Hi Keith, you've become like a friend with your pleasant speaking, highly informative videos, and ideas that help us further our musical/guitar interests. Best Regards, James
I worked for Godin for a very short time until Covid hit, I still have a good friend at Godin, great guitrars made in Canada, looking at geeting a Godin
My first guitar ever was a Godin seagull and I had just gotten saved at 21 and started leading worship. Didn’t know much about guitars but the guy selling it at my local music and arts store was this cool long haired guy with a blue jean jacket and he said this is a good entry model. He started to play some blues licks and I was in awe. It was cedar wood and looked and sounded amazing. Electronics were fire too!!
All the gear snobs I play with make fun of my SE. I mean, what's wrong with an $800 dollar guitar that plays and sounds incredible? Best trem I've ever used.
100% agreed! They're incredible guitars! I mean, I still lust after the $4000 USA-made PRS, but realistically can't justify the money, even if the SE didn't exist. PRS is only gaining sales, not trading them as they feared.
While a core guitar is better, the big question is whether or not it’s worth it for you. I have SE, S2, and core. Each has its own special sounds, and they’re all excellent guitars. If they make fun, they’ve never played one for very long. Fuggem.
I've been playing guitar for 40 years, many of those years professionally, and over those four decades I've played and owned almost every major guitar brand out there. Except for a large sampling of Ernie Ball Music Man models, I have more Korean-made PRS SE's in my collection than anything else. They're just so hard to beat for the money - they look, sound, and play great. I've checked out a few of the more recent models being made in Indonesia and China, but I found that the quality control is not up to the Korean standard I've become accustomed to. I'm glad I bought the ones I have when I did. Thanks for the video, Keith, stellar content as always.
I just bought a PRS se custom 24 in the dark brown flame maple top and it looks and sounds top notch. I can’t stop playing it and it sounds ultra high fidelity with my amp and pedals. If I could pick one I’d pick this. Thanks Keith for your videos!! 🎵📽️🎸
Exactly, so many people seem to insist on comparing SE to American models which I think is not the intention of PRS, they are distinct and different although some are inspired by an American made or core model. 👌
Fun fact is that PRS doesn’t officially state what SE actually stands for. I have seen several recent videos and interviews and they always talk around it that it is up to anyone’s own interpretation. That being said, Student Edition doesn’t really do them justice. I own the cheapest SE possible (2022 SE standard) and it is absolutely beautiful and flawless. Great video by the way, stunned to see there were so many models ✌🏻
Student models are quite a bit better now than they were in the 80s and 90s 😂 probably regardless of instrument I was thinking of all the band instruments I played in high school!
I own one of the first run of the Silver Sky SE, built in March ‘22. One of the nicest playing and sounding S guitars for that price range I’ve come across. Great video, love the channel!
I think Ovation Guitars deserves a history video. Although not as popular as they used to be, one of the most innovative guitar makers with their designs and concepts. They did a lot of things with acoustic guitars before other companies did. Cutaways, shallows, electronics, etc... And, had a lot of major players endorsing their guitars over the years. Made in USA!
@@Clearview68 I saw old footage of Nancy Wilson playing an Ovation and was floored not just by her playing (which is still amazing even now!) but also by the guitar she was playing. It was an Adamas of some kind, the one with those composite soundboards and Lyrachord (?) backs.
Great video, Keith. I am a long-time fan of PRS guitars. Thanks for shining a light on this brand. I have had played and owned too many to list here and they are a special fiddle. It was cool that you had ole Blugubrious on your video. Way to reach out in the community. Thanks again.
11:02 my grandfather gave me one of these, the last of the guitars he owned, saying that he had “retired from playing guitar”. It was a birthday present of sorts for me, and it is easily the best-playing (and indeed the best-feeling) guitar that I own! Needless to say, I think it needs an electric sibling.
2:24 fun fact: the album pictured here, Caravanserai, features a very young Neal Schon on guitar and Gregg Rollie on vocals and keyboards. Both Gregg and Neal, along with Carlos Santana’s then-manager Herbie Herbert, would quit the band shortly thereafter and found what became the band Journey.
Great video Keith. I brought a PRS Custom SE 24 back in 2019 and haven’t looked back since. Compared to my Gibson’s (335 / LP / SG) and Fenders (Strat / Tele) and at a 5th of the price it plays and sounds beautiful. Used it for many gigs favouring it over my Les Paul Standard. If I was on a desert island and could only take one guitar it would be my PRS SE due to its versatility.
Thanks Keith for some amazing content! As always! I’ve never owned or even played a PRS, so I found the show most interesting. Having begun playing in 1969, I’ve never strayed from the prominent and dominant Fender and Gibson. Even today, my only non-traditional guitar is a Schecter PT, which let’s face it, is basically a souped-up Tele. Your show today has most definitely made me want to explore PRS, they look and sound singularly sensational.
This video brings back fond teenage memories for me, Keith. Thanks for putting it together. Still have a stack of all the PRS ads I used to detach from my copies of Guitar World/Guitar One magazines.
I am a player of 25+ years and was gifted a PRS SE custom 24 for Father’s Day last year and it’s fantastic. It very easily became my #1 gig guitar for its versatility and playability. Certainly no regrets
I picked up one of the original Santanas on sale in '02 and have held onto it even though I've rotated through a bunch of other much more expensive guitars since. It might sit for a good stretch, but I'm always impressed by it when I pick it up and play, plus there are no worries letting the kids mess around with it. Easily one of the best value buys I've had.
