USA Paul Reed Smith vs Korean PRS SE

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[@douglovestheinternet]

It's amazing that they make one model for dentists, and another for people struggling in dental school.

[@strat6258]

antidentite

[@TeensierPython]

Where’s the guitar for the guy struggling to pay for a dental visit?

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

I may have told this story before, but I got a great new deal on the custom se 24 in trampas green. Everything perfect but the high e looked slightly pushed inward. The dealer told me to email the service dept at Paul Reed. They called me within 6 hours saying they wanted to see that guitar personally. Emailed me a ups label in minutes and off it went. Called me 3 days later and said they are scrapping it. It was approx .5mm off. The service manager told me he was hand picking one for me to get in 2 days and asked if he could help me further for the inconvenience. He set it up personally with the American nut and I had in in 2 days. That's the kind of company Paul Reed Smith is. I'm in for life. I've actually been treated almost as well by Taylor. Martin has been nice too. Fender was normal and I've only purchased 1 brand new Gibson and not contacted them yet. The se is fantastic. I love them and it. I trust them more than any company to hell you out. Playing both the USA and the prs I would buy the se over and over again. Of course I managed to get it for almost 25% off but besides the point :) thanks for the video, Phil.

[@TheDistortionPrinciple]

damn bro lol small world to find you here. I need to come try out tour PRS. I am thinking of buying this

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

+sidereal93 wait... We know each other? Who are ya, brah?

[@TheDistortionPrinciple]

+Bobby Wolfe hmm not sure now I know a guy in a band with same name in Enterprise

You should try Erni Ball Music Man as well. Amazing guitars and the costumer service is the best!!!

[@wildebeast6065]

Sadly this was the norm just only 25- 30 years ago with most good American companies. Customer service was always priority one and should be! Us customers are helping to pay the rent! Hopefully one day soon the rest will look back and see that is where they have gone wrong.

[@CunningStuntsGoFast]

this guy is unique , while knowing whats what in guitarland hes unbiased telling us why it is the way it is , very rare nowadays unfortunatly

[@rmzzz76]

Yep. Just presents the facts. When opinion is injected there is no arrogance. No wonder this is working well for him.

[@gregmerritt9366]

Exactly what earned him a sub from me.

[@EverydayMusician]

I'm a big fan of Paul Reed Smith and his guitars...not just because I'm from Maryland, but I agree that the quality and attention to detail makes a difference. I was just at the factory over the weekend and it was really great to see the process in person. I appreciate your making of this video, Phil. Thanks.

[@TheNovemberNights]

Phil, your fine dining restaurant analogy towards the end is SPOT on! I love my Custom 22 for all the same reasons, but would not hesitate on purchasing an SE.

[@WoodesosGuitarMods]

I love getting all this information from someone who really knows all about these details. It's doubley nice to see a shop owner who knows so much about the product they sell. I'd shop at your store for sure if you were local:-) Thanks for another great vid!

[@soulshaker68]

+Woodeso's Guitar Mods He is local..... to me. ;o)

[@paulwebb6263]

Man, I really like your presentation and knowledge. Thanks for putting such a quality video out!

[@adamsabaz2415]

Thank you so much for this review. I bought myself a Korean SC and couldn't be happier!

[@Meursault86]

First time I've gone through youtube and realized that I've met the guy in the video. Great review.

[@hawkeye8954]

Thank you Phillip. I got a PRS SE with some dings in the body at GC for really cheep. What really made this guitars greatness come out was the set up I had done at a small shop down the street from GC in Pasadena, CA. Maybe you already have a video on set up (and I know there are many on you tube),. If you don't, I would be interested in seeing your presentation on choosing how to select a tech. or shop to do this. You are very knowledgable and have a great passion for guitars. Sam

[@fatequalsflavor]

Dude. Thank you for what you do. I had just ordered a SE Custom 22 and was a little worried about the difference in quality but mainly tonal quality. Great great great information, and I can't hear a difference in tone on your video. You set my mind at ease. Thank you.

[@ramoncete89]

dude your videos are awesome!!! You talk about what people really need to know! Cheers from Argentina

[@darkstaarzero]

The new (2019) models actually say “Paul Reed Smith” SE. The “SE” is also smaller and less noticeable on the 2018+ models.

