Help a fellow musician

[Giovanni]

Hi everyone! I finally decides to buy a new guitar and since it's a rare event for me (I had only one guitar for 10 years of playing) I really want it to be perfect.
I found a guy selling a korean PRS SE 245 spalted maple from 2013 for about 600 euros...now, I don't know how many times I've been recommended to buy a PRS guitar (for good reasons), but I'm not sure if this is a good deal or not since I'm not that familiar with the brand. Do you guys have any tips? should I save up and buy another model? Or is this a once in a lifetime deal? Any help is appreciated

 

[AP515]

That is about what it cost new in the States. I'm not sure what the used market is like where you are, so I can't say whether to buy it or not. Over here I would expect a lower used price but with VAT taxes and such, it may be a reasonable deal for you. As far as the guitar is concerned, it's a great guitar. Better than any other maker's entry level guitar.

 

[Mozzi]

Used prices are very difficult to say whether its a good deal or not - it really depends on condition, what (if anything) comes with it, what (if anything) the previous owner has done to it and even where you are too can make a difference. There is also the aspect of whether that guitar feels worth it too. If you buy a brand new guitar for 1k but don't want to play it, its dead money - in other words its only worth what someone else is willing to pay and you have your money wrapped up in it and can't spend it. If you buy a 1k guitar and you can't put it down, then chances are, its worth more than 1k to you because you probably wouldn't want to sell for 1k and under.

Now that's been said, the SE245 is a great guitar and the Spalted Maple top is not that common. Its closer to the Les Paul in terms of features and sounds and is a favourite of a lot of people. Even if its pristine and comes with everything it came with new (like a gig bag and any case candy) I would think that €600 is at the high end of the pricing but often sellers advertise at a higher price knowing people will barter. At that price, I would think they are doing the same so haggle it down if/when you decide to buy.

 

[Black Plaid]

Looking at Thomann, a new 245 with a nice top is about 670. Remember a new guitar comes with the warranty and the guarantee that no one has been abusing it for the last 6 years.

I would say asking 600 is delusional. 400 would probably be a more reasonable price.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Firstly, welcome Giovanni.

The SE range is a very good introduction to the PRS guitars.

I have an SE 245 it’s a great guitar.

I think as others have said, that the price is a little high, however these were part of a limited run, so the seller will be asking more because the guitar is less common.

Also photos of the guitar will help, if you have any.

 

[Giovanni]

Firstly, welcome Giovanni.

The SE range is a very good introduction to the PRS guitars.

I have an SE 245 it’s a great guitar.

I think as others have said, that the price is a little high, however these were part of a limited run, so the seller will be asking more because the guitar is less common.

Also photos of the guitar will help, if you have any.

https://m.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/...-maple_id6319816.html#.show_ann_gallery-modal

 

[Giovanni]

I lowered the price to 480 euros

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I lowered the price to 480 euros

So that’s roughly $500 American?

That doesn’t seem out of line especially since availability and bargains aren’t as plentiful in the EU, and it’s a slightly less common model.

The SE 245 platform (Bernie/ZM/245) is/are solid guitars right out of the box, I cannot recommend them enough. I vote buy it.

 

[Giovanni]

So that’s roughly $500 American?

That doesn’t seem out of line especially since availability and bargains aren’t as plentiful in the EU, and it’s a slightly less common model.

The SE 245 platform (Bernie/ZM/245) is/are solid guitars right out of the box, I cannot recommend them enough. I vote buy it.

Yup, 500 dollars with the original case included, I agree too that is a good deal, I wasn't sure about it because on thomann or andertons I've found 2 different price ranges for SE's one around 600 euros and the other 800... I can't seem to find the differences between them

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Yup, 500 dollars with the original case included, I agree too that is a good deal, I wasn't sure about it because on thomann or andertons I've found 2 different price ranges for SE's one around 600 euros and the other 800... I can't seem to find the differences between them

There are two different SE 245’s, one is the Standard (all mahogany) and the other has a maple top. The maple top one is more expensive, and the one you’re looking at would be that one.

I’m not sure if the “Exotic” top guitars cost even more but... it seems like a fair price.

 

[Giovanni]

There are two different SE 245’s, one is the Standard (all mahogany) and the other has a maple top. The maple top one is more expensive, and the one you’re looking at would be that one.

I’m not sure if the “Exotic” top guitars cost even more but... it seems like a fair price.

Yup I agree, Do you know if there is any difference between a 2013 and a more recent model? The only difference I see is that the headstock has the Paul Reed Smith signature on the newer models...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Yup I agree, Do you know if there is any difference between a 2013 and a more recent model? The only difference I see is that the headstock has the Paul Reed Smith signature on the newer models...

Maybe the pickups and bridge changed? I’m not sure, I’ve seen some with the bridge with individual saddles.

But neither of those two things would dissuade me from getting an older one, or make me more excited about a newer one.

Of all the SE pickups I’ve had, the 245’s were my favorite and stayed the longest, and I’m personally more into the regular solid bridge.

 

[Giovanni]

There are two different SE 245’s, one is the Standard (all mahogany) and the other has a maple top. The maple top one is more expensive, and the one you’re looking at would be that one.

I’m not sure if the “Exotic” top guitars cost even more but... it seems like a fair price.

Yup I agree, Do you know if there is any difference between a 2013 and a more recent model? The only difference I see is that the headstock has the Paul Reed Smith signature on the newer models...

Maybe the pickups and bridge changed? I’m not sure, I’ve seen some with the bridge with individual saddles.

But neither of those two things would dissuade me from getting an older one, or make me more excited about a newer one.

Of all the SE pickups I’ve had, the 245’s were my favorite and stayed the longest, and I’m personally more into the regular solid bridge.

Thanks man, I think I'll buy it , hope it's sounds better than my schecter pt
EDIT: this emojii are creepy af

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Looking forward to your new guitar day thread.