The PRS Santana SE Cures The Modern Guitar Problem

[@andrefludd]

If you like a lot of styles of music, you'll love my course: www.andrefludd.com/courses. There's a full explanation on the site. :)

[@GaryKatz]

Hello 👋 Dr. Fludd, I've been a loyalist follower of your remarkable channel… for a very long time. Refreshing and inspiring approach, with a rigorous & artistic synthesis. I met Santana and Mike Shrieve at Woodstock in 1969. Anyway, more details if anyone is interested ; one benefit of being as old as Carlos is that you can tell true stories, without exaggerated filler. Lol 😆 I wound buying an early issue Santana SE, in 2002. It's a great introduction to the excellence of PRS. It has been a great axe, adequate for almost any venue. I was wondering how close this version is compared to your contemporary model. Any differences or changes? Thanks so much for demystifying the tech aspects, in such an accessible educational manner. Much appreciated! Thanks for all you do. Unique opportunity to learn, even after 60 years of being a singer/songwriter… with my slightly above -average rhythm guitar 🎸 skills. Luckily, some great old-school virtuoso studio musicians have been eager to contribute to the expression of what was in my head... Brilliantly. Gratitude. Btw, your playing is masterful. Thank you. Dr. Gary K.

[@BillySoundFarm]

My favorite thing about Carlos Santana is how well he understands the role of music as a means of expression. Also, he's the one who really made me feel like I didn't need anyone's permission to just sit and improvise and explore. He calls it, "just going for a walk"

[@vincevolpeiv2946]

All guitar players should take that advice! "Taking a walk" is how you learn to improvise, and no one starts by hitting the right notes. Just really want to emphasize your point in my reply, no one should be afraid to improvise! I struggled with that for too long in my playing.

[@eclipsetheraindanbutler2478]

I haven't watched the whole video yet, but when talking about how simple Santana's SE is, I haven't heard you mention that SEs are BECAUSE of Santana. He is the reason the affordable SE line was created, because he told Paul that he wanted an affordable signature guitar that his fans could have. That's according to Paul Reed Smith himself in one of his documentary videos where they are going through all of the historical prototypes. You are living the dream. You are getting to make PRS videos! Congratulations.

[@pabloplaysguitar]

That's so sweet and heartwarming. I love Santana, but that's crazy how much he remembers where he came from. I used to have an obsession with Gibson and stuff, but after playing a used lutheir guitar I realized brand means nothing. I didn't think I'd ever want a new guitar, but if I it's definitely going to be an SE! TY for sharing that info

[@aperezdeal]

To be fair if it weren’t for Santana Paul Reed Smith as whole may not have taken off period.

[@AdrianFarrell]

I'm a huge Brian May fan, when I discovered that by his own estimate he spends 85% of his time on the same setting, even though his guitar has 21 switching options, I gave up on wanting loads of switching options. And then EVH with a single HB ... Simplicity is where it's at for me now.

[@mandanglelow1442]

Too many options is never a good thing. Sax players bring their sax...thats it. Guitarists have had tons of Sonic option forever and yet even right now in 2023 they all sound the same LOL.

[@papa_pt]

​@@mandanglelow1442they're there if you want them, and easy to ignore otherwise. That can't be a bad thing

[@mandanglelow1442]

@@papa_pt You may have missed my point. Of course having options is not bad but my point was that guitarists have had pedals and tons of sonic options for many years and yet when we hear most rock music the guitar sounds just like a guitar. That's why I said a sax player just brings his sax. Guitarist think that they're getting different sounds from all these different guitars but not really so much.

[@_Yep_Yep_]

jesus christ i did not know he ignored the instrument panel on that hero guitar.

[@AdrianFarrell]

@@papa_pt needlessly jacks the price up for marketing purposes. I started out on classical guitar, so I'm somewhat influenced by the lack of options there, but having said that, that limitation opens loads of possibilities to explore.

