PRS SEs - any good?

[purpleplexi]

Never played a PRS of any description but I saw an SE Carlos the other day that spoke to me. Didn't get to play it. No way I'm spending full PRS money but the SEs are reasonable if they're any good....

 

[Karl Brake]

Absolutely! Their Asian made models are built to PRS standard, a solid sweet sounding modern electric that outclassed most other makes in that price range. The only week spot used to be the nut, but they use tusq now I believe. I owned more than a couple and just traded up to the core PRS. Totally a guitar you can count on, with warmth and character as well. Go for it.

 

[Torren61]

Yes. I've played many and owned several and still own one, a PRS SE Soapbar. They are, IMHO, one of the best guitars you can buy for the money. The quality, attention to detail, playability, sound and price are exceptional.

I also currently own a PRS McCarty. The SE can hang with the McCarty at one tenth the price (I bought both of them used).

The SE looks exactly like this one. The pickups are killer. Made in Korea.

 

[jeffb]

Great bang for the buck guitars. Better than most $for $. Way better than Epiphone or Squier or cheaper Fenders.

Personally I cannot stand the beveled tops on them- aesthetically and physically. The S2s are the same.

 

[purpleplexi]

Thanks. Considering trading my 'spare' LP which is an 80s tokai. Sent them pics waiting for an offer.

 

[Torren61]

Thanks. Considering trading my 'spare' LP which is an 80s tokai. Sent them pics waiting for an offer.

Value-wise, you may want to hang onto the Tokai. Is is a set neck? Is it all together? Which SE are you wanting to trade for? Those are selling on average for around $1200-$1300. Japanese guitars from the 70s, 80s and 90s are the next frontier in collectible guitars.

 

[purpleplexi]

In the UK used 80s loverocks sell for between £600 - £700 which is around what I paid for it about 15 years ago. It's a goldtop and a nice playing/sounding guitar but I have another LP that I prefer so it sits in the case. Feel like if I had something a bit different I'd probably use it. I'm not convinced that these guitars will increase dramatically in price anytime soon but I'll check to see if I'm out of touch....

 

[purpleplexi]

Actually this one is very like mine but mine is an LS60 and not quite such nice condition. Don't know if that price is optimistic or what...

Tokai Love Rock LS-80 Singlecut 1980 Goldtop | Reverb UK

Love Rock LS-80 Goldtop 1980 Nitro Gotoh PU Grover tuners 10lbs 3ozs Gigbag

reverb.com

 

[purpleplexi]

This one pretty much exactly like mine. Selling for more than I thought....

Used 1981 Tokai Love Rock LS-50 Gold Top MIJ Vintage Les Paul 3.9kg W/GB | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Used 1981 Tokai Love Rock LS-50 Gold Top MIJ Vintage Les Paul 3.9kg W/GB at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[jeffb]

I would never give up a prime era Tokai (or other MIJ clone) for a korean/Indonesian anything...not even those cute little hookers of theirs.

 

[Torren61]

Actually this one is very like mine but mine is an LS60 and not quite such nice condition. Don't know if that price is optimistic or what...

Tokai Love Rock LS-80 Singlecut 1980 Goldtop | Reverb UK

Love Rock LS-80 Goldtop 1980 Nitro Gotoh PU Grover tuners 10lbs 3ozs Gigbag

reverb.com

No way I'd trade that for an SE of any kind. They're great guitars but you've got something much more valuable,

 

[purpleplexi]

OK maybe the Tokai stays under the bed and I just buy the Carlos with that money stuff....