Santana SE vs 245 SE

[flatfeed611]

I'm trying to decide between these two and have no option to try them out. Will have to buy online.

If I only could have one, which one would be a solid choice?

Which is closer to its core American counterpart?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I feel the upgrade path (if you choose to do that) will be cheaper and easier with a 245, especially if in your heart you really want a Core model but can’t swing it financially at the moment.

I have a small pile of Santana shaped guitars and a 2017 SE is among them. It’s a fun guitar but it doesn’t quench my desire for the Core versions I own. My Bernie on the other hand kinda made me put a Core SC guitar on the back burner.

Not that there’s anything wrong with the hardware that comes on SE’s, but to get the trem and tuners really happening on the same level as the Core models will cost you some dough.

 

[flatfeed611]

I feel the upgrade path (if you choose to do that) will be cheaper and easier with a 245, especially if in your heart you really want a Core model but can’t swing it financially at the moment.

I have a small pile of Santana shaped guitars and a 2017 SE is among them. It’s a fun guitar but it doesn’t quench my desire for the Core versions I own. My Bernie on the other hand kinda made me put a Core SC guitar on the back burner.

Not that there’s anything wrong with the hardware that comes on SE’s, but to get the trem and tuners really happening on the same level as the Core models will cost you some dough.

So there seems to be more of a gap between the SE santana and its core counterpart vs the 245s?

 

[pac90]

Hes saying the trem replacement is most expensive, stop tails therefore cheaper solid vehicles

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Hes saying the trem replacement is most expensive, stop tails therefore cheaper solid vehicles

Correct.

The neck profile on the Core Santana is also totally different. It may be a small thing, or something that won't even matter if you've never played a Core version but...

I still really like my SE Santana though, it looks good which was my primary reason for buying it. My "intentionally ignorant" guitarist who thinks I'm nuts for owning so many guitars assumed it was an expensive guitar when he picked it up...which in all fairness, it kinda is now (relatively speaking) with all the mods and parts I added.

I just feel that the stoptail SE's are unbeatable "budget" guitars out of the box, and therefore the "better" value. There's no functional reason to replace the bridge or tuners, and the SE 245 pickups are the best of the SE line (besides the P90's which are incredible) that I've tried so far.

 

[Boogie]

I just feel that the stoptail SE's are unbeatable "budget" guitars out of the box, and therefore the "better" value. There's no functional reason to replace the bridge or tuners, and the SE 245 pickups are the best of the SE line (besides the P90's which are incredible) that I've tried so far.

That is the best review of the SE line I’ve seen so far. Spot on.

 

[bodia]

That is the best review of the SE line I’ve seen so far. Spot on.

Agree. Totally agree.

 

[tonytester]

the 245 is , stop tail is a better choice.

 

[tonytester]

I'm trying to decide between these two and have no option to try them out. Will have to buy online.

If I only could have one, which one would be a solid choice?

Which is closer to its core American counterpart?

are you in the arctic circle.

 

[JJJ]

I used to use a 245 before I bought into the US made lines.

They are solid guitars but they benefit from locking bridge studs and a new nut.