PRS Custom 24 Cherry Sunburst 1989

The PRS Custom 24 was the model that established Paul Reed Smith as a serious alternative to the established American guitar manufacturers. PRS began regular production in 1985, and in 1989 the company was still operating from its original Virginia Avenue factory in Annapolis, Maryland, several years before moving to its larger facility in 1996.

These early PRS guitars have a number of distinctive features that were subsequently changed as production expanded, and are increasingly sought after by both collectors and players.

This 1989 Custom 24 features a carved, figured maple top over a mahogany body, finished in Cherry Sunburst. The mahogany neck has a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with the distinctive PRS bird inlays, a relatively expensive option at the time. The smaller neck heel and contoured double-cutaway body are typical of these early instruments.

The electronics feature the original-style PRS Standard Treble and Standard Bass humbuckers, a five-way rotary pickup selector and the characteristic Sweet Switch. Rather than having a conventional tone control, the Sweet Switch introduces a treble roll-off designed to simulate the effect of a long guitar cable.

The original tuners have been replaced with Schaller tuners which are very similar in appearance to the original units. The frets have approximately 95% remaining. The guitar has its original hard case, which shows wear but remains in good condition, along with the original paperwork. Weight is a nice and light 3600g.

All in all a killer early PRS that really exemplifies why these early Custom 24s had such an impact on the guitar world back in the 80s.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Manufacturer: Paul Reed Smith (PRS)
• Model: Custom 24
• Year: 1989
• Country of manufacture: USA
• Factory: Virginia Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland
• Body construction: Solid-body, double cutaway
• Body wood: Mahogany
• Top: Carved figured maple
• Finish: Cherry Sunburst
• Neck wood: Mahogany
• Neck construction: Set neck
• Scale length: 25″ (635 mm)
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard radius: 10″ (254 mm)
• Number of frets: 24
• Fretboard inlays: PRS birds
• Truss rod: Single-action
• Headstock: PRS three-a-side design with gold signature logo
• Nut: PRS low-friction nut
• Neck pickup: PRS Standard Bass humbucker
• Bridge pickup: PRS Standard Treble humbucker
• Pickup configuration: HH, uncovered double-black humbuckers
• Pickup selector: Five-way rotary selector
• Switching options: Bridge humbucker, neck humbucker and three split-coil combinations in series or parallel
• Volume control: One master volume
• Tone switching: Original-style PRS Sweet Switch mini-toggle
• Bridge: PRS six-screw tremolo with individually adjustable saddles
• Hardware finish: Nickel/chrome
• Tuners: Replacement Schaller tuners, similar to the original Schaller/PRS units
• Fret condition: Approximately 95% remaining
• Weight: 3600g
• Case: Original PRS hardshell case, worn but in good condition