The custom 22 seems like it’s was hard to find before it was discontinued. I always thought it would be better than the 24 because of the neck pickup position.
YES!!!! I couldn't agree more! the N bucker isn't in the right place on a 24, so it doesn't have that LP/any other HB guitar sound we want..And the in-between just isn't as neck/bridge sounding. It almost has that bridge/middle tone.
I have almost never needed the last two frets so I prefer the Custom 22 over the Custom 24. With the 22, the neck pickup is still in the right position.
I can't say about the core line but as for SE, PRS were making something weird with SE Custom 22 since 2015. I mean, back in 2015 we had Custom 24 which had 24 frets, coil split, trem and a wide thin neck and we had Custom 22 with 22 frets, hardtail bridge, wide fat neck and no coil split. So if you prefer thicker necks and fixed bridge, you could go with Custom 22 but then, all of the sudden the next year's Custom 22 specs were... tremolo, wide thin neck, 22 frets and no coil split. So basically, Custom 24 with less frets and less tone variations but at the same price. I never understood that move to be honest.
The Special is essentially a Custom 22 - albeit with a Semi-hollow body and the extra NF pickup. Of course the HB's are different and its more like a Custom 22-08 rather than the 5 position Cu22. All but the Santana and Cu24 are 22 fret guitars - most with a 25" scale and differ with layout, pick-ups and bridge type. You see a lot saying they want a Cu22 with Hard Tail so go for the McCarty or Pauls guitar - want a trem, well there is the Special, DGT or Tremonti...
I have been wanting a PRS since the '594' came out, that is the one that 'hooked' me. The problem is, I can't figure out what one to buy! Color? Top? Hollow/not"? Artist pkg? Ect.? I have 10 Gibson's in my collection, but 10 PRS's would be ~$40,000?? Maybe I just need to schedule a weeks vacation, go to Sweetwater and play every one in the store for a week!! 8) JMHO... --gary
I like the clips of the live show Phil. It's great for anyone who didn't see the live show and I think it will bring more people to your channel. Tell Aljon to put me down for a McKnight Kramer !
I recently purchased a 1996 custom 22, 10 top and wing lock tuners. I. Know everyone has opinions on what works for them. I absolutely love this thing. Been playing Gibsons for most of the 46 years I have been playing. This guitar as far as playability goes tops a Gibson. The neck on this guitar is extremely comfortable.
I tried a PRS 24 lefty in Denmark St about 15 years ago and it felt fragile like a toy and sounded hideous. I couldn’t understand why anyone rated PRS up with Gibson and Fender. Then 7 years ago I went to Guitarguitar when they had a load of Lefty LMTD Custom 22’s in. The difference in build quality and sound was shocking, and the 22 definitely felt heavier and more solid, so I bought one. In my top 3 most used guitars and unique in my collection. I’m glad I bought it then, because since then high quality lefties just aren’t available as much any more.
I too am left handed , I own a 22 and a 24 , and I agree with you100% . I play the 22 every day , and wish I could sell the 24 . There's NO comparison !!
I just picked up a 2021 core line PRS Custom 22 with a 5-way blade switch in charcoal burst finish. Its a plain old core line custom 22, not a 10-top and no wood library. It was made in August of 2021. PRS must be making em again.
Well I'm happy to know my 2008 Custom 22 in McCarty Tobacco Sunburst is a rarity now. May the price go through the roof. Only problem is I would never in a million years sell it... coz literally, "They don't make 'em like that anymore!!!"
I get what you’re saying, and I agree to a point. But it sort of sounds like you’re just going, “it’s got 22 frets? It’s a Custom 22.” Again, I mostly dig what you’re saying, but I think PRS would do better to discontinue all those other models. Semi hollow, mini humbucker, crazy switching, etc, it’s all gimmicks that don’t seem to be in the spirit of the PRS Core line. Release those on a Disney basis, as you aptly call it. But keep the Custom 22 as a perennial Core model.
@Halli Day yeah, that's true. I would....I do. I was just being melodramatic hahaha 😂 just having a lil fun. 🤪👍🏻 But yeah, they come up on reverb once in a while...
Some PRS lines look alike to me (as well as other brands do to). Seeing Paul’s guitar in your video, I see the S2 594 (or vice versa). I’m amazed how they figure out their lines and what to offer the market.
My understanding was that the Custom 22 was designed to appeal to those who wanted a more vintagey-feeling and sounding instrument than the Custom 24. Seems to me the McCarty 594 has taken its place.
