To buy a core DGT or a SE DGT?

[FennRx]

Play them both and find out?

Always buy what you really want. Is a core a 5x better guitar than the SE? Probably not. Would a core inspire ME to play/practice more? Yes.

 

[doublescale1]

Having not gone through all four pages in this thread, I'd only tell you as someone who's owned core models of both the 594 and a DGT, the neck on the DGT is considerably narrower across the fretboard (high e to low E) than a 594. It's a signature guitar and that's the type of neck David Grissom prefers. After owning a DGT for about 5 years I decided to move it along because I just didn't get a long with that narrow neck, the string spacing across the fretboard, to me, was too tight. That's why there are so many variations in guitars. If you're a strong believer in the neck profile of the 594, which is much more of a handful than a DGT, then be sure to get your hands on a DGT before you decide to buy - it's a completely different feeling kind of neck. An amazing instrument but very different from any other PRS neck profile.

 

[Revelation]

I love my 594 and Custom 24 Core guitars.

The bottom line is , you want a guitar that motivates you to play. A guitar that looks good to you and inspires you does not have to be a Core, but it can help

 

[sick pickle]

This is the core I am considering. I think that is a beautiful looking guitar!

 

[RickP]

This is the core I am considering. I think that is a beautiful looking guitar!

The only reason I'm not considering one like that is that "consideration" would turn to "purchase" in about an hour. I'm looking into a Special Semihollow right now as a "do everything" replacement for the hole selling my 513s made, so I am diverting my eyes every time a beautiful DGT like this one comes up!

 

[bodia]

This is the core I am considering. I think that is a beautiful looking guitar!

That's a hot looking DGT!

 

[Lkdog]

I have an SE DGT and it’s awesome. It just feels sort of plastic compared to the real core. I am considering buying a full price core this week but I’m getting sticker shock

You can find mint core used ones for between $2800-3400. I have never bought a full price PRS. LOL.

There is a difference in model build quality, but oddly in some ways I have found the SE DGT pickups do a couple things a little better (Stratish split tones). I have had them sitting side by side for various periods of time.

I have the tobacco flameburst SE DGT and even though it does not have the top carve or thicker maple cap, it looks and feels pretty nice.
But I understand. Having the core does provide that additional refined build quality and owner satisfaction.

 

[dogrocketp]

The only reason I'm not considering one like that is that "consideration" would turn to "purchase" in about an hour. I'm looking into a Special Semihollow right now as a "do everything" replacement for the hole selling my 513s made, so I am diverting my eyes every time a beautiful DGT like this one comes up!

Sorry, Rick, no guitar does everything. That’s why you need several PRS.

 

[RickP]

Sorry, Rick, no guitar does everything. That’s why you need several PRS.

So that means buy two of them, right?

 

[sick pickle]

Ok. Just chiming in with my two cents.

I have had the SE DGT for almost a year (Goldtop). It is a lovely, brilliant guitar for the money. Today I got my first DGT Core and spent the last 4 hours playing non-stop.

There is honestly no comparison. The Core is just on a whole other level. So powerful, so articulate. Feels so incredible in the hands. It makes the SE feel a bit like a little toy guitar in a way.

I am not knocking it - for the price I paid, it is incredible. The company really did knock it out of the park. I will keep it as a gigging guitar, while the Core stays at home.

 

[Maxime Bousquet]

So that means buy two of them, right?

Buy A core or 4 SE! ....

 

[SinSir]

Buy A core or 4 SE! ....

Core. Sold 3 or 4 se for my first core and it was one of the best gear decisions I've made.

 

[Maxime Bousquet]

Noyau. Vendu 3 ou 4 SE pour mon premier noyau et c'était l'une des meilleures décisions d'équipement que j'ai prises.

Indeed more is not better!

 

[Maxime Bousquet]

I just find that asked to choose between an SE or a core indicates that he can choose then the choice becomes obvious!
5 times the price so people say it plays such 5 times better?
I would say that the sensation, the touch, the depth of the sound and all the other details tiny be it gives me this inspiration that is worth the extra 4k!

 

[Prina]

Buy A core or 4 SE!

When I'd bought my fourth SE 245 it dawned on me that I could have a Core for the combined price of them.

I returned one (bad fretboard), had already intended to give one to my brother, and kept the remaining two: the Soapbar (everyone NEEDS some P-90s), the other lives in drop D with a dedicated mix of string gauges.

And then I got my first Core.

 

[Maxime Bousquet]

When I'd bought my fourth SE 245 it dawned on me that I could have a Core for the combined price of them.

I returned one (bad fretboard), had already intended to give one to my brother, and kept the remaining two: the Soapbar (everyone NEEDS some P-90s), the other lives in drop D with a dedicated mix of string gauges.

And then I got my first Core.

