamped into what we have seen for a bit more than a decade now, with the "SE" placed before the model names (which is why the trend of calling the SE DGT the "DGT SE" genuinely bothers me, other than the indication that the people using said incorrect terminology have not paid attention to affordable guitars for more than a decade).

[@RussInCanada]

​@Robstafarian I'm bugged that the David Grissom Tremolo actually has a Vibrato system.

[@Robstafarian]

@@RussInCanadaYeah, the guitar community does not care to recognize that Leo Fender eventually learned the difference; that particular confusion has persisted long enough that the Oxford English Dictionary recognizes both uses. Hopefully, we will reverse the trends of saying that electric guitars have "input jacks" and that pickups "take gain" before dictionaries are affected.

[@TommySG1]

Hi ya, I just saw this model in an email via CME yesterday and the price obviously caught my attention. I really wish they would’ve had options like this when I was a young kid many moons ago. This looks like an outstanding guitar for someone beginning their journey 🤟

[@GetOffset]

Same!!! No shade to my OG Squier Strat but this is definitely a better guitar. Actually even squiers are better than when I was learning in like...2002

[@TommySG1]

@@GetOffset oh man, I can sympathize. I’m obviously older and the guitar choices which were obtainable for me ( yes……cheap 🤣 ), were indeed lack lustered in the late 70’s LOL! I had a nylon string acoustic my dad bought me and trying to play Detroit Rock City ( it had just come out then… ) was just not happening. The term ‘tone’ was just a dream with a kid and his paper route 😂

[@RussInCanada]

The Hold Steady!

[@larryjeffryes6168]

Love the finish! I want one!

[@GetOffset]

I'm glad I asked for the red--it really pops. The blue is nice too!

[@joshuaramirez]

Since 2001 PRS has been offering budget model guitars.

[@timgoodwintv]

You’re so nice 🫶🏼😭 🤗 thank you 🙏🏼

[@GetOffset]

You're welcome! Keep up the good work 👏

[@sassycat]

This prank is courtesy of Jason Welch too. 😸

[@GetOffset]

Thank you! Ummm I mean OH NO I'M PRANKED AGAIN

[@baileywatts1304]

They did have a lower priced ONE (ir was called the ONE and it has like a PRS take on a LPJr)a few years back, but if you adjusted for inflation it would probably be more today. Have I mentioned before that I adore that you use some of the same riffs every time? Gives a good frame of reference that whatever noodling you might do, there's always Pete and Pete there for direct comparison to the other guitars you demo.

[@GetOffset]

Oh I didn't know about the more affordable one! I noticed they didn't call it their most affordable "ever;" they called it the most affordable in their catalog. So I assumed they made one less expensive at some point but wasn't sure when. I'm glad you like the riff consistency! I get that from a few people so I think I'll keep doing it 💜

[@jasonwelch6306]

I don't say thanks. I give pranks!

[@GetOffset]

Oh man, thanks SO MUCH!!!!

[@GetOffset]

I mean ahhhh, pranked again!

[@bigpimpin110011]

Yeah, on the design like all PRS guitars

[@OmegaLulz666]

Shocked they didn't downgrade to a cheaper fretboard wood at this price, impressive. Looks like a great axe!

[@GetOffset]

Same--I have no idea how they're making these for $499.

[@floppy0488]

I liked, I obviously will comment and I have already subscribed!

[@GetOffset]

Thanks!

[@nedim_guitar]

Bolt on necks FTW!

[@donciseau]

Great playing and tones!

[@GetOffset]

Thanks!

[@waltimedes]

I'm from Maryland and I always wanted to like PRS but I've found them a little muddy and designed for guys who wear leather fedoras or cargo shorts on stage. If they had one of these with dot/block inlays I'd probably consider it. The humbuckers are still a little muddy but that split tone isn't bad. Thanks for the video!

[@GetOffset]

I agree, I'm a bigger fan of the single coil sound. I don't know if it's just because that's what I'm used to, but those sounds spoke to me more.

[@Robstafarian]

The PRS SE DGT goldtop kind of has dots (moons), and pickup swaps are relatively simple if the guitar itself suits you.

[@che2335]

You need to listen to Uncle Ted in his Damn Yankees days

[@sassycat]

I'll have to try one out next time I'm at GC.🐱

[@Robstafarian]

You might want to try an SE DGT as well, due to its neck.

[@fredcarter7003]

Don’t buy affordable guitar, step up and buy the very best guitar you can afford , you can learn it and grow in to it, buy the best one you can get, don’t buy cheaper a very good guitar on your first purchase will last you a lifetime

[@GetOffset]

I don't know, I like affordable guitars that can grow with a player! This has fantastic bones and could be such a fun one for a younger player so they have a super solid first or second guitar, and then who knows, they could learn about modifications, etc with it later. Compared to my first electric, this is a RR.

[@jimwoodard64]

Wow, after hearing that demo, glad I didn't get one. Your playing was fine, but honestly, none of the pickups really said, "Wow" to me. The tones were so similar, they didn't have any particular characteristics that set them apart. I didn't even get to the part with the DOD250. If they can't jump out without dirt, they will definitely get lose any clean character in the distortion. Phew, dodged a bullet there.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

PRS pickups are terrible…go buy an EART 335 if you wanna be blown away for $400

[@GetOffset]

I didn't think they were terrible--I really liked them with the coil tap.

[@loneranger2385]

Best pickups ever!

[@che2335]

I like the 8515s bridge but the TCIs neck better go figure i have to buy either a neck or bridge to swap when i buy an SE!