Guys... the SE Paul’s Guitar is LEGIT!!!

andy474x

Knows the Drill
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May 4, 2012
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The local shop was having a Fender event tonight, so I went to check it out, whaddya know, two spankin new SE Paul’s Guitars on the wall! I had to try them. I didn’t expect them to be vastly different than other SE’s, other than the pickups, but you know, curiosity. Out of respect for the event, I waited for it to end before I plugged in. But even before that, there is something very different about these SE’s (or at least the two on display). They were much, much lighter than any other SE I’ve ever played. I picked up a few other SE models to see if I was imagining things, but no, there was a huge difference! And man, did those things ring forever. On a level I’ve never heard from an SE, honestly I think they rivaled my core Mira for resonance, and that’s saying something. Everything else was spot on too, electronics felt and worked well, finish was top notch, setup and playability was excellent. There were a few things I didn’t care for as much, aesthetically, the 408 rings on regular HB’s were a little clunky and odd, and I’m just not one for vintage tuners, but I would happily deal with those things in light of the guitar as a whole. Plugged in, the pickups sounded nice, hard to really judge without playing through my own rig, but I liked them. The coil taps did have a slight output drop, but what they didn’t do was thin out more than they should, as many true coil splits often do. These days I usually just embrace the variety of pickup that comes in a guitar, and if it’s humbuckers, then I’m going to rock that tone and not worry about coil splits. But these, I could see myself being very happy with.

So, overall, I’m still blown away by the resonance of the two Paul’s guitars I played. They’re very easily two of the best SE’s I’ve laid hands on (and I’ve played a lot of ‘em). The bones of a much more expensive instrument are totally there, and I liked the rest a lot too.
 
As I said elsewhere. I thought the sound was nice, but I think I need a wide/thin neck instead of a wide fat. I was sad too as I really wanted to love the guitar, I think a stoptail with that kind of split tone would be really nice.

Maybe a 24-08, as if I could play well enough to merit such a pricey guitar.
 
..., I think a stoptail with that kind of split tone would be really nice...

Have you checked out a S2 Mira? The split tone on mine through a Deluxe Reverb is delightful. It has a Pattern Regular neck shape.

..., as if I could play well enough to merit such a pricey guitar.

If I went by that criteria, I would be relegated to only playing a Wing Ding. :(
 
Go for it! A better instrument makes you a better player because you are inspired to play more often and try things you have never attempted.

That's how I ended up with the SE Standard, and my Ibanez AS83. I already had a '71 Mustang, which is worth a bit of money and isn't 1/2 as playable as either of the newer axes.

Dave's has a 2016 Prototype Experience that would probably be magical. I didn't play it because I was afraid I would love it. I'm promising myself another guitar when I get somewhere with my playing.
 
I almost bought one of those but I was put off by the tailpiece/bridge. I went with the CU22 semi hollow SE instead and don't regret it. F wiw, the carve on the Paul is exactly the same as the carve on the new Custom SE's...at least I couldn't tell a difference. I did like them however but I like all the newer SE's. Seems as though they've really up'd their game with their budget line of guitars in the last couple of years.
 
F wiw, the carve on the Paul is exactly the same as the carve on the new Custom SE's...at least I couldn't tell a difference.

I was under the impression that they had a new top carve for the Paul’s, especially noticeable on the inside of the upper horn?
 
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