[@Zundfolge]

Santana is one of the biggest influences on my playing ... I remember when the Blues for Salvador album came out and I obsessed over it for months learning to play most of it. As a result he really influenced my own improvisation in ways I can occasionally still hear today (I mean as a cheap pastiche of his playing anyway :p ).

[@Sanith01]

I walked into a Guitar Center while travelling to LA because I wanted to buy a Fender Tele - I just happened to see a used PRS Santana SE hanging on the wall.. I had never seen this model before and I tried it and was blown away. This fits my hand so comfortably - and it plays so smoothly ... ( much better than my Fender Strat )

[@michaelw6277]

Carlos Santana is under-rated? By whom? The man is a legend.

[@joesantamaria5874]

Santana is underrated like BB King is underrated.

[@30smsuperstrat]

Another great review. I once owned the 22 fret 25" scale version and really enjoyed it. I appreciate your take on Santana. I will caution young guitarist who don't know his music and begin to get into him. He can be a gateway drug to guitar noodling. I came from a woodwind background before my mom let me trade in my saxophone for a guitar in high-school. So single note phrasing has always been super natural for me. When I got into Carlos it was very easy to stop building chord vocabulary and song accompaniment chops. So buyer be ware😂.

[@agit-prop8193]

Although much different players, I put Santana in the same category as Jeff Beck - he's one-of-a-kind and a master at what he plays. He's an incredibly melodic player who puts emotion and feel before chops. Before amp modeling, he was getting incredible sustain/tone/overdrive out of those early Mesa's (he single-handedly put Mesa on the map in the 70s). See him while he's still around because there's only one Santana (he's currently doing a residency in Vegas).

[@andrefludd]

Well said!

[@Marcus_C51]

Yes, those early Mesa's were something! I saw him live in the 70's using one of the 1X12 combos Randall made mic-ed up. Absolutely gorgeous tone for days...made up my mind I had to have a Mesa of my own, it took quite awhile to get one but when I did it was heaven! Yes, Santana is instantly identifiable as was Jeff Beck (RIP).

[@GaryKatz]

Yes 👍, Marcus.

[@1980JPA]

LOL, Santana hasn't been underrated, he may just be currently underrated. He's known to those 40 and older as one of the greats. Every decade and a half people "Columbus" great stuff from the last generation. 😁👍🏾it's definitely fun though to watch younger generations discover the greats of the past. To watch the enthusiasm they have is awesome.

[@CANNIMAGINE]

I bought a Santana SE when they first came out I believe in 2001. It is still a great guitar and fun to play. Santana, Joe Walsh, and Dave Gilmour have always been my favorites because of what you mentioned. They play what fits the song with no guitar diarrhea.

[@devinsinderwitcz9134]

Thanks for doing this one especially Andre, I've been mulling this one over for a few years now. Grew up listening to Carlos in the 70's and then heard Europa and it stayed in my head for years. Then came the album Open Invitation, absolutely a MASTERPIECE! Then his own work and his collaborations with other artists bringing out their best. I would have to say he's always been one of my top 3 guitarists. His playing is like a voice that just stays in your mind and never diminishes and says so much without a single word! Well done sir and thank you!

[@JackTaylorGuitars]

You know what man, I'd never even considered a Santana but you've got me thinking. I'll say this every video but amazing work. I'm really enjoying this experiment 🤘

[@andrefludd]

Thanks Jack :)

[@l.a.rodriguez9581]

I kinda want one too. You can probably get an SE for about $500

[@kimballormsby9908]

I have an SE Santana, and I love it. The pickups are great, the neck profile is good, and I like the trem. I completely agree with you about Carlos Santana. I have been listening to him since the '60s, and, to me, he is one of the best guitarists I have had the pleasure to hear.

[@SHARt_murmur]

Cool stumbling on this, as I previously worked on one for a client and had an identical experience. One of the few guitars I’ve worked on, that are affordable, but hit in a class way above.

