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The 10 best PRS guitars in 2026 reviewed in depth. Whether you want a versatile humbucker machine or a single-coil voiced instrument, our picks cover every playing style and experience level.
Choosing a PRS guitar is both exciting and overwhelming. The SE lineup has exploded with options, from the workhorse Custom 24 to the John Mayer-inspired Silver Sky. Each model brings its own voice, feel, and set of compromises. We have sorted through the current lineup to bring you the 10 best PRS guitars available right now. Whether you are a first-time buyer looking for your first serious instrument or a seasoned player wanting to add a specific flavor to your collection, this guide has a PRS that fits.
The picks range from classic dual-humbucker machines to single-coil voiced instruments and even a few with switching systems that let you cover almost any genre. We have included both tremolo and stoptail models, set-neck and bolt-on constructions, and a variety of body woods and finishes. Below you will find the TL;DR summary, a comparison table, and deep dives on each guitar. Let’s get into it.
TL;DR: The PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive is the most versatile all-rounder, with a maple top veneer and push/pull coil taps. The PRS SE Silver Sky is the top choice for vintage single-coil tone and that 635JM neck carve. The PRS SE CE24 Standard Stoptail is the best entry point for players who want PRS quality and a fixed bridge. The PRS SE Custom 24-08 Quilt Package is for players who want the most switching flexibility with individual coil taps.
| # | Product | Pickups | Bridge | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive, Orange Tiger Smokeburst | 85/15 “S” humbuckers, push/pull coil tap | PRS Designed Tremolo | The all-around player who wants one guitar for everything |
| 2 | PRS SE Silver Sky, Traditional Blue | PRS 635JM single-coils (vintage voiced) | Two-point steel tremolo | The vintage tone chaser who loves a Strat-style feel |
| 3 | PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive, Lake Blue with Gigbag | 85/15 “S” humbuckers, push/pull coil tap | PRS Designed Tremolo | Same versatility as #1 in a different color option |
| 4 | PRS SE Silver Sky, Dandy Lion with Gigbag | PRS 635JM single-coils | Two-point steel tremolo | The player who prefers a unique yellow finish with the classic Silver Sky specs |
| 5 | PRS SE CE24 Standard Stoptail Satin, Ice Blue Metallic | 85/15 “S” humbuckers | Standard Stoptail (fixed) | The player who wants a solid, resonant instrument with no tremolo fuss |
| 6 | PRS SE CE24 Standard Stoptail Satin, Vintage Cherry | 85/15 “S” humbuckers | Standard Stoptail (fixed) | Same build as #5 in a classic red finish |
| 7 | PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive with Gig Bag, Vintage Yellow | SE HFS treble & Vintage bass humbuckers | PRS Designed Tremolo | The player who wants a classic pre-2020 Custom 24 pickup configuration |
| 8 | PRS SE Custom 24-08 Quilt Package, Lake Blue with Gigbag | 85/15 “S” humbuckers, mini-toggle coil taps per pickup | PRS Designed Tremolo | The switching obsessive who wants eight distinct sounds |
| 9 | PRS SE NF3 Maple Fretboard, Ice Blue Metallic with Gig Bag | 3 Narrowfield DD (Deep Dish) “S” pickups | PRS Designed Tremolo | The player who wants a unique in-between pickup voice, not quite humbucker not quite single-coil |
| 10 | PRS SE CE24 Electric Guitar, Black Cherry with Gigbag | 85/15 “S” humbuckers | PRS Designed Tremolo | The player who wants a bolt-on CE24 with a full gloss finish and tremolo |

Pros
Cons
Best for: The player who wants one guitar that can handle anything from clean jazz to high-gain metal without swapping instruments.
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The SE Custom 24 Exclusive is the guitar that defines the PRS SE lineup. It takes the original Custom 24 formula (24 frets, 25-inch scale, double-cutaway) and makes it accessible to a far wider range of players. The Orange Tiger Smokeburst finish on this exclusive colorway is genuinely striking in person. The flame maple veneer on the top and headstock catches the light in a way that suggests a more expensive guitar.
Under the hood, the 85/15 “S” pickups are voiced to deliver extended high and low end with clarity. They are not as articulate as the American-made 85/15 pickups, but they are well balanced and take gain well. The push/pull coil tap on the tone control splits both pickups, giving you single-coil tones that are convincing enough for funk, country, or cleans. The five-way blade switch (actually a three-way with the push/pull) gets you the standard humbucker combinations plus the tapped versions. It is a practical layout that does not require much thought on stage.
