SE Custom 24 Inspection | From The Factory Floor | PRS Guitars

[@popskustom7382]

This has definitely convinced me to buy an SE. All companies should be doing this, unfortunately I’ve purchased other brands that probably didn’t even see the guitar before their customer. Great process! Thanks for sharing

[@synonyx]

Do! Mine was perfect from the bag that I got a few weeks ago!

[@seanfried5583]

SE’s are a great value. They Sound and play great. I’ve earned a ton of money with mine. I use it as much and as often as my core guitars.

[@mamulcahy]

I have the original Santana SE from 2005 in cherry red. It was one heck of a buy around $500. Still a great guitar!

[@abevon6152]

Don’t. The SE sounds terrible compared to the CE and CU. all this QC doesn’t male up for the pickup difference in my opinion. And prs doesn’t sell their 85/15 anymore so you can’t install the American ones in our SE. I would recommend saving up for a CE or core 24. The oversees pickups are just trash compress to American. No sustain, they break up easily, etc. don’t make the same mistake I made.

[@roopwind]

@@abevon6152 so do what I did and upgrade the pickups and tuners/hardware. You get a great PRS guitar at a Much more affordable price. PRS SE Custom 24: ~$900 Upgraded locking tuners (Grover): ~$200 (including labor) Upgrade pickups (Seymour Duncan JB/59): ~$300-$350 (including labor) Total spent: ~$1500, roughly a third the cost of a new Core Custom 24.

[@petesmith6434]

I have been playing guitar professionally for over 50 years. During that time I have owned or played just about ever type of guitar from just about every major manufacturer. About 8 months ago I purchased my first PRS guitar…a SE Paul’s Guitar…just to see why so many fellow players raved about them. I must admit, I was amazed at the quality and sound of the SE Paul’s Guitar. It was without a doubt one of the best guitars I have ever owned at any price. Since then I purchased a Core Paul’s Guitar for studio use. I continue to use the SE guitar for live gigs where there is more risk of damage and/or theft. I wholeheartedly recommend PRS guitars, both SE and Core models, to friends.

[@silkysoy1794]

I've been a Gibson and Fender player my whole life (playing for 30 years) but after another bad experience with a Gibson Custom Shop this past summer I'm contemplating giving PRS a try (never owned/played one). You would think this QC practice shown in the video would be standard practice but sadly it is not.

[@Riverdeepnwide]

@@silkysoy1794 yes it’s worth a try, my ‘88 PRS arrived perfect and has since had slight truss rod adjustments spring and fall and then a couple of fret dressings over the years but nothing else to fix. My 2013 SG also bought new is a love/hate relationship, so much work and time to get it right. Shipped that way, so careless, but it is good now. The PRS is completely reliable, beautiful, plays and sounds great while the SG, also beautiful and sounds great, I have to take way more care of it. Odd how we get to love all the different ones and don’t want to give ‘em up 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@petesmith6434]

@@Riverdeepnwide I have a 2012 Gibson SG that came from the factory with the routes for the pickups cut incorrectly such that the pickups tilted significantly, in addition, the nut was cut completely incorrectly creating all the usual playability issues. Someone gave me this guitar as a gift so I did not immediately return it…I just rarely played it. Last year I sent it in to a luthier who recut the routes, reset the pickups, put a new bone nut in place and totally reset the guitar. Now it plays and sounds great. However, Gibson’s workmanship and quality control had become so poor that a guitar this badly constructed was shipped to a retailer and the retailer didn’t notice or care about the quality issues. Says a lot about the entire Gibson supply chain. Both my new PRS guitars were perfect in every way….they were even in-tune when they arrived (I bought them on-line and had them shipped to me).

[@Riverdeepnwide]

@@petesmith6434 thanks for all you’ve written, yes similar SG nut setup to do on mine, tailpiece & studs damaged at assembly and passed QC, truss rod not engaged so the action was banana necked. Online purchase of a ‘13 in ‘15 for a good price but sheesh ... With time effort and patience it did all came together nicely. From what I heard and read at the time it seemed the employees were under some unpleasant pressure and dissatisfaction. My old PRS still got all the mileage though. 👍🏻 Cheers Pete

[@petesmith6434]

@@Riverdeepnwide I have heard that Gibson may have now finally gotten their act back together. However, I have lost faith in them. I just purchased a Heritage H535 as a gift I am giving one of my grandsons. I went with Heritage instead of Gibson because I don’t want to deal with potential quality issues AND the price of the Heritage H535 was much less than the Gibson ES335. Gibson is going to have to work hard to rebuild the trust their customers once had for them.