[@dimitriid]

Carlos Santana is a weird case: Most people that know him or know of him probably gravitate to some of his chart topping singles out there. So I feel that a lot of the backlash is from people that just outright reject any 'pop music' from the get go. But the Santana people probably don't know about was basically running with all of the 70s and 80s Jazz fusion wave of players: He toured with Mahavishnu Orchestra if I'm remembering that correctly but while Latin Jazz is not as generally maligned the more pop oriented hits are and people just won't care beyond that point, which is a shame.

[@jevonwhite5193]

I wish Santana would go back to playing the jazz fusion style of that era. It's some of my favourite music.

[@czarofzonk1360]

Hi, I thought of a trick I do that is also suited to the Santana model (being 24 fret and 24.5 scale)... I always get a 2nd trem bar and I use my jigsaw with a metal-cutting blade and I cut down the trem bar length such that I am picking between the pickups (versus picking over top of a pickup). This is also a good tip for the 3-pickup guitars (I have a PRS Swamp Ash and it has a middle rails pickup -- I had to cut the trem bar size to have my picking action to the inner side of that middle pickup).

[@MountainLionessMusic]

I love Santana and his sound, he is very influential in my guitar journey. I also love this guitar. I'm finding less is more.

[@andrefludd]

For me he was the first guitarist who had a tone that struck me as special. It's still my favorite tone for lead playing.

[@MountainLionessMusic]

I completely agree. @@andrefludd

[@GaryKatz]

Exquisitely special, Andre.

[@mike__durrett]

Grew up listening to our boy Santana. His collaborations were always really cool and he never made it all about him. Seems like a really cool guy.

[@andrefludd]

Agree 100%. He has that cool uncle vibe haha

[@GaryKatz]

That observation and vibe are remarkably accurate and consistent with my experience when playing with him, during a practice jam in San Francisco… around 1978. A dreamlike foggy night 🌃.

[@lunamatic9775]

I love how these less complicated-looking guitars (fewer knobs or pickups) remind you how complex the relationship between the guitar and the amp really can be if you spend time on that. These really challenge you to find your own tone, if you’re up for the challenge. Great video as always!

[@TheZooropaBaby]

not that related but I did try out old Yamaha SG1000, more affordable version of what he played in 70s/80s and even though it was really heavy and chunky guitar it sounded amazing, I wish I bought that....double cut LP is sweet spot of tone and comfort for me

[@PedalPoopers]

"No sharp frets". I work at a shop, problem is that all the SE models have sharp frets. Maybe they leveled those for you to mention that in the video. I bought the Santana SE out of pocket and upgraded the pickups with Seymour Duncan Peter Frampton pickuos, got it set up. It now plays like a dream

[@picksalot1]

I like that you mentioned how the guitar hangs differently due to the length of the upper horn. Santana knows how to play a beautiful, emotional, and memorable melody. Thanks

[@Kalise77]

AYYYYYYYYYYYYY SPONSERSHIPS!!!!!!! IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!! amazing constant video quality.

[@jasonbrumley5453]

I have never been a fan of the looks of PRS guitars, they always seemed "off" for reasons that are hard to describe. But for some reason, the Santana sig looks amazing to me. Maybe it's just the even horns, but they really seem to be classy.

[@ernieb3626]

Great serious and so thankful you were able to get it sponsored by PRS. Thanks for the video. Very helpful.

[@adamhunt397]

Andre talked about that there were a number of things he likes to do after he buys a guitar with a trem. While I don't work for the company, nor do I personally benefit from the sales of these items I highly recommend Raw Vintage springs. I've placed them in several guitars and they've always improved the feel of the trem and the sound of the guitar. I also recommend experimenting with removing the backplate of the trem cover because some guitars can sound overly compress and muddy with a backplate. Other guitars sound more open and clear without one so it's a quick and easy modification that doesn't cost you anything.

[@bellachi9575]

I am a PRS fan & have a few of their guitars. Carlos Santana was the first big name musician to use PRS. His sound is legendary. I love that guitar tone. Thanks for this review.

