Weight of PRS SE guitars

[Bob Millard]

Is there any chart anywhere on the weight of PRS guitars? I go from dealer to dealer and nobody has all or even most of the PRS models in stock to compare. I got a bad back at age 38 and guitar weight jumped up the priority scale for me. I can only afford an SE, but I'd still like to know the weight of all PRS guitars, maybe one day I'll have a core.

 

[CoreyT]

I have weighed a few models here.

http://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/scale-to-weigh-guitars.16420/

 

[dogrocketp]

Bob, I have 5 mahogany SE`s. My singlecut P90`s are the lightest weight. The SE standards are also known for being extremely light weight. I believe they use sapele mahogany.

 

[xjbebop]

If you can manage to save up a few more $$, the Vela is extremely light, comfortable and versatile.... I've even seen a few 'used' ones pop up on Reverb already...

 

[László]

Of course, every piece of wood will vary, because it's one of those materials where every tree has a different density.

Why not just buy a hollowbody model? They're lighter.

 

[andy474x]

Guitars can vary in weight, even amongst those of identical models. But if you want to get an idea of averages for a certain SE guitar, check out the Sweetwater guitar gallery, they weigh every in stock model. Naturally, semi-hollows are lighter.

Also, the Mira X and Starla X guitars are exceptionally light, USA made, and cost about the same used as a new SE, sometimes less. I have one that is probably the lightest guitar I've ever played, certainly of any solidbody and probably lighter than many semi's too. Mine might need to be moving on, too many guitars in the harem at the moment, so if you're interested...

 

[xjbebop]

I did get to play a Mira X once, and it was incredibly light!!

 

[Bob Millard]

Thanks, Corey, for the helpful link, and others who responded, I appreciate it. Mira X is on my list now, nothing on eBay or Reverb at the moment. Vela I've tried, it's light indeed. They both might be too expensive for me, I've never paid more than $300 for a guitar in thirty years of playing. I also tried the SE semi-hollow, nice and light but at $700 plus I feel like I'm almost in S2 territory. My reference point is an Epiphone Casino Coupe, full hollow, 5.9 pounds, $449 new. But I don't want noisy P90s or feedback issues from full hollow. I'm also a Marylander, figure it's about time to get a guitar with some birds on it. (Wonder why SEs have birds and S2s usually don't?)

Separate question: Even though I'm in Maryland, no dealer has a full stock of SEs. If I go to the Stevensville "store", will they have all the models for me to try? I realize I can't buy it there, but it would be helpful just to audition them all in the same place. Only a thirty minute drive for me.

 

[László]

I've never paid more than $300 for a guitar in thirty years of playing.

I think my father paid around that for my 1965 SG Special. In 1965. When you could buy a really nice Mustang for $2500. New.

Maybe now that it's 2016, you could, you know, open the checkbook, let the moths fly out, and get yourself something special. Just because.

 

[RGM]

I've been there. They have an SE CU24, an SE Santana, and I can't remember any other SE's. But the SE standards are light cuz they're mahogany, and the sell for $499.00.

 

[garrett]

Mahogany can vary a lot in weight. We're talking as much as up to 2 lbs or so on otherwise identical guitars.

My favorite place online is Sweetwater because they show pics and weight for everything in stock.

I think the variety of wood they use on the SE line is pretty light. My Soapbar II was 6 lbs. Tremonti and One were both low 7 lb range. Santana version one was mid 7.

 

[Jimi D]

I'm really particular about the weight of my guitars because of my back too... I have a postal scale at home and I take it with me when I go guitar shopping; I weigh the darn things myself, and if I've learned anything it's that guitar weights can be all over the map... I've got three SE's currently; the Zach Myers is 7lb 4oz, the Singlecut Trem is 7lbs 9oz and my korina SE One is under about 6lb 8oz... The heaviest guitar I own right now is my 20th Anni Standard at 8lb even, and I wouldn't buy a guitar that crossed that line... my advice is to weigh anything you're interested in yourself, or get a weight from the shop like Sweetwater or The Guitar Shop provide, because you just can't tell...

 

[ViperDoc]

SE CU22 Semihollow might be your best bet.

 

[CoreyT]

Thanks, Corey, for the helpful link, and others who responded, I appreciate it.

You are welcome.
I ditto Doc's suggestion too, as I got my son one for Christmas, very light, and one of the best SEs I have ever played.
http://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/ngd-2015-se-custom-22-semi-hollow-10-23-2015.15612/

SE CU22 Semihollow might be your best bet.

Very good suggestion.
Wish I had my scale then so I could compare it to the weight of my new S2.

 

[Screamingdaisy]

My SE Cu22 Semi-Hollow weighs 6lb 8oz.

It's light, but it's semi hollow. Different attack than a solid body. Great sound, might not be the best choice for aggressive music.

 

[Bob Millard]

Thanks again, all, helpful group here. Yep, I'm getting a scale, great idea. LOL, I am a cheap-ass ol' bastard, true, probably shouldn't be aspiring to a PRS but just seems right at this point in time. BTW I play mostly blues, any SE or S2 pickups particularly good or bad for that? Like the wide thin neck, too.

 

[musiker01]

I remember testing a Santana SE in a Shop. It was extremely light.

 

[dogrocketp]

The SE standard 245 or 24 should also fit the bill. Call Washington Music and see what they have in stock for SE`s.

 

[Bob Millard]

I think my father paid around that for my 1965 SG Special. In 1965. When you could buy a really nice Mustang for $2500. New.

1972 you could buy a really cool Austin-Healey Sprite for under 2K. Total piece of crap, but many cars were back then. Wish I had had the prescience to hold onto a few guitars in those days, they could've been my retirement fund. Seriously.

 

[Bob Millard]

I went back to the local store tonight with a bit more focus and hate to say that the wide fat neck is out. Too bad, I like the Santana and Zach Myers. The 24 fret SE was too heavy, but I didn't get to try a standard 24, maybe that is lighter. So it looks like the 2016 CU22, either solid or semi, or maybe the standard SE 24 if I can find one to try out. Tremonti is a thin neck, but very heavy. I will make it to Chuck Levins sometime in March, see what they have.