[@jakecal6802]

butch marks great point. They look soooo much better.

[@LSlick622]

I mean this video is 5 years old at this point

[@henryalvarez6284]

My 2019 does say Paul Reed Smith se. Made in Korea. The same factory as the one that does not have the signature. I guess this makes mine a real PRS Paul Reed Smith

[@spawnkiller97]

the 2017 se models have the paul reed smith signature on them

[@emmawebber9438]

Would like to see a new review with the 2017 models which have upgraded 85/15 pattern pick-ups. I love the semi-hollow 2017 Zack Myers in Trampas Green, and the semi-hollow baritone. :-D

[@RJKANEAO]

spawnkiller97 yes and they look and sound great.. one of the best Prs guitars I ever played was a S2 version. The Vela.. great guitar

[@Scythan]

That was my question throughout this video. I have a Mark Holcomb SE that clearly (like all SEs 2017+) says Paul Reed Smith on the stock. I heard a rumor that Paul himself did this because he was irked at people implying that the SE's were somehow lower-quality instruments. Paul wanted to make sure it was known he does not make low-quality instruments. Likewise, the manager of the botique I bought it from tells me that the real difference in SE to Core is, like McKnight said, pickups, pots and an overall attention to detail. The Mark Holcomb guitar has custom pots that feel like active ones, the high-resistance slow turning knobs, and because it's a Signature, the pickups are selected by the artist; in this case Seymour-Duncan Alpha-Omega. The nut is also tusk (though not truly bone) and the thicker quilted maple is given a "bloodburst" soak in red dye to compliment the grey. I'm actually curious where the cost-saving measures on the guitar are, given these factors, and I assume they are in the input jack, frets and bridge, primarily. I've had a few so-called "corksniffers" and luthiophiles sneer at me over the SE label (which is hard to see under the Paul Reed Smith signature and my 11-size strings) but in all cases this seems to be a matter of elitism over which latitude and longitude a guitar is constructed in. At $945 for this thing, that captures that Duncan sound with PRS sustain I certainly can't be troubled about anything like that!!

[@VinceRhoads]

spawnkiller97 ü00""0"0"

[@VinceRhoads]

Emma Webbeüä

[@mikeydelara]

GREAT summary. I've always loved PRS's and just purchased the Korean SE and am surprised and delighted with it. I dig your POV and how you're taking everything into consideration.

[@huskvarsm]

I love your channel Phillip you are straight fair and not influenced by big or small players builders etc long may your channel run.

[@dcflake5645]

If PRS are LTD and Paul Reed Smith are ESP that means there is nothing wrong with a PRS guitar from my experience.

[@AlexBuckMaurer]

Wauw this video is god damn informative!!!! Thank you! A big difference that i didn't notice before is the bodyshape.. It has a more drastic carve to the American one. Once again - Thank you for making this!

[@prtauvers]

Alex Buck ...also, on the core the knobs are recessed into the body, unlike the SE

[@CurlyTop1492]

Very detailed comparison. Exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks!

[@Niloy63]

Great review, man! Unbiased presentation, to the point explanation of each product, with an opinion at the end. That's how it's done!

[@ReaperRooney]

i actually like the sound on the prs better, i used to own a korean prs tremonti and i loved it, that thing would not go out of tune no matter how much a smashed the tremolo system, i kick myself in the ass everyday for getting rid of that guitar, good video bro keep it up

[@MrStephenlederle]

I have Two PRS SE models, a Custom 24 and a Zach Myers 245. I have replaced the pickups and electronics in both with dimarzio pick ups and switchcraft selectors and jacks, as well as USA made pots and wires. I have also replaced the tuners with Gotoh tuners. I can't begin to describe the tonal and quality improvement these mods have made. I did all the upgrades for around $800 for both. So with the price of the guitars (with tax) and the upgrades Ive paid $2198 for TWO amazing guitars that beat the pants off my USA Fenders and Gibsons I currently own.

[@luiscarlosvillanueva2510]

Agree With you! I have the 2017 PRS SE Custom 24, I replace the Pickups with Dimarzio PAF36TH, CTS pots, 3 way new switch blabe, High Qualiy New Capacitors, replace all the cables and a swichtcraft jack, Magic!!

