To buy a core DGT or a SE DGT?

[LaxActium]

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.....

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!

 

[Butch_Snyder]

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!

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.

 

[Monahan]

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.

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!

 

[LaxActium]

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.

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.

 

[LaxActium]

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!

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!

 

[Faded]

They’re the same guitar in name only. I would get the core.

 

[dogrocketp]

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.

 

[franko5150]

Buy the SE and then upgrade to USA pickups. You save 1500 or so and have a killer guitar.

what's the difference between the SE & the USA pickups? Sorry, I'm new to PRS guitars.

 

[Faded]

what's the difference between the SE & the USA pickups? Sorry, I'm new to PRS guitars.

SE pickups are wound in Indonesia by a third party.

USA pickups are wound in Maryland by PRS.