[@revsharp777]

This is what makes PRS a cut above the rest. My love affair with PRS began 10 years ago. Went into the store to get pickup rings and came out with a $700 PRS SE Custom 24. 3 hours later, I was playing it on the stage at Hard Rock Cafe. My $1500 former main guitar sat as a backup. From then on, I've purchased a number of PRS guitars (SE, S2 and core models). Regardless of series, the PRS quality control stands on its own. Barring your personal preference tweaks, PRS guitars are always ready right out of the box.

[@takezokensei2452]

Hi from Italy... I m an happy owner of a 2019 custom 24 SE ... The best Guitar i Ve ever played

[@rushman8]

Im convinced. Im getting another PRS

[@ericwilliamson9869]

I bought the 35th Anniversary SE Custom 24 and it is my favorite. I absolutely love it.

[@pbshobby4183]

Based on a great experience with my vintage core cu 24 and the SE inspection process in the video, I ordered an SE Standard 24-08 to explore tones with new pickups and beyond the 5 way rotary switch setup. The core guitar is the most playable ever. Great company, great products. Looking forward to the Standard, when my ship comes in.

[@angusorvid8840]

I absolutely love my SE. Superb. Simply the finest guitar I've ever owned, and I've owned around 50 guitars since the 1980s. My friends who've played my SE dug it so much that about three of them have bought SEs themselves.

[@dean3323]

This fills me with confidence about buying an SE Standard 24 08. Can't believe they do this with every SE guitar?!?! Incredible!!

[@weslester5150]

Yesterday I bought a PRS SE Custom 24 in Black Gold Sunburst. I still cannot believe how nice it is. It was setup so good. It blows my mind watching this video. Did my guitar go through that process too? I had just bought a Fender MIM strat in Blue Burst but I was so disappointed with the initial quality. I returned it to a big guitar store and bought the prs from my local dealer. I was shocked that I actually came out ahead on money and the amazingly built PRS came with a crazy nice gig bag!!!!!!! Just 2 weeks ago my son and I were at my local dealer and someone had just traded in a PRS SE 24 Standard in cherry red. We got it for my son who is 15, a great deal for sure. Thanks prs for having such incredible standards of quality and taking pride in your work.

[@tonyhahn9688]

I can totally understand and relate to the comment. My first PRS SE is Standard 24 Vintage Cherry. It looks and plays amazingly. The rounded corners around the top is super comfy. But need to replace the plastic nut to bone nut for tuning stability issues reason. Since then I know I'll have this guitar in my rack forever. Got my second SE 2 months ago, an SE Custom 24-08 ; another beast that worth every penny I spend for this guitar.

[@joeplutto4501]

Awesome video, shows how much care is spent on each instrument. I had the privilege of visiting the factory with Doug and the pride of he and his team is obvious. The best affordable line of guitars on the market. Hands down. On a very personal note, if you look closely enough - an LED sign of the twelfth fret bird is glowing in the first few frames, I made that! So glad it's getting used by the crew. Keep up the great work, Cheers - Joe

[@superhotbread]

As someone recently bought this exact SE model guitar lefty version, wow. Great attention to detail. My core and SE are both so equally refined and such great quality. PRS player for life since 98'

[@mikemcsween1847]

Cheers, guys! Just ordered my first PRS, a Paul’s SE in Faded Blue Burst. This vids on the painstaking commitment has brought me to PRS!

[@joshweigt6460]

Man these people put so much time into a single guitar. I love the dedication of them. I haven’t gotten a PRS yet, but I’m definitely considering an SE

[@Murf_Workshop]

that's what I'm saying as well the more I watch these Videos on KZbin. Although I am more drawn to shred style guitars like Jackson, ESP, Ibanez, and EVH I also play country alot of these models I see in these videos catch my EYE. Seeing how much care they put into SE makes me want to pick one up.

