PRS CE 24 Satin Nitro 2020 - Gold Top

This is a 2020 PRS CE 24 Satin Nitro 57/08 in Gold Top, part of a special Ish Guitars-exclusive run that took the familiar USA CE 24 platform and pushed it in a much more vintage-inspired direction. Instead of the usual glossy figured-top treatment and modern-voiced pickups, these were built with an open-pore satin nitrocellulose finish, ebony fretboard and covered 57/08 humbuckers—a combination that gives this guitar a completely different personality from a standard CE 24.

The Gold Top finish is especially cool on this one. It has a textured, almost metallic vintage look that works perfectly with the open-pore satin finish, and you can actually see and feel some of the natural grain character beneath it rather than having everything buried under a thick gloss. The entire front and back carry that gold treatment, while the natural maple neck gives the guitar a really sharp contrast. It is understated compared with a heavily flamed PRS, but in person it has a ton of character.

Construction is classic CE 24 underneath: a mahogany body with maple top, bolt-on maple neck, 25" scale length and 24 frets. This special run adds an ebony fretboard, which is a great match for the warmer 57/08 pickups and gives the guitar a little extra attack and definition. The neck uses PRS’s Pattern Thin carve, and between that profile and the satin feel, it is exceptionally easy to move around on.

The original covered PRS 57/08 pickups are one of the biggest reasons this version is so interesting. They lean much more toward vintage PAF territory than the hotter, more modern pickups normally associated with the CE platform—warm, full and open with plenty of clarity rather than excessive output. The neck position has a thick, musical character without getting muddy, while the bridge has a really nice combination of bite and body.

The electronics retain the versatility you want from a CE 24, with a three-way selector, master volume and push/pull tone control for coil splitting. That means this can move from big vintage-style humbucker sounds into brighter, leaner split tones very quickly. It is a surprisingly broad range for a guitar that visually looks so stripped down and vintage-inspired.

This particular one plays exceptionally well. The action is low and effortless, the frets are excellent, the neck is straight, intonation is spot on and the current setup passed inspection exactly as it sits. At 7.09 lbs on my scale, it is also a very comfortable weight and feels lively and responsive in the hands.

Condition is excellent overall. There are some light scuffs and handling marks here and there in the satin finish, which this type of open-pore nitro tends to show more readily than a polished gloss finish, but there is nothing significant or distracting. The body, neck, backside and fretboard are all very clean, and the hardware and electronics function exactly as they should.

The strings currently on it are still perfectly usable, although they are nearing the point where I would personally replace them. It includes a gig bag.

What stood out to me

• 2020 PRS CE 24 Satin Nitro special run
• Ish Guitars-exclusive specification
• Gold Top open-pore satin nitrocellulose finish
• Mahogany body with maple top
• Natural maple bolt-on neck
• Pattern Thin neck carve
• Ebony fretboard
• 24-fret, 25" scale CE platform
• Original covered PRS 57/08 humbuckers
• Warm, vintage-inspired pickup character
• Push/pull coil splitting
• Three-way pickup selector
• Excellent fret condition
• Effortless low action
• Spot-on intonation
• Very comfortable 7.09 lbs on my scale
• Excellent overall condition
• Light satin-finish scuffing consistent with careful use
• Gig bag 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!