I have the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow… does that count? It’s a fabulously flexible sounding guitar, and I never thought I’d buy a PRS! (assuming it does count, among the aficionados, as a PRS, o’korst🤪)
97" custom 22 here it was deep purple now faded to violet. I miss that new deep purple but would not go back it was left out to the uv light to much. I love the violet because it reminds me how that guitar and I have been through.
Being a lefty, we have few choices. They haven't made any Core lefty's in a few years. What we have currently is the Custom 24 SE which is a nice piece at a great price point. But personally, I don't like 24 fret guitars. However, I do prefer the Wide Thin (Pattern Thin) neck on those C24 SE models. I have a Custom 22 hard tail that I love. but it has the Pattern (Wide Fat) neck. One of these days I'll find an affordable C22 with the thin neck that has a tremolo bridge!
I think your explanation makes perfect sense. But apparently Fender is not on the same page, they make their guitars in every possible iteration, with such small differences. Just different marketing strategies, I suppose.
Usually a fan but not loving this video. As a PRS fan the line makes sense and is rather simple. It is NOT redundant. You are a fan of several brands watering down you level of knowledge of this brand. That's Ok, but you are usually a font of knowledge on the subject you are addressing. This was a miss. Still a fan!
I have and have had PRS singlecuts that blow away the Cu22 to my ear and hands. The SC250 for sure is insane. Tremonti model too. I sold off my Cu22s..
couldn't agree more, my Tremonti Sig's have that fatter chewy tone....nothing against the 22/24's except the 85/15 pickups are weaker.....personally, never had anything against the fatter ceramic HFS pups in the older 22/24's....curious what the Tremonti bridge pup would do in the Custom 24, since they're more bottom end than the Metal pup.
@@hoptard I often find ceramic pickups to sound really fat. Agree. Love the tremonti. I've watched other demos of the Tremonti pickuos vs lower output PRS pups and the Tremonti pups are fatter and fuller. Hopinv the Wolfetone monkey bucker is as fat and full. Getting that soon with an extra ceramic mag. I also like the older McCarty which is like a fatter Cu22.
@@hoptard The Tremonti which is said to be a custom magnet (although, some claim it is ceramic), seems very fat and chewy. So much for ceramic being harsh and cold. Far from it. Now, my Suhr Aldrich bridge pickup is Alnico V and very fat and chewy.
I know this is an older video, but having played so many PRS guitars in the last year, I absolutely hate all their neck profiles except the pattern thin which needs to come in a 24.5 in scale length and only come in a 25in whether on a 22 or 24. I love my standard 24 but wish it was just a bit shorter like the 245.
Well I’ve played a few Custom 24’ and 22’s have come close but haven’t bought one yet , but most likely it will be a 24 , it’s the Flagship PRS and I want that experience
Now that I can afford to buy new guitars, the ones I wanted aren't available. Trying to find PRS SE Custom 22 with the stoptail is damn near impossible.
I have it with the trem. And I’m a hardtail guy, all 11 of my other guitars are hardtail. Its shocking how well it stays in tune. But because that effects bending. I did slice up and glue some wood to block the trem. Still my best sounding guitar. And ive got 5 americans. To be fair i did upgrade its pickups to be dimarzio 36th anniversary PAF’s
I just turned 40. been playing guitar for 20 years, and finally can afford a PRS Custom 22 and considering one, until i watched this video haha. I'm very happy with my line up of tele, strat, ibanez guitars, but gibson standard and PRS has never made it to my collection. I mainly play classic-90s rock, and satriani lead stuff, should I leave the PRS out? is it really all that? worth $4000?! I'm even looking at the 6-8 string fanned frets, those really interest me.
PRS are kinda like if a Fender Strat and a Gibson Les Paul had a baby. The scale length is in between at 25” and the fretboard radius in between at 10”. That’s what they sound like too, a mix of Strat and LP.
I can't agree with Phillip here, I'm glad PRS doesn't go with the Ibanez naming scheme where every feature is spelled out in the model name. That "Special" shown would turn into "CU22HNFHSHDCT5WST" (Custom 22 Humbucker NarrowField Humbucker Semi Hollow Dual Coil Tap 5 Way Switch Tremolo")
It’s the best Prs guitar so I wish Prs would reintroduce it with pattern thin neck and 22-08 switching…. It’s really nothing like any other Prs guitar. Try playing “sweet child of mine” on a custom 24….
Looking at that wall of guitars behind Phil, it looks like a wall of tires. They are all the same shape, but they are made by different manufacturers with various types of materials......but they all round. No, wait...the tires are all round but completely different. Like the guitars.
