Why I PREFER PRS SE Guitars to the Expensive Models (because I can afford to review them..)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 พ.ค. 2023
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It shouldn't be difficult to build a great guitar for £3-4k in my opinion, BUT, building great guitars for around the £1000 mark is considerably more of a challenge...I think the SE guitars are actually a more realistic and probably more sensible option these days for the average gigging musician?
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And not to mention, there just comes a point where it's just ridiculous to go out gigging expensive premium guitars and risk the damage or theft. I'm here in Florida and I see mediocre retired guys out gigging in the summer heat and humidity all the time playing Margaritaville and Mustang Sally on a $4,000 Taylor and I just shake my head.
Humidity and acoustics ahhh yes 😂😂😂
I can understand those guys. Not every decision in life has to be practical.
“Budget” is such a relative term to everyone and it shouldn’t matter to anyone else what someone’s definition of budget vs expensive is. It’s all about what you enjoy and we appreciate the reviews ! You could review a washboard and use branches as drumsticks and I’d still love every second of it sir! #WashboardandBranches band! 😅
This intro literally brings me to tears. Will be purchasing the DGT SE, an HX Stomp, subscribing to your channel for the rest of time to come. Your videos are so inspiring, and you might be one of the greatest guitarists I've ever heard. Thank you.
Well that's super kind of you to say!
Same. Pairing down my guitars and pedals, going “cheaper,” and focusing on the music! Huge inspiration.
To each their own. I love guitars priced in all ranges. I have Mexican Strats that I play entire gigs with, however, I also have a 10 top PRS 509, and an EBMM Custom finish Cutlass, and they’re stellar players. I ENJOY playing all weekend, from Friday night Restaurant gigs, to a Saturday private show, and wrap it up with Sunday morning services with my nicer guitars. They play better, better action, better intonation, better feel, better fret work and smoother fretboards, simply better, and it makes the 9+ weekend hours of playing bearable. I can’t make an entire weekend with my Mexican or Japanese Strats. They sound great, but they are only enjoyable to play for an hour or so, before I feel like the playability starts to bother me. The SOUNDS are excellent, and can work anytime, anywhere, but playing comfort has to be factored in.
I bought a PRS Soap-bar II SE and it is the most resonant guitar I have. It's a mahogany body and similar neck but it's so good to strum. No issues with the setup but I could fix that stuff myself. Bought it for £150 and have been very pleased with it. Made by World Musical Instruments - Korea. Great guitar.
8:20 I thought the same until I found the magical PRS and then getting a higher end model makes sense. Regardless of a price point, when you find a guitar with that special thing, get it.
They really improved the SEs. Now those come with pickups voiced very similar to the American ones. They are using a nut material similar to the ones developed in Maryland by PRS. And fretwork has improved as well. But the pickups and nut made a big difference.
I've got two PRS SE Custom 24's, an SE Hollow Body II Piezo and a 35 Anniversary Core. I have only taken the Core out to a gig once but the SE's have been going out to every gig recently. I just can't get over how good the SE's are compared to the Core and I probably won't cry if I ding one of the SE's!
I have all three levels of PRS. Certainly the SE guitars are a tremendous value. I still see the S2 as being a pretty serious step up. It also has a full maple cap (no veneer). As for the core level, it’s really about serious refinement. That said I normally play the S2 most.
But S2 uses import hardware so how is it any better than SE?
What I find very satisfying is affordable gear that makes me play/happy. This can be gear hitting above its pricetag or generally liking the "don't worry be happy" vibe I get.
My Gretsch G5421 & Boss Dual Cube gimme that 😊
Love the backing track. Nice thickness in the patch, and incredible phrasing John.
Thanks for the great content, John. I got a perfectly-preserved used PRS SE Standard 24 for under 400 pounds (I think it's about 500-550 new) and I think this guitar sounds great. Would be curious to hear your opinion on one.
Totally agree! I picked up a used PRS SE Custom 24 a couple of years ago, and I am totally satisfied with it. I do like two volumes and two tones though, so I've really got my eye on the SE McCarty which everyone says is great.
If it's any consolation, I do not know any dentists who play as well as you do. You make those SEs sound incredible.
