How Bitchin' is the Swamp Ash Special?

[sergiodeblanc]

I'd love to hear what owners of this guitar have to say about it.

 

[WishICouldPlay]

I'd love to hear what owners of this guitar have to say about it.

I have a 25th anniversary SAS. Fabulous guitar. Can be as clean as you need and dirties up real nasty.
When I was gigging regularly, I used the SAS and a Studio as my goto guitars. About 60/40 for the SAS.
The cool thing is that either one would have served me well as my only guitar.
Can't say enough good things about it.

there are a couple of demos that I know about ...

go to Guitarist Mag web site and search "PRS SAS" and there is a review and video of the 25th.
google "Davey Knowles SAS demo" and it will bring up one he did for PRS.

 

[Tim]

SASs rule Serg!!!

 

[veinbuster]

Totally bitchin'.
Mine is the early edition from the 90s. It was my travel guitar for about 10 years. It has lots of variation from the 3 pickups, and I always really like the Seymour Duncan rail. A simple basic guitar that can do most anything.
This is the day I got it - a gift from my wife:

 

[mapleleaf14]

I've got a 2001 in Whitewash with an adjustable wrap tail, but I am selling it...got dentist bills!

I posted it over on VR.

Wonder why we don't have a Sale section here? Too much trouble maybe?

Anyways, the SAS is a cool guitar for sure but I have to let one go and it gets the least playtime as any of mine.

 

[Brad737]

Maybe because PRS is in the business of selling NEW guitars?

Wonder why we don't have a Sale section here? Too much trouble maybe?

 

[Egads]

Hey Sergio, you already know how I felt about the McCarty neck pup with that combination. I felt like I could cop Knopfler's thicker tones perfectly. I'm also just a big fan of good swamp ash. And I know you like bolt-ons.

It's an awesome guitar and very versatile.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Sergio,

When you come out to Colorado, I'll hand you my SAS with uncovered 53/10's (plugged into the '64 Twin).

The tone is tight, punchy, and clear as a bell. When the neck pup is split, Nile Rodgers at my fingertips. When the gain is cranked and I'm on full treble bucker, Angus Young.

Beyond the tonal considerations, it is one of the most comfortable and well-balanced PRS guitars I've ever owned. The full, round, neck carve is perfect for me.

 

[aduayer]

Never owned one, but I am a big fan of swamp ash body guitars. They just got it all.
I wish PRS could offer more options with this wood.

 

[John Beef]

It's been on my lust list for a very long time, but I've never played one.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Can be as clean as you need and dirties up real nasty.

Exactly what I was hoping.

Totally bitchin'.

You look great in spandex... Just in case nobody tells you that enough.

I've got a 2001 in Whitewash with an adjustable wrap tail, but I am selling it...got dentist bills!

I posted it over on VR.

Stayed up late lookin' at yours, if it was a trem model you'd be shipping it to me today! Wanna trade? I have a Dremel tool and some whip-its, dentistry doesn't look that hard.

And I know you like bolt-ons.

I totally prefer bolt-ons. That's the only thing that keeps me from wanting a 305.

Sergio,

When you come out to Colorado, I'll hand you my SAS with uncovered 53/10's (plugged into the "64 Twin).

The tone in tight, punchy, and clear as a bell. When the neck pup is split, Nile Rodgers at my fingertips. When the gain is cranked and I'm on full treble bucker, Angus Young.

Beyond the tonal considerations, it is one of the most comfortable and well-balanced PRS guitars I've ever owned. The full, round, neck carve is perfect for me.

Word! The whole W/F thing scared me off before the PTC re-carved my CE neck. There is a NF model (in blue!) available locally for $1150 but it has a rosewood fretboard. If I were not so unsure about the NF's (and the fact that I've really come to love McCarty pups) I'd be doing another "Dimebag" thread... I guess I'll just have to be patient.

 

[László]

The SAS is a great guitar, does things really well, captures those in-between tones so it can quack, and it's light and all-around wonderful.

Highly recommended.