Have to disagree. You could barely spit out how you thought the name and/or description of the Special should be called. Having models names refer to a specific design regardless how small the difference makes good sense. Now part of the issue is after you play a PRS you never have to play another brand again so in turn you’ll learn all the subtleties.😉 Kidding aside the differences in the sound of PRS pups are significant in many cases. So different pup configurations can be quits a different guitar from another. As far as the McCarty, there were special reasons for naming a model that in the beginning. Paul being a protege of sorts of Ted’s. Having said all that, I do agree there are plenty of 22 fret options and losing the CU22 isn’t too big a deal. You’re also right, in 5 years there with be the limited run of CU22’s with fancy stuff selling for 10 grand.
I also think PRS makes too many guitars. To me, there should just be a few models in the Core and S2 lines: 1. Custom 24 2. Custom 22 (I know it's discontinued, but they should have kept that one and dumped Paul's Guitar, the DGT, etc.) 3. Singlecut 4. McCarty (w/ Soapbar option) 5. Silver Sky (simply b/c it sells like crazy) I mean, that's about all the models anyone really cares about. Those are THE PRS guitars. Everything else is just filler or marketing fluff.
LOL Phillip the cheap guitar wannabe rips on PRS????? We have been ripping on PRS since they went into the full scale production in 1994. I have two from 1985 and one from 1994 and 2008. Not the cheap ones either.
The custom 22 seems like it’s was hard to find before it was discontinued. I always thought it would be better than the 24 because of the neck pickup position.
YES!!!! I couldn't agree more! the N bucker isn't in the right place on a 24, so it doesn't have that LP/any other HB guitar sound we want..And the in-between just isn't as neck/bridge sounding. It almost has that bridge/middle tone.
It is. The 22 is the far superior model. But a bunch of noobs love the 24 frets over having a good sounding neck pickup.
Thank you for saying that! I love my 22.@@davidfaustino4476
I have almost never needed the last two frets so I prefer the Custom 22 over the Custom 24. With the 22, the neck pickup is still in the right position.
I can't say about the core line but as for SE, PRS were making something weird with SE Custom 22 since 2015.
I mean, back in 2015 we had Custom 24 which had 24 frets, coil split, trem and a wide thin neck and we had Custom 22 with 22 frets, hardtail bridge, wide fat neck and no coil split. So if you prefer thicker necks and fixed bridge, you could go with Custom 22 but then, all of the sudden the next year's Custom 22 specs were... tremolo, wide thin neck, 22 frets and no coil split. So basically, Custom 24 with less frets and less tone variations but at the same price. I never understood that move to be honest.
The Special is essentially a Custom 22 - albeit with a Semi-hollow body and the extra NF pickup. Of course the HB's are different and its more like a Custom 22-08 rather than the 5 position Cu22. All but the Santana and Cu24 are 22 fret guitars - most with a 25" scale and differ with layout, pick-ups and bridge type. You see a lot saying they want a Cu22 with Hard Tail so go for the McCarty or Pauls guitar - want a trem, well there is the Special, DGT or Tremonti...
I have a 2004 Custom 22 with 57/08’s and a 5 way rotary. It’s an utterly fantastic guitar.
I thought the 57/08s came out in 2008 🤔
I have been wanting a PRS since the '594' came out, that is the one that 'hooked' me. The problem is, I can't figure out what one to buy! Color? Top? Hollow/not"? Artist pkg? Ect.? I have 10 Gibson's in my collection, but 10 PRS's would be ~$40,000?? Maybe I just need to schedule a weeks vacation, go to Sweetwater and play every one in the store for a week!! 8) JMHO... --gary
I like the clips of the live show Phil. It's great for anyone who didn't see the live show and I think it will bring more people to your channel.
Tell Aljon to put me down for a McKnight Kramer !
I recently purchased a 1996 custom 22, 10 top and wing lock tuners. I. Know everyone has opinions on what works for them. I absolutely love this thing. Been playing Gibsons for most of the 46 years I have been playing. This guitar as far as playability goes tops a Gibson. The neck on this guitar is extremely comfortable.
I tried a PRS 24 lefty in Denmark St about 15 years ago and it felt fragile like a toy and sounded hideous. I couldn’t understand why anyone rated PRS up with Gibson and Fender. Then 7 years ago I went to Guitarguitar when they had a load of Lefty LMTD Custom 22’s in. The difference in build quality and sound was shocking, and the 22 definitely felt heavier and more solid, so I bought one. In my top 3 most used guitars and unique in my collection. I’m glad I bought it then, because since then high quality lefties just aren’t available as much any more.
I too am left handed , I own a 22 and a 24 , and I agree with you100% . I play the 22 every day , and wish I could sell the 24 . There's NO comparison !!
Discontinued? I have one for sale atm....better keep it?? Its a 2003 cu22 artist package tortoise shell with stoptail bridge.
