Early PRS guitars are hot. The most desirable is the Custom 24 in vintage yellow with bird inlays. One of the biggest factors making these early guitars special are the first edition pickups with the tell tale stamped T & B into the rear cover. PRS pickups were changed in 1987/88 to standard treble and standard bass units, making these earlier ones extremely sought after.

This 1987 Custom 24 is a pretty special guitar. It possesses everything that makes for a highly collectible PRS; bird inlays on a Brazilian rosewood board, flamed vintage yellow top, the rare T & B stamped pickups and the ultra special 'Mike Deeley Star' star in the neck pickup cavity. It doesn't get much better than this.

Original tremolo arm, case with keys, paperwork and warranty card from original purchase are included. There is a slight blemish on the back corner near the electronics plate, it is hard to see but it's there (see photo).

1987 PRS Custom 24 'Mike Deeley Star'

SKU: 471

$17,999.00

PRS made less than 400 guitars in 1985 during their five months in operation (August - December) and by the end of 1989 had manufactured over 7000 guitars. They had two models available when they launched, and it remained that way for three years. The first was an all-mahogany PRS guitar which in 1987 became the Standard and the second a curly maple capped Custom which is now known as the Custom 24.

The PRS guitar was offered in natural or solid color finishes while The PRS Custom was offered in transparent colors to highlight the figured maple tops.

In addition to these two models the company released a limited run of the PRS guitar in a custom striped finish called the Metal and in 1986 a highly figured Custom hand signed by Paul dubbed the Signature series.

From PRS guitars website: Basic Features By 1985

• Back angled 3 on-a-side non-veneered headstock
• One-piece mahogany glued in neck, regular shape
• 25” scale length, 24-fret
• Single-action truss rod (double action fitted from late ’91).
• 10” radius Brazilian rosewood board (Indian from '91)
• Mother-of-pearl/Abalone moon inlays (birds optional).
• One-piece mahogany body or back.
• Pickups were originally Standard Treble and Standard Bass. End slugs on E & B changed in '87 to reduce high end. Changed on CE, Custom and Standard to HFS Treble and Vintage Bass by November '91.
• PRS Tremolo System, Schaller/PRS locking tuners, low friction nut.

PRS: 1985 - 1987. Evolved from pre-’85 all-mahogany guitar, became Standard in 1987.

CUSTOM 24: 1985 - Current. The definitive original PRS, figured maple top, mahogany back and neck, rosewood fretboard, volume and 5-way rotary offered until 2010, 5 way blade switch 2011 – present. Brazilian rosewood fretboard until 1991, PRS Tremolo and locking tuners, stop tail offered from 1993.

1987 PRS Custom 24 'Mike Deeley Star'

The PRS guitar and the Custom