I just received and opened a stunning SE Hollowbody II Piezo. Upon initial inspection I noticed that approx. 1/8" of unfinished neck wood is visible near the neck pickup ring, which I thought was odd. I also noticed that the bridge is set relatively high. Finally, when plugged in I noticed that the magnetic pickups (neck and bridge) are lower volume than than the piezo. All of this put together makes me concerned that there was a construction issue where the neck is set too high in the body. Can anyone with this model look at the photos and offer feedback? I have photos but can't post a link to them until I have 3 posts.
Is this a construction defect in the neck/body? Used SE Hollowbody II Piezo purchase
- Thread starter prskier17
- Start date
Here is a link to the photos: PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo - Neck / Body defect?
veinbuster
Zombie Three, DFZ
That is a link to this thread, not photos.
How high is the action? If that is high too you could lower the bridge a bit.
For pickup volume, the piezo typically goes into an acoustic amp or DI separately from pickups, but if you want them together I can see how you want them balanced. Depending on tone of the humbuckers, you could raise them potentially. Although eyeballing it on the pics they look about right.
nac
New Member
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- Apr 26, 2012
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- 273
I don't have much experience with SE models but the neck is higher than I would expect, almost like it wasn't cut down enough or the neck pocket wasn't cut deep enough? Hopefully a few others who have experience with the SE line can chime in and give you some advice.
Good looking guitar though. I hope you can sort it all out.
Good looking guitar though. I hope you can sort it all out.
bodia
Authorities said.....best leave it.....unsolved
That neck looks normal. Here's a pic I just pulled off of Reverb. Looks the same.
This is promising! If it is normal than I will keep the guitar and do my own setup to adjust the action and pickups. I purchased the guitar online used, but the store does have a return policy. I just don't want to be stuck with the guitar if it has a defect. I searched through a bunch of images online and didn't see any with the neck as high as mine until you posted this.That neck looks normal. Here's a pic I just pulled off of Reverb. Looks the same.
bodia
Authorities said.....best leave it.....unsolved
Yeah, I didn't find any good pictures on Google. Figured Reverb may be a better resource with pics from different angles.
Jimi D
@ the hundredth meridian
Vis-a-vis the disparity in Piezo and Mag Pup volumes ~ I don't have an SE, but I have a core Hollowbody II piezo, and I can attest there is a significant volume difference between the piezo and magnetic pickups when mixed through the same output. I attribute this to the fact that the magnetic pickups (57/08s in my case) are passive, while the piezo incorporates a preamp. When I do mix in the piezo with my magnetic pickups, I will have the piezo volume set around 2-3... I think I remember reading that there's an output trim pot on the piezo preamp board, but I've never pulled it to look myself. ;
FragileThunder
The Space Between The Notes
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- Feb 9, 2022
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I have an SE HBII Piezo. The volume disparity between mags and piezo is normal. Good thing they have separate volumes 
I'll look at my neck joint when I get a chance, but I think you just need a good set-up.
$0.02
I'll look at my neck joint when I get a chance, but I think you just need a good set-up.$0.02
Andrew Paul
The cat's meow
Unrelated question, SE HBII guitars do I see real wood fingerboard binding, not plastic?
I can only speak to the Piezo model, but yes - there is figured maple binding on the both front and back of the body, along the fretboard, around the headstock, and even around the F-holes. It's pretty nice looking
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Andrew Paul
The cat's meow
WOW impressive! they don't even do that with core hollowbody'sI can only speak to the Piezo model, but yes - there is figured maple binding on the both front and back of the body, along the fretboard, around the headstock, and even around the F-holes. It's pretty nice looking
aphantomvaper
Bend it to the Owl!
I have one of these in Black Gold burst and everything looks the same as my axe. I have a NGD somewhere on here with pics.
The Piezo has a trim pot on the board to reduce gain and I did adjust mine so its more unity with the mags. It is easy to adjust.
Yes on the flamed wood binding, it looks stellar!
Congrats on the acquisition. After some adjustments you'll be very happy I expect!
The Piezo has a trim pot on the board to reduce gain and I did adjust mine so its more unity with the mags. It is easy to adjust.
Yes on the flamed wood binding, it looks stellar!
Congrats on the acquisition. After some adjustments you'll be very happy I expect!
FragileThunder
The Space Between The Notes
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2022
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Here are some photos of mine for comparison. I’ve had it a year and love it. No complaints, everything about it has been excellent. I did buy in person from my local dealer, who is also a friend and my regular tech/luthier so it was set up perfectly from the jump. Hope these are helpful.