I've owned a plethora of SE models from the SE Custom 22, the SE Singlecut, and now my current 2023 SE Custom 24 of which I've found the playability of each of those models to be some of the best feeling, best sounding, tonally great pieces of gear I've ever owned. My Custom 22 was just magnificent to play. My SE Singlecut was easy to customize as I had to change out the pick ups and electronics but once those changes were made, it was one of the most comfortable, best sounding guitars I've ever had. That guitar alone made me continue to look for the means to get myself an official PRS Core 594 Singlecut after having a mild obsession with the PRS SC245. Suffice to say, my current love for the SE Custom 24 knows no bounds with the simple controls that I love over the Core Custom 24 configuration, the neck is super fast, the subtle violin curve, and the paint job makes it a playable piece of art that I can appreciate. The fact that you could also make some pretty decent adjustments to give it some treatments like new pick ups and controls gives the SE models that extra oomph for entry level players to be able to grab, learn, and play!
PRS SE is one of my favorite brands/companies in the world. I admire everything they've done and obsessed over their history and mission. Really cool that you made this video :)
My first brand-new guitar was a flat-top SE Custom 24 with the moon-dot inlays and the G&B era pickups, and this was during their tenure being made in Korea. That guitar in my youth of learning to mod stuff received many mods and even my first attempt at a refret (for some reason my SE had VERY soft frets and I played them till flat, the refret worked by it was very sloppy in hindsight) Nowadays, a SE CE24 is its spiritual successor and a SE DGT, both are happily apart of my recording stable of instruments and I don't plan on letting them go anytime soon. As for the flat-top, it's currently a toasty (heat gun) naked husk, but now that I'm getting done with two project builds and starting to properly dedicate guitars for different tunings, I think I'm going to restore it (kind of) into a C standard sabbath-esque machine.
I have and play a late first-generation Santana SE, which has a PRS logo on the truss rod cover from 2001. It’s a fantastic guitar, even before I modified it heavily. It’s been with me for about 20 years, except for a short period where I traded it to a friend, but later traded back for it. It amazes me how the SE line has grown.
Great stuff as usual - always interesting and informative ! However, as an owner of one, I was crying in my coffee at the omission of the SE 24.08 - a splendid guitar indeed !
16:25 those baritones are so cool. I almost bought one back when they were first coming out. I bought one of the brand new Epiphone Coronet guitars though. Did a lot of upgrades and still have it.
I bought a PRS SE Standard 24 guitar 2 years ago and was so impressed by the value for money it offered that a few months later I bought the baritone version as well. I had wanted a baritone guitar for ages and never found a decent one. Both are superb guitars for the price. Thanks for the video.
Hi Keith, enjoyed this video and it validated the delivery today to me of a brand new SE Silver Sky for a whopping $577. It was a "floor model" at a music store on Reverb but was in brand new condition and weighs just 7.0 lbs. It feels and sounds great. Have it paired with a new MIJ Aerodyne Tele I picked up recently for half of what it sold for originally, also from another Reverb store. Cheers from south Louisiana.
I've got an OG '01 "Santana SE" in red that I picked up for next to nothing in about 2011/2012. Just dropped in some SE locking tuners I picked up for also next to nothing a few months ago and they dropped right in (which is pretty cool for 20+ years later). Just a fantastic guitar.
I remember commenting years ago after I think the second short history video. Les Paul, tele or strat….I don’t remember. But I remember saying that I loved these short history videos. But what happens when you run out of the big name guitars with the long lineage. I’m happy to see that there is a lot of history behind so many more guitars and brands than I had thought about. Breaking down the guitars into their respective subsets is a great idea. It opens the topic up for many more videos and more education on each model. Very cool! I’d like to see a video about Washburn. There beginnings as a very well crafted and respected manufacturer to the tough times of some lesser quality to where the company stands today I still have my basic Washburn mercury 2 series electric that I bought new back in 1993. Hardtail with a ABR style bridge. Full 24 frets that are very accessible. Slab rosewood fretboard and the guitar is just solid and strong. Of course I ripped out the bridge pickup and replaced it with an original DiMarzio super distortion and it sounds and plays great.
I just purchased a used SE ONE Korina (with bird inlays) without knowing anything about the SE line. I just played it and was floored at how good it felt, meaning solid and great sounding. Compared to other budget guitars I feel my SE feels like it’s on a separate level of construction. Great video Keith!
Loved this vid! I saw my Sandblasted Ash Limited edt in late 2019 and ordered it. Something I never did before, but Covid was "in the air" and I assumed I would have time the coming year. Never regretted it. And despite the new releases this summer, this version of Sandblasted Ash has not been released again. They are still unique and rare. And how it plays, and sounds ... well, you have to try one to know.
Yet another great video! I bought a PRS SE Standard 24 Tobacco Burst in October 2020. It is mahogany w/ no maple cap. I imagine that the mahogany is sourced from Indonesia or nearby. It has the double-cut body with the beautiful mahogany grain on display with binding on the slightly curved top and on the neck. I love the Pattern Thin neck and the glossy finish does not bother me in the least, although I realize some people might not like it. At first, I thought that the pickups were too bright, but after playing them for a couple days, I realized that having all that high-end was a good thing and I lowered the pickups a bit and I learned to use the Tone knob a bit. All in all, the SE Standard 24 is a great guitar! It might be the gateway to upgrading for some people, but I have no need to upgrade it or upgrade in the PRS line. I don't want all of my guitars to sound the same - I want different tones to use at different times.
I’ve had 3 SE models over the years, the first one (and the only one still in my collection) being an SE Soapbar II with the maple top. I also have had a SE Custom Semihollow (which I regret letting go) and a Mike Mushok baritone that while fun, has been replaced by a more appropriate for my tone preference Squier Tele baritone.
