What do you guys think of the import PRS SE line?

[danglybanger]

no offence, believe me I've become used to being talked to like that over the internet especially, and thanks for the apology. I saw that you were talking about the SE HB, but figured that since they're all built in the same place regardless of pickups that info would be useful.

Anyways, when you've played more Squiers that are consistent (consistently good, but that's another story) than PRS, it tends to stick out in your mind. Relative to other guitars, outside of the typical guitar inconsistancies, I find them inconsistant

slade

[sufferinrewind]

no offence, believe me I've become used to being talked to like that over the internet especially, and thanks for the apology. I saw that you were talking about the SE HB, but figured that since they're all built in the same place regardless of pickups that info would be useful.

Anyways, when you've played more Squiers that are consistent (consistently good, but that's another story) than PRS, it tends to stick out in your mind. Relative to other guitars, outside of the typical guitar inconsistancies, I find them inconsistant

slade

I suppose that's not much of a shocker. I did a search for PRS SE (which was pretty unsuccessful) to see what people though of 'em, and read a few posts in certain threads where Chinese Squiers and Chinese Epiphones were being recommended over Korean made instruments. My Chinese Dean is really good as well, I just can't stand the thin neck on it anymore.

[SoCalSteve]

After owning quite a few new imports and a few used USA made guitars (G&L, Hamer) over the last couple of years I've come to the conclusion that the best value for the money is buying a used U.S. made guitar. For just a couple hundred more than a new import you could probably get a used Gibson Studio or something.

[sufferinrewind]

After owning quite a few new imports and a few USA made guitars (G&L, Hamer) over the last couple of years I've come to the conclusion that the best value for the money is buying a used U.S. made guitar. For just a couple hundred more than a new import you could probably get a used Gibson Studio or something.

I'm actually looking into some Japanese LP clones right now. Greco, mostly.

[Kindred_Spirits]

I've played 2 SE Customs, and they felt like toys, literally. Anemically light, it didn't "feel" like a good quality guitar. It played and sounded like it felt too, weak and thin. I might have played 2 lemons, but I prefer my Dean Hardtail Standard over those 2.

[danglybanger]

I put Japanese guitars in a different category than most other Asian imports. I'd recommend looking into them. Indonesian/Korean/Chinese guitars are made for the budget, the Japanese are known to have craftsmanship that is up there with the US. Japanese domestic market Gibsons (Epiphone/Orville), Fenders, Grecos, Tokai all demonstrate that. I think they will mostly blow away the Korean PRS anyways.

Slade

[sufferinrewind]

I put Japanese guitars in a different category than most other Asian imports. I'd recommend looking into them. Indonesian/Korean/Chinese guitars are made for the budget, the Japanese are known to have craftsmanship that is up there with the US. Japanese domestic market Gibsons (Epiphone/Orville), Fenders, Grecos, Tokai all demonstrate that. I think they will mostly blow away the Korean PRS anyways.

Slade

I'm looking at a used 1980 Greco LP Custom clone for about $460. Looks nice to me. Has some wear, but it's in really good condition considering its age and that it's very likely that it's actually been used and not just stored in a closet untouched for years.

[jmanning]

I have a PRS SE Soapbar II and I love it. It is one of the most comfortable guitars I have played and the P-90s have that great, nasty P-90 sound. I also have a Tremonti SE that is also a great guitar.

I bought one of the MF brand LP cases for the Tremonti and it fit very nicely.

[wallyguitar]

I agree that the Japanese are usually the best of the import guitars, but this is not always the case. CNC machines have enaibled many more people to produce high quality guitars. I've had 3 Japanese Epiphone Elitists that were all made in the Fuji-Gen Gakki plant. The Fuji-Gen Plant is known for making some of the best Japanese guitars. 1 of the Fugi-Gen Made guitars was awesome and the other 2 had flaws that were not repairable and had to be sent back. Maybe I just got lucky with my Korean made PRS SE Singlecut, but it exceeds the quality of the Japanese made guitars I've owned. I've also owned 2 Edwards as well and the SE that I have smokes both of those too. Just my experience and my 2 cents. I still believe that the Japanese can make killer guitars that are right up there with the USA made stuff, but I also know how anal Paul Smith is and I feel if he is going to put his name on a Korean made guitar there is a reason other than the bottom dollar. All of the PRS SE models still get set up and quality checked at the Maryland PRS plant.

