Members Sonnilon Posted August 20, 2006 Members Share Posted August 20, 2006 I recently bought Seymour Duncan Jazz, and JB humbuckers, with intentions of having them installed in my SG. I've fallen back in love with the sound of the stock 490R and 498T's, though, so I've decided not to replace them with the SD's. This left with me two new pickups, and no where to use them, so I've started considering buying another guitar to have them installed in. It wouldn't have to be the most expensive, or highest end guitar, just something affordable and cool. Basically I just want somewhere to use the pickups I bought, which I now have no use for otherwise. I've been looking around, and most of the mid-level guitars I've been looking at already come with Jazz and JB's stock, like Schecter's C-1 Classic, and quite a few different ESP LTD's. I was also looking into some different Epiphones, because my Epi LP Standard was a hell of a lot of fun. Lower end Gibsons (SG Special, specifically) have also crossed my mind. I recently came across the PRS SE guitars, though, and they really grabbed my attention. I've never been much of a fan of what I've heard from PRS guitars on recordings, but I've never actually played one, so I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to finally try one at an affordable price, and it would also give me a place to use the SD's. So I'm wondering if the PRS SE guitars are worth the $550 they cost new on Musician's Friend. Does anyone know if they're any good, and if they're at all similar to PRS' higher end guitars? Thanks in advance for any help. I'm considering the PRS SE Custom, and Standard, both with wrap around stoptail bridges, in transparent black, and flat black respectively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sonnilon Posted August 20, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 20, 2006 No one's very opinionated today, apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members X-Jester Posted August 20, 2006 Members Share Posted August 20, 2006 I kinda like the pickups that come stock on the SE customs, my friend's got one and it's got a pretty keen sound with the stock pups. Might be pretty tasty though if they've got the tone you're after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zappa74 Posted August 20, 2006 Members Share Posted August 20, 2006 I gave the SE line a spin at Guitar Center a while back. They played well and felt well made. The stock humbuckers certainly worked well enough for me... I wouldn't have been in any rush to swap them out if I would have bought one. I didn't buy one because I played an Ibanez SZ520 that just felt right to me. After a lot of playing, I passed on the PRS and picked up the SZ. The PRS SEs are great guitars though... I think you'd be more than happy with one. However, I think you might actually like the stock humbuckers- thus, still leaving you with your Jazz/JB combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Utero Posted August 20, 2006 Members Share Posted August 20, 2006 I have played a few, very nice for the price, they don't come set up very well. I think you would like it, they are very nice looking guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members laker Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 A while ago I was thinking about getting an SE. I really like how they look, but i've never played one. It seems to me that alot of people give them a luke-warm review. You never hear "I was blown away". Its always "they sound pretty good" or "they're a decent guitar". Because of that I shyied away from them. At least until I have a chance to play one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orourke Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I ususally play Gibson LP's and SG's but I've been wanting an LP type guitar that has a strat type trem in it. So I've been thinking about buying a PRS SE Custom. There don't seem to be that many affordable choices when it comes to buying a mahagony guitar with a set neck and non-bigsby trem. The American PRS's are just way to high priced unless you find a great deal on a used one. I've tried a bunch of them at Sam Ash and GC. They seem like great guitars to me. The only detail that bugs me is that big plastic nut. I read in the GC reviews that it's the casue of some tuning issues in relation to the trem and from what I can tell in the stores the complaints seem to be true, the guitar didn't seem to snap back into tune when I yanked on the trem. But a part like a nut is easily changed. If I buy one I'll probably take it right to my tech and have a bone nut installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DARKMETL/ Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 The ones I tried were ok but they seemed TOO light. Almost felt like a toy to me. It seemed a good onstage jump or a wrong turn into your singer might snap it in two. I like a bit of weight to them...i mean not ridiculous but not like they are balsa wood. I REALLY am looking forward to the Singlecut SE. I hope it isnt as light as the Custom. I am glad I tried the Custom before ordering it because I was really into it before it was officially out. Now, I am not so sure...plus I didnt really care for the flat top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members curseoftruth Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 The SE pups sound fine, no need to swap out. I'd look at getting a used, set neck Epi Les Paul to stick those things in. Would really bring it life and give you quality guitar with nice pups. Another choice would be to get a Squier Strat with dual buckers and put them in that. Stay away from the SG and LP Specials, total junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dewees Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 Could you just return your SD pickups? Was there a no return policy? Or did you go and mess up the packaging? These are very popular pickups. You might well find a forumite who'd take 'em for very little damage to your wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Karma1 Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I have a PRS Santana SE that I'm very happy with. I put almost the same pickups in mine that you