PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow

The PRS SE guitars ("SE" stands for "Student Edition") are made in Korea and are intended to bring PRS guitars down to a price point where student or non-professional guitarist can afford a PRS guitar. Personally, I have never been a fan of PRS guitars but had an extraordinary opportunity to acquire this guitar for an outstanding deal at a time when I happened to be looking for another semi-hollow guitar. There are simple controls: a single volume, single tone, and a three-way pickup selector switch. The guitar has the PRS "Wide-Fat" neck profile that I simply can't get along with. The string spacing seems to be wider than any other guitar I've played and that has the effect of throwing off my playing and making it inconsistent. The guitar has a fixed-wrap around bridge, 22 frets, and seems to be otherwise stable while being incredibly light in weight. The guitar also comes with a nicker-than average gig bag with ample padding and plenty of storage space.

UTILIZATION

Here's the dilemma I have about this guitar. While I don't like the way the guitar plays, there's no denying that the guitar sounds wonderfully, both acoustically and amplified. Because it is so light in weight I could see playing the guitar all night and covering a wide style of music. The guitar has a single modern-shaped "F" hole that provides a unique tonal signature. I'd like to be able to echo my displeasure playing the guitar in listening to the guitar, but that's just not the case. The guitar sounds great and I don't know that I've heard a guitar at this price point sound this good.

SOUNDS

The pickups are zebra non-descriptive "PRS Designed" SE pickups. I'm not sure if they're modeled after production PRS pickups, but there's no denying that to my ear they sound wonderful. Aside from the fact that it, being a semi-hollow, obviously feeds back on higher gain settings, there's not a tone I could not coax out of this guitar, from crystal cleans to cheap dirt to 70's rock, 80's hard rock, and contemporary metal. While it's not well-suited for metal, I can see it easily being an ideal "all-in-one" guitar for gigging musicians.

OVERALL OPINION

I still can't say that I'd ever purchase another PRS guitar. I think PRS guitars are aesthetically pleasing, but I've simply never played one that I felt is a comfortable guitar to play, or one that I'd want to play for more than one or two songs tops. Whenever I have to play something where I need that "Semi-hollow" tone, I reach for my $199 Epiphone Dot and not my more expensive PRS. It sounds great, but it's just not the whole package.

This is the SE Custom Semi Hollow model by Paul Reed Smith. Paul Read Smith has been making guitar since the 80s and has stressed quality over quantity.

The SE is part of a newer import line from PRS.

I found this locally and fell for the eye catching Blue Matteo finish. I didn't have a semi hollowbody guitar at the time so I felt it was worth checking out. The price was $599 and included a nice tweed PRS gigbag.

It does the semi hollow tone well. Feedback is not an issue but it has a very fat sound to it. I like to play this through a slightly overdriven Fender Twin Reverb.

The set neck is rare to see on an imported guitar. I feel that offers sustain to the design.

The SE pickups sort of grew on me. At first I thought they were muddy, but I think I was just looking for an excuse to mod the guitar. I replaced the strings and got a nice setup and it plays and sounds great.

I mentioned it needed a setup, but most guitars do. Climate changes and playing preferences I can't hold it against PRS.

Beautiful. The blue finish and pointy cutaway remind me of Rickenbackers in a way. The top of the guitar is a mix of real maple and maple veneer (that is how they get the flame) the back of the guitar is mahogany. The neck is also mahogany and the fretboard is a wide rosewood board.

Not sure if it is mine or the whole line, but the rosewood fretboard is gorgeous. Some guitars have a real thin ratty looking fingerboard, but this is deep and dark.

PRS is known for their quality craftsmanship and this statement speaks true even on their import SE line.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

semi-hollow guitar made in korea by musical instrument world.
it is the largest factory of musical instruments asia manufacturing for major manufacturers (fender, samick ..).
the prs is a fixed wraparound tailpiece type and a mahogany set neck 22 well finished and painted on the rear boxes.
it has two bouble microphones with 3-position switch and volume + tone.

UTILIZATION

the finish is exceptional on my modèl.le binding, paint, varnish, frets .... in short, it is amazing for this price range.
the guitar is pretty sleazy malgrès body and mahogany neck.
Access in acute is good, but does not compete with my old Ibanez, on the other hand, no one buys a nearly semi-hollow to shred!

the pickups are really quite original, not too rough drafts, with a good level of output, capable of jazz, blues and rock without worries.
for metal, look elsewhere or change the pickups.
Besides, I change the pickups by Seymours ducan phat cat and seth lover.et the changes everything!.
guitar rivals the greatest.
it really is an upgrade that I recommend.

SOUNDS

level with my hot rod deluxe jensen P12N, it sounds bluesy, jazz and rock without soucis.les micors original hold up even if she deserves better pickups.

OVERALL OPINION

to finish a superb guitar with lots of charm, a top finish, a more than fair price (thank you asia!) and a good base for the custom.

I instaled seymour duncan, a mechanical locking gotoh tailpiece and ... happiness!!

PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow (natural color)

Made in Korea

22 Frets

Stop Bar, 2 Humbuckers PRS, a micro switch (3 positions)

Set neck, rosewood fingerboard.

UTILIZATION

Channel really nice, however I am more used on sleeves flatter.
The cut gives a comfortable access to the last frets.
Also the weight of the guitar is not high (compared to some Les Paul can even say that it is light)
No need to put too much distortion to make it sound good. Already a vacuum without the plug into an amp that looks promising especially for a guitar of this price.
To switch to the light simply turn the volume knob and two pickup selector on the middle position and go for a good clear sound.
In disto it passes very well but for this type of guitar overdrive (or u and Fuzz) seems more appropriate.

SOUNDS

This custom is more appropriate for the blues, jazz, rock as a little metal (although it's not his favorite).

Tested in a Spider III (Line 6), I have not put more than 2min to find a great sound (bright and saturated)

on the other hand to describe the type of sound, the cliché is that PRS is halfway between Gibson and Fender.
The photo is not so far from the truth but the PRS had a lot of personality.

OVERALL OPINION

I tested and had a lot of guitars (Ibanez, Fender, Gibson, LTD, PRS Jackson ,...) that little is definitely my guitar the most versatile and also my favorite.
The violin is more than correct, without lie finishes are really nice, but the logo on the head with a hair lacquer thinner they could sell more. 600th Euroguitar paid in Lille.

The only thing we could blame him but you have to be crazy to blame anything for this PRS is the flat table.
But it is a question of cost would have carved a table pushed up the price quickly guitar.
In short it to the trunk PRS SE Custom Semihollow, trying urgently. I usually prefer more oriented metal guitars, the PRS blew me away by its quality and range of sounds in a very good bill. I even caught playing some funky song.