My most expensive guitar - PRS CE 24 - Made in the USA - But is it my favorite?

Hey guys, here I am talking about my PRS CE 24 guitar again. This is an excellent guitar and by far my most expensive. It sells for $2499 new, so it should be my best, right? But maybe it isn't. Let's discuss. Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe.

[@cameronhowe5122]

True, to each their own. I have that exact PRS and I was stunned at the clarity and uniqueness of the 85/15 made in USA pick ups. From classic humbucker sounds to incredible chime, not identical to a Strat, but with the PRS flavor infused. Combine that with the Boss GT-1000, Meris LVX and Strymon Blue Sky in the FX Loop for icing on the cake and I have some crazy nice tones happening! Love that feel of the neck too. Happy PRS customer (but NOT a fanboy!)

[@thebaldshredder]

That's awesome. This is a fantastic guitar, no doubt. Just not perfect for me.

[@chrispatterson5522]

Just wanted to let you know I think you’re an awesome guitarist. I love that song that you did at the end. It’s not typical of most KZbinrs. It has a lot more depth and talent! Thanks for your content!

[@thebaldshredder]

Thank you so much 😁

[@captcraig777]

I agree. Most PRS guitars are beautiful, but they do not necessarily serve all players' needs. All of my guitars are under $1000. My Schecter is the most expensive, but not necessarily my favorite. I have the Jackson and the Ibanez which are both under $300 and they are my favorite. For me, the reason is that my Schecter has a Floyd Rose. It is a pain in the rear to maintain and change strings. It has everything anyone would want, but simplicity satisfies me more. Great shred on the PRS! Rock on!

[@donbishop6994]

The ONLY advice I have for Floyd guitars is change the strings one at a time and stretch the hell out of em before going to the next string. And obviously don't change guages unless you want the nightmare again. 😂

[@IkesJamRoom]

I totally agree with you on the fact that higher price just doesn't always mean better. I was mostly a les paul guy for years but I play quite a few different models now days just because I like to mix it up. They all have pros and cons and make me play different ways.

[@thorshafer]

I have pricey guitars and I have cheap guitars.. one of my all time favorites to play and beat the shit out of is a cheap $350 Ibanez RGAR42MFMT, personal preference matters! Awesome video!!! Cheers!!! 🤘🎸🤘

[@Briansgate]

Guitar is just one of those fields, like you mentioned, that everyone has their own personal feel. Even people that agree on a common brand name, people will still differ on details.

[@thebaldshredder]

At least we both agree that The Bald Shredder is totally kick ass! lol

[@retropuffer2986]

The one "cheap" feature I prefer is an ordinary maple fret board. I just love the way it feels.

[@thebaldshredder]

Me too! I'm not really a fan of the roasted maple look.

[@eclipsetheraindanbutler2478]

That's what keeps me picking up my Donner DJC 1000S! Lol. LOVE that neck! I'm also in love with roasted maple and stainless steel frets! I bought a Leo Jaymz stainless steel fret neck specifically to put on that guitar, but couldn't bring myself to do it because I liked the stock neck so much! I bought an LJ USA flag strat and put the neck on it instead. 😆

[@papablue3015]

I 100% agree! I play my cheaper guitars more for some reason? 😊 Thanks Shredder

[@RafsGearReviews]

Haven't started the video but I'm going to assume the conclusion is that it is a masterpiece crafted by Zeus and one of the greatest instruments ever made.

[@thebaldshredder]

I knew you'd be chiming in! 😅

[@RafsGearReviews]

@@thebaldshredder Semper Fi. To be fair all that propaganda would make you think I own 50 but I just have a nice little green one.

[@Timmy70]

I'm 53 years old, to this day I listen to Vinnie Moore on a daily basis..Dokken was the only hair band I grabbed ahold of as a gitfiddle player. It was Sabbath, Saxon, Metal Church, & Testament for me!! And I grew up in a Bluegrass pickin family!!! Your music puts me in the same place Vinnie's does!!! I FN LOVE AFTERMATH!!! Thank You🙏🤘

[@thebaldshredder]

Thanks dude!

[@treishtrei]

+1000. My $89 ibanez rg 6003fm guitar center special run is the one i find myself picking up more often.

[@pyratoothNL]

Well said. It's not about price or brand but character. Sure, quality has improved drastically in the budget range so there's less to worry about with regards to price. But the tones you want, the style of music, neck feel, weight, number of frets...There are so many factors when choosing what's right for you. My most expensive is an RG550 and it is excellent but I don't play it as much my other and cheaper instruments. Part of that is to make sure it's well looked after, but I found I also developed a love for (shpeap) T-style guitars which finds me playing them more often than my super-strat's! BTW, like the John Sykes vibrato on the slow parts of your track!

