Upgrading a PRS SE into a Core PRS
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- Опубликовано: 11 фев 2023
- I'm taking a PRS SE and doing upgrades to get it as close as I can to a PRS USA Core Tremonti guitar.
Below are the links related to this upgrade:
PRS SE 245
www.proaudiostar.com/prs-se-2...
PRS SE Locking Tuners
www.amazon.com/PRS-Locking-Tu...
Graphtech Nut
www.amazon.com/PRS-Locking-Tu...
PRS Lampshade Knobs www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Schaller Strap Locks
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Music Nomad PRS Setup Process
• PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ...
#prsguitars #guitar #homestudio #recordingstudio #marktremonti #guitarsetup
one tip, when you want to highlight the difference in sound, do quick A/B of a few seconds so you can really compare instantly. good job
Fr I thought the Dr pickups sounded better
The clarity of the new pick ups sounded so much better, nice work!
It is always worth upgrading a guitar to your liking. It is enjoyable to do, the guitar is personalized to fit you, and if you like it more, you will play it more. Great Job.
or just yaknow.. practice?? oh what am i saying spending 300$ on pickups that dont alter the sound at all will surely make you sound amazing.
@@sirspongadoodle can’t you do both? Or are you just looking to make snippy condescending sarcastic comments?
@@lewisbeeman are you just going to read the first 4 words of a comment....
lewisbeemans mum is a queen bee in the bed.
@@sirspongadoodle you’re a dolt
This is what I basically have done with all my guitars. I'm a paramedic. So I can't afford the guitars I like most. So I buy the version I can afford, and modify until it's as close as possible to the one I wanted in the first place. Some, I've bought the parts for over time, and then eventually assembled the guitar I couldn't afford. Most, I've bought the lower end model and upgraded it a piece at a time. My Tele is basically a Brent Mason Tele, but in butterscotch. One of my Strats is essentially a Clapton Signature Strat, just without the signature. My Les Paul is a Tribute model with upgraded PAFs and a Jimmy Page circuit mod. So basically, I buy the guitar I can afford. Then I tweak it into the one I wanted.
For newbie’s at doing this type of work take some pictures before you disassemble the parts and wires.
Agreed! I actually mentioned taking pictures at one point but I accidentally cut out that part of the video! 🙂
Also be descriptive and write were everything goes because pictures can still leave you lost so having both also helps you remember
@@thomasmaynard6125 O did a screen grab. I can see everything so clearly
Good job 👏🏽
I truly appreciate what you have done. I might be doing the same thing to another guitar in the future. It's always good to see someone perform the work. I think I might be a visual learner.
Lovely job. A massive improvement in terms of tone and looks.
Steve, nice job! Always worth a little tinkering to get that exact custom fit !
That was fun to watch, I also have a inexpensive SE model, the John Mayer model and will probably do the same in the future. I'm glad you had played something on the guitar and recorded it and then played the same piece on the newly updated guitar to hear the difference. This difference was very noticeable, much cleaner and distinct tones, a definite improvement. You definitely have me convinced to do the same to my SE. That was fun to watch, new subscriber, thank you. Take care.
Bought a used Tremonti SE Custom/ upgraded to locking tuners, core tremonti pickups, added coil split for bridge, changed to John Mann floating bridge with brass tone bar, knobs and strap pegs left original. Cost under 1000 and it sounds and plays fantastic! Well worth it!
Nice work. Really great result. Love the sound of the new pickups.
Enjoy!
You did some excellent work on this PRS. Very clear and concise.
Glad you think so!
Very cool. Awesome job. Picks up were night and day.
It sounds really awesome. Great job.
Wow I love the upgrade…god you have a great sound, tone everything about it is beautiful. I love my Tremoni I have the first prototype
Very nice...I like the work you did. Like the new pickups
Fantastic video! Your guitar is, now, even more awesome! Looking forward to trying a project like this. Sweet Cooper stuff shirt, as well!
