PRS 35th Anniversary S2 Custom 24 2020 - Scarlet Red

This is a 2020 PRS 35th Anniversary S2 Custom 24 in Scarlet Red, a limited-edition anniversary model that took the familiar Custom 24 platform and gave it one of the more interesting electronics layouts PRS has offered in the S2 line. Built to celebrate 35 years of PRS guitar making, it combines the fundamentals of the Custom 24 with switching inspired by Paul’s Guitar, giving each pickup its own mini-toggle for independent humbucker or single-coil operation.

The Scarlet Red finish is especially good on this one. There is strong flame running across the maple top from horn to horn, and the deep transparent red brings out a ton of movement without hiding the grain. Between the carved contours, natural maple binding effect, cream pickup rings, clear lampshade knobs and bird inlays, it has that unmistakable PRS look while feeling a little more traditional than some of the darker burst finishes. The mahogany back and neck are finished in a similarly rich red, so the entire guitar feels cohesive rather than the top being the only visual centerpiece.

Construction is classic PRS: maple top over a mahogany back, set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 frets and a 25" scale length. One important detail on the 35th Anniversary S2 is the Pattern Regular neck carve. It has a little more substance than the thinner modern PRS profiles without feeling oversized, and it gives the guitar a comfortable, familiar feel whether you are playing rhythm or working higher up the neck.

The biggest change from factory on this particular guitar is also a very worthwhile one. The original 85/15 “S” pickups have been replaced with a set of Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates humbuckers. These are vintage-output, PAF-inspired pickups with a strong midrange presence, open top end and plenty of character when pushed. They suit this guitar extremely well, especially because the original anniversary switching has been retained and wired correctly.

That electronics layout is one of the reasons these 35th Anniversary models are so cool. You get a traditional three-way pickup selector along with two individual mini-toggles, one for each pickup. Each Pearly Gates can therefore be run as a full humbucker or split independently, giving you everything from warm neck humbucker tones and a more aggressive bridge voice to much leaner single-coil-style sounds and mixed combinations. I fully tested the switching and electronics, and everything is functioning exactly as it should.

The rest of the hardware remains original, including the PRS molded tremolo and locking tuners. The guitar has had a recent setup, intonation is spot on, and the frets are in excellent condition. Action is comfortable and medium, and overall playability is exactly where I would want a PRS like this.

Condition is excellent overall. There are some light scratches and small surface marks here and there if you go looking for them under the right lighting, but nothing major and nothing that takes away from how clean the guitar presents. The top in particular still looks fantastic, with that strong Scarlet Red flame doing most of the talking.

It includes the original PRS hardshell case along with the complete case candy, hangtags, warranty paperwork and original documentation shown in the photos. The factory pickups are not included.

What stood out to me

• Limited-edition 2020 PRS 35th Anniversary S2 Custom 24
• Beautiful Scarlet Red finish with a particularly strong flame maple top
• Maryland-built S2 construction
• Maple top over mahogany back
• 24-fret, 25" scale platform
• Comfortable Pattern Regular mahogany neck
• Rosewood fingerboard with PRS bird inlays
• Upgraded Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates humbuckers
• Vintage-output PAF-style voice with strong mids and an open top end
• Original anniversary electronics retained
• Independent mini-toggle coil splits for each pickup
• Three-way toggle plus individual humbucker/single-coil switching
• All split-coil functions fully tested and working correctly
• Original PRS molded tremolo
• Original locking tuners and remaining hardware
• Excellent fret condition
• Spot-on intonation
• Recent setup
• Excellent overall condition with only light cosmetic marks
• Original PRS hardshell case
• Complete case candy and paperwork included

Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.

⏳ Quick note: These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 3–7 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window!