PRS SE 245. What you think?

Diego

Diego

New member
I really don't have much of a reason for this, but GAS has struck. Hard.

I'm thinking of replacing my Ibanez SZ320 with a PRS SE 245 or a Singlecut. Probably a 245 because it's more "LP-correct", short scale, single cut, four knobs and everything.
Now I can't really think of any critical reasons to do this. But I could do it.

I mean, I really like my SZ. It's not perfect, but I like it a lot. It's got some dead spots, the bridge position is hard to get to sound right, and the neck is too sticky.
And it's got more of a bright, percussive sound rather than a big fat sound. So nice and clear for riffs but it lacks some thump.

I don't have any guarantees that the PRS SE 245 would objectively be any better in these aspects. But I want one.
So share whatever's on your mind on this.

Would you do it? Have you played both models? Am I being stupid?
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

Every one I have handled has been put together nicely, but they do not compare at all to the USA versions..very different guitars despite the name. They do not sound very LP-ish. They are much clearer in tone, and like anything they vary alot in just how good they sound. Personally if you are looking for a LP style and tone in a low priced package, I would be looking at Epiphone. They are very consistent these days, and the new pro series buckers are damn good pickups....plug in and rock out
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

Heck yeah. The 245 and Bernie Marsden model are some of the best SE's.

Out with the old, in with the new!
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I've played a bunch PRS SE singlecut style guitars, and I own a PRS SE Torero. I plan on getting another SE eventually. The SE's are super solid and they play great. The pickups aren't perfect but that's what Duncan's are for. The fretwork has been good on every model I've tried. I've never been dissatisfied with the quality and playability of an SE. I say buy one buy one. Or at the very least try one.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

The Fredrik Åkesson model is another SE worth looking in to with the 24.5" scale.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

They are excellent guitars for the money, but not near the same level as a USA made PRS. They are along the lines of a high end Schecter Diamond Series...

IMO they're made far better than an Epiphone, the fretwork is top notch on them.

However, if you want a true Les Paul tone, with all its deficits, an Epiphone with a pickup upgrade will do the trick. You'd have to play them side by side to see what you prefer/what tradeoffs youre willing to make
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I've got a Gibson LP Classic Honeyburst that I don't want to take out live anymore for fear of damage. I wanted a similar feel, but at a price that wouldn't break my heart if anything happened to it. I tried out the Epi's and PRS and other similar guitars, and fell in love with the PRS Akerfeldt SE. The feel is very similar, the neck is better, and the quality was superb. When I got it home, the sound was just too bright with my rig. Since I swap guitars every set, I needed it to fit in better so I put in the Liberater switcher and tried the PU's I had onhand. I ended up settling on the Custom Custom. Nice and warm like the Paul but more power. I love this guitar! If you want it to be more Paul-like, just use Seth's or A2's. You won't regret the SE.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

The SE line is very well put together but I find that they are way too much like all the other Korean made imports. And reselling can be troublesome.

On the other hand, I don't think you actually like your Ibanez so some gear flipping is advised.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I used to have a singlecut SE. I recently bought a les paul, so I sold it to a buddy. I haven't tried the 245 scale, but I thought I could give you a few observations, hopefully objective, as a former SE owner.

The guitar was really, really well made. Well-intonated, stayed in tune, even with the somewhat questionable nut. The hardware and electronics were good. I swapped the pickups for duncans, but even the stock ones were o.k. But with the pickup swap (I did the standard JB/jazz combo) the guitar sounded great. If I were you I'd try to get one used or at least on sale, b/c you don't get much back from them if you resell, which is unfortunate, because they are really good guitars. plus you can use the savings for a pickup swap.

The only thing I didn't like was the 25" scale, kinda neither fish nor foul, so the 245 idea sounds great to me. They all have the rather thick "asian import" paint/finish, but for the price that's to be expected. The thing I really like about Prs' SE approach is that they don't try to make a "perfect" copy of their USA models a la epiphone, rather they try to make a really good guitar at the price point. So my single cut was thinner than a USA one, with a thinner maple cap as well, which I think is a better idea than cheaping out on a "proper" sized piece of crap wood. I'd go for it if I were you.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I have an SE SC and you can't beat it for the price. But for the value you can't beat Reverend Guitars either.

By what I'm reading they're made in the same Korean facility. It makes sense for the same kind of reason, you get a long bang for the buck kind of deal.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I have a se245 and they are built very well. Resale is about half of what you pay new. which is I feel about the same as any import guitar. I am not fond of epiphone's unless they are made in Korea. Most of what I find around here are made in INdo and I find they arent quiet as good as the korean made ones. If you want to hear what they sound like check out my channel on youtube. loversmoon69. Overlook my inability to play. :)
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

"But for the value you can't beat Reverend Guitars either. "
Check out Gearmandude's YouTube videos of the Reverand's. They do look and sound like awesome guitars. He raves about them.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I have a PRS SE245, you can't go wrong with this guitar. The build quality is excellent, the pickups are very good (better than the SE Singlecut). The 24.5" scale is easy to play and adapt to. I also have PRS U.S.A. guitars and the quality ethos has definitely passed down to the SE range. Some folks on here have suggested Epiphone with a pickup upgrade - forget that - Epiphones are in no way the same build quality as the SE. I have bought my last Epiphone. This is going to anger a lot of people but I also have Gibson, and I would put the SE up against Gibson on build quality and playability - the QC is excellent (unlike Gibson/Epiphone).
Just to throw a spanner in the works - have a look at the Japanese Tokai range - above the LS100 range they knock Gibson into a cocked hat on quality, playability,pickups and price, They are excellent guitars at about a third of the price of a Gibson - I can see why they have so much trouble getting them into the U.S.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I've had an SZ320 (2 actually) and an SE Singlecut Korina.

While the SZ is a SOLID guitar, the SE Singlecut beat it every hour of every day. With the right pickups, best guitar I've ever owned. I use a JB and a '59 in mine.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

skyydogg01 said:
I've had an SZ320 (2 actually) and an SE Singlecut Korina.

While the SZ is a SOLID guitar, the SE Singlecut beat it every hour of every day. With the right pickups, best guitar I've ever owned. I use a JB and a '59 in mine.
Click to expand...

Ouch.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

Hi all,

I'm a newbie here.

I recently picked up a very nice SE245.
Plays great, and it's very well made.
I'm not thrilled with the pups though.
I do have a Burstbucker2, a Classic "57 ,
and a Duncan Pearly Gates lying around.
What combination of these would you
recommend ?? Or not.
 

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Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

skyydogg01 said:
I've had an SZ320 (2 actually) and an SE Singlecut Korina.

While the SZ is a SOLID guitar, the SE Singlecut beat it every hour of every day. With the right pickups, best guitar I've ever owned. I use a JB and a '59 in mine.
Click to expand...
Just put the same pickups in my Zack Myers today. Also, added treble bleed to both the volume pots. Loved this thing before, but man this is GREAT now!
 
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