A used Paul Reed Smith (PRS) "57/08 Limited Run Custom 24 Charcoal Burst" has arrived. It was manufactured in 2008.
This is a limited edition Custom 24 announced at the 2008 "Experience PRS" event. It features the then-latest 57/08 pickups, uses higher-grade materials than the standard model, and includes Paul Reed Smith's autograph and numbering on the backplate.
This particular guitar is a special edition Custom 24 produced for that 2008 event. The "57/08," which is also the model name, was the latest PRS original pickup announced at that event.
Respect for and pursuit of vintage tone is a major factor in PRS product development, and the 57/08 pickup is truly symbolic of that. PRS acquired the exclusive rights to the machinery used to manufacture pickup wire for P.A.F. pickups in the 1950s, and developed the 57/08 using wire produced by that machinery.
Inspired by the 1957 P.A.F., it can be considered PRS's version of the P.A.F., a vintage-style pickup using Alnico 2 magnets, but with a slightly higher output than typical P.A.F. types. It's easy to imagine that this led to the development of subsequent pickups such as the 59/09, 85/15, and 58/15 LT, making the introduction of the 57/08 a significant event for PRS.
The body back is made of selected lightweight mahogany, and the neck is made of Peruvian mahogany, which is slightly harder than regular mahogany. The fingerboard is made of black rosewood, selected for its grain and color.
The body top is made of 10Top grade quilted maple, which also exhibits a very beautiful grain. The neck shape is the standard Wide Thin shape for Custom 24s of that era.
The control plate on the back of the body is signed by Paul Reed Smith himself and has a serial number. The controls are a simple configuration of master volume, master tone, and a 3-way toggle switch, but the tone knob is push/pull type, allowing for coil tapping of both pickups.
At that time, the standard Custom 24 was equipped with powerful Vintage Bass & HFS pickups and a 5-way rotary switch. The sound tends to be similar to the later Custom 24s equipped with 59/09 pickups, but it is slightly sweeter and has a more vintage-like nuance.
In particular, due to the structure of the Custom 24 with 24 frets, the front pickup is positioned closer to the bridge than on 22-fret guitars, so the sweetness of the front pickup tends to be less noticeable, but this instrument clearly conveys that sweet nuance.
Regarding the condition, it appears to be a well-maintained instrument, and while there are some minor scratches and tarnishing on the parts, it remains in relatively good condition considering its age of 2008. The covered pickups and deep Charcoal Burst color combine to create a very elegant and chic look.
Basic maintenance and cleaning have been completed, so it is in ready-to-play condition! Exterior condition: There are scratches and signs of use.
Truss rod: Plenty of adjustment range. Fret condition: Approximately 70% remaining. *No buzzing or dead spots; in good condition!
Nut width: Approximately 43mm (measured) Accessories: Only those listed on the listing page are included.
Customs Duty & Import Taxes
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.