The Best Deal Yet? PRS SE CE 24 Demo | First Look

[@premierguitar]

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[@seventallguitarist]

My first "nice" guitar was a 1994 CE-24. Loved it. Gigged with it for 18 years. Not only was it my main guitar, it was pretty much the only one I used the last 8-9 years I owned it. I had a buddy that owned a shop (he was also our FOH tech) that carried PRS. He had a 2008 Mira (core model pre S2 factory). I bought that from him at a bargain bin price. He needed shelf space for new models & it had some dings from hanging on the shelf for a while & being grabbed often. LOVED that guitar so much that I wanted another one. So in 2012, I sold the 94 CE-24 on eBay to buy another 2008 Mira. It sold in less than an hour. On the surface I was elated that it sold for exactly what I wanted (needed) to simply transfer my eBay money to buy the other Mira. But always thought I had the "buy it now" price too low since it sold so fast (I bought it for $1800.00 in 1994 & it sold for $1400 in 2012 - and needed new frets). Always kind of regretted selling it. Have been on the lookout for a 94 model CE-24 for past few years. But the price just keeps skyrocketing on Reverb. So I have kind of given up. So when these SE CE-24 models came out, I had to get one. Just bought one in blood orange about a month ago. While it's NOT even close to as nice as the my original CE... for $700? Man what a nice guitar. When my buddy's store opened up, the SE models were just coming into play and man alive have they come a long way. First thing I did was also order the SE locking tuners and swapped them out and, while I am no longer gigging, if I was, I would have ZERO issues using this SE CE-24 on stage. Stays in tune. Sounds great. Feels great. I also own a 2017 Vela semi-hollow (22 fret). So I now feel like I have 3 very different PRS guitars that pretty much can cover all of my recording needs. I did eventually sell (traded) off the 2nd Mira that I had bought. So only have one now. Sorry for the long rant. The point was to state that as somebody who owned one of the mid-90's CE-24 guitars (and loved it)... that these SE versions are a REALLY nice lower priced version of the same spec guitar. So somebody looking to get into a really decent guitar for well under $1000.00? You shouldn't look past any of the new models of SE guitars coming out (CE-24, Custom & Swamp Ash are ALL excellent guitars under $1000). If you REALLY want to go lower budget? Go with one of the SE CE-24 "satin" finish guitars. Those are selling for $499. I almost went with one of those instead, since I don't care what it looks like as I'm not gigging. But the blood orange was too cool to pass up. But essentially other than the finish, the satin version is the same guitar. For $500.00!!!! At this point in my life, even though I could afford a new core model of any of their guitars? I'd rather have a few models from PRS covering all options than one $4000 guitar that only I will see. To me PRS has always been the gold standard in the upper end of electric guitars for the gigging musician. Well put together. Sound great. Feel better & very low maintenance needed. They ALWAYS stay in tune. And I live in upper midwest where temps are brutally hot & cold off an on all year long. Now they are making guitars for those who can't afford the top end or refuse to spend it. There would be no shame in a gigging musician using the SE models on stage & trusting they will get you through. That wasn't always the case with the SE models. Well done PRS. As always.

[@genoseale3198]

Stop in for the gear reviews, and always stay for the playing. John, you sir, are an incredible musician! Thanks for what you do!

[@th3m1ke]

When the SE's launched it was a great way to get a decently made guitar at a budget price. Now between the R&D, opening up core features to SE, acquiring and training their own factory staff overseas who make ONLY PRS SE's and the attention to detail when they arrive at Maryland for QC they've turned the SE line into some serious high quality guitars anyone at any level would love. Hopefully this continues to go well and we see more experimenting with bolt-ons!

[@canyonproductions7683]

I agree

[@TeShan-lf7kq]

Well said!🙏🎸☯️🕉️

[@sixslinger9951]

I bought one of these on the 20% off sale. It is incredible. $560 is a no brainer.

[@seventallguitarist]

Yeah. I just bought mine a month ago & really kicked myself that I didn't look into them in December. What a shame. Then the satin finish versions just came out last month at $499 each. But I wanted one of the cool finishes (went with the blood orange). Besides I have a Jackson with the red/satin finish. So didn't want 2 that looked the same. But while $560 is an absolute steal? It's still an insane bargain at $699.00.

[@tjnugent62]

John Bolinger, this is a great demo. Now you are cooking for sure!

[@Tanikaze2]

the core CE24 is the best PRS guitar imo so im very glad they made these

[@daveg4236]

I have in semi hollow. Such a great guitar

[@seventallguitarist]

Yep. So versatile for a gigging musician that has no interest in swapping guitars every song. I had a 1994 CE-24 that I bought new in 94 & owned for 18 years. Regret getting rid of it. Though I sold it to buy a 2nd 2008 Mira, which I ended up liking more (and still own the first one I bought). Always wanted to snag another mid-90's CE-24, but the prices keep going up. So I've just passed. But had to grab one of these. Too good of a deal to pass up.

