Best PRS Guitars: SE Value Models to Core Series Picks

The best PRS guitars for most players are the SE Custom 24 for an all-round set-neck guitar, the SE CE 24 Standard Satin for the lowest-cost way in, the SE McCarty 594 for vintage-voiced tone and the SE Silver Sky for single-coil players, with the Core Series reserved for buyers who want US-built boutique construction. PRS builds its lineup around three scale lengths, two neck joints and a handful of pickup voicings, and once you know what those mean, the model names stop being confusing. Here is how the best PRS guitars compare.

Our top picks

Top pickPRS SE Custom 24-08 Electric Guitar

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Also greatPRS SE CE24 Electric Guitar

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Also greatPRS SE Custom 24-08 Electric Guitar

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Key takeaways

• PRS uses three scale lengths in this guide: 25 inches on the Custom 24 and CE 24, 24.594 inches on the McCarty 594 and Zach Myers 594, and 25.5 inches on the Silver Sky, per PRS spec pages.
• The CE 24 Standard Satin has a bolt-on maple neck, while the Custom 24, Custom 24-08 and McCarty 594 have set necks, which changes feel and sustain.
• The SE Custom 24-08 adds coil-tap mini-toggles for eight pickup configurations; the SE Custom 24 uses a push/pull tone knob instead.
• The SE Silver Sky uses three single-coil 635JM pickups with a 25.5-inch scale and an 8.5-inch radius, per PRS and retailer listings.
• SE guitars are built overseas, and the Core and S2 lines are the US-built tiers above them.

Quick comparison of the best PRS guitars

Tier words are relative. PRS revises SE specs between years, and sources sometimes disagree on pickup names, so confirm on the specific listing.

Reading PRS specs: scale, neck joint and pickup names

Three details separate PRS models more than the model name does. The first is scale length. PRS’s 25-inch scale sits between a Gibson-style 24.75 inches and a Fender-style 25.5 inches, which gives a feel that is slightly firmer than a Les Paul and looser than a Stratocaster. The McCarty 594 uses 24.594 inches, which is closer to Gibson territory. The Silver Sky uses 25.5 inches, matching a Fender-style guitar.

The second is the neck joint. Bolt-on necks, as on the CE 24 and Silver Sky, give a snappier attack and are easier to repair. Set necks, as on the Custom 24 and McCarty 594, usually give more sustain and smoother upper-fret access. The third is the pickup name, where the numbers and letters are shorthand for voicing.

How we picked these PRS guitars

This is a research-based guide. We did not personally use these guitars. We compared PRS’s published model pages, retailer listings and published professional reviews, and picked one model per job: entry bolt-on, all-round set neck, versatile coil-tap, vintage voice, single-coil signature, humbucker-plus-single-coil mix and chambered signature. Where sources disagree on a detail, such as the pickups on the Custom 24-08, we say so and recommend checking the current listing.

1. PRS SE CE 24 Standard Satin: Best entry PRS

The CE 24 Standard Satin is the lowest-cost route to a PRS in the SE range. PRS lists a 25-inch scale, 24 frets, a bolt-on maple Wide Thin neck and 85/15 S humbuckers in both positions. Guitar World’s review notes a three-piece mahogany body, a rosewood fingerboard with a 10-inch radius and PRS’s patented vibrato, and lists Indonesia as the country of origin.

Controls are a volume knob, a push/pull tone knob and a 3-way toggle. The satin finish keeps the guitar light and fast-feeling, and the bolt-on neck gives a slightly brighter attack than a set-neck PRS.

• 25-inch scale · 24 frets · bolt-on maple Wide Thin neck · three-piece mahogany body · two 85/15 S humbuckers · PRS vibrato
• Rosewood fingerboard, 10-inch radius per Guitar World
• Satin finishes including Charcoal, Vintage Cherry, Ice Blue Metallic and Metallic Gold
• A stoptail version without the vibrato is also sold
• Gig bag included on many listings

Best for: Players who want a PRS feel and tone at the lowest SE cost tier. Skip if: You want a set neck, coil taps or a carved top.