That sounds heavenly. I’d keep the hell out of that if I were you!
I just picked up a 2021 core line PRS Custom 22 with a 5-way blade switch in charcoal burst finish. Its a plain old core line custom 22, not a 10-top and no wood library. It was made in August of 2021. PRS must be making em again.
Good. I would not own a PRS without the Owl (the 24th fret marker).
Well I'm happy to know my 2008 Custom 22 in McCarty Tobacco Sunburst is a rarity now.
May the price go through the roof. Only problem is I would never in a million years sell it...
coz literally, "They don't make 'em like that anymore!!!"
I've got a black '97 Custom 22 with the rotary switch, Dragon 1 pickups, and the reveal binding. They really don't make em like that anymore! Love it!
I get what you’re saying, and I agree to a point. But it sort of sounds like you’re just going, “it’s got 22 frets? It’s a Custom 22.”
Again, I mostly dig what you’re saying, but I think PRS would do better to discontinue all those other models. Semi hollow, mini humbucker, crazy switching, etc, it’s all gimmicks that don’t seem to be in the spirit of the PRS Core line.
Release those on a Disney basis, as you aptly call it. But keep the Custom 22 as a perennial Core model.
Noooooo, it was one of my favs too 🙌🏻🎸
@Halli Day yeah, that's true. I would....I do. I was just being melodramatic hahaha 😂 just having a lil fun. 🤪👍🏻
But yeah, they come up on reverb once in a while...
Some PRS lines look alike to me (as well as other brands do to). Seeing Paul’s guitar in your video, I see the S2 594 (or vice versa). I’m amazed how they figure out their lines and what to offer the market.
My understanding was that the Custom 22 was designed to appeal to those who wanted a more vintagey-feeling and sounding instrument than the Custom 24. Seems to me the McCarty 594 has taken its place.
I want a trem and the split coil option.. I got a se custom 22 but the color is awful.
I was going to order one of these today...... very glad I looked here first. Thanks for the video. Damn😭
Did you sell that custom 22 in the back to Dane at ZIMMS? I think I just bought it yesterday
I have the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow… does that count? It’s a fabulously flexible sounding guitar, and I never thought I’d buy a PRS! (assuming it does count, among the aficionados, as a PRS, o’korst🤪)
Got a 2002 Standard in cherry with stop bridge, my favorite creative tool.
I own a 2016 custom 22 in violet color.... booom!!!! 😁
97" custom 22 here it was deep purple now faded to violet. I miss that new deep purple but would not go back it was left out to the uv light to much. I love the violet because it reminds me how that guitar and I have been through.
Being a lefty, we have few choices. They haven't made any Core lefty's in a few years. What we have currently is the Custom 24 SE which is a nice piece at a great price point. But personally, I don't like 24 fret guitars. However, I do prefer the Wide Thin (Pattern Thin) neck on those C24 SE models. I have a Custom 22 hard tail that I love. but it has the Pattern (Wide Fat) neck. One of these days I'll find an affordable C22 with the thin neck that has a tremolo bridge!
I think your explanation makes perfect sense. But apparently Fender is not on the same page, they make their guitars in every possible iteration, with such small differences. Just different marketing strategies, I suppose.
That new special looks awesome
Usually a fan but not loving this video. As a PRS fan the line makes sense and is rather simple. It is NOT redundant. You are a fan of several brands watering down you level of knowledge of this brand. That's Ok, but you are usually a font of knowledge on the subject you are addressing. This was a miss. Still a fan!
I have and have had PRS singlecuts that blow away the Cu22 to my ear and hands. The SC250 for sure is insane. Tremonti model too. I sold off my Cu22s..
couldn't agree more, my Tremonti Sig's have that fatter chewy tone....nothing against the 22/24's except the 85/15 pickups are weaker.....personally, never had anything against the fatter ceramic HFS pups in the older 22/24's....curious what the Tremonti bridge pup would do in the Custom 24, since they're more bottom end than the Metal pup.
@@hoptard I often find ceramic pickups to sound really fat. Agree.
Love the tremonti. I've watched other demos of the Tremonti pickuos vs lower output PRS pups and the Tremonti pups are fatter and fuller.
Hopinv the Wolfetone monkey bucker is as fat and full. Getting that soon with an extra ceramic mag.
I also like the older McCarty which is like a fatter Cu22.
@@hoptard The Tremonti which is said to be a custom magnet (although, some claim it is ceramic), seems very fat and chewy. So much for ceramic being harsh and cold. Far from it.
Now, my Suhr Aldrich bridge pickup is Alnico V and very fat and chewy.
