NGD - PRS Santana SE

[Wattage]

Devadip

Simple, light, tons of chime, wonderful neck (PRS wide/fat), all the things I was looking for. I didn't even really know about this particular model much as I dig Carlos.

2001 MIK PRS Santana SE - seems like it is all mahogany of some sort with a rosewood board. All stock till I made a few minor changes to it.

It was filthy and a little cheesy looking but I picked it up for shits and giggles and even with rusty strings it knocked my socks off. It was fairly cheap but I thought about it for a couple of days before I went back to check it out today and grabbed it. Gave it a good cleaning, a light makeover, a full setup and it is fantastic! Shockingly I don't hate the stock pickups which rarely happens

It was funny I was noodling on it at the store and a nice older Spanish gentleman commented on the guitar saying he loved "Santana!" and he nodded approvingly so for fun I popped out my best Samba Pa Ti and he got this enormous grin on his face. It was a nice omen for the guitar I thought anyways, compared to the normal knuckleheads at GC it was a welcome change of pace.

Before shot with the hideous creme rings, tip and dry board and then after a little cleaning, black rings, chrome Gretsch tip and setup.

 

[beaubrummels]

Looks nice. The clean up and mods put the right kind of life back into it.

I've always wanted to try a Santana, but I know me personally I wouldn't get to use it enough to throw down the coin.

But rock on. That one seems nice.

 

[Mincer]

Nice guitar! I don't get on with the wide/fat necks, but most players like them.

 

[ICTGoober]

If you get tired of it, hit me up. The black rings are a big improvement!

 

[JMP/HBE]

After much better.

 

[Securb]

Scott, another fantastic find. What is in there for pickups?

 

[jeremy]

i have a red one, similar era from the inlays. came with swapped pups so dunno what the stock ones sound like. i have a sns set in mine. love the neck! enjoy the new toy bro

 

[beaubrummels]

Just noticed the inlays. What are those? I've only seen birds and dots on PRS. These look unique.

 

[LRS]

Nice guitar! I like PRS’s a lot… in paper. In practice I can’t become friends with them. I had a McCarthy Soapbar in Whale Blue once. Very pretty axe. Unfortunately it didn’t work for me. But I wish you all the best with your Santana SE! They’re quality guitars, just not mine…

 

[Wattage]

Scott, another fantastic find. What is in there for pickups?

Thanks!

Whatever pickups they used stock, doesn't look like anyone ever opened it up. I pulled them to look but they're just blank base plates so I doubt they are anything special. I imagine G&B or something similar but they have a really good sound in this guitar, little different.

Really this thing is just a light LP DC Special, I imagine any decent buckers would sound good in it.

 

[Wattage]

Just noticed the inlays. What are those? I've only seen birds and dots on PRS. These look unique.

They just look like some sort of pearloid inlay cut in a stripe shape, they seem to blend into the fretboard a bit, hoping they catch some light at gigs.

 

[Wattage]

i have a red one, similar era from the inlays. came with swapped pups so dunno what the stock ones sound like. i have a sns set in mine. love the neck! enjoy the new toy bro

Did yours come with a legit PRS tailpiece? This is the nice lightweight aluminum, wondering if someone swapped it?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Did yours come with a legit PRS tailpiece? This is the nice lightweight aluminum, wondering if someone swapped it?

I think that's what they all come stock with. I had a Singlecut Korina SE that came with the nicer lightweight tailpiece too.

 

[jeremy]

my tailpiece looks the same as yours in the pics, but ill pull it out and take a look. i very happy with the guitar overall

 

[Wattage]

used it for a 2.5hr rehearsal tonight and it was great! Sits a little different than my old Mira did but not far off, really sounds great thru my Orange DT which is my main drain. I use a Bassbreaker 15 with 2 greenbacks as well not too far off of the Orange, all EL84's, super happy

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Congrats! Nice looking guitar after you got it cleaned up :bigthumb:

 

[Mr. B]

The Seth Lover Humbucker set sounds fantastic in those older Santana SE's, so do the Slash A2 Pros.

 

[Mincer]

The Seth Lover Humbucker set sounds fantastic in those older Santana SE's, so do the Slash A2 Pros.

Yes, I'd imagine both do.