Used Santana SE price discrepancies

[Same Guy]

Was in both Sam Ash and GC a couple days ago, and noticed a used Santana SE in both places - they were different models it looked like, and I'm not sure the GC one was an SE, but I was just wondering about the price discrepancies on these two.. Is one more desirable than the other?..

 

[andy474x]

The one with birds is the newer model, the other is the original SE Santana.

 

[Same Guy]

The one with birds is the newer model, the other is the original SE Santana.

Yeah, I guess that makes sense that the older one (without the birds) is probably the least desirable of the two...

However, sometimes - as we all know - the older guitar is the most desirable.. But I guess in this case, that isn't true..

 

[andy474x]

Yeah, I guess that makes sense that the older one (without the birds) is probably the least desirable of the two...

However, sometimes - as we all know - the older guitar is the most desirable.. But I guess in this case, that isn't true..

I think that's true of some vintage gear (not all, there were lots of duds back then too), but I honestly feel that with PRS, the best stuff is what they're putting out now, from SE's on up. Which is a good problem to have!

 

[garrettb]

The first one is the SE Santana, which is the newer model bearing Carlos's name and is a budget version of his USA signature model. Those came out about 5 years ago.

The second one is the Santana SE. That's the first generation version and was the first SE model offered back in the early 00's.

 

[dogrocketp]

I have a first year SE Tremonti, and a 2016 SE CU 24. They both rock. Play them, don`t let the age help you decide. PRS has always made good guitars.

 

[Same Guy]

The first one is the SE Santana, which is the newer model bearing Carlos's name and is a budget version of his USA signature model. Those came out about 5 years ago.

The second one is the Santana SE. That's the first generation version and was the first SE model offered back in the early 00's.

Thanks for the info, Garrett. As somewhat of a PRS noob, I wondered what the difference was!

As I was in a hurry that day, I didn't plug either one in, but did play both acoustically for a minute or two. I found that the newer one (top photo) felt and played just slightly better to me. But again, I didn't have time that day to plug either one in - to see how they sounded thru an amp..

 

[sergiodeblanc]

That amethyst one looks hot.

 

[Same Guy]

That amethyst one looks hot.

Yeah, it looked great up close ~ Really a nice top..

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Yeah, it looked great up close ~ Really a nice top..

Don't count-out that other Santana though.. I have a modified Soapbar II that's essentially the same construction as those, and while it wasn't the best lookin' guitar, I'm constantly amazed at how well they're put together and how great the all mahogany recipe is.

 

[Same Guy]

Don't count-out that other Santana though.. I have a modified Soapbar II that's essentially the same construction as those, and while it wasn't the best lookin' guitar, I'm constantly amazed at how well they're put together and how great the all mahogany recipe is.

Yep - they were BOTH tempting... If I hadn't just bought an S2 Custom 22, I would have been all over one of them!!

Are those prices pretty much in line with these two models?..

 

[garrettb]

Don't count-out that other Santana though.. I have a modified Soapbar II that's essentially the same construction as those, and while it wasn't the best lookin' guitar, I'm constantly amazed at how well they're put together and how great the all mahogany recipe is.

Agree, that simple slab o' mahogany was a great formula for tone. I snagged a first gen Santana SE on the 'bay for dirt cheap a couple years ago and it was a great guitar bone stock. The SE Soapbar II I had was killer as well.

 

[rugerpc]

I'd be all over the older one...

 

[Same Guy]

I'd be all over the older one...

Yeah, that's a pretty good price.

By the way, I was in both stores again today, and they were both gone..

 

[PeteHill]

My first PRS was one of those early black Santanas. A very rich sounding guitar. Unfortunately, for me, the neck was far too wide (much wider than my subsequent PRSi). No contouring on the front was another factor in why it went

 

[bricel24]

I had the original SE Santana in 04 and after a pickup upgrade and setup it played very very well. I foolishly sold it for 250 and could never find one in great shape and price again. $299 is a fair deal.

I do think the old and new SE Santanas have slightly different profiles but I could be wrong though. I don't recall the 1st gen having that chunky of a neck the new one has. Both comfortable though.

 

[PeteHill]

I had the original SE Santana in 04 and after a pickup upgrade and setup it played very very well. I foolishly sold it for 250 and could never find one in great shape and price again. $299 is a fair deal.

I do think the old and new SE Santanas have slightly different profiles but I could be wrong though. I don't recall the 1st gen having that chunky of a neck the new one has. Both comfortable though.

What I remember is it's width (ie nut width), not chunkiness