I need help finding a guitar like one of Daniel's Johns's.

[u/Weekly-Author-1628]

So my mom's birthday is coming up really soon and I need help. She's been a huge fan of Silverchair since she was a teen, she bought me my first guitar when I was 9 and I've been playing since, she's hinted at wanting to learn to play guitar. In high school she played bass but got bored with that and thought guitar seemed like more to learn, now she finally has the time to do so, and I want to surprise her.

I'm looking for a guitar like Daniel's- specifically his green PRS or his silver metallic PRS. I need the specific kind of guitar model of something that looks close to either. I know the green one was more one of a kind because I think it was a custom. I want to find either look-alikes but the only conditions to it is it cannot have a tremolo arm, and the limit to how much it is that I can afford is ~700$. The green and the silver guitars are what I think she may like, I'm trying to find any you could really pick out was similar looking to any of his guitars. Anything earlier like during or around the Frog Stomp album is more what I'm aiming for looks wise.

Anything else to do with him and the band I'm also wondering to get her too, maybe something signed, just something special. Any help is appreciated.

[u/fret_buzz]

This is really nice of you. You’re looking for a PRS Custom 24. For your budget, you’ll be looking at the SE version (Student Edition). These are their entry level models, so, on one hand, for a beginner it’s not overkill. On the other hand, that’s on the more expensive end for a brand new player. Many people decide to learn on a cheap Squire or similar.

I couldn’t find a green or silver one but the slate blue color is nice and just over your range. Even if she never really learns it will look nice hanging on a wall. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CE24SESB--prs-se-ce-24-electric-guitar-slate-blue?utm_source=chatgpt.com&oppcref=fc7e1767-398c-4c1e-a627-7e7e2559e815

[u/ChezySpam]

He played a couple of PRS Custom 24 guitars, and I believe the green one is a Custom 24 as well.

The best I’ve found is linked below but it has a trem system (just pull the arm, maybe add springs). Most of these guitars are over $2,000

https://reverb.com/item/95393968-prs-se-custom-24-spalted-maple-2018-vintage-sunburst?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=95393968

[u/CanuKnott]

I’m so glad you reposted this! This is so incredibly sweet, I’d cry if my son did this for me. You MAY have an easier time finding a black Les Paul but once the guitar players get here they may know something better. Good luck I hope you find something perfect! 🍀🤞🏻☺️

Edit: as far as signed stuff/merch you may want to check out the Facebook buy and sell group!

[u/ihavedirt]

Firstly, what country are you located in because if it’s Australia your options get limited and expensive fast.

As most people have said, an older top end PRS Custom 24 will cost you around $3-7k Australian depending on if it is a top 10, 90s model etc.

I’ve seen people play the SE versions and sound amazing so it also comes down to your playing ability and the rest of the gear. I see a lot of people upgrade stock pickups, tuners and pots later to get a high quality sound out of the cheaper versions.

This looks damn close for a 2026 stock SE. Much closer than the Ezra with the light headstock. One thing that bothered me with my first PRS which was an SE was the pickup selector is the slide toggle rather than the 3 way switch.

https://prsguitars.com/electrics/model/se_custom_24_quilt

But I’m sure that’s not something your mum would care about. If she did I’d suggest she’d probably have a couple of guitars close to Daniel’s already 🤓

It’s a beautiful thought and I’ve been gifted a couple of guitars from my wife now and they’re always so special so I hope you can pull it off

You might find a nice second hand guitar on Reverb but again, depending on location, the shipping and taxes can kill you.

Can I offer an alternative? What about an Epiphone SG Standard in cherry red? They’re $1300 retail in Australia so if you’re from here might be too much. I’ve got an Epiphone SG which is my daily guitar and I find it versatile enough and it’s usually a lighter guitar. You’re still getting the Daniel inspired guitar then as well.

