PRS SE Semi-Hollow Demo

So yesterday during our live chat I was asked to DEMO my PRS Se Semi-Hollow guitar by a user named Jkilla - I'm trusting that "J" doesn't refer to me.

Here you go Jkilla!

I used my Bad Cat Hot Cat 30r Head through a Heritage 2x12 with vintage 30 speakers. For pedals, I used my TS-808 TubeScreamer first, and then a Wampler Plextasy overdrive. At the end of the clip, I'm using my TS-808 and a Wampler FUZZ together. The delay is an MXR Carbon Copy delay.

If you've never heard of Wampler, you need to check him out... He's a guy that makes custom built pedals, and he's based out of Ft. Wayne Indiana. I've got 2 of his pedals on my board, and I love them! Go to wamplerpedals.com to learn more.

3 Guitars under $700

Hey guys....

I've always been a fan of gear that sounds and plays awesome, without spending a ton... I know that can especially be a concern when you're learning an instrument, or if you're short on cash, but want a great playing guitar. I thought I'd write a little post about 3 guitars that I'd recommend in the under $700 price range....here goes!


1. Paul Reed Smith SE Singlecut

Price: $665
Manufactured in: Korea
Scale: 25"
Think HN songs: "The 1 Thing I Have Left" and "You Have What I Need"

The first guitar that comes to mind in this price range is one I've actually used this guitar myself quite a bit. Paul Reed Smith has always impressed me with their quality control, and this guitar is no different. The guitar has a SOLID feel to it.... doesn't feel cheap at all. There's a great sense of weight to it, although it's not overly heavy.

The stock pickups are really quite good. They're on the brighter side, but the solid-ness of the body translates through the pickups as well, so the end result is a balanced, clear tone that can provide beefy chords when necessary, as well as soaring leads when called upon.

Incidentally, I used an SE Singlecut for EVERY SINGLE LEAD part on my "Under The Canopy" record, even though I had more expensive guitars at my disposal.... That's how much I love this guitar.









2. Paul Reed Smith SE Soapbar

Price: $499
Manufactured in: Korea
Scale: 25"
Think HN Songs: "Friend Like That" and "The Show"

This second guitar may look similar to the first, but it's an entirely different animal... The single-coil soapbar pickups on this PRS are lower output, and much "spankier" than the humbuckers in the SE singlecut. This is probably the cheapest guitar in my list, so if cash is factor number one, go for this one!

This guitar covers a lot of ground that a Fender Stratocaster would, but with a LOT more attention to quality and playability. The scale is 25", which is a half inch shorter than Fender's scale. That means that the strings will be a little looser, and that means less ouch on your fingers. It makes for a more comfortable playing experience.

PRS's SE Soapbar guitar has been through a bit of a design change over the last year or two... While it used to be a double-cutaway design, they've moved to a single-cutaway design. If you prefer the double-cutaway design, I think you can still find them around in various places.








3. Paul Reed Smith SE Semi-Hollow

Price: $715
Manufactured in: Korea
Scale: 25"
Think HN Songs: "Everything You Ever Wanted" and "Fourteen"

I realize I'm stretching the <$700 budget on this one, but it's SO worth it. This guitar impresses me incredibly for the price tag. It's a semi-hollow version of their SE Custom... and it's built with more style, class, and taste, than I could have imagined.

The dual humbuckers are similar to those placed in the SE singlecut, but the semi-hollow body adds a distinct flavor to the tone. For those in the market for a 335-ish type guitar with a smaller body, this is it. Plus, these guitars are just so well-made.

I realize the all three guitars on my list have been PRSes, and that is simply because I believe they make guitars of much higher quality than the competition in this price range. They really are dedicated to quality at every price point.




So go out and enjoy some well-priced, well-made guitars, and have fun!



Check out prsguitars.com to learn more about these guitars, and check for dealers in your area!

PRS Singlecut Hollowbody

I recently started playing a Singlecut Hollowbody from Paul Reed Smith guitars... I wanted to play it a few shows before writing a few thoughts, and now that I have... so here are some thoughts.

The first thing that came to my attention with this guitar is the finish. Wow. Immaculate. PRS has always had a way with finishes, and this guitar is no different. The bookmatched maple top is flawless. The attention to detail in the finish is matched in the inlays and binding. Then I picked it up... and my jaw hit the floor. This is the lightest guitar I've ever held. It is so light, I was a little scared to strap it on and play it... but when I did, it fit VERY comfortably. That's another detail that PRS is great at.... When you put on a PRS, it just fits your body right.

Once I started playing, I experienced a whole other level of intrigue. The guitar is more than semi-hollow... It's completely hollow except for a block under the bridge. It responds with so much character when you play it. The warmth and fullness is just juicy. When the volume is pulled back, it maintains a lot more character than most guitars. When others would get thin, it stays warm.... Wonderful!

The tuners hold pitch incredibly (as you'd excpect from PRS), and the rest of the hardware is just as great. The pots are smooth, and the switches feel solid. It comes in a SWEET plush case as well.

If you're interested in a hollowbody... DEFINITELY check out the Singlecut Hollowbody at prsguitars.com.

j.