Tone wise, they sounded different but not necessarily better. I preferred the SE tones with the exception of the neck PU on clean. Plus visually your green SE is far better looking to me. The kicker is you can get the SE AND a used van to drive to gigs for the price of the American Custom.
Yeah me too. I'm sitting outside the guitar store trying to talk myself into continuing the wait for two more days to get a whale blue custom 22. Instead of just getting the honeyburst off the wall...now! It's a tough call, cos honestly, the honeyburst is more beautiful... But "beauty" is just one aspect that combines with other aspects (vintage look Vs modern look, metal Vs blues look etc etc) that combine to form the overall "look." ..But I'm over-intellectualizing here... Truth is, I just want it *now!* But I could wind up kicking myself for forever, if I can't get over whale blue... GAS, eh? Frikken F*@#!
I just ordered this guitar. I originally decided on Whale Blue but after seeing the Trampass Green in the video, I changed my mind. I LOVE the way the natural finish on the back blends into the cutaway. And the green is very subtle. I can't wait to get my hands this.
Expensive guitars are like owning an expensive coffee table. Your so scared of dings, scratches, wear and tear because they look good, and more concerned with keeping it clean and polished, rather than using it. A good quality, less expensive guitar is made for sweat, beer, dings/ scratches and letting yourself go. Does one sound slightly better? Of course. Do you feel as comfortable playing it in a public situation? I don't wear expensive jewellery in the local pub, so why should I play a $10000 guitar there. Best kept for the studio, if money is no object.
I see what you're saying but I have a custom 24 core model and I play it out at local gigs all the time. Any scratches, nicks etc. it picks up are earned and should be displayed. There are a decent amount of custom 24s 22s for sale on reverb that have seen a lot of gigs and have a good share of scratches.
I’m careful with all my guitars regardless of price, I take the right guitar/guitars for the situation. Guitars are to be played and enjoyed always, just my opinion :)
I agree. Also, the player is king, not the equipment or fine details. A semi-cheap but good guitar can help keeping the focus on the music. I will probably get the PRS SE and be happy.
I love the clarity in the neck pickup of the SE ;) What a great buy! I find there is a real difference in the way you used to like your tones! I prefer the way you hear things lately! Way more clarity in everything and a lot more sting on the notes ;) Great vids Shane! Keep em coming and I'll keep watching :) Cheers
Great video as always Shane! SInce the redesign of the SE/S2 pickups I decided to revisit the S2 line and ended up buying a S2 Standard 24 Satin. It plays great, sounds amazing and I can't put it down.
For the money, I fixed up my se 24, perfectly intonated it, set up the neck and bridge, comparable to its 4000$ counterpart, sounds damn near close. Best guitar for the money in my opinion.
Great vlog thanks, just got back from checking out the se custom 24, fell in love with the look and finish. i went for the whale blue but also sunburst with Maple fretboad wow
Maybe I'm just used to and prefer single coils, but I liked the sound of the SE better. I have that model. The only complaint I've had is that the tuning is not stable when I use the trem. But I have strats for that. I've been very happy with my SE though I mostly use it with the coil split for the single coil sound.
great shootout video. I like the sound of the se. I cannot fully describe it, but I like how the highs kinda screams with some sort of glassy sound. :)
Same dude. My sound has always had a higher end. I recently purchased a se cust 24 30th ann. I played thru a boogie. And man it's the tone I'm looking for.
Great demo - i'm already an owner of this year's SE Custom 24 (Whale Blue) so didn' t need any persuasion on to how great it is but enjoyed hearing your views (and tones!). I admit i was disappointed with how mine played out of the box (just so happened i had a couple of guitars booked in with a guitar tech so got some fret levelling issues resolved quickly). My first ever PRS but glad to have joined the family. EDIT: just seen your other upload you bought it!! - ha ha - wise decision my friend!
I have owned both SE s and US PRS guitars, I think the updated SE is just as good. For what you save buying a SE you can easily spec it with the same hardware as a US model and job done
I've had one of these for 5 years and it's only ever gotten as far (up on the list) higher than 2nd. It only got that high because there were times I only had two guitars I usually always try to have three varying guitar at a time. Anyway, It's nice enough to not get rid of but not a consistent go-to (for me, in my experience). I really wish they just did an identical copy of the body carves and as opposed to the near-slab like design. In person they look so "I see where they're cutting the corners to save money". Keep in mind that I personally own two PRS SE's a Custom 24 and an original run of the Zach Myers' (my personal favorite guitar of all time). Maybe I got a dud in the mail all those years ago.
In your first demo of the SE (before you bought it) you got tones resembling LPs, Strats and Teles. That "snappiness" makes the SE a very versatile instrument. Not sure if the darker sounding USA Custom could accomplish that, even at 9x the cost. Great decision on the SE.
My biggest question is what are the differences in how the guitar feels? I’m sure the fatter/darker sound of the USA model can be achieved somewhat with a pickup change
The real one does sound better and more woody (subjective of course)...BUT...for the most of us that aren't going to spend $5k+++ on a guitar - the SE sounds MIGHTY FINE! Ie - I wouldn't hesitate to play it!
For the price difference and sound quality, you can't beat getting the less expensive one. I can barely hear a different that would justify buying the more expensive one. The craftsmenship on both are pretty much equal imo.