[@JeremySchultz23]

Great video! Love Santana and I admire that this guitar isn’t overly gaudy with its signature like you said. I’m also glad to see the PRS quality control is holding up well.

[@jbognap]

I need to try one of these. I love that it's a short scale, 24 fret. The result is that the humbuckers are pushed closer together, so in the middle position, you get a beautiful strat-like hollow sound. I'd love to hear the coils split with the 2 inner coils active. BTW - I thought your alternate solos sounded excellent.

[@deanegel3190]

Carlos is the best!

[@Napalm6b]

I remember when the SE guitars first came out. $200 for a soldly crafted instrument with straight forward reliable electronics. I played it to death, on stage, recording, and it always held up.

[@czarofzonk1360]

I have a PRS Santana MD (one year only model year, core vice se). It does metal. I love how the MD' MVC switch "thins" the humbuckers (although, it takes two 9-volt batteries IN the guitar). It takes a bit to get used to 24 frets in a 24.5 inch scale. As for the medium jumbo frets, they are hit and miss -- Miss because they chew up my fingers, alas big hit because this guitar is perfect for slide! I published a piece about a month and a half ago on my channel ("Pulsing Possum"), and it is a very good demo of doing metal' tone slide guitar on the PRS Santana -- shameless plug, I guess, but if you want to see just how good this guitar is at the metal slide guitar thing, Pulsing Possum is a good 4-and-a-half minute demo (replete with self' performed drums and bass tracks). I have arthritis, and I have turned to slide guitar as my quest to climb the shred ladder has come to an end. All good. Making music is the important thing. As much as I love Derrick Trucks, and the PRS Santana is fairly close to the SG at doing slide, my slide playing style seems more to "In my time of dying" than what Derrick does.

[@herbervalencia3401]

This PRS SE SANTANA is beautiful, nice feeling, well done, has it's own shape (not like all PRS world) & the tone is my favorite from all PRS SE. I really love it & I have a Korean one. The only PRS I need in my hole life.🎸🔥🤘

[@JakeL202]

I own the 1st edition Santana se 2001, great tones love the feel, not many 1st editions out there, Holding on to this one. Great video Andre

[@richardb620]

Agree 100% with you. Santana is so under rated. Few but soulfull notes. This kind of guitarists like him, Knopfler and guilmour, use to be underestimated when compared to others

[@Eliasguitarred]

Santana is my favourite guitar player, he is the reason I'm a guitarist, I'm close to buying one of these beauties and I just can't wait.

[@artschultz9577]

Excellent review. This is one of the smartest electric guitar reviews I have seen in a while. Thank you.

[@chrisfraley7090]

I watched this video a few times, and was finally able to purchase the SE Santana. The guitar checks a lot of boxes, for me. Thank you for the solid review on this gem. :)

[@ericvinson4628]

Nice review - I’ve had the SE Santana for awhile and I really dig it! I notice that mine has the zebra stripe pups but yours are straight black - I wonder if that’s just aesthetics or did PRS change the design over the years? I do think mine are a touch hot which is my only mild nitpick about the guitar. Keep up the great work!

[@nsp477]

2:55 This is the only thing I disagree with in the whole video. If you go to a store and have the staff plug in the guitar and let you try it, answer your questions, etc. and you like the guitar and intend to buy it, you should buy it at the store. The reasons are two: 1) The guitar that comes in the mail may be set up in a different way, it may have been damaged in transit, the weight and the top may be slightly different... there are a myriad subtle differences that can pile up to make the instrument you tried and the one you get in the mail feel different. 2) It is simply unethical to make the store staff work for you only to turn around and order online, unless: 2.1) They give you bad service. 2.2) They try to overcharge you. 2.3) The guitar they have at the store for you to buy is old and / or battered, and they refuse to discount it. If you go to the store and they treat you well, professionally, and the instrument they have is what you are looking for, and it is fairly priced, buy it there.

