Comparing the PRS SE Swamp Ash Special with a 2000 PRS Core Swamp Ash Special

[@ramlerendleg]

Listening to tis clip I actually like the SE better just because it's brighter. Might be different if I was in the shop playing both myself. Anway, it's always nice to see you don't have to go beyond the 2000 mark to get an excellent guitar.

[@PJandtheBeard]

It's funny, when editing I thought the same thing. The SE's pickups pop more for sure. In the room and in a live context I preferred the 2000 SAS. Now, I have been playing that guitar for over 20 years so I might be biased there. Regardless, you are correct, the SE's are great guitars at a great price.

[@ramlerendleg]

Yes, I never regarded a PRS but this one just makes me think maybe I should get one. Greetings from Germany! @@PJandtheBeard

[@jimmyjames2022]

Fun comparison, 2000 Swamp Ash Special has great looks and tones! I believe the Core SAS has (stock) McCarty humbuckers and a Seymour Duncan Vintage Rails, while the SE SAS has 85/15S and the new AS-01 single. I have the SE SAS and it's versatile, but it's odd switching choices. I think I prefer the more conventional switching in my old 1992 PRS EG-2 HSH (HFS/VintageBass/Fralin). Also I like the AS-01 but I wonder if 58/15S would sound better in the SE than the 85/15S.

[@PJandtheBeard]

The Core SAS does have stock McCarty's in it. That is why I got it as a backup to my McCarty. Back in the day I never split the coils, but lately I have found I really like that option. Agree that they have a strange switching layout, but it has grown on me.

[@butchsnyder8515]

Great demo. I remember when the SAS "Core" model first came out. Being a Nashville-esque player, that's the model I kind of gravitated to. I recently picked up a new Swamp Ash Special SE. I put 10s on it and set it up. Plays and feels great, except for the neck. All my other guitars are Telecasters so the necks and fretboards have a much different feel. That's my only complaint. I also replaced the stock pickups. Replaced them with: Bridge: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom Middle: Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 Pro Strat pickup Neck: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates neck model I wired the middle pickup to the push-pull tone pot so that it is only engaged/disengaged. No coil splitting. The difference in sound is incredible.

[@PJandtheBeard]

I bet those upgrades sound fantastic. We are both long time PRS players so the neck was super comfortable to us.

[@BenBollinger]

Dig it. Both are hella cool

[@PJandtheBeard]

#truestory

[@SarahAndreaRoycesChannel]

The core sounds warmer in my ears, but the SE has a 'smokey' sound that actually had me fall in love with the SE Swamp Ash Special without knowing about the earlier Core version. If I wan't warm I can have a nice Les Paul /- Copy /- inspired guitar. That smokey sound is quite unique, especially with that much variety of the configurations.

[@PJandtheBeard]

The SE definitely has a cool vibe going on and is pretty unique!

[@joejustjoe3926]

Very nice demo. They both have nice voicing and though they do sound different sonically, the SAS mids are more scooped giving it a brighter tone, imo. For PRS to revisit this guitar in the SE series for half the price-I will crank the mids on my rig and be very happy with the price point. Is the SE series a precision instrument? nah, not really. Can I get past the SE Indonesia thing-we we shall see-as I just ordered one today. Thanks again guys-good stuff.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Would love to hear what you think we you get it!

[@justkickinit6878]

Of course!

[@justkickinit6878]

This SE did not disappoint. I can get so many tones nailed on this axe. Any southern rock/ country stuff, Johnny Winter, Steely Dan (debut), and Queen have been the most profound so far. Although the blues tones are nice, this guitar loves to be cranked up and wake the dead. Something I perdonally noticed when it comes to the middle pup. As I palm the tailpiece my pick rubs over the top of that pup, forcing me to change my position a bit. I lowered it and that helped a bunch. It’s a drop dead gorgeous guitar, stays in tune, has hot pups, no fret sprout, and the frets are level. I did have to tighten the jack as the outside nut came loose. Came in with a decent setup that I have tweaked a bit. There is a ton of expression to be had depending on what you want it to do. I ordered two and kept the best one. It truly is the swiss army knife of tones in one guitar. Rock on, guys! Thx for the nudge…👊🏼

[@Canadianwheelchairguitar]

That 2001 swamp ash just needs a 5 way pickup switch & I like the bridge as is!

[@PJandtheBeard]

I like the hardtail too, but will keep the switching. Has six options now and it is definitely different than expected. Although I can see where a five way switch would be cool. As long as it’s not the old PRS rotary switch. I never got hip to them.

[@stevenbullock9276]

I think they both have very usable tones- the SE is brighter. I imagine the big difference would be build and feel. That being said, I used to have a Core SAS pretty much like the one shown here, and I found the neck and fretboard too sticky- so I parted with it. May have to check out the SE's... Thanks for the video!

[@PJandtheBeard]

If that was the case you may find you really like the neck on the SE from what I can remember. Definitely worth checking out.

[@gregu708]

Did they have the same strings on them?

[@PJandtheBeard]

They did not, since we get the guitars from zZounds on loan we do not restring them. Our swamp ash would have had Curt Mangan strings on it.

[@Olegstuff21986]

I think the core has a richer sound than the SE one.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Good way to describe it.

[@patleverette4540]

And both are good 😊

[@PJandtheBeard]

Absolutely!

[@michaelschuerman8826]

Core all the way :)

[@PJandtheBeard]

I mean, I can’t argue with this.

[@thadlogan51]

The core sounds much fuller but lacks clarity. The se sounds much clearer but lacks fullness... and maybe too bright sounding. Maybe something that can be fixed with EQ?