Good shoot out. I played an SE recently and thought it was bright also. I dialed the volume down to 9 on the SE and it fixed that instantly without sucking out the bass. When I played the neck I found the same you did, really great full sound. I did an AB with a Carvin DC 127 I Brought to the store and has a DiMarzio Dominion in the neck and bridge. I found the SE had more warm mids and was all around more balanced than the Dominion which is punchy and heavy on the bottom end. When I split the coil on the SE and the Carin the SE lost a good amount of punch but the high end stayed in tact. Again rolled the volume down to 9 and it sounded perfect for me. Again great video. A lot of people want to know if an expensive PRS is worth it when the SE line sounds and feels pretty damn good.
I like the se more for one big reason. The price. I would love to have the core model, but my pockets are happy I bought the se. I love it though. It’s my favorite guitar I own
I own and enjoy both. Both of those you demo'd sounded great. For me, an SE is a guitar I'll buy new and a core model is a used purchase. I did end up upgrading the pickups in the SE to Seymour Duncan Black Winters. I also put on a set of Grover mini-locking tuners, although tuning stability was not an issue to start with.
It would be interesting to hear an acoustic unplugged comparison to judge how much of the difference is purely down to the neck wood as some have mentioned in the comments
NINE TIMES? wow. Obviously we can’t get an idea of feel, but the SE is definitely an amazing deal if can even come close to the other guitar. I’m sure people buying the more expensive model will be thinking “I just need a guitar I can play.” Other than changing amp settings, pickups would make a difference too. Great video Shane. A joy as always!
Thanks Shane! Love your work. When the other guitarist bought his SE24 I went straight out and bought mine based on the sound difference! I didn't care about it's status in the PRS world. To this day it remains my goto guitar over my Gretsch Elliot Easton custom shop and my Rory Gallagher custom shop. Having average-sized hands I also prefer the neck on the SE.
Thanks for the comparison, I'll lining up to get a PRS SE Custom 22 in the coming future, after a lot of homework, research and shop visits [I'm sure they are sick of me] and I'm looking forward to the day of that purchase. Going rate in the UK is £800 plus case, not the cheapest hunk of wood on the rack by any means. The American is [coff,coff] £4'500. There are more expensive versions, but that's like for like.
Both guitars sounded wonderful, that was a very good comparison demo. I think as a collector definitely get the real deal. BUT if you don't have the money and do a pick up swap the SE is AWESOME. I have been looking in to getting Trampas Custom 24 for some time now. It is time
Great video. Love to see review videos made by people who can play well. Indeed you play very well. I liked the A/B format of this review. Incredible how well the SE guitars play, especially when compared to the real deal.
Hey Shane . ..sometimes the difference comes down to more of feel between these guitars rather than sound (although there is a sound difference ). How did they feel to play ? Great video my friend .
Jeff Hebert yeah, this is where that extra cost comes into play. Sound is not the only factor and I really wish he touched on the actual construction of the higher end guitars vs the budget options. We are playing them, not just sitting in the same room listening to them after all, lol. I owned a 2012 SE for a time and I can say that it wasn’t anything CLOSE in feel to my cousins’ C24 from 2005. Didn’t sound as good either fwiw.
@@andrewpolitano I've read and heard that the gap has been decreasing over the past couple of years. Gotta go to a store and check for ourselves I guess.
I thought the USA model sounded warmer and tighter. It was a subtle difference and the sound could be probably as you say adjusted so that they sound similar. Good demo Shane thanks.
The high end model sounded much better clean, and definitely had more volume, but as soon as you added the effects, the difference wasn't nearly as noticeable, and I actually preferred the bite of the SE with the pedal. The high end model sounded a little muddy on the high end with the effects on. I just ordered a LH SE myself about 10 minutes ago here in Canada. As nice as the high end model is, it's not six times as nice. :)
How about tremolo? How well does the SE keeps up with the "big brother" regarding tuning stability when working the tremolo? I assume this also relates to the tuning keys... Thanks
I just got an se. Rosewood veneer on maple. I sure heard the difference in tonality on the video. Seems the more expensive version has more of a resonance to it than the se. I bet a processor would negate these differences.
Seriously though man...I know you're enjoying the new baby! Though both guitars are nice...the snappy tone just cuts through on the SE...def set you back a few bucks but well worth it. I'd hate to think there's an enabler amongst us try to talk you into some outrageously priced piece of gear also. Just wowsa! Even if I had that kind of 💰....it wouldn't go into a guitar I don't believe.And dude...that SE sounds like a couple of grand guitar anyways! Oh yeah man...can't wait to hear it cut through live with the band...let us know how your band reacts to this new jewel
Great video. I could really hear the difference. Just ordered a spalted maple SE. Looks like I made the right choice. The only thing I don't like is it doesn't come with locking tuners. Easy enough to solve that.
Both have the PRS 85/15 pick-ups, but the SE's ones are made in Korea, the Core's are made in the USA. I wonder how much of a sound difference there would be if they were swapped?
Shane, funny thing is the custom had more highs on clean, but the SE sounded much better distorted! The SE sounded a bit more like a tele (so I could understand why anyone would like it). But then again, it could have a bit to do with how far away the pickups are from the strings - you could probably dial in a little on either one.
I will take six of the SE's. The slightly darker/fatter sound is prized by traditionalists especially with the more vintage sounding Les Paul models and such, but I am into the more modern sounding bright hot sounds that jump and pierce a bit. The flame you got on that SE cap is so nicely matched and straight on the horizontal, as seen when holding the guitar with the headstock at 12:00. Most that i see are placed on a slight V angle pointing up towards the neck. Nice get!