I am with you on the SE guitars. I got a Silver Sky SE , which is now my ‘go to’ over the Godin Session strat. As soon as the DGT SE becomes available here in Canada it will be replacing my Gibson Lpj. I appreciate your knowledge,outlook and playing. Thanks.
I've never really connected with the PRS's I've played - but that McCarty is stunning.
Splitting hairs - I'd ditch the white p'up bezels, switch tip and tuners - and opt for black. Otherwise, beautiful guitar. Great playing as always.
John, like most things one invests in the value is not a linear function of how much you spend. Once you get past the crap level it’s somewhat linear but at a certain point the curve flattens and you end up up spending way more to squeeze out the last 10% or so in value. I have three guitars in the $2,400 -$4,000 range. After hearing you play these modestly priced guitars ( not just PRS models) it’s clear I spent way, way over my skill level.
Maybe we should employ a “high cut and low cut” approaching in our investments. Thanks again for encouraging us all to focus in the right areas. 🎸 👏
I hear ya. I've been going through an 'inventory' over the last few years. I've sold most of my expensive gear. Just sold a $4k Suhr a couple of weeks ago. Still have another Suhr left - as well as a Tom Quayle Ibanez (which is about to be listed). Watching this video has me wondering if I can get by with one of these. If I could get 90% of the quality from a DGT or McCarty SE, I could let my last Suhr go.
7:42 No. Your logic sounds perfectly reasonable.
Just got my SE McCarty yesterday. Fantastic guitar. I was unsure how different it would be to my Custom 24, but it’s definitely it’s own thing.
Completely different guitars, but both very nice to play. I got both recently and I am enjoying a lot.
My Daughter purchased the 594SE in single cut and I absolutely love it and it’s everything they say it is. I don’t have great gear for amps and I’m wonder if John, you do a video again using the old original POD and this 594?
I did decided to upgrade from SE to American Silver Sky, and I’m really happy with the decision. There was just something lacking with the SE. I did a wedding last weekend and played the entire set on the SS. I usually switch out to my EBMM Sabre for rock(ier) tunes and found that the SS just worked for the entire set.
OOh - yeh - the American Silver Sky is killer - but weirdly I prefer the SE DGT to the wood library DGT I had before...Odd
@@johnnathancordy strange but something similar happened to me. had a dgt core, recently, sold it grabbed the dgt se and im enjoying more the SE. I think its because the core I purchased the frets were used and were not polished, so that plus the very big frets wasnt so nice sliding through the guitar, like you could notice the resistance. With fret level and polish, im sure would end up playing fantastic.
but the Se the frets are wonderfully polished, very smooth when sliding and bedning, feels like the stainless steel guitar ive played that also felt very smooth. and not sur,e but the frets on the SE seems to be a tiny bit marginally lower and tiny bit marginally less wide, and I prefer that. still be jumbo frets but a tad tad less wide and less tall.
but also, I have another core and have another se the Pauls guitar that is fantastic, and both SE has something great going on ,the pauls guitar is stupidly comfortable and great to play too. and the dgt se has that same thing. the cores also have like a bit their thing, but for some reason I really click with the SE, althugh of course love the cores as well, are awesome. but hard to pay so much when the SE is already so so good and fulffils my needs.
And Ive had expensive guitars, like gibson custom shop, and fender custom shop , multiple suhrs, japanese ibanez and dont feel like im compromising with the prs SE. are solid igh quality guitars.
Your analysis and comments are spot on. I own PRS Core guitars as well as their SE versions. I use the Core versions for studio dates and the SE versions for live gigs where it is possible that I could have a guitar stolen in today’s world. I started buying the SE versions after a $4,500 Core SE walked off the stage during a break a just before COVID hit, thinking that they would be “good enough” to gig with once COVID subsided and live gigging restarted. However, once I bought my first SE…one of the SE Paul’s guitars I was very favorably impressed with its quality, playability and tomes. Since, then I have purchased several more SE version guitars, including one of the DGTs, and they have all be great, especially at their price point.
Hey John, compelling viewing again, thank you. As my new favourite guitar advisor I would love to hear your opinion on the Eastman semi hollow range. I think I’ve found a keeeper in my T386, an alternative to blowing double on a inconsistent Gibson
Love your playing, you make these sound great! Tried a 594 SE today as they are 20% off this month (Oct 23). Beautiful but the wiring was seriously messed up! Wrong controls for wrong pickups and one tap didn’t work😳
I put money down to have another from L&M s warehouse and hope it’ll be fine. Love the neck shape.
