I'm new to PRS

[notsogood23]

Hi. Thanks for accepting me into your forum. In my teens I played in a group, but since retirement I play for my own enjoyment through a Fender Champion (and at my wife's insistence - headphones!!). I have managed to get my hands on a PRS SE Custom, and would like to know a little more about it: for instance can I tell when it was made from the serial number? The text on the back of the head tells me it was made in Korea - is that good? In good condition, how much would it be worth? Thanks - I'd appreciate anything anybody could tell me.

 

[Abe]

Hello and welcome. Serial # Prefixes to Identify When Your Guitar Was Made. That should help you.

As far as it being an SE PRS made in Korea, all I can tell you is the one and only PRS I've played is an SE made in China. The best I can tell is PRS is a guitar company on both sides of the ocean that seemingly has good quality control and PRS SE's are not bad guitars, they're just not the top of the PRS line.

 

[SinSir]

Welcome aboard. Made in Korea are some of the best se ever made. Be aware PRS are very addictive and multiply like gremlins. Prepare for more!

Check the link shared above for the serial number and then you can find out the year to search for more. Pickups would probably be the biggest change. The last years of MIK had 8515S and before that they were HFS/VB-S.

 

[Greywolf]

Welcome , SE's are a good to place to start . As you play more you may find the desire to delve deeper into the flock

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Welcome and congratulations on your first.

 

[bodia]

Congrats

 

[Moondog Wily]

From my understanding, the SE solid body production moved from Korea to Indonesia maybe 8 years ago in 2020 (correction by SinSir). The hollowbody and acoustic SE's are made in China. A lot of folk really like the solid body SE's from the Korea era.

As for what is it worth, it is worth whatever someone will pay for it ;~)) In all seriousness, that line is in the $500 - $1500 range brand new (most of them being under $1k) so any thoughts of it being worth something special are unrealistic.

Congrats on the axe, welcome to the forum and as mentioned, there will be more! They are addictive ;~)) Enjoy and rock it!!!

 

[SinSir]

From my understanding, the SE solid body production moved from Korea to Indonesia maybe 8 years ago. The hollowbody and acoustic SE's are made in China. A lot of folk really like the solid body SE's from the Korea era.

2020 was the last of MIK. There were overlap years.

 

[Moondog Wily]

2020 was the last of MIK. There were overlap years.

Gotcha! Thanks!!

 

[andy474x]

My first PRS was an early Korean SE Custom, great guitar. Moons or birds, 22 or 24 frets, blade switch or toggle?

 

[Daryl Jones]

Welcome @notsogood23 and there is absolutely nothing wrong with an SE custom, especially the Korean ones. My first PRS (and actually my first brand new electric guitar) was a Custom 24 SE and I doubt I could have made a better choice for myself. But like every guitar, a proper setup is the best thing you can do to cultivate a long and happy relationship with it. Mine was pretty good from the get go, but a string change and a full setup made it even sweeter. I'm no luthier so I take all my guitars in to get a good "tune-up" regularly, certainly pays dividends in the results.

 

[dmatthews]

Welcome mate, and enjoy!