[@jerryx2000]

_Hey man I also have the SE 2017. Are you an advanced player? Was the upgrade worth it? Did you make a video? This is mine: __kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4aqooB8Zah5mtWT

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

You should try Tom Anderson's noisless P-90's. They look terrific and sound great.

[@daw162]

Mods will make your guitar sound like a more expensive guitar, but they're tough if you ever go a different direction. Nobody will pay guitar price plus any appreciable percentage of the mods (and you end up putting the stock stuff back in the guitars). That can make for an opportunity as a buyer, though - I like to buy guitars that are done up like yours where someone else takes the loss. If you find an SE that has a neck profile that you like (even that can be changed on a guitar that doesn't cost that much), more money spent (perhaps after some hardware changes) won't make for a better playing guitar. Same with the CEs - they can be really cheap used and they must plek them at the factory or something - they're pin straight and don't have the violin rout that the classic PRS guitars have, but they're super players. Fishing around with the electronics costs hundreds, but not thousands. Takes a little wind out of the sails of someone like me who likes to have some guitars that are in the $3K range used, as those used to be the only guitars that were finished as well and made as straight.

[@profd65]

Shit, you replaced everything on the guitars; they should sound better. The replacement parts and labor is more than the cost of the guitars.

[@chrismenezes2032]

I've been researching for my next electric for a while, and this was probably the most insightful video i've found on the American-made Paul Reed Smith, vs. the Korean-made PRS, as well as the quality of Korean-made guitars in general. Thanks!

[@paulboomer4794]

I bought the newer SE Standard Santana. Pretty nice guitar for $500. plus a really nice gig bag. Great video again, Phillip. Thanks!

[@12ealDealOfficial]

I have both a Korean SE and a USA Custom 24. The differences are small. If you upgrade the saddles, tuners, knobs, tone block, nut, and pickups, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two unless you pay very close attention to the finishes.

[@DetVen]

I did all of that to my Tremonti SE, expect kept the huge hardened aluminum block tailpiece because I believe this is where the guitar gets a lot of it's tone from.

[@pedroabdala7232]

I have a Mark Holcomb PRS SE. It plays amazing and sounds incredible. The only problem I had with it was that I felt like the plastic nut deadened the sound a bit, but I replaced it with a Graphtech nut for $12 and immediately saw huge improvement. PRS is a great company.

[@graelhudek6638]

Straight dope, Phillip! Excellent, knowledgeable comparison. Well done, Sir.

[@luketanner7638]

Thanks for this! I love the minute detail comparisons!

[@nicholascremato]

I am in love with the PRS SE guitars. The Bernie is my favorite guitar of all time, I love it more than any of my Les Pauls and if Paul reed smith would come out with a USA Bernie model I would buy it in a second!

[@seandaniel23]

Fantastic job man. And all off the top of your head!

[@shenruivah]

Sean Daniel eyyyy

[@SHXI_351]

Sean hello

[@DaveViner]

I really enjoy you're videos, unbiased full of facts and interesting! Glad I subbed!

[@69telecasterplayer]

Well done. Thanks for the comparison. I just purchased a SE Standard 24-08. Should arrive tomorrow. So thankful for these products being available. Truly the golden age of guitars.

[@joepisciottajr5841]

Phil, I'm glad you're doing longer videos now, I didn't like the 5 minute format. We all wait for your stuff every week and only 5 minutes doesn't cut it. I'm sure we all agree on this. You probably are my favorite go to guitar video channel and hope there is a 1 sitting next to your name when I sign on. Keep up the good work.

[@boboliver5907]

+Joe Pisciotta Jr I feel the same way.

[@TheDyingScotsman]

PRS SE's now say "Paul Reed Smith" btw ;)

[@CaipoLiew]

I feel very comfort with his talk about guitar , he really understand consumer's question and always giving an objective point of view ! thks man , I know what i should get now

[@genio957]

Thank you Philip, very interesting anc clear, you gave me the informations I needed and you helped me to make my mind up!

[@billmcbride3355]

Nice review. One correction - SE doesn't stand for "Student Edition." Paul has stated in interviews that it just means SE, and nothing else, noting specifically he would never market a guitar just to students, as he wants people to gig his guitars, whether Korean made or MIA. The misinformation began from a guitar mag interview with Carlos Santana many years ago where he said/guessed what SE stood for.

