PRS SE Custom stoptail or SZ520FM?
- Thread starter ficiante
- Start date
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i have my affiliation to Ibanez but let's be objective... 8)
the SZ520 isn't the pinnacle offering of its series, there's the SZ720 which isn't available here:
the current SZ520QM units are riddled with dry fretboard spots, despite being well-made. i have no other complaints about the SZ520QM- just goes to show how good they are.
i'm waiting for the arrival of the next generation of 520s, the SZ520FM, which promises to be one up in terms of cosmetics. considering that these aren't offered in the US, let's see if they are indeed consolations in view of the continued absence of the 720 here.
tone-wise, i'm a Duncan fan, i'm glad the SZ are treading the the Duncan path despite the default pickups being made in Korea. they proved to be more pleasing clean & driven.
moving on to the PRS SE Custom, these guitars are in the very good hands of Korea's World Music Factory, which are also responsible for the production of Ibanez's Korean Prestige models. there are no issues in terms of the construction/ fit/ finish- absolutely respectable.
however, if you are accustomed to the SZ neck profile, this guitar needs a little adaptation when you play it at first instance, the wide fat profile is challenging to say the least. the body's flat top nature is somehow a betrayal of its good looks but PRS has no plans to make curved but reliefs & chamfers are in included appropriately so the overall playing experiece is still very comfortable.
tone-wise, the pickups here aren't obliged to be a high gain menace per se, but they are all-rounders, capable of handlings sweet crunches to max-out distortion.
all in all, i'm still with the SZ if there is a need to make a final choice between the 2. in terms of value-for-money, the SE Singlecut is a more worthy pick due to its arched top but that's just me. :rock:
no harm comparing between guitars but be objective & address your needs primarily. there isn't one guitar that will outdo the other righteously. it boils down to the individual's choice at the end of it all.
forgive the lengthy post...
the SZ520 isn't the pinnacle offering of its series, there's the SZ720 which isn't available here:
the current SZ520QM units are riddled with dry fretboard spots, despite being well-made. i have no other complaints about the SZ520QM- just goes to show how good they are.
i'm waiting for the arrival of the next generation of 520s, the SZ520FM, which promises to be one up in terms of cosmetics. considering that these aren't offered in the US, let's see if they are indeed consolations in view of the continued absence of the 720 here.
tone-wise, i'm a Duncan fan, i'm glad the SZ are treading the the Duncan path despite the default pickups being made in Korea. they proved to be more pleasing clean & driven.
moving on to the PRS SE Custom, these guitars are in the very good hands of Korea's World Music Factory, which are also responsible for the production of Ibanez's Korean Prestige models. there are no issues in terms of the construction/ fit/ finish- absolutely respectable.
however, if you are accustomed to the SZ neck profile, this guitar needs a little adaptation when you play it at first instance, the wide fat profile is challenging to say the least. the body's flat top nature is somehow a betrayal of its good looks but PRS has no plans to make curved but reliefs & chamfers are in included appropriately so the overall playing experiece is still very comfortable.
tone-wise, the pickups here aren't obliged to be a high gain menace per se, but they are all-rounders, capable of handlings sweet crunches to max-out distortion.
all in all, i'm still with the SZ if there is a need to make a final choice between the 2. in terms of value-for-money, the SE Singlecut is a more worthy pick due to its arched top but that's just me. :rock:
no harm comparing between guitars but be objective & address your needs primarily. there isn't one guitar that will outdo the other righteously. it boils down to the individual's choice at the end of it all.
forgive the lengthy post...
guitarman78
New member
That was a very comprehensive and informative analysis of guitars .... Subversion I'm so impressed.
subversion
Moderator
guitarman78 said:
thank you for reading, sir
rayer: i have the SE Std/ Custom full review in hand, up soon.
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XJAPAN said:
Wide fat: ALL SE models
subversion
Moderator
SZ320:
*current models are devoid of maple laminate top whatsoever
*available in satin finish
SZ520
*basically a cosmetically enhanced 320
*featuring a maple laminate top
*available in gloss finish only
*current models are devoid of maple laminate top whatsoever
*available in satin finish
SZ520
*basically a cosmetically enhanced 320
*featuring a maple laminate top
*available in gloss finish only
