PRS SE 245. What you think?

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.

I'd probably look at a JB/Jazz or Custom/Jazz.... depending on how much output you want in the bridge.

That said, after about a decade of using PAFs in the bridge I finally came to the conclusion that not that into using PAFs in the bridge. YMMV.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I used to own an SZ320 as well. I used to own a PRS SE Singlecut Korina but I recently sold it, and I still own an SE Nick Catanese.

The SZ320 was pretty much on-par quality-wise with the SE SC Korina, IME. The Nick Catanese is a little better than both.

The weak things about the PRS SE's are the nut and the tuners. I think it's the same case with the Ibby.

The neck on the PRS SE's is every bit as sticky as on the Ibby, though. I personally don't have a problem with the neck, but it's exactly the same kind of finish on both.
 
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Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

Of the pickups you mentioned
I would use the two Gibson pickups

The 57 is a great selection for the neck
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

Duncan 59's sound great in my SE Singlecuts.. Especially after a magnet swap to RCA5.

So do stock PG's without a magnet swap.

I dunno about any except mine, but all three are excellent guitars by any standard.

This sticky neck thing must be a body chemistry or dirty hands thing because I have never had that problem.
 
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Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

I've had my Bernie for about 18 months and I really don't play my other guitars much any more. I'm in love with the fat neck and the tone. I swapped the pickups for the BK Abraxas set which are awesome. The original pickups are good but I wanted a little more output. I have two Gibsons that I love (very old SG Junior with a JB in the bridge and a Firebird Studio) but the Bernie is my fave.
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

Thanks for the replies, everyone !!

I'm trying to make the 245 my play out
guitar so I can leave this one at home.LP87.jpg
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

Finding pickups for a PRS can be tricky, especially without mag swaps and such.
Duncan 59's sound great in my SE Singlecuts..
I agree with Lew. My SE Nick Catanese sounds great with a plain old '59 in the bridge and a Phat Cat in the neck.

My SE Singlecut Korina was tricky, but maybe that was just because I never tried a '59 in it, lol.

This sticky neck thing must be a body chemistry or dirty hands thing because I have never had that problem.
I don't have a problem with mine either, nor did I have a problem with my Ibanez SZ, but I'm just saying that if the OP finds the neck to be sticky on the Ibby, the PRS SE's won't be any better because they have exactly the same kind of finish. :)
 
Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

57/08, 58/15s and 59/09s are amazing in a PRS singlecut.

The '09s are readily available in the aftermarket. The others you will have to find used at premium.

While I still agree with my post from yesteryear(there are better options to get an actual Les Paul sound), the SC models have continued to improve. I have been contemplating another SC245 to complement my USA 245 and the Zach Meyers SE is the way I would go. The semi hollow is nice , but the big draw is the USA made adjustable bridge. Its the only SE available with an american made bridge.

That said, the PRS SC models are still more like a big telecaster taking dyanobol, than they are like a Les Paul..extended highs and lows, and more clarity than Gibson style guitars.
 
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Re: PRS SE 245. What you think?

The Gibson 57 classics sound good in one. I tried almost a half-dozen sets and ended up on these. Uncovered sounds better. I haven't tried the Burstbucker 1&2, but that would also be a good bet.
 
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