[@ryleitdept]

so much like the PRS on that SE

[@irideaduck939]

Phil thanks for the great summary and getting into the details. I picked up a scratchless PRS SE 2014 for $275 last year ... love that guitar.

[@lostlatinlover]

I learn so much from your videos. Thanks for that!

[@llwellyn1]

Very informative...thanks for producing. I've only owned one electric guitar, a Paul Reed Smith which I purchased new in 1996. It felt and sounded great from the second I picked it up in the store.

[@kutsumiru]

The flametop looks amazing on the Paul Reed Smith

[@greatvanzini]

Thanks so much. Would love to see an S2 comparison. I use SE's & more or less consider them as disposable guitars. If I bought the fancy schmancy USA models I would hold myself still & not breathe while playing for fear of scratching it. So, Se's for me as I can bang them around & not worry.. I literally do get more BANG for the buck

[@miblish5168]

The next time you are disposing of one, let me know ;)

[@LawDogg]

I enjoy your very informative videos, you have a wonderful way of explaining things to the lay person. Thank you.

[@MindSculpture1]

I’ve got two PRS SE custom 24’s and am very happy with them. Really lovely, versatile guitars. Play great and sound great.

[@Emogal1991]

My SE Custom 24 sounds better than my Gibson SG Standard. I'm still pretty salty about that.

[@trevorsaunar3158]

Why are you salty about it?

[@trevorsaunar3158]

@Possumlove from where I'm from prs guitars are more expensive than Gibson. Gibson Sg standards are usually cheap

[@Kylora2112]

@Possumlove A new SE Custom 24 is around $850 US (mid-high tier for standard production imports...$1200 being like, super top end), and a Standard Modern SG is $1500 (which puts it at the lower end for American standard production guitars...same as a Strat and Tele...about the only way to get cheaper US guitars is a bone-stock Kiesel bolt-on [like, $1200] or a purposely built entry-level model from Gibson/Fender). But yeah, import PRS SEs are some of the most quality built instruments out there. Not quite as good as my Kiesels or my LTD James Hetfield Snakebyte, but it's a great guitar for someone who doesn't want to spend a lot.

[@jackturner8618]

Capt Fantastic where do you live 😮😮

[@abcrx32j]

@@trevorsaunar3158 Maybe because the Gibson didn't live up for the price. But seriously, which Gibson does?

[@canadablake]

“Cork sniffer”. That cracked me up.

[@playmeavid]

Great vid! I didn't know much about PRS or SE before. Enjoy your weekend.

[@chucksguitarshop]

Nice thorough review. It's always good to hear someone say something positive.

[@jdavis.fw303]

From working at GC for about 3 years I always found the PRS SE to be great sounding guitars and they look pretty and the fit and finish is decent except for a lot of the bird inlays look pretty hokey and cheap. Also not sure how consistent it is but every SE we got in, the tuners were pretty bad about holding tune. They held fine for a song or 3 depending on how hard you play but they just don't hold. All our guitars had the bar removed so people wouldn't steal them so it wasn't people dive bombing either. Change the tuners out and those are fantastic guitars all around.

[@RocktCityTim]

In headphones, I could hear the difference between the two in clean settings - the Paul Reed Smith had a slightly warmer mid range. However, in overdrive, they were almost identical to the point that it took a histogram of the sound between 200Hz and 4KHz to "see" the difference. Granted, this is a KZbin video and it's only as good as KZbin allows, but I suspect that what I heard is pretty accurate. For my money, I'll take 4 PRS Korean-made over one Paul Reed Smith Maryland and still have change for my string habit :).

[@TheVail1234]

the best reviews ever! thank you so much! whenever you can,and if you want of course,do a review between the SE Custom 22 vs SE Custom 24!

[@UriahRoxx]

My 2001 PRS Santana SE ( with a set of Duncans in it) has been pretty much my " go to" guitar since I bought it back then. I've been probably playing it 90% of the time over my hot rodded 1975 Fender Strat and any of the others guitars that I've owned (and sold) since then. Love that wide fat neck and I will more than likely end up getting one or two more SE's as well. As usual, great video Phillip!