I've never loved the PRS neck profiles. But I finally got a chance to play the PRS DGT SE, and that neck was more pleasing. And overall, that guitar was fantastic. While I didn't pull the trigger that day, one of the DGT SE's might be in my future. But I have enough humbucking equipped Gibson's to make a 594 uninteresting to me.
I bought a baritone 277 se last year. I wasn’t expecting much even though reviews were really good.
I love it! For $1000 Canadian its as good as some $3000 dollar guitars. Plays great and feels good quality. Frets and neck feel really smooth.
When they get the SEs right, I think it's a beautiful combination of specs/playability and at a reasonable price!
John I own 10 PRS SE's, a american silver sky, and 2 american s2's. I feel the same. The SE's give me a great guitar at a great price and allows me to collect them.
I have tried cores, owned a s2, my se is now the only prs i own. It's just as good as the cores/s2. My SE is also my main guitar, over a gibson les paul traditional, fender strat, schecter pt.
been having that experience as well myselg. amazing how good the SE are. I have now a pauls guiar and DGT SE. and I had the dgt core actually. If had to keep only 1 guitar would keep the dgt SE for sure.
John, I hope you get to trying the PRS Zach Myers sometime. I've 2 fantastic US made Fenders, Tele, Strat which I love, vut I just love the Zach for pretty much all you can love about a guitar, ergonomics,comfort, neck, playability, but its sound in particular. Not to mention how beautiful the blue one is. The DGT does sound amazingly excellent though.
SE is a great guitar even the standards are great. Ive had many my current is a 2408 custom. For those of who may have one... The only problem with them is they stay in tune wonderful at standard tune not anything lower. But any locking tuners fix the problem. Also some say the nut can be improved. Mine is great but ive replaced all the others ive had . They are very consistent. The TCI pickups are wonderful. Love the new DGT thanks for demoing awsome playing as always
I played a SE 594 a few days ago. It felt really fantastic but unfortunately it had rattle on certain notes, I couldn't tell if it was a high fret or what, so I passed on it.
These look really intriguing. I like the pickup switching options, seems super versatile. Might try one out and see how I get on with it. How's the tuning stability with the trem on the DGT?
The trem on mine is very stable - I'd check a few other reviewers to see if they had the same experience as I've only played this one!
I had a prs 7 strings Mark Holford and thr nut wasn't cut properly ...
So they are not always smack on from the box ... maybe was a friday afternoon sort of situation ... i own a ce 24 and an se with floyd rose and both are superb ... i wonder what the neck profile of the se dgt is ... i'm not into chunky necks and ideally i'd only go for slim c ... i'm really digging the gold se dgt and i'd like to try one in a store somewhere around me neck of the woods here in staffs /west midlands ... some se are fab some not so ... ultimately some sing some don't ... for sure there is clever marketing although i believe those dgt ( from sound clips n reviews on you tube ) seem really outstanding ... my only concern is ... i'm an ebony fretboard person and me se and ce are both ebony ... i'm trying not to order one from andertons as there are 5 in stock at present ... i'm trying to contain me gas ahahaha
I’ve found the SE electronics can be hit or miss. I returned a Mira because even after electronic cleaner it still constantly cut out. The Zach Myers that I currently have has had a neck pickup that cuts in and out intermittently since I’ve had it and just haven’t had a chance to get it repaired. I don’t trust gigging with it. However I really like how they play and feel. Just like any guitar, I suppose it’s best to try a few. I had to do the same thing when I was shopping for a Les Paul.
I enjoy your tone and playing a lot John.
I bought a 2018 SE with a gorgeous spalted maple top sunburst for $600 just because it looked so beautiful. I never in my wildest dreams thought it would replace my LP, Strat, or Carvin as my main instrument but now days I only play the other three out of guilt. So when I see USA made PRS around $4000 I just shake my head. I cannot imagine there is a $3400 difference in sound or playability.
Appreciate if you can try to do a helix hack for the sde-3000 that Boss just released. Thanks for your kind consideration. Nice playing and the channel is great.
Great tone great playing
The SE is destined to be one of the biggest selling series of all time. So many styles to pick from. All the pros who review them are so pleasantly surprised and appreciative.
