core hollowbody v SE versions

[sunshinewelly]

I own a couple of Core models ie Custom 24's and own a S2 model and to be honest apart from a slight aesthetic difference they play and sound the same to me. In fact a rather the S2 24 i have over one of my custom 24's

i also own a prs AE50 acoustic and that is an amazing guitar for the money.

now what i want to know is genuinely the difference between the core hollowbody piezo range and the new SE range sound wise and feature wise

i imagine build wise then the SE will be fine and i assume play ability will be on a par with the core version

however what are the pickups like on the SE version compared to the core and also what is the hardware like compared to the core

 

[sunshinewelly]

i also note that the necks seem different on the SE range - wide fat compared to patern on the core range

is there much difference - my core custom 24's have a pattern regular neck

 

[Tim S]

I can’t comment about the Core HB, but I do have an SE HB Standard.

As others have noted here, the SE Hollowbody W/F neck feels a lot more like a Pattern Regular found on S2 guitars.

I believe the SE is made in the same factory as the SE acoustics. The 58/15 “S” pickups sound great to me. They work well clean and with high gain too.

(I’m actually looking to buy a set of 58/15 “S” pickups online... if someone is silly enough to replace them)

 

[bodia]

 

[sergiodeblanc]

If I close my eyes and just listen.... neither sounds like an acoustic guitar.

 

[Mozzi]

Watch the first half and guess first....

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Watch the first half and guess first....

The Taylor was easier to pick out only because of the increased string noise from the larger string gauge.

 

[Mozzi]

The Taylor was easier to pick out only because of the increased string noise from the larger string gauge.

Exactly - but I didn't want to give any clues to make it easy before someone watches the video. I thought it was obvious myself but it also shows how good these instruments are...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Exactly - but I didn't want to give any clues to make it easy before someone watches the video. I thought it was obvious myself but it also shows how good these instruments are...

See, I think they’re all awful sounding. I’ve not once been fooled or pleased by the sound of a piezo.... but the SE doesn’t sound any worse, which is very impressive considering the price.

 

[dogrocketp]

I may rethink my SE Hollowbody in favor of the core guitar. While it sounds like a piezo, that’s the best sounding piezo I ever heard.

 

[FunkyFreeman]

Having played several core HBII’s and recently an SE HB Piezo, I’d like to say:

• Core HB has more clarity, more definition, clearer distorted tone
• SE HB seemed less prone to feedback, while I can make a core HB howl easily - and controllable. I like on-demand feedback of core version better.
• SE HB Piezo feels noticeably heavier
• I prefer mode switch on core. With it I can switch between 2 systems on the fly, while on SE version, I have to manually blend both volume knobs. It may not be a big deal, but having that switch is better than manual blending.
• With such asking price for SE HB Piezo, the flame maple veneer figures could be improved. Look at those SE Paul’s Guitar for reference.

In my conclusion, the SE HBII is a great choice when considering that it cost roughly just about 1/3 of the core version (piezo, non 10 top). But if I were to buy a HBII, I would go for core version. There’s something you won’t know by reading specs sheet or watching Youtube unless you try them for yourself.