[@voladel]

I’ve wanted a Santana se since they first came out. I remember talking to someone who had just bought one and was shocked that the pickups were as hot as they were, that compressed tone has to come from somewhere!

[@rhoff7272]

I appreciate the effort brother! Santana is one of my all time favorites, I've got his vinyls but this is making me think about trading my se custom 24 for a Santana model! Hope you feel better soon, strep throat is no joke.

[@jamesmalamute7874]

Brother. You Nailed every point on neck shape, fret size, body design, functionality, DC horns, playabilty , especially when you hit on the the way the guitar shifts to the left a bit depending on the strap length/ You my Man get the describe the physics to a "T" of a Great functional Guitar Mega Award, Thanks

[@andrefludd]

Glad I could help!

[@GoldtriggerDude]

I bought one when they were first released so that I could "Carlos". The guitar offers great tone and playability. Plus it's just damn pretty!

[@electrikjam7661]

Love the tremolo disclaimer, my dude! I laughed pretty hard, because I get the same shit on my articles often. Great presentation, and these are GREAT guitars. I had one back on 2009, and it played really well.

[@MrJvieira72]

I've always preferred the look of the Santana to the regular PRS. Cool to learn more about it.

[@Robstafarian]

The shape reminds me of a 1959 Les Paul Special, also a Hamer Sunburst.

[@MrJvieira72]

Agreed. Hamer was my first thought.@@Robstafarian

[@Scott__C]

@@Robstafarian I think Paul was very influenced by what Hamer was doing.

[@hanovergreen4091]

Agreed. Less is More and Le Mos Juste! Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@codyscott8687]

The Santana is my first and only PRS and I just discovered this video. And I’ll admit I only bought this one because Santana is my favorite guitarist 😅 but I absolutely love this guitar

[@markhallam7821]

I have the single cut, Egyptian gold. The pickup are sensational. This is s great video. Lovely playing.

[@srogers500]

I'm in agreement with Floyd Rose. He was asked why he called it a Tremolo instead of a vibrato, he said the first guitar he put his bridge on was a stratocaster and it said "Synchronized Tremolo" on the headstock. He said he wasn't going to question Leo Fender.

[@gsimons213]

I have a Santana SE and I've always liked it. Hope you feel better soon. I had strep throat last month and it was not good. Take care of yourself

[@andrefludd]

Thank you!

[@vancesnyder2426]

Hi Andre, even though I am more of a Strat guy, I trust you when you say the Santana SE is an underrated gem and will check it out. If you live in the Bay Area, you know Santana. I like his hats as well.

[@felixayala05]

Santana's live band is amazing.

[@tremdoctor007]

I own this guitar fir several reasons, I like double horns (I’m a super strat guy) the finish is beautiful, it’s got a tremolo bridge, it’s light and looks great. The neck feels like a baseball bat, I live the side flat feel like a Gibson Explorer and the short scale, it’s just as stated in this video it’s thick and chunky. My hands aren’t big but I have no issues playing it. Feels a bit like a Les Paul. Lastly I love yellow, it’s an orangey yellow and a flame top, the woods gorgeous. Volume knobs way out of the way. It’s the only think about a strat that’s not comfortable, the volume knob is in the way, especially the term bar.

[@smithjeff3002]

Another fantastic video, thank you! Played a Core Santana today: was a beautiful charcoal Retro. I need to play it again, and the SE Santana the shop has because the amp model on the AXE III at the store just didn’t make the Santana shine like I’d expected, so I chalk that up to my error. These SEs are kicking butt and taking names…never been as impressed with an import line as I have with these!

[@clayvalarezo8647]

I just stumbled on your channel! I love your content! Liked, and Subbed! I have been researching the PRS SE line. I feel they have such variety, especially with various scale length options. Thank you for addressing the scale length, and the number of frets, with regards to the "playing feel" of this guitar. The SE Santana has a unique scale length for a 24-fretter. This is my next guitar for sure. Also, you get an A+ for effort while publishing this video with Strep! Thank you Andre! Looking forward to more of your content and I love your playing.

