The PRS SE line of electric guitars offer the classic tone, quality design and classy vibe of the Paul Reed Smith US-made axes, but a fraction of the price. The SE, or Student Edition models, were first launched in 2001 with the SE Santana, and the line now consists of affordable versions of several iconic PRS designs, like the Custom 24 and Singlecut, as well as SE Signature axes from top players like Dave Navarro of Jane’s Addiction, Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth, and, of course Carlos Santana. The non-signature axes include the SE 245, a single-cutaway beauty with a mahogany body, beveled maple top, 24-1/2” scale length (just a bit shorter than a Les Paul), with a set mahogany neck and the famous PRS bird inlays, for a fresh take on a classic design. The SE 245 is available with either a pair of PRS-designed humbuckers, or two P-90-style soapbar pickups. The SE Custom 24 is based on the original design that started it all, the guitar Paul Smith took to his first tradeshow in 1985, and with which he launched the PRS legend. Also featuring a mahogany body with a beveled maple top, this gorgeous dual-cutaway has a wide-thin maple neck with 25” scale length, bird inlays, PRS Designed tremolo/whammy bar system, and dual PRS Designed humbuckers - an SE Vintage Bass, and an SE HFS (for Hot, Fat and Screams!) in the bridge position. The SE Custom 24 is also available in a 7-string version with an added low “B” string, for extra bottom end. The SE Custom Semi-Hollow also has a mahogany back and maple top, with a hollow chamber and modern, Rick-style f-hole, to give the dual humbuckers a slightly mellower tone. The SE Singlecut is a streamlined, dual-humbucking tone monster, available with either a wraparound stop tailpiece/bridge, or a PRS-designed trem system, or, for the speed freaks among us, in a limited edition GRAND AM Road Racing version in Emerald Green Burst. The SE Torero boasts a Floyd Rose whammy, EMG humbucking pickups, and neck-through-body construction, resulting in a smooth, comfortable heel joint, and nearly endless sustain. The SE Signature models run the gamut from the redesigned SE Santana, now featuring a 24-1/2” scale length and the same silhouette as Carlos’ famous personal axe, to bruising metal machines like the SE Paul Allender, from Cradle of Filth’s axe-wielder, loaded with a pair of ferocious EMG humbuckers and sporting flying bat fretboard inlays. The SE Bernie Marsden features the Whitesnake guitarist’s choice of flame maple veneer with Sunburst finish, dual humbuckers, 24-1/2” scale length, bound neck and body, and a single tone/dual volume control knob configuration. The SE Orianthi features the native Aussie’s preferred 24 fret, 25” scale length neck with ebony fingerboard, PRS-designed tremolo bridge, and dual zebra humbuckers. Other SE Series signature axes include models from Zach Myers of Shinedown; the SE Clint Lowery (of Sevendust fame), designed for brutal, drop-tuned tones; the SE Mike Mushok Baritone, with a 27.7” scale length for Staind-worthy low-down crunch; the SE Mark Tremonti (from Creed and Alter Bridge) and Mark Tremonti Custom; the SE Nick Catanese (from Black Label Society), and the SE Fredrik Akesson, also from prog-metal masters Opeth. No matter what your style, there’s a finely crafted, eminently affordable PRS SE model to suit your needs and your budget. Order yours today!
