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While it seems like a lot, the SE Hollowbody II is a fantastic guitar. So, as a similar style guitar, the price difference isn’t huge.
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A Made in Mexico semi-hollow Fender Telecaster retails at around $1,000. It’s a similar approach in design with its traditional shape but turned into a hollow body. So, being though the SE is a close replica of these guitars, you’re getting value for money.Ĭomparing the price to other brands, let’s look at the Fender Semi-Hollow Telecaster. It doesn’t feel like a cheap guitar by any means.Īmerican-made PRS Hollowbody guitars retail anywhere between $4,000 to $6,000 plus. However, it’s definitely well-made and more than capable of day-to-day live performance. But is it worth the money?įor a Chinese-made guitar, it’s definitely on the pricey side, competing in the same price range as some of the higher-end South Korean-made guitars from other brands. Priced at around $1,200, the SE Hollowbody II isn’t cheap. It has the stability of a solid body, but with all the tonal articulations of a hollow body. PRS creates perhaps some of the most playable guitars ever.
#Prs hollowbody 2 trial#
So, if you’re not accustomed to larger necks, it’s worth taking the SE Hollowbody II for a trial run. For smaller hands, the neck can be a little too bulky. The Wide-Fat neck accommodates fast playing with its satin neck. A bone nut is long-lasting and contributes to a bright tone. There’s a bone nut, something reserved for expensive guitars. That said, the SE Hollowbody II is home to some great hardware. Hardware and ElectronicsĪs one of the more affordable PRS guitars, don’t expect hardware like on Core models. It’s a guitar with top workmanship, proving guitars made in China are no longer for beginners only. Overall, the SE Hollowbody II is a touring machine ready for frequent use. You’ll find the screws aren’t as recessed as on Core models and the round dials aren’t as lavish as ones found on more expensive PRS guitars, but these are minor details. In the past, SE guitars had cheap black fittings here. Pickup rings on the outskirts of the 58/15 “S” humbuckers are a bone look finish. The headstock has a similar ebony wood veneer, so the materials are cohesive. You can tell there’s thought gone into the design. On top of the neck is an ebony fingerboard, complete with the signature bird inlays. Attached to the body by a set neck, it doesn’t feel like it’s coming apart any time soon. They’re well-crafted and really capture that classy, vintage look that hollow-body guitars are known for. Speaking of the f-holes, this is a feature where we witness excellence in workmanship. The binding which runs around the body, neck, and headstock also is on the periphery of the f-holes, which is an eye-pleasing touch. Made from mahogany, with a 5-ply maple top, the body has the fit and finish of an expensive guitar. Sure, the setup isn’t as detailed as on US-made PRS guitars, but this is a quick fix for a guitar technician to get it up to speed. I’ve mentioned this many times, but I’ve owned nearly a dozen PRS guitars over the years and have never played a bad one, whether it’s a $4,000 core model, or a $500 SE model. Furthermore, the stringent PRS quality control standards make sure each guitar is exactly like you’d expect from PRS. While construction costs are less, PRS build the SE Hollowbody II to a high standard. While based in South Korea, they manufacture the Hollowbody II in China. This is a South Korean company that PRS uses to build the SE Hollowbody II. I'm definitely interested in trying out another PRS when I get the chance.On the back of the headstock, you’ll find the writing ‘Built by Cor-Tek Musical Instrument Co.’. It was a little overpriced for the issues that I had with it, but it's all water under the bridge now. I've had some sort of a love-hate relationship with it, but I just got done playing it for the first time in a while, and I found nothing to complain about currently.
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It could almost be used as a bass with the humbucker on the lower strings, but with the coil split, it's really bright and guitar like all over the neck.
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Upgraded the tuners, slapped on some heavier strings, tuned down to A standard, and wow, it's extremely versatile. It had some QC issues, and I found the factory set-up left something to be desired, as well, but there really wasn't anything that I couldn't address myself. It wasn't perfect out of the box, but it offered a lot of guitar for the price. The only PRS that I have is a PRS SE 277, which I got because I really wanted a baritone, and I was concerned that a Gretsch or Bass VI would be too much like playing a bass (and didn't see any other options at that time).
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