UPDATE - New Swamp Ash Special Going Back! New Videos!

[Butch_Snyder]

Okay, knowing that I have replaced the pickups and reworked the wiring in my Swamp Ash Special SE, I was content. That was until I saw the new USA Swamp Ash Special. I pulled the trigger and ordered one in Black Doghair Smokeburst and maple fretboard. Needless to say, I'm super excited. Should arrive Friday. I'll definitely review and post pics when she arrives. Then I can change my avatar.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Okay, knowing that I have replaced the pickups and reworked the wiring in my Swamp Ash Special SE, I was content. That was until I saw the new USA Swamp Ash Special. I pulled the trigger and ordered one in Black Doghair Smokeburst and maple fretboard. Needless to say, I'm super excited. Should arrive Friday. I'll definitely review and post pics when she arrives. Then I can change my avatar.

Atta boy!!!

 

[Greywolf]

Congrats it will be awesome!!!

 

[bodia]

Nice! Congrats

 

[Butch_Snyder]

Arrived Friday. Of course, it's a PRS so the quality is without question. Here is the interesting thing. I have a Swamp Ash Special SE. Is the USA made SAS leaps and bounds better? I'm comparing my SAS SE as it was before I replaced the pickups and rewired it. Stock, the sound of the USA SAS is far superior (to my ears, YMMV). Fit and finish? The USA SAS is not leaps and bounds better. It is absolutely superior, but not by an astronomical amount. That's not a dig at the USA model; more of a compliment of how good the SE line is. Yes, I have replaced the stock SE pickups with Seymour Duncans, so tonewise, my SE is actually on par with my USA SAS. Since the USA SAS' pickups are more PAF-voiced, and my SAS SE pickups are hotter (Pearly Gates, Alnico 2 Pro single coil, & Custom Custom), there is a difference, but I love the 58/15 pickups. The neck? ok, there is a clear winner here. I tolerate my SE's neck. I'm not a fan of the wide thin profile. It is difficult for me, but after a little bit, I get used to it. The neck profile of the USA model is mush more to my liking. I will post pics and some playing video clips when I'm back home next weekend.

Some of the appointments I really like over the SE model:

1. Tuners, I love the tuning keys and the locking. Very smooth and a significant upgrade from the SE version.

2. Tremolo, The SE version is a great tremolo. The USA version is an upgrade, but not a significant one (YMMV).

3. Pickups, While not really an upgrade from the Duncans I have, but a significant upgrade from the SE stock pickups. I love the brushed nickel look of the bass and treble pickup covers.

4. Volume/Tone knobs, my SE model has the standard Gibson type knobs in amber. These are the PRS knobs. They are much better, IMO. The new SAS SE guitars come stock with the standard PRS knobs. The SE also has a 5-way blade switch with the cool PRS switch tip. My SE is the original with the 3-way toggle.

5. Bird inlays, I'm not a huge fan of the birds in general. I'd rather have moons. When I was jonesing for a DGT, I would've gotten one with Moons. The birds on the SAS, however, are just black outlines and that works for me. It's just more subtle.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Arrived Friday. Of course, it's a PRS so the quality is without question. Here is the interesting thing. I have a Swamp Ash Special SE. Is the USA made SAS leaps and bounds better? I'm comparing my SAS SE as it was before I replaced the pickups and rewired it. Stock, the sound of the USA SAS is far superior (to my ears, YMMV). Fit and finish? The USA SAS is not leaps and bounds better. It is absolutely superior, but not by an astronomical amount. That's not a dig at the USA model; more of a compliment of how good the SE line is. Yes, I have replaced the stock SE pickups with Seymour Duncans, so tonewise, my SE is actually on par with my USA SAS. Since the USA SAS' pickups are more PAF-voiced, and my SAS SE pickups are hotter (Pearly Gates, Alnico 2 Pro single coil, & Custom Custom), there is a difference, but I love the 58/15 pickups. The neck? ok, there is a clear winner here. I tolerate my SE's neck. I'm not a fan of the wide thin profile. It is difficult for me, but after a little bit, I get used to it. The neck profile of the USA model is mush more to my liking. I will post pics and some playing video clips when I'm back home next weekend.

I put PRS 57/08 pickups in my SE SAS. They are killer in that guitar!!!

 

[Butch_Snyder]

Hey guys, full disclosure here. I am returning my new US Swamp Ash Special. As I played it more and more and A/B'd it with my SAS SE, I can't justify they extra $$$ for the US SAS. Yes, the US SAS is a wonderful guitar and I enjoyed it; but it really wasn't the significant upgrade for the SE model I was hoping for. That said, in my previous post, I went through the appointments I considered upgrades. The pickups I have in my SAS SE are great, but I think I'll replace them with more vintage-voiced humbuckers. Might even opt for brushed nickel covers. I did really like that look. The tuners are another appointment that I might replace. I would love it if I could get a set like what comes stock on the US SAS. But I don't know. I know PRS is kind of limited on what replacement options they offer. The only thing I can't replace that is a significant upgrade is the neck profile. In my hands, the US SAS is better, but the SE version's neck profile is fine after I get used to it. I'm used to and like Fender profiles. The US SAS neck isn't even close to that either.

