Anyone thrilled with their PRS SE?

G'day Walnutzz,

The SE silver sky is fantastic. I sold my Strats after getting it as it finally gave me the Strat sound in my head!
Normally with any guitar, I change the tuners and didn't even have to do that with this guitar.
The fit and finish is not high end, but the design really makes this a wonderful guitar.

Thanks
Pauly

walnutzz said:
Hi all. My main guitars are all on the high end, but I’m looking to add a PRS SE model to stash at another location I frequently visit. I’ve watched many reviewers rave about the SE DGT, but I’m wondering what other models are contenders such as an SE Silver Sky or McCarty. Style is less important to me than value. In other words I want the most bang for the buck (closest to a core) rather than which models lend themselves toward certain musical styles. Thanks in advance for your input.
Click to expand...
 
I think I'll share my experience even if I don't own PRS. Just recently I played SE SS, comparing it with a strat from a local Czech manufacturer Henry's. PRS was instant Mayer with any clean amp, but didn't felt like expensive guitar or even like a guitar with a lot of effort put in it. If it was a blind test, I'd call it some cheapo Asian knock off. Henry's felt and sounded like great expensive strat. Like no comparison, it was better in every regard while being cheaper (EUR 700 vs 1000 in Prague).
It was a surprising experience as there are so many nice things said about SE guitars.
 
Last edited:
I avoided PRS for about 20 years because of my preconceived notions. (Creed) But I picked up a used DGT SE goldtop and was blown away by the thing. I ended up buying the sunburst too - and they sound slightly different.
I liked them so much I sold my strat, tele and les Paul and ended up buying a 594 SE, a Silver Sky Se and then saw a Core Silver Sky for $1399 and couldn’t pass it up.
I upgraded with a bone nut, brass block and new saddles (was getting some sitaring I couldn’t fix) and holy crap it really is a killer sounding strat. I thought the bone was a sonic upgrade but the brass block and saddles really made a positive difference. Big spank and attack. The core is more refined - that’s the only way I can think to describe it. The highs are less harsh and the lows tighter…but that SE is a blues beast now. I think I actually prefer it for the SRV type stuff. I also find it a little easier to play - maybe it’s the radius? I’m really thinking about putting a brass block on the core - but it’s a 2018 and already a little brighter than the newer ones (I think.)
 
Yes PRS Standard SE is a fine instrument. I've been a Srat Cat forever and I picked the SE for under $600 when Sam Ash was 'going out of business'' Fantastic tones, 8 distinct settings, and feel, and the 24 frets is a great feature. Hooked into a Fractal it is amazing. BTW those are beautiful pictures. Mine is a Blue. Love it. They say Swamp Ash SE is the best bang for the buck in the PRS line, but this Standard SE is no slouch.
 
My band plays a mix of old country and classic rock. Nothing heavy but I’m having fun with it. Lower gain tones. I’ve brought most of my guitars to practice and my MIK SE245 Soapbar turned out to be the #1 for this gig. Plays and sounds as good as my US PRS.
 
There are things I like about my modded SE better than the core. Brass block being one…for straight guitar into bluesbreaker into amp, I’m not sure the neck pickup on the SE doesn’t do the SRV thing better. The core is the better guitar…just feels better, sustain is better and pickups are pretty much completely different imo…I do wonder if the brass block is adding an attack that I’m liking better…hence the thread I started.
 
Johnkenn said:
Lace sensors?
Click to expand...
Looks like they’re EMG’s
Johnkenn said:
There are things I like about my modded SE better than the core. Brass block being one…
Click to expand...
Are you referring to the Trem Block? If so, Core models have a nice hefty brass block.
Edit:
I went back and read your earlier post and possibly you’re referring to just the Core Silver Sky which I am not as familiar. So the Core Silver Sky doesn’t come with a brass block on the Trem? Upon looking at the specs I did see that it does come with a bone nut.
 
