The Week in Gear 31 | PRS for under $500 | LTD Edition VOX AC 30

[@TheGuitarGeek]

What’s your pick of the week?🤨

[@leonardharverson8660]

Lately it’s my right nostril. I cannot afford GAS without someone buying my old stuff and stuff just ain’t selling lately 😂

[@Ripprock1]

PRS

[@hairnation68]

I played that $500 CE. I own a 2023 American CE. The SE shocked me how good it is. Might be the best cheap guitar out there. Buy one. The satin neck feels amazing.

[@RusticSpirit]

Got a great deal at Sweetwater and then locking tuners 20% off at PRS. Love it!

[@John_2Much_Coffee]

Hi Andy. I have just purchased PRS SE CE 24 Satin - Charcoal, it is Awesome in every way. Cheers from Canada

[@Obiekb]

Just picked up a Turquoise SE CE 24, it plays great and really resonates! Great platform for modding.

[@jbh219]

PRS is smashing it right now

[@marcavus1]

I remember some years back you took a long break from your channel because your heart was no longer in it. That kind of honesty is pretty rare. Glad to see how far you have come. If you can't have fun why do it? Hope it keeps being fun for you!

[@fabiofazmusica]

NOW I think PRS made a great affordable, beautiful and finished in a way that doesn't feel cheap guitar, and neither brand did it before imho, even themselves.

[@jasonrandolph]

I impulse bought the new PRS SE CE 24, and I’m blown away. It was so much more fun to play than my Strat or Tele, though part of that may be the allure of new gear. But it sounds and feels great. It doesn’t feel cheap at all. At this price point, I assumed the gig bag would be little more than a dust cover, but it’s nicely padded and embroidered. I don’t know how PRS kept the price down so low on this. I’d expect to pay double if I didn’t already know the price. And the dive inlays on the fingerboard give it a premium look. I’m finding it difficult to come up with anything bad to say about it!

[@Forest_Fifer]

Im assuming the gig bags will be the same as I got on my se silver sky, which frankly was much better than the one I got on my fender player plus strat, much more substantial, and it had a handy hook for hanging it up with.

[@alexreverberi]

The PRS SEs are great. I just gassed for a PRS myself in December and got one and it has become my main guitar.

[@DarioRubilovic]

How can a sculpted heel be a step back, compared to standard Fender style "huge block of wood neck joint".

[@sihall1975]

It sticks out much further forward than the US CE neck joint. It's definitely a step backwards compared to that.

[@mikwinner_beats]

Think he was on about the shape of the neck plate

[@stahliwood8755]

I just got a PRS SE Mccarty 594 single cut, and I might get a PRS DGT

[@Longplay_Games]

That PRS is crazy tempting. I might need to find room for that...

[@beanapalooza6614]

Andy I gotva charcoal one, because of the price under 400. From a Shop that's Big but not that big. I would have got the terc..turc...green one. But it is AWESOME!! I HAVE A S2 STANDARD, AND THIS SE CE is every bit as good

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Great news. I will need to try one

[@DarylT64]

I'm really liking the new PRS . Finally a PRS that I might actually be able to afford. I have been wanting a PRS for a couple of years but could never afford one. This new PRS SE CE24 standard satin looks nice. I hope you will get a chance to do a review on one.🎸🤘🏻

[@vasotoe]

My pick of the week is this show! So happy it's back! And again, studio is looking neat!

[@scottdeakes8494]

Great to have you back

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Glad to be back!

[@OutstandingBill1]

Visited my local music shop yesterday. The guy who works there was raving about his Cort. I had a play on one. Seemed really nice. Would've liked to play it longer, but had to dash.

[@Decibel84]

I bought a PRS SE24 about 8 years ago for £499. I love it. I put an SD Nazgûl in it and some Gotoh locking tuners, and it’s incredible. It’s a great guitar, and an even better modding guitar.

[@octaviomartinez4217]

I got the ce se a week after it came out… Still love it but omg the satin looks great since it covers the whole body

[@TheGuitarGeek]

The cherry is really growing on me

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

Adding SS frets to a guitar is around $600 when quoted from Sweetwater and other resellers with an in shop luthier.

