Happy Thanksgiving ! As you’ve probably already figured out, I’m on a PRS kick right now. I’ve purchased two of their models and I’m looking for my third. Since their Signature and Special Edition Models are higher priced, I’m looking at their SE Signature Models they’ve come out with like the SE Santana below.
Orange is my favorite color but they have a beautiful Santana Yellow finish and a standard Black that is a staple amongst guitarists. I just love the “old-school” bird inlays on the neck; they make the guitar look so sharp. I hope to start shopping around for one after the first of the year.
Carlos Santana’s influence as a PRS guitar player led to the development of our SE electric guitar series, which launched in 2001. In honor of that legacy, PRS is proud to offer the all-new SE Santana. The SE Santana is the first guitar in the SE series offered with a 24 1/2” scale length and is also the first SE created using the same silhouette as Carlos’s revered American-made PRS models. We believe this guitar and its appointments honor Santana’s skill and style better than ever and offer players great quality and value. Be sure to try an SE Santana at an authorized dealer near you.
GUITAR WORLD * SOUNDCHECK * THE GEAR IN REVIEW
SUPERNATURAL THING
PRS SE Santana solidbody guitar
BY CHRIS GILL
CARLOS SANTANA PLAYED a significant role in the development of the PRS SE series when the line was introduced back in 2001. In fact, the very first SE model was the Santana SE (which is different than the new SE Santana model). Since then PRS has also offered the Santana SE II, the limited-edition Santana Shaman SE in 2003, and the limited-edition Carlos Santana SE One Abraxas in 2009. With the introduction of the new SE Santana model, Carlos is the only artist to have five SE models (and that doesn’t even count the various high-end PRS Santana models). While the SE series was originally conceived to offer “student-edition” or “standard-edition” models similar to the “junior” and “special” guitars of yesteryear, recently they’ve become more like “special-edition” instruments. The various PRS SE Signature Models like the SE Mike Mushok Baritone, the 3-humbucker SE Zack Myers, and the red sparkle finished SE Orianthi—may be very
affordable, but they’re anything but stripped-down, no-frills instruments. The new PRS SE Santana continues this trend, offering much of the same vibe as the high-end PRS Santana model, from its old-school double cutaway body shape to its extremely playable neck.
FEATURES
UNLIKE THE FIRST Santana SE models, the new PRS SE Santana looks almost identical to the PRS Santana models. The biggest difference is that the top is not as exquisitely carved (although the SE does have an arched top) and the abalone strip inlays are missing from the body. The SE Santana is the first SE model to offer a 24 1/2–inch scale, but the SE has 22 frets while the upscale PRS Santana model has 24. The neck has a similar wide and fat profile, and the rosewood fingerboard is decorated with bird inlays.
Instead of a solid flame maple cap, the SE Santana’s mahogany body is topped with a maple cap with a thin flame maple veneer and a black, orange or Santana yellow finish. The body and neck are not stained and are sprayed with a smooth, clear poly finish that proudly displays the wood’s high quality in all its raw glory. The body on my test example was made from three pieces of mahogany, but you really had to look closely to notice the seams, and upon casual inspection it looked a lot like a single solid slab. All of the hardware is several notches in quality above that of other guitars in this model’s price range. The PRS-designed tremolo feels very solid, and the individual string saddles fit tight and are smoothly polished to avoid string breakage. The tuners have a smooth action, and the pickups, master tone and master volume knobs, and three-position pickup selector are firmly installed with perfect alignment. The PRS-designed Santana humbuckers have classic-looking zebra bobbins and perfectly complement the guitar’s vintage styling and timeless appeal.
PERFORMANCE
FROM ITS STYLISH looks and flawless construction to its incredible feel and outstanding tone, everything about the PRS SE Santana screams quality. Even though the guitar is made overseas, it still maintains the vibe of U.S.-made PRS guitars. The main differences are that the materials and hardware aren’t as exquisite, and the overall design does not feature as many detailed touches such as the U.S. model’s more elaborate contours. The SE Santana already sounds loud and lively when unplugged, with the tremolo springs providing a slight amount of reverb-like resonance. Those tones improve when the guitar is plugged in. While the SE Santana almost perfectly nails Carlos Santana’s signature lead tone, it also produces addictive hard rock crunch rhythm tones and fat, punchy funk chords. The humbuckers’ output level is just slightly hotter than a classic PAF, providing a good balance of clarity, definition and aggression. You can hear each individual note in a chord, but when you start to solo, it seems like single notes magically become fatter. The wide and fat neck profile feels just a little thinner and flatter than PRS’s own wide-fat neck profile, but the 24 1/2–inch scale is easier to play and results in lower string tension. The frets are so smooth that if you close your eyes, you’ll think you’re playing a regular PRS model.
SPECS
STREET PRICE $754.00 / MANUFACTURER PRS Guitars, www.prsguitars.com / SCALE LENGTH 24 1/2 inches / FINGERBOARD Rosewood with “old-school” bird inlays / FRETS 22 /
BODY Mahogany with maple top and flame maple veneer / NECK Mahogany / BRIDGE PRS-designed tremolo / PICKUPS PRS Santana humbuckers / TUNERS PRS designed / CONTROLS Master volume, master tone, three-position pickup selector.
The SE Santana is the first PRS SE model with a 24 1/2–inch scale. The solid-feeling PRS-designed tremolo won’t go out of tune. The inner mounting of the maple veneer top has a beautiful flame.
ON DISC OR AT WWW.GUITARWORLDDIGITAL.COM GUITAR WORLD GOLD AWARD for OVERALL VALUE
I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving today and enjoy all the wonderful food and the time you’ll be spending with family and friends. This is the beginning of the holiday season so during this time, we all need to keep in mind the reason for this season and be role models for our children. Tomorrow is BLACK FRIDAY so be very careful while your out there doing your Christmas shopping. I hope you get all the deals your looking for. We’ll be traveling to Buffalo, NY to visit my son Christopher and his family for the holiday weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving once again!
Until next time, “Same Guitar Place; Same Guitar Channel . . !”
Musician By Night . . .
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