Love this! I bought this guitar just after it was released. I was so impressed with it and just felt it was so different to anything so else in the SE range. Pick up combos are fantastic, so versatile. I love how it quacks. Great to see another review from you. You can do the guitar a lot more justice than I can 😂👍
Leonard, between this and the Gretsch 5420 - any big difference in playability or quality? I ordered the PRS SE SA and it will come in soon but I have guitars like it (S2 custom 22, tele, swamp ash kiesel) and have nothing like the Gretsch.
Obviously those are very, very different guitars. The build quality was clean on both, but I should qualify that by reminding you the 5420 I reviewed was built in the last year of Korean production. I did, however, review a 5422, made in China and I wouldn’t say there was a particularly noticeable difference in build quality. Honestly, if you already have an S2 Custom 22, you probably won’t gain a whole lot by adding the SE SAS, unless the sounds provided by the switching options are especially appealing, or you just want a maple board SE. As good as the SEs can be, I think the S2s generally feel a little better. Although to some extent that is luck of the draw. The SE CE 24 I reviewed a couple weeks back is about the nicest playing SE I’ve tried, but the SAS is close and I’m sure with other examples it could be the other way around. And finally, the Gretsch did require more setup work, though it was pretty straightforward. Also the Electromatics all have Indian Laurel fingerboards, which sometimes look really nice and sometimes not so much, depending on how picky you are. Personally I wouldn’t buy it blind.
I would very much like to, but my channel has no financial support or sponsorship so I’ll need to wait until one comes along at a price which allows me to get my money back. Hopefully soon. In the meantime, check out my video on the regular maple top SE CE24. Thanks so much for watching. As the channel grows, I’ll be able to bring the content quicker. And thanks for the suggestion.
I imagine it's just a matter of getting used to it, but I can see how it seem's odd when you're used to more conventional locations. I would guess the idea was to keep it out of the way where it can't be hit accidentally. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem if I played it all the time, but I have to admit I prefer the location of the blade switch on my S2 Standard 24. Thanks so much for watching and engaging.
Yeah, that seems to be a love it or hate it thing. Some like the switch out of the way and find it easy to use once you’re used to it, others just find it unnatural. I have no problem with it myself, but there are plenty of models, even PRS models, with the switch in more conventional locations. Thanks so much for for watching.
Actually, the weight of these is quite variable, ranging from about 7 to 9 lbs., so if light weight is important to you, check before buying. Unfortunately, the problem Fender and PRS SE both have, is light swamp ash is just not as plentiful as it once was. I'm pretty sure that's why the Core version was discontinued when it was. I'd have to check but I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the USA SAS right about the time Fender announced no more production ash bodies. We're starting to see more ash again, but yeah, it's not all going to be light weight. Just the times my friend. Thanks so much for watching.
