In 1988, PRS introduced the "Classic Electric" series—quickly shortened to just "CE"—as a way to combine PRS innovation with a simple and effective bolt-on neck. Since the '50s, the snap and response that comes from a bolt-on neck guitar has been an essential part of the rock n' roll sound. When PRS hit the scene in the mid-'80s, their cutting-edge designs permanently changed the electric guitar industry, but they were expensive because of the labor-intensive carved top and set neck. The PRS CE combines those next-level features with a streamlined body and a bolt-on neck in a package that is more accessible.
The Paul Reed Smith CE24 features a Mahogany body with a Maple top and a 24-fret bolt-on Maple neck. With PRS's distinctive double cutaway body shape, the CE24 certainly looks the part, and the long 24-fret neck allows for unfettered access all the way up to the second octave. True to the original PRS production guitars of the mid-'80s, the CE24 has a 25" scale and PRS's patented tremolo system. This refined design allows you to dive-bomb and get out there without knocking the guitar out of tune. Low mass locking tuning machines help toward that end, too.
The current CE24 specs include 85/15 humbucker pickups. Developed by PRS, the 85/15 are a versatile humbucker pickup. They compress and fatten in high gain situations, and they pack remarkable sustain as well as extended high and low end. With a coil-tap switch on the tone knob, the CE24 allows you to unlock the full potential of these pickups.
This 2021 Paul Reed Smith CE24 features the Whale Blue Smokewrap finish, and although it shows some minor play wear, it is in excellent condition all around with no history of repairs or issues. Most noticeable is general pickwear and swirling around the playing area (see photos). Fortunately no severe dings or scratches—just a fantastic PRS that includes its original gig bag.
- Top: Maple
- Body: Mahogany
- Finish: Whale Blue Smokewrap
- Neck: Maple
- Number of Frets: 24
- Scale Length: 25"
- Neck Shape: Patten Thin
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Inlay: Birds
- Bridge: Nickel PRS Patented Tremolo
- Tuning Machines: Nickel PRS Low-Mass Locking
- Pickups: PRS 85/15
- Controls: Volume and Push/Pull Tone Control Coil Tap w/ 3-Way Toggle Selector