It will be interesting to see how your SE holds up in terms of quality control. Whereas between Epiphone and Gibson I think the latter has better tone and better components, it seems the USA PRS and your SE have tonal differences that could come down to preference. I wonder if the SE will be durable given the price difference.
I own one of these PRS SE Custom 24's and I gotta say that there is no question in my mind about its quality or durability. This is a very well made guitar, as you would expect for an $829 price tag(for the lefty model). The made in America guitars just happen to be insanely well made guitars with over-the-top touches like hand-wound pickups and ridiculously beautiful wood.
Hi Shane, agree totally with your comments. You can always change the bridge pickup for something with a bit more bite. I changed the bridge pickup in my SE for an Oil City Scrap Dog Plus, a really nice pickup. There quite reasonably priced here in the UK hell of a lot cheaper than Seymours, and are custom made and available in the F width (52mm).
I won't be modding it at all, I like the sound enough to just plug in and enjoy it. Once I try it live a few times I'll see how we go but I can't imagine swapping them out right now. :-)
I have a USA core Mira and an SE One Korina. I love them both, but I play the SE more often. I know they are different types of guitar/pickups, but I don't see much difference in quality. The SE has a multi-piece body (but that doesn't affect the playability).
Funny I’m sitting hear waiting on my new left hand green guitar that’s in your hand now an have been wondering what it sounds like thanks I will be swooping the pickups out for some EMG or Duncan’s not shore yet. Wish you said something about the Wahmmy bar an does it knock out of tune easy?
Great review, thanks. A lot of guitar reviews seem to be about the reviewer showing off his licks whereas you gave us what we needed to know. If you had only reviewed the SE, I would have said it sounds like an excellent guitar. The “real thing” is warmer with a little more definition but definitely not worth paying 9 times more for, especially with amps being so good these days. The two different neck profiles are a reminder to internet buyers that it is very important to buy from a shop where you can play the instrument first. Resist the temptation to just order online because it’s a little cheaper.
Great review Shane, I really like the fact that they have at least made a left handed version. Which I believe only comes in two colors, but thanks to this review, my mind is made up. I quite like the brighter pick . Cheers Tony
Both sound great ,if I want a dark sound I will pick up one of my Les Paul's. If I want bright i will pick up my Strat.The SE has more of a middle of the road solution in which i can use on stage playing different songs.I ordered my SE Lefty and now waiting for it to arrive.WE SHALL SEE!
Shane always does a great job; especially for us Lefty's. It would have been better to also point out the the build differences. As I understand, the SE has a maple, different bridge, different, electronics/pots, and less curvature to the body. The USA guitar has a Mahogany neck, 3rd generation bridge, real Abalony Bird Inlay, Locking Tuners, better fret metal, better pots/electronics. Some say the USA models have a better fit/finish, etc. I don't know? I have an SE 24 and it's a GREAT guitar at it's price point. I am just having a bit of trouble adjusting to a 24 fret guitar after playing 21 and 22 fret guitars for 50 years.
Both sounded great. I love the brighter tones on the SE, but there are times I prefer the warmer tones as well. However, I always feel it sounds better to darken/warm up a bright sounding guitar with an amp or pedal, than it does to try and brighten up a darker sounding guitar. So that’s why I generally always go for the brighter sounding guitars and pickups. And at 1/6th the price, the SE is a no brainer.
Hi Shane I am just curious, looking on how the pole pieces are staggered on my humbuckers, do manufacturers set these differently on a left handed guitar or do they just put a pair of standard pickups in a left handed guitar just the other way round?
Years ago most second tier guitars were junk. Now there's no reason to buy the companies flagship models other than because you want to. Epis, Squiers, LTD's, CE... make killer guitars that like this comparison makes the asking prices of others look ridiculous.
For me the SE version had more treble and didn't sound as warm as the expensive version. All in all I liked the expensive one a little bit more. But for 9 times the cost it would be cheaper to replace the PuP's. It would sound better than the expensive cersion then lol. I have just bought a brand new PRS SE Custom 24 Limited Edition Exotic Woods, Zebrawood. The 85/15 S pickup are OK for rock and blues, but they struggle with more distortion and gain. She is a real beauty with cream binding on the body, neck and head stock, a real stunner for £799 Pound Stirling. In the States would cost about $700 (which is about (which is £537, so they cost £262 more here in the UK than the States).
I have always loved the PRS aesthetic, but one significant issue keeps me from going back to them after a brief ownership of a USA Custom 24. Barre chords on the 'bass end' of the neck, rooted on the low E string (F, G, A...) always sound 'wrong.' As if the E string isn't in tune with the A. Something just barely atonal and muddy. I don't understand why.
I'm just amazed at how many people will review a guitar without mentioning the neck size and shape. I guess that's because it's neither good nor bad and all they can think about is what's good or bad. I am glad Shane always mentions this basic feature.
Great video, I would go with the SE like you said it sounds snappy and clearer. You SE fits you perfectly, great tone and playing. Seeing you demo of the SE actually made me go and buy the lefty also. I should have it in 3-6 weeks. Take care my friend
Great stuff man as always! Sounds like the big boy one just has a little more spank on the cleans.Now that you've A/B'd them, do you still love it quite as much? Sounds like it more than held its own. I bet that the SE sits in the mix a little better on jams than the high dollar one does. Punch right through!