[@djfuzzystump]

Wow, this is awesome - definitely makes me feel good that they are meticulously checked like this. I have one of these on the way from Sweetwater and pretty excited to add it to my collection.

[@vladdumitrascu9026]

did it arrive yet? I just bought one (although it was a demo guitar that someone returned because they don't make the charcoal burst colour anymore) and was wondering what you thought of it.

[@djfuzzystump]

@@vladdumitrascu9026 yes- and I love it! Great guitar and very pleased with it.

[@synonyx]

My SE came FLAWLESS the other day. Thanks again PRS for being transparent with your customers. This will only make people feel even better about their purchase!

[@benedictmudd3098]

I have a new found respect for the SE line. Well done, I’m no longer a “core” snob

[@mikeoxley4458]

I have a Santana SE which is very good! Was gifted to me by a good friend.

[@reasonsrhymes]

Great job PRS. Love the attention to follow up by using the core team to randomly select a few SE's each week.

[@billvs6505]

I bought a PRS SE several years ago. Great guitar, and it came very well set up.

[@SilentNightBodomNight]

I just tried some PRS for the first time yesterday. Always knew they were great instruments, just never cared to pick one up. Man have I been missing out! Seriously contemplating getting one now.

[@troyjones2358]

Just played my new SE Custom 24 out for the first time last weekend. I got many compliments from other guitarists on my killer tone. I have owned and played Fender and Gibsons for over 40 years and I have to say my PRS is the easiest and most pleasurable guitar to play ever. And, when I took it out of the box it was in tune!

[@matthewcofield6251]

PRS and Martin are 2 companies that do this. Martin has inspectors in the Mexico factories keeping QC on all “budget” guitars. It’s great to see PRS cares too. QC goes farther than anything else. I returned my Fender Player Tele (grounding issues right out of the box) and spent $150 more to get an SE custom 24. Worth every penny.

[@dag1704]

Just bought a hopefully beautiful SE Paul's Guitar. And then found this video. I have to say, I have confidence that the guitar will be very nice when it arrives. Thank you for all this quality inspection. As someone with trust issues due to my previous guitar with... I guess no quality control, which required years, a few technicians and a lot of money to make it play nice, I really appreciate the effort you put into your guitars. I feel good, that my money goes to the correct company now.

[@joefromnowhere5296]

I own 2 . A 2015 30th cu24and a quilt top trampas green cu24from sweetwater . Both are absolutely gems in my collection. The quality standards are above and beyond anything else in that price range . PRS is on their game in terms of quality control , giving customers great value for the dollar in the SE line of guitars. This video only backed up what I already figured out by owning these guitars. I see more of these in my future for sure.

[@shre.yas.n]

there's so much pride in every instrument they put out!

[@robertaugustine5350]

I bought an SE two months ago. Phenomenal guitar. Played my first gig with it a week ago and just wow! Sound is amazing with my Mesa Mark V:35. Got a ton of compliments on the guitar (not my playing 🤡). It’s a work of art.

[@demian113]

20yrs ago I worked at a guitar shop and a lot of guys had their bias against PRS being more of a newcomer compared to the huge established brands. 20yrs later, this is how PRS has managed to create a level of consistency that imho cannot be rivaled by Fender or Gibson production guitars (not custom shop, that's a whole other level). I know if I buy a new PRS online it will be impeccable vs the uncertainty of buying production guitars from most of the big name brands. Aside from maybe action or string gauge preference, a new guitar should NOT need an extensive setup out of the box. I still love Gibson and Fender, but I'm happy the attitude towards PRS has changed over the years. For a new guitar under $1000 the SE line cannot be beat!

[@poodleguiderpeyes7388]

No wonder SE's are so nice! Kudos, the guys & gals @ PRS

[@jeffreyfoster4260]

It’s hard to Believe that they put this much time into each guitar AMAZING ❤❤❤

[@williamstevens7648]

I brought an se hollow body ll piezo recently and it is insane. I played an American custom 24 a few days before it arrived and it feels and plays just as nice. I am honestly blown away at how good the SE stuff is now.

