Champagne Electrics CE24&22's

[sergiodeblanc]

I love these guitars, specifically alder bodied with maple tops. I believe them to be the "Champagne" of the Annapolis era Paul Reed Smith's, and would love to see if any of you have some pictures/stories of them.

This one has been my constant companion for at least eighteen years. Every show and every studio date, and quite honestly most of the best times of my life, have been done with this guitar.

While certainly not the most expensive guitar I have owned, it is my favorite.
http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p506/sergiodeblanc/15539.jpghttp://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p506/sergiodeblanc/IMG_0805.jpg

[themike]

There is no denying that the CE was an important product in the early PRS line. A lot of people started off playing the CE's and continue to love them today. I kind of wish they kept them as I've always been a fan of bolt-on necks.

[VHTStark]

I love the alder CE's as well! A good friend of mine has a CE24 alder with a maple fretboard. That thing has some serious 'tude! Very immediate and LOUD! I have offered to buy it a few times but he won't budge. I guess that would be my ultimate CE: alder body with a maple fretboard!

[VHTStark]

And where are my manners! Beautiful CE you have there Sergio!

[sergiodeblanc]

Thanks for the kind words buddy,
There is a certain "loudness" to these instruments, and your friend's CE sounds like a guitar worth chasing. It is really cool to hear and feel the differences between all the different CEs, while looking for a backup I have come across a few mahogany versions and wasn't as excited. The maple topped alder models have a somewhat "scooped" sound to (my ear), that really drives most any amp into a "hi-fi" kind of tone.
It has grown with me from very heavy music in my youth, to the clean toned R&B and reggae I do now. Cool versatile guitars for sure.

[Spikedog007]

My CE-24. Pretty sure it's a Hog body, Maple Top but it still Rocks Hard. It has some very hot VB and HFS pups in it.

http://home.fuse.net/SpikeDogStudios/NewPics/Purple_CE24.jpg

[sergiodeblanc]

Hey! I was just drooling over that purple top over at VR!
The mahogany ones are really cool too, kind of like a Blanc de Noir to the alders Blanc de Blanc, slightly darker but still sparkly champagne. :mrgreen:

[DirtyMoonsRJT]

I still have my ce's....Thank god I never sold them....they are absolutely killer...there is an immediacy from a feel standpoint that I just love...the snap of the maple neck is fantastic...throw in original dragons or uncovered 59/09's and watch out! Great players...fantastic tone machines...I actually dig the all hog ones quite a bit...the alder bodied are pretty darn cool as well...throw in a maple cap and watch out!....if you haven't tried 'em give it a shot...these ain't no budget axe!

[vim fuego]

I love my CE22! It's a 94 bought in 94 and much like the OP it's the guitar that I grew up with, played in bands with and definately the one guitar I would never consider parting with. It's well worn in, has a dark almost black fret board, the finish is starting to sink and it just oozes character. The dragon pups pack a mighty punch too!

[sergiodeblanc]

I love my CE22! It's a 94 bought in 94 and much like the OP it's the guitar that I grew up with, played in bands with and definately the one guitar I would never consider parting with. It's well worn in, has a dark almost black fret board, the finish is starting to sink and it just oozes character. The dragon pups pack a mighty punch too!
Alder 22's are pretty hard to come by, I would love to see a pic!

[LSchefman]

Beautiful guitars, and Sergio, I love the played-in patina yours has earned over the years!

[AP515]

Here is one for you. Alder body, first year CE logo on headstock. Fantastic guitar. The maple neck gives it highend clarity and the alder body gives it punch. These are the finest of the CE's IMO.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii126/Pecospup/88CEheadstock.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii126/Pecospup/PRSBlues.jpg

[sergiodeblanc]

Beautiful guitars, and Sergio, I love the played-in patina yours has earned over the years!
Thanks Les, I actually never play, I reliced the hardware with Fire sauce from Taco Bell. ;)

[sergiodeblanc]

Here is one for you. Alder body, first year CE logo on headstock. Fantastic guitar. The maple neck gives it highend clarity and the alder body gives it punch. These are the finest of the CE's IMO.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii126/Pecospup/88CEheadstock.jpg
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii126/Pecospup/PRSBlues.jpg
Magnifique!