Thanks! Gotta love Cooper Stuff. 🙂
Massive difference, those Tremonti pups are awesome,great job
Excellent video. I have done similar upgrades on some of my guitars in the past. That said, it was like watching myself from the third prospective. :^) I also think that the guitar does sound more then a bit better! The new pups made a big difference. Much more clarity in the notes and combinations thereof.
Awesome video! Makes it clear a project like this is well worth it
Wow, the sound improvement is clear as night and day! The tone is much more dynamic and full bodied! Nice job!
Great job. Real close to the same sound as the core model. I love my Tremonti SE custom. I bought those locking tuners for it. I'll have to give the nut another look but I believe it it the Tusq nut. Well Done!!!
I’m not a PRS guy but can appreciate your efforts. You did an awesome job with this guitar! 🤘
Cool, thanks!
Great video and playing. Thank you
Super job. That fretboard looks sweet!
Awesome video, enjoyed watching!
You started with a great foundation! That color is Bad@zz! Each upgrade improved intonation & tightness; Clear high notes, tight & punchy lows. Full thick, rich drive tones! Now it sounds as good as it looks!
I hope to give my PRS SE Custom Semi-hollow some of these upgrades soon. Thanks!
Nice Job, sounds great now!
What I difference the pickups made, the clarity of the clean and the much more distinct distortion. Thanks for doing this!
Listen back to the demo’s, I think a lot of the improvement is better tuning and intonation!
Outstanding job sir! Subscribed 👍🏻
Thanks for the video! I just bought a SE McCarty 594 and will probably look into making some similar changes, especially the tuners and pickups.
Great job man! Definitely worth it
Amazing video!!! Super nice!
Well done Stevie. The pickups did really made a big differens. And it sure must be nice to have locking tuners. Im gonna fix my 245 as soon as possible. Thank you for all inspiration. 🥇
I have the exact same guitar, same color and everything, fitted some
strap locks and upgraded the pups to SD invaders which made a massive difference, the stock pups were a big disappointment in my opinion but now the guitar sounds fantastic. Also treated the neck with a dark linseed oil and had a professional set up with fret job. Will have to get a set of those control knobs, they look great Great video.
Massive upgrade to the shirt after the upgrades. Great video
I can hear the change, it sounds great!!!!!
The full on clarity and tightness cannot be mistaken to the upgraded Tremonti set. They have such a huge round and full open sound but with a tightness and clarity beyond the stock pickups. Highly worth the great effort and work you did to this SE. Much respect in taking this dive into making an SE “Something Extra” “Special Edition” “Super Elegant “ you get it…. SE…. Sweet
Good video man love the Cooper stuff t-shirt😎🤘
The main difference is that the Tremonti, even the SE, is a 25" scale length while the 245 is 24.5" giving it a different sound and feel. Don't get me wrong, phenomenal job with the upgrades!!! I just added the SE locking tuners, Schallar S-locks and lampshade knobs to my SE DGT, amazing how much the knobs effect the look of the guitar in regards to SE vs Core. Fretboard staining is killer!
If you do ever decide to buy the Core, the Tremonti is worth it. I didn't get a 10 top and got mine a couple of years ago but it's hands down my favorite guitar out of my collection. The Termonti pickup set are probably my favorite pickups of all time. Looking to put them in some of my other guitars. The sound great in your 245!
It is really the neck feel that separates the guitar from an SE to a Core. My SAS core neck is the best feeling neck of all the guitars I have ever owned. Aside from that the pickup upgrades and tuners upgrades can make a lot of difference in a guitar as I have done those modifications on numerous guitars. Definitely can hear the difference between the stock vs. mod versions on this. Great job!
Thanks!
fun walkthrough!
It sound better with the upgrade. I like it !