Pros

• Lowest cost tier in the SE line
• Light and fast
• Versatile tone control

Cons

• Bolt-on neck feel differs from set-neck PRS
• Basic appointments

2. PRS SE Custom 24: Best all-round PRS for the money

The SE Custom 24 is the model most people picture when they think of an SE PRS. PRS lists a 25-inch scale, 24 frets, a maple Wide Thin set neck and 85/15 S humbuckers, with a volume knob, a push/pull tone knob and a 3-way blade switch. The push/pull tone knob taps the coils for single-coil sounds.

The carved top and set neck give a traditional high-end look and a good balance of sustain and clarity. Current listings show many finishes including Black Gold Burst, Vintage Yellow and Orange Tiger Smokeburst.

• 25-inch scale · 24 frets · maple Wide Thin set neck · carved top · 85/15 S humbuckers · PRS tremolo
• Bird inlays
• Set neck for sustain and upper-fret access
• Exclusive finishes appear on some retailers
• Gig bag included in many listings

Best for: Players who want one guitar for rock, pop, blues and worship. Skip if: You want more switching options (look at the 24-08).

Pros

• Classic PRS look
• Versatile coil-tap tone
• Set-neck feel

Cons

• Mid cost tier
• Basic electronics versus 24-08

3. PRS SE Custom 24-08: Best for tonal flexibility

The 24-08 takes the Custom 24 and adds two mini-toggles that split each humbucker individually, which gives eight pickup configurations. PRS’s current spec lists TCI S pickups, a maple top, a mahogany back, a rosewood fingerboard with bird inlays, 24 frets and a 25-inch scale.

A 2022 forum thread notes that PRS briefly listed 85/15 S pickups on this model, so check the listing for your year. If you want the widest range from one guitar, this is the PRS to pick.

• 25-inch scale · 24 frets · maple Wide Thin set neck · TCI S humbuckers · two coil-tap mini-toggles · 8 pickup configurations
• Maple top and mahogany back
• PRS patented molded tremolo
• Quilt and burst finishes in listings
• Pickup name varies by year, so verify

Best for: Players who want humbucker and single-coil tones from one guitar. Skip if: You prefer simple controls.

Pros

• Eight pickup options
• Set-neck sustain
• Premium look

Cons

• More complex switching
• Upper-mid cost tier

4. PRS SE McCarty 594: Best vintage-voiced PRS

The McCarty 594 is PRS’s take on a vintage-style single cut. PRS lists 22 frets, a 24.594-inch scale, a bound mahogany neck and 58/15 LT S pickups, with two volume and two push/pull tone knobs and a 3-way toggle. It has a set neck and a two-piece bridge.

Compared with the Custom 24, it has fewer frets, a shorter scale and a warmer voice. The extra push/pull knobs let you tap the coils, but the guitar is voiced for warmth first.

• 24.594-inch scale · 22 frets · bound mahogany set neck · 58/15 LT S humbuckers · two volumes and two tones
• Vintage Sunburst finish with gig bag
• Two-piece bridge
• Related to the Zach Myers 594
• Core McCarty 594 is the US-built version

Best for: Blues, classic rock and players who prefer a Gibson-adjacent feel. Skip if: You want 24 frets or a tremolo.

Pros

• Warm vintage tone
• Gibson-like scale
• Beautiful appointments

Cons

• 22 frets
• No tremolo

5. PRS SE Silver Sky: Best for single-coil players

The SE Silver Sky is PRS’s John Mayer signature model and its answer to the Stratocaster. PRS lists three single-coil 635JM S pickups, produced by Cor-Tek for the SE line, a 25.5-inch scale, 22 frets, a 635JM neck carve and an 8.5-inch fretboard radius.

It has a poplar body, a bolt-on maple neck, a rosewood or maple fingerboard with bird inlays, a two-point steel tremolo and a synthetic bone nut. Controls are one volume, two tones and a 5-way blade switch.

• 25.5-inch scale · 22 frets · poplar body · bolt-on maple neck · three 635JM single coils · two-point tremolo · 8.5-inch radius
• Rosewood or maple board options
• Traditional Blue, Stone Blue, Moon White and other finishes
• Lefty version available
• Not a synchronized tremolo, per PRS spec

Best for: Clean, blues, pop and funk players who like Strat-style tones. Skip if: You want humbuckers or high gain.

