Glorious solo demo at the end (6.09+) with gorgeous PRS tones. I had an early Semi Hollow SE and now have the 2018 version on order. For me, there are no other guitars which have this magical range of clean, clear tones. Great job.
I just bought this guitar about a month ago. It's the most amazing versatile guitar I've ever played on. It does everything, I'm def not buying another guitar at all, unless it's a 7 string. This thing is def worth the money.
Dreams are coming true. Beast guitar and such a wide range of tones, and semi hollow! Well done PRS. Make this a permanent line and you will sell! Your semi-hollows are the some of the best tones I have heard.
I was about to pull the trigger on this amazing guitar, and then they released the 35th anniversary one, dang PRS why you gotta make it so hard! I want them all!
Just sold my ES335 to justify spending $4600 on a 10 top. I am glad I made the purchase. I love everything about this instrument from build quality to tonal range!
Amazingly beautiful and versatile guitar but I’m curious who uses these? Is it studio guitarist or gigging guitarist? Other than JM with Dead and Co most concerts I’ve been to the guitarist swaps guitars or flips between neck and bridge pu. Like Richie Blackmore.
Steven Ohata those neck-middle and bridge-middle positions sound killer to me. That would be my no1 guitar if it was mine, and i'm sure many other people would agree that it would get any tone you want and sound killer while doing so
Steven Ohata so, to answer your question, i think anyone would use them. gigging or studio. it gets all the tones and sounds good. only bring one guitar!
Gorgeous instrument in concept, sound and finish. As always lovely playing Bryan. At Experience 2018 these Specials, though all PRS's are beautiful instruments, are the ones which I would choose.
I disagree. It's a great a guitar, but I wasn't crazy about the single-coil tones on it. They sounded good, but it didn't do Strat tones good enough. It's just missing that Spanky quack
Man the intro tones took me back to one time I saw Bugs who went all clean for a little intro. very similar sounding. Rare for him. Sounded truly wonderful. Made for a good memory too.
looks and sounds great. i hope i'll put my hands on one in future. it would be great if you could compare the sounds of semi-hollow and solid-body at same video.
I stumbled upon this brilliant piece of equipment at the Fellowship of Acoustics. I used to look for a jack of all trades, but eventually let go of the idea, being disappointed again and again over the years. This guitar does it all. At least all of my trades. Now I just have to win the lottery to be able to afford it... ;-)
My .02: Wood Library runs from shops like Daves have these with flamed maple necks and African Blackwood boards....... this definitely matters, these will have the snap for sure, the scale length won't matter as much. The maple back is not as important, as the top, neck, and body( the Super Eagle is made of a mahogany body also). NF middle pickup can be selected (position 3) easy, and PRS will change it for you for $75 (free shipping etc). Also, the NF middle is just about equal distance to the bridge saddles as the PRS Super Eagle. The 24 fret SE pushes the pickups toward the bridge, neck pickup more (downward) and bridge pickup more (upward), the NF is very slightly down but very close to the same spot as the Special, and this matters if playing just the middle pickup. The middle NF pickup is unable to split, but personally, playing other NF pickups always gets single coil like easily with volume roll off, this makes me think of getting those Greatful Dead sounds. As far as the Pre-Amp and Treble-Boost, both can easily be bought and put into your chain. Also what if the onboard pre amp breaks, I have heard this is more common than you think (Santana models) . The neck pickup has always sounded better on a 22, vs a 24, 24's always seem to sound off to me, not traditional enough. All in all these seem like a great alternative to the Super Eagle.
in 2020, people by now should realize PRS have their own unique sound. They don't sound Gibson or Fender to me. People make all these comparisons with classic guitars. But if you play a lot of guitars for a long time, you will realize PSR is its own animal.
The set up is quite like the 509 - except that in the middle position, you get just the middle SC. I would love my 509 to switch between the middle on its own and two outer 'humbuckers' - and if I were lucky enough to get a Special, I would like to be able to use the NF in the middle on its own. I wonder if that would be possible with a push/pull system for position 3 only? Awesome sounding guitar though...