The neck is a Wide Thin profile with a satin finish. It feels fast and flat, which suits lead players and shredders. The 25-inch scale is a happy medium: not as slinky as a Gibson, not as stiff as a Fender. Bends feel easy, and the medium jumbo frets are well dressed out of the box. The PRS Designed Tremolo is a vintage-style non-locking unit. It handles gentle wobbles fine but will struggle with heavy dive bombs unless you stretch the strings and use nut lubricant. The included gig bag is padded and has enough pocket space for cables and picks.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who love the sound and feel of a vintage Strat but want better quality control and a few modern refinements.
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The SE Silver Sky is PRS’s answer to the vintage Fender Stratocaster, developed in collaboration with John Mayer. The Traditional Blue finish over a poplar body looks clean and understated. The neck is the highlight: a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fretboard and a 635JM carve that is fuller than a modern C but not as chunky as a 50s baseball bat. It fills your palm comfortably and the 8.5-inch radius gives chords a nice feel. But if you are used to a 12-inch or 14-inch radius, bending on the higher strings will remind you that you have a rounder board.
The pickups are voiced to sound like a 1963 Strat. They are not hot; they are clear, dynamic, and respond to picking attack beautifully. The two-point steel tremolo is a major upgrade over a traditional six-screw vintage unit. It is smoother and returns to pitch more reliably. The synthetic bone nut is a nice touch. The guitar ships with PRS Classic 10-46 strings and a gig bag. The only real downside for modern players is the tuners. They are vintage-style with a slotted peg and feel a bit cheap compared to the rest of the guitar. They work fine, but locking tuners would be a welcome upgrade.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who prefer the Lake Blue aesthetic over Orange Tiger Smokeburst and want the exact same guitar.
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This is essentially the same guitar as the first pick but in a different exclusive color. Lake Blue is a rich, dark blue metallic that shifts from navy to bright blue depending on the light. If you are a blue guitar person, this might be the one. Everything we said about the Orange Tiger Smokeburst version applies here: the same 85/15 “S” pickups, same Wide Thin neck, same PRS Designed Tremolo, same push/pull coil tap. The only reason to choose one over the other is which color speaks to you more. The Lake Blue finish looks particularly sharp with the maple headstock veneer and bird inlays.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who want the Silver Sky experience in a finish that is less common and more personal.
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The Dandy Lion finish on the SE Silver Sky is a light, creamy yellow that calls to mind vintage custom colors. It is not a loud lemon; it is more of a subtle off-white with a hint of yellow. The rest of the guitar is mechanically identical to the Traditional Blue version: same poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, rosewood board, 635JM pickups, and two-point tremolo. If you want the same great single-coil tone but with a finish that makes a statement, this is the one to get.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who want a solid, resonant PRS without the extra complexity of a tremolo or coil-splitting features. Ideal for rhythm players and those who prefer a simple, reliable tool.
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The SE CE24 Standard Stoptail Satin is PRS at its most stripped-down. There is no veneer, no tremolo, no push/pull. What you get is a mahogany body with a thin satin finish that lets the wood resonate openly. The Ice Blue Metallic color is a soft silver-blue with a slight metallic sheen through the satin coating. The neck is a maple bolt-on with a semi-gloss feel that is comfortable for long sessions.
The fixed stoptail bridge is a huge plus for players who change tunings frequently or dislike the tuning compromises of a tremolo. The 85/15 “S” pickups are the same ones used in the Custom 24 models. They sound tight and clear, and the mahogany body adds a warm midrange push that works particularly well for classic rock and blues. This is a guitar that invites you to play without distraction. The lack of coil splitting is a trade-off, but the two pickups are voiced so well that you get a lot of mileage from the three-way switch alone.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who want the same stripped-down, resonant PRS but prefer a traditional red finish.
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This is the Vintage Cherry variant of the same CE24 Standard Stoptail Satin. The finish is a deep, translucent red that lets the mahogany grain show through. The guitar is mechanically identical to the Ice Blue Metallic version: same body, same neck, same pickups, same bridge. Choose this one if red is your color; otherwise, the choice is purely aesthetic. Both are excellent instruments for players who want a straightforward, resonant PRS without extra features.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who want the classic pre-2020 PRS pickup voicing, with a bit more midrange push than the 85/15 “S”.
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The Vintage Yellow SE Custom 24 Exclusive is a throwback to the earlier SE Custom 24 models that used the HFS (Hot, Fat, Saturated) treble pickup and a vintage bass humbucker. These pickups have a different character than the 85/15 “S” found on the newer models. The HFS is hotter in the mids, giving it a more aggressive lead tone. The vintage bass pickup is warmer and rounder. Combined, they deliver a classic PRS sound that is great for rock and hard rock.