[@KentuckyRedneck13]

Thanks Man, some sweet sounds and tones there! I'm sorely tempted, probably go through with it tomorrow, lol. Really Digging the sunburst too.

[@angusorvid8840]

I'm thrilled PRS did this. I always dug their bolt-ons and never thought of them as lesser PRS. Bolt-ons have their own special qualities you don't get in a set or neck thru. All contractions are fine. It just depends what works best for you. I dig them all.

[@rajdeepguitar]

You are able to sell one more this model. Proud owner of this versatile guitar 😊 since September 2024

[@rhoydotp]

amazing player! I got the Turquoise one a few days ago, great guitar for the price, plays really well

[@ianhoyle8459]

Nice playing demonstration John

[@reni3]

I just got mine and couldn't be happier, im glad i sold my 24-08 to get this for half the price!

[@EricSchwab-kr2qw]

If I didn't have a dozen guitars already I'd totally get this one as a second/backup to the American CE24 that I play. The CE guitar is the only PRS I've really bonded with after having a few PRS's.

[@888jimm]

Interesting, can you share with the class? 😂

[@allanramusiewicz996]

@@888jimmMORON Comment; Or are you 5 years old; Nah that’s INSULTING to 5 year olds 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@daveg4236]

I have a semi hollow CE24 and my SE CE24 will be here next week. I am very curious how it compares. I picked up the SE Swamp Ash Special and to me it holds up VERY well to my CE24

[@kevinandmandywinter8436]

John just gives the best demos

[@SilentSiDA]

Brilliant review, brilliant playing, I’m getting one.

[@premierguitar]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@The_Rudram_Muse]

Man what a great jam !! Love it ! And the guitar too .

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

Great review John 👍

[@4034miguel]

Great improvisation at the beginning. I really enjoyed listening to it. Pity it was so short.

[@maeveofthelongbows9552]

Such GREAT playing!

[@buddylobos5277]

Single coil sounds really perfectly in line with a 'great' vintage single coil sound.

[@Scott__C]

The SE guitars are built really well. Glad John mentioned them as a pro level guitar. It's absolute nonsense that you have to pay many thousands to have a pro level instrument, unless you just want to.

[@888jimm]

Jack Pearson is one example Squire guy..

[@seventallguitarist]

That's really what it comes down to. If you have the money & desire a core or custom shop? Why not. I could afford one, but I'd rather buy 2-3 used (or new) S2 models. I'm not gigging anymore, so I guess I'm looking for more variety to record with. But to each his own. I've got a 2008 Mira (pre S2 factory - so considered a core Mira) & a 2017 Vela Semi-Hollow 22 fret. LOVE it. And just got one of these SE CE-24 guitars in blood orange. Not the same as the 94 CE I had. But it's MORE than good enough to gig with. Really well put together guitar for $700.

[@adambrunner9462]

Quite impressive! Thats a nice guitar too!

[@RobbyKing]

We play completely different styles, but I always love John Bolinger stoke and great vibes

[@laerciojr1]

Great tone, Man!!!

[@johnmartin5153]

Dude sweet 90s groove!

[@kmichaelp4508]

You know? I don’t believe I saw you on the Rolling Stone 250…🤔… but I did see Maybelle Carter 🤔🤔🤔🤔… impressive review. Impressive playing 😊 impressive amp!!! I believe it’s a keeper. And I find you are one of the best interviewers going. Have a cigar

[@OfficialDreamTheater]

Rolling Stone 250 was an absolute joke of a list. Hate to say it. Many others agree too.

[@jamlsn]

Love PRS. I have the custom 24 S2. Not finding the red burst from this video…is it being sold yet?

[@personalfreedom2700]

Great playing!

[@robertadams6895]

WONDERFUL playing, 2.

[@geoffreyalder7275]

The reason there is minimal volume loss when in single coil mode is, it's a 'partial' coil tap,,ie: the signal doesn't go straight to ground,it goes through a resistor and then to ground.....

[@eddiejr540]

How the heck can Bollinger play like that with those huge ham hocks of his…nicely done 👍

[@daviddalziel884]

Great demo . I’m just back tracking after the reviews going around about the Satin finish version . To me the one in the video here sounds better yet it’s the same pickups , neck , tuners etc We have though here a much nicer finish with the maple cap and surely it will make a difference tone-wise . Thanks for the great demo ! Cheers

[@robertadams6895]

LOVING Mine!

[@phunkyjunkee]

Bro those chords ❤

[@forelectricstring8833]

So the bolt-on joint is really bigger that a SE Standard 24? If not a big deal in terms of playability/ressonance then I assume (at same price range) you get an overall better product because bolt-on production is cheaper.