[@jamescronos348]

Thanks for the info. You helped me with my decision. I will buy two SE and still have money to take the wife and kids to a nice dinner.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

+James Cronos Well they will like that for sure.

[@TrevorPrinceMusic]

This is exactly what I did. I bought a 2017 custom 24 SE (with the signature) and a SE custom 22. For half the cost. And I gig with both quite a bit. And I had enough to get me a helix

[@miblish5168]

@@PhillipMcKnight - Buy 3 and take them to McDonalds.

[@manchiloco]

nice review corgan!

[@RichardCowdrey]

This is an outstanding review. Practical. Reasonable. Useful. Well done.

[@sugarcaneross]

This was actually a great review man. Well done.

[@stoned_kapre]

i have 3 se, standard 22 w/ lace hammer claw set, custom 24 w emg 81x/85x, and a tim mahoney se w emg81/60....... they're great.

[@shukyto]

Love your videos! And Paul Reed Smith guitars too :)

[@b.j.surfdog3724]

This Video was enlightening, thank you for your efforts. I'm looking at getting a PRS in the future and info gathering currently. The catalog of models has staggered me but this helps alot.

[@rockincovers3269]

Great Video.. i use to play only Ibanez Rg 570 's guitars Super fast thin necks - MIJ Now i'm Hooked on PRS Se 24 They Rock... Great Price ,very happy !!!

[@khjfud]

Phil, would you please do a video about Carvin guitars? I hear great things about them but I am not sure what sets them apart from non-Carvins.

[@calokid]

I played an SE in a store and the cap on the pickup switch popped off. The parts are cheaper than the expensive models, including the pickups. I have a Custom 24 and even unplugged, I can't believe how sweet and musical its tone is. Plugged into an amp, it has many more personalities than SEs I've played. So, the quality, the tone, and the beauty make it worth the money.

[@gustavjakubicka8821]

Carlos Castaneda

[@joshfoss7407]

why not buy the cheap guitar and spend $200 on nut/bridge electronics upgrades?

[@jackforsey1622]

wow phil...awesome video. have only just discovered your channel..great stuff man. i have a prs SE custom 24 and its great to get some more info about it. think it's a fantastic guitar. can't believe you don't have more subscribers...this channel is amazing for any guitar lover

[@dustydreams5940]

Actually got myself an SE 2 weeks ago. I'm overjoyed with it, even cooler is the Paul Reed Smith signature on the headstock with a really small se below it. This video made me want one and I have you to thank for my new work horse.

[@Tech875O]

There's no question the American made PRS sounds better than the SE counterpart, as it should. The real question is whether it's worth 4-6 times the value. If you're a beginner starting out, you're probably best to go with the SE line. However, if you're an advanced player and/or play live shows, don't skimp out, go with the best money can buy. Cheers!

[@Chris741113]

Being a beginner shouldn't be a factor, if you can afford a US ones, then why not?

[@Sublight77]

ive been ripping metal guitar for 30 years now, and the modded se i have with american pups is just fine. the full american made has a slightly, and i mean slightly fuller sound in some tonal ranges, but the se with nearly the same pups is right with it. theres something about the se too that i just play the hell out of it, i could never get into gigging and practice in the heat and all with a $3k guitar, its just too much to spend to me personally, its too nice lol. i mean that with no disrespect to those who have that level guitar.

[@owenhofmann-smith2203]

I could certainly hear the difference in the two listening examples at the end of the video. More richness, brilliance and complexity in the sound of the American Paul Reed Smith. I have a Korean but now you've lit my fire to get the real thing (when I graduate from supporting myself on 50 dollar gigs). :-)

[@shawnbailey5999]

Always like your review videos, fair, objective, and you speak to the stuff the "average" guy like me is listening for.

[@Bluelightbandit]

Thanks for sharing! I am currently looking at a Paul Reed Smith for my next guitar and this video helped with my decision.

[@thearoom]

love your comment, buy one $3200 guitar or several $700 guitars....classic..

[@kenmasters007]

buy a rolex or 100 timex watches... when the price gap widens so much, its like buying luxury goods. There will always be a market for it.

[@ergbudster3333]

Buy 1 Lambo or 25 Kias. Um. Naw.