[@laszlozir]

Great detailed video as always! I remember playing this model in a guitar store and can just say the same. It's simple yet plays great and sounds great.

[@pacovl46]

Also in the 90s he did a collaboration with P.O.D., if I remember correctly. Might be a different band, but the song is definitely called America and his guitar work on that one is fucking amazing. It might even be his best song.

[@RokDAWG1]

I remember him being one of the first to jump on the PRS guitar game. I also remember how there was a a lot of random digs how that model seemed very Gibson like. He was known for playing Gibsons back then so I could see how the purist would’ve attacked it at that angle. This model is probably the only model that I’ve really been interested in really having a deep dive into. I’m digging your attention to detail and thoughts on this model. I’m definitely more curious about this one in particular. I have yet to connect with a PRS guitar.

[@Larrymarx]

Best review of *PRS Santana SE,* thank you for taking the time to make and post this excellent review♪♫♪

[@innocentoctave]

I have never heard more emotional playing - or better tones - than Santana's on the first two Santana albums. Benchmark playing.

[@angelmatos9143]

Santana's music comes in through your heart, not your ears. His work is a mystic portal.

[@Robstafarian]

The PRS SE Santana is a sore spot for me. I loved it, enough to get a second one years later, but I just cannot use that neck (too much shoulder). I would LOVE to see an SE Santana with the DGT neck profile and nut width.

[@ericajohnson7535]

it's the fretboard width and neck thickness of the fingerboard that really makes a difference... on the Brian May guitar, the scale is 24", yet it feels familiar because of the very very very thick baseball-bat-like neck and the flat wide fingerboard.

[@cjhenry41]

No my 2003 Santana already solved the modern guitar problem Andre. :) But I did play one of these 2 days ago at the store, and boy howdy.

[@_rafael_b]

Hi Andre! I really enjoyed this video. I don't know if the Santana se will end up as your favorite but it's mine just for sentimental reasons really. I'm a big fan of Carlos and his music has influenced me in a very profound way. He's even better live btw. Also, I found the outtakes that you did for the intro super interesting. I know that you weren't happy with them and that you thought that they didn't fit what you were soloing over. I disagree. You didn't sound exactly like Carlos, you sounded like Andre Fludd. That's actually pretty badass also. As someone who has listened not only Santana, but lots of other latin artists over the years, it is my opinion that those outtakes fit the music really, really well. I would LOVE to hear you solo over this kind of stuff. From what I saw, I think that you would absolutely kill it. Even if it didn't sound exactly like Santana. Cheers man! ✌

[@andrefludd]

I appreciate thank Rafael thank you! I usually get in my head a bit too much when making these videos. Yea, the outtakes were my legit first ideas for the solo before I simplified things.

[@frederickthompson8686]

Andre, I love your reviews. They're smart, insightful and entertaining. But alas, I sold my Santana SE... and bought a sem-hollow, PRS 22-fret Custom SE in charcoal. It's fantastic. I'm a blues nut and the short scale, strung with .08s, make bends super easy. But all PRS guitars are terrific, especially my 1993 PRS, bolt-on EG 4 (the original silver sky!). Keep up the excellent work.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you Frederick!

[@tonymccormick21]

Thank you, amazing performance. I have the music and it's taking me a while.

[@michaelgottlieb9083]

My favorite PRS models is the Custom 22 semi-hollow model. Check it out too, I think you’d like it. You don’t see many trems on a semi-hollow. I had 2 of the DGT models and couldn’t get a sound I liked. They were very trebly to my ear. Two other guitars I’d like to see you checkout is the Ibanez AR520 and the ESP LTD PS1000. The are very underrated. Both are semi-hollow models, no trems but I think you’d enjoy them. Love your channel bro….✌🏾

[@gregorygetable]

Another excellent video great playing and incites. My friend has this PRS Santana SE but he is a bass player so I get to play it...Yay

[@renokid64]

Well done Andre! Santana has always been one of my guitar gods. I'm happy to hear that his name sake guitar is as smooth as he his :). Hope you feel better...

