PRS S2 Custom 24-08 Black Amber

PRS S2 Custom 24-08 Black Amber: Full Hands-On Test

The PRS S2 Custom 24-08 Black Amber marks a significant entry in the US-made category for players who expect classic tones and modern versatility in a single instrument. Announced in June 2024 at $2599, this model brings many of the Custom 24's signature moves but layers on extra switching and fresh player-oriented details. Here's a detailed test after real-world play sessions, with a focus on feel, electronics, and flexibility.

Build and Finish: American Craft Meets Practicality

• Body: Mahogany, with a maple top for enhanced attack and visual depth. The Black Amber finish gives the classic flame-maple look a subtle, upscale edge.
• Neck: Mahogany, set in for sustain, with a rosewood fingerboard and trademark PRS birds inlay.
• The fingerboard radius is exactly ten inches, delivering a compromise between chord comfort and easy bending, a detail appreciated by Gibson and Fender cross-shoppers alike.
• At 25 inches (635 mm) scale, there's a familiar "PRS slink" in the feel: a slightly looser tension than a Fender, but with a clear, singing upper register.

It's not as heavy as some vintage-style electrics, but this lighter build quality does not sacrifice resonance. The guitar feels responsive even before plugging in.

Neck Profile and Playability: "Pattern Thin" Explained

• Profile: Pattern Thin
• First fret thickness: 21 mm; 12th fret: 48 mm
• Nut width: 1.69 inches (42.9 mm)
• 24 well-dressed frets

The Pattern Thin neck isn't a generic "C" or "D" style. It sits flatter and slim, encouraging speed and minimizing hand fatigue even up the neck. Reviewers accustomed to Telecasters or Les Pauls consistently note the PRS offers a different playing position, and adaptation is fast. For lead work or extended chords, it suits both modern and classic players.

Electronics: Twin TCI Humbuckers and Expansive Switching

• Two PRS "TCI" humbuckers (bridge & neck)
• Master volume and tone
• Three-way pickup selector
• Two mini-switches for coil splitting, allows choosing either or both pickups in single-coil or humbucker mode

This configuration is at the heart of the "08" in the name: eight unique pickup combinations. The pure humbucker settings are punchy and full, living up to the "authentic and well-defined" reputation. Multiple reviewers note the clear voice even under high gain, with full string separation, no muddiness, even in saturated rock or fusion.

The split settings aren't afterthoughts. Compared to a Fender Strat, there's less "cling" in the top end, but still useful single-coil chime for funk, indie, or pop. Some players find the coil-split switches stiff mid-song, so live switchers might need practice. Leaving one pickup as humbucker while splitting the other adds subtlety: you can fine-tune bite and thickness across positions without switching guitars.

Tremolo and Hardware: Classic PRS Stability

• PRS patented tremolo bridge (nickel finish)
• PRS low-mass locking tuners

The PRS tremolo stays true to tradition, with stable return to pitch and zero play in the arm socket. Pull-offs and vibrato are expressive without dropping tuning. The locking tuners make string changes fast and reliable, especially useful for gigging or studio work where time matters. The nickel hardware fits the overall aesthetic, adding durability without garish shine.

Details, Accessories, and What You Get

• Bird inlays offer familiar visual flair
• No molded case, but the included PRS gig bag is thick, protective, and practical
• USA-made: fits between the Korean-made SE models and the more expensive PRS "core" lines

For those who have already played the SE Custom 24: real-world testing confirms the S2 is a different class, greater sustain, more evident dynamic response, and an overall lighter feel. The step up is apparent both acoustically and plugged in. PRS quality control at this tier receives consistently high marks, with setups and fretwork arriving ready for stage or studio attention.

Sound and Versatility: Who Is It For?

The S2 Custom 24-08 covers wide ground. It's not just a "jack of all trades", clean, saturated, and split tones all reach professional character. Jazz, classic rock, blues, even high-gain modern styles are all accessible (if metal is your primary genre, you may want even hotter pickups, but this guitar does not flinch under gain).

The best compliments come from players switching from Fender, Gibson, or Ibanez and finding the PRS voice both familiar and original: warmth is present, but so is definition. The sound stays clean at volume, and the switching matrix gives direct access to bright or mid-focused textures on demand.

Conclusion: Premium PRS Feel, Workhorse Flexibility

The PRS S2 Custom 24-08 Black Amber convincingly justifies its price for serious guitarists who want premium timbre, flexible tone-shaping, and consistent US-made fit and finish. The coil split system and neck comfort are standouts, and with a robust gig bag included, it's ready for rehearsal, studio, or tour. For those exploring outside the traditional Fender or Gibson templates, this PRS is a compelling upgrade, and not just on paper, but in every session where tone, playability, and versatility matter.