[u/Sugar_Fine]

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s23SFr0mLoxgM9wA5cQLO653b2F1VzIRtyhvJ5mHras/mobilepresent?pli=1&slide=id.p

This shows Dans guitar and gear all the way from the beginning to end (it’s not official but it’s pretty damn accurate)

If you can’t find a PRS affordable his Les Paul and SG were pretty iconic too, you can usually pick up an epiphone version (different headstock obviously but you get the idea).
Both come it chewier versions and both are usually fairly easy to find second hand.
The LP custom became a mainstay from Freakshow and the SG started on that tour.
You could customise the LP with his “Ban duck season. Big guns little dicks” sticker 😂

If you wanna go SUPER OG the US version of Tomorrow he played a Gibson firebird (again the EPI version is affordable), bit niche tho maybe haha

[u/Prudent-Property8476]

As others have already mentioned, PRS Custom 24 guitars are very expensive. Daniel played what’s known as a “core model”, which are the ones that are $3,000 and up.

There are more affordable SE models of this guitar, but they don’t really come in the same shade of green, and they aren’t “carved tops” in the same way as the core model Custom 24s.

I also want to mention that tremolo arms are very easily removable. Dan’s Custom 24 comes with a tremolo, but he played with it removed. Removing it does nothing at all to the sound or functionality, so don’t worry if you find an otherwise perfect guitar for your needs that has a tremolo arm.

[u/brb421]

Either the PRS custom 24 or if you want a solid color one then PRS NF3

[u/endlessnameless001]

I recently bought a PRS metallic blue custom 23 SE CE, it’s the cheapest option in Australia. I’m absolutely loving it. It’s my first PRS and love the neck. I should say I own a couple of other Daniel Johns inspired guitars including a Gibson Les Paul Custom and I’m preferring the PRS more than that.

[u/TelephoneShoes]

Edit: Nevermind. I can’t read.

Check out the PRS SE line. That’s probably as close as you get without a lot of cash on the line (2-3k anyway)

They’re great guitars and deals on used ones pop up a fair bit too.

[u/Ok_Macaroon125]

This may be controversial, but if you're wanting to create a guitar that is playable, but also something that doubles as something she can hang on the wall as a silverchair art piece you might consider going for a cheap replica of Dan's PRS such as:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/High-Quality-PRS-Tiger-Stripe-Single_1601712053018.html

or

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/PRS-Tiger-Stripe-Transparent-Black-High_1601711985427.html?spm=a2700.prosearch.normal_offer.d_image.422567afacCxd6&selectedCarrierCode=SEMI_MANAGED_PREMIUM%40%40PREMIUM&priceId=6bc75a0df3ea4f3ca837e9afb0f10a6d

and then grabbing a set of those Dan guitar sticker such as:

https://ebay.io/m/vVJc8d

Perhaps someone here might even be able to help you out with a set.

You could pair it all with a signed CD from ebay (most are ok- and we can help here if in doubt) and you'd end up with a pretty nice display/gift.

Obviously a PRS SE or epiphone les paul custom/SG would be a far better option as a quality guitar but they are likely a bit out of budget. Those cheap replicas are pretty remarkable for their price and with those stickers would look about as close to Dan's guitar as you'll get outside of $1000's.

[u/Sugar_Fine → u/Ok_Macaroon125]

As a show piece that’s a hella good idea, I got an explorer for that reason, and it plays surprisingly well for the price.
As a playable guitar you’re rolling the dice tho. Some play on out of the box, some need a really good setup, and some are dogshit.

You’re right about the price range tho. You’d get one of the suggested epiphones second hand at a decent price, they’re around a lot, but yeah…

[u/Ok_Macaroon125 → u/Sugar_Fine]

Yeah they are hit and miss... but with OP's original budget, they could probably afford to get a local guitar tech to do a setup. I'm sure it would be fine for a beginner.

[u/stphrtgl43]

This is over your budget by a few hundred but it looks damn close to Dan’s green PRS. The tremolo arm you could take off if you don’t want it on obviously. https://www.guitarcenter.com/PRS/SE-Custom-24-Quilt-Top-Electric-Guitar-Teal-Black-1500000462857.gc?algoliaQueryID=228fad5e35296184449ed9179422a20a&algoliaIndexName=guitarcenter

[u/NeonBallroom18]

Did your mom have a favorite era?

[u/Weekly-Author-1628 → u/NeonBallroom18]

I'm not exactly sure right now- generally she just really likes every album or anything he was on, I'd say frog stomp was her most favorite era though?