I'll tell you this. I am an American made Fender and Gibson buyer. I'm a working class musician but I will pay top dollar for a guitar or amplifier Even if it takes me a long time to save up for it. Having said that, this PRS dgt SE is probably the first time I have ever purchased an instrument made overseas and have been mesmerized. This guitar could be sold at twice the price. If you take the SE off the headstock it would sell like crazy. I am a convert. PRS guitars sound amazing to get a good or let's say great sound with treble bleed on both volume controls and a single coil split is absolutely incredible on this guitar. It's just a fantastic instrument. I had to get the gold top because I don't like the birds. The mahogany body, Maple cap, neck and everything else about this guitar is magical.
I've been diehard fender and gibson only for years, recently bought an SE McCarty 594, and I am in the exact same mindframe as you concerning these guitars. Just excellent quality period, but especially for the monetary cost. Insane.
Excellent video, Keith! I will forever think of those SE guitars as the Santana Edition now. I am firmly a fan, and my PRS SE Custom 24 was the only electric I owned for a long while. I loved the versatility of the tones you could get from it and the simplicity of the controls. I need to retire the old PRS SE and have my eyes set on the SE CE to replace it.
I have been in love with PRS customs body shape ever since I saw a purple one hanging on the wall in Steve's music store in Montreal back in the late 80's. Every time I walk into a long & McQuade or a guitar center in the US, I pick up the prs guitars in search of one that feels good in my small hands. I think the custom 24 SE neck is about the best feeling. I would love to see a special semi hollow SE version with that neck profile. Great video Keith, thanks.
I remember when the SE came out and compared to other Import guitars, it looked SO PLAIN! I tried one back in the day but at the time I had a Samick SG clone and that felt much better to me at less than half the price. Today I have a Schecter S-1 Elite that I jokingly call a "Tele in a PRS clothing" and have made several small changes to it but from the outside it almost looks the same. I swapped black speed knobs for Q Part acrylic dome Tele style knobs replaced the plastic switch tip with a black Gretsch style metal one. Under the hood I replaced both Volume knobs with CTS push pull knobs to individually split each pickup rather than just the tone being the original push/pull. For the Tone knob I tracked down a Shadow Killswitch pot (to bad it's Linear but I have a Killswitch on the guitar). I also swapped the original jack (nothing wrong with it) for a Switchcraft one. I mention all of this because the Schecter does fit much of the PRS aesthetic while being a bit more Metal. The Elite version is a 25.5 inch scale length but other S-1 models have a 24.75 inch scale. The other thing is that it is pretty easy to play and unlike my Teles, I never feel I have to fight this one. I also moved the strap button to the back center position like an SG and that solved the only comfort issue I had with this guitar. This guitar is interesting because while I use it as an SG stand in, it's a bit beefier in feel and tone than an SG but not quite in Les Paul territory. While not a PRS guitar I feel that this model was heavily inspired by US made PRS guitars in many respects and feel wise, this guitar does it for me. I pick up PRS SE guitars and while they are not bad, they feel a tad off compared to Gibsons or Fenders. I do really like the Single Cut Korina model and that is one of those guitars I plan to pick up one day. 😎👍✨
Great PRS history lesson. Like many of us here I’ve owned many guitars during my life. Several PRS core and SE models, and to tell you the truth one of my favorite current guitars is a PRS se245 Fredrik Akesson (Opeth) model. I just love the shorter scale and how well the guitar resonates and sustains. It’s a guitar that I probably won’t part with any time soon, I love it that much.
I have a hollow body 2, and a Paul’s se guitar. I was floored with the Paul’s SE single coil sounds better than most singles I’ve played. I’m a bedroom rocker and the quality of instrument I get from the se line is nothing short of amazing. Though I love Fender the quality of the SE’s is hard to beat excellent customer service as well. Thank you for the video!
I got the hardtail version of the first run of Santana SE’s in red for my 15th birthday. The one similar to the one featured in the SE 20th anniversary video. Crazy to think it’s held up so well after 20 years
I own one CORE PRS and three SE models...all SEs are top notch guitars...indeed flawless. The SE Silver Sky will end up being THE guitar that helped turn the market to affordable made overseas. It is a wonderful axe and my daily player...but I still love my Les Pauls!!
I love my SEs! Great documentary here, Keith. Fabulous job as always. I wonder: What is your favorite part of the process with the “Short History” series? I would imagine the research alone is very gratifying.
My SE custom 22 semi hollow was built in the korean factory. It's an excellent guitar, and a pickup swap was all it needed to make me critical of fenders and gibsons
Great video. I have a Dave Navarro SE. At the time I was looking for a new guitar after my JEM 555 died. I looked at so many mid priced guitars but the neck on the SE felt so good in my hands. I've toyed with selling it over the years as I play my tele more often these days. But when I pick it up I can't part with it. I tried a Silver Sky SE in a store recently. That may just be my next purchase. The neck on that is heaven.
I own 3 PRS's; an original 2001 SE which was my go to over a dozen other guitars I own and 2 22 fret ten tops, one with the rotary pup switch which is funky but ok. The only thing that sucks about PRS's is that every new guitar they come out with, I want! Looking forward to getting an SE Hollow body someday and maybe a Starla. Thanx for your great work at FWW, Keith, I love your channel...rock on!
Back in 2020 I found a 2006 SE Custom in a second hand shop - it was missing the pick up switch knob, had a shallow gauge in the neck and a very dirty body and neck. Cleaned it up and it’s become my ‘testbed’ guitar, having replaced the pick ups and wiring for split coils (not a feature on release). A very solid instrument!