have, although mine is Seymour Duncan Jazz and Custom Custom. They sound really great in that guitar. I had them installed with two 3-way mini toggles for switching between series/parallel/single coil and it gave me a huge variety of tones to choose from. Also added Planet Wave locking tuners. I used it set up like that for a couple years, then recently decided to trick it out for use in ambient electronic music. I pulled the Jazz from the neck and installed a Sustainiac pickup system and a Roland GK2A guitar synth pickup that I use with a GR33. Now it's a whole different instrument - definitely gets me into Robert Fripp territory. But overall, I think the SE line is quite excellent. Some of the new models are really beautiful, and an excellent buy for the money. There's an SE thread here on the forums that has a lot of very positive feedback about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members econ Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I'm extremely tempted to get one. I'm a Dimarzio guy, so I'm thinking I would install a Tone Zone and an Air Norton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members afbr242 Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I have owned an SE standard and and SE soapbar. Both superbly made instruments for the price. Plastic nut is no problem at all, on the stoptails, although it is usually a little sharp around the edges (easily sorted). The only things I would change are the Pickups which, certainly on the standard and the soapbar, were definately an area that PRS had saved money. I also changed the tuners for grovers, which made a noticeable difference in tuning stability. The rest of the guitar is just fantastic. I just love that nice wide, fat PRS neck too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Johansolo Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 i agree on the guitar being really light comment. i had a Tremonti SE which was the lightest guitar ever. stock pups + electronics were crap (dont know bout the SE custom range thou) i had a SD JB/59 combo in it and it was awesome...which was later replaced with a PRS HFS/Vintage bass combo...which was a HUGE Disapointment.that guitar is gone now. and i have a JB/Jazz combo in my CE24 i want that custom SE (pic) but dont want to pay the price ($1200AUS) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Johansolo Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 P.S im glad im not the only one who uses having spare pickups an excuse to buy a new guitar to put them in haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members riffpowers Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I played a prs se soapbar a few montsh ago.It was great.I prefered it to the sg classic I played in the same shop.Can't go wrong.IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members orourke Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 An interesting alternative might be a Reverend Jetstream. I know it has a bolt on maple neck, but the body is mahagony and it's a dual humbucker with a trem, for about the same price: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RKO Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I don't get the hype. I played an SE soapbar a few times, and they sound thin to me. I'm sure I am missing something, since most folks here love them, I just don't get it. Just sayin'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Karma1 Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 Originally posted by econ I'm extremely tempted to get one. I'm a Dimarzio guy, so I'm thinking I would install a Tone Zone and an Air Norton. +1 on the Tone Zone/Air Norton. I have that combo in a Telecaster and I love it. A coil-split switch, especially on the neck pickup gives great single coil tones as well as humbucker. As far as the Tremonti SE, it is a very light weight guitar - much lighter than my Santana SE or other SE models I've played. Wouldn't mind having one though. I really liked the one I played in a store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wizard of Ozz Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I think they're good guitars for the money. I've liked the ones I've tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members econ Posted August 21, 2006 Members Share Posted August 21, 2006 I can get one in almost new condition for $400. Temptation, temptation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sonnilon Posted August 22, 2006 Author Members Share Posted August 22, 2006 Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'll probably end up buying one from Musician's Friend without trying it first, which I know is stupid, but I'm too lazy to drive the 100 miles to the nearest GC. Living in the boonies sucks. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Soulcrusher_X Posted August 28, 2006 Members Share Posted August 28, 2006 Originally posted by Sonnilon Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'll probably end up buying one from Musician's Friend without trying it first, which I know is stupid, but I'm too lazy to drive the 100 miles to the nearest GC. Living in the boonies sucks. LOL I'm in the same boat, dude! I've been thinking about getting one of the SE models. The trans black is freakin' sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Stackabones Posted August 28, 2006 Members Share Posted August 28, 2006 No opinion other than it's a great lookin git! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GeorgeMonkey Posted August 29, 2006 Members Share Posted August 29, 2006 I have an SE Soapbar and it's a good guitar. Yesterday I bought a Mexican Strat - similar price to the SE Soapbar and it is 10 times better. The SE is good but uninteresting. It lacks personality. A Strat gives you a wide variety of sounds. The SE is samey. As others have remarked, the SE is very light. You can really feel the vibration through your chest when you play. The biggest downside is the lack of sustain. I had planned to keep both, but the SE can't do anything the Strat can do and the Strat can do loads more. Anyone wanna buy an SE Soapbar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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