[@TeShan-lf7kq]

🙏🎸☯️🕉️ Just pulled the trigger on this one myself. Great demo,spot on!

[@premierguitar]

Rock on!

[@JensRefshoj]

Hello. Great demo, thanks. I just received this guitar like in the video and could use a little help. The guitar sounds muddy and dark specially in the low end. I change the strings to Elixir Optiweb and lower the pick up but it still sounds muddy. Rolling of low end and dynamic eq at 750 Hz helps but still not the clean (airy) and warm sound I was looking for. I appreciate any tips and tricks😅brgs Jens

[@flppr1]

How's the fret size? Good for bends?

[@mudwiser1391]

I have the same shirt, I like it but I too have to wear a t-shirt under it because the neck hole is very wide, but it's a comfortable shirt, my wife bought it at Costco.

[@che2335]

Are finger boards rolled?

[@bukwok]

whats that square body funny looking guitar in the background ?

[@giovannibonapace4250]

I'm not keen on the indonesian 85/15 .. I owned a prs se floyd and them pick ups were a bit dull tbh .. The american ones are night and day ... I don't swap pick ups and i believe Prs are saving the pennies on se line ... i looove me se dgt pick ups and i can see where the money goes .. i agree on the bolt on snappiness .. i own a ce 24 and the difference is substantial ... Great touch

[@crankyPikachu]

Was that the Vintage Sunburst or Blood Orange in the video?

[@BrentHood]

That’s the vintage sunburst 👍

[@snapfinger1]

Due to overall need, price, features & performance my purchase of the SE semi hollow 22 fret was a forced decision.

[@PerryCodes]

Why did they have to change the neck joint?

[@shawnmcginnis2508]

Its talked about in one of the recent Andertons videos from the PRS factory tour they did. Anyway it isn't a new thing for them. One of the core models uses a very similar carved out neck joint.

[@markthomas6980]

You sound like JEFF BECK in this video.

[@johnbohlinger]

That's the kindest thing anybody has ever said to me

[@shroommcfanta2020]

@@johnbohlingerthis answer gained you seven respect points

[@im58woody]

The top on the guitar shown near the end is a terrible match of wood grain. Sounds great in John’s hands though! You have to be careful with the tops some match up nicely and others like the one in the video are so different where they join together that it just makes you wonder what they were thinking about when they put them together.just

[@Prajnana]

Book matched tops often look that way at certain angles because the halves are flipped then glued so that the light is reflected by each differently.

[@cdnpunk2270]

cool the zebra pickups are gone. starting too look more official.

[@davengeance4811]

Bruh we're you playing Wicked Game at the beginning?

[@888jimm]

I like.....

[@jimmyb4728]

Good on ya brothers, it's time for good patriots to stand up for what's right.

[@jamesonpace726]

Any excuse to hear this guy play....

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

I'd buy Indonesian guitars all day (I have one) over anything made in China. I know there's no money funding slave labor or The Communist Party of China. These are things we need to consider. *Indonesian factory workers are treated with respect and paid fairly* .

[@Scott__C]

How do we know that? There've been a number of articles about Cort before. No independent verification recently as far as I'm aware.

[@baddavinci1110]

All the PRS SE series with 85/15 Pickups, all the same

[@DrOcelot667]

My Santana SE sounds way different, as with the McCarty model, of course Silver Sky SE, and newer DGT. Oh and Zack Myers’s and Paul’s guitar. There’s variety out there man!

[@adonikam1]

PRS MAY BE A GREAT MAN, BUT YOU CAN KEEP HIS GUITARS!

[@Prajnana]

I will! 😄

[@greatreset3]

CE ? SE ? How the hell can it be both??????????? 🤷‍♂️

[@robertlucas9867]

Joking? I can’t tell. CE means classic guitar (as in bolt on neck). Cheaper to make than set neck

[@seventallguitarist]

CE stands for "Classic Electric" which is the bolt on neck. Like a Strat. The SE is the Indonesian made PRS line (much less expensive - but still really nice guitars). Until now these recent runs of new SE guitars (swamp ash special included) they didn't have a bolt on neck available in their lower line.

[@scottanderson4175]

Do a flat top instead of that mediocre half way there carve and paint it a solid color instead of that horrible Venere looks like only half the guitar has the Venere 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@seventallguitarist]

Nah. The flat top ones just have a bland look to them. My son has an older SE Custom that is just boring looking. The veneers certainly aren't as nice as the flame maple tops. I agree wth you, this burst one in the video isn't as sharp looking as the turquoise or "blood orange" finishes. But to each his own, I guess. I bought one of these in the blood orange finish and it looks really nice. Not as nice as my 1994 CE-24 (which was purple) looked. But that guitar was $1800 in 1994. So... you know... you get what you pay for.

[@waltzguy14151]

Great guitars. Never ever going to buy one.