[sufferinrewind]

I agree that the Japanese are usually the best of the import guitars, but this is not always the case. CNC machines have enaibled many more people to produce high quality guitars. I've had 3 Japanese Epiphone Elitists that were all made in the Fuji-Gen Gakki plant. The Fuji-Gen Plant is known for making some of the best Japanese guitars. 1 of the Fugi-Gen Made guitars was awesome and the other 2 had flaws that were not repairable and had to be sent back. Maybe I just got lucky with my Korean made PRS SE Singlecut, but it exceeds the quality of the Japanese made guitars I've owned. I've also owned 2 Edwards as well and the SE that I have smokes both of those too. Just my experience and my 2 cents. I still believe that the Japanese can make killer guitars that are right up there with the USA made stuff, but I also know how anal Paul Smith is and I feel if he is going to put his name on a Korean made guitar there is a reason other than the bottom dollar. All of the PRS SE models still get set up and quality checked at the Maryland PRS plant.

Maybe it's something to do with newer/older SE models? I know they've been around for a few years. Squier guitars used to be junk and now they're being praised because people are seeing better quality guitars from them. I could be wrong, but that's what it seems like.

[G&Legacy]

I'm wondering what you guys think of these guitars. Before, I used to prefer Dean guitars, but the thin necks on those are beginning to hurt my fingers, so I need a neck that's bigger and more comfortable. The PRS SE line seems to be right for me, but I'm unsure about the quality. I'm mostly interested in the new Singlecut SE (not the Tremonti SE). If you've had better experiences with something else, please state what it is and why, but they must have dual humbuckers, a thicker neck (not a baseball bat, though), and in the price range of around $600 or less, hopefully. Also, I'd like to know where I could find a case, especially for those PRS SE guitars, if that's what I choose. Thanks in advance.

You should definately check out the Michael Kelly Patriot Custom Guitar. It goes for $499. It is worth the time to check out. It has a medium thick neck, it is definately not thin and it is not like a baseball bat but comfortable. I am ordering one soon.

[hareek]

My problem is the total opposite of yours. These thin necks make my fingers hurt because there's nothing there to grab on to. They hurt most during bends. I can do things to compensate, like stretch my thumb over the fingerboard like Jimi Hendrix. My fingers don't hurt anymore when I do that, but it's just not very comfortable that way.

I have big hands but I prefer smaller necks because I can do a lot more with minimal effort. That's one reason I prefer a Strat over a Les Paul.

[G&Legacy]

I have big hands but I prefer smaller necks because I can do a lot more with minimal effort. That's one reason I prefer a Strat over a Les Paul.

See that is funny because I have small hands and prefer thicker necks. But I think that has to do with my first and main guitar having a thicker neck.

[aleclee]

Like most MIK guitars, they vary a lot. I think it's a function of the individual piece of wood. I've played some SE models that played and sounded as good as the USA models while others were downright disappointing.

Most recently, I tried one of the early SE Customs and it was an absolute dog from its unplated pot metal bridge saddles to its inability to stay in tune to the volume imbalance between the (apparently properly adjusted) pickups. I have no axe to grind with PRS. In fact, I have a 20th Anny Singlecut on order but I don't know that PRS still sets the standard for quality guitars in the SE price range. If I were in the market for something along the lines of an SE Custom, I'd probably get a Schecter instead. Dunno what the options are in a single cutaway guitar but it might bear some investigation.

Above all, I would urge you to not buy an import guitar sight unseen. The aforementioned variances could leave you with a piece of junk and given the apparent budget constraints, eating shipping back to the seller would add significantly to the cost.

[loudriver23]

I like my SE Soapbar II...
I like the fat neck and the P90's sound good 2 me.