CE or SE - which is better?

[solacematt]

So I was just reading a thread here that's been going for two years about the discontinued CE line where someone said they were considered the poor mans custom 24. Since we have the more affordable SE line which has come quite a long way since their 2001 introduction with the Santana model, was curious what everyone's thoughts were on SE vs CE?

 

[garrettb]

If it was between an SE Custom and a CE, I'd take a clean used CE any day. CE is a core guitar in every way, just a bit plainer looking.

 

[mcarty1]

The CE is an american made guitar! It was made in the same stephensville factory that all the other PRS guitars were made at. It just has a bolt on neck vs. a set neck. Some people still love that guitar though. They say the neck gives it a different character.

Though when it was being offered...it was treated as a red headed stepchild by a lot of PRS users that did not feel it quite lived up to the other models because of the set neck. It was derided as not being as quality as the set neck counter part! Which was completely false.

As far as the SE...they are made overseas with cheaper parts and labor and have a cheaper price.

Though they are very well built "cheap" guitars, I do not think they compare to a CE.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

CE without question

 

[AP515]

I own both so I feel qualified to say. The SE's are good, the CE is better...much better.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

CE's are superior to Standards and Customs in many cases. :goodnight:

 

[justmund]

+1 to all of the above

 

[HANGAR18]

SE...
Just kidding. hahaha
CE

 

[Chris528]

CE for sure!!

 

[John Beef]

I suppose if you found an exceptionally great SE, and compared it to an exceptionally poor CE (if that exists), the SE might be the better choice... maybe. But if we're talking averages, the CEs are going to be a few cuts above.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

...and compared it to an exceptionally poor CE (if that exists)...

Like the Jackalope, bad CEs do not exist

 

[_pete_]

SE's are nice guitars but the CE's are far superior instruments. It's not even close.
I've owned plenty of each and honestly, there are not many guitars I'd take over a CE. I'm taking my black '95 CE24 to the grave with me.

 

[gush]

Although I would love a ZM or an orianthi you just can't beat a CE for sure. I play the crap out of my CEs.

 

[shinksma]

I do not (yet!) own a CE. I have a few SEs, and they are great guitars for the price, heck great guitars in general. But my core PRSi have that something special, and I suspect a CE would have the same je ne sais quoi. That's why I lust after getting one.

So I vote CE over SE.

 

[gush]

I love CE's....a CE22 with Dragon I's is still one of my favorite guitars... Another CE22 I have is loaded with 59/09's and it slays. That said the SE line also has fantastic offerings.


My preference would be for a CE.

My CE drag 1 is my favorite too. It always goes to my gigs.

My cu 24 5909 can get bright when I roll back the vol pot. I was always afraid a CE would be worse with 5909s. Is that not the case?

 

[Brad737]

CE, all day, everyday. And twice on Sundays.

 

[László]

Of course there is no "better," just "different," the question being a matter of what's going to work for the individual, I'd pick a CE.

 

[tabl10s]

So I was just reading a thread here that's been going for two years about the discontinued CE line where someone said they were considered the poor mans custom 24. Since we have the more affordable SE line which has come quite a long way since their 2001 introduction with the Santana model, was curious what everyone's thoughts were on SE vs CE?

The real comparison should be CE vs. S2.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

The real comparison should be CE vs. S2.

THAT is a good question, and I am sure it has been asked before, and out here even. A really good condition CE will run you just about the same as a really good deal on an S2 Custom. S2 Mira might be cheaper. The core models do have a vibe and playability that the S2s come really close to, but I'd take a well-cared-for used CE over an S2 in a fight.

 

[justmund]

I think it all depends on what you want from a guitar. The CEs have qualities that you just can't get in other models. Versus a Custom, you've got a bolt-on Maple neck, versus a SE/S2 same deal with the neck but you also get 5-way switching (in the case of the rotary).

Same goes for S2s, pick a S2 Mira Semi-hollow and you can't get that anywhere else in the PRS line (semi-hollow, all Hog).

The SEs rarely offer anything different from the other lines (except models like the Orianthi with the maple neck, ebony board) so really unless you have <$1000 and must have a brand new guitar, they're going to be second fiddle any day of the week. Second hand is a totally different story of course...

So apples vs oranges vs strawberries is my opinion! YMMV etc