I purchased a minty faded whale blue of this model a couple of years ago, and the previous owner had sent it to the PTC for modding. There’s now a push-pull on the Volume control to access the middle pickup directly into any of the 5-way positions. Pulling up the Tone knob activates a Scott Walker preamp (he had supplied, IIRC); that pot is now no longer a tone control (no complaints here) but is a preamp amount for the gain boost. As expected from the TRC, everything looks totally stock, even the added battery compartment for the preamp. So it CAN be done. Oh, yeah… these are indeed GREAT, super-versatile guitars!
On the 2019 22 specials, position 3 gives you the narrow field option.. I would love the option to have the position 3 narrow field and an option of the two humbuckers as well.
I'm having a hard time trying to find out how the MT's compare to the LT's (which I know I like). Trying to decide between the Special and the Single Cut! :D
You guys really should make SE or at least S2 versions of these "multi mode" guitars like this, the 408, 509, 513 etc. i absolutely ADORE these multi mode guitars, but they are sooooo expensive..
Hell, I’ll throw in too, let’s go ahead make it a baker’s dozen! 😋😅 ... also, I wonder if they’re “hmmm” was in reference to the now released/announced SE Paul’s guitar or if there is an SE 509 or something of that sort on the horizon as well 🤔
I am a huge fan of PRS and own 2 lower priced ones......but look at 1min 37 sec , the inside of the 5 way switch slot . I have never seen anything like that on a PRS of any level let alone a Core product
Hi there MeAmJjguo - We know that waiting on your guitar to be made is the hardest part! All we can do is hope that you find your finished instrument to be worth the wait. Please contact our Customer Service team by email at custserv@prsguitars.com or by phone at (410) 643-9970 and thank you for your patience!
I would bet that it would be hard to keep them around the same volume if they offered that option. But I actually prefer it that way because I like being able to have the two 58/15's together in any configuration.
Maybe because this is more like a Custom 22-08 with the extra options the NF allows. If you take away the two humbucker option in favour of just the Narrowfield, you take away something that the Custom 22 (or every double humbucker) guitars offer. You also take away 4 pickup options for just 1 making this more like the 509 than the Custom 22 its built on.
So why did they choose to make the middle switch to include the bridge and neck instead of just the middle? Feel like at that point the middle isn’t getting its desired feel nearly as much.
I think it wad a good call for them to do that. It's like having a strat and les paul with a flick of a switch. Having the ability to combine the neck and bridge.
The 509 allows you to play the middle SC on its own but not the two outer 'humbuckers' together. Its very similar in the way its set-up - longer scale length of course but still similar...
Question, I've been thinking to sell this guitar and get a PRS fiore because i only use this special semi hollow in single coil neck - neck middle positions, and full humbucker bridge pickup for crunch, drive and solo. I never use the humbucker neck to solo tho, I use the single coil neck sometimes for that. Considering this is what I need my guitar to do, would it make sense to get a Fiore instead? I thought it would be the best alternative since the Silver Sky doesn't have humbuckers.
I returned 2 Gibsons(330 and SG Supreme) recently purchased from Sweetwater and took one of these bad boys home with money in my pocket. I feel like I have an illegal smile.
Beautiful guitar! Can anyone from PRS indicate whether the maple top chosen for this would typical of a standard order or is it a 10/artist/woodlibrary top?
...this is what I watch instead of porn. If I'm going to fantasize about something I'm never going to get the chance to touch....it might as well be something _actually_ beautiful. Just....wow. 😶 💕
List is $3,850. Ordered mine yesterday in River Blue. Thank you Paul & PRS Guitars for bringing my ultimate axe to fruition and a price point I can afford.
I have a PRS SE22 custom, sunburst tiger maple top, plays like a dream. My 2 Strats and Gretsch just stay at home for my gigs. Paid $800 new, hope to add a middle position Strat pup, and get that PRS 5-way switch, thus saving about $2500....
Hi Matt - If you can dream it, our Private Stock team can make it! Hit up an authorized PRS Guitars Private Stock dealer and they can help turn your dreams into reality. Thanks!
@@tomjacklin7421 Thank you for your reply i just purchased a modern eagle 5 this morning, so i believe i can use middle by itself ,. hopfully it arrives tomorow
Hi Bleron, thank you for your interest in this guitar! If you could please contact our Customer Service Department we can help direct you to the proper dealer in your area. Our email is: custserv@prsguitars.com
Its actually more a Custom 22-08 with a Narrowfield to add even more versatility and semi-hollow to reduce the weight a bit. I have a 594 (as well as a Special) and its not close to that guitar at all. The 58/15 LT's are different to the MT's as the LT's are lower output and more vintage sounding. The scale length and neck carve are different too and its layout is more 'LP' with individual tone/volume controls and a 3way as well as a fixed bridge. The Special is much more like a Custom 22 in every way....