[@toddknaster9731]

Nice to know my new SE HB II Piezo will come properly set up! Definitely not the case with a lot of other overseas made guitars. Now I know why I have been waiting for so long for it to get in stock.

[@rlvryu]

i have 2 SE's but i still want more!! this guitars not only looks good but plays unbelievably good as well...bang for the buck worth every penny I'm telling you!

[@jfturner67]

I have two SEs - the Starla Stoptail and the Hollowbody Standard. The Starla was new from Sweetwater and it came out of the box in tune and very playable. I lowered the action just slightly per personal preference, but it was pretty amazing the way it came. The Hollowbody was gently used from another player, about seven months old when I got it, and it was about the same. I went ahead and got it set up locally and now these two are my best guitars by far. After seeing this video, now I know why. Love PRS!

[@windy.way0]

I own two SE's so far and I love them. They feel great, sound great and stay in tune really well. I appreciate all you do!!

[@michaelschiessl8357]

This QC is meticulous and comes from Paul's standards.Just imagine the training that goes into this quality control..wish all guitar companies did this but they dont.I have never received a PRS that wasn't dialed in ready to go and in perfect condition. If anyone is on the fence about buying one...get off that fence!!

[@Murf_Workshop]

though they may have not been made in Maryland they still get inspected as if they were. That's great QC right there. Hell of a guitar company. These PRS clips and vids have been great. Definitely makes me want to get one at some point. They play great when I try them in the store.

[@Xaion6]

World did a fantastic job on my Custom 24!! Love it

[@Soloist1983]

Very cool to see that at least a few American companies seem to care about what they do, right on! :)

[@kynoceph]

This is pretty impressive, and it has significantly influenced my thoughts about what my next guitar might be. I'm sure neither Fender nor Gibson does this...

[@Thomas-dh7sv]

Never had a PRS but this is definitely making me want one

[@TcMauricio]

Objective: Getting a PRS Obstacle: My Wallet

[@desertriderukverun1002]

Love my SE 245! Can’t believe the quality of the instrument for the price. My friend liked it so much he insisted I sell it to him, so as soon as my Zach Myers signature arrives I’ll get to enjoy another PRS SE.

[@miromax811]

Colored top and natural back is such a great combination.

[@prsguitars]

Agreed!

[@haydest]

That's why my SE Custom 24 was perfect right from my dealer in Toronto!

[@Lexxo777]

Re-assuring to see! I ordered one today (lefty) from Port Mac Guitars (Australia).

[@pedraw]

I own 3 SE guitars, The Singlecut, the 245 and also a Custom 24. Awesome guitars

[@mohnjark3739]

Can’t wait for mine this exact same guitar! 🙌

[@adivin]

I’ve had an SE Hollowbody ii on order for a while and was a bit concerned about it maybe sitting in a container on a ship somewhere waiting for port for an extended period of time. This makes me feel a lot better knowing they all get inspected once they hit the US.

[@TheSlagwerker]

What about all the SE guitars that are being shipped to the rest of the world? Who quality checks these and sets them up?

[@olleheed]

I had a custom 24 se. There was finish error(fingerprint), an epoxy patched blowout at the trussrod adjustment and trem arm didnt move freely. It had ”passed” the QC according to the note that came with the guitar.

[@TheSlagwerker]

The only reason I ask is because I bought a SE custom 24 from Manny's in Brisbane. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic guitar which I bought on sale for $900. It did have tuning stability issues though so I spent a further $250 getting a set up done to my personal preference, having the intonation corrected and issues with the trem fixed. The guitar dude was very impressed with the quality of the guitar for a sub $1000 price but it was just missing that final set up and QC.

[@TheVishaq]

Tried a Paul's guitar in Dubai. Was not impressed. Guess it's not qc'd in US

[@sid35gb]

As a person who has had no interest in buying a PRS and was totally uninspired by the people who play them not really my taste in music. I brought a SE custom 24 just to see if the positive comments were paid for hype or the real deal. All I can say is PRS reputation for building really good guitars is well deserved. They are Definitely punching above their weight and to make a pink guitar look cool enough for me to buy it on a whim nuff said. Needless to say I have an S2 now thin line as well now. So my Gibsons are gathering dust. Great guitars👍

[@DaMainDude]

I didn't think it would be possible to inspect every single guitar like that at the price point of an SE - I am impressed! Do you have a subcontractor in Europe and other places that does this? Or are they not inspected the same way there?