[@tiernanfoss]

Always enjoy your content Richard! This subject particularly as I have amassed quite a number of guitars also ( nothing high end mind you - some mid level Epis and Ibanez. Nothing over 700 bucks) But I am constantly amazed at how well some of my very cheapest guitars play and sound. A couple to mention is the Indio retro tele,the IYV IP 350 and the Yamaha 112 c2 fat strat. These guitars I would not part with. I gravitate to them above any others. The inspiration I get from them is quite frankly, priceless. Of course I have bought more than one of a certain model and they all have their differences. Finding that special one takes some effort but I find that with expensive guitars also! Years ago finding an acceptable guitar was real money. Today I think the game has really changed. It's a great time to be coming up as a guitar player! Thanks again Richard! Love your channel!

[@thebaldshredder]

🤘

[@JoeR203]

The most I ever paid for a guitar was $900 for an EVH "Bumblebee". Next were an Ibanez S-670, PRS SE and Epi LP Standard which were all $650 brand new.

[@boxboxbox624]

I relate to what you are saying and especially about PRS in general. I have an oldish Custom 24, 2002 model that I picked up at a very good price. It's gorgeous to look at with a maple cap that looks more like oil stains rather than tiger stripes. It looks unique and apparently very rare with the matching head stock and binding. Funny thing is the scale seems to really agree with me, somewhere between Gibson and Fender. The problem I have is how it sounds. It sounds weak and lazy (if that makes sense, trying to put words to describe sound isn't a talent of mine) and I can't get it to sound how I envision it in my head. I could replace the pickups but why bother? I just play something else, like you explained. Still a beautiful instrument for the collection. Great vid and as usual fantastic playing. You deserve way more recognition than what you're getting.

[@ScragNath]

I have had a US made CE 24 for around 6 years now, It is not the one I play a lot. Funny, I love playing my cheap Gretsch Electromatic and John 5 signature Squire Telecaster both costing around a quarter of the PRS. Still a great guitar though.

[@dekion261]

my favorite is a 2nd hand (modified before purchase) Ibanez GIO, but it isn't my most expensive, or ornate. I do have a thin Yamaha single cut electric i plan to recondition one day. so, it might end up my favorite. who knows?

[@_Yep_Yep_]

My most expensive thing is not my best thing. I bought it because I appreciated its features, had the money, but I have acquired superior things that cost less over time simply out of sales, resale, and being in a situation where i was not under duress to make an immediate purchase. In a similar vein and on the topic of really good guitar cases and gig bags; is there a Vietnamese or Chinese master gig bag or case maker that would build us unbranded versions of the high end cases and bags, Baldino? Id kind of like to carry my expensive and cheep axes around safely, stylishly, and in something that cost less that the guitar its carrying. Any thoughts?

[@thebaldshredder]

I haven't really asked anyone about making cases, so I don't know.

[@user-ok7tl4rk7f]

1 million percent agree with you. Everything you said I love the video that you did about recording to get the 80s sound Hyatt went back and forth with you a little bit through comments we talked about recording for a little bit I like to see you some more of those

[@calbrockocat8728]

My least expensive (to buy) guitar is an Epi LP Std made in Korea 1994 model. I got it for $175 CAD along with a practice Marshall amp. These days, the same one is getting $450CAD. And, no, I'm not selling. My best buy ever.

[@JamieLynnMorris]

I love the Epi's too! ❤

[@leeasbury7273]

The CE24'S are some of PRS best guitars The early ones though. I have 91 and 94. I have a newer one from last year and the neck carve is a little different. Now it seems a little fuller in my hand and I have to play differently. Still love them. ***.the HFS and Vintage Bass pups along with the alder body and maple cap really make those guitars amazing for me at least***

[@corporalpunishment924]

I agree, every player is gonna like something different although I love my PRS S2 24 because it fits me and my needs. To me it’s like the Les Paul of my repertoire if you will, and I’ll add that I’ve played cheap Squires that felt way better than a $1500 fender off the top shelf at least to me. Different strokes for different folks.

[@user-tb3zt7wk2l]

Squire? That guitar was firewood for me..Oh well

[@robertvance1873]

I just picked up a LTD EC100 that normally runs for $149 at Guitar Center at a Pawn shop I traded in one of my cheap guitars for and gave $50 for it I have really been impressed with the Sound of it for being a budget guitar. If anyone else has this one please comment I have been running it through my Lorcan Practice Amp, Sounds Great 👍

[@CrushingAxes]

Man I know those PRS are great guitars, construction and hardware and everything else, but honestly I hate those inlays and the shape is so weird! Sounds very nice though!

