@Great Gazoo You missed the point about the money side of things. If you can afford it was meant to imply that you have the money available to make that purchase with everything else taken into a consideration. It wasn't meant that the purchase should be made just because you have the exact amount in the bank but in doing so, will leave you in a financially difficult situation, it wasn't meant that just because you have the money, you should buy regardless of any other needs either for you or your family etc. Being able to afford means that you are not putting yourself or any dependants in a financially weak or uncomfortable position. Being able to afford it means that once everything else is taken into consideration, you are able to make the purchase and that doesn't mean having all he money in one go either. If a shop offers interest free payment over 12/24months for example, being able to afford it just means that you are in a position to be able to make the monthly payment without any negative consequence or putting you and your family in a difficult financial situation.
I am well aware that just having the money in the bank to be able to buy is very different from being able to afford something. I was very particular to use the phrase 'IF you can afford it' to imply that everything else, rent/mortgage, groceries, utility bills, loan payments, insurance, petrol etc are paid and that you have the money either in one lump sum or adding a monthly payment to your expenditure is possible. That's what 'affording' it means - at least to me and that is different from just having the money in the bank to buy. If the money you have is needed for other things, then you cannot afford it - at least not in a one off payment but maybe you can afford to add a monthly payment to the store to buy it because you have enough free cash a month to make that payment - therefore afford it. If you have 10k sat in the bank with everything paid off and nothing else allocated for that money, free to spend it on what you want, spending 3-4k on a Core is well within your budget and therefore you can afford it.
I know that I have to save money to buy a Core guitar for example and, for me to be able to afford the guitar, I have to have more money in my bank account than the cost of the guitar to ensure that any bills or other expenditure is also accounted for. Just having the cost of the guitar doesn't mean I can afford to buy because that would put myself in a financially difficult situation so therefore, I cannot afford to buy it until I have saved some more.
I hope that makes sense.
An SE is still a quality instrument and still a guitar that I would consider great. If the shop has set it up, then it would be a great guitar for any level of player from beginner to professional - in fact there are professionals who happily use an SE. What annoys me though is that people don't believe that they should own a Custom 24-08 for example because they are not 'good enough'. If that guitar inspires you to play it more than your SE and you can afford it (with everything taken into consideration) then I see absolutely no reason a person shouldn't buy. Not being good enough is not a valid reason for not owning a High End PRS in my opinion. Not having the money, not sure on what you really want, not sure if you will feel comfortable playing a guitar as expensive as that etc are valid reason's but not being good enough or not deserving of a guitar are not valid reasons at all.
You won't get to hear or experience the nuances that a Core guitar has over an SE for example until you actually own one and can put it through your own rig and compare with the SE and/or any other guitars. I am sure though you would hear a difference. I am not suggesting you go out and buy a core tomorrow but that if you want a Core, then your ability is irrelevant and no one can has the right to question whether you deserve it or not.
I am not a professional musician, not even gigging and doubt I ever will again but its up to me what guitar I choose to spend my money on and I don't care if I was a complete beginner, if I want to start on a core PRS, then I would. If it makes me more determined to play, encourages me to play at every opportunity then its the right guitar regardless of its 'price point', regardless of what anyone thinks etc. Its entirely up to you how you spend your money and not what 'level' a guitarist you are!!