@BAM Mözzi Yeah I don't know what I was on when I made that comment... I mean Bryan even mentions the Custom 22 by name in the video!.. thanks for clearing up
This reminds me a lot of the PRS 509 only better in terms of usefulness and functionality. In the 509 you can't combine the bridge and neck humbuckers. With this one you can combine them. Also this model has true humbuckers, whereas the 509 has stacked single coils!
Sounds great, gorgeous, but maybe I'm weird--I just don't like the look of one f-hole on a hollow body or a semi hollow. I don't mind the body being asymmetrical, as very few electrics really have a completely symmetrical look, but that one f-hole just bugs me. I don't like the look of Tele thinlines, either.
This is the only video on TH-cam that I watched several times. I am telling the truth!
Glorious solo demo at the end (6.09+) with gorgeous PRS tones. I had an early Semi Hollow SE and now have the 2018 version on order. For me, there are no other guitars which have this magical range of clean, clear tones. Great job.
I've never seen a more beautiful guitar in my life .
I just bought this guitar about a month ago. It's the most amazing versatile guitar I've ever played on. It does everything, I'm def not buying another guitar at all, unless it's a 7 string. This thing is def worth the money.
Dreams are coming true. Beast guitar and such a wide range of tones, and semi hollow! Well done PRS. Make this a permanent line and you will sell! Your semi-hollows are the some of the best tones I have heard.
still trying to convince my wife that i need this guitar more than we need food.
Scott V rice and beans from here on out...
Keep trying, don't give up... she'll crack eventually
Hey, PRS’s before Picnics…!!
(And Im a woman..😂😂)
Food's over-rated anyway
I was about to pull the trigger on this amazing guitar, and then they released the 35th anniversary one, dang PRS why you gotta make it so hard! I want them all!
This is EXACTLY the way a guitar should sound! I am getting mine tomorrow..
Just sold my ES335 to justify spending $4600 on a 10 top. I am glad I made the purchase. I love everything about this instrument from build quality to tonal range!
this shouldnt be limited, im just saying. you'd sell quite a few of these if they were part of the normal production line
FretNot Music Mr Paul Reed, take notes^
They also should bring back the solid body special 22!
Amazingly beautiful and versatile guitar but I’m curious who uses these? Is it studio guitarist or gigging guitarist? Other than JM with Dead and Co most concerts I’ve been to the guitarist swaps guitars or flips between neck and bridge pu. Like Richie Blackmore.
Steven Ohata those neck-middle and bridge-middle positions sound killer to me. That would be my no1 guitar if it was mine, and i'm sure many other people would agree that it would get any tone you want and sound killer while doing so
Steven Ohata so, to answer your question, i think anyone would use them. gigging or studio. it gets all the tones and sounds good. only bring one guitar!
pre ordered one... coming spring next year!! can’t wait!!
Just got an orange tiger one, it’s beautiful 😍
Amazing!! I’m in love!!
Gorgeous instrument in concept, sound and finish. As always lovely playing Bryan.
At Experience 2018 these Specials, though all PRS's are beautiful instruments, are the ones which I would choose.
A very tasteful demo of a very tasteful guitar! I love it!
Looks and sounds like heaven on Earth. I've always loved the autumn sky finish but damn does that river blue look good!
We agree!
Jesus this sounds like angels singing to my ears. Oh god. I'm gonna get rich and buy myself a PRS guitar someday!
It does strat, tele and 335 but better, that is the perfect guitar for me, if I only could afford it
I disagree. It's a great a guitar, but I wasn't crazy about the single-coil tones on it. They sounded good, but it didn't do Strat tones good enough. It's just missing that Spanky quack
I bought one of these today. Beautiful and probably the last guitar I'll ever buy! Unless I win the lottery of course!
When u win the lottery.. think of little guys like me... lol
Until you discover the P245 semi w/piezo 🤤
LOVE my Wood Library, River Blue Special with African blackwood fretboard!
