completed the mods of the SE singelcut

[leeasam]

ok this is my boys guitar and he is still learning basically but I have always wanted to try doing a mod like this as it would be alot less expensive than a custom order USA guitar.

Well it started with a stock 2012 PRS SE singlecut. Scarlet red with the exposed maple binding look. So I am thinking ok what if it had USA electronics and pick ups. The knobs are WAY smoother on USA parts verses the stiff korean knobs etc. I also really like the feel of the lamp shade knobs. So I got a NEW HFS/Vintage pick up set Off Ebay from a dealer and then from PRS a Drop in 3 way w/ push - pull controls so I could coil split. I had already installed Gotoh Locking tuners on it.

So I got the pick ups in and ready to stick in the controls and the USA right angle toggle will not work as the threads are not long enough to go through an SE body. AND on top of this needed to strip pick up lead back quite a ways to get things wired to proper points in the electronics. I had not ever worked with pick ups with the braided outer shielding and did not know how to strip that back properly so I called my shop and told them what was up.

So I had the guitar restrung-- pick ups installed- and set up all that was needed was solder in the controls. So Went to Dave`s Guitar shop and instead of routing the body to clear the right angle toggle they installed a short Switch Craft toggle and worked perfectly( not to mention Switchcraft quality) They soldered it up and I got to try it out. NICE!! the Lamp shade knowbs are nice too. the coil split adds more versatility to the guitar now too. Kind of a poor mans McCarty.
So Guitar $600 Tuners- $80 Pickup set- $195 Drop in Electronics $80 Shop to solder everything up and add a switch craft toggle $30 and Hard shell PRS Mulit fit case $129 So in all with case included under $1,100.
so here is the guitar

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Good work! I'd hit that.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

IMO, an SE with those upgrades cannot be beat. Heck... the pups and tuners don't really need to be upgraded either.

Great looking guitar!

 

[leeasam]

IMO, an SE with those upgrades cannot be beat. Heck... the pups and tuners don't really need to be upgraded either.

Great looking guitar!

Thanks! -- and your right they are very good guitars stock but this was something I had in mind for a while. restrings are much faster and the new PUP config with coil split gets more options for gigging. and it is one very comfy guitar too. We had as SE245 in same color that we traded for this one. I like the 25" scale better-- like the volume knob location better and really don`t need two vol and tone knobs. The SE Singlecut is way more comfy too than the SE245. funny thing is I weighed both guitars and the thicker SE245 and the thinner SE Singlecut were pretty much the exact same weight. The thinner singlecut feels more solid really. The thicker SE245 must be weight relieved or some mystery wood center.

Anyway I have thought a USA singlecut in a simular config would be nice but this works for now and alot easier on the pocket book!