SE ZM 24 Alternative?

ultflood

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Sep 28, 2024
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Hello!

I recently picked up an SE ZM 24 as it was on sale and played beautifully in the store. It was my first PRS and I loved the satin neck as well as the resonance from the semi-hollow and the overall form factor.

When I got home, I started looking into Zach Myers, and was less than impressed by what he's putting out there in terms of his persona. I realize that not all rock stars are saints, but it's important to me where my money goes and whose name is on my guitars.

Anyway, I wound up returning the guitar but I haven't found anything similar that fits the bill. The other SEs are very nice but are missing the nice weight distribution from the ZM semi-hollow. I already have a couple of strats and a single-cut Gibson so those models don't have much appeal for me. Additionally, I love the satin neck feel but have read about using a scotch sponge so perhaps that's not as much of an issue.

Would anyone have suggestions for other models that might be suitable, and around the same price point? I'm happy to look outside of PRS, as well.

Thanks!
 
Hello!

I recently picked up an SE ZM 24 as it was on sale and played beautifully in the store. It was my first PRS and I loved the satin neck as well as the resonance from the semi-hollow and the overall form factor.

When I got home, I started looking into Zach Myers, and was less than impressed by what he's putting out there in terms of his persona. I realize that not all rock stars are saints, but it's important to me where my money goes and whose name is on my guitars.

Anyway, I wound up returning the guitar but I haven't found anything similar that fits the bill. The other SEs are very nice but are missing the nice weight distribution from the ZM semi-hollow. I already have a couple of strats and a single-cut Gibson so those models don't have much appeal for me. Additionally, I love the satin neck feel but have read about using a scotch sponge so perhaps that's not as much of an issue.

Would anyone have suggestions for other models that might be suitable, and around the same price point? I'm happy to look outside of PRS, as well.

Thanks!

The Zach Myers is basically a semi-hollow 594 Single Cut - a 22 fret 24.594 scale guitar - but it is the only Semi-hollow (which is more weight relief in these type of builds using solid woods - compared to the Laminate style construction of 335's) in the Current SE range.

Therefore you could go with the 594 SE as that is the closest to the Zach Myers and both have individual tone/volume controls for each pick-up. Both have a fixed bridge too - although slightly different design. Neither have a Trem or 24 frets for example. The other option is to go for one of the Hollowbody models for the lightness and you can choose between Mahogany or Maple top/back and/or a Piezo but these are 25" scale and only have a master tone/volume control.

Unless they bring a Semi-Hollow Single Cut 594 to the SE range, the Zach Myers is unique and I doubt you'll find something similar from a different brand and the similar price. They'll all have their own 'unique' traits too and different brands will likely differ more in terms of scale length, neck carve/shape, feel etc...

The things that separate the Zach Myers from the 594 is adjustable Stop tail bridge vs ToM style, 245 'S' vs 58/15 LT 'S' pick ups, wide/fat vs pattern vintage neck carve and Solid vs Semi-Hollow/chambered Solid body but its the closest in the SE Range....
 
Buy a used one. He won’t see a dime, unless you happen to purchase it directly from him. That’s not likely.
What he said. I bought one years ago and have no idea who he is, don't care, it's a great guitar. I certainly don't feel morally corrupt over it.
FYI, I put Bark Knuckle Nantucket P90s in HB size PuPs in mine, and it screams the blues
 
Zach Myers? From Shinedown? He’s pretty vanilla.
What did you find about him that would make you sell a guitar you actually loved?
A Nick Cantese SE I can totally understand…

Eh, just take a look at his Twitter account and the type of stuff he posts along with the way he engages with people. I recognize that celebrities aren't saints, but if they can't at least rein it in on their social media (or have their PR handlers do it for them), that feels like a red flag.
 
The Zach Myers is basically a semi-hollow 594 Single Cut - a 22 fret 24.594 scale guitar - but it is the only Semi-hollow (which is more weight relief in these type of builds using solid woods - compared to the Laminate style construction of 335's) in the Current SE range.