Man the intro tones took me back to one time I saw Bugs who went all clean for a little intro. very similar sounding. Rare for him. Sounded truly wonderful. Made for a good memory too.
That color looks perfect
I just got mine in an insane limited blue black burst. Only one sweetwater had
it's utterly gorgeous
looks and sounds great.
i hope i'll put my hands on one in future.
it would be great if you could compare the sounds of semi-hollow and solid-body at same video.
Sounds beautiful! bright clean and full!
Got mine this week... Great instrument!!
Glad to hear it, BAM!
@@prsguitars I can see why they call this the PRS 'Special'!!
Its such a special guitar, an incredible instrument!!
Wow just an amazing guitar and love you Prs
What an outstanding, versatile instrument. I want one !!! :-)
That is a beautiful guitar
I stumbled upon this brilliant piece of equipment at the Fellowship of Acoustics. I used to look for a jack of all trades, but eventually let go of the idea, being disappointed again and again over the years.
This guitar does it all. At least all of my trades.
Now I just have to win the lottery to be able to afford it... ;-)
Bryan...you are the man!
Just bought mine! Will be here next week!!
How do you all have $4k lying around😭
Super Naught rip. Congrats!
Sold two guitars for it...
She arrives in 1 hour!! Can't wait. Will let you know...
Well thought out electronics in that one in regard to usable versatility....
My .02:
Wood Library runs from shops like Daves have these with flamed maple necks and African Blackwood boards....... this definitely matters, these will have the snap for sure, the scale length won't matter as much. The maple back is not as important, as the top, neck, and body( the Super Eagle is made of a mahogany body also). NF middle pickup can be selected (position 3) easy, and PRS will change it for you for $75 (free shipping etc). Also, the NF middle is just about equal distance to the bridge saddles as the PRS Super Eagle. The 24 fret SE pushes the pickups toward the bridge, neck pickup more (downward) and bridge pickup more (upward), the NF is very slightly down but very close to the same spot as the Special, and this matters if playing just the middle pickup. The middle NF pickup is unable to split, but personally, playing other NF pickups always gets single coil like easily with volume roll off, this makes me think of getting those Greatful Dead sounds. As far as the Pre-Amp and Treble-Boost, both can easily be bought and put into your chain. Also what if the onboard pre amp breaks, I have heard this is more common than you think (Santana models) . The neck pickup has always sounded better on a 22, vs a 24, 24's always seem to sound off to me, not traditional enough. All in all these seem like a great alternative to the Super Eagle.
in 2020, people by now should realize PRS have their own unique sound. They don't sound Gibson or Fender to me. People make all these comparisons with classic guitars. But if you play a lot of guitars for a long time, you will realize PSR is its own animal.
Obsessed with this guitar
That's understandable, Noah. You are not alone!
This dude plays pretty well I must admit. Makes it look easy
Great review and instrument ! Just added one to my McCarty Soapbar and 594 HB II
Nice collection!
Did you get the special with the LT pickups or the MT’s like the ones in this video?
Aesthetically & electro-mechanically 2nd to none.
What an incredible sound wow. I want one but I wont even know what to play with it lol.
The set up is quite like the 509 - except that in the middle position, you get just the middle SC. I would love my 509 to switch between the middle on its own and two outer 'humbuckers' - and if I were lucky enough to get a Special, I would like to be able to use the NF in the middle on its own. I wonder if that would be possible with a push/pull system for position 3 only?
Awesome sounding guitar though...
I purchased a minty faded whale blue of this model a couple of years ago, and the previous owner had sent it to the PTC for modding. There’s now a push-pull on the Volume control to access the middle pickup directly into any of the 5-way positions. Pulling up the Tone knob activates a Scott Walker preamp (he had supplied, IIRC); that pot is now no longer a tone control (no complaints here) but is a preamp amount for the gain boost. As expected from the TRC, everything looks totally stock, even the added battery compartment for the preamp. So it CAN be done.
Oh, yeah… these are indeed GREAT, super-versatile guitars!
Nice guitar
On the 2019 22 specials, position 3 gives you the narrow field option.. I would love the option to have the position 3 narrow field and an option of the two humbuckers as well.
I’m in love.
We understand.