[@MattTee1975]

No, they don't need a subcontractor. They don't sell THAT many guitars.

[@n6300lukaimen]

This is my question too ,I always wanted one PRS ,but I don't think they doing anything QC

[@antonyedwardson9900]

Not sure my SE Custom 24 could have gone through this level of rigour at PRS UK, the pickup selector switch is very crackly when changing positions and occasionally gets stuck between positions as it is not in the middle of the slot cut in the body. Also found a small blemish in the finish on the edge of the lower horn. None of these things were worth returning the guitar for but they did impact on that new guitar feeling! Other than that I love the guitar and would recommend anything thinking about one to go for it!

[@glauciomotta8600]

I've got this one!!!! I'm falling in love😍

[@Mike_D_5150]

That was a very cool perspective. Thank you

[@s9plus20]

I have 3 SEs and 2 Core models. They each were perfect when I got them! I know if it is a PRS that its going to be a VERY good guitar! Keep up the great work!!

[@timothyweesner6286]

This is why I already own two different SE models! An Se 245 single cut, and an Se 24 Qm . D see till waiting for the Se 24-08 in Ezra Verde to arrive here from a preorder. Great guitars!!! Love them, and waiting till tax time to add an SE Tremonti to inventory!!

[@tonyhahn9688]

I own an SE Custom 24-08. It came with a relatively high action out of the bag, but after a little turn on the truss rod It's probably one of the best guitar I've ever played. Please share what you think of the guitar once you got yours.

[@MobileDecay]

Thanks for not shaming us for buying the cheaper version by calling us Squiers or changing the headstock and company name like some popular brands! 👍

[@jeffreybialowas4637]

Love my SE, solid guitar, best I owned,Jeff.

[@csn3391]

Great video thanks. So much care given to detail. Question: Do PRS SE guitars bought in Europe also undergo an inspection?

[@TomSJazzBass]

Except I got a PRS SE Paul's Guitar with a poor solder connection to the pickup selector for the bridge pickup. Additionally the ground wire from the bridge was not stripped of it's shielding or soldered and left a heavy ground hum. The overall quality of the instrument is superb and I absolutely love it. Easily the single most resonant guitar in my collection. But it might be worthwhile to open up the control cavity to double check the electronics during this process. Also the intonated bridge/tailpiece for the Paul's Guitar had a notably sharp G-string. You can't really hear it in most chords but it makes open D-chords sound messy and out of tune. I'm aware that my preferred string gauge (currently have NYXL 11's) and Eb standard tuning made this far more noticeable than it was stock. But it's another quibble that I have. Again I do absolutely love my guitar and I am absolutely blown away by the quality and craftsmanship (especially for the price). But I share this in hopes that you can continue to improve your processes.

[@grenade.turtle]

You don’t know how to intonate?

[@TomSJazzBass]

@@grenade.turtle it's a single piece fixed wrap around tailpiece. Had to split the difference for all six strings

[@anxiousx]

They should be doing this to all the SE guitars whether where it's going to be shipping to. Not only for NA.

[@chrisrva710]

PRS’ floor is miles above the floor of every other major guitar manufacturer. Also the best guitars for their price range as well. Untouchable for $850

[@paulogp4629]

My SE Custom 24 DC (Blue) will arrive tomorrow. I hope to see that quality control on my guitar 🙂

[@samquitkin338]

I love my SE, such a great guitar!

[@Aycejay]

This is why I buy PRS.

[@JoeButler02]

Yep. Need one. Just send that blue custom 24 to me please and thanks!! For sure buying one after Christmas.

[@bradparker1591]

I love my PRS SE 245. Great guitar!

[@chrisjude8794]

So so interesting. Love my SE24 Custom. An absolutely awesome guitar. Many thanks PRS. The only brand for me 👍😄

[@benlogan430]

That is sweet! That’s what I usually have to do with instruments from some dealers. Sweetwater always seems to be set-up but that’s the only luck I’ve had.

[@markuyehara7880]

Love these Factory Floor vids!

