To buy a core DGT or a SE DGT?

Butch_Snyder said:
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.....
Click to expand...
Unfortunately it is very hard to hear the difference on TV. Especially between the pickup positions. It’s so devoid from reality that it is frustrating and you just have to trust what the reviewer is saying!
 
LaxActium said:
Unfortunately it is very hard to hear the difference on TV. Especially between the pickup positions. It’s so devoid from reality that it is frustrating and you just have to trust what the reviewer is saying!
Click to expand...
No joke! I'm going by what Mr. Grissom and other reviewers are saying and hoping it's not all marketing speak. I trust what Mr. Grissom says because I believe he is the kind of player who stands behind what he plays and won't put his name on it if he wouldn't play it.
 
Butch_Snyder said:
No joke! I'm going by what Mr. Grissom and other reviewers are saying and hoping it's not all marketing speak. I trust what Mr. Grissom says because I believe he is the kind of player who stands behind what he plays and won't put his name on it if he wouldn't play it.
Click to expand...
David Grissom is a fantastic player, and has helped Paul build some wonderful guitars.

While I agree that it appears DG is a man of integrity, you've got to keep in mind that his guitar works for his hands, his rig, his playing style. He says he can fool a producer into thinking he's playing a vintage Les Paul when in reality he's playing the PRS... Not so in my hands LOL!

It's a great guitar in its own right, just go into this thing with your eyes open ;)

It can't be stressed enough the importance of getting your hands on these guitars (Core/SE) and spending time playing each-- and I mean really playing; full tunes, full solos or whatever you will be using it for. Play them sitting, standing, go through all the pickup settings... put it to the test as you would your own guitar. Doing so will guide your decision better than ANY video, or random guy on a fan-club board (Ha!). These are things I wish I did BEFORE buying my DGT. A quick example is me recently ordering a Core Silver Sky and knowing within minutes of sitting down with it that it was definitely NOT for me-- despite videos convincing me it was (a story for another time... next week maybe).

Either way, don't rush it-- enjoy the search. Cheers! 🍻
 
Butch_Snyder said:
No joke! I'm going by what Mr. Grissom and other reviewers are saying and hoping it's not all marketing speak. I trust what Mr. Grissom says because I believe he is the kind of player who stands behind what he plays and won't put his name on it if he wouldn't play it.
Click to expand...
The problem is, you don’t have his ears let alone his hands.
So for example even though the bridge pickup is very unique, I will never use it on its own. I normally use both humbuckers but with the bridge at 90% volume of the neck.
 
Monahan said:
David Grissom is a fantastic player, and has helped Paul build some wonderful guitars.

While I agree that it appears DG is a man of integrity, you've got to keep in mind that his guitar works for his hands, his rig, his playing style. He says he can fool a producer into thinking he's playing a vintage Les Paul when in reality he's playing the PRS... Not so in my hands LOL!

It's a great guitar in its own right, just go into this thing with your eyes open ;)

It can't be stressed enough the importance of getting your hands on these guitars (Core/SE) and spending time playing each-- and I mean really playing; full tunes, full solos or whatever you will be using it for. Play them sitting, standing, go through all the pickup settings... put it to the test as you would your own guitar. Doing so will guide your decision better than ANY video, or random guy on a fan-club board (Ha!). These are things I wish I did BEFORE buying my DGT. A quick example is me recently ordering a Core Silver Sky and knowing within minutes of sitting down with it that it was definitely NOT for me-- despite videos convincing me it was (a story for another time... next week maybe).

Either way, don't rush it-- enjoy the search. Cheers! 🍻
Click to expand...
The Silver Sky is a tricky one. My SE was too dark. I tried the Core and wasn’t 100% convinced. However I have the Dead Spec which is a totally different animal!
 
I don’t know your relationship with guitars. Many people can find the one, right guitar for them and be perfectly happy. Other knuckleheads(yours truly) will spend years sifting through what’s available. If you’re a one guitar guy, I’d go core, and buy with a return window. I have an SE, just because I wanted to see what all the noise was about. It’s a great guitar, especially for a home player. If I was gigging on it looking for a keeper, I’d go core.
 
Thanks for the reply. Is there anywhere on here to get more info about the SE pickups in terms of magnets, resistance/output, etc?
 
franko5150 said:
Thanks for the reply. Is there anywhere on here to get more info about the SE pickups in terms of magnets, resistance/output, etc?
Click to expand...
Accurate magnet info is very hard to come by, PRS usually doesn't disclose that. Although interestingly enough, they did for the new McCarty III's and DMO's so maybe a change in approach
 
show_a_little_faith said:
Accurate magnet info is very hard to come by, PRS usually doesn't disclose that. Although interestingly enough, they did for the new McCarty III's and DMO's so maybe a change in approach
Click to expand...

