7:18
PRS SE CE24 Satin - Long Term Review
davlav Music
Overview
This video provides a long-term review of the PRS SE CE24 Satin guitar after nine months of ownership. The reviewer discusses its solid construction, stable electronics, and lack of fret sprout, highlighting PRS's quality even at this price point. However, the stock 85/15 S pickups are identified as a significant drawback due to their pronounced high-end, limiting their versatility for the reviewer's preferred tones. The reviewer contemplates upgrading the pickups and discusses the guitar's value proposition, considering whether to keep it or sell it due to the difficulty in recouping value on a used instrument.
How was this?
Save this permanently with flashcards, quizzes, and AI chat
Chapters
- The PRS SE CE24 Satin has been owned for approximately nine months.
- Construction is very solid, with no need to adjust the truss rod.
- No fret sprout has occurred, even with a rosewood fretboard.
- Electronics have remained stable throughout the ownership period.
Understanding the long-term stability and construction quality helps assess the guitar's durability and reliability beyond the initial purchase.
The reviewer hasn't needed to adjust the truss rod in nine months, indicating excellent neck stability.
- The stock 85/15 S pickups have a pronounced, sometimes unpleasant, high-end character.
- These pickups perform well for high-gain genres like Van Halen or Stevie Ray Vaughan styles.
- For the reviewer's more common tonal preferences, the high-end can sound 'trippy' and undesirable.
- Rolling back the volume or tone controls can slightly mitigate the issue, but doesn't fully resolve it.
Pickups are crucial to a guitar's sound, and understanding their limitations helps a player determine if a guitar will suit their musical style or if modifications are necessary.
The reviewer finds the high-end 'trippy' for everyday tones but suitable for high-gain Van Halen-style playing.
- The reviewer identifies as a 'catch and release' owner, frequently cycling through guitars.
- This PRS has lasted longer than many previous guitars, suggesting some appeal.
- The decision to keep or sell is complicated by the guitar's value proposition.
- Selling a used PRS SE at this price point may not recoup much value, especially with frequent sales on new models.
This section explores the psychological aspect of gear acquisition and the financial considerations of owning and potentially reselling instruments.
The reviewer notes that buying a new PRS SE often involves discounts, making the resale value of a used one significantly lower.
- The reviewer is considering replacing the pickups to better suit their tonal needs.
- The goal is to find affordable pickups that offer a smoother tone than the stock ones while retaining rock versatility.
- Potential options include PAF-style pickups for a Gibson-like tone or modern pickups like DiMarzio.
- The ability for coil-splitting via the tone control is a factor in choosing new pickups.
This highlights the modifiability of guitars and involves the learner in the decision-making process by soliciting advice on practical upgrades.
The reviewer is debating between PAF-style pickups for a vintage sound or DiMarzio 'Evolution' for a more modern tone.
Key takeaways
- PRS SE guitars offer solid construction and stable electronics, even at a more affordable price point.
- Stock pickups can significantly impact a guitar's versatility, and the 85/15 S pickups on this model have a distinct high-end character.
- Understanding your own playing style and tonal preferences is crucial when evaluating a guitar's suitability.
- The resale value of budget-friendly guitars can be low, influencing the decision to keep, modify, or sell.
- Modifying pickups is a common way to customize a guitar's sound to better match a player's needs.
- Affordability is a key consideration when choosing replacement parts for budget instruments.
Key terms
PRS SE CE24 SatinTruss RodFret SproutRosewood Fretboard85/15 S PickupsHigh-Gain TonesCoil TapCatch and Release OwnerPAF PickupsDiMarzio Pickups
Test your understanding
- What are the main construction advantages of the PRS SE CE24 Satin mentioned in the review?
- Why are the stock 85/15 S pickups considered a drawback for the reviewer's typical playing style?
- How does the reviewer's 'catch and release' ownership style influence their decision about this guitar?
- What factors does the reviewer consider when thinking about replacing the pickups?
- What advice might you offer the reviewer regarding affordable pickup options that offer a smoother rock tone?