I know this video is old , but i would love to know your opinion on the SE Standard 24 against the SE custom 24. In my country SE custom is %150 the price of the SE Standard. Is that price difference worth it? Thanks you in advance! :D
I am also left handed and dropped everything to run out and buy one of the SE Custom 24's as soon as they were made available. Love the guitar and cant imagine that the full fat made in America one is a 6 times better instrument for over 6 times the money. ($829 vs $5,265 here in the USA)
I just bought a SE custom 22 in vintage sunburst off of Sweetwater. My wife actually got it for me for Christmas. Astounding quality for the price. I had initially bought a Gibson sg special faded cherry and sent it back because of a grounding issue and terrible fretboard, it wasn't wide enough for the neck so there was a lip you could feel and see. Decided on a custon 22 And told my sales rep I didn't like the color they had on sale, a flat black. He let me have the burst for the same price! $598.00. I would say the quality on it is very close to my American standard strat, the strat has better tuners and nut but for a third of the price of what it cost how can you go wrong. P.s. the strat is now for sale lol
Signing in from the Southern hemisphere (South Africa), I'm also a PRS SE Custom 24 player... Personally I find it hard to justify (to myself) spending the extra money on the American PRS. I would MAYBE do a pickup swap if I felt like it.
Fo those who have some of these guitars, how easy/difficult is reaching the 22 frets in all strings when you play standing? I mostly play neck-through or bolt-on rounded (like Ibanez).
I have a PRS Custom 24 2S, which sits somewhere in between the guitars you reviewed. Made in the USA but not necessarily with USA electronics or the high end paint job/finishes of the more expensive PRSs. It has one of the best tones (sounds great even through the crappiest of amps at any volume), has arguably one of the best playability of all the guitars I own and the coil split is one of the best I've heard - I can get it very close to a Strat sound. But here is the catch, the PRS having such a great tone and playability, why is it not my go-to guitar? Why do I just keep grabbing my Tele or Gretsch or Yamaha 502?
It seemed to me that the sounds are very similar. A difference that I heard is what you mentioned - the Core pickups had more fullness to them, not by a mile, but certainly noticable. I wish they would make SE 594's, or DGT's, or even one of those Wildwood 594 DGT's as an SE ;]
Tone wise, they sounded different but not necessarily better. I preferred the SE tones with the exception of the neck PU on clean. Plus visually your green SE is far better looking to me. The kicker is you can get the SE AND a used van to drive to gigs for the price of the American Custom.
That perspective is legend. I have never thought of it this way, I should have.
The SE has a maple neck the core has a mahogany neck
@@GMec78 he was referring to the pickup, not the neck itself
The SE sounded waaay thinner and a little snappier.
what is PU?
What i like about the SE is that now i can own a PRS. Its been pretty much a pipe dream for me until now.
Shout out to my fellow Lefty’s who walk into a guitar center only for them to have a dusty squire
I just play it right handed... I've gotten used to it at this point with how piano tends to go xd
@@nickrogers3624 I can imagine you could pick up chord changes like no one else, when your fretting hand is your "good" hand?
i hear that
In my store its a ibanez geo lmfao
Bruhhhh
FACTS 😂😂💯💯
This is torture. Two more days until my PRS arrives
lol
Waiting for my se and yes it’s torture
Yeah me too. I'm sitting outside the guitar store trying to talk myself into continuing the wait for two more days to get a whale blue custom 22. Instead of just getting the honeyburst off the wall...now!
It's a tough call, cos honestly, the honeyburst is more beautiful... But "beauty" is just one aspect that combines with other aspects (vintage look Vs modern look, metal Vs blues look etc etc) that combine to form the overall "look."
..But I'm over-intellectualizing here... Truth is, I just want it *now!*
But I could wind up kicking myself for forever, if I can't get over whale blue... GAS, eh? Frikken F*@#!
@@lueyteledeluxe7457 mines coming tomorrow and this hurts me
And then the torture really begins. You are supposed to just leave it in the box for 24 hours to let it acclimate...
Thank you for the demo. I'm contemplating getting a 2019 SE custom 24 and you've shown it's a good bang for the buck deal. Thanks again!
I said 6x more expensive at the start, it's closer to 9x more! 🤓 edit - I thought I'd bring back the old school intro for a change too!
confused here in nyc 3 times is yours a private stock??
I'd go with the SE if they were worth the same, prefer the finish and a thinner neck and like you say you could easily eq them to sound the same
I still say you made the right choice in your purchase. The SE just sounds and looks great.
I would love to hear the SE compared with the DGT.
Is there a reason you liked the 24 fret over the 22 fret se ? I been thinking about picking one up, been look at the f hole version
I just ordered this guitar. I originally decided on Whale Blue but after seeing the Trampass Green in the video, I changed my mind. I LOVE the way the natural finish on the back blends into the cutaway. And the green is very subtle. I can't wait to get my hands this.
Expensive guitars are like owning an expensive coffee table. Your so scared of dings, scratches, wear and tear because they look good, and more concerned with keeping it clean and polished, rather than using it. A good quality, less expensive guitar is made for sweat, beer, dings/ scratches and letting yourself go. Does one sound slightly better? Of course. Do you feel as comfortable playing it in a public situation? I don't wear expensive jewellery in the local pub, so why should I play a $10000 guitar there. Best kept for the studio, if money is no object.