They are amazing guitars for the price.
Beautiful playing
You’re right a guitar that costs over £3000 should be tremendous. No excuses.
I’ve got a PRS Silver Sky SE and really like it . Nice neck profile and less glassy than some Strats I’ve played . Better value now the price has came down in most finishes. Be interesting to play the core model but I believe it has a different neck profile ?
Yeh, the fretboard radius is slightly more extreme on the Core model - it's 7.25 vs the SE which I think is just above 8
@@johnnathancordy Thanks , and about 1-5 k more expensive. I actually won the Silver Sky , unbelievable 😀So lucky
Out of curiosity, how does the DGT stack up to Aaron Marshall model? I'm interested mainly in the feel difference. Is the difference in scale that much noticeable?
They're not really very similar in style at all. The AM has a much slimmer neck and flatter feeling radius, and huge frets. The DGT feels a bit more vintage/traditional.
Personally, the scale length thing is not hugely noticeable to me, but I switch between Strats and Les Pauls etc fairly often so I'm not sure I'm that sensitive to that sort of thing!
“Non dentist”….right. Many of the PRS Dragon models with the incredible inlay end up being owned by doctors in the states….Cannot wait to try the PRS SE DGT.
I am with you on this. I have a couple different guitars in different price ranges and it always comes down to sound, playabality and comfort. E.g. I have a PRS Marty Friedmann SE (modded) and a PRS SC250 (US 2007) , 1000€ vs 4200€. And as much as I love the SC250, it isn't worth 4x as much as the SE and the SE is more comfortable to play due to more rounded body corners. To be honest, the little sound difference which all guitars have, are controlled by your amp setup anyway. Like I always say, the 21year old whisky just tastes better as the 10 year old because of marketing. 🙂
The intro song is brilliant!
Out of the DGT and McCarty, if you could only have one which would it be? I tried both last weekend and I liked the McCarty slightly more, being able to individually Split the coils is a bit plus. I felt the DGT Neck is slightly thicker. However people hype the DGT more and I don't get it.
Whats your favourite between the 2?
My main guitar is a Sadowsky S type. It is undoubtedly a fantastic guitar & I paid a lot for it but it was worth it. I got a PRS Custom SE semi hollow & at first, even though it plays really good I didn't like the pickups. But after time (I always think you got to give pickups time to burn in a little) I really started to like it, & I play it a lot now. I'm considering getting the a Silver Sky SE version now that they have one. So, I agree with you, I think the SE versions are pretty good guitars. Maybe get a core version if one can afford it but I wouldn't count out the SE versions at all.
Pickups can't burn in. They are magnets which pickup sound via disturbances in their magnetic field. A magnet can not be burnt in. It can be demagnetized, but that only happens when it is put through a special demagnetizing tools.
You have become accustomed to the sound of the pickups over time.
Have a good day and stay informed
Lots of snake oil out there.
I also have a Sadowsky HSH S Type - bought it in 1992 - extremely versatile, love it. A year or so back I bought the SE Custom 24-08 and it's a terrific back-up, offering the same sort of versatility and playability.
I do love my PRS SE hollow-body and my 277 baritone but I'd suggest you should really try the SS SE before you buy it. I got one and it felt cheap as f...it was returned right away...just sayin'
I love Fender. I wanted to “dual main” Fender and PRS guitars, so I bought a CE24 in 2020. It is a great guitar, but I’ve decided that I just can’t support PRS. THE CE24 was $2000 when I bought it, but has since jumped up to $2629 with no improvements.
I can’t put faith in that price trend. It’s the same thing with the core models. I know the US economy is wack, I feel like PRS needs to do change something.
I don’t like feeling like I’m comprising on the quality of my guitars. I’d rather support brands like Charvel, Sire, etc that have affordable flagship models.
I genuinely enjoy playing mid-range guitars more. It makes me feel like less of a snob. I don’t think I’m anywhere near good enough to have earned playing a $3000 guitar. I’ll get there some day!
I owned a PRS custom 22 for around 10 years. It was my main guitar. I. Changed the pickups a number of times because I always felt the guitar was missing something. It always sounded boring, lackluster to me. I sold it. I have played many of their top guitars including a number of the wood library guitars. They always sounded (dead) for lack of a better term. They are in my opinion the most beautiful guitar made, but think they are way over rated. I now own 2 Suhr guitars that will never leave me.
