Will a 24 fret guitar throw off my playing if I am used to playing on a 22 fret guitar?

Question

Hi, right now I am playing on a 22 fret Epiphone Les Paul. I am looking in to buying a PRS SE 25th Anniversary Custom 24 guitar, but I don't really know much about it. First off, I would like some info and opinions one the Custom 24. Also, would switching from a 22-fret to a 24-fret throw me off?

Answer 1

The PRS is a far, far better guitar - that's for sure. This would be almost like comparing a push bike to a good car :-)



The number of frets is not that important - all it says is that you have two extra frets... What may be of importance to you is the scale length. I think the PRS uses 25", while the Gibson (and I guess also Epiphone) has a slightly shorter scale - 24.75".



Even if this means a tiny difference in the distance between the frets, the difference is really too small to pose any issues - at least I have never heard anything of that nature and it sure doesn't make any difference to me :-)

Answer 2

If you need those 2 extra frets, you need a 24-fret guitar because the only way you can reach those notes is through bending a whole tone at the 22nd fret. Almost impossible to reach a whole tone bend on a fast riff. The 24-fret guitar has an advantage. Those 2 extra frets give greater ease to play at the 12th fret and upward especially for arpeggios (sweeps). If you can't afford another guitar, you have to learn and compensate in your playing.

Answer 3

you'll barely notice the extra frets, unless your a metal shredder or something. and scale lenght wont make much difference as long as you keep you eyes open while you play for the first few weeks.



but PRS's have really wide flat necks, which feel totally different in your hand to an epiphone... feels odd at first but you grow to love it i expect.



and the tone of a PRS will kill the Epiphone (through a decent amp).

Answer 4

I switch between 22 and 24 and I never notice the difference.

Answer 5

Well you'll probably like the PRS.



I'll even say it doesn't matter about guitar because if like (most) players you use an fx processor it doesn't matter about the sound of the guitar really.



It does not throw you off - personal experience.



What can throw you off is scale size.



I believe normal guitar is 29.5"



small scale (small bass) is 32"



long scale (standard bass scale) 34"



extra long scale (extra long bass - like I play) - 36"





The scale is the space from the bridge to the nut.