I see what you're saying but I have a custom 24 core model and I play it out at local gigs all the time. Any scratches, nicks etc. it picks up are earned and should be displayed. There are a decent amount of custom 24s 22s for sale on reverb that have seen a lot of gigs and have a good share of scratches.
And then you record with the expensive one and insert a high pass filter on the guitar tracks :D
I’m careful with all my guitars regardless of price, I take the right guitar/guitars for the situation. Guitars are to be played and enjoyed always, just my opinion :)
nope.. guitars are made to be played... who cares about a nick or scratch? play it, ding it, play it some more
I agree. Also, the player is king, not the equipment or fine details.
A semi-cheap but good guitar can help keeping the focus on the music.
I will probably get the PRS SE and be happy.
Both are pretty close but I actually hear a little more high end on the SE and little darker on the USA one. I have the trampas green SE and love it.
I love the clarity in the neck pickup of the SE ;) What a great buy! I find there is a real difference in the way you used to like your tones! I prefer the way you hear things lately! Way more clarity in everything and a lot more sting on the notes ;) Great vids Shane! Keep em coming and I'll keep watching :) Cheers
Great video as always Shane! SInce the redesign of the SE/S2 pickups I decided to revisit the S2 line and ended up buying a S2 Standard 24 Satin. It plays great, sounds amazing and I can't put it down.
I’m leaning more towards an S2 rather than an SE myself.
I got one and they are okay
How much did it cost you?
Right away I liked the "real deal" PRS better it seemed more full and not as brittle
Both sound really great, gunna have to start saving up for a SE Custom24, I've wanted one for a while.
The SE's are a far better value than the core models, they play and sound great. I can't say the same for every core model I've played.
“That’s why I bought that one!” 😂😂😂😂
For the money, I fixed up my se 24, perfectly intonated it, set up the neck and bridge, comparable to its 4000$ counterpart, sounds damn near close. Best guitar for the money in my opinion.
wha did u fixed on SE? What were the "problems" or issues?
The difference I heard was in the pick rakes at 2:10. It was more idk.. thudy with the SE and more percussive with the custom 24.
I like the snap that you got in the one you bought the SE.. probably cut through the mix in a live situation a bit better.
Great vlog thanks, just got back from checking out the se custom 24, fell in love with the look and finish.
i went for the whale blue but also sunburst with Maple fretboad wow
Maybe I'm just used to and prefer single coils, but I liked the sound of the SE better. I have that model. The only complaint I've had is that the tuning is not stable when I use the trem. But I have strats for that. I've been very happy with my SE though I mostly use it with the coil split for the single coil sound.
great shootout video. I like the sound of the se. I cannot fully describe it, but I like how the highs kinda screams with some sort of glassy sound. :)
Same dude. My sound has always had a higher end. I recently purchased a se cust 24 30th ann. I played thru a boogie. And man it's the tone I'm looking for.
It would have been nice to hear all 5 pickup settings on the Custom.
Great demo - i'm already an owner of this year's SE Custom 24 (Whale Blue) so didn' t need any persuasion on to how great it is but enjoyed hearing your views (and tones!). I admit i was disappointed with how mine played out of the box (just so happened i had a couple of guitars booked in with a guitar tech so got some fret levelling issues resolved quickly). My first ever PRS but glad to have joined the family. EDIT: just seen your other upload you bought it!! - ha ha - wise decision my friend!
I have owned both SE s and US PRS guitars, I think the updated SE is just as good. For what you save buying a SE you can easily spec it with the same hardware as a US model and job done
I've had one of these for 5 years and it's only ever gotten as far (up on the list) higher than 2nd. It only got that high because there were times I only had two guitars I usually always try to have three varying guitar at a time. Anyway, It's nice enough to not get rid of but not a consistent go-to (for me, in my experience). I really wish they just did an identical copy of the body carves and as opposed to the near-slab like design. In person they look so "I see where they're cutting the corners to save money". Keep in mind that I personally own two PRS SE's a Custom 24 and an original run of the Zach Myers' (my personal favorite guitar of all time). Maybe I got a dud in the mail all those years ago.
Hi I want to buy a PRS electric with the white borders on the neck, is there a model I could look up that would show options?
In your first demo of the SE (before you bought it) you got tones resembling LPs, Strats and Teles. That "snappiness" makes the SE a very versatile instrument. Not sure if the darker sounding USA Custom could accomplish that, even at 9x the cost. Great decision on the SE.
My biggest question is what are the differences in how the guitar feels? I’m sure the fatter/darker sound of the USA model can be achieved somewhat with a pickup change
I think your right, in the video it’s kinda close, but definitely different in person hearing them live
The green one sounds sharp and shrill the other sounds warm woody and a lot more bluesy you can definitely hear the quality from it 😁
The real one does sound better and more woody (subjective of course)...BUT...for the most of us that aren't going to spend $5k+++ on a guitar - the SE sounds MIGHTY FINE! Ie - I wouldn't hesitate to play it!
For the price difference and sound quality, you can't beat getting the less expensive one. I can barely hear a different that would justify buying the more expensive one. The craftsmenship on both are pretty much equal imo.
