2017 SE 245.

[Barquentine]

My local shop has the 2017 SE 245 for sale at £729. They're selling the older model at £399. Other than the writing on the headstock is there any difference ? Otherwise they appear to be identical.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

almost 1/2 off? I'd go for the older one personally and add some upgrades if needed.

 

[AP515]

Ask them why and what the difference is. They will be glad to talk to you. A discount that deep is probably due to being a used and returned model or a floor model. Either way it is probably a great deal. You should have a full warranty on it.

 

[grausch]

http://prsguitars.com/blog/post/meet_the_2017_se_lineup

Headstock and pickup changes. Doesn't look like the SE 245 has any other changes, but I could be mistaken.

 

[Viper_Rising]

My local shop has the 2017 SE 245 for sale at £729. They're selling the older model at £399. Other than the writing on the headstock is there any difference ? Otherwise they appear to be identical.

I believe the 2017's also have upgraded pickups to go along with the head stock change. Also if I'm not mistaken, when a certain guitar is being discontinued the shops only have brief period to sell them so it will usually be discounted.

 

[John Beef]

EDIT: The 2017 245s are still rocking SE245 pickups according to the specs. So, headstock signature.

 

[Boogie]

Why haven't you bought the £399 guitar yet??!!

 

[Barquentine]

Usual thing - not a lot of cash. There's stuff I could sell. It's a hard bargain to let go. They're not floor models or returns.

 

[benh1972]

JB HiFi in Australia is selling SE 245's for $688 (online list price) but when you check the serial number, they turn out to be 2-3 years old.
I already have a Standard 24, (as well as a Singlecut Trem I got for $445 sold as old clearance stock this year), so I'm holding out for the 2017 245.

The discounted SE's are all display/floor stock in a clearance sale; & though it's a good deal, I really prefer the look of the 245 in Cherry Sunburst; the ones in JB are all Tobacco Sunburst; nice but not as nice as the cherry, & I think if I'm forking out more than $500 I want it to look just right.

All that said, I'm sure the 2-3 year old 245's are all fine.

I've had no issue with the Singlecut Trem, & that turned out to be 4 years old. All it needed was new strings.

Guess what I'm saying is, PRS SE's are a bargain at any price, the build quality & QA is higher standard than other brands, & if the worst you have to deal with is rusty old strings & the odd scratch, it comes down to personal choice whether you go brand new or old stock, or even second hand.
Whatever the case, so long as it hasn't been abused by someoene, you won't be disappointed buying an SE.

If I didn't already have 6 guitars, I'd be jumping on a discounted 245 that's old stock, but I'm hanging out for the cherry, with the PRS signature on the headstock.

 

[Berten]

I would go for the older model and take advantage of that sweet price deal.

I myself have a 2015 SE 245 in a metallic gold finish which I love. It sounds just as I want, feels great to play. A friend of mine hates the colour but the moment he ran her through his amp he was sold. Awesome guitars.

But to be honest, there are sometimes moments of which I'm bothered with the huge SE logo (or the fact that it doesn't have a nice flame top, but I knew that the moment I bought it), but when I'm playing her, I can't see the logo, I don't notice the missing flame top. I shred and become a livingroom hero. Take the plunge and go for the old. the only difference is the logo for as far as I can see so you will not be disappointed guitar wise cause it's a great player.
the only reason I'm not buying a second one is cause I'm saving up for a core SC245

 

[benh1972]

It really comes down to personal preference & priority.
There's definitely something about owning a "new guitar" & with PRS you're less likely to go through the difficulty breaking in period, where your action & intonation goes out on the first string change.
For myself, I've bought 3 guitars this year, need to get some guitar set up (not the PRS's, they're fine), before I can justify forking out for yet another guitar.
There's not much point owning a guitar that isn't comfortable to play, so for me, much as I'm suffering form GAS, I won't be getting any new guitars - even the much wanted SE 245, until all my existing guitars are working at their best.