[@andrefludd]

Thanks Chris!

[@travismccartney]

Feel better soon my friend.

[@windsurfmaui8239]

First, I love Carlos Santana's playing. Especially when he's working with other artists. For people who haven't heard it listen to Santana playing with John Lee Hooker on the song Chill Out. Fantastic melding of two styles. I have been thinking of purchasing the Santana SE for a while. Mostly they've been out of stock during the pandemic. I like shorter scale guitars with humbuckers and especially fatter necks. Last, I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering with a strep throat. During my childhood and early adulthood I would get a strep throat or 2 every year. It was only when I gave up eating dairy that I stop getting strep throat or almost any kind of cold. Now if I get a cold the only way I can tell is because I feel just a tad off for about a day and my voice drops down into my chest and about an octave lower. It only lasts a day and I have no other symptoms of a cold. I suggest if possible you give up Dairy for a few months and see what effect that has on your health. In any event I hope you're feeling better soon.

[@andrefludd]

I’ve since recovered! Thank you for the warm wishes :) I really appreciate it

[@Zundfolge]

I like the look of the Santana model, but I still think the Custom 24 control layout is the one I'd prefer (I want the volume pot close to the bridge pickup so I can use it easily for swells) Or the DGT layout would be fine too.

[@andrefludd]

That makes sense. I usually use a volume pedal for swells

[@Zundfolge]

@@andrefludd That would probably work fine, I'm just used to using my pinky. I should probably get a volume pedal :)

[@macrossgeorge]

Thanks for this great video! To be perfectly honest, I am just not a fan of PRS guitars. But I have been looking for a guitar with a fat neck, 24 frets, a trem arm and a scale length somewhere between 24" and 25", and not too expensive. This guitar is perhaps the only guitar on the market that meets all those. Your video just sold me on wanting this guitar. I too do not like the super bright color but I cannot afford the Core model. In any case, this is likely to be my next guitar. Thanks again for the video and the GAS!

[@randrothify]

I prefer this version of the Santana because it has the original shape of his signature version and is the shape of an LP double-cut. Would love to see this body shape used in more of PRS’s models as I am big fan of the LP Special double cut with P90s. The only issue that I have with it is the dark and nasally sounding pick-ups.

[@Scott__C]

Great review of this one. Haven't seen one in person, but sounds great. By the way, the PRS website calls it a tremolo, so people can take it up with Paul, lol.

[@JayKughan]

I like how the DGT sitting in the background when from pink to gold top when you picked it up. I know, I know, this is a cheap thrill. But that was cool 🙃 🍻

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

I had the Zach Myers and the 24.5’ scale just felt too small at 6’4. He and Zach are both a bit shorter, so it’s understandable. I’ll always prefer the Custom 24s.

[@AidentheAnderson]

Dude, hot take but I like the look of this one more than the crazy expensive Santan Brazilian. I like the shape of the body, and the normal PRS headstock

[@simonpark843]

Another excellent, informative video. I almost got one of the Santana SE models late last year but chose a 1993 Godin G4000 instead. I don't regret buying the Godin (which I love) but this has made me consider getting an SE. I'll wait until the end of the experiment before making any decisions, but this video definitely made me think. It as entertaining too, as ever.

[@andrefludd]

Def wait until the experiment is over :). This is my fav for my style of music, but it isn’t my favorite overall ;)

[@nitrobw1]

Regarding tremolo vs. vibrato: It doesn't really bother me but I do my best to use vibrato because it might not necessarily be interchangeable for non-guitarist musicians. A linguist would say that meaning can change over time but they would also point out that the change isn't necessarily uniform across all speakers. It's not a big deal here either way, just articulating a slight disagreement

[@andrefludd]

I agree with you! But when guitarists comment on a guitar video and say "It's not called a tremolo system," they are incorrect. Very few people comment saying "The technical term for the effect that the bar is producing is vibrato not tremolo."

