How are Cort-made PRS SE's?

[Rex_Rocker]

I've got my eye set on an SE 245. I'm dubious of how the quality of the new Indonesian Cort-made stuff is compared to the old World Korean stuff. I would be buying online, so no chance to try before I buy.

Does it hold up? Are they as good? Are they worse? Should I look into something else?

Thanks!

 

[solspirit]

I've got my eye set on an SE 245. I'm dubious of how the quality of the new Indonesian Cort-made stuff is compared to the old World Korean stuff. I would be buying online, so no chance to try before I buy.

Does it hold up? Are they as good? Are they worse? Should I look into something else?

Thanks!

Keep sending it back until you get a good one, that's what I do.

 

[Benjy_26]

FWIW, the best Indo Squiers I've played have been Cort-made.

 

[solspirit]

FWIW, the best Indo Squiers I've played have been Cort-made.

Yeah I've got one thats pretty good.

 

[ErikH]

When did the SE line start being made at Cort Indonesia? I had a SE Singlecut Korina that was fantastic made at World Korea.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

When did the SE line start being made at Cort Indonesia? I had a SE Singlecut Korina that was fantastic made at World Korea.

Probably a year or two back. I've had four Korean SE's which have all been good. I'm honestly dubious of the Cort stuff.

 

[Bogner]

I don't see PRS putting out nonsense. I wouldn't hesitate if that is indeed the guitar you want. The SE stuff is great in that market sector.

 

[ErikH]

My Squier Classic Vibe SN starts with ISSL20 so not sure if it's made by Samick like the IS serial number models or not. It's a 2020 model made in Indonesia, I know that much. Plays and feels fantastic.

 

[Masta' C]

I'm honestly dubious of the Cort stuff.

First off, PRS has their own facility at the Cort factory with independent quality control, etc.

Second, the reviews online pretty much speak for themselves... You'd be hard pressed to find a truly bad experience with the newer SE models.

Third, I've owned both Korean-built and Indonesian-built SE's in addition to USA S2 and Core models. The one I kept and have no plans of ever selling? A Cort-made CU24.

I put on a Core model nut ($20) and locking tuners, but that's all it needed out of the box. The pots and switch are the only things that I'll eventually replace electronics-wise, but they are par for the course at the guitar's respective price point.

​​​

 

[Rex_Rocker]

First off, PRS has their own facility at the Cort factory with independent quality control, etc.

Second, the reviews online pretty much speak for themselves... You'd be hard pressed to find a truly bad experience with the newer SE models.

Third, I've owned both Korean-built and Indonesian-built SE's in addition to USA S2 and Core models. The one I kept and have no plans of ever selling? A Cort-made CU24.

I put on a Core model nut ($20) and locking tuners, but that's all it needed out of the box. The pots and switch are the only things that I'll eventually replace electronics-wise, but they are par for the course at the guitar's respective price point.

​​​

Good to hear, man. I think I might pull the trigger on the SE 245, then. Already have some pickups to go in it. Will probably drop some Gotoh tuners in it and be done.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Paul doesn’t mess around with stuff bearing his name. I remember reading they spent at least a week in Korea after choosing a factory training them how to make a PRS. I’m sure they did the same with Indonesia.

 

[ErikH]

Good to hear, man. I think I might pull the trigger on the SE 245, then. Already have some pickups to go in it. Will probably drop some Gotoh tuners in it and be done.

Change the nut too. In my SE Singlecut Korina, the stock nut was fine for a bit but I ended up swapping it for a bone nut. The slots on stock nut were simply cut too deep. Action was fine but I didn't like how far the strings sat in the grooves. Aside from that, I had put some DiMarzio Air Classics in it.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Change the nut too. In my SE Singlecut Korina, the stock nut was fine for a bit but I ended up swapping it for a bone nut. The slots on stock nut were simply cut too deep. Action was fine but I didn't like how far the strings sat in the grooves. Aside from that, I had put some DiMarzio Air Classics in it.

I remember with all my PRS SE's, the grooves on the nuts have all been too thin. I think they're cut for 9's, and nothing else. Definitely gonna need to file them wider for 11-56's.

 

[LLL]

Cort is still around?

Last time I heard of them was in the 80's. :lol:

 

[solspirit]

Cort is still around?

Last time I heard of them was in the 80's. :lol:

Yeah, and the factory makes guitars for a few name brands. I've got an 02 Squier made there. Pretty sure they do some Ibanez also.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Cort is still around?

Last time I heard of them was in the 80's. :lol:

They’re one of the largest guitar manufacturers in the world.

 

[d1dsj]

I bought 2 last year, a ZM single cut and a Paul’s guitar and both are good guitars. The build and finish on both is great but the Pauls guitar feels a bit more upmarket, the pick ups on the Pauls guitar are very good and the ZM are ok. The fret work on both is excellent as was the set up out of the box. The only let down is the tuners, I haven’t bothered to change them as yet but will do at some point. For the price point, had they put better tuners on then they are serious contenders to not pay for the full fat core models.

 

[soulforger]

As with Epiphone's China factory which produces what I think are even better guitars than ever for EpI believe Core Tek facility in Indonesia where they make the SE line , is only building PRS SE guitars exclusively. I have an SE Custom 24 Floyd Rose that was still built in Korea and it is flawless, it hasn't been touched as far as setting up or tune up since I bought it three years ago and still the frets, intonation and everything are perfect (only thing I have done other than change strings is install a push in Floyd arm kit, a must!). I have played quite a few Indonesian SEs, including the Standards and they are the same quality as mine, excellent. If anything the guitars are getting better and better every year.