Sasmitha Waidyatilleke but bro...she's gonna take all your money😂😂😂👍
PRS Guitars Aite started earning and saving money, you guys better make these limited runs pretty frequent. 🙏
This I’d gonna be my NEXT PRS
small pickup makers have been doing coil taps for years, about time bigger companies smartened up
I'm having a hard time trying to find out how the MT's compare to the LT's (which I know I like). Trying to decide between the Special and the Single Cut! :D
It's a super eagle that isnt branded John Mayer and it doesnt have the speical preamp.
And 2 less frets
Another thing in common is that i can't afford either.
Is that supposed to be a criticism?
Then it’s not a super eagle....
very different guitars...
You guys really should make SE or at least S2 versions of these "multi mode" guitars like this, the 408, 509, 513 etc. i absolutely ADORE these multi mode guitars, but they are sooooo expensive..
Hmmm...
PRS Guitars Yes! Give it some thought buddy! Take this to Paul! Get it approved! I'll give you two cookies
We like cookies...
@@prsguitars I'd like to throw in two more cookies for the SE option.
Hell, I’ll throw in too, let’s go ahead make it a baker’s dozen! 😋😅
... also, I wonder if they’re “hmmm” was in reference to the now released/announced SE Paul’s guitar or if there is an SE 509 or something of that sort on the horizon as well 🤔
Amazing! I gotta get me one!!
Tasty tones!
I love this thing, and you can get one cheaper than what you would pay for a custom shop Gibson.
Why is this limited ????? This is god tier guitar
I am a huge fan of PRS and own 2 lower priced ones......but look at 1min 37 sec , the inside of the 5 way switch slot . I have never seen anything like
that on a PRS of any level let alone a Core product
I was waiting to hear that MT stood for "more turns". hahahaha No such luck.
@PRSGuitars Whyf flipping the position of the neck pickup ?!
Would it be possible to ask for progress photos while I patiently and eagerly wait? :):):):)
Hi there MeAmJjguo - We know that waiting on your guitar to be made is the hardest part! All we can do is hope that you find your finished instrument to be worth the wait. Please contact our Customer Service team by email at custserv@prsguitars.com or by phone at (410) 643-9970 and thank you for your patience!
@@prsguitarsSuper late reply, but I’ve had this guitar for 5 years now and it’s been heavenly! Likely the best guitar I’ll ever own.
Was there a specific design reason for why you can’t use the Narrowfield pickup all on its own?
I would bet that it would be hard to keep them around the same volume if they offered that option. But I actually prefer it that way because I like being able to have the two 58/15's together in any configuration.
Maybe because this is more like a Custom 22-08 with the extra options the NF allows. If you take away the two humbucker option in favour of just the Narrowfield, you take away something that the Custom 22 (or every double humbucker) guitars offer. You also take away 4 pickup options for just 1 making this more like the 509 than the Custom 22 its built on.
So why did they choose to make the middle switch to include the bridge and neck instead of just the middle? Feel like at that point the middle isn’t getting its desired feel nearly as much.
I think it wad a good call for them to do that. It's like having a strat and les paul with a flick of a switch. Having the ability to combine the neck and bridge.
The 509 allows you to play the middle SC on its own but not the two outer 'humbuckers' together. Its very similar in the way its set-up - longer scale length of course but still similar...
I freaking want that asap.
Question, I've been thinking to sell this guitar and get a PRS fiore because i only use this special semi hollow in single coil neck - neck middle positions, and full humbucker bridge pickup for crunch, drive and solo. I never use the humbucker neck to solo tho, I use the single coil neck sometimes for that. Considering this is what I need my guitar to do, would it make sense to get a Fiore instead? I thought it would be the best alternative since the Silver Sky doesn't have humbuckers.
I returned 2 Gibsons(330 and SG Supreme) recently purchased from Sweetwater and took one of these bad boys home with money in my pocket. I feel like I have an illegal smile.
I hear Strat+Gretsch mixed with PRS. Nice!!!
It's so damn shiny!
Beautiful guitar! Can anyone from PRS indicate whether the maple top chosen for this would typical of a standard order or is it a 10/artist/woodlibrary top?
what color is this?
...this is what I watch instead of porn. If I'm going to fantasize about something I'm never going to get the chance to touch....it might as well be something _actually_ beautiful.
