Well I figure I’ll chime in. I have 3 core PRSi. A 2001 McCarty, I think it’s around 2010 513 Swamp Ash and a 2016 Custom 24 with an Indian Rosewood neck and Ebony fretboard in a satin finish. From what I gather the OP is not from the states so being able to play before buying might be tough, but I could never spend the core money without playing first. I would skip the SE or S2 if you really want the true superior PRS and guitar.
Now as far as those who say they can never bond with a PRS. I have a good bit of experience with this. A long time friend (we don’t hang as much anymore) who has played mostly Fenders (Strats and a vintage Tele with a very thin neck at the nut) bought a SE CU24 and just complained about the neck and fiddled with setups, etc.. He would play my Core guitars that all have slightly different necks. The McCarty being a wide fat and it is. The 513 has a maple with rosewood board and is what they called a Patten regular. The CU 24 is a PR, but slightly different than the 513. I kept trying to get him to tell me what the heck was the problem. He could never articulate it. (I think partly he is not a whammy guy and that was something he just didn’t need, but it was the necks that were the real issue) He would ask me what I liked in a neck and my response is I like any neck that is properly made. I would pick up any of his guitars and liked them all. Overall I tend to like a meatier neck with flatter radius, but to me all the different shapes facilitate a different way of playing and I adjust my playing and get the most out of it. Some are better for bluesy and bends, some are speed, legato type and some are great for chording. In fact I thought I was done buying guitars, but I once had a nice Ibanez RG with a Wizard neck. I loved ripping on that thing, but like a dummy sold it and always missed it. A year ago I decided I wanted a shredder and couldn’t find a RG with the right specs that wasn’t expensive. So I got a really nice Sweetwater house spec Schecter BlackJack SLS Avenger FR-S. I love tearing it up on that guitar.
Anyway, I don’t have any sort of weird loyalty to PRS and am fine with some players needing a specific guitar and neck. It seems like the ones who have the hardest time are those who have always played traditional Fenders. However, like my friend and others I feel there’s a psychological issue at play. There are definitely straight up PRS haters out there and while I’m not accusing everyone that can’t get along with a PRS with imagining their problem, there’s a stupid stigma that has propagated and I swear some people just can’t get over it.
I know one thing the prices of all nicer guitars are rising rapidly so if you want to drop some $$ on a high end guitar I would do it now. That Schecter I paid $1249.00 about 15 months ago is now $1649.00 US. I know this is of no help now, but the #1 PRS in the OP was the one to get. That just had that “I’m better than others” look.
I can say that
@Greg Ferguson recommendation on the Studio line would be an excellent first Core PRS if you can find one in the price range. I live less than 2 hours from the PRS factory so I guess I’m a bit spoiled. Also, I played for almost 20 years before I could afford a PRS, but swore I would own one when I first saw Carlos play one in the 80’s. I had no reason to feel like I had some over priced piece of jewelry. I earned it. And I’m not a doctor or lawyer.
To the OP show us some more if you find some.
