I am considering getting a PRS but don't have a huge budget. I own a Les Paul, Strat, and Tele so I'm looking for something else to compliment the collection.
Tried a Korean made one briefly and thought it was pretty good. Never tried and american to compare. Would you compare it to a MIM Strat vs and American? Or Epiphone vs a Gibson?
Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions.
The PRS SE's are worth every penny IMHO!
When I was looking for a twin humbucking guitar late last year I had no brand or model in mind. I had a set budget that I couldn't go past and I knew it had to be twin humbucking. Beyond that anything went. I won't bore you with the whole story but after a false start (Got my fingers seriously burned by another manufacturer) I wound up with the Bernie Marsden which I love to bits!
I tried a lot of other guitars from different manufacturers and I can tell you that no Epi I tried came close. It seemed more on a par with the Gibson Studios which where significantly more expensive! Admittedly this is based on a small sample of guitars but the Epi's didn't compare (They were't the cheapest Epi's either). That's not to say the Epi's I tried where bad guitars, they weren't. But the SE Bernie just seemed better constructed with a perfect setup.
I'll be honest and say I have a MIM Strat which I love as well. A good guitar but it's too different to compare to the SE I feel.
For me, one of the big differences between the SE's and other guitars in the mid priced bracket is that PRS focus on building a solid guitar first whereas others make it look all nice and pretty and put 'big name' hardware on there. But at the price point they are, corners have to be cut. The SE's are incredibly well built guitars with good hardware stock that you can upgrade as time goes by and your budget allows. Some other manufacturers cut corners on the build quality which can wind up costing you a small fortune to put right!!! What use is big name pups on a guitar that has sky high action and poor fretwork?
I'm not a big fan of buying guitars online - regardless of name or cost. However i'd sleep a lot easier knowing i'd ordered an SE than other makes. Solid guitars, well built, sound great, play great and a perfect vehicle for upgrades as and when you wish - If you feel you need to at all!
As always, it's best to get down to a shop and try as many as you can to see which one speaks to you.
There's a demo of the Bernie Marsden in my Y'tube link if you're interested. I've also owned an SE Soapbar Maple II with P90's which I loved and have played the SE 245 and Custom 24. Pretty much all faultless guitars. Just wound up with the one that felt right for me.
Best of luck.