2023 SE Hollow body piezo Standard issues

[cableguy083]

Well I have to say that I have never been more disappointed in a guitar manufacturer than I am PRS. I got this guitar the year it came out, 2023. Was very excited as I read up on it and researched like a mad man prior. 2 months in the pickups buzzed due to the height adjustment spring not being dampened. Then the Piezo pickup started cutting out and buzzing due to the clip under the bridge coming disconnected due to vibration. Now the wire for the battery popped off on its own mid way through playing. I mean come on, PRS you boast impeccable support and build quality yet you develop an instrument with zero sustainability and poor quality. To top it off you don't have an official certified luthier in CA that will work on it under warranty and guitar center wants to have their tech fix it unofficially . Where is the customer support!? I have had the instrument for a year and I can't get this fixed. This SE model cost me $1700 and it's quality isn't even close that.

 

[aamefford]

If it's under warranty, ship it back to PRS. They'll fix it.

 

[cableguy083]

If it's under warranty, ship it back to PRS. They'll fix it.

You have to go through guitar center and they won't send it out. I called a PRS dealer nearby and they said to contact PRS which I did and was told to go back to the seller and get a refund but guitar center won't honor that. It's corporate BS. I want to email Paul himself and share this experience. He honors quality and is meticulous, he should know what is being done to his brand.

 

[aamefford]

It sounds like GC isn’t helping you. I was able to send my S2 direct, as I had bought it on line from a shop several states away. I’m also in California. If it were me, and the guitar was purchased new and is under warranty, I would ask to see a store manager and get his or her name. If they don’t refund or send it back, contact PRS with the GC branch and manager you spoke with. I despise GC and won’t buy anything more complicated than a pick or cable from them. If it is used or out of warranty, all bets are off. I hope it works out for you.

 

[dogrocketp]

This is fixable, and the guitar worked properly when you got it. Guitar Center is trying to hose you. Go after them. Shooting a flamethrower on the forum will get you exactly where you are now. Paul didn’t make the pickup springs or wire the guitar. My son used to be a manger for Guitar Center. Once the sale is made, they don’t care.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Well I have to say that I have never been more disappointed in a guitar manufacturer than I am PRS. I got this guitar the year it came out, 2023. Was very excited as I read up on it and researched like a mad man prior. 2 months in the pickups buzzed due to the height adjustment spring not being dampened. Then the Piezo pickup started cutting out and buzzing due to the clip under the bridge coming disconnected due to vibration. Now the wire for the battery popped off on its own mid way through playing. I mean come on, PRS you boast impeccable support and build quality yet you develop an instrument with zero sustainability and poor quality. To top it off you don't have an official certified luthier in CA that will work on it under warranty and guitar center wants to have their tech fix it unofficially . Where is the customer support!? I have had the instrument for a year and I can't get this fixed. This SE model cost me $1700 and it's quality isn't even close that.

Sorry to hear you got a bad one. Honestly, the SE Piezo's do somewhat-often have issues with the battery wire connection, but the other problems you described are definitely not at all common. As others have said, GC seems to be screwing you over. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to send it directly to PRS (the PTC center) and have them repair it under warranty since you bought it new. You said you called PRS, but did you contact the PTC directly?

And I second what @aamefford said about GC - they're not getting my money for instruments, only supplies and even then just as a last resort. There's plenty of reputable, honest dealers with integrity and a legitimate interest in their products, no need to deal with ones who are the opposite of all that

 

[Paul B]

Call the PRS Customer Support phone number.
I had an issue with my new SE HBII piezo, same year as yours. I was pleasantly surprised 1) they answer the phone 2) he, Ryan, told me how to troubleshoot it and sent a pdf. and 3) important for you, Ryan offered to have me send the instrument to them directly for repair. I was lucky and found a fix Ryan suggested.
Call them.

 

[Abe]

Sorry you're having the issues. My first experience with a PRS was through G.C. Disappointing. Literally a partially broken guitar that was worn and torn sold under every impression that it was brand new. My experience since moving away from G.C. has been better. Feeling like PRS is my home for electric guitars while now wanting to avoid G.C./M.F. PRS was on the ball for me even concerning the smallest of issues and information. I think they'll make it right for you.