When you see a PRS guitar on stage, you’re probably looking at a $3,000+ American masterpiece. But what if you could get that iconic look, feel, and sound for a fraction of the price? That’s the promise of the PRS SE Custom 24, the Korean-made workhorse that has become a legend in its own right.
In this review, we’re focusing on the sleek Charcoal finish – a sophisticated, modern look that stands out from the typical sunbursts and reds. Is this the ultimate do-it-all guitar for the serious intermediate player? Let’s find out.
First Impressions: It Looks More Expensive Than It Is
The PRS SE Custom 24 in Charbor greets you with undeniable class and sophistication. The dark, smoky finish has a subtle depth to it, often with a slight flame maple top peeking through. It’s understated yet premium, perfect for players who find traditional PRS finishes a bit flashy.
The build quality is where PRS’s SE line truly shines. You get the iconic, ergonomic double-cutaway body with a smooth, comfortable heel that grants easy access to all 24 frets. The famous bird inlays on the rosewood fretboard are a hallmark of PRS craftsmanship, even at this price point. From a few feet away, it’s genuinely difficult to tell it apart from its American cousins.
Sound & Versatility: Its Superpower
The SE Custom 24 is equipped with a pair of PRS-designed 85/15 “S” humbuckers. These are not generic pickups; they are voiced specifically to deliver the clear, articulate, and musical PRS sound.
- Bridge Humbucker: Delivers a tight, articulate, and singing lead tone. It has enough bite for rock and metal solos but avoids the muddy, overly compressed sound of cheap ceramic pickups. The clarity is exceptional.
- Neck Humbucker: Produces a warm, buttery, and incredibly smooth sound perfect for soulful blues and clean jazz chords. It’s lush without being muddy.
- The Magic Trick: Pull up the tone knob. This coil-splits both humbuckers, turning them into single – coils. Suddenly, you get sparkly, Strat-like quack and chime. This one feature catapults the guitar from “great rock machine” to incredibly versatile studio workhorse.
Whether you’re playing crunchy alt-rock rhythms, singing fusion leads, or clean funk chords, this guitar has a setting that works.
Playability: A Benchmark for Comfort
PRS is famous for its neck carves, and the Wide Thin neck profile on the SE Custom 24 is a big reason for its success. It’s a perfect middle ground – slim enough for fast playing and complex chords, but with enough shoulder to still feel substantial and comfortable for rhythm playing.
The 25” scale length is another secret weapon. It’s a quarter-inch longer than a Gibson but shorter than a Fender. This creates a unique feel: the strings have a slightly firmer tension than a Les Paul (aiding tuning stability and clarity) but are still slinkier than a Strat. It’s a “Goldilocks” scale that many players instantly prefer.
With a good factory setup, the guitar offers low, effortless action. The PRS patented tremolo system is stable and responsive for subtle vibrato, though heavy dive-bombing isn’t its intended purpose.
Who Is This Guitar For? (And Who Is It Not For?)
*Perfect For:
- The intermediate player ready to upgrade from a beginner guitar to a professional-feeling instrument.
- The gigging musician who needs one guitar to cover rock, pop, blues, and indie in a single night.
- The home studio artist who values versatility above all else.
- Anyone who appreciates understated, classy aesthetics.
*Might Not Be For:
- Vintage purists seeking the specific midrange “honk” of a vintage Strat or LP.
- Players who only play heavy metal and want ultra-hot, high-output pickups (though it can handle it well).
- Those on an absolute beginner budget (excellent Squiers and Epiphones exist for less).
The Bottom Line
The PRS SE Custom 24 isn’t just a “good budget guitar.” It is a legitimately excellent guitar that happens to be affordable. The Charcoal finish adds a layer of mature style to a platform known for its killer playability and staggering versatility.
It delivers about 90% of the core PRS experience for about 25% of the price of a Core model. For players moving past their first guitar, it represents one of the safest, most rewarding investments you can make – a guitar you won’t outgrow.
Ready to See & Hear It For Yourself?
While nothing beats holding a guitar in your hands, hearing it can get you 90% of the way there. The SE Custom 24’s versatile voice makes it a favourite for demo videos across YouTube.
Pro Tip for Buyers: When shopping, look for reputable music retailers known for their quality inspection and setup. Some even offer this service as an add-on, ensuring your guitar plays perfectly from the first chord.