PRS SE Custom 22 vs PRS SE Paul’s Guitar: Differences

Finding the particular specs of 2 guitars online is quite some work.

In many cases, the manufacturers don’t inform the same features about the instruments that you want to compare and you have to start digging all over the web to find them.

But hey, relax! 

If you are here, it seems like I have already done that job for you.

Here is a brief description of these 2 guitars:

The PRS SE Custom 22 is made in Indonesia, has a solid mahogany body, a set Wide Thin “C” maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and HH pickups. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is made in Indonesia has a solid mahogany body, a set Wide Fat “C” mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, and HH pickups.

The PRS SE Custom 22 has PRS Designed tuners, PRS 85/15 “S” Humbucker pickups, and Coil-tapping electronics. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar has PRS Designed tuners, PRS TCI-tuned “S” Bass Humbucker pickups, and Coil-tapping electronics.

For those who want a deeper dive into all the specs that make these 2 guitars different, in this article I will put them side by side so you can see their main differences.

After that, I will show you some sound tests I found, and give you a brief history of each one of them.

I will then talk about their main specs one by one, and link you to some other interesting articles I have written about these specific features.

Finally, I will give you some comments about each of these instruments.

Are you ready to get started?

Let’s go!

PRS SE Custom 22 and PRS SE Paul’s Guitar side by side

Prs Se Custom E
Prs Se Pauls Guitar
SpecPRS SE Custom 22PRS SE Paul’s Guitar
Years of productionSince 2015Since 2019
Made inIndonesiaIndonesia
Body typeSolidSolid
Body shapeDouble CutDouble Cut
Body materialMahoganyMahogany
Top materialMapleMaple
FinishGloss PolyesterGloss Polyester
Neck materialMapleMahogany
Neck shapeWide Thin “C”Wide Fat “C”
Headstock shapePRSPRS
Neck jointSetSet
Fingerboard materialRosewoodRosewood
Fingerboard radius10″10″
Number of frets2222
Fret materialNickel SilverNickel Silver
Fret sizeMedium JumboMedium Jumbo
Scale length25″25″
BridgePRS Molded TremoloPRS Stoptail with Brass Inserts
TailpieceBridge integratedBridge integrated
NutPlasticSynthetic/Bronze powder blend
TunersPRS DesignedPRS Designed
Pickup configurationHHHH
Neck pickupPRS 85/15 “S” HumbuckerPRS TCI-tuned “S” Bass Humbucker
Middle pickup
Bridge pickupPRS 85/15 “S” HumbuckerPRS TCI-tuned “S” Treble Humbucker
ElectronicsCoil-tappingCoil-tapping
Controls1 x Master Volume, 1 x Master Tone (push/pull coil-split)2 x Volume, 2 x Tone
Switching3-Way Blade2 x Mini Toggle Coil-tap Switches, 3-Way Toggle
Weight7 – 8 lbs7 lbs
PlayersDave Navarro, Steven Wilson, Mark Tremonti, Mark Holcomb, Alex Lifeson, John McLaughlin, Paul Jackson Jr., Vernon Reid, Tyler LarsonPaul Reed Smith
CaseGig bagGig bag
Price$799$1029

What do they sound like?

PRS SE Custom 22 play demo

PRS SE Paul’s Guitar play demo

Brief descriptions

A brief description of the PRS SE Custom 22

“The PRS SE Custom 22 is an incredible value. This superb solidbody electric guitar gives you classic PRS playability while serving up vibrant humbucker tone from its pair of PRS 85/15 S pickups. This gorgeous instrument has a comfortably contoured mahogany double-cutaway body topped with eye-catching maple. The guitar sports a satisfying Wide Thin profile neck with a rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, and classic PRS Bird inlays. The headstock has been redesigned to now sport Paul Reed Smith’s signature, adding extra “cool” factor. The guitarists here at Sweetwater are big fans of the PRS SE Custom 22. Get your hands on it, and you will be too.”

Source: Sweetwater.com

A brief description of the PRS SE Paul’s Guitar

“Features and visuals inspired by PRS founder Paul Reed Smith’s personal player collection come to a compelling price point in the PRS SE Paul’s Guitar. Integral to the Paul’s Guitar equation is a highly figured maple-capped mahogany body, for the sparkle, sustain, and sex appeal PRS players live and die by. Next up is the hand-filling 22-fret Pattern profile mahogany neck, which offers off-the-charts playability up and down the birds-clad rosewood fingerboard. On the electronics side, a pair of custom-spec’d TCI humbuckers with independent coil tap switches — a totally unique feature to any PRS outside the Core and Private Stock collections — delivers a stunning array of gossamer single-tone voicings to scorching high-gain humbucker heat and all stops in between. Factor in an authentic PRS stop tailpiece with brass inserts, and with the PRS SE Paul’s Guitar from Sweetwater, you’ve got the very best of Paul’s decades of class-leading designs, all at an irresistible price.”

