Any opinion on the PRS SE Soapbar?

AlanRatcliffe · 2010-01-07T22:45:23+00:00

One of these is niggling at me. The Hamer I got recently is nice and has whetted my appetite for P90 guitars again. Unfortunately it's still a relatively ine...

Any opinion on the PRS SE Soapbar?

singemonkey

I read a guitar player shootout of budget electrics that gave the SEII (if I remember) top marks. They seems wonderful value for money. I looked through the PRS site for the first time. Thought the single pickup guitar was absolutely beautiful. Got to stop looking at them though. I have GAS enough as it is.

I know your other objections to Gibson guitars, but Lance could also get the Tokai LSS90 - the Junior clone - which doesn't at least have the maple cap - but all the contour and control layout stuff you mentioned. Still. Just thought I'd mention it.

AlanRatcliffe

Thanks everyone. I'll try one at Marshall's next time I'm in town and make sure it's enough of an upgrade over the Hamer to justify.

Sadly, it now transpires our car is overdue for a major service and we need to invest in a new pro photo printer. I've also been discussing pickups for my 12-string with Jason Lollar and that may have to take priority of what little is left (especially if they end up being custom winds). So I may have to hold off on the SE for a month or two (dammit). Oh well, c'est la vie...

AlanRatcliffe

singemonkey wrote: I know your other objections to Gibson guitars, but Lance could also get the Tokai LSS90 - the Junior clone - which doesn't at least have the maple cap - but all the contour and control layout stuff you mentioned.

Unfortunately, those are dealbreakers for me.

singemonkey

Looking at the line again, I also have a sneaking suspicion that these may be great investment guitars. There's something about them that I could easily see leading to them being regarded as classics in 15 - 20 years and highly sought-after (especially when PRS is bought by General Electric and the quality plummets ? ).

singemonkey

Found it. This would be my choice:

Gearhead

singemonkey wrote: Looking at the line again, I also have a sneaking suspicion that these may be great investment guitars. There's something about them that I could easily see leading to them being regarded as classics in 15 - 20 years and highly sought-after (especially when PRS is bought by General Electric and the quality plummets ? ).

Neah. People will always see the difference between SE and MIA and there will always be a price gap.

singemonkey

Gearhead wrote:
singemonkey wrote: Looking at the line again, I also have a sneaking suspicion that these may be great investment guitars. There's something about them that I could easily see leading to them being regarded as classics in 15 - 20 years and highly sought-after (especially when PRS is bought by General Electric and the quality plummets ? ).
Neah. People will always see the difference between SE and MIA and there will always be a price gap.

Price gap yes. But that doesn't mean that the value won't increase. Les Paul Juniors/melody makers used to be throwaway guitars at one point. Now those original '50s and '60s models go for a lot of money. Of course not as much as an LP Standard from the same era.

AlanRatcliffe

singemonkey wrote: Looking at the line again, I also have a sneaking suspicion that these may be great investment guitars.

Good guitars will always appreciate in value eventually, but a big part of collectable value is tied into supply and demand. The modern mass produced guitars are produced by their thousands and they will never appreciate in value the way the guitars of yesteryear have (which were produced in very limited numbers).

singemonkey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
singemonkey wrote: Looking at the line again, I also have a sneaking suspicion that these may be great investment guitars.
Good guitars will always appreciate in value eventually, but a big part of collectable value is tied into supply and demand. The modern mass produced guitars are produced by their thousands and they will never appreciate in value the way the guitars of yesteryear have (which were produced in very limited numbers).

Hmm... I guess you're right.

Een

matta wrote:The SE range offer incredible value for money and are IMHO far superior in build quality to
the alternatives in a similar price range.

+1

I am absolutely in love with my Tremonti SE in natural finish. Just wish I had the chops to make her moan like she's meant to.

MoJo-JoJoe

Een wrote: I am absolutely in love with my Tremonti SE in natural finish. Just wish I had the chops to make her moan like she's meant to.

Your Tremonti SE is the SH!T man! Nicest Tremonti SE I've tried - and I've played a good few now. How those Modern Eagle pickups working out for you?

Een

MoJo JoJoe wrote: Your Tremonti SE is the SH!T man! Nicest Tremonti SE I've tried - and I've played a good few now.

HAHA, guess I got lucky ?

MoJo JoJoe wrote:How those Modern Eagle pickups working out for you?

Man, they're just awesome! What a step up. A LOT more balls and way clearer! I'm not regretting taking them off your hands at all...how do you feel about it? hehe

If you're curious, we can hook up again so you can hear the diffs.

MoJo-JoJoe

Een wrote:
MoJo JoJoe wrote: Your Tremonti SE is the SH!T man! Nicest Tremonti SE I've tried - and I've played a good few now.
HAHA, guess I got lucky ?

MoJo JoJoe wrote:How those Modern Eagle pickups working out for you?
Man, they're just awesome! What a step up. A LOT more balls and way clearer! I'm not regretting taking them off your hands at all...how do you feel about it? hehe

If you're curious, we can hook up again so you can hear the diffs.

Those were a spare set I had so I still have my original set. I'd love to hear how they sound in your Tremonti so let's talk to D and make a mission to his spot again sometime. Maybe we can even convince him not to sell all his stuff.