At close to $800 now (on average) for an SE, I wouldn't consider these low price point guitars.It’s a good question; maybe current expectations re: SEs are unrealistic in view of the price point.
My guess is that the cost to manufacture in Korea has been increasingSo if everything was going so swimmingly well with the MiK SEs, why the switch to Indonesia?
At close to $800 now (on average) for an SE, I wouldn't consider these low price point guitars.
At close to $800 now (on average) for an SE, I wouldn't consider these low price point guitars.
Would that be unrealistic expectations on the part of PRS? Did they jump from a perfectly seaworthy ship to a wreck on the promise of a few more shiny pennies?
A few shiny pennies per widget can be the difference between profitability and disaster.
A well-run business is certainly aware of the importance of every single cent of cost.
Fact is, you want the best, buy the Maryland product. We can argue pennies from now ‘til the end of the universe, but there’s only one way to get the best they make.
What I noticed this year is that the stores are flooded with SE's, almost no S2's (only found 2, a CU22 & a CU24), and the cores (i think maybe a dozen that I found around here) are not moving.
A few shiny pennies per widget can be the difference between profitability and disaster.
A well-run business is certainly aware of the importance of every single cent of cost.
Fact is, you want the best, buy the Maryland product. We can argue pennies from now ‘til the end of the universe, but there’s only one way to get the best they make.
Pretty much any model you could ever want is available for purchase online from any number of prs’ signature dealers.I agree and I wanted a Maryland product recently, was really interested in the S2 singlecut. The problem is that I could not find one in a 3 hr. drive from my house in any direction, and very few to be found online at the time. While traveling around looking for one I was able to find almost every flavor of Fender and Gibson available. I ended up with a 2018 Les Paul Traditional because I gave up on finding a S2 singlecut. What I noticed this year is that the stores are flooded with SE's, almost no S2's (only found 2, a CU22 & a CU24), and the cores (i think maybe a dozen that I found around here) are not moving.
I agree and I wanted a Maryland product recently, was really interested in the S2 singlecut. The problem is that I could not find one in a 3 hr. drive from my house in any direction, and very few to be found online at the time. While traveling around looking for one I was able to find almost every flavor of Fender and Gibson available. I ended up with a 2018 Les Paul Traditional because I gave up on finding a S2 singlecut. What I noticed this year is that the stores are flooded with SE's, almost no S2's (only found 2, a CU22 & a CU24), and the cores (i think maybe a dozen that I found around here) are not moving.
Knowing a bunch of facts allows us to appear intelligent and argue in an attempt to prove it.
I make no claim to either facts or intelligence!
As the old adage goes, if I was smart I’d be rich! I’m neither.
Dealers buy what they buy. I’m sure PRS would prefer to sell them more high end stuff, with better margins.
That problem originates with guitar buyers being unwilling to part with the dough for the good stuff these days.
For some reason I don’t understand, seems folks would rather spend their money on unnecessary items like “food” or “having a roof over their head.”
No they are not low price guitars, and the new SE Paul's Guitar is listed at $999. If the pricing has gotten too high in these foreign factories, why not increase efforts to get the USA S2 line production increased? The SE & S2 are getting a little too close in price if you ask me.
If SE’s are meant as entry level, and hoping for brand loyalty, QC is of utmost importance.
I had no problem with the QC on my Korean SE, and the Indonesian SE’s I’ve personally handled were fine QC wise.
But given a choice between an SE Paul’s Guitar, and an S2 satin for the same price, I’ll go for FEEL.
An entry level guy might not feel the difference, but I sure can.