Pros

• Authentic single-coil voicing
• Comfortable shape
• Strong signature appeal

Cons

• Single-coil hum
• Mid cost tier

6. PRS SE Swamp Ash Special: Best humbucker-plus-single-coil mix

The Swamp Ash Special mixes two 85/15 S humbuckers with a PRS-designed AS-01 single coil in the middle, which gives you the range of an HSH guitar. PRS lists a swamp ash body, a 22-fret maple neck with a maple fingerboard, a 25-inch scale and a Wide Thin neck 1 11/16 inches wide at the nut.

Controls are a push/pull tone control and a 5-way pickup switch, with PRS’s tremolo. One retailer lists a 3-way switch, which conflicts with PRS, so check the listing.

• 25-inch scale · 22 frets · swamp ash body · maple neck and board · two 85/15 S plus AS-01 single coil · 5-way switch
• Vintage Sunburst, Iri Blue and Charcoal finishes
• Gig bag included
• PRS tremolo
• Bolt-on neck

Best for: Players who want humbuckers and single coils in one guitar. Skip if: You prefer a carved top and set neck.

Pros

• Wide tonal range
• Light swamp ash body
• Distinctive look

Cons

• Maple board feel differs from rosewood
• Three-pickup layout adds complexity

7. PRS SE Zach Myers 594: Best chambered signature

The Zach Myers 594 is a signature model with a chambered mahogany body, a maple cap, a flame maple veneer and a single f-hole. PRS lists 22 frets, a 24.594-inch scale, a PRS adjustable stoptail bridge, vintage-style tuners and PRS-designed 245 S pickups, with two volumes, two tones and a 3-way toggle.

Chambering reduces weight and adds an airy character, which suits rhythm playing and pop-rock. It is available in Myers Blue and Elderberry Burst.

• 24.594-inch scale · 22 frets · chambered mahogany body with maple cap · f-hole · 245 S pickups · adjustable stoptail
• Gig bag included
• Set neck
• Myers Blue and Elderberry Burst finishes
• Lighter than a solid mahogany single cut

Best for: Rhythm players and pop-rock guitarists. Skip if: You want a tremolo or a classic solid-body feel.

Pros

• Lighter chambered build
• Distinctive look
• Comfortable shape

Cons

• Less sustain than a solid body
• Signature styling is polarizing

Also consider

• PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN: a seven-string signature with a 26.5-inch scale, 24 frets, a 20-inch radius ebony board and Seymour Duncan Scarlet and Scourge pickups, per PRS.
• PRS SE T60E Tonare: an acoustic-electric with a solid spruce top and ziricote back and sides, a 25.3-inch scale and a Fishman Presys VT system, per PRS.
• PRS SE Pauls Guitar: a different PRS body in the SE range; check the listing for pickups and neck.
• PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow: a semi-hollow SE for warmer tones.

Best PRS SE guitars versus the Core Series

PRS sells its guitars in tiers. SE guitars are the most affordable and are built overseas, with the CE 24 Standard Satin review listing Indonesia. Core guitars are PRS’s premium line, built in the US, and S2 sits between SE and Core. The visible differences at the top of the range are more refined woods, tighter finishing and PRS-made electronics, while the underlying designs, scales and shapes are shared.

A sensible path is to buy an SE, play it for a year and decide whether the Core upgrade is worth it for your gigging or collecting needs.

Best signature and boutique guitars in the PRS family

PRS is known for signature models, and three appear in this guide: the Silver Sky tied to John Mayer, the Zach Myers 594 and the Mark Holcomb SVN. Signature models are tuned to a player’s preferences, so they can suit players with similar tastes. The Silver Sky is a clean, Strat-style guitar. The Zach Myers 594 is a chambered rhythm guitar. The Mark Holcomb is a seven-string metal guitar with a long scale.

As for boutique guitars, the term usually means small-batch, hand-finished instruments with premium materials. PRS’s Core line is the closest in this family. SE guitars share the designs and the feel of those instruments at a much lower cost, which is why they are popular as stage guitars and as stepping stones.

Best PRS SE guitars by playing style

PRS guitars are often described as all-rounders, but each SE model leans in a direction. Use the matrix below to match the guitar to the music you play most.

Durability and ownership: what to expect from an SE PRS

SE guitars are built to a price, so ownership realities differ from a Core instrument. The finish is thinner on satin models like the CE 24 Standard Satin, which is part of why they feel fast, but it also shows wear sooner. Hardware such as tuners and bridges is serviceable and can be upgraded later. Pickups are the part most owners swap first, although many are satisfied with the stock 85/15 S and 58/15 LT S sets.