 

[Tag]

I hate to be the bad seed in this thread. No one is a bigger PRS fan than I am, and I have only played ONE SAS, but to look at, it was stunning. Flame maple neck, see through blond finish, birds...a real looker! Plugging in however, I could not find a single tone that moved me. It sounded like every other F style on steroids guitar out there. Lots of guys love them, but I would try before buying for sure. One of only 3-4 PRS guitars that I flat out did not like, and I have played a LOT of PRS guitars.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

One of my favorites (obviously)...killer clean and great crunch....all usable tones...I have a couple older ones with McCarty Hbs and a couple with the Swamp Ash Hbs, and love them equally...don't have a NF SAS yet...but I do have an NF 3 which also kills!! Love the shape and feel of the neck...coupled with the figured maple...beautiful!!

 

[VHTStark]

The way Hans described its tonal signature is bang on IMO. I have been wanting one for a few years now and wish I would have snagged one before I decided to do more grad studies. Right near the top of the list for "must have" PRS's once I get back in the game. I say get one Serg....I am betting you'll love it!

 

[WishICouldPlay]

I'd love to hear what owners of this guitar have to say about it.

My 25th SAS is stock. See my previous post. It has the three NFs.
My Studio is a SAStudio (don't know if they are making them anymore) and I replaced the bridge pickup with a Nailbomb. More accurately, I paid someone to replace the pickup, I can barely change strings. Nothing wrong with the PRS pickup, sounded fine, I like the grittiness of the BKs right at the moment although that is the only pickup swap I've done on any of my PRSi's.

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

For what it's worth, Swamp Ash is my favorite wood I've ever played/heard with NF pickups. You will definitely get a Strat-y vibe...
Much better to my ears than the Hog/Maple mix of the Studio..

 

[László]

I hate to be the bad seed in this thread. No one is a bigger PRS fan than I am, and I have only played ONE SAS, but to look at, it was stunning. Flame maple neck, see through blond finish, birds...a real looker! Plugging in however, I could not find a single tone that moved me. It sounded like every other F style on steroids guitar out there. Lots of guys love them, but I would try before buying for sure. One of only 3-4 PRS guitars that I flat out did not like, and I have played a LOT of PRS guitars.

I can't see an SAS working with your style in any case, Tag, it's truly meant for someone who plays different music than you do.

I see the SAS for someone who plays the funkier stuff, C&W, Alt. Rock, etc.

Not surprised you found it wasn't for you. But that doesn't mean it's not great for someone else.

 

[Tag]

I can't see an SAS working with your style in any case, Tag, it's truly meant for someone who plays different music than you do.

I see the SAS for someone who plays the funkier stuff, C&W, Alt. Rock, etc.

Not surprised you found it wasn't for you. But that doesn't mean it's not great for someone else.

I totally agree Les, and this thread shows how many guys love them! However, because its right for you or them, does not mean it will be right for the OP either. Thats why I posted my opposing findings. I really could have come at it from the wrong angle as well. I was looking for a great strat style guitar. I ended up buying a strat. The SAS just ended up in no mans land for me, in that gray area between a G and F, with nothing of its own to my ear. So many PRSs have something totally unique going on, I just did not find that in the SAS. I just think if at all possible, like always, he should try it for himself. And yes, it could be the perfect guitar for him! (I would like to try at least one more myself. Maybe it was just that particular guitar. One is not an awful large sample to draw conclusions from!)

 

[László]

I totally agree Les, and this thread shows how many guys love them! However, because its right for you or them, does not mean it will be right for the OP either. Thats why I posted my opposing findings. I really could have come at it from the wrong angle as well. I was looking for a great strat style guitar. I ended up buying a strat. The SAS just ended up in no mans land for me, in that gray area between a G and F, with nothing of its own to my ear. So many PRSs have something totally unique going on, I just did not find that in the SAS. I just think if at all possible, like always, he should try it for himself. And yes, it could be the perfect guitar for him! (I would like to try at least one more myself. Maybe it was just that particular guitar. One is not an awful large sample to draw conclusions from!)

I get where you're coming from, though to me in truth, the admonition, "You need to play one," goes with any guitar of any kind, doesn't it?

I had an SAS and found it really great for certain styles, such as alt. rock, etc. Definitely between F and G, as you said, but in a good way, at least the one I had.

I know that Sergio (the OP) likes bolt-on PRSes, and does the funky stuff. He's got a number of guitars and mods them as needed, so I wouldn't worry.