CST-24T Paradise Flame : Some Things About This Guitar Even Better Than My Original US-made PRS

This is one of the nicest guitars I have ever had. Do not get fooled by the price. Not everything cheap is bad, and vice versa.

I'e had appr. 20 guitars up to now. Even when compared with my original PRS Tremonti (USA), even though the 2 axes are each a bit different in style (pickups, wood, number of frets, and general aim), this guitar shines in several compartments - most notably, it is easier to play on higher frets, and there is some (German-designed, I suppose) precision about the way the whole guitar is made and put together that you won't find with even with the original.

Now, don't get me wrong, you still get the feeling you're playing a Vietnam-made guitar, as opposed to the all-American feeling of playing a US-made PRS (hard to put to words..). Plus, if you do not swap the pickups, the sound you get out of this one is of course not on par with the original PRS guitars equipped with the original PRS pickups.

Yet still, if you DO change the pickups, set the guitar up a bit in terms of action and tuning (even though it comes decently set up out of the box), and maybe even change some hardware like: tremolo, nut, bridge, and tuners, the guitar is AMAZING! I would value it at least twice the price it costs.

I use this guitar as my main goto axe right now.

The only thing I did not like about this axe is the lacquer, expecially when inspected from up close. It looks a bit cheap. if you look closer. Plus, the tremolo is unusable, at least for me (the original PRS trem is absolutely amazing, this one gets out of tune quickly), so you either play without the trem, or you swap it. Also, the flame is a bit less pronounced and somehow "greyish" and "faded" than what you would get with the original PRS.

Yet still, these are minor flaws only. The general feeling when you are playing this guitar (after setup and at least with swapped pickups) is excellent.

Oh, and your fans won't see the "cheapness" of the lacquer as long as they don't get at least 1 meter near you playing, or closer. From a little farther, the guitar looks as good as the original it is modelled after...

SUMMARY - this is the best bang for the buck you can get when looking for a PRS-style guitar. If you're looking for a PRS 24 clone, I strongly recommend it.