[@Tijuanabill]

That Arc studio technology for tuning to the room, has been around for a while, but it was probably patented before. Bose home stereo systems had this feature, back in the early 2,000s. I don't know if it did anything, but going around the room and sitting in each chair, with this microphone impersonating a headphone on your head, felt really fancy and high tech.

[@JonnyDee123]

Bought a PRS SE 24 08 Standard here in Blighty from GuitarGuitar at just £499. A really tasty and shiny lacquered and luxurious Tobacco Sunburst finish. TCI-S Humbuckers and 25" scale length. I LOVE it, so much so that now, and in true Nigel Tufnell style - I just sit and gaze at it. I won't allow even me to touch it. If it would do me the honour of marrying me then I'd be the happiest man on the planet. Crazy guitar for the money. Buy one. That's my advice. Buy one.

[@tractorgt]

I just can't ever get behind Epiphone when I feel that except for a few models, most people would prefer their Gibson counterpart. And with the used market flooded with great deals, you can put that name on your headstock. My 2¢ 👍

[@Negative.mrb1]

I played one it’s easy to play I ordered one should be here monday

[@theJE55]

I bought a Cort last year, and on sale it was close to £500. It is one of the best guitars I have ever played, easy. It has active Fishman Fluence 'buckers and locking tuners, but otherwise nothing too fancy. It's fantastic.

[@theJE55]

Oh and a coil tap. I forgot

[@marcavus1]

"How does that apply to guitar? Oh, I'm so glad you asked. But why aren't you subscribed to the channel yet?" Gave me a chuckle so I re-subscribed!

[@daddio307]

It really would be great if Epiphone and even Squier heeded this. An open pore, 'unfinished ' style guitar would shave off a lot of cost but would still be attractive. If the build quality and playability is there, that's really all that matters.

[@worthmoremusic]

I love my new PRS ! I've had over a month now. It's the identical guitar to the SE CE 24 has a mahogany body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard with the same hardware and electronics...the ONLY difference is the mahogany body does not have the glossy maple veneer top. Also keep in mind it's $200 less !!! I have the vintage cherry red. It's incredibly resonant...

[@evolv_85]

Just looking at those Vox amps made me tingle! 🤩

[@rodger7541]

I've had my 96 CE from new, but rarely play it since getting my SE McCarty. Its that good.

[@BenFentem]

The PRS SE CE24 appears to have the same heel/neck plate as the SE Silver Sky and the SE Swamp Ash Special

[@kenmccomb8388]

I've owned mine for a couple of months now and I like playing it more than I do my Santana 3.

[@cbfrider]

I think I will have to get used to VideoEFX like zoooming-in-and-out and cutting between several cameras and all that stuff I didn't miss in the old studio (I wish I wouldn't have to)... But still, thank you, keep up the good work :)

[@TheMerc1950]

Looking forward to your review of the PRS!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

You and me both!

[@johnsurreal]

Your videos always cheer me up, keep going Andy! Cheers!

[@RobertFisher1969]

I got my first PRS last year…a SE CE 24…which was on sale for only $60 more than the new Standard version. I’ll probably pick up one of the Standards eventually to convert to a hard-tail. Beyond that, though, it isn’t much of a gateway, because I don’t see myself getting anymore PRS after that. The PRS are workhorses, but I don’t need more than two workhorses. But the Squier Paranormals keep letting me add variety to my stable for when I want something different.

[@dougckelly]

That Arc studio product is genius.

[@backlom]

Nice new studio!!

[@thomascoolberth2648]

I'd take the PRS .. but i'd like it in hardtail (no trem). Maybe PRS could whip that out for $475. And (hint , hint) get rid of that tone knob .. seems like $450 could be in play.

[@omen3766]

My pick of the week...same old Andy!

[@camhaines5482]

One thing that never gets demoed properly is the Bassman side on the 68 deluxe reverb (silver face). It rocks!

[@garyoneill5648]

Yer that’s a great price for the prs my gut is saying this does for prs what the gio did for Ibanez ❤️‍🔥awesome job Andy 🎉

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Great point mate. I’m looking forward to trying one

[@daleturner3507]

I had kinda assumed that Maestro would have been used for more than just pedals. I had figured that Gibson would compete with Squier. Leaving Epiphone to compete with PRS SE and Fender MIM.

