PRS SE Custom 24-08 VS Mark Holcomb (comparison)
Our pick: The SE Holcomb, maybe...
The SE Holcomb is more than just a metal guitar, which is something Mark Holcomb wanted to make sure was a part of its final character. And the same is true of the SE Custom 24-08, for roughly the same price. We like the Seymour Duncan pickups in the Holcomb, but it's a matter of taste here and not quality.
In the video below Mark Holcomb talks about how he wanted his signature model to be more than just a metal guitar. His playing style is incredibly technical, so the SE Holcomb can handle a wide range of styles, just like the SE Custom 24. Though the Holcomb has more of a metal "acumen" and the more aggressive Seymour Duncan pickups.
If I were choosing between the two, the Holcomb might be my choice based on playing style, but there are no quality issues here.
Compare Table for the SE Custom 24 and SE Holcomb
You can compare basic specs and pricing for these two guitars here, along with some other PRS guitars in a similar price range. More detailed specs are given down below.
PRS | Name | Rate | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SE Custom 24-08 | n/a | |
| SE Mark Holcomb | n/a | |
 | S2 McCarty 594 Thinline | n/a | |
 | PRS SE Silver Sky | n/a |
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PRS SE Mark Holcomb and SE Custom 24-08 Detailed Specs
Some of these specs are pulled from findMyGuitar which is a fantastic site we'd recommend for comparing electric guitars, specifically. They typically go into more detail than we do here, so check them out if you want to dive deeper.
Note that the findMyGuitar data is pulled by an algorithm, which will - on occasion - be incorrect.
Most of the information here is accurate, but just take it with a grain of salt, and make sure you verify with retailers and/or manufacturers. We also pull specs directly from Sweetwater.
Body
- Body Type: Solidbody
- Body Shape: SE Custom 24-08
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Top Material: Flamed Maple
- Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
- Color: Vintage Sunburst
NECK
- Neck Material: 3-Piece Maple
- Neck Shape: Pattern Wide Thin
- Neck Joint: Set Neck
- Radius: 10"
- Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
- Fingerboard Inlay: White Pearloid Old School Birds
- Number of Frets: 24, Medium Jumbo
- Scale Length: 25"
- Nut Width: 1.6875"
- Nut Material: PPS Plastic
HARDWARE
- Bridge/Tailpiece: PRS Molded Tremolo
- Tuners: PRS Designed
ELECTRONICS
- Neck Pickup: PRS TCI-tuned "S" Humbucker
- Bridge Pickup: PRS TCI-tuned "S" Humbucker
- Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
- Switching: 2-way mini-switch (coil-tap), 3-way blade pickup switch
- Strings: D'Addario, .009-.042
- Case/Gig Bag: Gig Bag
- Manufacturer Part Number: 107994:VS
BODY
- Body Type: Solidbody
- Body Shape: SE Mark Holcomb
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Top Material: Solid Maple with flamed Maple Veneer
- Body Finish: Gloss
- Color: Holcomb Burst
NECK
- Neck Material: Maple
- Neck Shape: Wide Thin
- Neck Joint: Set Neck
- Radius: 20"
- Fingerboard Material: Ebony
- Fingerboard Inlay: PRS Birds
- Number of Frets: 24
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Nut Width: 1.6875"
- Nut Material: Plastic
HARDWARE
- Bridge/Tailpiece: PRS String-through Plate Style
- Tuners: PRS Designed
ELECTRONICS
- Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Scarlet Humbucker
- Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Scourge Humbucker
- Controls: 1 x volume, 1 x tone (push/push coil-tap)
- Switching: 3-way blade pickup switch
MISCELLANEOUS
- Strings: PRS, .010-.052
- Case/Gig Bag: Gig Bag
- Manufacturer Part Number: 111857::HL:
Shared Features
These are the features that are exactly the same in each guitar. As you can see, it's a lot with these two instruments, which is partly why I'd recommend making your choice mostly on your style preferences.
- Same Body Wood
- Same Neck Wood
- Same Headstock
- Same Nut Material
- Same Body Type
- Same pickups versatility
- Same volume control
- Same tone control
- Same pickup configuration
- Same maximum octave (24 frets)
- Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm)
- Same neck comfortability
- Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 0.91'' (23.1mm)
- Same neck comfortability
- Nut Width: 1.688'' (42.9mm)
- Same string separation at the nut
- Pickup type: Passive
Mark Holcomb and Custom 24-08 New Player-Friendly Features
The beginner-friendly features are the exact same in each guitar.
- Comfortable shape
- Easy-to-use bridge
- Tall frets
- Wide nut
- Comfortable neck
- Simple controls
What do these guitars sound like?
With the Seymour Duncan humbuckers, the Holcomb can get a little more aggressive and perhaps thicker, but it's hard to exclude the Custom 24 from heavier styles. Both guitars can do a lot of everything and share the same percussive PRS tone.
Note that the SE Custom 24-08 adds the two mini-toggle switches, giving you some added tone flexibility and eight total tones, hence the name. This is not in the regular SE Custom 24.
Price Comparison
When we wrote this comparison, the Holcomb was a little more expensive than the Custom 24, though not by much. Check the charts below for updated numbers from major retailers.
Note there's a seven string version of the SE Holcomb that is not listed in the pricing table. It's usually noted with SVN in the title.
Price updated Wed, June 07th, 2023.
Multiple Vendors
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What are the major differences?
So, despite very different personas, the PRS SE Custom 24-08 and SE Mark Holcomb only have a few practical differences. The neck shape, pickup configuration, nut width, and top/body construction are all essentially the same. Note that the solid Maple top compared to the quilted Maple top is an aesthetic difference.
The main differences here are the pickups and two mini-toggle switches on the 24-08.
I like having Seymour Duncan pickups in my electrics, but the PRS 85/15 humbuckers in the SE Custom 24 are great as well.
Lots of subjectivity and personal preference to work with here.
There's no bad choice.
If you have questions, leave 'em in the comments section. I respond to all comments and help out as much as possible.
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Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
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