PRS Guitars, the Maryland-based manufacturer known worldwide for its high-quality instruments, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special release: the Custom 24 Satin Limited Edition. Limited to just 500 pieces globally, this model honors the guitar that started it all while introducing new materials and details that set it apart.
A statement from the company discloses that the guitar “features a mango top, ebony fretboard, satin nitro finish, and smoked black hardware for a new twist on a classic.” Each instrument also includes a 40th-anniversary certificate hand-signed by Paul Reed Smith.
Speaking on the unique wood selection, Paul Reed Smith shared: “Our wood buyers search the world over for the most extraordinary tonewoods available. These mango tops (also on the new Mark Holcomb signature model) that they acquired are visually stunning. They also have this ringing resonance to them. Featuring the new wood along with the other unique appointments give this edition of our flagship Custom 24 its own unique character, worthy of a limited, anniversary model.”
While the appearance of the guitar is distinctive, its core remains true to the Custom 24 design. PRS confirms it retains “a mahogany back and neck, 25” scale length, 24 frets, 10” fretboard radius, and Pattern Thin shape.” Classic features like the PRS Gen III patented tremolo and PRS Phase III locking tuners with wing buttons are also present.
The decision to replace the maple top with figured mango is one of the most notable changes. A statement from the company explains that “mango wood retains much of the sound characteristics as maple while bringing an almost ‘quilted’ look to these guitars.” The satin nitro finish adds a natural feel, while the ebony fretboard and headstock veneer feature PRS’s “Old School” bird outlines and a “Pre-Factory” eagle, nodding to the company’s earliest instruments.
On the electronics side, the guitar is equipped with PRS’s DMO Treble and Bass pickups. A statement from PRS details that “DMO pickups (Dynamic, Musical, Open) were spec’d by Paul Reed Smith and the PRS New Products Engineering team to have a wide-open sound with vocal character.” Paired with a five-way blade switch, this setup provides a broad tonal palette designed to suit a wide range of players.
PRS has made clear that this is only the beginning of a year-long celebration. A statement from the company reveals it “continues its schedule of launching new products each month in 2025,” including additional 40th Anniversary limited-edition guitars.
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