PRS SE - Amazing Consistency & Playability

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banned

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I gotta say, PRS is producing some of the best guitars with their SE series. Just nuts how consistent they are and how AMAZING they play. I've been through my share of expensive guitars (still have a few - Tom Anderson, EBMM Axis etc.) and I would say these SEs play better than almost anything once set up properly.

If anything is off in setup when you play one, typically a small truss rod adjustment is all that's needed to bring it back to amazing. I'm blown away by what PRS is achieving out of their import factory presently (I've also owned 2 PRS Cores in the past for reference). When I compare the recent Squier I purchased for $480 to the PRS I bought for $680....often you can find them in the $5XX), there is such a jump in quality and playability.
 
I have three, a Custom 24, McCarty 594, and Silver Sky, all modded to my taste, all great guitars. I have a couple of US mad PRS’s as well including a Custom 24, and I have had several others over the years. There are some duds in the SE batch and some have less than great wiring but when you get a good one they are really good, and with a little work can be really great. My SE Custom 24 is one of the best playing guitars I have, and that is saying something, trust me.
 
Frankencat said:
I have three, a Custom 24, McCarty 594, and Silver Sky, all modded to my taste, all great guitars. I have a couple of US mad PRS’s as well including a Custom 24, and I have had several others over the years. There are some duds in the SE batch and some have less than great wiring but when you get a good one they are really good, and with a little work can be really great. My SE Custom 24 is one of the best playing guitars I have, and that is saying something, trust me.
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Yes, when you get a properly set-up PRS (including SE), the feeling is sublime. I can't say I've gotten quite that feeling from other guitars yet - close, but not all the way. I think it has something to do with that trem bridge. That's a special unit...especially at the SE price point.

I normally don't like quilt - but that's a nice guitar!
 
One day I will own a PRS. I'm always on the lookout for a black Dave Navarro Sig but have not found any yet at a decent price.

I have played a few SE's at the local music store and they all have played pretty good just off the rack. Probably amazing once you spend an hour or so setting it up properly.
 
Eagle said:
Yes better than they were but cheaper hardware and meh pickups still makes a USA model worth it.
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I've owned both - a USA Core PRS DGT and a DGT SE. I sold the USA DGT because it was 9+ lbs and kept the SE. The SE is every bit the equal guitar to the US (although, no locking tuners). Playability and tonally, it is just as good. I infact prefer the SE because of the body carve which doesn't dig into the forearm as much as the USA Violin carve. Of course, doesn't mean that this carries to all models - but I will say, in general, I find the SE pickups to be very good.
 
banned said:
I've owned both - a USA Core PRS DGT and a DGT SE. I sold the USA DGT because it was 9+ lbs and kept the SE. The SE is every bit the equal guitar to the US (although, no locking tuners). Playability and tonally, it is just as good. I infact prefer the SE because of the body carve which doesn't dig into the forearm as much as the USA Violin carve. Of course, doesn't mean that this carries to all models - but I will say, in general, I find the SE pickups to be very good.
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Strongly disagree about it being even close but if you liked it that’s what counts.
 
I have a SE silver sky thats pretty great. Neck has shrunken over the last 6 months I've had it, so now the fret ends need to be filed, but otherwise love it


Overall I do think the SEs are probably the best import option out there right now. I've played a lot that I've felt were uninspiring, but still were solid instruments. I have yet to come across any that I would say are "as good" as my USA models, but still very nice line. Something still feels different overall to me, they feel like a cortek instrument that looks like a PRS, which isn't a bad thing at all, and unsurprising as that is literally what they are. My S2s and Core feel like a different experience in comparison though
 
I love PRS Cores, but I don't really like figured tops, and they've also outpaced inflation by a pretty significant amount. A Custom 24 should be about $3800-$4000, not $4600. I'd rather buy an S2, and swap the bridge for a Mann-Made. Really annoyed they don't do it in solid colors anymore.
 
paisleywookiee said:
I love PRS Cores, but I don't really like figured tops, and they've also outpaced inflation by a pretty significant amount. A Custom 24 should be about $3800-$4000, not $4600. I'd rather buy an S2, and swap the bridge for a Mann-Made. Really annoyed they don't do it in solid colors anymore.
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For all the price-griping that goes on across the interweb, its impressive that PRS manages to fly mostly under the radar considering they're one of the most egregious offenders :LOL:
 
A few years back I walked into GC to buy a really nice Taylor acoustic, but an SE’s top caught my eye first. Less than 10 minutes later I was walking out of the store with it. I just couldn’t believe how well it played and how well it was put together for the cost. I eventually sold it when I got my Strats and could no longer gel with the SE’s neck, but I sold it to my best friend so I can play it whenever I go to Boston.
 
Meanwhile, if you made that comment at TOP....

bane-no.gif
 
Eagle said:
Yes better than they were but cheaper hardware and meh pickups still makes a USA model worth it.
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Mine always get a Mann upgrade and new electronics, USA or not. I agree to a point, for SE’s they are still priced well enough to be a good value proposition if you find a really good one. For the S2’s it’s a little less because of the initial price vs used Core model, depending on the model. Some USA PRS are so expensive that you are not going to get close, like the 594, DGT, and of course stuff like Modern Eagle and Private Stock can be in the $5k-$10k used. Anyway, the SE series is still a good value at under a grand and even better at around the $600-$800 mark.
 
Sleezy E said:
Sounds like a good time for a slight derail.. since all the prs heads are in here.

There's a local 2004 CE 24 with 57/08 pickups and the 5 way rotary has been swapped for a three way switch..

1200 a good deal? It would be my first prs..

View attachment 32992
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Do it!! Great price. I’ve been dying to get my hands on an older CE24. I have a newer USa one and PRS snobs consider those “lesser” because of the shallower body carve, scarf joint, trem, and no recessed knobs. But truthfully it’s my favorite guitar rn. I like it better than my core

If it’s actually better than a current production CE24 as many claim than it’s gonna be a beast
 
spawnofthesith said:
Do it!! Great price. I’ve been dying to get my hands on an older CE24. I have a newer USa one and PRS snobs consider those “lesser” because of the shallower body carve, scarf joint, trem, and no recessed knobs. But truthfully it’s my favorite guitar rn. I like it better than my core

If it’s actually better than a current production CE24 as many claim than it’s gonna be a beast
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This one is a bolt on neck, which I honestly thought all ce's were set necks
 
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