Absolutely awesome mod! I modded a PRS SE a couple years ago and it made a huge difference. But it was already a great guitar to begin with. The SEs are a great value, especially when you can find a used one in great condition like yours. I upgraded the pickups to a Duncan JB/Jazz set and it was amazing. Your PRS sounds better with the Tremonti than the stock pups, which I found a bit muddy. I've been a fan of PRS since I first played one at a local West L.A. music shop in 1987. I was just knocked out by the quality of the instrument. But I didn't actually get my first PRS till a few years ago, which was the SE. I loved that guitar. I ended up trading it to a friend for a strat, and although I liked the strat I should have kept the PRS, which my friend has since sold to buy himself an Ibanez. I will be getting another SE this year, probably like yours. Even the SE line is so far superior to Gibsons high end line that it's mind-blowing Gibson even stays in business. Gibson just floats on their legacy selling lawyer guitars. Yeah, I know the high end PRS models could be called lawyer guitars because of how expensive they are, but I still have to hand it to them, PRS builds extremely fine guitars, and that quality trickles down to their S2 and SE models. With a little tweaking you can make an SE absolutely perfect, which is what I recommend to players who want to get a PRS without going for a core and breaking the bank. Another thing I live about PRS is that most of their instruments, with a few exceptions like the Santana models, are 25 scale. Not 24, not 25.5, but 25. I think that's a very happy medium between strat and Gibson scale. Rock on.
Thanks! I agree PRS makes some amazing guitars across the entire line.
@@Instrument.Identity.Disorder Videos like this are a great thing for guitar players. A lot of players make the perfect the enemy of the good, and all you've got to do to find the perfect guitar is find a quality ax like an SE and give it a few tweaks, and voila! A perfect rock and roll machine. Sometimes all it takes is a better gauge and set of strings and a little adjusting and there it is. It's exceedingly rare to ever find a guitar right off the rack that's perfect no matter the price.
My lord, what a difference. Great video and I think I will do this to my 245.
yes I would do it and I have done it and will continue to do it. sounds good Brotha. the after sound is a tremendous difference
Nice job, very inspiring...
I started upgrading my PRS SE Custom 24 Laurel Burl but it's on hold because I wound up in the hospital, I can hear the difference in the pickup's you've installed, great job you did I love the sound and looks
Hope you are better now...
The pickups made a massive difference. Cool job with the stain marker, too. Overall, a much better guitar.
Thanks!
no watch glenn frickers pickups demo.. pickups dont really make a difference AT ALL.
@@sirspongadoodlehehe sarcasm tho
@@mountainman8775 what?
I just doubted you’re serious… Glenn’s opinion on pickups flies in the face of generations of guitar players - but, crucially, flies in the face of every top tier guitar virtuoso that ever lived. It’s the same with the tone wood debate. It’s fine for armchair activists on RUclips, but for anyone who has earned the title guitar god and amongst the top most respected of the instrument, they all agree that pickups and the wood used for construction affect the tone enormously.
The only exception is if your ears are tuned into the metal genre, where so much saturated distortion is layered on it really covers over the pickup tone for real… cue Glenn Fricker.
Edit: btw love and really appreciate Glenn Fricker’s content tho, he covers so many bases and puts a lot of his expertise out there for free. And if I don’t agree with him on this, he is always true to himself and says what he thinks.
Great upgrades. Way better sound! Thank you for NOT removing the clear plastic film on camera. You made the right move!🥳
Nice!! PRS guitars are always top shelf, even the SE models!
Yes they are!
The upgraded pickups sound much "tighter" ! Nice job👍
I've got my eye and the same guitar and plan on doing similar modifications to it so this video really scratches an itch for me 🤤
Well done vid. Good luck with the channel! Subbed....
Great video. So many things I find interesting here. I like your shirt! I used to play in a band with John Cooper many years ago. I was hanging out with him backstage at his show a couple of years ago, and in walks Mark Tremonti. John introduced him to me, and I was on cloud 9. I'm a huge Tremonti fan. I also can't afford a $5k
Tremonti PRS, so I may do this to an SE Tremonti. I also prefer a hardtail, but I think I would rather have the correct scale length - even though it has a tremolo. Mark based his model off the SC250 that they no longer make, but he needs the extra length so it doesn't sound floppy when detuned. Good job, man!
