PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

[papersoul]

I played a friend's recently purchased PRS Santana SE form 2001 and was floored. Wht a nice import! Better than any import Fender I have played. For what these go for used, I may have to grab one and trick it out with Duncans or Rios and locking tuners! As nice as my CE-22? No, but not too far off, plays very welll and sounds great with a Duncan Custom and 59, he also had a fret dressing performed on it. Really impressed. The earlier SE's seem better than some of the newer models.

I find his SE as good as my great Gibson SG Special.

-Rich

 

[blueman335]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

Like mine too. Nice guitar. Put a pair of Seth's in it.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

PRS SE's are awesome. End of story.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

The early run of PRS SE guitars were fantastic for the price, especially the stop tail versions. Replace the pickups, and they are top notch tone machines. I've got one with a set of Seth Lovers that puts my Gibson SG and Les Paul to shame.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

PRS SE's are awesome. End of story.

Was really surprised after spending some nice time with this SE.
Nice work PRS. I played it along with his USA Peavey Wolfgang Standard and I preferred the SE.

I used to have a Billy Martin SE which had a stop tail. Great guitar but looked cheesy. I much prefer the look, feel and tone of the early Santana SE model with trem. If I get one, I will block the trem.

I would still give the edge to my Gibsons, Fenders and PRS CE, but this SE is not far behind.

I want to get a used Santana and drop in some Rio Grande pickups.

 

[uOpt]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

These are very nice guitars, you just have to watch out for some details of pickup compatibility. The soapbar models don't take US soapbars with the cover on. And it is a safe bet that the neck slot in the humbucker models doesn't take long legs - which moth seths have.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I never liked the diagonal fingerboard inlays. The MIK vibrato bridge is a pale imitation of the American item. The fixed bridge is a better bet.

As some of you already know, I prefer the single cutaway models with P90s.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

The MIK vibrato bridge is a pale imitation of the American item? LOL! Not in my experience, there isn't a lot of difference. I have had plenty of USA Fenders and USA PRSi, plenty of imports, Fenders and some PRS, all the trems worked just fine to me, never had an issue, ever. If I get an early Santana SE, I would block the trem anyway. I haven't found an SE model with stop tail that I find as nice as the ear;ly Santana model. Those slanted inlays are gorgeous and well designed, they have always called me...LOL!

The Early trem Santana model always has been a favorite of mine regarding the SE models.
The trem models just have better resonance and life than stop tail PRS guitars.
I never use a trem so I just block it off and it does its job just fine.
I could always upgrade the trem but why?
I have guitars with American trems and Korean trems and damn if I can tell the difference, but I never use a trem. LOL

I think part if the attraction to me are those diagonal inlays, they are beautiful and call to me. LOL.

-Rich

 

[Mr. B]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I've owned and traded quite a few of the older Santana SE's over the years. To my ears, the stop tail versions usually sound better, although I did have one great sounding trem version. The models released after the diagonal inlays are not as good quality as the earlier ones. The early ones with the ugly pickguard have had the best craftsmanship and tone that I have found.

I do not like anything from the SE models with the fake flame tops on, nor have I found a single cut model that sounds good to me. I was also disappointed in the 2 newer bigger bodied Santana SE's I've played quite a bit.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

My favorite were the early trem Santana with no binding and no pick guard.
Example...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/See-Thru-Bl...-SE-Trem-w-Upgraded-Tusq-XL-Nut-/170926422013

 

[Mr. B]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

Those were great too. Its been harder to find the Earliest non-pickguard models in perfect condition over the years, I think because they were better looking.

 

[tubecrunch]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I remember when these came out, someone asked Prs how they were getting such high quality from imports. He said something like "most companies just send blueprints to an overseas factory and hope for the best. We went over and spent 2 days showing them how to build it the way we like." Yet another example of Prs using common sense to make a better product than Gibson.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

My friend's brother has one with a 500T in the bridge....sounds pretty gnarly.....

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I really like the Billy Marsden SE. Anyone play one? May be a nice pick up for $500-$600 used!

 

[loversmoon]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I have a PRs Se 245 that I just love. Thinking of switching out the pups in it but not sure as to what yet.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I know what is going to happen. I will end up buying a used Santana SE and end up finding it lacking next to my USA PRS or Gibsons and will end up selling it. I should just stick to USA made guitars and stop the horsing around, LOL.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I am going to get this Santana SE and if it doesn't work out, it will be the last import I ever buy. I have tried Japanese Fenders, Mexican Fenders, import Deans, Hamers, Epiphones and have never ever found one to hold a candle to an American made guitgar. If this one fails, I am back 100% American made guitars baby!

 

[Mr. B]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

Well, I mean, if you are comparing it to the American made PRS Santana models it might fall a bit short, but since it lowers your cost several thousand dollars, it might still be worth it.

 

[ParameterMan]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

If you can afford the USA version, why bother? You're not the target market. Now stop whining and go play your multiple awesome US guitars.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS Santana SE = Very impressive!

I really like the Billy Marsden SE. Anyone play one? May be a nice pick up for $500-$600 used!

That must be a rare model. I want to check out the equally exclusive Bernie Martin signature model or, even, a Hamish. (Crusty probably has more info on this topic.)