PRS SE Singlecut or PRS SE 245

[momokie]

Hi everyone,
I'm Newbe...in this forum. I'm wanting to get a new electric, a PRS to be specific. I've narrowed it down to either a single cut, 245 or a custom 22 (I might consider a Santana but didn't see anything too special about it). I won't be able to get to play one before I order it (no good stores near me). Your opinions on these would be great.

:top:

Thanks

 

[Mikegarveyblues]

Are you looking more for a Singlecut body shape or is that not a major preference? I'd probably go for the SE 245 over the Singlecut although that's still a good guitar. The SE 245 and Santana both feature the SE245 pickups. Off the top of my head I can't remember what's in the Singlecut or the Custom 22 (Did you mean Custom 24?). If it's the Custom 24 then that's a great guitar... Well... They all are!

Also worth checking out the Bernie Marsden. That's also a singlecut shape with the SE245 pups but it has binding on the neck and a different control layout. Great guitar!

The new Zach Myers is also a singlecut but is a semi-hollow with the 'f-hole'. Again Se 245 pups.

Do you prefer a trem or a stoptail bridge?

It's a shame you can't play before you buy as we can give you a million and one recommendations that help narrow it down but ultimately it's how you get on with it that'll make or break it.

best of luck with your new guitar hunt and welcome to the forum!

 

[CantankerousCarl]

+1 on what Mike is saying. If you have your heart set on a singlecut, there are a few variations that are more interesting than the SE SC/245. The new SE Zach Myers is phenomenal if you can find one, the SE Bernie definitely has a little more going on stock (.10s maybe) and the SE Akesson is a steal with the adjustable stoptail and ebony board. All with the same pickups. The Tremontis have some cool features as well.

The SE Santana also has the 245 pickups, and until the SE ZM was my favorite SE. I dig the short scale length on the SE245 and Santana.

If you're talking about an SE Custom 22, those you will only find used, and I think they have alot more interesting options.

If you are set on one of the specific ones you mentioned, my nod's for the SE245...

 

[sssteeve]

I've had an SE Singlecut for several years but just got an SE245 the other day. IMO the SE245 is the best Les Paul ever made (at least for the ones under $2,000.) The SE Singlecut on the other hand is a beautiful guitar but is more of a PRS than a LP (nothing wrong with that!) The SE245 is heavier than the other models you mentioned- mine weighed over 8 lbs- which I think contributes to the incredible sustain it gets acoustically.

At first I was disappointed with the smaller frets on the SE245- they measured around .036" high compared to .047" high on my 2012 SE Custom Semihollow. But I came to really appreciate the frets on the SE245- I like to feel the fretboard and while the jumbo frets are great for bending I think that the shorter frets are better all around. I have a 2009 SE Custom Semi-hollow which needs refretting and while I had originally considered going with jumbo frets like the 2012 model I have to decided to go with shorter frets like the SE245 has (comparable to the Dunlop 6130.) So I would look into the frets on the different models you are considering. It is easy enough to replace pickups but refretting a guitar is a job best left to professionals.

It used to be a crap shoot buying new guitars sight unseen- I would check out dozens in a store before picking one out- but the quality control on the PRS SE guitars is top notch. Every one that I have seen is perfect right out of the box (you might want to adjust the bridge and truss rod to your own preference but that is to be expected for every guitar.)

Good luck!

Steve Ahola

P.S. I have always replaced the pickups on my SE guitars (or replace the A5 magnets w/ A2 in the soapbars) but the SE245 pickups are keepers!

 

[JStarr]

One word: Bernie