Good shoot out. I played an SE recently and thought it was bright also. I dialed the volume down to 9 on the SE and it fixed that instantly without sucking out the bass. When I played the neck I found the same you did, really great full sound. I did an AB with a Carvin DC 127 I Brought to the store and has a DiMarzio Dominion in the neck and bridge. I found the SE had more warm mids and was all around more balanced than the Dominion which is punchy and heavy on the bottom end. When I split the coil on the SE and the Carin the SE lost a good amount of punch but the high end stayed in tact. Again rolled the volume down to 9 and it sounded perfect for me. Again great video. A lot of people want to know if an expensive PRS is worth it when the SE line sounds and feels pretty damn good.
4:52 and it got turned ON! I think my gf is getting one of these in blue for her birthday. Thanks for the vid.
So True!!!
Custom is for hanging on the wall like fine art...
SE Custom is for playing fine art...
To each their own...
I like the se more for one big reason. The price. I would love to have the core model, but my pockets are happy I bought the se. I love it though. It’s my favorite guitar I own
Found myself agreeing with all of your comments on the differences between the pickups. the neck pickup on the SE sounds really good!
This is the video the internet needed! Especially for the people who buy their gear online. Thanks a lot!
I have the exact same PRS as you... love the green flame and the sound.
I'll be looking for used PRS SE pickups after watching this vid series.
I own and enjoy both. Both of those you demo'd sounded great. For me, an SE is a guitar I'll buy new and a core model is a used purchase. I did end up upgrading the pickups in the SE to Seymour Duncan Black Winters. I also put on a set of Grover mini-locking tuners, although tuning stability was not an issue to start with.
Black winters are awesome. Have them in almost all my guitars.
It would be interesting to hear an acoustic unplugged comparison to judge how much of the difference is purely down to the neck wood as some have mentioned in the comments
NINE TIMES? wow. Obviously we can’t get an idea of feel, but the SE is definitely an amazing deal if can even come close to the other guitar. I’m sure people buying the more expensive model will be thinking “I just need a guitar I can play.” Other than changing amp settings, pickups would make a difference too. Great video Shane. A joy as always!
Thanks Shane! Love your work. When the other guitarist bought his SE24 I went straight out and bought mine based on the sound difference! I didn't care about it's status in the PRS world. To this day it remains my goto guitar over my Gretsch Elliot Easton custom shop and my Rory Gallagher custom shop. Having average-sized hands I also prefer the neck on the SE.
Very similar sound. That SE is a lovely guitar.
This is exactly the comparison I was looking for! Thank you so much.
The red one sounds so good to me ! it's seemed to that the licks just rolled off your fingers playing that first guitar.
Thanks for the comparison, I'll lining up to get a PRS SE Custom 22 in the coming future, after a lot of homework, research and shop visits [I'm sure they are sick of me] and I'm looking forward to the day of that purchase. Going rate in the UK is £800 plus case, not the cheapest hunk of wood on the rack by any means. The American is [coff,coff] £4'500. There are more expensive versions, but that's like for like.
Both guitars sounded wonderful, that was a very good comparison demo. I think as a collector definitely get the real deal. BUT if you don't have the money and do a pick up swap the SE is AWESOME. I have been looking in to getting Trampas Custom 24 for some time now. It is time
The sound of the custom, was definitely thicker, warmer and more full range, but the price difference...crazy! You can't beat that Trampas green!
.....also if im not mistaken...the se has the pull option to single coils?? the us 24 does not?
Great video. Love to see review videos made by people who can play well. Indeed you play very well. I liked the A/B format of this review. Incredible how well the SE guitars play, especially when compared to the real deal.
Hey Shane . ..sometimes the difference comes down to more of feel between these guitars rather than sound (although there is a sound difference ). How did they feel to play ? Great video my friend .
Jeff Hebert yeah, this is where that extra cost comes into play. Sound is not the only factor and I really wish he touched on the actual construction of the higher end guitars vs the budget options. We are playing them, not just sitting in the same room listening to them after all, lol. I owned a 2012 SE for a time and I can say that it wasn’t anything CLOSE in feel to my cousins’ C24 from 2005. Didn’t sound as good either fwiw.
I was also hoping he would address this
@@andrewpolitano I've read and heard that the gap has been decreasing over the past couple of years. Gotta go to a store and check for ourselves I guess.
I thought the USA model sounded warmer and tighter. It was a subtle difference and the sound could be probably as you say adjusted so that they sound similar. Good demo Shane thanks.
The high end model sounded much better clean, and definitely had more volume, but as soon as you added the effects, the difference wasn't nearly as noticeable, and I actually preferred the bite of the SE with the pedal. The high end model sounded a little muddy on the high end with the effects on. I just ordered a LH SE myself about 10 minutes ago here in Canada. As nice as the high end model is, it's not six times as nice. :)
How about tremolo? How well does the SE keeps up with the "big brother" regarding tuning stability when working the tremolo? I assume this also relates to the tuning keys... Thanks
Very helpful; thanks for doing (and posting) this review, that was great.
Prs has 10s on it the se has 9s as stock put the 10s on the se and then see how close the tones become.
I just got an se. Rosewood veneer on maple. I sure heard the difference in tonality on the video. Seems the more expensive version has more of a resonance to it than the se. I bet a processor would negate these differences.