Obviously bias here because I am in the video, but honestly, with all of the options with imports out there - and I have had my share - PRS SE is top notch and I love that this video shines a light on that. Thanks for including me, Keith. And thanks for showing not all great guitars are on the top shelf.
After seeing Mike Oldfield play a PRS custom 24 for the Millennium Concert in Berlin, and the images of numerous PRS on his “Guitars” album, I had to have a PRS. When I found out how much they were, I was despondent. Now I have three SE models. Huzzah!
Thank you for the wonderful history lesson. My lefty PRS SE 277 is a wonderful instrument and one of my favorites to pick up any time of the day and just have fun. The jury is still out on my 2024 lefty Zach Myers. I think the bridge pickup has an issue and the shorter 24.594" scale is a bit short for my hands to feel at home. I prefer the longer 27.77" scale of the baritone. Both are lovely to look at and are nice and light.
SEs are great guitars. I have an NF3 and a DGT from the SE line. The DGT SE is really good. It's my favorite guitar. Paired with a Princeton amp it's magic. Set the Princeton volume on 4 and you can get bell like cleans with the coil tap neck pickup, switch to the bridge humbucker and you're right into ACDC breakup. It also cleans up beautifully with the volume knob. And the PRS tremelo system is my favorite.
I've been saying three eleven all this time.. who knew it was actually three one one lol 😂😂 Love the vid none the less. All the short stories are ace ❤
Great video , I was fortunate enough to own de 25th anniversary model of the custom 24 , sold it and got a 1997 ce24 that is the best prs I’ve ever played
Barely two minutes in, and the expected nomenclature mistake has already appeared: the first era of PRS SE guitars were the Santana SE series, as shown in the photo captions. This mistake plays into the strange trend on the Internet of guitarists calling the SE DGT the "DGT SE" (I suspect because they could afford not to pay attention the budget line previously.). I am very glad that this mistake was not repeated.
Yup, my first PRS was a Santana SE, still got it infact, got it in 2005, it's been a really good guitar for 600 I think it was then, pure butter is how I explain it, stays in tune, I just love it..stamped Korea, must be one of the first, as its the same as the black you showed with same strip inlays gloss finish, but not cream pick up rings, I'll never get rid of it, got 3 PRS guitars now...very cool, answer some questions I had, thanks...
Unless I missed it, I was surprised there was no mention of the 594 Ted McCarty 594 SE. I felt that the Silver Sky Se, the DGT SE and the McCarty 594 SE were the absolute best in the SE line.
Excellent video! I was hoping to see as part of the SE history the SE Multifoil (multi-metal). This '87 Model was made popular by Gustavo Cerati, Soda Stereo's front man, with a limited run in 2016 or 2018 of an SE model I don't remember too well. This guitar is huge in Latin America!
Mahalo Keith. I liked the fact that Paul spec his standard and custom models as Gibson originally intended. PRS always had some models I considered buying. In June of 94, PRS Custom was price at $2278.50 for bird inlay and $1757.00 for moon inlays at Elderly Instruments. I like the fact that SE are more like US models.
Hi Keith, you've become like a friend with your pleasant speaking, highly informative videos, and ideas that help us further our musical/guitar interests.
Best Regards,
James
Great video! I'be glad to see a short history obout Godin guitars!
Yeah. I’d be interested in that. Great value in North America made guitars.
I worked for Godin for a very short time until Covid hit, I still have a good friend at Godin, great guitrars made in Canada, looking at geeting a Godin
I second this! Love my Godin’s!
Love my Godin’s Montreal Premiere!
My first guitar ever was a Godin seagull and I had just gotten saved at 21 and started leading worship. Didn’t know much about guitars but the guy selling it at my local music and arts store was this cool long haired guy with a blue jean jacket and he said this is a good entry model. He started to play some blues licks and I was in awe. It was cedar wood and looked and sounded amazing. Electronics were fire too!!
All the gear snobs I play with make fun of my SE. I mean, what's wrong with an $800 dollar guitar that plays and sounds incredible? Best trem I've ever used.
100% agreed! They're incredible guitars! I mean, I still lust after the $4000 USA-made PRS, but realistically can't justify the money, even if the SE didn't exist. PRS is only gaining sales, not trading them as they feared.
They just want to justify the money they spent. There's no reason a guitar needs to cost more than 1k.
They just don’t know. Some of the best gear period.
While a core guitar is better, the big question is whether or not it’s worth it for you. I have SE, S2, and core. Each has its own special sounds, and they’re all excellent guitars. If they make fun, they’ve never played one for very long. Fuggem.
It's the player, not the guitar that matters. I'd rather gig with a cheaper guitar.
Another great short history, I really, really enjoy these and look forward to the next one!
Well done, Keith. Always enjoy your short history videos.
I would still love to see a short history of Guild guitars!
Thank I enjoy your short history videos keep it up thank you
I've been playing guitar for 40 years, many of those years professionally, and over those four decades I've played and owned almost every major guitar brand out there. Except for a large sampling of Ernie Ball Music Man models, I have more Korean-made PRS SE's in my collection than anything else. They're just so hard to beat for the money - they look, sound, and play great. I've checked out a few of the more recent models being made in Indonesia and China, but I found that the quality control is not up to the Korean standard I've become accustomed to. I'm glad I bought the ones I have when I did. Thanks for the video, Keith, stellar content as always.
I just bought a PRS se custom 24 in the dark brown flame maple top and it looks and sounds top notch. I can’t stop playing it and it sounds ultra high fidelity with my amp and pedals. If I could pick one I’d pick this. Thanks Keith for your videos!! 🎵📽️🎸
I think the SE line are fantastic guitars. Not "good for the money," they are just good. Period.