[@daw162]

Or, buy one $3200 guitar (check the used market and make sure it's not $1600 used - and if it is, just buy one used instead) and several $700 guitars. Buy well price-wise and you'll never have to worry about the price because sites like reverb make it easy to get your money back. Just don't be a dingus and buy something on those sites for 30% more than recent sales history, as there's always 50 of something on reverb and 3 of those 50 are actually priced to sell. The rest of them are people who will sell if they can get an absurd price (to fund collecting) or people who professionally relist other listings.

[@daw162]

The only lambo worth buying as an investment is probably one of their used tractors.

[@motokev]

It's a mental thing where people want the desired guitar. I've owned at least 5 PRS over the years, the pricy ones. I recently bought a USED PRS SE custom 24 for $450 used. Let me say, it feels and sounds just as god as the pricy ones. But, my brain keeps telling me I want a pricy PRS again.

[@daw162]

Well, you have to look at the guitar sometimes while you're playing. That's the draw with the expensive ones. The giant gap between cheap and expensive guitars that existed years ago has been closed by competition and improvements in tooling. I'm sure the number of hand hours spent on a guitar has dropped considerably, too - just because the tooling roughs out a better guitar to start with before any finish work is done. And the plek - once the plek is done to a $1100 guitar, it'll feel like a premium guitar. Not that it can't be matched by hand, but doing that has a price higher than plek in production.

[@ahiwalter9153]

I will concur about the looks, my PRS SE 22 plays great but I would never mistake that top for my friends flamed neck & gorgeous top on his Custom 24 haha I love the guitar still

[@Coneman3]

That's branding psychology for you. We are brainwashed to want the real deal, even if the extra benefits are imaginary or so minor they're not worth it.

[@earlnagle5324]

Phil I always enjoy your American or top notch comparison to more affordable / still looks like the real deal thank you

[@giovannifarinacci4533]

Very helpful review. I am thinking about a PRS and now I know the difference. Thanks, Joe in Canada

[@edwardcullenhotass]

World guitars from Korea are great guitars, no doubt, but I still think Ibanez Prestige and ESP are top-quality Japanese guitars.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

They are no doubt about it, but the price is getting pretty high

[@willkupers]

+Phillip McKnight . certainly right about that. Sometimes even priceless.

[@Sublight77]

that is spot on, and i second the idea of the mini locking tuners

[@MaestroJericho]

@@greekfreak1980 The Gotoh locking tuners are direct drop ins as well. The stock tuners aren't too bad but the nuts are really cheap like you said.

[@brandonanderson2066]

You buy the one that inspires you to play everyday. Traded many lower line guitars for two American made guitars. No regrets.

[@starrsart]

Hey Man, thanks for this video. I found a PRS SE as a return item on a site almost half off. The cherry burst flame top with creme binding was the one. This video really helped me understand what I was getting and the deal I was getting.

[@darrinmcgann]

I really love your longer gear vids!

[@itsmartinvivek]

Can you do a Gio Ibanez vs Ibanez RG comparison? Or have you already done one? Only one difference I've noticed is just the fact it doesn't stay in tune very long.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

+Martin Vivekananda Gio vs Japan mad RG or Indonesian RG?

[@itsmartinvivek]

+Phillip McKnight I'm not sure which is which. I know there's standards, premium and prestige RGs but I'm not sure where they're made from.. I meant a comparison with the standard RGs

+Martin Vivekananda Yeah, Phil pls make a nice video about Ibanez guitars! :)

[@utooberblooper]

+Martin Vivekananda the visual cues are different,the wood is different,the fret board and neck are different,the pickups are different,the tuners are different,the bridges are different,the electronics are definitely different and the fit and finish are different. gios are great beginner guitar and can be had daily used for under $100, rg's can be had for usually double that and up.you can find rg's cheaper if you look hard and have patience.