Oh ya I noticed big time man. The old pickups just sound a little bit cheaper and less full and gritty. Thanks for showing this was amazing to watch man. I might switch my S2 pick ups out for these. They sound insane ! Hope your gig went well dude
Great video! I've always upgraded my SEs and it's well worth it if done sensibly. I also have a Core US CU24 and you are right that it's on another level, but the SEs can be fine tuned into great guitars. I have an early 2008 SE CU24, SE Dave Navarro, SE Mikael Ackerfeldt and an SE Angelus and all have benefitted from upgrades.
Thanks!
The guitar looks great. The upgrades, I believe, are the right ones for the SE. In the end, your guitar is your guitar, so your changes reflect your priorities. The Tremonti pickups with the nut upgrade transform into a brighter sound with more punch and a tighter response. I enjoyed watching the video. The most difficult part of choosing a PRS US model over an SE is that the SE is very well built. If I buy a low price Gibson, it sounds like a low end Gibson. It's a lot harder to tell with the PRS model. I was fortunate enough to buy a signature model Silver Sky. But I lament at times if it's worth it over the SE version. I love the Silver Sky, and my S2 McCarty 594. But their SE counterparts are damn good guitars.
Nice work.
Great video!
Awesome job!
Thanks!
Greetings from Finland!
I really liked your video, I have planned a somewhat similar project for my Epiphone Les Paul custom. However, I thought I would have the work done by a luthier, because I don't trust my own skills!
One suggestion for improvement: when comparing sounds, you could make A and B comparisons of clean and distorted sound separately. It is much better way for the listener to find differences.
You just made me a new subscriber - I cannot wait for more content!
Amazing! definitely sounds way way better, especially with the cleans!
Refinish it!
For sure. Even the distorted tone was tighter and had a ton more clarity. The guitar definitely sounds better with the new pickups.
Budget versions of your favorite guitars are prime subjects for upgrades. Making it your own keeps things fun and interesting.
Totally worth it! I've rewired most of my guitars, changing pickups and splitting coils. Make the guitar exactly how you want it!
Agreed! Thanks!
Definite difference in the sound. Ya done good.
I did a similar thing to a 2019 s2 Singlecut. Swapped out the pickups for the Tremonti USA neck/bridge.l and drop in wiring harness. The added bonus was the s2 had the same 25” scale length of the core Tremonti. Sounded great
But, I sold it and just bought the core model.
Excellent video and comparison
The magic is in the pickups!
I did a similar customization to my 2020 Exotic Edition SE Custom 24. I upgraded to the PRS locking tuners, put a set of Maryland-made 85/15 pickups in it, the PRS 5-way super switch, I swapped out the import tremolo to a PRS tremolo from Mannmade USA (John Mann was the designer and original fabricator of the PRS tremolo), I put the coated Fender tremolo springs in , and I swapped out the pots and caps for upgraded parts. For the push/pull, I decided on a push/push tone pot. I love the functionality of a push/push way more than a push/pull. In retaining a push/push tone pot in addition to the 5-way super switch, I ended up with more tones than even a Core model Custom 24. And of course I also swapped out the strap buttons for Dunlop strap locks. I also had the frets Plek'd. I think that's all the modifications I've made to my guitar. I absolutely love it.
I would recommend not gluing the nut until you've checked out. It's. I had to sand on mine quite a bit to get it to sit nicely. I ordered the graphtech nut but it was white and tiny, so I bought a core nut, a couple dollars more. I have a custom 24 se, I recently added a brass sustain block to the tremolo. It really gave me a much better note attack, I didn't expect much difference but it was a pretty noticeable change, the nut also improved the tone, and of course the Seymour Duncan pickups were a huge improvement. Now I live that guitar. It was set up terribly when I got it, but it just felt great. I am so glad I made the effort to upgrade it. It's awesome now
I upgraded my SE Tremonti Custom with phase ii locking tuners, brass bridge from the core models, Tremonti pickups, new pots and finally turn the back of the neck to a satin finish.
This guitar is now one of my favorites.
Fret work and you're done💪
The reason you probably got such a killer deal on your 245 is because it has been discontinued in favor of the 594. Very comparable guitars, the 594 just has a slightly different neck profile and scale length as well as different pickups. The stock nut on the 245 isn't plastic, it's similar to a GraphTech. All good choices for upgrades though, well done.
