In celebration of its 40th anniversary, PRS Guitars has introduced a new limited-run instrument designed for versatility: the CE 24 Special Limited Edition. This bolt-on model is the first in the CE series to feature a powerful HSH pickup configuration, positioning it as a “play-anything” high-end electric guitar. Only 1,500 of these special guitars will be made available.
A Bold New Pickup Configuration
The CE 24 Special takes the popular CE 24 platform, typically equipped with dual humbuckers, and elevates it with a significant tonal upgrade. Last week, we saw the new SE Silver Sky models in new colors for 2025, and now we have a new limited-run US Core model.
The guitar features PRS 85/15 humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions, paired with a new PRS NS-01 single-coil pickup in the middle. This combination gives players a vast tonal palette, from warm, full-bodied humbucker sounds to the classic, scooped tones reminiscent of a Fender Stratocaster.
According to Chuck Lenderking, a product manager at PRS Guitars, the addition of the middle pickup from the acclaimed Modern Eagle V allows players to easily access a wider range of sounds. “With the CE 24 Special, you get all the iconic tones you expect from a CE,” he stated. “But now, with the middle pickup from the Modern Eagle V added to the mix, you can easily dial in the classic scooped tones typically associated with traditional 3-pickup/5-way switch-equipped guitars.”
Lenderking also noted that the guitar’s mahogany and maple construction, combined with the 85/15 humbuckers, offers even more warmth and versatility than similar historic models.
Premium Features and Specifications
The CE 24 Special is built with a solid mahogany body topped with figured maple, and a bolt-on maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard adorned with the signature bird inlays. The neck features a comfortable Pattern Thin profile with a silky satin finish, a 25″ scale length, and a 10″ fretboard radius.
Players have five striking nitro finish options to choose from: Faded Gray Burst, Faded Blue Smokeburst, Carroll Blue, McCarty Burst, and Black Amber.
The hardware is top-notch, including a patented PRS tremolo and Phase III locking tuners, ensuring rock-solid tuning stability. The controls include a volume knob, a tone knob with a push/pull function for coil-splitting, and a 5-way blade switch to navigate the pickup configurations.
Price & Availability
Priced at $2,749/€3299, the CE 24 Special Limited Edition includes a premium gig bag, offering a professional-grade instrument at a competitive price point.
With only a limited number being produced, this versatile guitar is likely to be a sought-after piece for players and collectors alike.
US – Sweetwater
Faded Gray Burst, Faded Blue Smokeburst, Carroll Blue, McCarty Burst, and Black Amber.
EU – Thomann
Faded Blue Smokeburst, Carroll Blue, and McCarty Burst
More Information
#PRS #Paul Reed Smith
This article may contain affiliate links to Andertons, DeathCloud, Fender, Gear4Music, Sweetwater, and Thomann that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