Just....wow. 😶 💕
I don't understand why there isn't a switching option to run the narrowfield on it's own, like a push/pull on the tone....
Please make this a core model!
Grail guitar. Love the demo showing all the clean sounds. Cranked demos or with pedals hide the real voice of the guitar, imho.
I plan on buying one of these, in 4 years. Lol.
How much and when can i buy one?
£4240...
List is $3,850. Ordered mine yesterday in River Blue. Thank you Paul & PRS Guitars for bringing my ultimate axe to fruition and a price point I can afford.
GBP 3679 at sound affects premier
www.soundaffectspremier.com/guitars-c93/experience-special-semi-hollow-limited-edition-pre-order-p10611
John K I wish that was a price I can afford haha, damn. Congrats tho
John, you are most welcome.
Oh my.
I have a PRS SE22 custom, sunburst tiger maple top, plays like a dream. My 2 Strats and Gretsch just stay at home for my gigs. Paid $800 new, hope to add a middle position Strat pup, and get that PRS 5-way switch, thus saving about $2500....
How about a swamp ash silver sky with narrowfields?
Hmmm...
There needs to be one of these in the regular stable of guitar. Especially one in a solid body for around $900/$1k . Make one for the poor man haha!
Does semi hollow prs guitars give feedback?
Gabriel Graham no
I want one that is a 7 string, with stereo mag/piezo outputs.
JRPowell3_Music customs shop
Is it possible to custom shop order this in 24 frets!? Cmon...!
Hi Matt - If you can dream it, our Private Stock team can make it! Hit up an authorized PRS Guitars Private Stock dealer and they can help turn your dreams into reality. Thanks!
PRS Guitars oh cool, was not sure how custom you could really go...
can you play middle pickup alone
Not without modding, as standard it’s always connected to the bridge or neck
@@tomjacklin7421 Thank you for your reply i just purchased a modern eagle 5 this morning, so i believe i can use middle by itself ,. hopfully it arrives tomorow
Where can i buy it in belgium?
Hi Bleron, thank you for your interest in this guitar! If you could please contact our Customer Service Department we can help direct you to the proper dealer in your area. Our email is: custserv@prsguitars.com
Man I wish I could afford one. But the chances of getting one in South Africa is very slim. Enjoying my SE Custom 24 though.
It’s really a semi-hollow 594 with three pickups... sounds about perfect to me
Except not at all lol. Different scale length, different pickups
Its actually more a Custom 22-08 with a Narrowfield to add even more versatility and semi-hollow to reduce the weight a bit.
I have a 594 (as well as a Special) and its not close to that guitar at all. The 58/15 LT's are different to the MT's as the LT's are lower output and more vintage sounding. The scale length and neck carve are different too and its layout is more 'LP' with individual tone/volume controls and a 3way as well as a fixed bridge. The Special is much more like a Custom 22 in every way....
@@BAMozzy69 nailed it
@BAM Mözzi Yeah I don't know what I was on when I made that comment... I mean Bryan even mentions the Custom 22 by name in the video!.. thanks for clearing up
At 3:05, somebody was shocked haha
would be even better if you added a piezo!!!
Yes!! It would be a perfect model for me if it had the Piezo.
PLEASE make this a CORE model!!!
The five blade switch hole has a painting issue. But it’s a great guitar, if you want to send me the defective one :-)
Goddammit! Wow. Want, can't 😣 .... 😟
niiiice
This reminds me a lot of the PRS 509 only better in terms of usefulness and functionality. In the 509 you can't combine the bridge and neck humbuckers. With this one you can combine them. Also this model has true humbuckers, whereas the 509 has stacked single coils!
That's VERY nice! I guess they will be pricy :)
Sounds great, gorgeous, but maybe I'm weird--I just don't like the look of one f-hole on a hollow body or a semi hollow. I don't mind the body being asymmetrical, as very few electrics really have a completely symmetrical look, but that one f-hole just bugs me. I don't like the look of Tele thinlines, either.
This looks a bit darker than most River Blue guitars I’ve seen. More like an Aquamarine finish
It's too bad the electronics are missing the option of the middle position narrowfield by itself.
Seems to be inspired by the Super Eagle, but actually it's not an eagle
😍
Very Similar to John’s Super Eagle.
Has anybody had the idea of showing this guitar to Mark Knopfler yet?
Need.