[@jamesshaw476]

I love my 2019 Custom 24 SE. Looks great with the whale blue burl top with cream binding. My opinion, best import line of guitars in the market today ❤🤘

[@ronmorey3475]

Mayor Tom does great work!

[@haziqrazif1230]

As a beginner, I've been playing my SE Custom 24 lefty for 6 months now and it stays in tune almost all the time.. I have no regret investing my money on it..

[@ipythe68]

Recently bought two prs one 24 08 custom se and se custom both had to be sent back because of high frets purchased in the UK

[@toploadtele]

I'm lovin' my new Hollowbody II SE Piezo Tobacco Burst...

[@mang3139]

WOW! I'm so impressed. Think my next axe is an SE. Do these REALLY hold tune w/ a trem? I've had so many bad trem experiences from other brands.

[@geraldillo]

Great craftsmanship!

[@eltomek]

Wonderful! Is such inspection held for PRS SE guitars distrubuted in Europe?

[@adambickford8720]

I bought a 7 string SE on a lark and had no idea it was the 'lesser' line. I'll bet 1k most couldn't tell by the feel or sound. I own esp, shecter, jackson, ibanez, solar and chapman and would be confident to line the SE up against any of them.

[@garywinters2282]

I'd love to see this in a video for left hand SE.

[@chrispuckett8855]

Glad I got one

[@michaelschall8513]

What action does PRS set their Kingfisher bass guitars to during factory setup?

[@yvandewever6518]

Has the SE standard 24 the same quality control? Thanks

[@jimmyhartman573]

I could have bought a new Zach Meyer SE with what ive spent on set-ups with my 3 Gibsons . . ive kept my SG the LP's are hanging in shops in Tennessee !!! Decided to go with SE245 mahogany body and the newer Zach Meyer chambered with maple top . . .quality all the way around

[@kicknadeadcat]

Always thought the Korean models were QC’d in Korea. Its is nice to know they take that extra time even on their lower end instruments.

[@takemebacktothen]

theese are made in Indonesia

[@RonnieVaiArovo]

PRS SE Guitars are great in general, I have 2 and they sound AND feel superior.

[@Freedum_Fries]

My 245 SE Must've been skipped. when I got it I noticed the wood under the gloss coat has 2 big scratches, I don't know how they couldve missed that at final inspection.

[@jkdjose]

For years I ignored PRS, then I bought one with a ding on marketplace. I picked up the 30th anniversary custom 24. All I can say is wow. Great guitars, they play so well and with the push pull pickups, you can play whatever you want. Does anyone know if they sell a ding fix kit or something?

[@Bloozestringer]

Love my Se's. Curious though, I didn't think you were supposed to adjust the trem adjustment screws under tension because you could mess up the knife edges? Oh, and please charge another $5 and put a USA nut on these things.

[@johnheueisenIII]

My core model came from Sweetwater with the action so high it was unplayable 😳

[@wealthfinder192]

Is there a factory or wholesaler in Australia that does the same setup? I just bought an SE and just waiting for its arrival. Would be nice if it was set up straight out of the box.

[@kevingorman3441]

Im waiting for my se swamp ash to be delivered to my house this week with a guitar center charge card. It better be in the gig bag from the factory when it gets here or I'll cut that card in half.

[@defnist47]

I’m returning my new JP150D, the fretwork is not stellar. This video convinced me for a PRS. I only hear good things about their quality

[@matt79hz]

Does every SE get this treatment ? What about those shipped to Australia ? Thanks

[@petergoddard1960]

Do the same set up checks get done for SE guitars distributed in Europe/UK before they go to dealers?

[@PaulCooksStuff]

There's a 6 year old vid on SE Setup on the "PRS TV - made in Europe" yt channel that says yes. Unless they've changed since.

[@petergoddard1960]

@@PaulCooksStuff thanks Paul.

[@3000KTM]

just curious as I'm about to buy one .. where are they inspected when sold to outside america ? at the indonesia factory ?

[@bubbaluvv]

Nice eagles shirt Tom. Go birds

[@kunfajarudinwibowo]

I knew i make the right purchase with my se tremonti 😁

[@ronmorey3475]

Where does one get a nut height gauge like that? It looks so much easier to use than my StewMac gauge.