Buying new guitar
- Thread starter JCzuR98
- Start date
Bill SAS 513
Just another old guy in a T-shirt
You can probably find a used CE-22 or 24 in that range...killer guitars!!!! Both USA made, which makes for a little nicer total (tonal) package. The new SE's (imports) you can afford are great axes as well...try 'em all...don't be in a hurry, and get the right one for you. Good Luck!!!
shinksma
What? I get a title?
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2014
- Messages
- 5,411
You mean the SE CU22? The "zebra" bobbins are a more recent thing on the SE line, many of the models now sport them. The solid black bobbins are often the older version of the same model, but not always.
The "new" SE CU22 sports solid black bobbins on the Whale Blue finish and zebra on the Vintage Sunburst, so I would imagine there is absolutely no difference in those pickups.
I don't think there is anything different specifically about the SE pickups over the years, but PRS is always tweaking and evolving things in small ways (sometimes for performance/sound improvements, and I'm sure sometimes just for cost-control reasons), so I think only PRS would officially know - and I don't think they have made any official statements on the matter.
But in the case of the (recently released) SE CU22, it is so new it doesn't matter - there is no model from last year...
EDIT: there are older SE CU22s on eBay, from about 5 years ago or older, and they all seem to have zebra bobbins. I can't say whether those pickups are any different from the ones in the new (refreshed?) model line.
Another EDIT: I think one quick way to tell the difference between an older SE CU22 and the new ones (assuming you can't know the serial number) is that the old ones were mostly (all?) moon inlays (kinda look like dots) whereas the new one is birds.
Also, note that there is the SE Custom 22 (CU22) model and the SE Standard 22 (Std22) - the CU22 has a maple top on a mahogany body, whereas the Std22 has an all mahogany body. There are pros and cons to both. Just know the difference before you click "Buy It Now"!
Last edited:
Mark Ace
New Member
The vela covers just about everything too. But it's a bit over $1000. Love mine.
John Beef
Opaque
Used Core or S2 Mira, definitely.
sergiodeblanc
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2012
- Messages
- 28,537
Any of 'em!
I've read online that there really isn't much difference in quality between the s2 and se. If you. or someone else that has tried both could clarify what the improvements are that would be appreciated. If there are no difference, do you think that just buying a SE and upgrading PUPs would be a good idea. Is there any tone difference between the 22 and 24, or is it just neck width. Finally I might just be patient and look for a used core 22/24 and pay the extra grand or so, but opinions and recommendations could really change my opinion.
shinksma
What? I get a title?
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2014
- Messages
- 5,411
Well, look at it this way: the SE line is a great relatively-inexpensive line of guitars that have al the classic PRS characteristics, but with some small, unnoticeable-to-some compromises to help cut costs. The S2 is going to have slightly better quality in those areas (such as locking tuners), while still not hitting the full quality of the Core line - pickups in the S2 are one of the areas that are often touted as being the biggest weakness vs the Core models.
Of course, the other aesthetic differences are that the Core models will have a figured maple top that is figured all the way through, whereas the S2 will have an unfigured top, and the SEs will have an unfigured top with a very thin veneer of figured maple on top to give it that "pop". IMHO I wouldn't let aesthetics drive your price/model range, I would let the features do that first.
I have four SEs and four Core models, and I love them all - I was playing my SE-7 and SE Baritone yesterday.
So if you can, go to a guitar store that at least has some SE models, maybe an S2 or three, and maybe a used Core model if they don't carry the line new. And try them out. You'll quickly decide what you like or don't.
Oh, and as to the differences in a 24-fret and a 22-fret model: the relative position of the neck pickup changes which can affect how the strings are picked up (but neither is better or worse, and the difference is mostly subtle), and of course it will feel a bit different (the 24 fret version will have a longer neck and balance ever so slightly differently). Neck width is no different (unless you get a different neck profile, but that has nothing to do with # of frets).
Last edited:
markintime
Wood Grain Devotee
FWIW, I got my SE 30th Anniversary CU 24 through Sweetwater and requested swapping pups to the 59/09's. I later changed the pup rings and switch tip to black to match and added a black trem tip, mostly just for looks. It all came out right around your $1k mark. Quite a bit cheaper than my Vela, which I also love. But here is a pic, if it helps any. I am absolutely delighted. And yes, I did sell a 2013 SE CU24 completely stock to get this one. Nothing wrong with it, just fell in love with this one:
