NGD and kudos to PRS

[kes7u]

I

Received a new PRS SE Bernie Marsden a few days ago and must admit I absolutely love it! Some of you may know that I have one of the Private Stock McCarty Singlecuts. I figure, why not compare an $8k guitar to a $600 guitar? They're both PRS after all.

Let me start by saying that I love the look of this guitar. The glossy black with the binding is such a beautiful and classic look. I haven't nitpicked the overall fit and finish, but I am very happy with it. I was a little bit concerned in that I had read how chunky the Bernie neck is. To me, feels identical to the PSMSC. Perhaps that also uses the same/similar chunky neck. I love both of them.

I like my action like my women. Very low. OK that doesn't make sense. Anyways, I was able to set the action as low as I prefer, and no fret buzz anywhere that I could discern. What a well constructed instrument.

The frets feel a bit bigger or more crowned than the PSMSC. Not necessarily better or worse, just different. The overall sound is beautiful, but certainly thinner. This does not make it bad, just not a pipe organ like the PSMSC. I think this is to be expected.

The control knobs are nice, but not as silky smooth. Similar with the tuning keys. I have not experienced a nut issue yet.... The glossy neck finish is a bit sticky to me. I don't know that I would have noticed, but certainly 'stickier' when played back to back with the MSC.

Really the only problems I have encountered was during set up. I felt like I was at war with the guitar trying to turn the knobs to raise, lower the bridge, even after reducing string tension. Then, I stripped out an allen wrench when doing the intonation. Ugh.

Anyways, kudos to PRS for constructing such an amazing instrument at any price point, let alone where it sits. I bought this guitar to bring to work with me every day to try to get a bit of extra practice when I get a little down time. I need all the practice I can get. I want to be so good at this!!! In any case, I would be proud to have this instrument as part of my home collection. Kudos, PRS!

Kevin

 

[shinksma]

Nice! And an excellent comparison description. The SE models are very, very good, and if no-one knew where they were made they would compare quite favorably to other certain well-known manufacturers...heck they compare well even knowing where they are made. It's just that PRS makes core models that simply out-do everything else, and that is a hard act to follow...and then take it up a notch with PS, as I understand it, though I've never played one. Some day, my precious, some day.

A couple side-by-side pics wouldn't be frowned upon...hint hint.

 

[Lucas LeCompte]

Congrats bro this thing is awesome!

 

[László]

Very cool and a nice review!

I loved the "pipe organ" reference, that's so true!

 

[toothace]

Congrats! And YES...some side-by-side pics are in order!

 

[kes7u]

Congrats! And YES...some side-by-side pics are in order!

I'll plan to do that and get back to you guys sometime this weekend!

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Bangin'!

 

[prsrocker1988]

Congrats.

 

[Egads]

Nice. Congrats.

 

[geese_com]

Congrats! I will pick up a Marsden again soon.