• What wears first: the finish on satin necks and bodies, and fret edges after years of heavy playing.
• Consumables: strings, which should be changed regularly, and occasionally the nut or saddle if you change gauges.
• Common upgrades: locking tuners, pickup swaps and a hard case for travel.
• Care: keep humidity moderate, since a maple fretboard or a carved top can react to extremes.
• Setup: PRS necks and bridges are adjustable, so a seasonal setup keeps action stable.

A guitar you keep playing for years is the one that fits your hands and your music, not the one with the longest spec sheet. If you can try two or three of the models above in a shop, do so before committing.

Buying guide: how to choose among the best PRS guitars

1. Pick the neck joint. Bolt-on for snap and easy repair, set neck for sustain and access. The Custom 24 and McCarty 594 are set neck; the CE 24 and Silver Sky are bolt-on.
2. Choose the scale. 25 inches is PRS’s signature middle ground, 24.594 inches suits Gibson players and 25.5 inches suits Fender players.
3. Choose the fret count. 24 frets on the Custom 24 and CE 24 help lead playing. 22 frets on the McCarty 594 and Silver Sky are enough for most music.
4. Decide on pickups. 85/15 S for modern clarity, 58/15 LT S for warmth, 635JM single coils for clean tones, TCI S with taps for flexibility.
5. Consider the body. Solid mahogany for sustain, swamp ash or poplar for lighter weight, chambered for rhythm playing.
6. Check the tremolo. PRS’s vibrato is more stable than a typical two-point fulcrum, but a stoptail is simpler if you do not use it.
7. Check what is included. Many SE guitars ship with a gig bag. A hard case is a worthwhile add-on for travel.
8. Plan a setup. PRS necks and bridges are adjustable, and a shop setup optimizes action and intonation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best PRS guitar for a beginner?

The SE CE 24 Standard Satin is the lowest-cost way in, with 24 frets and versatile pickups. If your budget allows, the SE Custom 24 is the more traditional choice.

What is the difference between the SE Custom 24 and the CE 24?

The Custom 24 has a set neck and a carved top, while the CE 24 has a bolt-on neck and a flat body. Both have a 25-inch scale and 24 frets.

Are SE PRS guitars any good?

Reviewers generally describe SE guitars as strong value instruments that share designs with the higher-tier lines. They are built overseas rather than in the US.

What is the SE Silver Sky?

It is PRS’s Stratocaster-style signature model with three single-coil 635JM pickups, a 25.5-inch scale and a bolt-on neck.

Is the PRS McCarty 594 good for blues?

Yes. Its 24.594-inch scale, 58/15 LT S pickups and bound mahogany neck are voiced for warmth and a vintage feel.

Does PRS make 7-string guitars?

Yes. The SE Mark Holcomb SVN is a seven-string signature with a 26.5-inch scale and Seymour Duncan pickups.

Is the PRS SE Custom 24 worth the extra over the CE 24?

If you value a set neck, a carved top and a more traditional PRS look, yes. If you mostly want the PRS scale and pickups at the lowest cost tier, the CE 24 Standard Satin gives most of the playing experience.

Which PRS suits worship or session work?

The SE Custom 24 and 24-08 are common choices because coil taps give both humbucker and single-coil textures, and the 25-inch scale is comfortable for long sets. The chambered Zach Myers 594 is lighter if you play standing for hours.

Does PRS make left-handed guitars?

Some models, such as the SE Silver Sky Maple, appear in left-handed versions in listings. Availability varies.

Which PRS should you buy?

• Lowest-cost PRS: SE CE 24 Standard Satin.
• All-round set neck: SE Custom 24.
• Maximum tonal options: SE Custom 24-08.
• Vintage voice: SE McCarty 594.
• Single-coil sound: SE Silver Sky.
• Humbuckers plus single coil: SE Swamp Ash Special.
• Chambered rhythm guitar: SE Zach Myers 594.

If you are undecided, the SE Custom 24 is the safest answer: a set neck, 24 frets and versatile coil-tapping at a reasonable cost tier.

Sources

PRS Guitars published model pages, Guitar World, Terry Carter Music Store comparison, Home Studio Guys, Reverb and Sweetwater listings.

Last updated: October 2026