How would you compare the SE 594 with Revstar Standard? Both Gibsonish scale lengths. Is the PRS SE noticibly better built for the extra £400? Cheers.
I had the same question. He also had a positive review of the Revstar lineup.
Great question. I've been wanting to know this too. Tried the Revstar standards and they were amazing. Super comfortable and articulate sounding. Can't find a DGT SE to try here unfortunately so yea would be great to see a head to head comparison.
I’d love to know the answer to that question too. cheers
My SE Custom is a beautiful instrument, visually gorgeous, but the stock pickups are very shrill and unpleasant. Guitar is drop dead gorgeous though, and with a really nicely done neck. Great fit and finish too.
Get Von Skow pickups for it. Changes the character of the instrument completely.
“…more within the grasp of the ordinary non-dentist.” Aside from the lovely playing, this sort of astute assessment and command of the subtle snark is the sort of content that keeps THIS hillbilly comin back. HUZZAH Maestro.
U always have killer phrasing mate
I guess I’m struggling with the idea that someone needs to spend $4000 for a good guitar for gigs. I don’t gig but if I were to some day I’d go out with the cheapest functional guitar I’ve got unless I’m playing somewhere that has a dress code, and even then a $4000 guitar doesn’t make sense.
I'm in the same position to be honest
I own an S E model and also a core model ,and I much prefer the S E .The core model may have to go .
There is no doubt that the SE is a quality instrument. Still, when I play my Cores, I find the SE pickups just lack a certain je ne sais quoi. Also, I believe that the fret wire will not hold up as well over time. I had one SE that had a couple of high frets. This isn’t something I expect in a nearly $1000 guitar.
4:40 "Ordinary non-dentist" 😆
It's a shame because I'd love you to review a modern eagle 5
If anyone has one I'd be happy to - but I don't think I could ever justify it!
@John Nathan Cordy they are supposed to be absolutely amazing. Try and get PRS to lend you one for review
PRS best quality for the money
...any of their Cou...rses!!!!
Love the phrase ‘non-dentist’ 😂
Mediocre retired guy here. I play what I like best, what fits my style plus tone and playability. And I don't put down anyone for that.
The SE's are great guitars, but don't fool yourself into thinking they're in the same class as the core models. I have one SE, and three core models and the core guitars are the top of the guitar mountain, period.
It's not fooling - I had a Wood Library DGT - this SE DGT is not a worse guitar, at all
The 1975 - Happiness
To me PRS are the Seagull of acoustics. I hate the neck profile on both.
Honestly, I MUCH prefer the old Korean-made SE Custom. I have owned two Indonesian-made SEs, and they both had faulty hardware. Worse yet, one of them had the nut cut all the way down to the wood, and was outright NOT PLAYABLE. This was out of the box. I have no idea how they managed to get through Quality Control, especially the not playable one. If an outright not playable guitar is able to pass Quality Control, I don't trust that company at all.
if you want an Asian-made PRS, track down a Korean-made SE Custom.
Yeh, the 594 before this one had a really sketchy 3rd fret that had been cut like 3mm short...But - I sent that one straight back (supposedly that got through 2 lots of QC cos PRS Europe also perform checks?) - but the other 2 that I've tried here are pretty incredible guitars!
I gotta say I disagree. I was ready to buy into the hype around the DGT SE but it was just okay. Akin to a Epiphone. Not worth the price tag to me at all. Didn’t like the pickups or the finish. Neck felt oddly shaped and sticky. Pickups lacked brightness and clarity. Could be that I’m not a PRS guy, but I’ve liked Core models before. Played it next to a Revstar and the Revstar won in every way.
Interesting - this one could have been an exception I guess? Finish doesn't feel sticky at all. I think some of the recent offerings from Epiphone have been really impressive too mind...
@@johnnathancordy guitars are extremely personal and subjective. So it could be that I'm just not into it and there's nothing wrong at all.
I play a completely unfinished roasted maple necked guitar and perhaps that ruined me for other finishes. It's all opinion so I don't expect everyone to agree.
PRS ? Meh…..
The DGT neck is on the chunkier side if you're used to thinner necks....
Jesus Christ man. You just rip.