A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

No, this wasn't a pawn shop find. I got it in a trade for my Gibson 1960s Tribute SG. I know a lot of you guys frequently trade guitars, and you're probably going to say I got the short end of the deal. You're no doubt right, speaking in terms of strictly monetary value.

There were other considerations involved however. The guy I traded with was the original owner of the SG and recently expressed an interest in either outright buying it back or trading something else for it back. He's a friend, so I wanted to do it as a favor.

The truth is that I hardly ever played the Gibson SG. I've recorded with it once and gigged with it only once. Several things bothered me about it, namely, it had a pretty significant neck dive, the ends of the frets were sharp, and the tone was very dark (very odd considering that the pickups are Burstbucker 1 and 2, which I consider bright humbuckers). I could have filed the fret ends, and put 1 meg pots in the thing, but I never got around to it. Honestly, I think I resented having to do something like that on a USA Gibson.

So when the offer of the PRS SE ONE was put on the table I was intrigued and went ahead with the swap. My friend has his guitar back, I've got something new to play with, and I'm not going to miss the Gibson SG. When I have an SG hankering my Harley Benton S-600 VI (SG Custom) more than scratches that itch.

The PRS SE ONE has an serial number beginning with "H", which indicates that it's from the first year this model was made, which was 2007. Some people seem to think this was the best production year. I have no idea if this is true, but it's reasonable to assume that PRS would want to impress coming out of the gate with a new model.

It had what I believe were 12s on it and it was set up for slide in open tuning. It was literally unplayable by me. On went a set of 9s.

After adjusting the bridge and truss rod I quickly came to the conclusion that the nut slots were too high. Out came the files, and in ten minutes I had that corrected.

The single volume knob didn't turn to my liking, so I swapped it with the kind you'd see on a Gibson LP Junior. Much better feel to my fingers.

The pickup measured over 9 K resistance and sounded really good. Very strong and clear, but raunchy at the same time, but maybe just a tad too bright. I read online about guys putting different pots value pots in, or using combination volume/tone pot, and even adding a separate tone pot altogether. But I had recently got some rough cast A2 magnets from [mention]mozz[/mention] and suspected that they might roll of the highs just enough and give the pup a nice midrange hump. Now I have no scientifically verifiable way to know that the magnets that were already in there were A5, though they were definitely ALNiCo, they were shorter than the A2s, they sounded like A5s (pronounced highs, moderately tight lows, kinda scooped), and from my observation it seems like most import guitars, if they have ALNiCo bar magnets, are specified as A5. So I assumed they were A5.

The rough cast A2 magnets made a tremendous difference for the better. The clarity, output, and raunch were still there, but all the harshness was gone. This is a bad ass little guitar. Kinda reminds me of the simplicity of the Kramer Baretta.

So does anybody else here have a PRS SE ONE? What do you think of it? Any modifications?




A nice PRS soft case was included.

[mention]mozz[/mention] 's rough cast A2 magnets on the right, the stockers on the left. He's got a lot more of them, and I mean like a LOT.

I would say that if you like this guitar better, you got a fair deal. Liking the instruments you own and wanting to play them is more important than the actual resale value IMHO.

I have seen these from time to time, they are definitely an interesting blend of old vs new with the PRS flair. And from a fit and finish standpoint PRS is hard to beat whether it's SE or USA models.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 11:29 am I would say that if you like this guitar better, you got a fair deal. Liking the instruments you own and wanting to play them is more important than the actual resale value IMHO.

I have seen these from time to time, they are definitely an interesting blend of old vs new with the PRS flair. And from a fit and finish standpoint PRS is hard to beat whether it's SE or USA models.

Very good fit and finish in this guitar. The body and neck are mahogany and the grain is quite beautiful. The fret work is excellent. Tuners are very smooth. The fretboard markers are dots with what looks like an abalone moon in part of the circle. Personally, I've never been crazy about the PRS bird motif, so dots are cool with me. The Neck profile feels like a wide C, with a a moderately flat radius above the 12th fret. I set the action pretty darn low and there's no buzz or fret out.

