Consensus on PRS SE series.

[faisal]

What are the PRS Se series guitars like ?
I am eying the Mikael Akerfeldt SE and the Torero.

Good prices, but i wonder what the quality is like.
Will swap pickups and tuners, maybe the bridge too.

Whats the neck, feel, finish quality, wood etc on these ?

Any experience, or would i be better of saving for a standard PRS guitar.
Thanks

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

They're fantastic guitars for the money. I have a PRS SE Singlecut Trem and it's one of my favorites in my collection.

It's got a pretty fat neck. Noticeably thicker than any of my Fenders, but not quite as thick as my Gibson SG Special.

The finish is poly, but quality of the work is great. Th guitar is about as resonant as any I have played. You can really feel it.

I changed the tuners for locking Schallers, but that's about it. I was planning on changing the pickups but it sounds so good I haven't felt the need to tamper with it.

There will always be people who tell you the only "real" PRS is an American PRS, but the SE series was done right, IMO.

 

[dr. ad]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

mine had a pretty crappily cut nut, but aside from that it's a great all-rounder

 

[apj]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I was actually at the music store the other day. They had a lovely se custom 22 that played better than one or two of the american PRS's. However, they had two or three custom 24's that also slayed the SE so it all depends. PRS are a little hit or miss in my books, I've owned a couple that I have no regrets about parting with as they didn't play as well compared to other guitars

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I've got an SE EG, a SSS config, with tremolo (which I don't use).

Best SRV/Mark Knofler tone I've ever had, despite the scale being shorter than the stock Fender one.

The Custom Zhangbucker Single Coil set David wound for me totally nailed it...

A great guitar for the price. Their construction is head above average for Korean-made guitars. Their nuts are the weakest point, but not life-threatening by any means.

Their finishes are a bit thicker than I'd like, though... but I'm not that anal, all things considered. :cool2:

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

Since PRS decided to quit making lefties I cannot speak for first hand knowledge but my friend loves his SE Paul Allender.

What are the specs on the MA PRS?

 

[faisal]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

Paul Reed Smith SE Mikael Akerfeldt Electric Guitar Features:

* Extra-thick single cutaway mahogany body
* Maple top with flamed maple veneer
* Maple neck with 24 fret ebony fingerboard
* Original PRS bird inlays
* PRS designed tremolo & non-locking tuners
* Gold hardware
* PRS HFS & Vintage bass humbucking pickups
* Volume & tone control with 3-way toggle switch
* "Opeth" logo on top

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I have one and I love it --- it's SUPER resonant, and plays better than any of my other guitars, American made guitars included.

Everything on it is well built.

I recommend them to anyone - they're just awesome guitars.

Their only flaw is ugliness - most of them bring the ugly pretty hard.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

they're not bad guitars but i wouldn't buy one just to replace all the hardware right away.

and yeah, they are ugly. Especially the Opeth one. Opeth is one of my favorite bands but do you really want a gigantic gothic letter "O" on your guitar? To me that says "Sesame Street" way louder than it says "death metal"...

 

[OctopusRider]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I played the SE Custom Semi Hollow a few months ago at a retailer. I played one with the humbuckers and one with the P90s. I didn't like the pickups on either. I thought it felt good to play but it would not hold tune. You'll probably need to replace the tuning keys and pups right off the bat. You might as well go with a graphtech nut too while your at it.

They also had a $3000 PRS Hollowbody. No comparison...although the USA model had wiring issues on the bridge pickup (no sound). The Korean models were actually set up better from the factory than the USA which I thought was strange. I have a feeling the USA has been hanging on the wall for a long time.

For the money you can't beat the SE's though. I'll probably buy one in the next year or so if don't win the lottery and get a USA.

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

If I had to choose between two,I'll get Torero any day.
But here where I lived,even SEs is way overpriced than MIK Ibanez or Schecters. Maybe because PRS guitars already have good reputation for building high quality instrument that most sellers try to take profit as much as they could here.
Sorry for my rambling,its just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

^ no, PRS SE's are overpriced compared to similarly-spec'd Ibanez and Schecters stateside too. It's a PRS thing, not a retail thing.

 

[mule]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I had one of the original Santana SEs when they 1st came out. Change the tuners and pups and you have a real nice axe.

 

[Moonsorrow]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

Very good guitars, but for the prices of the SE`s your likely to find something else that you like better. I recently was looking into SE`s to possibly purchase and ended up buying an excellent used MIM Fender Strat instead for almost half the price!

 

[Diego]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

Search used for an Ibanez SZ320 or SZ520.
Similar specs to a PRS SE, but with better build quality IMO (not to mention an amazing neck heel, unlike the PRS), great stock pickups, and a much cheaper price.
Plus, unlike the PRS SE series, they do look good :

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I have a Paul Allender model. Not the new ones with EMGs but the Purple model. I love it. Tho the pickups need replaced with my JB/Jazz set I ripped out of my Jackson.

 

[sbecker67]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I have an SE Custom 24 25th Anniversary model. So far, I have no complaints. It set up quick and easy. The neck is comfortable and smooth and it sounds great with the CC/PG set I put in.

 

[ricc]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

Search used for an Ibanez SZ320 or SZ520.
Similar specs to a PRS SE, but with better build quality IMO (not to mention an amazing neck heel, unlike the PRS), great stock pickups, and a much cheaper price.
Plus, unlike the PRS SE series, they do look good :

these are brilliant guitars

 

[marvar]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

I have 2 of these, a semi-hollow with p90s hardtail, and a 2nd gen(w/o pickguard) Santana with tremolo,
I tried Dimarzio, GFS, as replacements for the stock P90s, and ended up putting the stock ones back in- they sounded the best, and that was the sound that first made me buy the guitar.
The Santana needed some help in the pickup dept- A tone zone in the bridge, and a mo'joe in the neck fixed that.
Both stay in tune, don't need tuners. Just a good set-up. The trem comes back in tune every time, if you set it up per factory specs.
I really like the neck on these guitars. But, I prefer a 2 volume control, so, I re-wired them using the tone pot as the other vol. I never use tone controls anyway.

 

[marvelous_seven]

Re: Consensus on PRS SE series.

^ no, PRS SE's are overpriced compared to similarly-spec'd Ibanez and Schecters stateside too. It's a PRS thing, not a retail thing.

Oh,:thanks: for clarifying me that,man

SE = Super Economy or Super Expensive??

@Diego : Nice guitar,man. I love me some SZs too,wish they had trem-version of it. :headbang: