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Photos too small? Click on photos, screenshots and diagrams in articles to open a Larger View gallery. January 2010
Other recent issues: | PRS SE Custom 24 & SE Mike Mushok BaritoneElectric guitarsPublished in PM February 2009  Printer-friendly versionReviews : Guitar: Electric Two recent newcomers to the successful PRS SE range are a UK-only special, plus the first baritone guitar from this famous maker.  The first Korean-sourced six-strings from PRS appeared in 2001 under the SE banner, bringing the brand's design ideas within reach of those unable to afford the appreciably more expensive American examples. The SE series has naturally proved very popular, subsequently expanding to include equivalents of some of this maker's most popular US models, plus signature electrics and others actually exclusive to the line. SE Custom 24  When Paul Reed Smith commenced full-time production back in 1985, 24 frets were standard on the original Custom and its companions. This number remained the norm until the option of 22 was added in 1993. This reduced quota appeals to players who prefer the differences it provides in terms of feel and sound. Introduced during 2005, the Custom's Korean cousin adopted the 22-fret format, as did its other SE stablemates. However, in 2008 the Custom 24 became the first Far Eastern PRS to feature a double-octave fingerboard. Unusually, this is a UK-only model, produced at the behest of the brand's importers here, Headline Music, who obviously felt the time was right to offer the extra frets option at this lower price level. As with all SEs, the Custom 24's headstock employs a typically shallow back angle and the classic PRS outline. However, dimensions of the latter are actually bigger by a few millimetres, measuring broader across the beam at both top and bottom. This means string travel isn't as straight, diminishing a major plus point of the original PRS design. The difference is slight but enough to have an adverse physical effect that will be described later. The PRS-branded, non-locking machine heads are used throughout the Korean-made range, with a small chassis partnering a large metal button. The headstock face carries the relevant SE Custom logo, with the truss-rod cover providing PRS associations. The graphite nut is typically quite high and square, although Headline's setup procedure now includes filing the front corners to make a more finger-friendly leading edge. Adopting the standard PRS scale length of 635mm (25 inches), the shallow-radius rosewood fingerboard is unbound and appropriately accommodates 24 medium-gauge frets, all nicely polished and snag free. Position dots are the Korean equivalent of this maker's classic 'moons', each incorporating a crescent executed in contrasting pearl. The glued-in mahogany neck employs what PRS calls a wide-fat profile. Initially this feels quite chunky in comparison to some modern slim shapes, but quickly proves to be a very comfortable handful. It meets the body's airy offset cutaways at the 22nd fret, but easy upper access is impeded to an extent by the longer heel, a component consistent with modern PRS construction methods. Body styling sticks with the brand's very successful Gibson-meets-Fender formula, but apart from typically deep chamfering in the treble cutaway, the front is flat, lacking any of the characterful contours of the US-made models. The mahogany body is topped by a slab of maple and this in turn is faced with a flame-figured maple veneer, to add a suitably luxury touch. Echoing the real thing, the front edge is left natural to form a contrasting colour binding against the review example's all-encompassing Black Cherry finish, the latter being impressively applied and glassily high gloss. The end result looks classy, although the flat front makes a very obvious distinction between the US and Korean Customs. Twin humbuckers are naturally the norm and these PRS-designed pickups are equipped with cream/black ('zebra') bobbins. The control layout is equally conformist, with volume and tone controls partnered by a three-way, toggle-type selector switch, all positioned true to PRS tradition. The vibrato unit is a Korean-made copy of the excellent PRS original, complete with smooth-edged baseplate, six notched pivot screws and a tension-adjustable collar for the push-in arm. The latter is longer and leaner than its US equivalent, while the lack of a plastic tip is another visual clue to this Custom's Korean identity. Performance A big neck contributes to a big sound and the SE Custom 24 certainly isn't short on acoustic resonance and sustain. The pickups aren't the most characterful examples of their kind, but prove to be able partners, whether played clean or dirty. The neck humbucker is quite meaty, with dark tones balanced by smooth clarity, while the bridge position adds a gutsy mid range and some edgy upper end for more attack. The blend of both offers a useful third option via a broadband ringing chime endowed with nasal overtones. The vibrato unit is fluidly responsive, but unfortunately pitch return isn't accurate, with tuning discrepancies apparent after operation and manual string bending. This problem afflicts many SEs, and the culprit is the aforementioned altered headstock geometry. This results in greater sideways string friction at the nut, so slots require more attention, especially at the rear edges. Some speedy smoothing work immediately improves tuning stability, confirming that a more conscientious setup is necessary to get the best out of this instrument. SE Mike Mushok Baritone This model debuted in 2008 and is actually the first PRS baritone, made to meet the needs of Staind guitarist Mike Mushok, who already has a similarly equipped Ibanez signature six-string under his belt. For those unfamiliar with this type of instrument, it's essentially a halfway house between guitar and bass, employing a longer scale and larger strings typically tuned to A or B below standard pitch. This combination delivers the super-deep sounds ideally suited to modern rock, but a baritone can also be used equally effectively in more traditional ways, providing intense riffs and lead lines to underpin songs in many musical styles, including country. Rather than opting for an American-origin PRS, Mushok has chosen to make his custom creation more accessible via Korean construction. It shares many features with other SE six-strings, including the tuners and headstock, the black face of which is bound in white and bears the artist's name. The glued-in mahogany neck feels very similar to that of the Custom 24, but the ebony fingerboard is a unique feature, carrying 22 impeccably finished medium-gauge frets spread over an extended 702mm (27.7-inch) scale length. The shallow-radius, sleek and shiny playing surface is contrasted by white plastic binding, while front position markers are conspicuous by their absence. The all-mahogany body shares the SE Custom 24's shape, size and styling, but the slab front looks better under the solid Silverburst finish that is the sole choice for this signature model. The front edge is bound with white plastic and elsewhere everything is uniformly high-gloss black. The two PRS-designed humbuckers are equally funereal, while controls are again kept simple, although here the three-position selector switch is a Fender-style lever type positioned beyond the volume and tone pots. The latter are topped by grub screw-secured control knobs and these aren't a good fit, turning in a wonky way that looks untidy. To my eyes, their chrome plating doesn't go well with the Silverburst finish, and the standard PRS black plastic variety offers a better cosmetic and operational match, but Mr Mushok obviously thinks otherwise. Employing through-body stringing, the flush-mounted fixed bridge is another component specific to this SE. The baseplate is inspired by the PRS vibrato, tightly enclosing six saddles of equally typical design, although each of these has an enlarged bearing surface to better accommodate baritone strings, which was a late-in-the-day modification that delayed the introduction of this instrument. Chrome plating helps denote the difference between these bridge saddles and their standard SE counterparts. Performance A baritone needs plenty of natural, full-toned resonance and sustain, qualities that this PRS possesses in abundance, and plugging in proves equally rewarding. The simple circuitry indicates that Mushok favours the no-frills approach and, while it would've been nice to have some single-coil options, the three available humbucker selections are certainly very effective. They're also distinctly different from each other, ranging from full and fat at the neck, through deep and twangy in the centre, to hard and barky at the bridge. All are good for weighty lead lines or really dense but well-defined chord work that creates an aggressive wall of sound. The scale length is well chosen, not requiring too much extra stretch but offering accurate intonation, good tonal depth and a firm feel, while friendly neck proportions and an easy action ensure speedy playability. Verdict The Custom 24 is another very impressive SE, although the only real difference between this and the equally able Custom 22 is the extra two frets. Headline really should make more of the circuitry, incorporating simple coil switching to furnish some suitably Fender-ish sounds. Without any such extras, the choice is purely down to fret preference, which unfortunately makes the option less interesting. A baritone guitar is a specialised instrument, so the asking figure needs to be especially encouraging to make such a six-string worth buying. The Mike Mushok model is undoubtedly excellent in all respects, but several rivals currently retail at far more competitive prices. The financial factor could further limit appeal, which is a pity, as this PRS is among the best examples of the modern baritone breed. 0  Published in PM February 2009  | PRS SE Custom 24 £629 & PRS SE Mike Mushok Baritone £729 The SE series continues to expand via a pair of somewhat unexpected additions. The Custom 24 is a UK-only model offering the option of two extra frets over the existing Custom 22, but unfortunately very little else, although the usual impressive SE standard is maintained. The Mike Mushok Baritone is the first PRS of this type and includes a number of unique features. Performance is excellent, but the high price could deter those who might otherwise fancy this limited-application instrument.
Tech Spec SE Custom 24 Solid mahogany body, maple top with flamed-maple veneer. Glued-in mahogany neck. 24-fret rosewood fingerboard. 635mm (25-inch) scale neck. Six-saddle bridge/vibrato unit, PRS non-locking tuners. Two PRS-designed humbuckers. Master volume and tone controls, three-way pickup selector. Weight: 3.5kg. Black Cherry, Whale Blue/Black, Grey Black/Black finishes. Gig bag included. Tech Spec SE Mike Mushok Baritone Solid mahogany body. Glued-in mahogany neck. 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard. 702mm (27.7-inch) scale neck. Six-saddle bridge, through-body stringing, PRS non-locking tuners. Two PRS-designed humbuckers. Master volume and tone controls, three-way pickup selector. Weight: 3.0kg. Silverburst/Black finish only. Gig bag included. |
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