Granted, a single bridge pup has its limitations, though I've already figured out that by setting my MXR 10 band eq pedal to the right setting I can get the "Woman Tone" with the stomp of a button.

Mississippi queen.
I'm at work but I think those A2s were 2.5" long. I'm also thinking most Gibson p90s were all A5s?
Not saying they won't work with A2s, who knows what wire and turns PRS uses. Sounds like you got a good combo going. Guitar has been reissued so they must be in demand.

Yes I have a excessive amount of A2 magnets if anybody is looking. I can probably beat most prices cause I only bought a large qty. to get the discount.

I always thought PRS had good designs good comfort and good weight.

I've owned several PRS guitars and really like them but never a PRS SE ONE and have no idea of their tone (but I do like me some P90's) or playability but what I can comment on is the fact IMO that is a gorgeous guitar and I would love to play it. I like the dot inlays instead of the birds and the carving on the top looks good aesthetically as well as looks comfortable, is the back carved as well?
This is just a personal opinion I'm not a fan of wrap around bridges with non-adjustable saddles and I would probably replace it with one that has adjustable saddles. Graphtec makes a great one but a bit pricey and there are other good ones that are more affordable. From what I see from the pictures the pups would be the only other mod I would address and only if necessary however It sounds like you and Mozz have got the pups to your liking, I've listened to your playing on clips here and the old forum and you're a great player and I'm sure you have a really good ear for the sound you like. I like your PRS SE ONE IMO a great score. Neck dive has kept me away from the SG style guitars for the most part although I do own an Inyen Vina SG copy now and yes it also suffers from neck dive I think it's just inherent with the design
Anyway that deal gets two thumbs up from me If I owned that guitar I believe at least for the next few weeks until the new wore off you would find that PRS hung around my neck and the rest of my guitars being neglected.

mozz wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:03 pm Mississippi queen.
I'm at work but I think those A2s were 2.5" long. I'm also thinking most Gibson p90s were all A5s?
Not saying they won't work with A2s, who knows what wire and turns PRS uses. Sounds like you got a good combo going. Guitar has been reissued so they must be in demand.

Yes I have a excessive amount of A2 magnets if anybody is looking. I can probably beat most prices cause I only bought a large qty. to get the discount.

I always thought PRS had good designs good comfort and good weight.

So how much for a pair? You can give me a good discount because you could certainly just sent 2 pieces of whatever and I'd never know as they will certainly just sit in my undone projects junk drawer

redman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:06 pm I've owned several PRS guitars and really like them but never a PRS SE ONE and have no idea of their tone (but I do like me some P90's) or playability but what I can comment on is the fact IMO that is a gorgeous guitar and I would love to play it. I like the dot inlays instead of the birds and the carving on the top looks good aesthetically as well as looks comfortable, is the back carved as well?
This is just a personal opinion I'm not a fan of wrap around bridges with non-adjustable saddles and I would probably replace it with one that has adjustable saddles. Graphtec makes a great one but a bit pricey and there are other good ones that are more affordable. From what I see from the pictures the pups would be the only other mod I would address and only if necessary however It sounds like you and Mozz have got the pups to your liking, I've listened to your playing on clips here and the old forum and you're a great player and I'm sure you have a really good ear for the sound you like. I like your PRS SE ONE IMO a great score. Neck dive has kept me away from the SG style guitars for the most part although I do own an Inyen Vina SG copy now and yes it also suffers from neck dive I think it's just inherent with the design
Anyway that deal gets two thumbs up from me If I owned that guitar I believe at least for the next few weeks until the new wore off you would find that PRS hung around my neck and the rest of my guitars being neglected.

Yes, there is a belly cut on the back of the guitar. The PRS One feels all around more ergonomic than a Les Paul Junior, which it is obviously inspired by.

Nice looking guitar... I still have yet to own a PRS, but I like P90s and A2 magnets!