I agree. I routinely dream of high $ guitars, to hem I go play them, and I remember just how good my SE is. I got it used in 2013 for under $400
Exactly, so many people seem to insist on comparing SE to American models which I think is not the intention of PRS, they are distinct and different although some are inspired by an American made or core model. 👌
Fun fact is that PRS doesn’t officially state what SE actually stands for. I have seen several recent videos and interviews and they always talk around it that it is up to anyone’s own interpretation. That being said, Student Edition doesn’t really do them justice. I own the cheapest SE possible (2022 SE standard) and it is absolutely beautiful and flawless. Great video by the way, stunned to see there were so many models ✌🏻
Student models are quite a bit better now than they were in the 80s and 90s 😂 probably regardless of instrument
I was thinking of all the band instruments I played in high school!
SE: Standard edition
S2: Standard 2.0
CE: Cutaway edition
Core: Professional/Ultra
Private Stock: Custom shop
@@romeou4965 CE = Classic Electric, referring to the bolt-on construction.
@@romeou4965 CE stands for Classic Electric.
Signature electric I thought, or standard electric...
I own one of the first run of the Silver Sky SE, built in March ‘22. One of the nicest playing and sounding S guitars for that price range I’ve come across. Great video, love the channel!
I think Ovation Guitars deserves a history video. Although not as popular as they used to be, one of the most innovative guitar makers with their designs and concepts. They did a lot of things with acoustic guitars before other companies did. Cutaways, shallows, electronics, etc... And, had a lot of major players endorsing their guitars over the years. Made in USA!
@@Clearview68 I saw old footage of Nancy Wilson playing an Ovation and was floored not just by her playing (which is still amazing even now!) but also by the guitar she was playing. It was an Adamas of some kind, the one with those composite soundboards and Lyrachord (?) backs.
Great video, Keith. I am a long-time fan of PRS guitars. Thanks for shining a light on this brand. I have had played and owned too many to list here and they are a special fiddle. It was cool that you had ole Blugubrious on your video. Way to reach out in the community. Thanks again.
11:02 my grandfather gave me one of these, the last of the guitars he owned, saying that he had “retired from playing guitar”. It was a birthday present of sorts for me, and it is easily the best-playing (and indeed the best-feeling) guitar that I own! Needless to say, I think it needs an electric sibling.
Thanks for the video, it's always good to have a prs video out in the world, about the se line.
Great Video and detailed info as always Keith. Thanks a mill!
2:24 fun fact: the album pictured here, Caravanserai, features a very young Neal Schon on guitar and Gregg Rollie on vocals and keyboards. Both Gregg and Neal, along with Carlos Santana’s then-manager Herbie Herbert, would quit the band shortly thereafter and found what became the band Journey.
I’m just impressed you shouted out Tim Mahoney. And Navarro respect 👊
I have a mid 2000 single cut and soap bar. Both great guitars! You can't go wrong with the SEs
Great video Keith. I brought a PRS Custom SE 24 back in 2019 and haven’t looked back since. Compared to my Gibson’s (335 / LP / SG) and Fenders (Strat / Tele) and at a 5th of the price it plays and sounds beautiful. Used it for many gigs favouring it over my Les Paul Standard. If I was on a desert island and could only take one guitar it would be my PRS SE due to its versatility.
Thanks Keith for some amazing content! As always! I’ve never owned or even played a PRS, so I found the show most interesting. Having begun playing in 1969, I’ve never strayed from the prominent and dominant Fender and Gibson. Even today, my only non-traditional guitar is a Schecter PT, which let’s face it, is basically a souped-up Tele. Your show today has most definitely made me want to explore PRS, they look and sound singularly sensational.
Ive had my SE Custom 24 for 11 years and its been flawless throughout, i love it..
Outstanding video as usual!!
This video brings back fond teenage memories for me, Keith. Thanks for putting it together. Still have a stack of all the PRS ads I used to detach from my copies of Guitar World/Guitar One magazines.
Another great video. I do really like the figure on the Core/Private Stock PRS lines. The SE line is starting to look really good. 😊
Extremely detailed video and timeline of models and features. PRS is a universe unto it's own and PRS guys will love this.
I ordered my SE DGT today. I can't wait for it to get here.
I am a player of 25+ years and was gifted a PRS SE custom 24 for Father’s Day last year and it’s fantastic. It very easily became my #1 gig guitar for its versatility and playability. Certainly no regrets
I picked up one of the original Santanas on sale in '02 and have held onto it even though I've rotated through a bunch of other much more expensive guitars since. It might sit for a good stretch, but I'm always impressed by it when I pick it up and play, plus there are no worries letting the kids mess around with it. Easily one of the best value buys I've had.
I've owned a plethora of SE models from the SE Custom 22, the SE Singlecut, and now my current 2023 SE Custom 24 of which I've found the playability of each of those models to be some of the best feeling, best sounding, tonally great pieces of gear I've ever owned. My Custom 22 was just magnificent to play. My SE Singlecut was easy to customize as I had to change out the pick ups and electronics but once those changes were made, it was one of the most comfortable, best sounding guitars I've ever had. That guitar alone made me continue to look for the means to get myself an official PRS Core 594 Singlecut after having a mild obsession with the PRS SC245. Suffice to say, my current love for the SE Custom 24 knows no bounds with the simple controls that I love over the Core Custom 24 configuration, the neck is super fast, the subtle violin curve, and the paint job makes it a playable piece of art that I can appreciate. The fact that you could also make some pretty decent adjustments to give it some treatments like new pick ups and controls gives the SE models that extra oomph for entry level players to be able to grab, learn, and play!
