Thoughts/Experience with the Core Studio vs. Swamp Ash Studio?

[jonnychrisman]

I've currently got a 2022 gold top Studio that I love nearly everything about, except the weight and to a lesser degree the neck finish. There are a couple of older Swamp Ash Studios on Reverb right now and I'm tempted based on the listed lighter weights and the satin (and flamed!) maple necks.

Just wanted to see if anyone has any input on the differences between the different woods and different eras of narrowfields?

 

[Revelation]

Hard question, my brother has the Swamp Ash and its a great guitar. The Studio is another great guitar. I would not say one is better than the other. It really comes down to personal preference. My suggestion is to get your hands on a Swamp Ash and see which one you like better. I personally would choose the Studio as having two narrow field pickups would offer me something more special as I already have a McCarty 594 and Custom 24.

 

[watelessness]

from a wood perspective, the ash has less girth, less sustain than hog/maple. imho they compliment each other very well in a collection. iirc the old narrowfields are going to be very articulate on an ash body.

one is a crescent wrench and the other a socket wrench - both will get a nut off, it just depends on which tool is best for the application.

 

[Glide-bpm]

both will get a nut off, it just depends on which tool is best for the application.

That's what she said....

 

[watelessness]

That's what she said....

i'll allow it

 

[guitarguy1964]

This is timely for me. I am looking at both the studio and the swamp ash special right now. I really can't make up my mind. Obviously there is a big price difference and that is part of what is holding me up on my desicion, but not all of it.

I do like the set neck and violin carve of the core. I do already have a swamp ash se. Through this desicion making process I have been playing my 408 a lot and I'm really loving it. Maybe I should just be content with what I have.
As far as core guitars I do already have
Dgt
McCarty
Ted McCarty Single cut
Single cut
Custom 22
408

Until recently I have been mainly gigging with a CE 24 semi hollow.
I'm confused haha

Edit
Oops I just realized my reading skills aren't quite what they should be! This thread is about the swamp ash studio not special! I'm still paying attention though!

 

[watelessness]

This is timely for me. I am looking at both the studio and the swamp ash special right now. I really can't make up my mind. Obviously there is a big price difference and that is part of what is holding me up on my desicion, but not all of it.

back in the day i considered the SAS to be a strat-replacing Swiss Army knife: very versatile, and it adapted well to pickup swaps. It's a good thing that you have narrowed it down to two pieces and are not clouding the water with consideration of the NF53 or the MK

 

[RedGuitars]

This is timely for me. I am looking at both the studio and the swamp ash special right now. I really can't make up my mind. Obviously there is a big price difference and that is part of what is holding me up on my desicion, but not all of it.

I do like the set neck and violin carve of the core. I do already have a swamp ash se. Through this desicion making process I have been playing my 408 a lot and I'm really loving it. Maybe I should just be content with what I have.
As far as core guitars I do already have
Dgt
McCarty
Ted McCarty Single cut
Single cut
Custom 22
408

Until recently I have been mainly gigging with a CE 24 semi hollow.
I'm confused haha

Edit
Oops I just realized my reading skills aren't quite what they should be! This thread is about the swamp ash studio not special! I'm still paying attention though!

There isn’t a thing wrong with a bolt on neck!

 

[Glide-bpm]

There isn’t a thing wrong with a bolt on neck!

Hell...... I couldn't afford anything decent with a set neck until after I got out of college and started my electrical engineering job..
My first electric guitar (and only one until 1991.

 

[DISTORT6]

Hell...... I couldn't afford anything decent with a set neck until after I got out of college and started my electrical engineering job..
My first electric guitar (and only one until 1991.

The Tooth Guitar!
My buddy that showed me how to play my very first riff had one. That alone makes them holy to me.
His had the case with the built in amp.

 

[FragileThunder]

Hell...... I couldn't afford anything decent with a set neck until after I got out of college and started my electrical engineering job..
My first electric guitar (and only one until 1991.

The T's! I had a couple T-40s over the years. One was Serial #0000000...from back when you could steal things on eBay from unsuspecting house cleaners. I eventually sold it, but retain First Right of Refusal if the guy who bought it ever decides to let it go.

 

[Glide-bpm]

The T's! I had a couple T-40s over the years. One was Serial #0000000...from back when you could steal things on eBay from unsuspecting house cleaners. I eventually sold it, but retain First Right of Refusal if the guy who bought it ever decides to let it go.

The first year I owned it, I was only playing single coil mode since I dimed the tone controls.... Then one day I am going through the case and decide to finally read the damned owner's manual.... LoL! Then those tones hovered around 7 most of the time, particularly the bridge pickup.

The guitar was actually way ahead of its time!!!

 

[guitarguy1964]

There isn’t a thing wrong with a bolt on neck!

No therre isn't a thing wrong with bolt ons!
Is the guitar in the center a DC3 with humbuckers added?

 

[RedGuitars]

No therre isn't a thing wrong with bolt ons!
Is the guitar in the center a DC3 with humbuckers added?

Brent Mason signature model. Short lived but I like it a lot!

 

[FennRx]

I don’t have a SAS but my core studio might be my favorite guitar…even more than my Les Pauls and I have been a Gibson guy for decades

 

[Zoot Allures]

I have a 2012 Swamp Ash Studio, which was a limited addition model, that could be ordered in late 2011. The neck is a pattern regular with the most beautiful flamed maple neck and fingerboard. The humbucker is a 57/08 TM (that coil splits) to go along with the two NF’s. Of the 7 PRSs I’m lucky enough to be the caretaker of, this guitar is the best sounding and most versatile. With the satin finish neck and at about 7 pounds, this guitar is quite comfy also. Highly recommended, if you can find one.
Jonny, I hope some of this helps….

 

[jonnychrisman]

I have a 2012 Swamp Ash Studio, which was a limited addition model, that could be ordered in late 2011. The neck is a pattern regular with the most beautiful flamed maple neck and fingerboard. The humbucker is a 57/08 TM (that coil splits) to go along with the two NF’s. Of the 7 PRSs I’m lucky enough to be the caretaker of, this guitar is the best sounding and most versatile. With the satin finish neck and at about 7 pounds, this guitar is quite comfy also. Highly recommended, if you can find one.
Jonny, I hope some of this helps….

Much appreciated! That's an ideal weight and I think I'm a convert to satin necks after gigging my DC3. The NF in the neck might be my favorite neck pickup sound I've heard yet and I'd imagine it's a great pair with the swamp ash body.

 

[Zoot Allures]

Much appreciated! That's an ideal weight and I think I'm a convert to satin necks after gigging my DC3. The NF in the neck might be my favorite neck pickup sound I've heard yet and I'd imagine it's a great pair with the swamp ash body.

I totally agree about the NF in the neck position. My Vela also has a neck NF and it is my favorite sound on that guitar.