With the TCI technology they have, their machine can make the pickups sound any way they want. It makes me curious then why they changed their pickups to a completely new ones.
 
Revelation said:
With the TCI technology they have, their machine can make the pickups sound any way they want. It makes me curious then why they changed their pickups to a completely new ones.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't think of these as completely different. I would think of them as an evolution of what they have been doing. They really stepped into a new era in 2008 with the 57/08 pickups. They have been tweaking that formula and creating the new pickups since then. These new pickups are just a new iteration of the ones before it.
 
Just adding to this... I am an owner of both, Core and SE DGT.

I really bonded with the SE DGT - I had it for a year. It feels REALLY good to me. I upgraded the tuners to the PRS SE Locking Tuners.

I bought a 2024 Core DGT that was basically a dream instrument. It is currently a bit of a case queen, unfortunately.

I just recorded both through a Fractal FM9 into Logic Pro - same amp, same settings, etc. - both guitars sound virtually identical in that context. Take that as you will. The SE PU's may sound a bit woofier at the lower end (more flubby frequencies), but that can easily be dialled out using today's tools (like an AxeFX)
 
sick pickle said:
Just adding to this... I am an owner of both, Core and SE DGT.

I really bonded with the SE DGT - I had it for a year. It feels REALLY good to me. I upgraded the tuners to the PRS SE Locking Tuners.

I bought a 2024 Core DGT that was basically a dream instrument. It is currently a bit of a case queen, unfortunately.

I just recorded both through a Fractal FM9 into Logic Pro - same amp, same settings, etc. - both guitars sound virtually identical in that context. Take that as you will. The SE PU's may sound a bit woofier at the lower end (more flubby frequencies), but that can easily be dialled out using today's tools (like an AxeFX)
Click to expand...
Thank you for your response. But it's not just about the sound of the guitar, it's the feel it's the look, it's how it makes you feel when you're playing it. I found the core model feeling like a luxurious quality instrument that provided inspiration that the SE did not, as it looks and feels cheaper but that's just me.
 
Last edited:
Revelation said:
Thank you for your response. But it's not just about the sound of the guitar, it's the feel it's the look, it's how it makes you feel when you're playing it. I found the core model feeling like a luxurious quality instrument that provided inspiration that the SE did not, as it looks and feels cheaper but that's just me.
Click to expand...
Yes - I agree with you big time! 👍🏻
 
Faded said:
SE pickups are wound in Indonesia by a third party.

USA pickups are wound in Maryland by PRS.
Click to expand...
I dug around & found an article that had the output readings for the pickups, & I also saw a video that had the same thing although they differed just slightly, but not significantly. I'm thinking of buying a sunburst PRS DGT SE & popping in some Lindy Fralin humbuckers. I included the links below if anyone cares to check up on that.
www.guitarworld.com

PRS SE DGT vs USA Core DGT: what are the similarities, and how do the builds differ?

Less a copy, more an ‘inspired by’ design, the SE DGT cleverly emulates the USA model but with plenty of differences
www.guitarworld.com www.guitarworld.com

Here's the video. The info on the pickups is at around 16:08.
 
If the local stores do not carry what you want in stock, order both guitars from Guitar Center on line, Sweetwater, etc. and do a shoot out. I played the Core and SE side by side and I found I much preferred the Core version. It looked better made, it felt more high end, I liked the neck better and the sound of the guitar. But if money was tighter, I could be happy with the SE version as well.
 
Revelation said:
If the local stores do not carry what you want in stock, order both guitars from Guitar Center on line, Sweetwater, etc. and do a shoot out. I played the Core and SE side by side and I found I much preferred the Core version. It looked better made, it felt more high end, I liked the neck better and the sound of the guitar. But if money was tighter, I could be happy with the SE version as well.
Click to expand...
Yes, I plan on purchasing mine at the local Guitar Center. However, it seems most of their stuff is the open box stuff that every 14 year old sits & plays on Saturdays for several hours. I'd like a brand new one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
DGT Core vs SE ergonomics
Replies
16
Views
353
ruger9
ruger9
C
SE DGT
Replies
13
Views
245
Prina
Prina
R
SE DGT...worth grabbing one??
Replies
3
Views
213
dogrocketp
dogrocketp
R
SE models - Silver Sky (SE) or DGT (SE)?
Replies
15
Views
646
lcs101
L
Black Dog
DGT SE OR SILVER SKY SE
Replies
8
Views
616
Black Dog
Black Dog
Back
Top