[@allanflippin2453]

Andy, Actually, Epiphone Les Pauls and SGs can be had for $499 as well. Did I miss something?

[@AllThingmac]

I think I want the turquoise one also. Is that price serious???

[@marquisdecarabas1312]

I think we have different types of homes. 15watt tube would be way way too loud for my appartment...even the 10watt version.😅 I wish they would have build in an attenuator ore something because this Red is great and i love Vox amps anyways. The PRS is interesting. I think The neck joint has changed to keep the price down. Not shure but maybe this type of neckjoint is easier to make and/ore lower in production costs. Anyways, i like it... Never bought a PRS and always wanted the Santana one because the bodyshape is lovley. Maybe i give this new ones a try next time i visit thomanns store here in Bavaria. ✌🏻 Thanks for the clip and have a nice week 🙃

[@Artymofo13]

If we were a smart bunch, we should grab one of those Cort guitars. Value wise it's a no-brainer. However, we seem to care a little too much about what other guitar geeks think about the name on our headstocks....

[@norseatheart1086]

What is a "stackered tuner", Andy? ;)

[@saarangnarayan123]

My pick of the week is the new studio!!!!! Looks slick! It does need a touch of a little more red/black something something tho 😉 The cort looks really cool. I just feel like the headstock needs a little bit of a redesign tho. The specs are hard to argue against!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I totally agree! Red and black will be added somehow...

[@leemillward1866]

I'm very interested. Is it me or do uncovered black humbuckers just ruin the look and make it look cheap.

[@iainjohnston4070]

Looking forward to the PRS video

[@stevecassidyguitar]

Oooh! Fancy Corts! 😀👍 Awesome TWIG mate! 😎👌 Idk why, but for some reason, I'm ok with Cort having pricier options - They deserve it. They need to work on that headstock shape though 😬 But for some reason, I'm not ok with Epiphone's pricier options 🤔 I need to address my unconscious Bias 🤔

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I hear you. Hard to stay sane with epiphone pricing sometimes

[@michaeleaster1815]

12:40 I can't tell if "WUH" means the "Lenght" typo was intentional... confused... ha ha

[@GitShiddy]

I do like that PRS has gone slumming with the Classic Vibes, even a bolt on ...bless. That said a quick low-high search of Epiphone & PRS on my local big box retailer showed 33 Epiphone models cheaper & 141 Squiers cheaper than this cheapest PRS. Is it a better guitar than all of them? Maybe. But it's got plenty of competition, even from Epiphone. That said the best thing is that ARC box. I think that's genius & incredibly useful.

[@sk8guitars]

The prs sec standard is 7-800 euro in sweden. I would be happy if it was 499 euros

[@Socializedbyantisocials]

What is that red single pickup on the right? I need it now!

[@johngonzales8224]

access for upper register.

[@jacobbockover1628]

Hmm ive had se and s2 just never jelled with them. Maybe that one? Maybe somebody will buy the s2. Or maybe ill give up on prs

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

The SE 24 is Indonesian, and it's only worth $500. The price is very good. For what it is, most players would be great playing one.

[@TVsBen]

That weird heel is new with the SE bolt-ons from last year. The USA CE24 has no extra heel, just a longer neck tenon to grab hold of. I'm not a fan of this version.

[@RobertNolan]

I'm really trying my hardest to not buy the PRS SE CE24 Satin. I played it, I loved it, but I'm just not truly an HH player - even though I definitely liked it. If this is the litmus test for a more budget line and it works, they put out an HSS or McCarty style, I'm certainly done for. Take my money.

[@Lutzifer31337]

the Cort MGMs are super desirable instruments for example :D

[@tonybowen455]

I'd play the prs's in store first. The se's have a lot of hype and rightfully so, but when I was briefly in gc a few months ago, I thought the squire classic series guitars were better. The s2 series used is an incredible value. Always ymmv though. Maybe I just had good luck with the s2's. I do want to get my hands on the satin se ce. It sounds better than a lot of cores over youtube. It must be the bolt on neck. Also, I've been out of the loop since covid, so I haven't tried any of the newer se's like the dgt.