[sergiodeblanc]

Bringing this back to the top. Has any body seen my nitro? I appear to have lost mine from the back of the neck.
http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p506/sergiodeblanc/IMG_0807.jpg[/img]

[vim fuego]

I love my CE22! It's a 94 bought in 94 and much like the OP it's the guitar that I grew up with, played in bands with and definately the one guitar I would never consider parting with. It's well worn in, has a dark almost black fret board, the finish is starting to sink and it just oozes character. The dragon pups pack a mighty punch too!
Alder 22's are pretty hard to come by, I would love to see a pic!

would love to

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/vimsaxes/Pho745.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/vimsaxes/DSC03137.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/vimsaxes/DSC03138.jpg

[sergiodeblanc]

Ooh, it's like my guitars baby sister! Love this one!

[vchizzle]

[quote="vim fuego":164r3hce]I love my CE22! It's a 94 bought in 94 and much like the OP it's the guitar that I grew up with, played in bands with and definately the one guitar I would never consider parting with. It's well worn in, has a dark almost black fret board, the finish is starting to sink and it just oozes character. The dragon pups pack a mighty punch too!
Alder 22's are pretty hard to come by, I would love to see a pic!

would love to

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/vimsaxes/Pho745.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/vimsaxes/DSC03137.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab24/vimsaxes/DSC03138.jpg[/quote:164r3hce]
Nice set up. Love the VHT, used to have that amp. A little trick for you to try....turn that global master volume up to about 2-3:00 then use you individual channel volumes to set your actual volume. You will get the "cranked" amp tone at any volume that way.

[sergiodeblanc]

I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase, but I love my new Blanc CE!!!

http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p506/sergiodeblanc/IMG_1111_zpse2f8ddf5.jpg


that is all.

[swede71]

Cool guitar!What pups in your old guitar Sergio?I saw today they sell a Hiland model in Stockholm.Me wants but it sells for alot of swedish krona.I would love to have a bolt-on CE or Hiland.There is something about bolt-on guitars.

[John]

Here are both of my CE 24's.

My first PRS, this red one from '04. This one has been with me through hell and back, and I don't see myself ever giving it up anytime soon. I don't use it so much as a live guitar now that I have a custom 24 with a blade switch that's easier to use, but it's a staple in most if not all of my recorded material.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/35047_1568255929246_7057055_n.jpg

And here's a 1993 CE I managed to snag while I was in undergrad.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/14115_1451609333154_5334564_n.jpg

[sergiodeblanc]

Cool guitar!What pups in your old guitar Sergio?I saw today they sell a Hiland model in Stockholm.Me wants but it sells for alot of swedish krona.I would love to have a bolt-on CE or Hiland.There is something about bolt-on guitars.

HFS and VB in the old CE, they were the first passive pickups that got me to finally ditch EMGs. I would love to check out a Hiland too, there are a lot of unique features on that model.
I am convinced that there is magic in the neck joint of PRS bolt on guitars, my low E string is just HUGE compared to any of my set neck or neck-through guitars.



Here are both of my CE 24's.

My first PRS, this red one from '04. This one has been with me through hell and back, and I don't see myself ever giving it up anytime soon. I don't use it so much as a live guitar now that I have a custom 24 with a blade switch that's easier to use, but it's a staple in most if not all of my recorded material.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/35047_1568255929246_7057055_n.jpg

And here's a 1993 CE I managed to snag while I was in undergrad.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/14115_1451609333154_5334564_n.jpg

Great lookin' guitars John! My CE24 always beats out every other guitar I own when it comes to recording. For years I alternated between a myriad of Les Paul's and my one CE, I'm proud to say I have learned my lesson and will never buy a Lester again! (unless it's just for looks.)

[_pete_]

I had a really nice alder CE24. One of the many I wish I could get back.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h247/pete2112/My%20Guitars/CE3.jpg

[sleary]

My ce 22

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk18/swleary/p4hoto.jpg

[Egads]

http://home.fuse.net/SpikeDogStudios/NewPics/Purple_CE24.jpg

This looks like my first PRS. My top wasn't as nice, though. It was Alder/Maple and was one of the best playing guitars I've ever played. A really pretty SC250 came up and the the CE had to go. Now, the SC is gone and I wish I had the CE back.

Sergio, I definitely agree about the alder vs. mahogany. The alders are special.

[sergiodeblanc]

Sergio, I definitely agree about the alder vs. mahogany. The alders are special.

Yeah they are, I'm not sayin' anything against the mahogany version as I totally dig my CE22!