Review quickie: PRS SE Swamp Ash Special

The Swamp Ash Special is not a new PRS model. This is merely an SE version of the original SAS which was discontinued in 2009. Back then the middle pickup was reversed unlike the normal orientation you see in the SE make. This late 2023, PRS released two new bolt-on offerings in its catalogue, one of which was the SAS.

Likes

• build quality
• neck feel
• pickups
• price

Dislikes

• loose tuners
• pickup selection

The SAS & CE are just the second & third bolt-on models offered in the SE range. True to it's bolt-on nature, these instruments are indeed not as pricey as the set-neck counterparts. The immediate draw to this guitar is simply the neck feel; very comfortable & playable, almost playing itself 😅 Adding to that, the top draw QC which extends to the body. I personally feel the pickups offered here are immediate winners for those of us looking for a classic sounding tone with a touch of modern voicing in various applications. I see the humbuckers as possible reincarnations of the fabled Seymour Duncan '59s but grittier in response when it comes to drive. The single coil might be the weakest link in this tone chain, but we cannot hear it in isolated performance to give it a true appraisal as no such option exists. It is always in combination use with other pickups, some selections are not as inviting & exist for variety's sake. Tuners are uncharacteristically loose upon initial engagements but it's an easy (tightening) fix. For a whisker under $1K, this has to be one of the best value-for-money instrument this year. The tone & playability are simply outstanding for the money. Enough said.

Final rating: 85%

PRS: SE Swamp Ash Special

List: $999

Availability: Davis GMC

Bolting

The PRS SE bolt-on models are in at Davis GMC. The CE 24 is $999 $799.

The Swamp Ash Special - $999. Those prices... I believe Davis GMC is trying to match the sale figures of their American counterparts.

Pics: PRS

SE CE

That's right folks, PRS has included the CE models into the SE lineup. This stunning orange version is the SE CE 24. 

This means the SE range welcomes another bolt-on make into the family. But PRS being PRS, they made sure the SE version (right) is different from the USA-made CE (left). From this visual reference alone, we note the SE version was done well & in no way inferior to its American sibling. It's just different.

The other bolt-on CE in this release is the Swamp Ash Special. 

The initial Swamp Ash Special created a little controversy with that reversed middle pickup which irked many fans & it didn't prolong the guitar's longevity in the catalog. Looking forward to try these instruments out when they get here, whenever that will be.

Pics: PRS / Elevate

Narrow Field

PRS guitars continue to intrigue me with their innovations; the above pickups are the manufacturer's own Narrow Field humbuckers. If you take a closer look, these are actually compressed humbuckers narrower in width implying a different type of coil winding application. It's a petty variation to many of us but consider the tonal differentiation it generates, that's what Mr. Smith believes in:

"...because of its smaller 'aperture' senses less of the string to give you the clear sound & bite of single-coils and the warmth of humbuckers."