NGD - PRS SE Standard 22

[Ed-in-Ohio]

After a couple of years without an electric guitar (having weaned myself off due to a bout with tinnitus that I seem to have learned to manage), I've decided to get back into the "plugged-in waters". It's funny...It is hard to get away from one's early learned predispositions. Though I now think of myself as "an acoustic guitar player", the fact is, almost all of my playing for the first ten years as a guitar player was on an electric guitar, and I have really missed playing one. Every time I pick up an electric guitar it feels familiar, comfortable, and "right".

Anyways, since I sold off my electric guitars after developing tinnitus, I needed to find a new one. I didn't want to go crazy for what might just be a "dip back in the pool", so I set of budget of $750 or under. After much searching and trade considerations, I decided to go with a floor model PRS SE Standard 22. This guitar literally checked ALL my boxes (all-mahogany body, set-in neck, double cutaway, two humbuckers with simple controls, hardtail bridge, and a nice arch on the fretboard radius [10"]). I think it looks killer too! I love the Vintage Cherry stain. Oh, and it came in well under my budget.

I am very pleased with it, and frankly somewhat amazed that an electric guitar of this quality can be built and sold at the 'up to $500' price point. Fit, finish, and performance are all excellent. After an adjustment to the truss rod to reduce the relief to .010", all the set-up parameters fell right on spec! Action is 5/64" on the bass and 4/64" on the treble. Playability is very good.

Particularly pleasant surprises:

• The guitar is surprisingly light for an all-mahogany electric!
• All the controls are sturdy and tight (rivaling all my past MIA guitars!)
• The humbuckers sound very good! Hotter than expected.
• I really like the 'Wide Fat' neck profile on this guitar.
• The tuners work just fine.
• The guitar's appearance is stunning!
• The only upgrade I anticipate making is to a hardshell case.

Of course, without pics it didn't happen!

P.S.: Oh, playing this guitar I have to wonder whether Paul Reed Smith's favorite guitar growing up was a Harmony Sovereign! The scale (25") and the fretboard radius (10") are the same as my Sovereign, and the wide fat neck profile is very, very similar to the profile on a Sovereign.

[The Growler]

PRS makes a nice electric. Congrats!

[KevWind]

Very nice Ed PRS does make some really Guitars throughout their price range categories . Well done

[rct]

That is nice, enjoy!

I would like to try some of them, but our local GC just doesn't do PRS. You are making me take a drive...

rct

[maxtheaxe]

Nice score! These SE versions of PRS axes are a HUGE bang for the buck. I especially like the color of yours...looks just like a red-mahogany SG, color-wise.

BTW I like the solid MOP birds on that one better than the ones on my 2nd gen PRS Studio.

[PTony]

Gorgeous. I’ve owned numerous PRS guitars in both the American and SE versions. Their fit and finish is really amazing. Quality guitars at an absurd price point. I’ve played a couple “dogs”, including a few US made versions. But overall, outstanding guitars.

If I think about the laws of “diminishing returns”, I’m not sure I see the VAST price difference between the SE and The US line. Of course there are always instances where it’s obvious, but in many cases is it 2k difference obvious... hmm?

Then again I feel the same about some higher quality Epi LP’s vs US made Gibson’s.

Anyway, I digress. Awesome find. That mahogany is a knockout.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by PTony

Gorgeous...snip...Awesome find. That mahogany is a knockout.

Thanks so much, to PTony and to everyone who has posted a gracious comment to the thread. Much appreciated!

Originally Posted by PTony

...snip...If I think about the laws of “diminishing returns”, I’m not sure I see the VAST price difference between the SE and The US line. Of course there are always instances where it’s obvious, but in many cases is it 2k difference obvious... hmm?...snip...

THIS! I've been thinking about this exact same thing (the extreme price difference between the SE and the MIA PRS guitars) since I got the SE. Maybe PRS is hoping that by getting really good SE guitars into the hands of lots of players, PRS will benefit from the percentage of those players who will become brand loyal? I can tell you, if/when I decide to get a higher end electric, I'll be hard pressed NOT to go with a PRS after being so satisfied with the SE (if I can find a MIA double cutaway with a hardtail! ).

Thanks again everyone!

[Pickcity]

Yep I have to agree the SE line is an excellent value, as they are really nice guitars and versatile as all get out. I love that color. It is beautiful. Congrats, Ed, and enjoy!

[aknow]

Congrats on your SE. After playing US made prs guitars for decades I got my first SE, a 277 baritone. Beautifully appointed, and sounds amazing.

[lukeap69]

Thanks for this thread. I have been searching for my first electric guitar and tried few Les Pauls and Strats. Recently, I have found myself looking at the PRS SE specifically the 245's.

I have played the Gibson Les Paul Tribute in my favourite shop and I can't, for the life of me, understand why the frets are not refined. I mean I find them sharp and it seems they need some work to be acceptable. Then the toggle switch seems to be hit and miss.

I will try some PRS guitars in other shops and may go that route as most of my readings favours PRS quality and playability.

Cheers

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats! A hardshell case is a great upgrade if you plan to take your guitar out and about. Enjoy.

[Karma]

I recently acquired a PRS SE singlecut Korina that is far and away the nicest guitar in its price range that I have come across.

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Originally Posted by Karma

I recently acquired a PRS SE singlecut Korina that is far and away the nicest guitar in its price range that I have come across.
...snipped pic...[/IMG]

What a beauty! Congratulations. Play on.
P.S.: I just ordered a PRS logo truss rod cover for mine too.

[Karma]

Ed, If you want to drop me a PM with your mailing address I'll ship you my PRS Truss Rod Cover. Since the photo was taken, I went to WEG Inlay out of Canada and had a custom one made for me. I'm a huge grateful dead fan and he made me a really nice dancing bear for my talor DN7 and a head shot of Jerry Garcia for my PRS. All with stone inlay inside rosewood. Very unique for sure.

Jerry:

Dancing Bear:

[Ed-in-Ohio]

Thanks again everyone! I have been having a blast getting to know this guitar. Even though it played great for me after a truss rod adjustment, I decided to have my tech do a complete set-up. He recut the nut slots to the exact proper height, filed the fret edges, adjusted the bridge slightly for action and intonation, and raised the bridge pickup a hair. Playability and tone are now totally off the hook!

Originally Posted by lukeap69

Thanks for this thread. I have been searching for my first electric guitar and tried few Les Pauls and Strats. Recently, I have found myself looking at the PRS SE specifically the 245's.
...snip...
I will try some PRS guitars in other shops and may go that route as most of my readings favours PRS quality and playability.
Cheers

Despite the 1-11/16" nut width, I'd say the neck profile on this guitar is very "acoustic player friendly", with a more substantial profile than most electrics. I find it super comfortable. With this neck profile (PRS calls it 'Wide Fat'), its 25" scale, the 10" fretboard radius, and the 9-42 strings, it almost plays itself.



Oh, and I am having an absolute blast reassembling an electric guitar rig! Next up...Looper. Rock on.