S2C22
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2019
- Messages
- 65
Well, I bought an SE 594 Singlecut Standard in Cherry and got it Friday.. It is boxed up, awaiting a return label. Big mistake.. Now, before I get flamed, I'd like to note that I've been setting up my own guitars for 20 years, as well as every one else's I know. PRS Cores, S2's, many Gibsons, ESP's, Jacksons, Floyd Roses, you name it.
First off, fit and finish was ok. It looked nice, felt cheap. Then, there's a host of issues..
First off, the tool marks, gouges, and glue were proudly on display. Absolutely dreadful, and unacceptable. But, could be cleaned up, to an extent, and overlooked if it were a great player. Unfortunately, this was not the case...
Next, the nut.. Both B & high E strings choked out, never rang true, so not a set-up issue, clearly a nut issue. And, the issue turned out to be one I couldn't address, without a new nut because the nut height at the first fret was way low.
G & B string saddles were at their max from the factory, and intonation was STILL significantly sharp, (using a Peterson Strobe HD). This was still the case after I spent 2 hours doing a setup. Typically, a setup takes much less time on a decent guitar, but this one was SO out of even minimum PRS specs, it wasn't funny. Action was well over 2mm at the 12th, both treble and bass side, and relief was over .012.. Now, I typically get a Core or S2 as low as .005, but find around .007 the sweet spot. This guitar wasn't having it. I also go for around 1.4mm on the bass side at the 12th, and 1.2 on the treble. Again, not achievable on this one. Constant back and forth battle between truss rod, and action, neither of which would land in a spot that was comfortable.
The input jack was loose, and the nut was about to fall off when I received it. No biggie, a couple turns with a socket, tighten right up. Not so, it was STILL loose internally, it wasn't holding the guitar cable tight whatsoever, the cable just wobbled. I suspect the prongs were bent, or something, but I would have to yank it out completely to see, and the wire to the jack was so tight, it would have broke off, unless I pulled it out from the inside, the way it was routed. Easy to diagnose, but should I have to? NO. It wasn't as noticeable until I plugged into my Friedman and different cable.
Would NOT hold tuning, whatsoever on the G, B, and E. Back to the nut.
So, I could NOT see this as a worthwhile purchase, even at 10% off. My intent was to do upgrades anyway, but the list of shortcomings was too long. This turd should have NEVER left the factory. POOR QC across the board, and I'm back to my "NO INDONESIAN GUITARS policy. I don't care who's name is on the headstock, they still haven't figured it out. This guitar is going back, and I will easily decline exchanging for another.
Have there been some good reviews on these? Sure. But, based on the turd I got, I would say buy at your own risk. And, only at a discount. Even one built perfectly isn't worth $829, or the hype.
First off, fit and finish was ok. It looked nice, felt cheap. Then, there's a host of issues..
First off, the tool marks, gouges, and glue were proudly on display. Absolutely dreadful, and unacceptable. But, could be cleaned up, to an extent, and overlooked if it were a great player. Unfortunately, this was not the case...
Next, the nut.. Both B & high E strings choked out, never rang true, so not a set-up issue, clearly a nut issue. And, the issue turned out to be one I couldn't address, without a new nut because the nut height at the first fret was way low.
G & B string saddles were at their max from the factory, and intonation was STILL significantly sharp, (using a Peterson Strobe HD). This was still the case after I spent 2 hours doing a setup. Typically, a setup takes much less time on a decent guitar, but this one was SO out of even minimum PRS specs, it wasn't funny. Action was well over 2mm at the 12th, both treble and bass side, and relief was over .012.. Now, I typically get a Core or S2 as low as .005, but find around .007 the sweet spot. This guitar wasn't having it. I also go for around 1.4mm on the bass side at the 12th, and 1.2 on the treble. Again, not achievable on this one. Constant back and forth battle between truss rod, and action, neither of which would land in a spot that was comfortable.
The input jack was loose, and the nut was about to fall off when I received it. No biggie, a couple turns with a socket, tighten right up. Not so, it was STILL loose internally, it wasn't holding the guitar cable tight whatsoever, the cable just wobbled. I suspect the prongs were bent, or something, but I would have to yank it out completely to see, and the wire to the jack was so tight, it would have broke off, unless I pulled it out from the inside, the way it was routed. Easy to diagnose, but should I have to? NO. It wasn't as noticeable until I plugged into my Friedman and different cable.
Would NOT hold tuning, whatsoever on the G, B, and E. Back to the nut.
So, I could NOT see this as a worthwhile purchase, even at 10% off. My intent was to do upgrades anyway, but the list of shortcomings was too long. This turd should have NEVER left the factory. POOR QC across the board, and I'm back to my "NO INDONESIAN GUITARS policy. I don't care who's name is on the headstock, they still haven't figured it out. This guitar is going back, and I will easily decline exchanging for another.
Have there been some good reviews on these? Sure. But, based on the turd I got, I would say buy at your own risk. And, only at a discount. Even one built perfectly isn't worth $829, or the hype.
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