[@TarynnElizabeth619]

I totally agree as well, in your case, it is definitely your best guitar, but because of your preferences, it’s not your favorite. Ironically, though in my collection, the one that I paid the most for is my favorite guitar, but it’s not the most valuable guitar in my collection because I have other guitars that I purchased that are worth more but yet are not my favorite. My SH7 ESP LTD Brian Welch signature model is my favorite guitar! I payed just over $1700 for it from Sweetwater shipped with the case. It sells for $2000, I mostly By from 5:01 Sweetwater, so I get pretty good deals. That’s why I was a little bit puzzle when you said that you had issues with frets leveling on that PRS. PRS goes the extra mile to make sure things like that are not an issue when they leave their factory, as well as the inspection at Sweetwater does too. Although I’ve had a few issues with guitars that I bought from Sweetwater, that should’ve been rectified with their inspection and were not.

[@robertholtom9345]

Nice piece of music you put at the end of your video. Very Melodic, I think that is very important, more important than just speed. Anyways you have both. Cheers.......!

[@thebaldshredder]

Glad you liked it!

[@metalheadwallace2806]

Your totally right. everyones specs and preferenances are different. I personally am more Dean and Ibanez for electric and Fender for Bass.

[@PastorDanMoore]

I had a friend who picked up a used Gibson Les Paul. It sounded great. Finding one brand new was out of my price range ($2000). However, I found a Hammer version of the Les Paul. Played it, it sounded just like the one my friend had, and it was priced under $300. It went home with me. I have learned since then that you have to look beyond the price. How does it sound? How does it feel in your hands? I have a Donner DST 400, a strat type of guitar, that sounds great for under $300 guitar (it is one of my best).

[@APK-pn4qh]

Really nice piece at the end, Richard. Superbly melodic. 🤘😎🤘

[@thebaldshredder]

Thanks

[@c.j.robert5350]

I hear you!! I have 5k guitars, but i still love love love to play my 2002 Studio Les Paul, or my (no finish) 1990 Yamaha 721 DM sweatburst!

[@Timmy70]

I also have to mention Lost In Eternity!!! That song is amazing! Actually the whole album is!! You prolly should do a cover of Wicked Sensation with one of your new babies!!! JSN👍🤘🙏🤔

[@thebaldshredder]

🤘

[@vampolascott36]

When just about every middle-aged guitar player in America has more guitars than Jimmy Page in 1974, you know we're living in 2024. My only electric guitar was a '79 Strat from 1982-2002, and I only traded it because I wore it out. We're really lucky in 2024 to be able to afford a closet full of guitars. I was lucky to get a used Fender Jaguar in the '70s when I was in high school, and that was the best electric guitar I could possibly get my hands on at the time. I couldn't pick and choose the model. It was like "here, I found you a '60s Fender... you're welcome". In the '70s, there were some really crappy imported electric guitars out there, so I really respected American made Fenders and Gibsons. The quality of budget import guitars is so high right now though. The Korean electric I started with 50 years ago would get tossed in the dumpster these days.

[@Jaloja]

The only PRS I ever bought was a new SE Paul's guitar. Near $1100.00. Returned it after 1 hour. 12 out of 24 Frets were high. Somebody had to try hard to do that! Ground feedback issue and a nasty cleared over flaw in the veneer. I was miffed! Replaced it with a Harley Benton CST 24 at 1/4th the price and it was near perfect out of the box. Both made in Indonesia. So what happened to the "main" brand?

[@bradleyberdahl6148]

Totally Agree!!!

[@Sea_Jay]

I have a PRS, great guitar. But my best is a $299 tele with dual humbuckers. Lol

[@user-tb3zt7wk2l]

Sounds Amazing! You playing threw a 4,000.00 Amp? With pedals? Have a good day brother

[@thebaldshredder]

Thanks. Not at all. I'm plugged into my computer using Line 6 POD Farm software that I paid $100 for.