I'd love to see a short history of Dean guitars
PRS SE is one of my favorite brands/companies in the world. I admire everything they've done and obsessed over their history and mission. Really cool that you made this video :)
Great video! It made me look into the SE line in a different light.
My first brand-new guitar was a flat-top SE Custom 24 with the moon-dot inlays and the G&B era pickups, and this was during their tenure being made in Korea.
That guitar in my youth of learning to mod stuff received many mods and even my first attempt at a refret (for some reason my SE had VERY soft frets and I played them till flat, the refret worked by it was very sloppy in hindsight)
Nowadays, a SE CE24 is its spiritual successor and a SE DGT, both are happily apart of my recording stable of instruments and I don't plan on letting them go anytime soon.
As for the flat-top, it's currently a toasty (heat gun) naked husk, but now that I'm getting done with two project builds and starting to properly dedicate guitars for different tunings, I think I'm going to restore it (kind of) into a C standard sabbath-esque machine.
I have and play a late first-generation Santana SE, which has a PRS logo on the truss rod cover from 2001. It’s a fantastic guitar, even before I modified it heavily. It’s been with me for about 20 years, except for a short period where I traded it to a friend, but later traded back for it. It amazes me how the SE line has grown.
I have a limited edition SE custom 24 with a roasted maple neck. It's still one of my overall favorite guitars to play after 5 years.
Nice review of the PRs line thnx
Magnificent Keith & team! Always worth the time I save to watch short histories on Saturday morning time. ✌️😌🎸
Great stuff as usual - always interesting and informative ! However, as an owner of one, I was crying in my coffee at the omission of the SE 24.08 - a splendid guitar indeed !
16:25 those baritones are so cool. I almost bought one back when they were first coming out. I bought one of the brand new Epiphone Coronet guitars though. Did a lot of upgrades and still have it.
I bought a PRS SE Standard 24 guitar 2 years ago and was so impressed by the value for money it offered that a few months later I bought the baritone version as well. I had wanted a baritone guitar for ages and never found a decent one. Both are superb guitars for the price.
Thanks for the video.
Always the best videos
Love that Silver Sky pickguard! Thanks for all the great videos Keith!
Hi Keith, enjoyed this video and it validated the delivery today to me of a brand new SE Silver Sky for a whopping $577. It was a "floor model" at a music store on Reverb but was in brand new condition and weighs just 7.0 lbs. It feels and sounds great. Have it paired with a new MIJ Aerodyne Tele I picked up recently for half of what it sold for originally, also from another Reverb store. Cheers from south Louisiana.
Love my SE
Thanks Keith was going through the 5 Watt DTs! Cheers
I've got an OG '01 "Santana SE" in red that I picked up for next to nothing in about 2011/2012. Just dropped in some SE locking tuners I picked up for also next to nothing a few months ago and they dropped right in (which is pretty cool for 20+ years later). Just a fantastic guitar.
Great video... ❤
As someone who owns an SE Kestrel Bass, that bass has a magic to it. The second that bass was in my hands I couldn't leave without it.
I remember commenting years ago after I think the second short history video. Les Paul, tele or strat….I don’t remember. But I remember saying that I loved these short history videos. But what happens when you run out of the big name guitars with the long lineage. I’m happy to see that there is a lot of history behind so many more guitars and brands than I had thought about. Breaking down the guitars into their respective subsets is a great idea. It opens the topic up for many more videos and more education on each model. Very cool! I’d like to see a video about Washburn. There beginnings as a very well crafted and respected manufacturer to the tough times of some lesser quality to where the company stands today I still have my basic Washburn mercury 2 series electric that I bought new back in 1993. Hardtail with a ABR style bridge. Full 24 frets that are very accessible. Slab rosewood fretboard and the guitar is just solid and strong. Of course I ripped out the bridge pickup and replaced it with an original DiMarzio super distortion and it sounds and plays great.
I just purchased a used SE ONE Korina (with bird inlays) without knowing anything about the SE line. I just played it and was floored at how good it felt, meaning solid and great sounding. Compared to other budget guitars I feel my SE feels like it’s on a separate level of construction. Great video Keith!
Dude, I found an SE One in a small shop, played it through a Vox AC10, and it melted my heart! I regret having to leave her there.
@ I ended up picking it up but waited like 5 months! Well worth the wait.
Loved this vid!
I saw my Sandblasted Ash Limited edt in late 2019 and ordered it. Something I never did before, but Covid was "in the air" and I assumed I would have time the coming year.
Never regretted it. And despite the new releases this summer, this version of Sandblasted Ash has not been released again. They are still unique and rare.
And how it plays, and sounds ... well, you have to try one to know.
Yet another great video! I bought a PRS SE Standard 24 Tobacco Burst in October 2020. It is mahogany w/ no maple cap. I imagine that the mahogany is sourced from Indonesia or nearby. It has the double-cut body with the beautiful mahogany grain on display with binding on the slightly curved top and on the neck. I love the Pattern Thin neck and the glossy finish does not bother me in the least, although I realize some people might not like it. At first, I thought that the pickups were too bright, but after playing them for a couple days, I realized that having all that high-end was a good thing and I lowered the pickups a bit and I learned to use the Tone knob a bit. All in all, the SE Standard 24 is a great guitar! It might be the gateway to upgrading for some people, but I have no need to upgrade it or upgrade in the PRS line. I don't want all of my guitars to sound the same - I want different tones to use at different times.
