From NAMM 2019: PRS Announces 3 New SE Guitars!

While making the rounds in Anaheim, California at NAMM 2019, this is a must stop for any guitarist loyal to appreciating the brands that have amazingly balanced art and craftsmanship. Paul Reed Smith Guitars, with the help of some familiar names, has just unveiled not one, but three new SE guitars to their signature collection and they’re impressive!

The first model introduced, and likely the  most eye-catching, is the SE Schizoid. This PRS Custom 24 body has been given a “legendary progressive rock outfit” with its “Schizoid Man” artwork from the In the Court of the Crimson Kingalbum, in honor of the 50^th Anniversary celebration of the band King Crimson. PRS will be producing a maximum of 1,000 of these only. The body is made of solid Mahogany, matching neck with a Rosewood fretboard and famous bird inlays. Hardware includes PRS patented tremolo, PRS tuners and beautiful nickel hardware. For electronics you’ll find the 85/15 S pickups, standard volume and push/pull tone control knobs with a 3-way blade pickup selector.Jakko Jakszyk, the lead singer of King Crimson, has plenty to say about his SE: “Much as I loved and owned a number of vintage guitars, live I would always play something modern – more reliable. PRS is the best of both worlds. A modern instrument that feels and looks like a classic. So when PRS asked if they could make me something special it had to be a guitar with that iconic artwork. The ‘Schizoid Man’ face that started this whole journey off. Full circle, as it were.”

Next on the list is the SE Paul’s Guitar. Paul himself describes the instrument: “The SE Paul’s Guitar is a great example of design, engineering and teamwork. It’s as close to home as we could get inside of the SE Series, and I am very proud of it.”Paul’s Guitar features a carved, figured Maple top wood with Mahogany layered behind. A mahogany neck and Rosewood fretboard follow suit, with the signature bird inlays making another appearance.This model features a PRS stoptail bridge with brass inserts,

PRS-designed tuners and Nickel hardware. The electronics feature the standard volume and tone control knobs, 3-way toggle pickup selector switch and a unique set of two mini-toggle coil-tap switches. Paul’s Guitar is available in three throwback colors: Amber, Aqua and Fire Red.

Last, but not least, is the PRS SE Santana Singlecut Tremelo, a tribute guitar paying homage to Carlos Santana’s one-off gold leaf Private Stock PRS. Much like the golf leaf version of the original inspiration, this SE version features the TCI “S” pickups. Carlos Santana describes the new model: “When I think of PRS, I think of impeccable integrity! Right out of the case, the guitar looks and feels incredible, but for me it is about the sound, resonance, vibration that allows me to take flight with every note. The SE Santana Singlecut Trem has a range and universal tone that delivers with power and clarity, allowing you to find your own voice in your heart’s music. It is an honor to add this beautiful guitar to the PRS SE line that I helped start so many years ago. We invite you to spread your wings and find your voice with this beautiful instrument.” With nearly identical features as the other SE models, it has its solid Mahogany body and is available in the signature Egyptian Gold color exclusively.

These SE models will be available soon along with the many Paul Reed Smith guitars already in stock at Heartbreaker Guitars, a proud PRS dealer in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Click HERE to visit Heartbreaker online and see more of the PRS SE lineup!


Daniel Odle
dannyodle@gmail.com

Heartbreaker Guitars Contributor