Might buy an SE amp, are they awesome?

[Duffy]

I'm looking at some new SE amps from some internet places. I'm considering getting one.

They have been discontinued, I notice. Was there some reason for this related to reliability or build quality? These are my two main concerns.

I'm sure a lot of you own these amps and I would be interested in hearing what some of you have to say about them. I realize this is the corporate forum so you may have to skew your responses to be in line with the vibe and purpose of the forum. After all, this forum is to promote PRS products as much as anything else I suppose. I try to promote the products based on my own experiences, which have been very impressive.

Anyway, I'm considering getting one. I'm not sure if they would be warrantied due to being discontinued, but if they are anything like the SE guitars, I expect that they will be very impressive.

Feedback is appreciated. How is the clean and how is the overdrive? Etc.?

 

[andy474x]

I have the SE30 head/2x12 cab for my main amp. I would say my opinion on it is mixed - it's perfect for my needs, but it's certainly not for everyone.

As far as features, build quality, and reliability, they're great amps. The build is super sturdy, they come with premium tubes, tolex, handles, everything is an ace job. They have the external bias feature, which I will never buy another amp that doesn't have that, it's very handy and will save me a ton on tech work. Instrument level loop for any pedal you might want to throw in. Two totally independent channels, which is very hard to find on a smaller wattage amp under a grand.

The thing that takes points away from the SE amps is the tone. Which isn't to say that they can't sound good, but they take a bit of tweaking to get just right. Lots of deep bass no matter where the knob is, so I run an EQ pedal in my loop to tighten things up. Of course, that might not be the case with the combo, maybe the deep 2x12 is what gives mine so much bass. They also need to run loud to get the best sound - this is a gigging amp, no question about it. Gain sounds have a great roar to them if the master is up, but pretty fizzy at low volume. If you just want to play it at home, I would look elsewhere. There's also a lot of gain in general, even on the rhythm channel. Which isn't a bad thing, just expect to run the gain low for clean tones.

All that being said, I do LOVE mine. Now that I have it dialed in, it's the fullest and most articulate amp I've owned. Clean sounds are fantastic, and the lead channel is a broadly useful rock tone - not too modern metal, not too vintage. And they take pedals very well. I play mine with my band and run it anywhere from 10-11:00 to wide open, and it sounds fantastic. Our other guitarist is playing a 120 watt Peavey 6120 through a 2x12, and I'm keeping up fine. Plus the features are killer, so I couldn't dream of getting rid of my SE amp now that I have it where I want it.

So it depends on what you're looking for. If you want a gigging amp, throw an EQ pedal on your board (or Velcro one to the back of your amp) and you'll be in heaven. If you want something for around the house, there are plenty of other amps I would look to before the SE range.

 

[USMC7312]

I purchased a PRS SE 50 amp and cab when they first came out. My opinion of the amp can be summed up by being sorry I sold it. For the money, it was a great amp and I have owned the normal course of amps that guitarists typically go through who have been playing for 5-7 years as an adult: Fender Deluxe, Blues Deville, Deluxe Reverb, Mesa Boogie Express Plus 5:50, Kemper Amp with a thousand really great profiles of the coolest amps made.

I would say go to the store and play a few until you find the one that you like and then take her home. The thing is your buying a PRS and at the risk of coming off as a fan boy, which to be honest I would admit to if asked anyway, when you buy a PRS you purchase quality gear. PRS is one of the few companies in the world where employees are valued and I think that translates to people actually and legitimately caring about the products they make, which means you get a tone machine. I know what your thinking, but the SE amps aren't made in Maryland and that is true but PRS did choose the makers and they set expectations pretty high.

For the money, I would definitely trust a PRS SE made in Asia over an American made Fender any day of the week. Of course Mesa Boogie is a different story, they make awesome amps too. But that is just my opinion.

 

[prscat33511]

I never played through one - but they are somehow not listed upon the website, so
are they disco ?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

so
are they disco ?

I'd have one if they were.

 

[bluefade]

I purchased a PRS SE 50 amp and cab when they first came out. My opinion of the amp can be summed up by being sorry I sold it. For the money, it was a great amp and I have owned the normal course of amps that guitarists typically go through who have been playing for 5-7 years as an adult: Fender Deluxe, Blues Deville, Deluxe Reverb, Mesa Boogie Express Plus 5:50, Kemper Amp with a thousand really great profiles of the coolest amps made.

I would say go to the store and play a few until you find the one that you like and then take her home. The thing is your buying a PRS and at the risk of coming off as a fan boy, which to be honest I would admit to if asked anyway, when you buy a PRS you purchase quality gear. PRS is one of the few companies in the world where employees are valued and I think that translates to people actually and legitimately caring about the products they make, which means you get a tone machine. I know what your thinking, but the SE amps aren't made in Maryland and that is true but PRS did choose the makers and they set expectations pretty high.

For the money, I would definitely trust a PRS SE made in Asia over an American made Fender any day of the week. Of course Mesa Boogie is a different story, they make awesome amps too. But that is just my opinion.

Please, tell me how you like the KEMPER AMP. It must have a lot of GOOD TONES. What are the amps on its inventory list, ie...Mesa, Fender, Marshal, Bogner, Dumble, etc.