Fantastico!

[agcarver]

First off, great to be back at BAM, second I have a tough decision to make. I'll be in the market for a new PRS in May or so (actually my first PRS) and I'm having a tough time choosing between the CE24, Standard 24, or the Singlecut trem. My first qualifier was price, I promised the wife I'd try to keep it at or under $2K, so based on that, the price listings for 2004, and roughly a 20%-40% deviation from the list price I think if I worked it right, I could swing the deal on any of 'em, the only real designer option I would probably go for is the birds. Secondly, I've have plenty of experience with the CE24, and the HFS and Vintage Bass pickups, I have a friend who has sworn by his CE24 for years. However I've never heard or had any experience with the #6 treble and bass pickups on the singlecut. Lastly, just how annoying is the heel on the standard? Anyone with some insight on these topics, some information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! :cool:

[Elgreco]

Best bang for the buck: Singlecut trem!!

[Dan Desy]

First of all, if you want birds, you can't get them on a CE - unless you go used, but they're hard to find.

I have a Singlecut Trem which I love (see my sig). Mind you, mine's an Artist Package, and not in your price range, but they start at about $1600, maybe $1800 with birds (rounding off grossly).

I absolutely LOVE the #6 pickups. Not as hot or driving as the HFS/VB, more vintage. The HFS overdrives the input of my amp. The #6 barely does that, which gives me nice gain, but a excellent clean-up when you back off the volume just a little. They're still nice clear rock pickups, and the neck pickup sounds like a real neck pickup, unlike the VB which sounds like another bridge pickup, in my opinion... Finally, the #6 really shine in split mode as well. The most single copil sounding humbuckers I've heard.
The heel on the Standard will be no different than the heel on the CE, or custom. The Singlecut heel has a different feel, becuase the body joint is completely different.

Good luck!

[Brian Yarbrough]

Check with some forum members, you might find some good upper range used guitars for a good price. There have been some sweet ones up for sale lately.

[BIG GINGER GIT]

For what it's worth I'd go for the Singlecut trem ;)

[Brian]

I'd also vouch for the singlecut, its one sweet guitar!

[a different Paul S]

I had a 1995 Standard 24 in 1996. The humbuckers on their own (settings #6 and 10) were good, but the three single-coil sounds (settings #7, 8, & 9) left me disappointed - they sounded somewhat dull. I think the maple top adds some needed brightness.
If you look for some used models, you have lots of choices for under $2,000. CU24, CU22, and SC can be found for under that price. Also, I've seen some SC (non-trem) at Guitar Center for about $1900.
I got a used McCarty for well under $2,000 about three years ago. It is an outstanding guitar, IMO perhaps the best PRS.

[aleclee]

The heel on the Standard and Custom is the same since as that of the CE.

[agcarver]

Thanks for the ideas guys. Speaking of McCarty's, I've heard them compared favorably to Les Pauls. I'm a big believer that one guitar doesn't sound like another, but getting in the ballpark fo a tone is possible. From personal experience, the CE's are great, but I think the standard and SC trem will be duking it out for my next tone machine, thanks for the insight guys, I love forum's where the community is so close knit.:)