CST-24 Paradise Flame : HB CST-24 is a lovely runner

I have been trialling this cheapy cheerful axe for 2 months now and I have say, with my right hand on my left heart, it's a brilliant runner! I have some high end expensive gear in my arsenal at home and I bought this with the HB-20R amp to use while I'm working away for 3 months to save damaging my good gear during transit.

As an all rounder I cannot fault it. Still with the original strings supplied this monkey can handle drop D and flat tuning without buzzing. The clean tone when using the bridge pickup is lovely and rich, although using the coil tap with the neck pickup for overdrive is only reasonable, if a little hollow. That could be compensated for with a different amp but that's not what we've come to read about is it?

I haven't adjusted the action at all, it's a LITTLE high but I've kept it that way to avoid any buzz buzz when downtuning. It feels lovely for lead or rhythm and I genuinely enjoy playing it for hours on end.

For the price this guitar is outstanding. I would be equally as satisfied with this beast had I paid double the asking price. The finish is lovely and the switchgear is all solid and good quality.

As a result of my brief bromance with the CST-24 I now have another HB in my home collection (the semi hollow CST-24 in Charcoal Flame) and my only change will be to fit new pickups (Seymour Duncan SHPR-1s), as the standard ones could use a bit more depth.

In summary I'd recommend this guitar to any and everybody. If you need a cheap travel guitar or you just don't want to spend £800 on a PRS SE then get one of these. I'm more than happy with mine.