I’ve had 3 SE models over the years, the first one (and the only one still in my collection) being an SE Soapbar II with the maple top. I also have had a SE Custom Semihollow (which I regret letting go) and a Mike Mushok baritone that while fun, has been replaced by a more appropriate for my tone preference Squier Tele baritone.
I'll tell you this. I am an American made Fender and Gibson buyer. I'm a working class musician but I will pay top dollar for a guitar or amplifier Even if it takes me a long time to save up for it. Having said that, this PRS dgt SE is probably the first time I have ever purchased an instrument made overseas and have been mesmerized. This guitar could be sold at twice the price. If you take the SE off the headstock it would sell like crazy. I am a convert. PRS guitars sound amazing to get a good or let's say great sound with treble bleed on both volume controls and a single coil split is absolutely incredible on this guitar. It's just a fantastic instrument. I had to get the gold top because I don't like the birds. The mahogany body, Maple cap, neck and everything else about this guitar is magical.
I've been diehard fender and gibson only for years, recently bought an SE McCarty 594, and I am in the exact same mindframe as you concerning these guitars. Just excellent quality period, but especially for the monetary cost. Insane.
Recently purchased a used DGT SE in gold and it is great! It even had upgraded knobs and locking tuners.
Excellent video, Keith! I will forever think of those SE guitars as the Santana Edition now.
I am firmly a fan, and my PRS SE Custom 24 was the only electric I owned for a long while. I loved the versatility of the tones you could get from it and the simplicity of the controls. I need to retire the old PRS SE and have my eyes set on the SE CE to replace it.
Great content as usual
I love mine!!!!
I have been in love with PRS customs body shape ever since I saw a purple one hanging on the wall in Steve's music store in Montreal back in the late 80's. Every time I walk into a long & McQuade or a guitar center in the US, I pick up the prs guitars in search of one that feels good in my small hands. I think the custom 24 SE neck is about the best feeling. I would love to see a special semi hollow SE version with that neck profile.
Great video Keith, thanks.
I have a PRS Angelus AX20E that I love its my go to acoustic guitar.
I remember when the SE came out and compared to other Import guitars, it looked SO PLAIN! I tried one back in the day but at the time I had a Samick SG clone and that felt much better to me at less than half the price.
Today I have a Schecter S-1 Elite that I jokingly call a "Tele in a PRS clothing" and have made several small changes to it but from the outside it almost looks the same. I swapped black speed knobs for Q Part acrylic dome Tele style knobs replaced the plastic switch tip with a black Gretsch style metal one. Under the hood I replaced both Volume knobs with CTS push pull knobs to individually split each pickup rather than just the tone being the original push/pull. For the Tone knob I tracked down a Shadow Killswitch pot (to bad it's Linear but I have a Killswitch on the guitar). I also swapped the original jack (nothing wrong with it) for a Switchcraft one.
I mention all of this because the Schecter does fit much of the PRS aesthetic while being a bit more Metal. The Elite version is a 25.5 inch scale length but other S-1 models have a 24.75 inch scale. The other thing is that it is pretty easy to play and unlike my Teles, I never feel I have to fight this one. I also moved the strap button to the back center position like an SG and that solved the only comfort issue I had with this guitar. This guitar is interesting because while I use it as an SG stand in, it's a bit beefier in feel and tone than an SG but not quite in Les Paul territory.
While not a PRS guitar I feel that this model was heavily inspired by US made PRS guitars in many respects and feel wise, this guitar does it for me. I pick up PRS SE guitars and while they are not bad, they feel a tad off compared to Gibsons or Fenders. I do really like the Single Cut Korina model and that is one of those guitars I plan to pick up one day. 😎👍✨
Dear Kith in minute 14:11 is not a Kestrel that is GG 4 String on the left, minute 14:21 is a GG4 core model too.
I’ve managed to pickup several of these… SE Standard, 245, Soapbar II, and McCarty 594 Singlecut. The SEs are great value!
As an owner of both Core and SE PRS guitars I have to say you’ve done a fantastic job of discussing a dizzying are of instruments.
Great PRS history lesson. Like many of us here I’ve owned many guitars during my life. Several PRS core and SE models, and to tell you the truth one of my favorite current guitars is a PRS se245 Fredrik Akesson (Opeth) model. I just love the shorter scale and how well the guitar resonates and sustains. It’s a guitar that I probably won’t part with any time soon, I love it that much.
I have a hollow body 2, and a Paul’s se guitar. I was floored with the Paul’s SE single coil sounds better than most singles I’ve played. I’m a bedroom rocker and the quality of instrument I get from the se line is nothing short of amazing. Though I love Fender the quality of the SE’s is hard to beat excellent customer service as well. Thank you for the video!
Awesome video! Paul is thinking guitars all the time and there's nothing he wouldn't do to improve his merchandise, kinda like the Porsche factory.
I got the hardtail version of the first run of Santana SE’s in red for my 15th birthday. The one similar to the one featured in the SE 20th anniversary video. Crazy to think it’s held up so well after 20 years
Interesting stuff! Thank you. I have two 2012'ish SE's. Both just great guitars. Especially the SE Santana model.
I own one CORE PRS and three SE models...all SEs are top notch guitars...indeed flawless. The SE Silver Sky will end up being THE guitar that helped turn the market to affordable made overseas. It is a wonderful axe and my daily player...but I still love my Les Pauls!!
My PRS Custom 24 SE is my favourite, Maple top and deep blue finish. Love it.
Been SO thinking about one🤔
Currently shopping for my fourth SE. Build quality is hard to beat at the price point.
I love my SEs! Great documentary here, Keith. Fabulous job as always.