Last edited:
GitGuy513 said:
Looks like they’re EMG’s

Are you referring to the Trem Block? If so, Core models have a nice hefty brass block.
Edit:
I went back and read your earlier post and possibly you’re referring to just the Core Silver Sky which I am not as familiar. So the Core Silver Sky doesn’t come with a brass block on the Trem? Upon looking at the specs I did see that it does come with a bone nut.
Click to expand...
I have a SS SE and Core. Neither come with a brass block. I added a brass block to my SE - actually did block/saddles and a bone nut…and all of that really made it kind of beastly. Still have the SE pickups in it - so to my ear, they’re a little choked in the sustain department in comparison to the core and they’re a little harsh on top. The core is a 2018, so the pickups are brighter than the current run as I understand it. The pickups in the two guitars are pretty different - pretty immediately evident. But there are things about that SE neck pickup through a morning glory that just spaaanks. It’s that SRV clank. And it reeeallly makes me wonder whether it’s the brass block that’s giving it that attack. So I’ve got my finger hovering over that buy button for a core brass block.
 
GitGuy513 said:
So the Core Silver Sky doesn’t come with a brass block on the Trem? Upon looking at the specs I did see that it does come with a bone nut.
Click to expand...
The Silver Sky has never come with a brass block tremolo. It's always been a PRS Steel Tremolo as this was accurate to the era of Strat tones John Mayer wanted the Silver Sky to capture. There's an exception for the "Dead Spec" Silver Sky that uses a traditional PRS tremolo with the brass block. But the SEs, Cores and whatever we call them before "Core" existed are all steel block tremolos.
 
iaresee said:
The Silver Sky has never come with a brass block tremolo. It's always been a PRS Steel Tremolo as this was accurate to the era of Strat tones John Mayer wanted the Silver Sky to capture. There's an exception for the "Dead Spec" Silver Sky that uses a traditional PRS tremolo with the brass block. But the SEs, Cores and whatever we call them before "Core" existed are all steel block tremolos.
Click to expand...
Like I said I don’t have a lot of firsthand knowledge of the SilverSky, be it Stevensville or SE. I know my 2010 and 2016 Stevensville (not S2) PRS have a brass block. Honestly PRS keeps coming out with new models and variants of older models that I no longer have the patience to keep track of it all. There was a time I was at the factory every year and keeping up on all that was PRS. At first I was rather disappointed when the SE line was introduced feeling it killed the resale, or better the appreciation in value of the USA guitars, but like everything these days I have learned to except so called “progress”.
 
Last edited:
In regards to my opinion of SE PRS, I do credit PRS for creating an atmosphere and business model where most all the mass produced low cost Asian guitars have become a consistent quality that can be trusted on a majority basis.
 
GitGuy513 said:
In regards to my opinion of SE PRS, I do credit PRS for creating an atmosphere and business model where most all the mass produced low cost Asian guitars have become a consistent quality that can be trusted on a majority basis.
Click to expand...
Cort guitars have always been solid at the price.
I was not as impressed by the Korean World guitars SEs.
 
Andy Eagle said:
Cort guitars have always been solid at the price.
I was not as impressed by the Korean World guitars SEs.
Click to expand...
I’m talking about more than just Cort. I suppose it’s the old “A rising tide lifts all boats”. I’m also including the super increased level of production while maintaining consistent QC. Although a few months ago I finally grabbed an SE and it’s a great guitar in every sense except the one push/pull tone pot was funky. It works, but switching is not solid. I will have to replace it when I get a chance. Probably all the electronics.

As far as the Korean era, everything takes time. I think PRS waited to see how things would go before really infusing the capital. Before this SE period the only Asian company I would consider was Ibanez and at that time it would have been Japanese only.
 
Last edited:
GitGuy513 said:
I’m talking about more than just Cort. I suppose it’s the old “A rising tide lifts all boats”. I’m also including the super increased level of production while maintaining consistent QC. Although a few months ago I finally grabbed an SE and it’s a great guitar in every sense except the one push/pull tone pot was funky. It works, but switching is not solid. I will have to replace it when I get a chance. Probably all the electronics.

As far as the Korean era, everything takes time. I think PRS waited to see how things would go before really infusing the capital. Before this SE period the only Asian company I would consider was Ibanez and at that time it would have been Japanese only.
Click to expand...
Cort make all the SEs since the move from Korea and that it certainly the start of better specks.
Fujigen guitars have been amazing since the late 70s . Also China has made some amazing stuff too. The new Tyler JTG range is an example. It’s the budget and specs not the country of origin that makes the difference. Asia has been the manufacturing hub of the world for decades and offers the best to the worst depending entirely on its position in the market and budget.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom