Getting a New Guitar - some help needed

[atalwar]

I got a call from the dealer that their new supply has arrived, so am gonna go and check out in a day or 2 or perhaps even tomm morning, so guys help me out.

I might go between a PRS SE custom / PRS SE custom Semi Hollow / Mexi strat

Does anybody here has/tried PRS SE Custom SemiHollow? is it good?somewhat versatile, clean, blues, hard rock?

I need some jingle to the tone somewhat similar to a strat,semi hollow has some tone cavity that might help. i have never played a semi hollow before so am just contemplating if i go with PRS should i go with full solidbody or not.

Also Use a lot of alternate dropped tunings, so i think i should stick to a stoptail instead of tremolo.

Hey i might as well in later months get cheap yamaha strat copy for the jingly tone (pacifica or some squire and replace pups in em to better ones etc) so that is not the only primary thing for me.

Any advice would be highly appreciated.

what do you check for sure in a guitar for any imperfections? dead notes ?? etc i've always been sorta noob at this and can only trust my sinus infested head(ears) so much.

In the end i would have to play and see the feel of them but knowing some drawbacks/positives might help me make the decision a bit easier. i got short and fatty fingers to make things a bit more complex.

bw i am an "IDIOT" when am buying stuff, last time i went for a jackson, i got an ibanez, so this time i am gonna stay outta ibanez , Esp and jackson section.

Whatever i buy it would be closure to my gear shopping for about a year or plus half.


I was initially looking for a variax 300 but they selling it quite costly (and got only in black finish which i don't need another of, and their build quality is questionable too especially at this price) here.

Same prices with mexi strats too (approx 680-700 USD) and the PRS for about (800-820 USD) inc taxes . Can't cash in on American standard or deluxe out here, way too costly (all over 2K usd).
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Ok here is the PRS SE Semi Hollow : http://www.prsguitars.com/secustomsh/index.html

and here's the custom SE: http://www.prsguitars.com/secustom/index.html

[fooks]

hi atalwar,

prs makes a nice guitar, i'd try out the semi-hollow. my semi is maple but not a prs or gibson, it's a j+d bros. lol.
i can use my strat settings with it in pod farm and it can sound humbucky too. in fact i used it on 8 miles high.

anyway, check that out first, sounds like it could be a sweet guitar.

2k+ for a used am strat!?
i usually check for dead notes, buzzing, sustain, without amp and with an amp close to what you would be playing through. check workmanship, kick the tires and take it for a spin!

is the prs made in the usa? they make them in korea too. cheaper and still sounds good.
i'd like to hear what others say about this too.

all being equal, it comes down to which one makes you feel like playing, i guess.

[redbaron]

I've tested the entire range of the latest SE guitars a year ago or so and own both an SE Allender and an original PRS Custom 24.

What I remember about the SE Semi-Hollow is that it doesn't sound very, how shall I put it, unique. This can be a positive statement or a negative. If you're looking for an allrounder that covers the entire range from blues to hard rock, the SE delivers the goods. It's well-built, the PUs are good, the wiring too - no unwanted noises, rock-solid playability, and really un-bulky and lightweight.

However, if you're looking for a guitar that delivers a distinctive tone, something that notably differs from solidbody guitars and brings in more distinction, well... I wasn't really convinced.

A downside with all PRS-built guitars is the trem, which detunes when you as much as LOOK at it. But I believe the Semi-Hollow comes with a fixed bridge only, so you're fine there. Other than that, from my experience PRS guitars don't have any of the usual caveats - no faulty wiring as with Epiphones, no lowest grade plastic PUs like the cheap Japanese, no slack tuners like the cheap Koreans.

[GuitarSlinger]

The PRS SE line is scary good. What a great value. Though I don't think they sound anything like a strat. Maybe try the Soapbar edition, I had this one for a while, it had a beautiful quilted maple veneer, and the p90 single coils are nice and fat, but still single.

Also check out the new Sterling by Musicman line. These will be similar to the PRS SE line but quality inspections/set ups will be done in the US factory. Due out March. Silo 20 has the tone options.

http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/

[GuitarSlinger]

Forgot to mention one thing to look for is rough fret ends, typical on lower quality guitars.