If you are searching for some of the best electric guitars available in the market, you have probably come across the PRS Custom 24 and Fender Stratocaster.
Both guitars are exceptional in their own ways and are manufactured by some well-established companies worldwide. But in this article, we are going to discuss the major distinction between the PRS Custom 24 and Fender Stratocaster to help you choose the best one that guarantees your money’s worth.
Comparison Between The Fender Stratocaster And PRS Custom 24
Body
| Electric Guitar | Body Material | Body Shape |
| PRS Custom 24 | Mahogany | Double-Cutaway (Countoured) |
| Fender Stratocaster | Ash or Alder | Double-Cutaway (Countoured) |
Neck
| Electric Guitar | Neck Material | Neck Shape | Neck Construction | Number of Frets | Fretboard material | Scale Length |
| PRS Custom 24 | Mahogany | Pattern Regular or Pattern Thin | Set | 24 | Rosewood | 25 inches |
| Fender Stratocaster | Maple | Modern-C | Bolt-on | 22 | Maple | 25.5 inches |
Electronics
| Electric Guitar | Pickups | Controls |
| PRS Custom 24 | Two Humbuckers | Volume and Tone Control with a 5-way blade switch |
| Fender Stratocaster | Three single-coils | Master Volume, Tone 1 (Neck/Middle Pickups), and Tone 2 (Bridge Pickup) |
Hardware
| Electric Guitars | Bridge | Turners | Hardware Finish |
| PRS Custom 24 | Generation III-PRS Patented Tremolo | PRS Phase III Locking | Nickel |
| Fender Stratocaster | 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles | Standard Cast (Sealed) | Nickel/Chrome |
Major Distinctions Between The Fender Stratocaster And PRS Custom 24
Sound
The sounds produced by the Fender Stratocaster and PRS Custom 24 are without a doubt different from one another.
The tone of the PRS Custom 24 is deeper and warmer thanks to its Humbucker pickups and mahogany tonewood.
Fender Stratocasters, on the other hand, have single-coil pickups with an alder or ash body, which result in brighter and more defined tones.
Although the Custom 24 has a coil split function that enables it to produce single-coil tones, they nonetheless have a thinner tonality than the standard single-coil pickups on the Stratocaster.
The tremolo arms on both electric guitars are similar, allowing players to modify the pitch of their strings for more different tones by simply adjusting the arm.
Feels
Despite their resemblance, the PRS Custom 24 and Fender Stratocaster are built differently and employ different materials. Both of them have a double-cutaway body with a contoured design that makes it simpler to reach higher frets.
Contrary to the PRS Custom 24, the Stratocaster has a considerably more comfortable feel thanks to its lighter weight and more contoured body, making it easier to play regardless of whether you are standing, sitting, or playing for extended periods of time. Both guitars have a standard neck that is suitable for most guitarists.
Body
In terms of appearance and body design, the Fender Stratocaster and PRS Custom 24 are comparable. The PRS Custom 24 has a modern influence on its shape, in contrast to Stratocasters, which have their iconic and classical shape.
The double-cutaway bodies on both guitars are also contoured, however, the PRS Custom 24 has a flat back and a contoured front. Unlike Stratocasters, which are contoured on both sides.
Neck
Guitarists can conveniently access the whole fretboard on both the PRS Custom 24 and Fender Stratocaster thanks to their slim necks. Stratocasters have C-shaped necks, whereas the Custom 24 has a wide-thin neck, which means that back is slim while the front face of its fretboard is wide.
Additionally, the structure of their necks is also different. The bolt-on neck in Stratocasters has its own advantages and disadvantages. The Custom 24, on the other hand, features a seat-back design, which means that its neck is attached to the guitar’s body with the help of adhesives. The sole drawback is that if the neck needs to be changed, it could be challenging to remove it from the body without damaging it if done aggressively. On the plus side, this approach of manufacturing gives it a cleaner appearance and makes it possible for the guitar to produce a more resonant tone.
The number of frets, the type of wood used for the fretboard and inlays, and the scale length of the two electric guitars also reveal their significant differences. The PRS Custom 24 is equipped with 24 frets, a rosewood fretboard with bird inlays, and a 25-inch scale length.
Contrarily, Fender Stratocasters have 22 frets, maple or rosewood fretboard with classic dot inlays, and a 25.5-inch scale length.