Source: Sweetwater.com

Body type

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a solid body. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a solid body.

As you probably know, the body type of a guitar is a defining factor for its character and tone. 

If you want to know more about how these kinds of bodies affect these guitars, you can check out this article:

Body shape

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a Double Cut body. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a Double Cut body.

The shape of a guitar’s body has serious implications on its playability, but not so much on its tone.

If you want to know everything about the effect of guitar body shapes, and their influence on the instrument, check out this article:

Body material

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a solid mahogany body. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a solid mahogany body.

The kind of material used to build a guitar’s body is something you should really pay attention to.

This is one of the main factors that define the tone of an instrument.

If you want to know how these specifics materials impact the tone of these guitars, you should take a look here:

Top material

Guitarists are often curious about how guitar tops affect tone

There are many factors that contribute to the sound of a guitar, and whether it has a top is an important one. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to make a decision. 

The following article will explain what guitar tops are and why they matter, as well as provide guidance for those who want to learn more about these options.

In short, a guitar’s top has a slight, but perceivable, influence on its tone, however, they are mostly used for aesthetic purposes.

Whether your preferred guitar has one or not, it shouldn’t worry you too much.

However, if you want to know all there is about guitar tops, go here:

Finish

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a gloss polyester finish. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is painted with a gloss polyester finish.

Guitar players know that there are many variables in determining the sound of a guitar. Yet, one of the most popular debates is about nitro vs poly. 

Let’s explore this question, so you can make an informed decision for your next purchase.

These 2 finishes are both types of varnish that can be used to protect and beautify a guitar’s wood. They also have slightly different properties that some players argue can influence the tone of your guitar.

Nitro is a type of varnish that is thinner and less durable, while poly is thicker, way more durable, and cheaper.

Poly provides more protection from moisture and scratches, but some people argue it reduces resonance and sustain. Nitro wears off with time but has a more organic feel to the touch and is said to improve sustain and resonance.

Neck material

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a maple neck. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a mahogany neck.

The type of wood that a guitar neck is made of will have a significant impact on the tone of your guitar. 

Tonewoods have different densities, hardness, and acoustic qualities. 

The type of wood a guitar neck is built with will determine its final sound. 

In the following article I present you a list of the most common tonewoods used in guitar necks, and the influence they could have on the tone of the instrument:

Neck shape

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a Wide Thin “C” neck. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a Wide Fat “C” neck.

The shape of a guitar neck has a significant impact on the tone and playability.

Guitar necks come in a variety of shapes, so it’s important to know what each of those shapes offers.

Luckily for you, I’ve compiled some general information about each different type of guitar neck shape so you can make an informed decision when choosing your next guitar:

Headstock shape

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a PRS headstock. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a PRS headstock.

The shape of a guitar’s headstock is not really a big defining factor for its tone.

However, many players argue that differences in mass, especially at the end of the neck can have some implications in tone.

In this article I go deep into that topic and answer the most pressing questions:

Neck joint

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a set neck. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a set neck.

Guitar necks come in a variety of different joints, and each one has its own pros and cons.

Knowing the differences between each joint can help you decide which is best for you.

A guitar’s neck joint is what attaches the guitar’s neck to the body of the instrument. 

There are 3 types of neck joints: bolt-on, set, and neck through. 

Bolt-on necks are attached by screws at the heel of the neck and can be removed easily for repairs or customization. 

Set necks attach to a pocket in the guitar’s body and stay put with glue.

In neck trough instruments, the neck elongates and becomes the central piece of the body, where most of its hardware is mounted. Then, there are wood “wings” glued to its side to complete the body shape.

If you want to know the specifics of each of these joints, check out this article:

Fingerboard material

The PRS SE Custom 22 fretboard is made of rosewood. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar fretboard is built of rosewood.

The material of a guitar’s fingerboards is as important as the one of the rest of the neck.

In conjunction, both these 2 parts have a deep impact on the final tone of the instrument.

Also, take into consideration that the fretboard is the point of contact for your playing fingers with the guitar, so feel is also a very important factor.

In the following article, I share my thoughts on different fingerboard materials and their impact on the final sound of the instrument:

Fingerboard radius

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a 10″ radius. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a 10″ radius.