[@Jared-nu2tz]

dude, I've owned both gio Ibanez and Ibanez rg. There is no comparison. Gio's are a pile of complete shit, while the rg series are great guitars. That's like comparing a Squire Bullet strat to an American Standard strat lmao

[@conradkriel6279]

Great review but what a complete lot of nonsense being spouted off by viewers. I have a Bernie marsden prs SE with an upgraded doug Aldrich bridge pickup & I would challenge anyone who says they can tell the difference between this & a USA model prs to do so in a straight blindfold test. I play through a Hughes & kettner grandmeister 36 head (all valve) & have been playing for 20 years+. Given that both guitars are solid mahogany with flame maple top & same neck material - tell me if we changed pickups so that they were exactly the same - how could you possibly tell the difference. Compromises have been made on the Korean models but they are compromises which can be changed at very low cost !! Change the pickups, the nut & if you want the caps etc (I have not changed electronics and don't plan to) and you have a Paul reed smith guitar that is beautiful to play and fantastic sounding. Save yourself thousands, do the upgrades I have mentioned & buy yourself more gear!!

[@gmyersgilmer9470]

I have an American 2004 Singlecut and it totally slays my PRS SE ONE singlecut. I upgraded the wiring, pickups to American #10 PRS and Archtop on the SE. Don't get me wrong, the SE is awesome (especially considering I have about $430 in her over $2000 in the American) but the weight and sustain on my American is super obvious.

[@sauce_aux]

I’ve had my SE single cut for almost 20 years. The only issue I’ve had, was the potentiometers getting old, and a little crackly - like most pots do after 2 decades of use. If anyone questions the SE Korean line; have no fear. Swap the tuners out, and you’re golden. These are hands down, amazing guitars for the cost.

[@scootersage]

Great video. My son bought me a SE Custom and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Texas Red back in I think 09. Serial number starts with I. I play it every day and love it. Amp not so much I installed a Fromel upgrade modification when it started to crap out. Now I got a great guitar and good sounding amp.

[@sosmooth7]

Please be advised that SE stands for 'special edition" as opposed to student edition.

[@marc8828]

uhh, no it doesn't.

[@hi-ne9wv]

Student Edition Second Edition Special Edition Signature Edition Savings Edition Standard Edition Savvy Edition South-Korean Edition Sexy Edition "Starving Edition" Credits to John Melcher Just pick what makes you happy! Personally I have the Mark Holcomb Soul Eater! Just added a CE to my collection Counterfeit Edition - Shhh!

[@miblish5168]

@@hi-ne9wv I thought it was Starving Edition.

[@hi-ne9wv]

@@miblish5168 *** Updated ***

[@CrCook]

I think most every Guitar World Music Korea makes is a High Quality Made Guitar - Charles

[@PhillipMcKnight]

+Cr Cook (Tube) I agree.

[@karlhenrikarendt]

Yep, they also make Chapman guitars

[@marchisio_dj]

+Karl-Henrik Arendt gotta love me some chapman

[@MagnusTheRedDog]

and that's how you do an online review. Excellent work.

[@genoswift6239]

the USA sounded much brighter & alive on the clean side. you could really tell the feel from low end to high end. as always a great video & I like how you don't really push one or the other, you just explain the different between the two.

[@orlock20]

I believe the big difference is the SE is a practice and band gigging guitar and the American version is a better studio guitar and a solo artist guitar. The difference between playing in a band and being a solo artist is frequencies. A large part of the frequencies your guitar can make are cut or over played when you are in a band. The guitar, in a band mix, will be about 400 Hz to 2kHz and that is after the pedals, amps and microphone tweak the sound and before the PA, venue and other instruments distorts the sound. After that sonic blender, nobody will be able to hear if you are playing a Gibson '59 or a PRS SE. A solo artist has more control of his sound.

[@danielhartman6529]

I would buy the $700.00 dollar PRS. So i know i still got a roff over my head.

[@Bazo_watches]

Sorry Sir, but the 2017 SE models are now branded Paul Reed Smith !!!

[@TheEchelon]

l Well he can't look into the future now can he? Obviously it wasn't the case when he made this video :)

[@joevenezia1822]

And I thought I heard him say that the new PRS SE Standard is now made in Indonesia.....did I hear that correctly????

[@metalmaster624]

Joe Venezia Yes the cheapest line. Next is in Korean and then USA.