Projects are fun even if it doesn’t increase the value of the guitar to anyone else but you. I’d like to get a PRS Tremonti SE to do similar upgrades just for the pleasure of doing the job. I wouldn’t want to modify a premium guitar model. Great video.
Thank you.
Good upgrades, especially the tuners I think. I prefer bone or brass nuts. The PRS SE pickups are very good, but the set you installed is better for sure. Pickups are an area that someone may be able to save a few dollars. I think you have built a great guitar.
Thanks!
Good job stevie and nice video...i have modded and upgradet all of my guitars, with new hardware, pickups, cts potis and new wiring, knobs and now even the nut (graphtech)...well worth it, and sounds are much better....feels good to achieve this by doing it oneself too....cheers mate from germany......and they look better too...haha...
Nice work, great Vid, I love my SEs, In New Zealand the cores are very expensive, cool upgrades, yep I would give it a go. 🙂
Cooper Stuff! Love the shirt and that guitar looks nice.
Pickups and tuners are probably all you'd need. I have an SE Tremonti that has Seymore Duncan pickups, Tusq nut, and locking tuners. Its an incredible player
I love how when taking off the back plate, it sounds like the Psycho theme playing :D
This video was EXCELLENT! I was planning on doing this same thing. The only thing that I might also do is replace the volume/tone pots (if needed) and replace the tremolo for the Core model trem.
Thanks! I am still thinking about changing out the pots, caps, switch and jack (because, at this point I might as well, right?)
@@Instrument.Identity.Disorder if you do those mods also, we're going to need an update video!
While I'm not a PRS guy, I do have a SC PRS SE as well. They're good guitars as is for the money and I don't feel the need to upgrade it (I've got plenty of others for that). But glad you're happy with it. I thought the stain pen was an interesting concept. I'd be interested to know how much may come out again as you start to play it.
Awesome job. It sounds more defined with the Tremonti’s
I think so too!
cooper stuff!!! I just picked up the Tremonti SE. Seth from Skillet plays a Tremonti also.
I did something similar to a PRS SE Santana Singlecut Trem. Wiring, nut, pickups, tuners, pickup rings, knobs, Mann made bridge. It was an awesome guitar. Sold it on my way to a Core model, but now I find myself wanting it back because i sold all my core stuff due to never wanting playing them to avoid damage or dings.
You ain't kidding about the QC of PRS. I bought my Tremonti SE back in 2011 when they were still Korean made for $549 CAD. Couldn't believe how great it felt, how it played. That day I also tried out a $1500 Gibson Les Paul and it didn't compare to this Korean PRS SE. I'll never forget it.
I bought the same model in 2019, and I had the same experience. It feels as high quality as any Gibson I've ever played. It shouldn't be such a good guitar. I have a similarly priced Telecaster that is trash in comparison.
HUGE DIFFERENCE MAN! Great Job! I am looking to upgrade my S2 McCarty pickups for the 58/15s to the LT model, looking tuner and strap locks is now on my list as well. You turned that guitar from good to amazing 🤘🏼
waste of money.
@@sirspongadoodle how?
@@ggreloaded5269 because unless you are playing fully clean it literally makes no difference in tone.
@@sirspongadoodle I do play fully clean
@@ggreloaded5269 then it may be worth something to you but honestly the speaker and cab will do way way more for you.
Good job😊
Staining the neck is oddly the biggest improvement in my book. I would have never contemplated that, rather, id have steel wool'd a finish off the back like any other hand tool id spend time with. The fretboard politely sucked up the stain uniformly and looks cooler. Pickups, tuners, nut obviously cleaned up the sound, but the neck stain seems like it just laid down and opened its legs for a first time DIY to let you feel okay taking a shot at something else later on. Pretty neat, Stevie.
Thanks! I am still thinking about taking the finish off the back of the neck to make it more satin.