Pickups
The pickups that the Fender Stratocaster and PRS Custom 24 have are another significant distinction between them. A Stratocaster has three single coil pickups, compared to the Custom 24’s two humbuckers. Single coils give a brighter, more defined sound, but humbuckers produce a darker, warmer tone.
Some guitarists who have played with single-coiled guitars claim that when they speed their playing tempo, humming sounds start to emerge. Indicating that, in comparison to Stratocasters, the PRS Custom 24 produces tones that are smoother and deeper.
The PRS Custom 24’s pickup is incredibly adaptable. By altering the tone control, it has a humbucker with a coil split option that allows it to imitate the sound of a single coil. The humbucker will never, however, be able to match the single coil in terms of sonic quality.
The Stratocaster has an advantage over the Custom 24 in that it has a third pickup between the neck and bridge pickups which makes it more convenient to obtain the required tones. There are five possible tones when using three pickups, but only one pickup combination when using two pickups.
Bridge
Since the PRS Custom 24 and Fender Stratocaster both have floating bridges, you can adjust the pitch of the strings by pushing up or down on the tremolo arm. Due to the vibrato effect it produces, this feature is extensively used and praised by professional guitarists.
The locking systems on the two electric guitars differ even though they both have tremolo arms. The single locking system on antique and classic Stratocasters makes tuning stability a problem. Addressing that concern, Fender has created a dual locking system for their Modern Stratocasters to solve the stability problem. The PRS Custom 24 also has the same dual locking method to address this issue.
Price and Variations
Fender Stratocaster
Both the Fender Stratocaster and the PRS Custom 24 have historically produced a wide range of models at various price points. For instance, Fender is a reputable producer of high-quality, generally pricey electric guitars and amplifiers. However, Squier, a subsidiary of Fender, focuses on creating electric guitars for beginners at a significantly lower cost.
Regardless of their price ranges, choosing a Stratocaster from either Fender or Squier ensures that you enjoy the reliability and quality of the company. Naturally, a Fender Stratocaster will feel considerably more high-end than a Squier Stratocaster.
Here are some Stratocasters made by Fender and Squier.
| Fender Stratocasters | Squier Stratocasters |
| Player Series | Affinity Series |
| American Professional Series | Standard Series |
| American Ultra/Elite Series | Classic Vibe Series |
| American Vintage Series | Contemporary Series |
| American Performer Series | Bullet Series |
| Special Artist Collaboration | |
| Customize (Personalized Design) |
The Fender Player Stratocaster, which retails for $879.99, is the brand’s most cheap model, while the Final Fantasy XIV Stratocaster, which costs $3,499.99, is the most expensive.
The Squier Bullet Stratocaster, which retails for $179.99, is the company’s least costly Stratocaster, while the Squier 40th Anniversary Stratocaster Gold/Vintage Edition (Satin Wide/Sienna Sunburst) is the most expensive.
Paul Reed Smith Custom 24
The Student Edition (SE) series and the USA Core series are the only two main series for Paul Reed Smith Stratocasters. The USA Core is their flagship model series, while the Student Edition is where you can find their more cheap guitars. Models from the Student Edition line are less expensive because they are made in Korea.
| Paul Reed Smith (PRS) Stratocaster |
| USA Core Series |
| Student Edition Series |
The PRS Standard Student Edition, which costs $649.00, is the most affordable model of Paul Reed Smith (PRS) guitars, while the PRS Private Stock Semi-Hollow Stratocaster (Natural Micro Burst), which costs $13,140.00 is the most costly.
Overall Advantages and Disadvantages Of Fender Stratocasters and PRS Custom 24
Fender Stratocaster
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheaper compared to PRS Stratocasters | Tuning stability issue |
| Lightweight | Humming issue when playing at high tempos |
| Equipped with two-tone controls | Bolt-on necks (Disadvantageous to some) |
PRS Custom 24
| Pros | Cons |
| No humming issues | Quite heavy |
| Coil Split Function feature | Less iconic compared to Fender Stratocasters |
| Dual locking tremolo | Expensive |
Conclusion
By being aware of the similarities, differences, benefits, and drawbacks of both PRS Custom 24 and Fender Stratocasters, you can probably choose which one best suits your style.
It’s best to personally inspect both guitars at an instrument retailer if you’re still having difficulties deciding which one you like most. Regardless of which electric guitar you choose, you will undoubtedly get what you paid for because they are both of the highest calibers, are well-known, and perform at the highest level.