Best Amp for a PRS Custom 24 (our top pick)
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Any of the Mesa Boogie amps would make a good fit for the PRS Custom 24 core model. But we really like the Badlander, which we've tested and had a great experience with. All wattage versions include a built-in Cab Clone which allows you to play with headphones and no speaker hooked up. The tone is heavy, modern, and percussive, which melds really nicely with PRS guitars.
The PRS Custom 24 is one of the nicest and most sought after guitars on the market. Both versions are popular in their respective price ranges: The core model, which we're focusing on here, and the more affordable SE version.
Read the full review: PRS SE Custom 24
As for the Badlander, it puts out the heavy and percussive Mesa tones we love, which plays really nicely with the deeper and more rhythmic profile of the Custom 24. As a pair, they give you the capability of a really modern and metal-focused rig, though both the amp and guitar have the flexibility to handle lighter styles.
You could go with the Badlander, though we also really like the Dual Rectifier and the Mark V, if you're going to stay within the Mesa brand.
It's hard to go wrong with Mesa amps, especially if you're pairing one with a PRS electric.
More amps we like for the PRS Custom 24
This comparison table includes four amps in addition to the Mesa Badlander that we like for pairing with the core model PRS Custom 24. If you want to compare more amps, launch the search window below to browse through our database.
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Amp | Name | Rate | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa Badlander | n/a | |
 | Mesa Dual Rectifier | n/a | |
 | Mesa Mark V | n/a | |
 | Marshall JCM800 | n/a | |
 | Diezel VH2 | 91.2 |
Compare More Amps
We have products in our database that can be added to the compare bar at the bottom of this page, in addition to the options in the table above. We're continuously adding to this database, but a lot of the most popular amps are already included. Launch the search window and add amps that you'd like to compare.
For most of our product reviews we take our own photos, in-house. Thank goodness for portrait mode. For those interested in using these photos, that is completely fine with us as long as you give us credit and don't claim the work as your own. Simply linking to guitarchalk.com near the photo is totally fine.
The Badlander is a modern, warm tube amplifier from Mesa/Boogie that's a great fit for the PRS Custom 24.
Methodology
To make our recommendations we draw on first hand experience. For example, we have used and tested the Mesa Badlander in our office and have taken original photography.
And even if we don't directly test, we stick to recommendations from brands and products we trust. We also consult with guitar players and musicians who have used the gear we write about. We do not use AI, or third party marketing services to write our content.
Recommendations like this one are also made based on a combination of quality and price. In other words, we're trying to provide value and not just the highest quality option.
When we use the term "value" we're referring to the lowest possible price meeting the highest possible quality standard. Our picks are always based on this ideal, within a range and within reason.
If you have questions about our methodology, feel free to contact us.
Price Comparison for the Mesa Badlander
Prices updated as of Fri, December 08th, 2023.
Features of the Badlander
There are multiple wattage variations of the Badlander, though keep in mind that we've highlighted the basic 25-watt version in the amp head form. Features we like include two channels, three modes for each channel (clean, crunch, and crush), onboard CabClone, power reduction selector, and headphone output.
FAQ
Yes. The Badlander has combo versions of the amp available, including a 25 and 50 watt version.
Yes. The amp head has a headphone output, which is unusual for a tube amp. With most tube amps you must have a speaker connected to use the amp because of the speaker load. However, on the Badlander, there's a built-in CabClone which handles the speaker load and allows you to use headphones without an external speaker cab. Though you can certainly use an external speaker cab as well.
Probably not. Because the nicer your amp, the less likely you're going to need a distortion pedal. Amps should be your go-to distortion source, and the Mesa Badlander, along with the other amps in the above table, can definitely handle it without needing a distortion pedal.
If you want an amp that's cheaper than what we've listed here, you could checkout the Peavey Invective series, the Blackstar tube amps, or the Orange Amps tube heads/combos.
Conclusion
With a guitar as expensive as the Custom 24, you should to get an amp that meets a similar quality standard. If you stay within well-known brands like Marshall, Mesa, and even the cheaper brands we recommended, you're in safe territory.
As with any recommendation, make sure and do the vetting yourself based on your specific budget, playing style, and feature prioritizations.
If you have questions about these amps, the PRS Custom 24, or something else, feel free to hit us up in the comments section below.
We'll see you there.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Comparisons
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