The radius of the fingerboard is a measure of how curved the neck of the guitar actually is when looking at it from bridge to nut.

This curvature is really a defining factor for how the instrument plays, and some players are very strict about it.

If you want to know more about how it’s measured and the effect it has on the playability of a guitar, you should look at the following article:

Frets

The PRS SE Custom 22 has 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with 22 medium jumbo nickel silver frets.

The frets on a guitar have a deep impact on its playability.

Many players don’t consider this as important as other features, but more experienced ones will be very picky about this.

Bigger frets make a guitar easier to play, however, they hinder the overall intonation of the instrument.

Also, there are different fret materials to consider.

In these articles, I dive deep into how important are frets for a guitar.

Scale length

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a 25″ scale length. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a 25″ scale length.

The scale length of a guitar refers to the longitude of the vibrating part of the string.

This is measured from the nut to the bridge, and for intonation purposes, the middle point is always the 12th fret.

Different scale lengths have varying influences over things such as string tension, and of course, fret gap size.

If you want to know more about this, I invite you to read the post below:

Bridge

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a PRS Molded Tremolo bridge. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a PRS Stoptail with Brass Inserts bridge.

A guitar’s bridge is one of the 2 points of contact the strings have with the body and neck.

It is a central part for the transmission of vibrations through the instrument, and also defines many important factors for playability such as string spacing and action.

Some bridges also have extra functionalities.

To know everything there is about this part of the guitar, please go here:

Tailpiece

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a bridge integrated tailpiece. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a bridge integrated tailpiece.

Tailpieces are often forgotten when thinking about guitar parts, however, they have been there for centuries, and there are many different designs with alternate features.

Whether your guitar has a standalone one or a bridge that works like one too, you might be interested in broadening your knowledge about tailpieces here:

Nut

The PRS SE Custom 22 has a plastic nut. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with a synthetic/bronze powder blend nut.

The nut of a guitar is a small but very important part of the instrument.

It helps define string spacing, action, and is the source of many of the tuning issues cheaper instruments suffer from.

There are many kinds and materials of nuts out there, and if you want to know how they can impact your instrument of choice, you should go to this article:

Tuners

The PRS SE Custom 22 has PRS Designed tuners. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with PRS Designed tuners.

Guitar tuners don’t have a direct effect on how a guitar sounds.

However, their quality will be a defining factor in your playing experience. 

It’s fundamental that your instrument has good quality machine heads to keep it in tune.

In the following article, I dive deep into the most common questions players ask about tuners, and their functionality:

Pickups

Guitar pickups are one of the main components of any electric guitar. 

But do guitar pickups make a difference in sound? This can be a difficult question with many different answers.

The most important thing to note is that it is not just the type of pickup that determines a guitar’s sound, but also how and where you place the pickup on the guitar.

In this guide, we will discuss the different types of pickups and how they affect your sound

We will outline how pickups work and what are the central factors that determine how they influence the tone of your instrument.

Finally, we will help you compare different models and make an informed decision about which pickup is right for you.

Electronics

The PRS SE Custom 22 has coil-tapping electronics, 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone (push/pull coil-split) controls, and a 3-way blade switch. The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is built with coil-tapping electronics, 2 x volume, 2 x tone controls, and a 2 x mini toggle coil-tap switches, 3-way toggle switch.

The electronics of an electric guitar are what gives the instrument its name. However, because they are hidden inside the cavities into its body, they are often forgotten.

Controls, switches, capacitors and resistances, all make for the circuitry of a guitar, and all have effects on the final tone and sounds it can offer to the player.

If you want to know the main things about this topic, I recommend you follow this link:

Weight

The PRS SE Custom 22 weighs 7 – 8 lbs, and the PRS SE Paul’s Guitar weighs 7 lbs.

Guitar weight is an important factor when it comes to finding the right guitar for you. 

A heavier guitar will give you more sustain, but a lighter guitar will be more resonant, and easier to play and carry around. 

However, there’s no single answer to whether a lighter or heavier guitar will sound better than the other. 

There are also many factors that could determine what weight of guitar would be best for you.

Here, I explore some of these considerations and what I think are the main points to take into account:

Final comments

The PRS SE Custom 22 is a great looking, versatile instrument that passes all the PRS quality tests.

The PRS SE Paul’s Guitar is a great addition to the SE lineup. A Guitar made to satisfy Paul’s needs, with a bit higher price, and a concrete synthesis of the brand’s soul and tone. A must-have for brand enthusiasts.

Which one do you think you like better?