Seriously though man...I know you're enjoying the new baby! Though both guitars are nice...the snappy tone just cuts through on the SE...def set you back a few bucks but well worth it. I'd hate to think there's an enabler amongst us try to talk you into some outrageously priced piece of gear also. Just wowsa! Even if I had that kind of 💰....it wouldn't go into a guitar I don't believe.And dude...that SE sounds like a couple of grand guitar anyways! Oh yeah man...can't wait to hear it cut through live with the band...let us know how your band reacts to this new jewel
Great video. I could really hear the difference. Just ordered a spalted maple SE. Looks like I made the right choice. The only thing I don't like is it doesn't come with locking tuners. Easy enough to solve that.
Both have the PRS 85/15 pick-ups, but the SE's ones are made in Korea, the Core's are made in the USA. I wonder how much of a sound difference there would be if they were swapped?
Shane, funny thing is the custom had more highs on clean, but the SE sounded much better distorted! The SE sounded a bit more like a tele (so I could understand why anyone would like it). But then again, it could have a bit to do with how far away the pickups are from the strings - you could probably dial in a little on either one.
I will take six of the SE's. The slightly darker/fatter sound is prized by traditionalists especially with the more vintage sounding Les Paul models and such, but I am into the more modern sounding bright hot sounds that jump and pierce a bit. The flame you got on that SE cap is so nicely matched and straight on the horizontal, as seen when holding the guitar with the headstock at 12:00. Most that i see are placed on a slight V angle pointing up towards the neck. Nice get!
I see now in the wording that i can actually get nine of the SE's. Just sitting and thinking about that for a bit.
It will be interesting to see how your SE holds up in terms of quality control. Whereas between Epiphone and Gibson I think the latter has better tone and better components, it seems the USA PRS and your SE have tonal differences that could come down to preference. I wonder if the SE will be durable given the price difference.
Phillip Lindholm * The single cut that I have is indestructible !
I own one of these PRS SE Custom 24's and I gotta say that there is no question in my mind about its quality or durability. This is a very well made guitar, as you would expect for an $829 price tag(for the lefty model). The made in America guitars just happen to be insanely well made guitars with over-the-top touches like hand-wound pickups and ridiculously beautiful wood.
the SE models are built to last. you can tell as soon as you pick one up.
Hi Shane, agree totally with your comments. You can always change the bridge pickup for something with a bit more bite. I changed the bridge pickup in my SE for an Oil City Scrap Dog Plus, a really nice pickup. There quite reasonably priced here in the UK hell of a lot cheaper than Seymours, and are custom made and available in the F width (52mm).
I won't be modding it at all, I like the sound enough to just plug in and enjoy it. Once I try it live a few times I'll see how we go but I can't imagine swapping them out right now. :-)
I have a USA core Mira and an SE One Korina. I love them both, but I play the SE more often. I know they are different types of guitar/pickups, but I don't see much difference in quality. The SE has a multi-piece body (but that doesn't affect the playability).
Funny I’m sitting hear waiting on my new left hand green guitar that’s in your hand now an have been wondering what it sounds like thanks I will be swooping the pickups out for some EMG or Duncan’s not shore yet. Wish you said something about the Wahmmy bar an does it knock out of tune easy?
I have a SE CUSTOM 24 and a SE Tremonti for my skill level they are both fantastic I roll the treble off slightly for a darker richer tone
Pickups can be changed out real quick. I’ve done it backstage before a show in less then 20min. So I’m more curious about the feel!
That green one inspires. I gotta play one. I honestly felt it sounded better. What a beauty.
Great review, thanks. A lot of guitar reviews seem to be about the reviewer showing off his licks whereas you gave us what we needed to know. If you had only reviewed the SE, I would have said it sounds like an excellent guitar. The “real thing” is warmer with a little more definition but definitely not worth paying 9 times more for, especially with amps being so good these days. The two different neck profiles are a reminder to internet buyers that it is very important to buy from a shop where you can play the instrument first. Resist the temptation to just order online because it’s a little cheaper.
I like the green screamer. More bite more bark in the bridge pickup.I mean they both sounded good I just love the green screamer
Great review Shane, I really like the fact that they have at least made a left handed version. Which I believe only comes in two colors, but thanks to this review, my mind is made up. I quite like the brighter pick . Cheers Tony
The two guitars sound quite similar, maybe the American one the pickups are a bit darker but I’d be very happy with the SE in that great green finish!
Both sound great ,if I want a dark sound I will pick up one of my Les Paul's. If I want bright i will pick up my Strat.The SE has more of a middle of the road solution in which i can use on stage playing different songs.I ordered my SE Lefty and now waiting for it to arrive.WE SHALL SEE!
Shane always does a great job; especially for us Lefty's. It would have been better to also point out the the build differences. As I understand, the SE has a maple, different bridge, different, electronics/pots, and less curvature to the body. The USA guitar has a Mahogany neck, 3rd generation bridge, real Abalony Bird Inlay, Locking Tuners, better fret metal, better pots/electronics. Some say the USA models have a better fit/finish, etc. I don't know? I have an SE 24 and it's a GREAT guitar at it's price point. I am just having a bit of trouble adjusting to a 24 fret guitar after playing 21 and 22 fret guitars for 50 years.
Both sounded great. I love the brighter tones on the SE, but there are times I prefer the warmer tones as well. However, I always feel it sounds better to darken/warm up a bright sounding guitar with an amp or pedal, than it does to try and brighten up a darker sounding guitar. So that’s why I generally always go for the brighter sounding guitars and pickups. And at 1/6th the price, the SE is a no brainer.
Hi Shane I am just curious, looking on how the pole pieces are staggered on my humbuckers, do manufacturers set these differently on a left handed guitar or do they just put a pair of standard pickups in a left handed guitar just the other way round?