Therefore you could go with the 594 SE as that is the closest to the Zach Myers and both have individual tone/volume controls for each pick-up. Both have a fixed bridge too - although slightly different design. Neither have a Trem or 24 frets for example. The other option is to go for one of the Hollowbody models for the lightness and you can choose between Mahogany or Maple top/back and/or a Piezo but these are 25" scale and only have a master tone/volume control.

Unless they bring a Semi-Hollow Single Cut 594 to the SE range, the Zach Myers is unique and I doubt you'll find something similar from a different brand and the similar price. They'll all have their own 'unique' traits too and different brands will likely differ more in terms of scale length, neck carve/shape, feel etc...

The things that separate the Zach Myers from the 594 is adjustable Stop tail bridge vs ToM style, 245 'S' vs 58/15 LT 'S' pick ups, wide/fat vs pattern vintage neck carve and Solid vs Semi-Hollow/chambered Solid body but its the closest in the SE Range....

Thanks for such a thorough reply! I'm not attached to the 594 length (actually prefer the 24 frets of other models), but you've hit the nail on the head: I love the semi-hollow weight relief with the solid wood build.

Is the neck carve on the ZM what makes it feels so easy to play (along with the satin finish)? If so, are there comparable necks among other models? I played an SE CE24 and it felt somewhat similar, but missing the heft of the ZM (and the knobs that you mentioned).
 
Eh, just take a look at his Twitter account and the type of stuff he posts along with the way he engages with people. I recognize that celebrities aren't saints, but if they can't at least rein it in on their social media (or have their PR handlers do it for them), that feels like a red flag.
Sorry. No twit, no x, no book of face.:)
 
Thanks for such a thorough reply! I'm not attached to the 594 length (actually prefer the 24 frets of other models), but you've hit the nail on the head: I love the semi-hollow weight relief with the solid wood build.

Is the neck carve on the ZM what makes it feels so easy to play (along with the satin finish)? If so, are there comparable necks among other models? I played an SE CE24 and it felt somewhat similar, but missing the heft of the ZM (and the knobs that you mentioned).

The way the neck is finished does make a difference - whether the fretboard has the edges rolled makes more of a difference to me for example and the scale length too makes a difference. Shorter scale means less string tension with the same tuning/string gauge meaning easier 'bends' than a 25.5" scale and less of a 'stretch' from 1st to 6th fret too.

There are likely to be multiple factors that determine how 'easy/smooth' it feels to play so all I can suggest is trying them first. If its the lightweight you want, then the Hollowbodies are the best option in the SE range but the Zach Myers, Hollowbody and 594 are all 22 fret guitars. If you wanted a 24 fret, then there have been Semi-Hollow Custom 24 guitars and you may find a Used Semi-Hollow 24 fret PRS for around the price of the top end SE's.

At the moment, they only seem to have 1 or 2 Semi-Hollow models in each range. In the SE range, its the Zach Myers, S2 its the Vela, CE has the Cu24, and Core has the Special and DGT. So unless you buy 'used', that's the choice and I'm sure they've done SE Semi-Hollow 24 fret models but limited in number. I think the 22 fret Semi-Hollow is more common. Like I said though, you may find a CE Semi-Hollow 24 for 'new' SE money (or not too much more) if you would prefer to have 24 frets.

As you asked what was closest to the ZM without the ZM branding, although I think that doesn't matter, the instrument and whether it suits you/the music you play, the tones etc is far more important, then the 594 (as the ZM is a 22 fret, 2 Humbucker Semi Hollow Single Cut '594' scale guitar) is the closest or even the Hollowbody given you have a Solid body Gibson. A semi Hollow 24 fret would have a very different neck tone compared to a 22 fret. I'm not a John Mayer fan, but I'd buy a Silver Sky if I wanted a Great Strat regardless - its more about the Instrument and whether or not it 'works' for me. I couldn't care less if it has some Artist association or not, I care more about whether that instrument works for me, comfortable to play, great sound, reliable etc etc...
 