The guitar otherwise follows the same formula: a beveled maple top with a flame maple veneer, mahogany back, rosewood fretboard, and PRS Designed Tremolo. The Vintage Yellow finish is a soft, light yellow that is not as vibrant as some other colors. If you prefer a more mellow vintage look, this works. The pickups are the main reason to consider this over the newer Custom 24 models.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Tonal experimentalists who want to dial in everything from thick humbuckers to glassy single-coils without owning multiple guitars.
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The SE Custom 24-08 is the most flexible guitar in the SE lineup. It takes the standard Custom 24 platform and adds two mini-toggle switches, one for each pickup, that activate independent coil taps. This gives you eight possible wiring combinations (both humbuckers, both tapped, one humbucker one tapped, etc.) through the five-way blade switch. In practice, you can go from a fat bridge humbucker for leads to a snappy neck single-coil for cleans without touching the amp.
The Lake Blue finish on this version is paired with a quilted maple veneer instead of the usual flame. The quilt pattern is more three-dimensional and catches light in a way that flame does not. The fretboard is ebony, which adds a slightly brighter attack and a classy look against the blue. The neck is still the same Wide Thin profile, fast and comfortable. The extra switching is a genuine advantage for recording or cover gigs where you need to cover multiple genres.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who want a distinct, clear, and articulate sound that cuts through a mix without being harsh. Ideal for fusion, funk, and clean arpeggios.
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The SE NF3 is a weird guitar in the best way. Instead of traditional humbuckers or single-coils, it uses three Narrowfield DD pickups. These are essentially split humbuckers with a narrow aperture, producing a sound that is cleaner than a humbucker but fatter than a standard single-coil. Think of it as a P-90 with more definition. The Deep Dish voicing adds low end and body.
The Ice Blue Metallic finish over a poplar body is light and resonant. The maple fretboard with a 10-inch radius is a modern curve that accommodates bending well. The neck is a Wide Thin profile with a scarfed joint for stability. The five-way selector switch gives you the standard trio positions plus two combination settings. The PRS Designed Tremolo is the same unit used on other SE models. This is a specialist instrument that excels in clean and mildly overdriven settings. It does not scream with gain the way a humbucker guitar does. If you play a lot of clean chord work or need a second guitar that covers a different sonic territory, the NF3 is worth a serious look.

Pros
Cons
Best for: Players who want the classic CE24 formula (bolt-on neck, tremolo, glossy finish) in a dark, sophisticated color.
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The Black Cherry SE CE24 offers a different take on the CE24 Standard. Instead of a satin finish and fixed bridge, this one has a glossy lacquer and a PRS Designed Tremolo. The body is a maple top on mahogany back, the same wood pairing used on the Custom 24. The bolt-on maple neck gives it a brighter, more percussive feel than the set-neck Custom 24.
The 85/15 “S” pickups are the same as those in the Custom 24 Exclusive models. They are clear and well balanced. The tremolo is the non-locking vintage style; it works fine for gentle warbles and surfy bends, but serious whammy bar dives will push the strings out of tune. The Black Cherry finish is a deep, dark red that looks black under low light. It is a professional, understated color that suits stage use. This is a solid choice for players who want a bolt-on CE24 with tremolo but prefer a glossy finish over the satin of the Standard.
The SE line covers a lot of ground. The right choice depends on a few key factors that are worth understanding before you buy.
The majority of PRS SE guitars use a set neck (glued and mortised) or a bolt-on neck. Set-neck instruments like the Custom 24 and Silver Sky (technically bolt-on but in practice it is a bolt-on neck) have better sustain and a warmer voice because the neck and body transfer vibrations evenly. Bolt-on necks, like those on the CE24 models and the NF3, produce a brighter attack and allow easier neck replacement or adjustment. Neither is better; it is about the feel and tone you prefer. If you play a lot of hard rock or metal and want maximum note clarity and sustain, a set neck is a safe bet. If you like a snappier, more percussive response and the ability to swap necks easily, go bolt-on.
The pickup choice determines the guitar’s voice. Dual humbuckers are the most versatile because they handle high gain well and can be coil-split to produce single-coil sounds. Three-single-coil guitars (like the Silver Sky) excel at clean and bright tones but can be noisy in high-gain settings. The NF3’s Narrowfield pickups split the difference: they are hum-free and sound clear with a bit of extra body.
