PRS SE CE 24 BU

PRS SE CE 24 BU review

The PRS SE CE 24 BU is a bolt-on electric guitar with a mahogany body, maple top, and a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard. Its listed price is 639, and the package includes a gig bag rather than a hard case. Available since November 2023, it combines familiar double-humbucker construction with a coil-split control and PRS tremolo. Player feedback points to strong setup and finish quality, comfortable handling, and a broad range of usable sounds.

There is a practical appeal to this configuration. The dual humbuckers can provide the thicker, fuller response players may want for rock, while the split-coil option offers a more single-coil-like character. One owner who usually prefers Strat-style guitars described the SE CE 24 as a satisfying alternative when looking for more bite, without committing to a traditional Les Paul. That account is personal rather than a guarantee, but it reflects the guitar's intended middle ground.

Construction and setup

The body is mahogany, topped with maple, and finished in Black Cherry, a deep red shade. The maple neck is attached with bolts, and the fingerboard is rosewood with bird-shaped inlays. The hardware is nickel. The instrument is listed as an ST-style electric guitar, though its two-humbucker layout, 24 frets, and tremolo give it a distinct specification from a basic single-coil design.

Several owners praised the finish and general workmanship. One reported smooth fret ends, well-finished frets, no unwanted gaps, and a good setup straight from the package. That same player said the guitar arrived in tune and felt familiar after just a few chords, riffs, and lead lines. Another described it as comfortable and easy to handle. These reports suggest that the instrument can be ready to play with little initial adjustment, though setup can vary from one guitar to another.

The Wide Thin neck profile measures 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the 12th. Its 254 mm (10-inch) fingerboard radius and 42.9 mm (1.69-inch) nut width give useful reference points for players assessing the feel before buying. The scale length is 635 mm (25 inches). One reviewer singled out the neck as the strongest part of the playing experience, particularly because its back has a matte finish. That surface helped their hand move smoothly even during sweaty sessions, avoiding the sticky sensation they associate with glossy necks.

Pickups and controls

The guitar uses an 85/15 S humbucker at the bridge and another at the neck. Volume and tone controls handle the main adjustments, while a push-pull tone control splits the coils. A three-way toggle switch selects between the neck pickup, bridge pickup, and their combined setting. The setup is straightforward, with familiar controls and no separate mini-switches for additional pickup combinations.

Feedback on the sounds is positive across both operating modes. In humbucker mode, one owner described the response as full and rounded. With the coils split, they found the result convincing rather than thin or compromised. Another player characterized the sound as aggressive and well suited to metal and rock, while separate comments praised its clean tone. Those impressions cover different playing preferences, but they support the idea that the guitar can handle both heavier tones and cleaner parts.

What to consider

The PRS tremolo adds pitch movement, but the supplied specifications do not identify the tuning machines as locking models. One owner would have preferred locking tuners and planned to install them separately. They also fitted strap locks after purchase. These are personal upgrades, not evidence of a fault, but players who want those features should account for the extra work and cost.

The coil split is operated by pulling the tone control. A reviewer would rather have mini-toggle switches, citing easier operation and the possibility of more pickup combinations. The supplied arrangement keeps the controls simple, but it offers less direct switching flexibility than that player wanted.

Verdict

The PRS SE CE 24 BU makes a strong case through its comfortable neck, tidy reported finish, included gig bag, and pickup options that owners found useful in both humbucker and split-coil modes. Its listed price is 639, and player reports describe an instrument that feels and plays above expectations for its price range. The main reservations concern optional refinements such as locking tuners and alternative switching, rather than problems with the core design. For players seeking a versatile, bolt-on guitar with a tremolo and two humbuckers, the SE CE 24 BU is a compelling choice to try in person.