[@Foofang65]

Deep down, in this world of high expectations and perfections. We are only human. And we all have different views and opinions on what is right for us. As long as you enjoy what the string instrument gives you. As we all stride to make something out of it. That’s what matters. Not a name or brand. Or the height of the neck frets, and so on. Just play. We all know the game here when it comes down to human nature. We’re completely never satisfied. We need the next best thing. So just enjoy your instrument. And make something happen. Life is really short. Make the best of your time. And enjoy the little things. That get over looked in life. ❤️✌️

[@JamieLynnMorris]

My Favorite Jam Ever!!! 🎶💗🎸💗🎶💗🎸💗🎶 I'm in total agreement. Variety IS the Spice of Life after all. My strat clone holds a special place, as she's my first, but I've recently gone crazy for the Epiphone LP's - a Custom and Muse. Then there's the Ibanez clone that's really wicked rad. My current favorite is actually an Washburn Lyon Acoustic. Apparently the guitar collecting bug bit me really good...lol Next will be an LP Cherry Sunburst Custom I think. HELP!!! I'm afraid I'm gonna need an intervention soon! 😂 🎶💗🎸💗🎶💗🎸💗🎶💗🎸🎶

[@thebaldshredder]

Slow down!!! lol

[@JamieLynnMorris]

@@thebaldshredder 🤣🤣🤣

[@Progmium]

What I appreciate most about PRS guitars is their necks. But seriously, did the luthier think designing this guitar was a blindfolded game of "Pin the Pickup Selector"? Switching tones shouldn't be as challenging as pinning the tail on the donkey - that's some serious afterthought!

[@gurleyz]

One of the absolute BEST guitar models I've ever owned is the Yamaha EG112C which is basically a cheap Starter Pack guitar that the Pacifica was designed from later on. The first one I got was literally $40 used and plays sounds like a Super High End guitar once properly set up. We compared numerous guitars of all makes and models and this little cheap Yamaha annihilated all of them! The only one that matched it was my 1984 Gibson Les Paul Custom with Hand Wound by Juarez JB/59 pickups. The rest sounded meh compared to it. Believe it or not!

[@RJsCave]

Nice. I was thinking of picking up the SE24FR

[@Ksantipacat]

I am a pretty new player. I had been playing a mexican Strat, but felt like I "needed" an American Strat. Bought a 1999 MIA Standard and it sits in the case. Just prefer the feel of the MIM Strat I bought for $150.

[@cmonsterz]

Interesting. So the CE may actually be “the best” guitar in your collection, but it’s not your favorite. Sounds counterintuitive, but I definitely get it and have similar scenarios in my guitar collection. Funny how that works isn’t it?

[@FultonStreetBeats]

Yep. 💯 agree. My most expensive is far from my favorite. As a matter of fact, my Chibson is better than my Gibson. Yep, I said it. Oh, how times are a changing. 😂. Awesome jam, my brother!

[@thebaldshredder]

You said it!

[@RafsGearReviews]

2:46 Yes. Yes. Yes.

[@thebaldshredder]

For YOU! 😂 I'll sell you this one for $3K

[@RafsGearReviews]

@@thebaldshredder I'll give you 3k pennies how's that? Lol. How about I get a hold of a few of those God awful charvel guitars and trade you for that instead? Lol.

[@thebaldshredder]

If you actually did have a few of those "totally awesome, best of the best, killer" Charvels, we'd have a deal!

[@MashaT22]

I’ll gladly take this PRS off your hands if it’s not your ideal! 😬😉🙏🏻😇😂

[@Timmy70]

I feel you Bud!! I have a few high dollar guitars, but normally always grab my Dinky JS32Q-HT. It's the only Jackson I own that has the Jackson pick ups still in it! All my other Jackson's have SD's or EMG's...I love my $350 hard tail... And your music gives me chicken skin🤘🤘 YOU ROCK MAN

[@Timmy70]

Oh, and that's the gitfiddle you won from Sweetwater, right?

[@thebaldshredder]

@@Timmy70 yes

[@Timmy70]

How are your 2 custom builds going? Dying to see & and hear them🤔🙏🤘

[@thebaldshredder]

One is done, the other 98% done. Working on the music for the first one's video. Hopefully that video will be up in a couple weeks.

[@Timmy70]

Can't wait!!!

[@snakeplissken44]

My most expensive guitar is also my least favorite. 🙃 I like 50s specked SGs. My nicest one has 60s specs and has too thin of a neck profile for me.

[@user-ok7tl4rk7f]

Always love your jams too I really like this one

[@thebaldshredder]

Thanks

[@2dazetake]

I always go for the lite guitars now that I'm older, I would rather play my 7 pound IYV ocean blue LP, then my 9 pound fender strat,I've found most good guitars weigh a ton,and some of my budget guitars, just feel way better in my hands then my higher price guitars,seriously you can get a great guitar for couple of hundred dollars today,I would even say, at no other time in the history of guitar making, has anyone gotten more bang for their bucks in the budget guitar market, then you can today.

