Special Semi-hollow vs ME-V

[guitar_man_man_man]

Thanks all for the inputs! I think the clear answer is that I have to find somewhere that has both and just try them out one of these weekends. Shouldn’t be too hard in LA!

 

[Bogner]

Thanks all for the inputs! I think the clear answer is that I have to find somewhere that has both and just try them out one of these weekends. Shouldn’t be too hard in LA!

Well That Makes Things Easy...We Were All Chiming In And Trying To Help Confuse You Thinking You Lived In No Man's Land In Kentucky Or Something Where There Are No Stores For States On End.

 

[Mozzi]

I’m thinking of paring down the collection a bit with my silver sky, 35th anniversary custom 24, and HBII piezo not getting nearly as much play as my Santana and Custom 24 Floyd these days. Would you pick an SSH or an ME-V to replace the three I mentioned and fill the spot of an axe that can get good single-coil tones while still covering ground between jazz and rock? Also just curious how folks who have both would compare the two!

I wouldn't say they can replace those three - the Silver Sky is a Strat and neither the other two (Special/MEv) are - although they may be good enough to do a similar sound in the mix to be good enough for you. There are some that would say they are a million miles apart and others that will likely say they'll 'work' for them.

However, you'll also miss out on the 'hollowbody' and Piezo option too as none of these are similar even the Special with its semi hollow construction is more like weight relief than offering that hollowbody tone. I have a Special SH with 58/15 MT's, but I also have a 594 and 594 Hollowbody, both with 58/15 LT's as well as a HBii myself. I think of the PRS Semi-Hollows as more like weight relieving in an attractive way, with the Hollowbodies giving a bit more of that 'hollowbody' tone - not quite Jazz box HB but you know what I mean as you own one.

the Special and MEv are also different sounding and you can't play the Middle Narrowfield Pickup on its own so if you want/use that middle pickup option on the Silver Sky, the MEv is the closest but still sounds different. If you mod the Special, the NF would sound different to the MEv SC which sounds different to the SS.

At the end of the day, those guitars exist in the range along with the guitars you have today because they are all different enough despite offering basically the same 'function' (same notes and method to make music) , it just comes down to whether or not they 'work' for you. Maybe a Special or MEv can be the guitar that 'works' for you and be 'good enough' to replace those guitars for you and the sounds/tones you want/need/prefer - but only you can decide because those guitars are somewhat 'unique' in the range. The only one I can see being obsolete is the Cu24 35th Anniversary edition as the Cu24 Floyd is similar enough. I'd say try those guitars first and then decide if it works for you before deciding to get rid of Guitars that are quite different as they may not be the replacement you hoped they'd be. They may get 'Stratty/Tele' ish Single coil tones, especially in a Mix, but not the same as a Silver Sky for example...

 

[d2g]

Now where are all the ME-V lovers at??

I’m right here ;-)

Totally devoted ME-Ver. Haven’t played a core Paul’s Guitar enough to comp vs ME-V.

My ME-V on stage constantly does what I need it to do and gets rave tone reviews. I love it. It’s not a strat but the audience rarely knows the difference and never ever cares - I’m not SRV, Jimi, John F, or…

For context, I own a full palette of PRS - HB IIs are my second faves. More vintage not metal.

I also find that gravity moves me in seasons toward different instruments. So I’ve learned not to sell quickly when I get a good one. It’s season will come again…

 

[d2g]

I’m right here ;-)

Totally devoted ME-Ver. Haven’t played a core Paul’s Guitar enough to comp vs ME-V.

My ME-V on stage constantly does what I need it to do and gets rave tone reviews. I love it. It’s not a strat but the audience rarely knows the difference and never ever cares - I’m not SRV, Jimi, John F, or…

For context, I own a full palette of PRS - HB IIs are my second faves. More vintage not metal.

I also find that gravity moves me in seasons toward different instruments. So I’ve learned not to sell quickly when I get a good one. It’s season will come again…

Oh and yes I agree the Silver Sky is its own animal vs the choices on offer - in many ways.

 

[shinksma]

Totally devoted ME-Ver. Haven’t played a core Paul’s Guitar enough to comp vs ME-V.

My ME-V on stage constantly does what I need it to do and gets rave tone reviews. I love it. It’s not a strat but the audience rarely knows the difference and never ever cares - I’m not SRV, Jimi, John F, or…

Out of interest, what configuration of MEV do you have? The maple neck, the hog neck, the RW neck, etc?

 

[d2g]

Out of interest, what configuration of MEV do you have? The maple neck, the hog neck, the RW neck, etc?

Mine is mahogany with rosewood board. I’d like to try a maple neck too - my two HB IIs are mahogany vs maple -

 

[d2g]

Mine is mahogany with rosewood board. I’d like to try a maple neck too - my two HB IIs are mahogany vs maple -

Also - I believe the ME-V and PG share bridge and neck pickups. Locations not exactly same, switching not same. Siblings.

I’m a huge advocate for testing guitars in context and not being too swayed in isolation - what I’ve found in my taste is that I gravitate toward sonically distinct timbres that sit nicely and don’t poke until/unless intended. Contrast matters - blend versus stand out. Loudness is not the thing - clarity and articulation versus gritty noise. Both have their place! A good LP neck pickup has that hollow tubular sound for example - a great Tele pickup has that sharp bite that doesn’t sound like nails on a chalkboard…

I listen for the context of rhythm - clarity and thickness vs funky spank - etc

I almost never buy a guitar at a store that I can’t return because the setting is rarely conducive to understanding the instrument. Have to have new strings. Have to have a minor setup to my liking…

 

[GGJJGG]

I have both. I just played them through the HiTone 50 watt. I like them both, but if the wife made me sell one (an occasional risk…), I would keep the SSH. It has the LT pickups.