They both sounded good. I used to own a PRS mira, best guitar I've ever owned. Definitely going to buy another one some day.
Years ago most second tier guitars were junk. Now there's no reason to buy the companies flagship models other than because you want to. Epis, Squiers, LTD's, CE... make killer guitars that like this comparison makes the asking prices of others look ridiculous.
I'm lefty too. Been looking at an SE custom 24 to replace my cinder block Les Paul Studio.
For me the SE version had more treble and didn't sound as warm as the expensive version. All in all I liked the expensive one a little bit more. But for 9 times the cost it would be cheaper to replace the PuP's. It would sound better than the expensive cersion then lol.
I have just bought a brand new PRS SE Custom 24 Limited Edition Exotic Woods, Zebrawood. The 85/15 S pickup are OK for rock and blues, but they struggle with more distortion and gain. She is a real beauty with cream binding on the body, neck and head stock, a real stunner for £799 Pound Stirling. In the States would cost about $700 (which is about (which is £537, so they cost £262 more here in the UK than the States).
I have always loved the PRS aesthetic, but one significant issue keeps me from going back to them after a brief ownership of a USA Custom 24. Barre chords on the 'bass end' of the neck, rooted on the low E string (F, G, A...) always sound 'wrong.' As if the E string isn't in tune with the A. Something just barely atonal and muddy. I don't understand why.
I'm just amazed at how many people will review a guitar without mentioning the neck size and shape. I guess that's because it's neither good nor bad and all they can think about is what's good or bad. I am glad Shane always mentions this basic feature.
the tone dif. is due to the bridge,sounding more bright and resonant.
I’m teetering on buying the custom 24 in faded blue.
Last thing I need is another guitar but people says these ce models are badass.
They both sounded great. I prefer the usa prs. I like that its slightly darker, my amp and other guitars already have all the high end i need.
Great video, I would go with the SE like you said it sounds snappy and clearer. You SE fits you perfectly, great tone and playing. Seeing you demo of the SE actually made me go and buy the lefty also. I should have it in 3-6 weeks. Take care my friend
Great stuff man as always! Sounds like the big boy one just has a little more spank on the cleans.Now that you've A/B'd them, do you still love it quite as much? Sounds like it more than held its own. I bet that the SE sits in the mix a little better on jams than the high dollar one does. Punch right through!
I agree, the Standard PRS has a little thicker sounding pickups. Not $5000 better. How do the Fit and finish compare on the 2 guitars?
I know this video is old , but i would love to know your opinion on the SE Standard 24 against the SE custom 24. In my country SE custom is %150 the price of the SE Standard. Is that price difference worth it? Thanks you in advance! :D
Does anyone know what we can expect in the 'Lefty' range for 2021/22. The choices for 2020 were pretty disappointing.
Can someone help me understand the difference between "dark" and "warm" in regards to sound terminology?
I am also left handed and dropped everything to run out and buy one of the SE Custom 24's as soon as they were made available. Love the guitar and cant imagine that the full fat made in America one is a 6 times better instrument for over 6 times the money. ($829 vs $5,265 here in the USA)
Mine arrives tomorrow 🤘🤘 I got the se custom 24 lefty
Alan Lee what do you think, I am about to pull the trigger on one?
I just bought a SE custom 22 in vintage sunburst off of Sweetwater. My wife actually got it for me for Christmas. Astounding quality for the price. I had initially bought a Gibson sg special faded cherry and sent it back because of a grounding issue and terrible fretboard, it wasn't wide enough for the neck so there was a lip you could feel and see.
Decided on a custon 22 And told my sales rep I didn't like the color they had on sale, a flat black. He let me have the burst for the same price! $598.00. I would say the quality on it is very close to my American standard strat, the strat has better tuners and nut but for a third of the price of what it cost how can you go wrong.
P.s. the strat is now for sale lol
Signing in from the Southern hemisphere (South Africa), I'm also a PRS SE Custom 24 player... Personally I find it hard to justify (to myself) spending the extra money on the American PRS. I would MAYBE do a pickup swap if I felt like it.
How's the tremelo system and tuning on the SE?
Fo those who have some of these guitars, how easy/difficult is reaching the 22 frets in all strings when you play standing? I mostly play neck-through or bolt-on rounded (like Ibanez).
They are 24 fret guitars and you can easily reach all the frets from experience.
Does the core model have the 85/15 in it.
I thought the hi-end PRS had a more pleasing sound. Is it possible to swap out the pickups of the green guitar?
3 Card Monty It’s possible to swap the pickups in any guitar.
I have a PRS Custom 24 2S, which sits somewhere in between the guitars you reviewed. Made in the USA but not necessarily with USA electronics or the high end paint job/finishes of the more expensive PRSs. It has one of the best tones (sounds great even through the crappiest of amps at any volume), has arguably one of the best playability of all the guitars I own and the coil split is one of the best I've heard - I can get it very close to a Strat sound. But here is the catch, the PRS having such a great tone and playability, why is it not my go-to guitar? Why do I just keep grabbing my Tele or Gretsch or Yamaha 502?
It seemed to me that the sounds are very similar. A difference that I heard is what you mentioned - the Core pickups had more fullness to them, not by a mile, but certainly noticable.
I wish they would make SE 594's, or DGT's, or even one of those Wildwood 594 DGT's as an SE ;]