Eh, just take a look at his Twitter account and the type of stuff he posts along with the way he engages with people. I recognize that celebrities aren't saints, but if they can't at least rein it in on their social media (or have their PR handlers do it for them), that feels like a red flag.
Twitter is a cesspool; I don't even bother. The new owner's idea of freedom of speech is agreeing with him. (and in no way is that political statement, he's just a tool)

I'm sure you're justified in your opinion of Meyer's.

Anyway, the guitar is well made and plays very well IMHO. Just take the trussrod cover off and no one will know. Put a different one on :>)
 
The way the neck is finished does make a difference - whether the fretboard has the edges rolled makes more of a difference to me for example and the scale length too makes a difference. Shorter scale means less string tension with the same tuning/string gauge meaning easier 'bends' than a 25.5" scale and less of a 'stretch' from 1st to 6th fret too.

There are likely to be multiple factors that determine how 'easy/smooth' it feels to play so all I can suggest is trying them first. If its the lightweight you want, then the Hollowbodies are the best option in the SE range but the Zach Myers, Hollowbody and 594 are all 22 fret guitars. If you wanted a 24 fret, then there have been Semi-Hollow Custom 24 guitars and you may find a Used Semi-Hollow 24 fret PRS for around the price of the top end SE's.

At the moment, they only seem to have 1 or 2 Semi-Hollow models in each range. In the SE range, its the Zach Myers, S2 its the Vela, CE has the Cu24, and Core has the Special and DGT. So unless you buy 'used', that's the choice and I'm sure they've done SE Semi-Hollow 24 fret models but limited in number. I think the 22 fret Semi-Hollow is more common. Like I said though, you may find a CE Semi-Hollow 24 for 'new' SE money (or not too much more) if you would prefer to have 24 frets.

As you asked what was closest to the ZM without the ZM branding, although I think that doesn't matter, the instrument and whether it suits you/the music you play, the tones etc is far more important, then the 594 (as the ZM is a 22 fret, 2 Humbucker Semi Hollow Single Cut '594' scale guitar) is the closest or even the Hollowbody given you have a Solid body Gibson. A semi Hollow 24 fret would have a very different neck tone compared to a 22 fret. I'm not a John Mayer fan, but I'd buy a Silver Sky if I wanted a Great Strat regardless - its more about the Instrument and whether or not it 'works' for me. I couldn't care less if it has some Artist association or not, I care more about whether that instrument works for me, comfortable to play, great sound, reliable etc etc...
Thank you so much! I hadn't really thought about string tension in relation to 22 vs 24 frets. That must be why bends feel so great on the ZM.

I will say that I also played an SE Custom 22 Quilted Limited-Edition Semi-Hollow that was on clearance for ~$650 (right next to the SE CE24) and I didn't love it. It seemed like a great deal but it just didn't have the same resonance as the ZM, for obvious reasons. Am I crazy for forgoing that price??

FWIW, I also have an Epiphone ES-339 so I've shied away from the Hollowbodies.
 
Twitter is a cesspool; I don't even bother. The new owner's idea of freedom of speech is agreeing with him. (and in no way is that political statement, he's just a tool)

I'm sure you're justified in your opinion of Meyer's.

Anyway, the guitar is well made and plays very well IMHO. Just take the trussrod cover off and no one will know. Put a different one on :>)
Thanks very much! :)
 
The biggest difference in tone is a 24 fret guitar changes were the neck pickup sits. This changes the node for the neck pickup, often to the detriment. I'm not a big 24 fret guy, but to each their own. I have a couple of older super Strats that have 24 frets. 89 Yamaha Pacificas 921 and 912.

"Note the points along the string where the string does not have any motion for a given overtone are called NODES. Also think of the nut and bridge as nodes. The greatest string travel for any given frequency that would generate the most electrical energy or sound occurs at the center point between the nodes of any given frequency."

from this article: https://proampsolutions.com/guitar-tone-and-scale-length/#:~:text=Note the points along the string where the,point between the nodes of any given frequency.
 
LKlt2j6.jpg


This is my Douche Meyer, with the BKP Nantuckets. Something about Semihollows and P90s that make my Taylor that much more Swift:eek::rolleyes::cool:o_O
 
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