For those that don't SDUGF anymore - NGD

[Agileguy]

For those that do, you don't have to comment twice if you don't want to.

A little back story: Before or right around the time I started playing guitar, my father (who had started about a year before me) picked up a book with a lovely PRS CE 24 in emerald green on the cover. The book was fantastic and a wonderful resource for almost all things guitar related, but I would stare at the cover many times because I was so infatuated with that guitar. I have wanted one ever since, especially as I matured as a guitar player and learned that PRSi weren't just beautiful guitars but great playing instruments as well.

Fast forward to half a week ago - I found a Mesa Express 5:50 on Craigslist for $200. I had just picked up an Egnater SW-45 the week before, so I had no NEED for a new amp, but at that price I figured it would be an easy few hundred bucks profit if I didn't like it, and even more if I was willing to wait. I picked up the amp and, as much as I loved it, realized that I would be better suited with another guitar. So I started emailing everyone on CL with a nice guitar asking if they were interested in a Mesa Express. Out of the 30 or so people I contacted, one person responded, and he happened to have the very same CE 24 that I've wanted for the better part of a decade. He was down to trade straight across.

I honestly can't believe my luck. It even came with the bar and original case. Thank god, because none of my guitars roll without hard shell protection. This by far trumps the time I got my Music Man Y2D Floyd for $500, and I thought that was a deal for the books. On to pictures!









I give you my new 1995 PRS CE 24! This guitar is just absolutely fantastic. It came set up pretty badly - the bridge and claw were screwed to the body and the action was pretty high - but I spent a few hours last night fixing it up and making it play like butter. The neck is a nice C shape of medium thickness that flattens out as you go higher up the neck. It's a fast feeling neck too - equally beautiful for chord work or soloing. Unplugged, this thing resonates like crazy. It just feels... right. It's like (in feel only, not tone) everything I love about a Strat with the few things that I want a Gibson for.

I've only played with it for an hour or two plugged in, so I don't feel fully qualified to comment on the amplified tone yet. However, I am surprised at how hot the bridge pickup is without being overpowering in the way that some typical hotter pickups are. It just seems to have more output. And I love the 2, 3, and 4 positions - this guitar is incredibly versatile. I will probably end up swapping out the pickups though - I've got a 59/C Hybrid that's just calling out to me to drop in the PRS, and I think picking up a WLH for the neck position would be an awesome match.

It's got some dents and bruises:





But I really don't mind. It just makes it a player. If those weren't there I would just be worried about when I put them in myself, because I will play the shit out of this thing. I'm not worried about how collectible it is or how much it may go up in value in 20 years (to be fair, I could probably move it in a few days and still make a few hundred bucks over what I have into it). I wanted this guitar to play hard and put up wet.

Anyway, I'm just glad to have one of my dream guitars, and even more so because I got it for $200.

[LesStrat]

Well it IS nearly 20 years old.

She is secksie!

[CTN]

So are you gonna keep trading up until you get the amp to end all amps or are you done for now? lol

[Agileguy]

I'm done for now. Partly because doing this shit is expensive (but I could afford to keep it going if I really wanted to) but partly because I've just been buying so much gear lately that I just want to enjoy it all. Plus, like I said I've wanted this guitar for a very long time, so I think it will just be a keeper.

I'll be keeping my eye out for crazy deals like that Mesa in the future though. I figure I can probably find some other deal that will let me trade up to a mega-awesome piece of gear.

[CTN]

I swear, deals like that NEVER show up around here or Toronto.

Everyone posts fair market value for good gear. Once in a while a douchebag will post an exorbitantly high value for something, but killer deals are pretty much nonexistent.

[Agileguy]

Oh man that blows.

I remember one time like 5-6 years ago there was a Rockerverb 50 and the matching 2x12 for... get this... $400. Dude needed to make rent.

It was gone in hours.

[lreese]

Sweet!!!!

[lreese]

You know Agile, 'Ol buddy...

I know what would look spiffy in that PRS....



:32:

Some Tom Andersons!!!!!

[Agileguy]

Lol are you selling those or just suggesting them?

I already have a 59/C and a Demon on hand so I'll try those first. I need to order a new pickup switch to do that though because mine has a pcb board with only three spots for pickup wires. Oh well.

[lreese]

Nope - I think I'm keeping these.

I like the way they look. Its a fun ride with distortion but #2 does suffer a little. I'm still trying to come to terms with it.

I have a HF1- and an HF1+ too if I wanted to pop them in my PRS.