I never had any interest in PRS, but I like THAT one!

toomanycats wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:16 pm

redman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:06 pm I've owned several PRS guitars and really like them but never a PRS SE ONE and have no idea of their tone (but I do like me some P90's) or playability but what I can comment on is the fact IMO that is a gorgeous guitar and I would love to play it. I like the dot inlays instead of the birds and the carving on the top looks good aesthetically as well as looks comfortable, is the back carved as well?
This is just a personal opinion I'm not a fan of wrap around bridges with non-adjustable saddles and I would probably replace it with one that has adjustable saddles. Graphtec makes a great one but a bit pricey and there are other good ones that are more affordable. From what I see from the pictures the pups would be the only other mod I would address and only if necessary however It sounds like you and Mozz have got the pups to your liking, I've listened to your playing on clips here and the old forum and you're a great player and I'm sure you have a really good ear for the sound you like. I like your PRS SE ONE IMO a great score. Neck dive has kept me away from the SG style guitars for the most part although I do own an Inyen Vina SG copy now and yes it also suffers from neck dive I think it's just inherent with the design
Anyway that deal gets two thumbs up from me If I owned that guitar I believe at least for the next few weeks until the new wore off you would find that PRS hung around my neck and the rest of my guitars being neglected.

Yes, there is a belly cut on the back of the guitar. The PRS One feels all around more ergonomic than a Les Paul Junior, which it is obviously inspired by.

I do like it dude I haven't been on here as much as I would like to for a bit had a chance to participate in a recording project and jumped on it. anyway your guitar caught my eye and I had stop by when I saw it.

redman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 11:05 pm

toomanycats wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:16 pm

redman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:06 pm I've owned several PRS guitars and really like them but never a PRS SE ONE and have no idea of their tone (but I do like me some P90's) or playability but what I can comment on is the fact IMO that is a gorgeous guitar and I would love to play it. I like the dot inlays instead of the birds and the carving on the top looks good aesthetically as well as looks comfortable, is the back carved as well?
This is just a personal opinion I'm not a fan of wrap around bridges with non-adjustable saddles and I would probably replace it with one that has adjustable saddles. Graphtec makes a great one but a bit pricey and there are other good ones that are more affordable. From what I see from the pictures the pups would be the only other mod I would address and only if necessary however It sounds like you and Mozz have got the pups to your liking, I've listened to your playing on clips here and the old forum and you're a great player and I'm sure you have a really good ear for the sound you like. I like your PRS SE ONE IMO a great score. Neck dive has kept me away from the SG style guitars for the most part although I do own an Inyen Vina SG copy now and yes it also suffers from neck dive I think it's just inherent with the design
Anyway that deal gets two thumbs up from me If I owned that guitar I believe at least for the next few weeks until the new wore off you would find that PRS hung around my neck and the rest of my guitars being neglected.

Yes, there is a belly cut on the back of the guitar. The PRS One feels all around more ergonomic than a Les Paul Junior, which it is obviously inspired by.

I do like it dude I haven't been on here as much as I would like to for a bit had a chance to participate in a recording project and jumped on it. anyway your guitar caught my eye and I had stop by when I saw it.

[mention]redman[/mention] , nice to see you. We were asking about you a few days ago.

TMC, it's a fine trade. Derive your own value of what you had and what you got. You gave already have.

[/quote]@redman , nice to see you. We were asking about you a few days ago.[/quote]

Hey it's good to be missed most people are glad when I'm not around

Most everyone around here knows how much I love PRS guitars, but that's one that I've never seen (in person), much less played. It's beautiful, congratulations, I think you got the better end of the trade.

BTW, what's the body thickness on that compared to a typical LP style?

solteroblues wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 1:56 pm Most everyone around here knows how much I love PRS guitars, but that's one that I've never seen (in person), much less played. It's beautiful, congratulations, I think you got the better end of the trade.

BTW, what's the body thickness on that compared to a typical LP style?

Just short of 1 3/4". I'm calling it 1 11/16ths" at the thickest point.

That one is a looker...Congrats!

I had a lot of Strats and Teles and just could not bond with any but figured I needed one solid body so when a 2011 Santana came up at Dave's - I pulled the trigger. I was not delighted with the shape but as soon as I plugged it in and strapped it on well...I became a believer. The neck just felt right. It was comfortable and it was Orange. When PRS came out with the SE Paul's guitar I was immediately attracted to the aesthetics. I also missed having a single coil so the coil split was huge. PRS had NEVER been on my radar but I feel it is a necessary tool along with my P90 Grote.

