Should You Buy a PRS CE24 in 2023? 

I had a 1994 CE24. Bought it new in 1994 ($1800). Played it for 18 years as my main gigging guitar. In 2009 I bought a 2008 Mira (core Mira that was made before the S2 factory/line). I loved the Mira so much, that I decided in 2012 to sell the 94 CE-24, which had become my backup guitar, so I could buy another 2008 Mira. Gigged with those guitars for 2 more years. Then after 30 years of never owning a Les Paul, I got a wild bug up my ass to be a Les Paul guy. So I traded both PRS guitars in on 3 Epiphones & and a Gibson. One Epiphone with P90's, one with humbuckers. An Epiphone SG with P90's & the Gibson LP. I pretty much gigged that way for 3 years. Often regretting not only selling the Mira guitars, but also the CE24 (which was my first really nice guitar). In 2017 a local kid began building really nice guitars. So I sold the Gibson and we started designing the custom build. As soon as that was done, we started custom build #2. Then eventually, I had him build a 3rd. Love them. Played them from 2017 through Covid. At which point I stopped gigging. So in 2021, I sold off all of my live rig to set up a mini studio, but started looking at getting back into PRS. Bought a 2017 PRS Vela. And absolutely LOVE it. Then like a gift.... my old PRS Mira wound up on the wall of a local shop. So I bought it... for $300 more than I paid for it new in 2009. Part of it was the value had maintained and I had gotten it at a really good price initially. Then just this week, after years of searching Reverb for 94 CE-24 guitars or any newer versions that were used.... I just decided to buy an SE CE-24 brand new for $700. It's a really bad ass guitar for the value. Is it as nice as Core CE models? Nope. And to me the newer CE models aren't as nice as the 90's models. I really REALLY regret getting rid of that thing. But now I have 2 great PRS guitars, a decent SE model and still have the 3 custom builds. Nothing to complain about. But to make a long story short.... the CE-24's are just a damn nice workhorse guitar for gigging musicians. Not crazy expensive that you don't want to gig with it. Especially if you buy used. But they are so reliable & I've never had tuning or neck issues with any of them. So stable & well built. If you are looking for one really nice guitar to gig with, you can do WAY worse than a PRS CE-24. Go get one! 🙂

I have a CE24 semi hollow picked up used $1400. I also ordered a new SE CE24 off ebay for $450 shipped. Hopefully it’s new and not broken. So we will see how it is when it gets here. I am going to put new strings on both and hopefully setup as close to USA CE. The CE24 is my main gigging guitar. We play 40-42 songs per night from pop, rock and country. Does well all night.

Picked one up on Reverb for $1350 with the man made brass block. Comes in this week

You pretty much reinforced what I was thinking. I have gotten the itch to get a PRS. It looks like the CE is the one but finding it used in my area is tough. I don't know if i can trust trying to snag one on reverb or another online avenue. Did you get yours truely local? That amber is sharp and I could see myself with that one. Also assuming that one was at your higher end of the range you mentioned cost wise....

I could not bring myself to spend $5500 on a core model, (I just try to be financially responsible and live within my means) I bought my first PRS CE24, I’m so happy with it, FIT N FINISH is like if they made it especially for me!! I love it!! It actually makes me a better player!

I love the FF15 ost there🤝🏻

I don't know man. My corr custom sits in the dust with my LPs while my 3 ce24s get all the play.

It's great guitar. I like this even more than the core 24, but I agree that the price is way too high. It should be under 2000$, something around 1500$. I think the whole USA line is overpriced. The SE line has more or less reasonable price, but for 800-900$ it's good to have proper locking tuners.

For me , i would but semi hollow version

How about Prs S2 Custom 24 35th Anniversary,do you recommend for it ?

You made it sound like. Hey don’t bother to get this guitar. Because your probably gonna unload it later. Then why get one. 🤪 I own one. Great instrument. Will never let it go. Hopefully someone in my family tree will inherit it.😎✌️

What if either s2 or CE has the core pickups and cost $2000-2500? Would you still pay extra $2000 for core? If so, why??

you left out the most important part ... how does it sound.