Switching options matter if you need multiple sounds. A standard 3-way toggle gives you bridge, both, and neck. Adding a push/pull coil tap gives you single-coil options. The Custom 24-08 takes it further with independent mini-toggle taps for each pickup. If you record at home or play cover bands, the extra switching is a major asset. If you only need one or two sounds, a simpler guitar will save you from tapping tiny switches mid-song.
This is the biggest practical decision on a PRS SE. Tremolo bridges let you add vibrato, but they make string changes slower and tuning stability less reliable (especially with non-locking units). Stoptail bridges (like the one on the CE24 Standard) are rock-solid, easier to restring, and keep tuning even during aggressive playing. If you use a whammy bar more than a few times per year, get a tremolo. If you rarely touch the bar or change tunings often, a stoptail will serve you better. The PRS Designed Tremolo on SE models is a vintage-style six-screw unit that is functional but not as stable as a modern two-point floating bridge like the Silver Sky’s.
PRS SE guitars come in two scale lengths: 25 inches (Custom 24, CE24, NF3, Custom 24-08) and 25.5 inches (Silver Sky). The 25-inch scale is slightly slinkier; you can bend strings with less tension, and chords have a warmer, rounder quality. The 25.5-inch scale gives more string tension and a brighter, snappier attack. Players who come from Fender will feel at home with the Silver Sky’s scale. Les Paul players will prefer the 25-inch models.
Neck profiles vary. The Wide Thin (or Pattern Thin) is the standard on most SE models. It is flat, wide, and fast. The Silver Sky uses the 635JM carve, which is thicker and rounder. If you have large hands or prefer a full neck, the 635JM is a treat. If you play fast lead lines, the Wide Thin will feel quicker.
Mahogany bodies with maple tops produce a warm, punchy tone with good midrange presence. Poplar bodies (Silver Sky, NF3) are lighter and slightly brighter. The finish also affects resonance. Satin finishes are thin and allow the wood to vibrate freely; gloss finishes are thicker and can dampen some high frequencies but protect the wood better. The satin CE24 Standard models are noticeably more resonant than their gloss counterparts. If you want your guitar to feel alive and responsive to your touch, consider a satin or matte finish.
Core models are built in the USA with higher-grade wood, better hardware, and hand-wound pickups. SE models are made overseas (primarily Korea and Indonesia) with quality components designed to PRS specs. SE guitars are excellent instruments in their own right and offer a huge step up from beginner guitars, but they lack the refinement, sustain, and premium materials of Core models.
The PRS SE CE24 Standard Stoptail Satin is a great starting point. It is simple, fixed bridge, resonant body, and the 85/15 pickups sound good for a wide range of styles. It is also the most affordable of the ten we have covered. Beginners will appreciate the stable tuning and the straightforward controls.
Yes, the 635JM pickups are voiced to sound like a 1963 Stratocaster. The poplar body and two-point tremolo contribute to that classic single-coil tone. The neck carve is different from any Fender, but the sound is unmistakably Strat.
Absolutely. The Custom 24 and CE24 models with humbuckers handle high gain well. The 85/15 “S” pickups are tight and clear, not muddy. The PRS Designed Tremolo may require some setup for heavy dive bombs, but the stoptail models are rock solid for drop tunings and heavy riffing.
The Custom 24-08 gives you individual coil taps for each pickup via mini-toggle switches. This allows you to have the neck tapped while the bridge remains in humbucker mode, or vice versa. That extra flexibility gives you eight distinct sounds compared to the four (or five depending on wiring) on a standard Custom 24.
Most SE models include a gig bag. The models that explicitly mention "with Gigbag" in the title (like the ones we have covered) include a padded gig bag. No SE model comes with a hard case, but you can purchase one separately.
The PRS Designed Tremolo is a vintage-style non-locking unit. It is smoother and more musical for subtle vibrato than a Floyd Rose, but it cannot handle extreme dive bombs or high-gain flutters without going out of tune. If you need a locking tremolo, you will need to look at higher-end PRS models or aftermarket upgrades.
The PRS SE lineup has never been stronger. The PRS SE Custom 24 Exclusive in Orange Tiger Smokeburst remains the gold standard for versatility; it handles everything from jazz to metal with authority, and the push/pull coil tap gives you single-coil options when you need them. If vintage single-coil tone is your thing, the PRS SE Silver Sky in Traditional Blue or Dandy Lion is a fantastic choice. For players who want a rock-solid, no-frills instrument, the PRS SE CE24 Standard Stoptail Satin is an outstanding bargain.
If you cannot decide between a tremolo or fixed bridge, or between set neck and bolt-on, the 10 best PRS guitars in 2026 cover all those bases. Pick the one that speaks to you visually and matches the features you actually use. Any of these will be a guitar you will keep for years.
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