[@akwamarsunzal]

Cort! Amazing guitars! They are reaching into the same price range realm as Epiphone!

[@greenfly1264]

I beg to differ, you must have got lucky, Cort are poor compared to Samick or Shien made Indonesia Epiphones and Squire guitars

[@akwamarsunzal]

@@greenfly1264 Beg as much as you wish my friend, my experince of Cort guitars is one of quality and finish. Thats why the Cort factory is chosen by PRS, Fender et al 🙂

[@akwamarsunzal]

@@greenfly1264 As far as I remember the Cort factory make Indonesian Epiphones and Squier too... Do you want to beg again? 🤣

[@jimmcdougall9973]

NAMM feedback over? I saw a photo of you interviewing Christoph Kemper, but no video?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Definitely not over. I have SO many videos left to air

[@FrankFurther]

I have a cort x700 Duality II (another fantastic name). Traded three guitars and £300 for it. It's the best guitar I have ever owned out of dozens. Ebony fretboard, flame maple cap (not a veneer), stainless steel frets and more. Absolute bargain

[@FrankFurther]

It also looks wayyyy better

[@akwamarsunzal]

Look forward to that PRS review Andy! I cannot stand them 🤣 Maybe a cheaper one will sound, play, feel better 🤣🤣

[@seanrosedotcom]

I played one of the new PRS SE CE 24 Satin at GC a couple days ago, and it was amazing. Extraordinary value and it's a great instrument. Go check one out!

[@chasbee]

Epiphone: "Ya, We're going the other way, thanks... $$$$$"

[@peterhall4852]

I think ...the PRS. Tne 500 buck point is so competitive. I seem to recall that was the orginal price point of SEs. I dod the same with the Tremonti. Looked ...didnt buy...regretted it. I was in BAX today looking at a Gretch streamliner at 486 bucks and their duo jet os great. The Cort is great...no one will buy one. Id probably look at a Pacifica or Schecter before a Cort.

[@bks252]

I have a SE Paul’s guitar. It plays great but the pickups are weak and the tuners feel cheap. They’re holding up so it must be just the feel. My main issue is the weak and dull sounding pickups.

[@marekgitarzysta5193]

15W of tube power is not too much for home use - do you live in a castle or something?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

How dare you address me directly, peasant! 😂 Sorry… 15watts of Vox AC is great for keeping the clean headroom and if you want crunch, use a boost and / or an attenuator

[@cpoyet4107]

PRS wik Ikea wood maybe...

[@rebeccagarner2576]

I really like this geek…!

[@razorwind5949]

Cant decide between red and turquoise 😫

[@DoriasLives]

I have the red , it's stunning to look at...any video or pic doesn't do it it any justice when seeing it in the flesh :)

[@razorwind5949]

@@DoriasLives got the red one aswell

[@leonardharverson8660]

Heya Andy… Is it just me, or does the new studio have a different sound? The acoustics sound different - and I’m not a fan! I always listen through studio quality headphones so I’m pretty certain it’s nothing my end affecting it…

[@smartmammal9926]

Looks more Keisel, than Ibanez

[@ronnielobosmith4870]

The question is can you get a p r s under five hundred trucks

[@aprilkurtz1589]

Hi Andy! Love the new look and studio! You're my pick of the week. Who makes that coral colored guitar? I got GAS immediately when I laid eyes on it. PRS is desperate to get people who rock to play their guitars! Just kidding, sort of. I owned a PRS SE Mike(?) Mushock baritone. I played it a lot for three months. It had a baseball bat-like thick neck on it, too much for my dainty girl hands, LOL! I'm a big fan of '60's era Gibson speed necks with the barely there frets. I've got too many guitars, so I gave the PRS to my bass teacher. At least it's getting played now.

[@kevinmartin4634]

Ok,ok, Corts new shred machine has a “open pore” (read very little) finish to makes it resonate better and it’s $1499. PRS’s new budget guitar has a open poor finish to save money and it’s $499. I have a feeling you’ll be seeing those Corts on sale for $599 next Christmas. How stupid do the guitar manufacturers think we are?