I know this is an older video, but having played so many PRS guitars in the last year, I absolutely hate all their neck profiles except the pattern thin which needs to come in a 24.5 in scale length and only come in a 25in whether on a 22 or 24. I love my standard 24 but wish it was just a bit shorter like the 245.
Well I’ve played a few Custom 24’ and 22’s have come close but haven’t bought one yet , but most likely it will be a 24 , it’s the Flagship PRS and I want that experience
Now that I can afford to buy new guitars, the ones I wanted aren't available. Trying to find PRS SE Custom 22 with the stoptail is damn near impossible.
I have it with the trem. And I’m a hardtail guy, all 11 of my other guitars are hardtail. Its shocking how well it stays in tune. But because that effects bending. I did slice up and glue some wood to block the trem. Still my best sounding guitar. And ive got 5 americans. To be fair i did upgrade its pickups to be dimarzio 36th anniversary PAF’s
It seems a shame that they discontinued the DC3 model.
I just turned 40. been playing guitar for 20 years, and finally can afford a PRS Custom 22 and considering one, until i watched this video haha. I'm very happy with my line up of tele, strat, ibanez guitars, but gibson standard and PRS has never made it to my collection. I mainly play classic-90s rock, and satriani lead stuff, should I leave the PRS out? is it really all that? worth $4000?! I'm even looking at the 6-8 string fanned frets, those really interest me.
PRS are kinda like if a Fender Strat and a Gibson Les Paul had a baby. The scale length is in between at 25” and the fretboard radius in between at 10”. That’s what they sound like too, a mix of Strat and LP.
The CU22 is a fine instrument.
Happy I bought my Custom 22 Ten Top six months go 😎
I own a blue sapphire! 💙
I can't agree with Phillip here, I'm glad PRS doesn't go with the Ibanez naming scheme where every feature is spelled out in the model name.
That "Special" shown would turn into "CU22HNFHSHDCT5WST" (Custom 22 Humbucker NarrowField Humbucker Semi Hollow Dual Coil Tap 5 Way Switch Tremolo")
It’s the best Prs guitar so I wish Prs would reintroduce it with pattern thin neck and 22-08 switching…. It’s really nothing like any other Prs guitar. Try playing “sweet child of mine” on a custom 24….
Doesn't bother me one way or the other. I just wish there were more singlecut models.
Looking at that wall of guitars behind Phil, it looks like a wall of tires. They are all the same shape, but they are made by different manufacturers with various types of materials......but they all round. No, wait...the tires are all round but completely different. Like the guitars.
I don’t own any PRS, and frankly I feel that way about all PRS - what is the difference? Confusing and ultimately boring.
I love my custom 22 grey burst
Have to disagree. You could barely spit out how you thought the name and/or description of the Special should be called. Having models names refer to a specific design regardless how small the difference makes good sense. Now part of the issue is after you play a PRS you never have to play another brand again so in turn you’ll learn all the subtleties.😉 Kidding aside the differences in the sound of PRS pups are significant in many cases. So different pup configurations can be quits a different guitar from another. As far as the McCarty, there were special reasons for naming a model that in the beginning. Paul being a protege of sorts of Ted’s. Having said all that, I do agree there are plenty of 22 fret options and losing the CU22 isn’t too big a deal. You’re also right, in 5 years there with be the limited run of CU22’s with fancy stuff selling for 10 grand.
Violet is gone because they never figured out how to make it stay violet.
😂😂
So true
Paul's Guitar is basically a Custom 22-08
Kind of like Apple and the various models of ipads.
They have so many other models like it that is more interesting, makes sense
Also I don't then like Nathan, leaving prs for fender
and then a few years later: custom 22 REISSUE $$$$
I also think PRS makes too many guitars. To me, there should just be a few models in the Core and S2 lines:
1. Custom 24
2. Custom 22 (I know it's discontinued, but they should have kept that one and dumped Paul's Guitar, the DGT, etc.)
3. Singlecut
4. McCarty (w/ Soapbar option)
5. Silver Sky (simply b/c it sells like crazy)
I mean, that's about all the models anyone really cares about. Those are THE PRS guitars. Everything else is just filler or marketing fluff.
The Custom 22 has the least appeal to me. I'd go for a Mccarthy blind folded against a 22.
So now it's all gonna be a Custom 24 and it still all be the same guitar no matter what they call it
I agree. If you are PRS and you need to get rid of something that's the one.
The point of the guitar was the affordability, which is a huge difference from the other models.
LOL Phillip the cheap guitar wannabe rips on PRS????? We have been ripping on PRS since they went into the full scale production in 1994. I have two from 1985 and one from 1994 and 2008. Not the cheap ones either.