Enjoy!

toomanycats wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 2:09 pm

solteroblues wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 1:56 pm Most everyone around here knows how much I love PRS guitars, but that's one that I've never seen (in person), much less played. It's beautiful, congratulations, I think you got the better end of the trade.

BTW, what's the body thickness on that compared to a typical LP style?

Just short of 1 3/4". I'm calling it 1 11/16ths" at the thickest point.

Excellent! (in my best Mr. Burn's impression)

I'm actually looking for a lighter, more comfortable LP style, and what do you know? I just looked at my Reverb feed and there's a Korina PRS SE One right there! Must be the stars are aligned LOL

and it's gone... (not me)

Man, it’s looks great and I am sure it plays great, but I don’t know if I could ever buy a guitar without a neck pickup. I would be WAY too tempted to get the router out, probably after a cocktail or 7, and you just know that wouldn’t end well!

Chocol8 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 22, 2020 5:28 pm Man, it’s looks great and I am sure it plays great, but I don’t know if I could ever buy a guitar without a neck pickup. I would be WAY too tempted to get the router out, probably after a cocktail or 7, and you just know that wouldn’t end well!

I have zero temptation to route the neck position on the ONE. I've already got that covered with my PRS SE Single Cut Korina. Burstbucker 1 in the neck position with a Sprague Vitamin Q capacitor on the tone pot . . . oh yeah!

redman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 11:05 pm

toomanycats wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 6:16 pm

redman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:06 pm I've owned several PRS guitars and really like them but never a PRS SE ONE and have no idea of their tone (but I do like me some P90's) or playability but what I can comment on is the fact IMO that is a gorgeous guitar and I would love to play it. I like the dot inlays instead of the birds and the carving on the top looks good aesthetically as well as looks comfortable, is the back carved as well?
This is just a personal opinion I'm not a fan of wrap around bridges with non-adjustable saddles and I would probably replace it with one that has adjustable saddles. Graphtec makes a great one but a bit pricey and there are other good ones that are more affordable. From what I see from the pictures the pups would be the only other mod I would address and only if necessary however It sounds like you and Mozz have got the pups to your liking, I've listened to your playing on clips here and the old forum and you're a great player and I'm sure you have a really good ear for the sound you like. I like your PRS SE ONE IMO a great score. Neck dive has kept me away from the SG style guitars for the most part although I do own an Inyen Vina SG copy now and yes it also suffers from neck dive I think it's just inherent with the design
Anyway that deal gets two thumbs up from me If I owned that guitar I believe at least for the next few weeks until the new wore off you would find that PRS hung around my neck and the rest of my guitars being neglected.

Yes, there is a belly cut on the back of the guitar. The PRS One feels all around more ergonomic than a Les Paul Junior, which it is obviously inspired by.

I do like it dude I haven't been on here as much as I would like to for a bit had a chance to participate in a recording project and jumped on it. anyway your guitar caught my eye and I had stop by when I saw it.

Well keep checking in and let us know how the recording is going. I wondered what happened to you.

Cool guitar

I have not had the opportunity to play that particular guitar, but I dig it. I'm a big fan of PRS guitars in general and have a couple of se models. My SE Singlecut is very close to that one and I really like it. The wide fat neck profile took me a minute to get comfortable with, but now it feels like home. I didn't know about the non adjustable wrap around bridge at first, but once I realized that it was intonated perfectly and didn't need adjustment, I'm a fan. I did put locking bridge posts on mine, like I do all wraparound bridges. I would take mine over an sg any day. They play like butter and unlike most sg models, mine are perfectly balanced on a strap.

I've heard these SEs with Soapbars had a fan base. I've only played one but someone had stripped all the paint off. It was setup horribly. I can't consider that one representative of others as a result having clearly been messed with.

Nice!!

My first thought was "Mississippi Queen!" as well.
(I cannot seem to get near that tone however)