Paul Reed Smith Custom 22: Is It Still the BEST in 2025?

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# Paul reed Smith Custom 22: Is It Still the BEST in 2025?

The Paul Reed Smith (PRS) Custom 22 has long been considered a benchmark for high-end guitars. Revered for its exquisite craftsmanship, versatile sound, and stunning aesthetics, it has become a favourite among professional musicians and discerning guitar enthusiasts alike. As technology and guitar-making evolve, it’s crucial to examine whether the Custom 22 maintains its position as the “best” in 2025, considering advancements in the industry and the emergence of new contenders. This review delves into the features, benefits, and overall value of the PRS Custom 22, assessing its relevance in the contemporary guitar market.

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## Key Features Analysis

The PRS Custom 22 boasts a combination of features that contribute to its superior playability, tonal versatility, and visual appeal.

**Mahogany Body with Figured maple Top:**

The Custom 22 typically features a mahogany body that provides a warm, resonant foundation. This is often paired with a figured maple top (such as flame or quilted maple), which not only enhances the guitar’s aesthetic appeal but also adds brightness and clarity to the overall tone. The combination of these tonewoods creates a balanced sonic palette suitable for various musical genres.

**Pattern Regular or Pattern Thin Neck Profile:**

PRS offers the Custom 22 with different neck profiles, most commonly the Pattern Regular (a comfortable, rounded profile) and the Pattern Thin (a slimmer, faster profile). These neck dimensions are carefully sculpted to provide optimal comfort and playability across the fretboard. The scale length is typically 25 inches, which provides a versatile balance between traditional Fender and Gibson scale lengths.

**PRS Patented Tremolo System:**

the PRS patented tremolo system is renowned for its smooth operation and exceptional tuning stability. Unlike some traditional tremolo systems, the PRS design allows for wider vibrato excursions without causing the strings to go out of tune easily. This makes it a reliable tool for adding expressive nuances to playing.

**Proprietary Humbucking Pickups:**

The Custom 22 is typically equipped with PRS’s proprietary humbucking pickups, which are designed to offer a wide range of tonal options.these pickups often feature a balanced output and a clear, articulate response. The pickups are designed to deliver a rich,full sound with plenty of sustain. Players typically find that these pickups offer exceptional clarity, allowing them to cut through the mix with ease. The 85/15 pickups or similar modern iterations are common, providing vintage warmth with modern clarity.

**Five-Way Blade Switch with Coil-Splitting Capabilities:**

The traditional control layout includes a five-way blade switch that allows access to a variety of pickup combinations,including humbucking and single-coil sounds. This versatility is further enhanced by push-pull tone controls that enable coil-splitting, allowing players to achieve even more tonal variations. The five-way blade, in conjunction with the push-pull tone knob to allow for single coil sounds provide the player with a multitude of pickup combinations.

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## Core Benefits

The PRS Custom 22 provides a range of benefits that stem from its design and construction.

**Exceptional Playability:** The meticulously crafted neck profile and smooth fretboard contribute to outstanding playability. Players find that navigating the fretboard is effortless, allowing for fast and comfortable playing across all registers. The ergonomic design of the body also enhances comfort during extended playing sessions.

**Wide Tonal Versatility:** the combination of humbucking pickups, coil-splitting options, and a five-way blade switch allows players to access a wide range of tonal options. From thick,warm humbucking tones suitable for rock and blues to articulate,single-coil sounds perfect for clean arpeggios and funky rhythms,the Custom 22 offers something for every musical style.

**Reliable Performance:** The PRS patented tremolo system provides exceptional tuning stability,ensuring that the guitar stays in tune even during aggressive tremolo use. The overall build quality and attention to detail contribute to a durable and reliable instrument that can withstand the rigors of gigging and recording.

**Enhanced Expressiveness:** The resonant tonewoods and responsive pickups enhance the player’s ability to express themselves musically. The guitar’s sensitivity to nuances in picking and fingerstyle techniques allows for a wide range of expressive possibilities. Guitar players that want a diverse but elegant instrument for a myriad of musical stylings will find the Custom 22 to be a very useful and attractive tool.

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## FAQs Section

**Is the PRS Custom 22 suitable for all musical genres?**
Yes, its versatile pickup configurations and tonal options make it well-suited for a wide range of genres, including rock, blues, jazz, country, and pop. The Custom 22 expertly caters to different musical styles.

**What is the difference between the Custom 22 and Custom 24?**
The primary difference is the number of frets. The Custom 22 has 22 frets,while the Custom 24 has 24 frets. This impacts the placement of the neck pickup and can slightly affect the tonal characteristics. Also, some players prefer the neck pickup placement on a 22-fret guitar.

**How does the PRS Custom 22 compare to a Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster?**
The Custom 22 is often considered a hybrid between a Les Paul and a Stratocaster.It offers a similar sustain and warmth to a Les Paul but with more clarity and versatility.Compared to a Stratocaster, it provides more sustain and a thicker tone while still retaining some of the Strat’s brightness and articulation. It is realy the best of both worlds, while maintaining a very PRS sound.

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## Competitor Comparison

### Product Comparison Overview

#### Paul Reed Smith Custom 22
– **Body:** Mahogany with Figured Maple Top
– **Pickups:** PRS Proprietary Humbuckers with Coil-Split
– **Tremolo:** PRS Patented Tremolo system
– **Neck profile:** Pattern Regular or Pattern Thin

#### Gibson les Paul Standard
– **Body:** Mahogany with Maple Top
– **Pickups:** Burstbucker Humbuckers
– **Bridge:** Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stopbar Tailpiece
– **Neck Profile:** Asymmetrical Slim Taper

#### Fender American Professional II Stratocaster
– **Body:** Alder
– **Pickups:** V-Mod II Single-Coil strat Pickups
– **tremolo:** 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Bent Steel Saddles
– **Neck Profile:** Deep “C”

### Key Differences Summary
The PRS Custom 22 offers greater tonal versatility than the Les Paul, thanks to its coil-splitting capabilities. it boasts superior tuning stability compared to a Stratocaster due to the PRS patented tremolo system. However, the Les Paul provides a more traditional, heavier tone. The Stratocaster offers a distinct single-coil sound and a more traditional Fender feel. For players who like the sound and stability of a modern tremolo system,then the Custom 22 woudl be their choice.

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## Ideal user Profile

**Working Musicians:** The PRS Custom 22 is an excellent choice for working musicians who need a reliable and versatile instrument that can handle a wide range of gigs and recording sessions. Its tonal adaptability and stable tremolo system make it a valuable tool for covering various musical styles.

**Serious Hobbyists:** Discerning guitar enthusiasts who appreciate exceptional craftsmanship and tonal versatility will find the Custom 22 to be a worthwhile investment. Its premium features and playability provide an inspiring and rewarding playing experience. It fills a void for those hobbyist that want an instrument that they can grow into.

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## Buying Recommendations & Conclusion

when deciding on the PRS custom 22, consider what tonal footprint you wish to achieve. If you desire a wide range of tonal options within the realm of articulate humbuckers, combined with coil-splitting, the Custom 22 can grant years of joy.

the Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 remains a top-tier instrument in 2025. As for whether it is the “best” is subjective, there are other guitars that do specific things as well or better, but very few that can do so many things so well. It provides an excellent balance of craftsmanship, tonal versatility, and playability. While advancements in guitar technology continue, the core design and features of the Custom 22 have proven to be timeless and relevant, making it a solid investment for serious guitarists seeking a high-performance instrument that seamlessly blends the best of both worlds. Its enduring appeal makes it a guitar that could be your number one for decades.
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