@@Instrument.Identity.Disorder The caveat to taking the gloss off is that it effectively "ruins" the guitar in regards to resale, so you have to go into it noting its a keeper and not a flipper. If youre keen on the idea and because its also nicely painted; I'd suggest practicing on a spray painted piece of test scrap. You can also go an extra bit and drive over to your local Maco and ask the car painter guy person to person (rather than trust the internet) how to approach it just right so you can feel more confident about not screwing up the paint. I know its nitpicky, but this is something special because of what you put into it. Even if you keep the neck sticky, its still a really good guitar and you did a great job on the project, by the way.
I would have never done that.
That's one hell of analogy 😬
Excellent, professional video from an underrated channel! Mods look/sound great, I'll be keeping an eye on your content!
Nice! The new pups sound tighter and clearer. I was actually kinda shocked on how well the stock ones did lol. I have a Frankenstein of an Epiphone Jr. It was my first guitar and I slowly slapped better hardware and electronics into it. Whenever someone comes over they always end up fiddling with the Jr.😂
Thanks! That says a lot when people gravitate towards the guitar you upgraded!
I just did literally the same thing to a Tremonti SE Custom with the same exact finish and knobs. The only difference is I swapped out the volume and tone pots to American PRS ones, and put the coil tap on the Tremonti Treble pickup. Like you, I have a hard time justifying the price and built it myself 😆. Another thing I did was leveled the fretboard with a taper after the 12th fret for even lower action. Amazing work on your project! Wish I would have used the stain marker, instead I just used matte finish guitar finishing oil on my fretboard. So it didn't quite turn out as gorgeous as yours did! Awesome work! Great minds think alike!
Thanks for the comment! I'm still thinking about changing the pots and wiring!
@@Instrument.Identity.Disorder it totally makes it feel like the real thing if you do. If you choose to do the coil tap on the Tremonti treble pick up, the diameter of the pot is a little wider than the factory hole. So you will have to drill it out, I chipped the finish doing that. I was able to repair it with super glue and the knob hides it anyway so nobody can even remotely tell lol
I own 4 PRS SE guitars and all of them are stock. I can see doing the upgrades you did to get closer to the sound you like. I just picked up a double cut McCarty at the end of July.
"I own 4 PRS SE guitars and all of them are stock"
Why 4?
@@gooble69 different models
yeah definitely I modify all my SE guitars hehe just recently got a 2007 tremonti for about $450. Excited to start upgrading stuff hehe. Nice work on the 245! The difference with the SE Tremonti is that they are using 25in scale length. I really wanted a single cut stop tail PRS SE, the Tremonti SE is perfect!
This is super cool man! Good job on the project. Would be interesting to see how it stacks up against a real CORE PRS :D
Thanks!
This a great video. Particularly for a newbie like me.
Glad it was helpful!
Yeah, that was a great upgrade. Way better.
I'm surprised there aren't more subscribers...you should do a whole Franken guitar series and put side by side comparisons. I'd tune in to watch that all day.
So the channel just started so I'm hopeful I'll be reaching more people like me! Great ideas!
You know, I thought the same way. I bought a bunch of PRS S2 and one SE guitars over time. I changed out the pick ups, did the upgrades. One day, I woke up and realized that when I thought of all the money I spent buying lower grade guitars and upgrading them I could've just bought the real thing in the first place and it would've been cheaper. I sold all my S2 and SE guitars (except 1) and bought the Core guitar I actually wanted. With all the 0% financing available just about anyone can afford a premium guitar.
Getting the guitar you really want can be inspiring. That being said, I find that I play my SE more than I play my high end guitars. It plays as well as you need it to, but you can toss it around and not worry about it.
I'm surprised you didn't recess the backplates too
@KetoSoldier I completely agree with you. I used to do the same until I realized how much more I was spending. You are correct that with right financing anyone can own a high end guitar.
This is what I want to do.
Well, this fella did what he wanted for a grand 🤷♂️ Which I don't find cheap, either ( for a guitar ), but it's better than 5k.
And looking at your comment again, personally I'd rather have multiple upgraded instruments ( guitars, drums, basses, etc ) that play and sound almost as good, vs. having just one high end instrument. Personally.
Nice job. That old nut sounded like Tusq when it hit the floor.