I wonder: What is your favorite part of the process with the “Short History” series? I would imagine the research alone is very gratifying.
My SE custom 22 semi hollow was built in the korean factory. It's an excellent guitar, and a pickup swap was all it needed to make me critical of fenders and gibsons
Great video. I have a Dave Navarro SE. At the time I was looking for a new guitar after my JEM 555 died. I looked at so many mid priced guitars but the neck on the SE felt so good in my hands. I've toyed with selling it over the years as I play my tele more often these days. But when I pick it up I can't part with it. I tried a Silver Sky SE in a store recently. That may just be my next purchase. The neck on that is heaven.
I own 3 PRS's; an original 2001 SE which was my go to over a dozen other guitars I own and 2 22 fret ten tops, one with the rotary pup switch which is funky but ok. The only thing that sucks about PRS's is that every new guitar they come out with, I want! Looking forward to getting an SE Hollow body someday and maybe a Starla. Thanx for your great work at FWW, Keith, I love your channel...rock on!
Back in 2020 I found a 2006 SE Custom in a second hand shop - it was missing the pick up switch knob, had a shallow gauge in the neck and a very dirty body and neck. Cleaned it up and it’s become my ‘testbed’ guitar, having replaced the pick ups and wiring for split coils (not a feature on release). A very solid instrument!
Great video. Should have included when they started introducing the few lefthand models that they now offer.
Obviously bias here because I am in the video, but honestly, with all of the options with imports out there - and I have had my share - PRS SE is top notch and I love that this video shines a light on that. Thanks for including me, Keith. And thanks for showing not all great guitars are on the top shelf.
Hey Blu 👋
Cool little spot 😊
Peaked my interest in the narrow field pu's 👍
@@rainfieldmusic Thanks RFM... if you any questions, shoot me a note.
After seeing Mike Oldfield play a PRS custom 24 for the Millennium Concert in Berlin, and the images of numerous PRS on his “Guitars” album, I had to have a PRS. When I found out how much they were, I was despondent. Now I have three SE models. Huzzah!
Thank you for the wonderful history lesson. My lefty PRS SE 277 is a wonderful instrument and one of my favorites to pick up any time of the day and just have fun. The jury is still out on my 2024 lefty Zach Myers. I think the bridge pickup has an issue and the shorter 24.594" scale is a bit short for my hands to feel at home. I prefer the longer 27.77" scale of the baritone. Both are lovely to look at and are nice and light.
The 2020 SE Mira is absolutely fantastic!
SEs are great guitars. I have an NF3 and a DGT from the SE line. The DGT SE is really good. It's my favorite guitar. Paired with a Princeton amp it's magic. Set the Princeton volume on 4 and you can get bell like cleans with the coil tap neck pickup, switch to the bridge humbucker and you're right into ACDC breakup. It also cleans up beautifully with the volume knob. And the PRS tremelo system is my favorite.
Waiting for an SE version of the NF 53! 🤪 Absolutely love my SE CE bolt neck.
I've been saying three eleven all this time.. who knew it was actually three one one lol 😂😂
Love the vid none the less. All the short stories are ace ❤
Great video , I was fortunate enough to own de 25th anniversary model of the custom 24 , sold it and got a 1997 ce24 that is the best prs I’ve ever played
I'd love to see a history of Alvarez's long discontinued electric guitar range
I like the tone of the Silver Sky and the David Grissom models. Also, I ❤love the amber look of the Santana.
Barely two minutes in, and the expected nomenclature mistake has already appeared: the first era of PRS SE guitars were the Santana SE series, as shown in the photo captions. This mistake plays into the strange trend on the Internet of guitarists calling the SE DGT the "DGT SE" (I suspect because they could afford not to pay attention the budget line previously.). I am very glad that this mistake was not repeated.
I love the 5-Watt/ JNC Joint!
Love this as always!
311 is pronounced ‘Three Eleven’
(I’ll see myself out . . . )
Thank you! ❤️🤘🏻👽
miT appreciates you too 😁
Where are those fall tour dates? I’m ready to go!
Totally agree with your opinion on the SE Hollowbody II w/piezo. It’s an amazing guitar that is very versatile.
Agreed. It's a bucket list guitar for me. I played a really nice one the other day, and it hurt a little hanging back up.
I just bought two se 24 standards...one used in the blue with matching headstock and one brand new in the turquoise satin finish
Yup, my first PRS was a Santana SE, still got it infact, got it in 2005, it's been a really good guitar for 600 I think it was then, pure butter is how I explain it, stays in tune, I just love it..stamped Korea, must be one of the first, as its the same as the black you showed with same strip inlays gloss finish, but not cream pick up rings, I'll never get rid of it, got 3 PRS guitars now...very cool, answer some questions I had, thanks...
Unless I missed it, I was surprised there was no mention of the 594 Ted McCarty 594 SE. I felt that the Silver Sky Se, the DGT SE and the McCarty 594 SE were the absolute best in the SE line.
My CE SE also got left out.. guess he'll have to make more videos :)
Excellent video! I was hoping to see as part of the SE history the SE Multifoil (multi-metal). This '87 Model was made popular by Gustavo Cerati, Soda Stereo's front man, with a limited run in 2016 or 2018 of an SE model I don't remember too well. This guitar is huge in Latin America!
Mahalo Keith. I liked the fact that Paul spec his standard and custom models as Gibson originally intended. PRS always had some models I considered buying.
In June of 94, PRS Custom was price at $2278.50 for bird inlay and $1757.00 for moon inlays at Elderly Instruments. I like the fact that SE are more like US models.