[@David13Rome]

I always love your videos. You seem to have a wealth of knowledge and a very neutral approach which gives you a lot of credibility. I got my first PRS in 1988 and haven't put them down since. I've owned various models of every line including SE, S2, and Core lines. I currently have 4 core line guitars, one of which is for sale and just bought and SE that hasn't arrived yet. Also, sold my S2 this past year. I can mostly agree with the similarities with one primary difference of opinion. I think there is a greater difference in the sum of the parts that makes the core line worth the extra money. IMHO However subjective this may be, I can feel a difference between the cheaper lines and the more expensive ones. I also think the tone is subtly better depending on the chosen pickups. However, there are some gems in the lower and mid lines. I personally think the semi-hollow myra is one of their best guitars as an example. I once had one of the cream SE singlecuts that blew me away. So I'm not saying the SE's aren't worth buying. But I can most definitely say the core line is absolutely worth every penny. I especially love the solid rosewood necks, semi-hollow and wood library options etc. I also noticed stability was significantly better in the core lines. Meaning how well it stayed in tune and how true the intonation was. My primary reason for owning SE's is for backups to my core line guitars or just because I can't afford every variation at the core level. LOL But if you get an SE I think it is essential to go buy some Grover locking tuners for it. It will be 100% worth it. - Rock On!

[@thehoppo]

Great comparison Phill, I own an S2, so look forward to your take on those.

[@DudeItsClassy]

can u do a comparison for se to s2 guitars please?

[@wewdome]

Hey Phillip, I watch your videos and I generally like them, but there is something bothering me about all your "original vs over-seas". Ok, I get all the big companies cut some corners in order to lower the production cost (some companies doing it more aggressively than others) but I think you should just admit that the brand name makes more than 50% of the price. Which is fine, of course. I also get that you are selling guitars, but the hard truth is that if I really want an original Gibson, then I am rdy to pay the extra 1000$ just for that brand name and piece of music history it represents. It might seem snobbish and I guess it really is. However, if I only want to get a good sturdy guitar, that plays fine and looks OK, there is no way I can justify the bloated price of a Gibson or any original american guitar (except maybe for some US Fenders vs squires). But then again, why would u buy an US strat, when u can just get a charvel that is just as good.

[@fmh357]

Great video. So much I didn't know about the brand and the quality. Thank you.

[@backspin6698]

Great comparison. I bought a Korea PRS SE 2007, and I will never sell it. The best guitar I ever had. Not once did I have to adjust anything. Love it.

[@imdartson3679]

the american prs sounded better clean. I preferred the se for dirty sounds. that whole point of several $700 guitars vs 1 really expensive guitar is interesting. I view instruments as long term investments. I'll take the american prs because of that reason alone. no magic "made in america" fairy dust. they simply use higher quality components.

[@TheTech2020]

Which is the "fairy dust" of being made in America.

[@joshfoss7407]

If you're looking for an investment, run far away from PRS. I see 10-tops sitting on craigslist for years with no buyers at 1/3 of the original price.

[@timcastle165]

I have a PRS SE Custom 24 made in Korea and Love it (I do live in Maryland)!!!! I believe the quality is there in any PRS you buy, it just comes down to what someone can afford. Great video as always!!

[@monkeyxx]

dang, phillip, that was a really informative video. Just picked up my first PRS (SE) today. the first thing I will do, besides dinging the finish (whoops) will be replacing the pickups, probably with gibsons.

[@mercurialno6]

Another great video. Thank you!

[@jaggerjohnston]

Best comparison video I've seen. Thanks!

[@shan2un]

Of all guitar companies, no other compares to what is made in maryland in terms of build quality and parts. You get what you pay for, and a Custom 24 ten top is pure quality, albeit at a steep price. It boils down to what the customer is willing to part with, and how much they themselves value what is hanging up in a shop. Btw, I love how your videos are so different than most other guitar demo guys on here, you need more subs.

[@Claimjumper55]

Great unbiased comparison. I have a PRS SE CU24 and I think it's amazing. The only thing I changed was to install a set of Seymour Duncan Black Winter pickups but the stock pickups sounded good as well. I totally agree on the quality of instruments coming out of Korea. Five of mine came from there and they've all been great (Line 6 JTV-69, 2 Schecters, an LTD and my PRS). I will admit that there's a Paul Reed Smith 513 in my future though.

[@rockinjon1]

Phillip you're the best guitar guru out there. Thanks for these vids man.