[@billyaitken7461]

🇦🇺 we iz so poor & disadvantaged 🙄😞🎸….. but my first guitar was a PRS single cut😏

[@RivieraOrthodontics]

13:54 touché

[@a.j.garrett9639]

Apparently Vox did the same thing 9 years ago with these right apps. Or at least that's what it appears like when I do a search for these on KZbin and find a 9-year-old video

[@PooNinja]

1000 condors! 11:59 🤣

[@theJE55]

How are you everywhere??

[@PooNinja]

@@theJE55 Almost. Everywhere thats fun anyway.

[@theJE55]

@@PooNinja indeedily doodily

[@Phatzo1000]

15 3/4

[@sesa2984]

I like/respect Cort, but I OFFICIALLY HATE the sanded bevelled sides finished top look on guitars. I don't know who ever wanted that. But it tried to be cool fo rfar too long now and I want it to go away. Its so lame. It just screams, "Guy who doesn't play anything you like."

[@sesa2984]

Cort also needs just a good headstock and their own thing. I know its not super easy to do, but G&L did something I actually like. Cort can too. Don't get me wrong, I'm on Cort's side, but I think being trendy and not "Instantly classic" is NOT. They need to make the mark that "Here is your consistent quality alternative that has already basically made a name for itself." I know revstar isnt killing it, but even if they had their own "real" guitar like that it would be cool, and I would respect that. But even a solid tele alternative that wasn't TOO FRICKIN LAME, would be amenable. Cort is awesome, and probably made half the guitars I grew to love.

[@SimonCustomGuitars]

Each to their own - I love it! I particularly like when a proper top of a different wood is cut through to the back to give a clean line on the arm carve. It's a lot more work and not that easy to finish well (I guess CNC helps here). (Yes - I build guitars ...)

[@FrankFurther]

​@@SimonCustomGuitarslike the cort Duality II x700. I guess they ran out of mahogony and flamed maple

[@GuitarBailey]

We need a chicken pickin pedal for people who can't quite nail it😅

[@Xaltar_]

Way to go PRS. Gibson has fully lost me, again, but this time not only Gibson USA but Epiphone too. Sorry, Epiphone is meant to be the "affordable" option not the "if it's cheap it's crap and if it's not crap it's overpriced" brand. It's made in China so why is it costing Gibson money? While PRS has always been a higher price option it has never pretended to be anything else. If PRS is making a sub $500 model then there is no reason Epiphone should be charging so much. OK, bolt on neck, blah blah blah, it's not actually (significantly) more expensive to make a set neck in China. No excuse for $600 guitars being priced at $1000+, sorry, not sorry. Great vid Andy.

[@waveslave]

Noah’s Arc

[@schissgring]

Ibanez desireabillity? Nah.... there are a lot of Ibanez guitars that cost new like 4000 and then you can get them used for 1500... it's sad but true

[@nieko3038]

PRS is not my brand but that’s affordable.

[@jogmas12]

Cheap guitars is all I can afford

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Like how all animals are slowly evolving to become crabs. Prs is slowly evolving to be more Squier like. They started out as multi color flamed tops with set necks. They are moving to bolt on solid color plain wood. Not that I hate it. But all unique designs eventually take on what’s popular and similar to other brands.

[@Tijuanabill]

Why change your personal look, when it's already on the cutting edge of fashion, setting the trend for everyone? 😂😂🤣🤣

[@sgtmac62]

Epiphone? Shinny Chinny? 100% Chibson? Nope.

[@marcarcoria7672]

I can't trust cort ever again after the 80's models .........

[@spearchuckerbear2817]

Because Gibson sucks.

[@kas14244]

correct it's none of your business!

[@royalslim2024]

The new prs super dull looking guitar

[@bikeman1x11]

that prs is nice but its a bolt on so not worth $500

[@PhilLament]

Please explain why a bolt-on neck guitar is not worth $500.

[@bikeman1x11]

@@PhilLament cheaper and easier to produce and easy enought to build your own for far less bolt on=cheap like fender

[@PhilLament]

@@bikeman1x11 Are Fender & Squier guitars worth $500?

[@bikeman1x11]

@@PhilLament nope - i built my own partscasters for far less and they play and sound bette rthan any overpriced fender

[@PhilLament]

@@bikeman1x11 Cool, thanks for sharing!