[@PJandtheBeard]

I think that is a good summation. On the recording the brightness of the SE sounds better, but I am not sure it is in a live situation. We left the amp the same for both guitars so some EQing could probably solve some of that too.

[@ArtDonna84]

…for a 1/3rd the price and I’m no pro, the SE is it for me and sounds great.

[@PJandtheBeard]

If memory serves I got my 2000 Swamp Ash for less then a grand used, but that was 23 years ago. The SE is cool.

[@LaurensiusSteven.Musicworks]

I will keep both

[@PJandtheBeard]

Both are worthy!

[@PJandtheBeard]

Both are worthy!

[@1997Ghost]

the core seems to have more girth to it's tone. both are nice instruments though.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Definitely warmer I think. The SE has more top end, but there is something about the original I really like. Both are cool guitars.

[@con-rob]

When evaluating acoustic guitars, it's ALL about sound, but when evaluating electric guitars (especially if you are researching what to buy as a player) it's ALL about playability. Electric guitars vary greatly on neck and fret playability, but acoustics don't much. I am an acoustic and nylon crossover player and it's just a cheap vs fancy tonewood decision for acoustics. Even the cheapest $500 PRS SE can emulate ANY guitar sound through free software amp modeling (or cheap pedals). There's really no need to buy anything over $1,000 when it comes to an electric since it can all be modeled now without latency for studio recording for free. For live, you can just get harder modeling for any cheap SE guitar and it'll sound exactly same or better than any Core model. I don't know why people haven't figured this out by now. If you have $3k budget, the way to go is get the most 'playable' sub-1k guitar and then spend the $1-2k on hardware pedals (or just Fishman Tripleplay Connect or Wireless to get access to thousands of guitar model sounds and amps). I'll never ever understand buying a really expensive electric guitar since all they are is a wire to connect to your amp. Tonewood and fancy upgrades only make a bit difference on acoustics. Fight me ;) (30yr proAm hobbyist)

[@PJandtheBeard]

I won’t fight you. It’s all about having fun and discovering what works for you. The modeling stuff is cool but it doesn’t work for me live. I love that interplay between the pickups and the amp. Beyond that I love how the tubes react to your playing too. These are things you can get from a modeler as the amp really becomes part of the instrument. That said, I realize it’s not important in every style of music and there are benefits to going to modeling route. I guess that’s why there is so much gear out there, because one way doesn’t work for everyone. As for cheap vs expensive guitars. I have some cheap guitars that are wonderful. I have some more expensive guitars that are wonderful too. I get what you’re saying, but will stick with playing what inspires me. Although, I do think there is a bit more to it than just being a wire connected to your amp. Regardless of price, some guitars just have that special mojo.

[@con-rob]

@PJandtheBeard I agree with all that, I was mainly speaking to the general public. Most of us get 1 maybe 2 chances in a decade to buy a guitar. When we get that money, we can't just throw it anywhere. Have to be VERY calculated with it :) For example, I wanted a midi guitar, but not those toy ones, like a REAL one, but I only had like $800 to spend. I found that the best use of that money wasn't to get a new guitar at all, but the Fishman Tripleplay that can work on any of my steel string guitars now as an addon. So, money saving and allocation 100% has to drive my buying decisions.

[@PJandtheBeard]

@ I totally get that! I think I have bought two new guitars in my life. Most have been bought used and only with gig money when I was younger. This channel has definitely given us a unique opportunity to try stuff out we never would have been able to get our hands on previously. We put a lot of work into it but it is definitely a fun hobby!

[@MrDavemiley]

The Core sounds fuller. the other sounds thinner. & brighter .

[@PJandtheBeard]

Makes sense. We’ve found the older pickups to be warmer and the newer se pickups to be bright.

[@michaelschuerman8826]

Well you can hear the difference between the two but if your going to compare them in the real world guitar to amp only

[@PJandtheBeard]

In the real world we never play guitar to amp only… :)

[@michaelschuerman8826]

I bought the se wish I would have saved my money and got the USA original

[@PJandtheBeard]

What don’t you like about it?

[@patleverette4540]

😅😅

[@thomasdempsey4870]

SE sounds much better, clear and clean.

[@PJandtheBeard]

It does seem that way on the video.

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

The SE sounds better than the core.

[@PJandtheBeard]

I agree in terms of this video. I do the core better live for some reason.

[@HatRock]

SE sounds miles better

[@PJandtheBeard]

It's funny, I felt that the SE pickups sounded better on the recording in many ways. That said, having played both live I would go with the core SAS every time. Part of it could just be my long association with that guitar, but it could also be that brighter isn't always the answer.

[@HatRock]

@@PJandtheBeard well, actually everything about tone and sound is subjective, and also depends on style and nuaces. Complex thing.

[@PJandtheBeard]

@@HatRock right on, and it doesn’t hurt that the core SAS is like an old friend.

[@andriusraupelis569]

Guys in comments … please . Just stop with his unreasonable rave about SE. SE stand for student edition and it will always be good entry but… Core have completely different quality in frequenc spectrum just because pups at starting point. Built quality: tuners, pups , finish will always be better for US. 1 good guitar is always better than 10 average.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Whose unreasonable rave? I just watched our final thoughts again, and I don't see that at all. In fact, I think we both give the nod to the core. Don't get me wrong, all the SE's we have tried have been really good. The Paul's guitar SE stands out to me as exceptional. So, where I agree that the core PRS stuff is in another class, I don't think the SE stuff is relegated to just an entry level student edition guitar. They are definitely quality instruments in their own right.

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

The original.sound's muddy and weak😊

[@PJandtheBeard]

I felt that way when I was editing the video. It’s the one I like live though.