[@thebaldshredder]

We're in the golden age!

[@paulslims5870]

Hi Richard , yeah i've got a couple expensive guitars , an old Gibsons SG with p90's & a Tele thin line , & i love them but i built a guess what you would call a Charvel Dk24 style guitar , with the Donlis high output humbuckers that you put me on to and yes they sound amazing so a big thanks for that . i think that everything in it was about $335 to build , for me it is so good to play i love this guitar & because it's a one off made by me It makes it , well kind of special . Loving the channel , keep it coming .

[@thebaldshredder]

Awesome dude. My favorite guitars are the ones I make myself.

[@shawndunlap714]

My $600 Shecter and a couple cheap Strats and Squires and and one of my Ibinez were as good if not better than my very expensive les Paul and my very expensive Kramer,,, well,,, maybe not the Kramer 😊

[@chad6326]

Great video Richard

[@paulrold2779]

My favorite guitar is my Ibanez RG 550

[@yayayaokoksure]

PRS rules. Buy used if you aren't rich!

[@martinhensley2377]

Different strokes for different folks bro. I'm a Fender man myself.

[@Lebronfan37876]

i wonder who will be on motley crues 2024 stadium tour maybe you can make a video on who you think will be on tour since it won't be the same bands

[@thebaldshredder]

I really have no idea. If I made a video, I'd just be saying "I don't know!" lol But if I hear something, I'll do a video.

[@Lebronfan37876]

@@thebaldshredder alice cooper and scorpions will be perfect for the tour

[@g4guitarschoolsoxnardventu805]

so how does your IYV Custom personally compare with this PRS?

[@thebaldshredder]

I'd rather play the IYV. It's much more suited to what I like.

[@therightisright8276]

PRS makes a great mathmatically perfect axe but metal definitely requires higher output pickups, usually a Floyd and flat fretboard. PRS are more of a Gibson replacement and the Silver Sky can do the job of a Strat but really, guitars are TOOLS and you need the RIGHT TOOL for each job. A screwdriver is NOT a hammer, folks.

[@ChrisKadaver]

I remember when PRS arrived here in Sweden. There were only one store that imported them, and they were all like around equivelent to the 3000 USD mark. I was in my teens and looking to upgrade from my 78 aria pro II. This was just before Creed became a thing. So no affordable trimotri or santana signatures. I went to that store after school and tried them on this old fender twin reverb and I knew it was the type of guitar I wanted. It was something to the clean sound I fell in love with. Then came Creed and those type of bands... And looking back, that's kind of music that's suitable for a PRS. But then I went and saw Rush live. And relized that Alex Lifeson had swirched all his iconic guitars for PRS?! That became the nail in the coffin on my plans on buying a PRS. While having good sound, they lack some character. Alex Lifeson switched all his guitars that tour because his PRS could do all the stuff he wanted from different type of guitars. It's versatile in that regard, buuut you lack the character instead. They can do strat, telecaster and les paul stuff, but it will never sound like fender, telecaster or les paul. In that regard PRS is somewhat anonymus. And that's what I don't like about them. They're like mario in super mario bros 2. And nobody picks him, because his boring. Pretty good at everything but isn't great at one specific area. Alex switching all his guitars for PRS kind of ruined the show for me.

[@unk-tu-amunthelastpharaoh553]

Which guitar that you favor from you collection ?

[@thebaldshredder]

Charvel and the custom ones I make myself.

[@unk-tu-amunthelastpharaoh553]

Right now I'm playing my Modified Peavey Tracer aka The Blood of Anubis Guitar.... it's killing it for me right now..

[@PaulCooksStuff]

One could argue its your cheapest guitar, since it cost you nothing 😜 Its not your kind of spec, its not what youd have bought if you had that kind if money. Like you say, we all like different things. Thats life.

[@thebaldshredder]

Highest value guitar then? lol

[@frankfrascati7820]

If your going to pay 2500 for a guitar it needs to perfect

[@tsmerk]

So what is your favorite guitar?

[@thebaldshredder]

Charvel DK24 Purple Phaze

[@tigerauna]

Any guitar under $300 is absolute trash compared to a PRS CE 24, unless objectivity is just being thrown out the window here... Tuning stability? Electronics? Pickups? Tone? You won't even come close.

[@siennagarcia1459]

For Metal music Prs brand is not good compared to Jackson, Ibanez, ESP or Chapman brand guitars! I have guitars from all these brands.

[@efh2321]

Not body really cares about your personal opinions. Tell us what’s really wrong with the guitar instead your personal B.S!