[@MasterArpeggioSystem]

With Grammys, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, radio hits and airplay for classic rock and contemporary, numerous awards and accolades, undeniable influence on guitarists, being considered a peer of the top players in the music world, magazine coverage, and so much more, I definitely wouldn't consider Carlos Santana underrated or overlooked in any way, shape or form. He's successful and recognized for his career achievements. An example of underrated and overlooked (esp. in America): *Gary Moore.* NOT Carlos Santana, who plays major venues when other successful bands from his era (and after) play mid-size venues and county fairs after their heyday. Carlos is honored and enjoying his fame while he's alive and not posthumously, like many others. Saying Carlos is underrated is like saying Jeff Beck is underrated.

[@czarofzonk1360]

I own the one-year only core MD Santana model, which features an on-board active circuitry to get a thin/single sound without splitting nor hum (takes 2 9-volt batteries). My only issue is that I can't bond with the medium-jumbo frets (chews up my fingers until after about 6 months or so when my finger-pads get iron-clad). When Carlos came to the factory, we did get him to sign my guitar.

[@andrefludd]

That one sounds pretty cool. I never heard of it before now

[@czarofzonk1360]

@@andrefludd Hi, this might seem a little tacky, but my reply is an honest post because you might be interested in the/my one-year Santana MD model - or at least, the sounds I coaxed out of it (I don't sound or play like Carlos, chuckle). On my channel, I have a playlist devoted to my Santana MD where I put the guitar through its paces, such that the first few instrumental pieces feature the MD circuitry (the later pieces are just straight up humbucker, which I love). Take care and thank you for your channel.

[@russlgtr]

Love all those se guitars.

[@windintrees5386]

Another classic. Including your quick outtakes was super-effective.

[@andrefludd]

Thank you :)

[@MelodyMaker218]

Cool, I didn't know until now that they had a 24.5 inch scale length on any PRS guitars. I bet it is cool especially with the 24 frets.

[@pereztube2]

That thing sounds and looks great! I might have to pick one up.

[@IamQuh]

I did not know the Santana was a shorter scale length. As a small hand haver that's definitely a plus.

[@im3ve1yn]

13:26 "edge of the bedge" had me SCREAMING. love your content, get well soon!!!

[@andrefludd]

Thank you

[@Grili561]

Worst guitar I ever got was a Custom 24 SE. Horrendous issues at every level. However, the irony is fitting, because these guitars are all usually really well done. I recently sold my Les Paul in favor of an S2 McCarty, and I have zero regrets. I enjoy your thorough reviews!

[@jonkomatsu8192]

Great review! Always wondered how the Santana SE compared to the high end Santana, which has a 24.5 inch scale neck. A lot more slinkier feel, but how would it affect tone. That being said, I really preferred a fixed bridge, so acquired a Mira SE. No matter. Again, great review and really enjoying the series. Happy weekend to you and all! 🤙🎸🎶

[@bobbychubb6913]

The SE has the same scale length 24.5 as the core. I thought it was 25 but I just measured my 2017 and it is 24.5. It's actually a unique SE compared to other models. The pickups the scale length and the simple control layout make this guitar special.

[@DogDaze66]

Nice playing , and definitely a beautiful guitar!

[@angellovesjazz]

I'm glad you said something about that intro 😝

[@wademcreynolds7428]

My first electric had symmetrical horns like that but they never looked right to me. Kind of like someone took a bandsaw to their Les Paul as an experiment. I love his guitar playing in "Corazon Espinado" from that collaborations album.

[@jorgeviana1826]

You just sold another one! Excellent review!

[@felixayala05]

That's a great looking guitar, Andre.

[@mikefloyd3152]

Santana III is his best album. From the intro jam track to the end

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

I second the QC and fretwork!