SE 245 - Any issues buying NOS?

[Alpione]

Hey all..

First post here. I'm a long time acoustic player but am about to buy my first electric in 25 years as I've ended up in a band situation. Looking at an SE 245, particularly because of the thicker neck.

Lots of good new, old stock deals on eBay for these. Many in a nice cherry burst that doesn't seem to be currently available. Serial numbers show they're from 2013. Any probs in grabbing one of these? Missing out on any new features?

thanks!

A

 

[dogrocketp]

There shouldn`t be any problems. There are no new features that you might miss. I say buy, it, play it, see what you think. The nicest thing about mine is that the neck is as stable as a rock, and it was very easy to modify to make it exactly the way I wanted it.

 

[Boogie]

Simply, no. They're fantastic values...so much so I bought two.

 

[Alpione]

Sounds like what I was thinking. Thanks.

Looking forward to learning electric-land after many years of Martins and Taylors. Played a friend's Strat for a few days recently and was all over the place - hitting the pickups, getting snagged on the volume control. Different world!

A

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Yes, absolutely there is an issue! Depending where you get it, you may need to change the strings right away. (cough cough Guitar Center cough cough)

Okay, I didn't say it was a big issue, but I just thought you'd want to know this -- I returned a Paul's Guitar because it sounded awful, and I found out later all it probably needed was new strings, because it had been sitting in their warehouse for a couple years, and now I have a sad because I would've otherwise kept the guitar.

 

[Alpione]

Good call. I shall do so.

Which brings up another question. My only concern about the 245 is the 9s that I believe are stock on it with the short scale. Especially since I'm used to 12s or 13s full scale on acoustic, these may feel super floppy to me. Can I at least go to 10s on it without further nut or other adjustments?

Thanks.

 

[ViperDoc]

Good call. I shall do so.

Which brings up another question. My only concern about the 245 is the 9s that I believe are stock on it with the short scale. Especially since I'm used to 12s or 13s full scale on acoustic, these may feel super floppy to me. Can I at least go to 10s on it without further nut or other adjustments?

Thanks.

You should be able to up the gauge to .010s without any problem. If you go to .011, you might need a new setup ideally, but I've gone up to .011s on one of my SEs with only mild pressure and it did fine.

 

[HANGAR18]

Buy that 245 before it gets away from you!

 

[Boogie]

Good call. I shall do so.

Which brings up another question. My only concern about the 245 is the 9s that I believe are stock on it with the short scale. Especially since I'm used to 12s or 13s full scale on acoustic, these may feel super floppy to me. Can I at least go to 10s on it without further nut or other adjustments?

Thanks.

On the SE245s, in particular, I didn't have to alter anything going up to 11s. I gave one each to my boys and they play 10s and 11s exclusively without even a truss rod tweak. There was a little concern about the nut slots for the 3 high strings, but with Big Bends Nut Sauce, it wasn't necessary. Otherwise, just run a wound string thru the slot a few times and it should be good. No files required.

 

[Alpione]

All sounds good. Great looking dark cherry burst has been ordered!

My wife fears that electrics will become another excuse to spend money and time obsessing over minute differences in sound. Can't imagine where she'd get that idea. :laugh:

 

[dogrocketp]

Does she know that you`ll have to buy an amp?

 

[Alpione]

Does she know that you`ll have to buy an amp?

Yes, but with the promise of a headphone jack for silent practice.

 

[Boogie]

The headphones are for her. There are no headphone jacks on real amps. :biggrin:

 

[Alpione]

Ha! Yeah. I'll end up with multiple amps I'm sure.

 

[Bilbo Jangles]

Hi, Alpione, IMHO the only problem you'll have buying a uesd SE on Ebay is that you're buying it on Ebay. I'd prefer a reputable dealer, which is where I got mine.
I think the SE line has a great reputation, as does Paul, and the only question is.....how much has the guitar been abused. I know when you find one, you're gonna love it!