 

[dogrocketp]

This is what happens when the SE’s are very high quality. The USA SAS weren’t the most popular model PRS made during the first run. Used ones are selling at low prices, and they are very good guitars. Oh well………

 

[Going Modal]

Took me a while to realize that the newest USA SAS (currently part of the "bolt-on" line, not totally "Core") comes with the same tremolo bridge as the CE 24. That is to say, it's "PRS patented..." but it's not the celebrated Gen III that's on the Core line of guitars.

 

[dogrocketp]

I put a USA trem in my SE SAS. Other than locking SE tuners and two fret dressings, no changes were necessary. The pickups were fine.

 

[Glide-bpm]

I put a USA trem in my SE SAS. Other than locking SE tuners and two fret dressings, no changes were necessary. The pickups were fine.

I did the MannMade tremolo bridge, locking tuners, and USA 57/08's and it's a jam up killer guitar now!!!

I've got the kinda turquoise blue looking finish and love it on the swamp ash!

 

[Butch_Snyder]

Thanks guys for your replies. I guess that's why the US SAS is at such a lower price point than the one I am really jonesing for; the DGT. Those guys are over $4k new. I just can't justify that.

 

[FennRx]

Thanks for the review! I’ve been gassing for a SAS but maybe I’ll just get the SE version instead.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Thanks for the review! I’ve been gassing for a SAS but maybe I’ll just get the SE version instead.

Throw 57/08's in the SE and you'll be in WonderLand!!!!!

 

[Butch_Snyder]

Thanks for the review! I’ve been gassing for a SAS but maybe I’ll just get the SE version instead.

Honestly, there are only a couple of appointments on the US model that are significant improvements over the SE.

Throw 57/08's in the SE and you'll be in WonderLand!!!!!

I myself, replaced the stock pickups on my SE with Duncans. I replaced the neck pickup with a Pearly Gates, the middle pickup with an Alnico 2 Pro, and the bridge with a Custom Custom. It does sound much better than stock, but I'm thinking of more PAF style in the bridge. Maybe a Pearly Gates to match the neck pickup.

 

[Glide-bpm]

Honestly, there are only a couple of appointments on the US model that are significant improvements over the SE.


I myself, replaced the stock pickups on my SE with Duncans. I replaced the neck pickup with a Pearly Gates, the middle pickup with an Alnico 2 Pro, and the bridge with a Custom Custom. It does sound much better than stock, but I'm thinking of more PAF style in the bridge. Maybe a Pearly Gates to match the neck pickup.

I love a Custom Custom. I have a Les Paul Supreme with a CC in the bridge and a Pearly Gates in the neck position. I love them!!!

 

[Butch_Snyder]

The Custom Custom works very will in a swamp ash body, maple neck/fingerboard guitar. I was actually thinking of replacing with a Pearly Gates bridge pickup for more of a PAF vibe and to match the neck pickup.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Core guitars are great! But many SE's are very high quality too. Yes, we hear about some QC issues, you might have to go through a few to find a really Great one, but as an owner of SE's, Core's and an S2 you can find excellent PRS guitars at all levels

 

[Glide-bpm]

Hey guys, full disclosure here. I am returning my new US Swamp Ash Special. As I played it more and more and A/B'd it with my SAS SE, I can't justify they extra $$$ for the US SAS. Yes, the US SAS is a wonderful guitar and I enjoyed it; but it really wasn't the significant upgrade for the SE model I was hoping for. That said, in my previous post, I went through the appointments I considered upgrades. The pickups I have in my SAS SE are great, but I think I'll replace them with more vintage-voiced humbuckers. Might even opt for brushed nickel covers. I did really like that look. The tuners are another appointment that I might replace. I would love it if I could get a set like what comes stock on the US SAS. But I don't know. I know PRS is kind of limited on what replacement options they offer. The only thing I can't replace that is a significant upgrade is the neck profile. In my hands, the US SAS is better, but the SE version's neck profile is fine after I get used to it. I'm used to and like Fender profiles. The US SAS neck isn't even close to that either.

PRS sells Gen III Tuners, but they are not cheap! Another option is SE locking tuners.... more economical!

 

[Glide-bpm]

SD Hades Gates pickups are an excellent choice as well. You can get them with everything from no covers to various
colored/material covers.