PRS SE Custom 24 vs Sterling JP100

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chameleon2112

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Got some giftcards for MF and these are the two I am looking at in the pricepoint I am willing to pay. Can anyone tell me if they have tried both, or just one along with your thoughts. Been playing Ibby's for 22 years and want to get something new to go along with the one I have. Both seem like well made guitars for the price and sound like they play well. My only concern on the PRS is the wider neck. I have small hands and wonder if that will be an issue. Thanks in advance for any help!
 
Sterling makes great guitars and I've never been a PRS fan. The 7 string JP is a great guitar, great neck. That would be my recommendation
 
I have a Jp100d and a Jp6 fully loaded. I actually play the Sterling more than the ebmm. It plays every bit as good in my opinion as the $2000 model. The trem is very stable and holds tune well. It takes some setting up but once it's there, it's very reliable. The neck is very similar to an ibanez profile with just a little more girth to it. It's very comfortable. With the Dimarzios in it and direct mount to the body it's got a very rich and full sound. The PRS SE is. Good instrument for the money too except I don't care much for the painted neck. If it weren't for that id probably have one in my stable too.
 
I've never played the Sterling but I had an SE Custom 24 for a while and loved it. The neck is wider but flat and easy to play. To me, it's a non issue. I traded it on a Wolfgang or I'd still be playing it. It was one of my favorites. You absolutely can't go wrong for the price.
 
I had an SE Custom 24 and it was awesome. The trem was flawless. It played wonderful and it was the best sounding guitar for high gain that I've ever had. With the neck pickup it sounded pretty good clean too. It really shined with some overdrive /distortion. I think both guitars are great deals for the money. The PRS 's neck felt great. You won't have a problem with it. My hands are a bit on the small side too.
 
I just got an SE245 and like you I have smaller hands but I was totally surprised that the wide neck was a non issue. When I first looked at it I thought to myself that there is no way I'm gonna be comfortable with it but boy was I wrong. This guitar literally plays itself and I have no issues with the neck at all. For a wide neck it plays small inmho.
 
fender126":2f4jqg0i said:
I just got an SE245 and like you I have smaller hands but I was totally surprised that the wide neck was a non issue. When I first looked at it I thought to myself that there is no way I'm gonna be comfortable with it but boy was I wrong. This guitar literally plays itself and I have no issues with the neck at all. For a wide neck it plays small inmho.
Click to expand...
Don't know about the SE but my SC245 initially had a bigger neck profile than I
am used to but it's my #1 player. So much so I want to sell all my other guitars and buy 2 more!
 
I currently have a Sterling guitar (not a Petrucci but the EVH inspired AX40), a PRS 24 SE, and an OLP Petrucci (precursor to the Sterling line).

Bottom line Sterling guitars are better than great guitars (not just saying that because I endorse them, either). I've only played a JP100 at Guitar Center and it was light years better than my OLP Petrucci in terms of feel. The Sterling version has a much better tremolo that is closer to the EBMM version.

The PRS Cu24 SE is a great guitar that I just can't let go for some reason. I'm not a fan of 24 fret guitars, nor do I care for finished necks, but damn if it doesn't play well. Easy to play, great tremolo system, comfortable to sit with. I also have an SE245 that I use regularly as well. I typically have my PRS SE guitars for jamming at home, while the Sterling is my main gig and practice axe.

First thing I did to both of my PRS guitars was change the nut. Away with the plastic nut and drop in a TusqXL. Cheap and relatively easy to do yourself. Aside from that not much you need to do to those guitars to make them reliable other than straplocks.

Honestly, Sterling and PRS SE guitars both get my vote for best bang for the buck guitars. I have owned my AX40 for 4 years now and has been through thick and thin lol. New you'd probably save a little coin going with the Sterling, but used there are more PRS SE guitars to choose from, and can be found cheap. I bought my 25th Anniversary Cu24 SE for $250 off Craigslist, with case.