After buying my first PRS core, I was blown away by the quality, I knew I would want more.
Unfortunately there isn't a lot of PRS dealer where I am, only a few SE models and the few models I tried didn't tie me to them.
I'm convinced that there are joys in this range. Yours actually are great! I wish I had more choice but here it's the boring side! Yes P-90s are killer!!

 

[Butch_Snyder]

I'm kind of in the same boat. I recently acquired an SE Swamp Ash Special. I was glad to get it but wasn't all that enamored with it. I changed the pickups and altered the wiring. Now it's much better than it was when it was stock. The neck, however, is something that I'm still not crazy about. It's a wide thin carve and I've never been crazy about those. I own several Telecasters. I was always a huge fan of Albert Lee, Danny Gatton, Jerry Donahue, Brent Mason, and other hot Tele players. Then I got into David Grissom. I gravitate to the neck of my Broadcaster RI much more than my SE SAS.

All that said, for a while now, my dream guitar has been a core DGT, specifically a gold top with moons. I was glad to see an SE version developed. I have watched video after video of DGT core models A/B'd with the SE DGTs, even by Mr. Grissom. Through my speakers, I can't really hear a discerning difference. I have to admit though, that a couple of things I see that are significant factors for me are the switch/vol/tone/carves and the violin vs shallow violin carve. Those are factors about the core model that I love. I cruise around Reverb and see them offered but I can't justify the $3k and up prices. I'm not saying they're not worth it; I just can't justify it. Then, I think about my Broadcaster RI vs my MIM Telecasters; and as good as the MIM Telecasters are, there is a considerable difference in quality.

Then there is the new DGT 15 amp. Yeah, that's a dream amp for me. As others have suggested, why not get the SE DGT and the DGT 15 amp both? Hmmmm, that's a thought indeed.....

 

[Revelation]

I played a Core DGT and the SE version, and I not only like the sound better, but it looks better, and its more enjoyable to play. With these no interest for 12, 24, or 36 months at many stores, not just Sweetwater, it makes it a little easier getting the Core model.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Core or Wood Library DGT!

 

[Monahan]

I'm kind of in the same boat. I recently acquired an SE Swamp Ash Special. I was glad to get it but wasn't all that enamored with it. I changed the pickups and altered the wiring. Now it's much better than it was when it was stock. The neck, however, is something that I'm still not crazy about. It's a wide thin carve and I've never been crazy about those. I own several Telecasters. I was always a huge fan of Albert Lee, Danny Gatton, Jerry Donahue, Brent Mason, and other hot Tele players. Then I got into David Grissom. I gravitate to the neck of my Broadcaster RI much more than my SE SAS.

All that said, for a while now, my dream guitar has been a core DGT, specifically a gold top with moons. I was glad to see an SE version developed. I have watched video after video of DGT core models A/B'd with the SE DGTs, even by Mr. Grissom. Through my speakers, I can't really hear a discerning difference. I have to admit though, that a couple of things I see that are significant factors for me are the switch/vol/tone/carves and the violin vs shallow violin carve. Those are factors about the core model that I love. I cruise around Reverb and see them offered but I can't justify the $3k and up prices. I'm not saying they're not worth it; I just can't justify it. Then, I think about my Broadcaster RI vs my MIM Telecasters; and as good as the MIM Telecasters are, there is a considerable difference in quality.

Then there is the new DGT 15 amp. Yeah, that's a dream amp for me. As others have suggested, why not get the SE DGT and the DGT 15 amp both? Hmmmm, that's a thought indeed.....

Welcome to the group!

The DGT (Core) was a dream guitar for me as well-- ever since its launch back in the day. Two years ago I was in the position to actually buy one, and I did. Admittedly the bar I set for it was somewhat unrealistic; I expected it to be like my old '58RI Les Paul, but without all the flaws. A great guitar yes, but much like anticipating a date with Jenifer Aniston-- you build up this idea of what it will be like, only to be disappointed when it actually happens

In the end, my DGT was a very nice guitar, and changing to a lighter string gauge helped a lot in the tone department, but it fell short of what I had built up in my mind and I never really bonded with it. It felt fine, if a tad on the heavy side, and tone wise it was that of a typical dual humbucker guitar.

After selling it, I used the money to get the new NF53 and a new amp. Gotta say, I love this guitar more than I would have imagined. Maybe that's because I didn't have 20 years of expectation projected upon it, but certainly because it is a fantastic guitar(!) Also, the neck feels much more comfortable to me-- much more in the flavor of an old Tele (which according to the PRS description, was the goal).

All that to say, play one of each-- or as many as you can! You mentioned being at home on old Tele's, so the feel of the NF53 may suit you better than the DGT-- even though the NF53's tone is further from a Tele, it's no less stellar.

Either way you go, enjoy the hunt & your future NGD!

~M