But honestly if it's a choice between the Petrucci and Cu24 SE, I'd go with the Petrucci. I say that mainly because of the finish on the neck. Doesn't have a gloss finish that likes to stick to skin - it's much faster to play if that sort of thing matters to you.
 
JerEvil":1o7azgsq said:
fender126":1o7azgsq said:
I just got an SE245 and like you I have smaller hands but I was totally surprised that the wide neck was a non issue. When I first looked at it I thought to myself that there is no way I'm gonna be comfortable with it but boy was I wrong. This guitar literally plays itself and I have no issues with the neck at all. For a wide neck it plays small inmho.
Click to expand...
Don't know about the SE but my SC245 initially had a bigger neck profile than I
am used to but it's my #1 player. So much so I want to sell all my other guitars and buy 2 more!
Click to expand...
Same for me. My wife got me the guitar unexpectedly so I didn't have a chance to play it. The neck on my Fender is what I would call home base for me; however, I have been playing my Agile LP's a ton without much of an issue. When I played the SE for the first time I never really looked at the neck. It played great and very fluidly in my hands. It was then that I really noticed the neck size and at that point I couldn't believe how easy it was to play given the size. The other pleasant surprise was the set of 9's on it. I've played 10's for years but the 9's on this guitar really seemed to fit. I will probably put 10's on it but again, something else I was pleasantly surprised with by this guitar.
 
I have 2 PRS models and a JP6.

I will be the one to say there is a bit of a drop off going to a Sterling. But it is still a great guitar. The SE models have more name tag swag, so I think they cost more and will hold value a little better. Buy used?

I would see which one sounds best thru your amp if there is any way possible to do that. That will be what you have to live with. They are both pretty good guitars. If you can play it, it will sound good.
 
Heritage Softail":1glh8dn1 said:
I have 2 PRS models and a JP6.

I will be the one to say there is a bit of a drop off going to a Sterling. But it is still a great guitar. The SE models have more name tag swag, so I think they cost more and will hold value a little better. Buy used?

I would see which one sounds best thru your amp if there is any way possible to do that. That will be what you have to live with. They are both pretty good guitars. If you can play it, it will sound good.
Click to expand...

I don't buy guitars and flip them so resale is not that much of concern. We have a GC here but have not been in there in some time. They probably would have the SE, the JP not to sure. More concerned about the playabilty and sound moreso than the name. Thanks!
 
sahlomonic":9fewyqob said:
I currently have a Sterling guitar (not a Petrucci but the EVH inspired AX40), a PRS 24 SE, and an OLP Petrucci (precursor to the Sterling line).

Bottom line Sterling guitars are better than great guitars (not just saying that because I endorse them, either). I've only played a JP100 at Guitar Center and it was light years better than my OLP Petrucci in terms of feel. The Sterling version has a much better tremolo that is closer to the EBMM version.

The PRS Cu24 SE is a great guitar that I just can't let go for some reason. I'm not a fan of 24 fret guitars, nor do I care for finished necks, but damn if it doesn't play well. Easy to play, great tremolo system, comfortable to sit with. I also have an SE245 that I use regularly as well. I typically have my PRS SE guitars for jamming at home, while the Sterling is my main gig and practice axe.

First thing I did to both of my PRS guitars was change the nut. Away with the plastic nut and drop in a TusqXL. Cheap and relatively easy to do yourself. Aside from that not much you need to do to those guitars to make them reliable other than straplocks.

Honestly, Sterling and PRS SE guitars both get my vote for best bang for the buck guitars. I have owned my AX40 for 4 years now and has been through thick and thin lol. New you'd probably save a little coin going with the Sterling, but used there are more PRS SE guitars to choose from, and can be found cheap. I bought my 25th Anniversary Cu24 SE for $250 off Craigslist, with ca
But honestly if it's a choice between the Petrucci and Cu24 SE, I'd go with the Petrucci. I say that mainly because of the finish on the neck. Doesn't have a gloss finish that likes to stick to skin - it's much faster to play if that sort of thing matters to you.
Click to expand...

How are the pickups in the AX40? Did you swap or still have the stock pups?
 
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