Watch: See PRS’s new SE guitars, including all-new hollowbody models, at NAMM 2020
The 2020 range includes the first SE hollowbodies.
Image: PRS
NAMM 2020: PRS has announced six additions to its SE range for the company’s 35th anniversary in 2020, including two exotic-veneered instruments, updated Mira and Starla models and the first hollowbody models in the SE range.
SE Hollowbody Standard and SE Hollowbody II
The 2020 SE range is the first to see hollowbody models. The SE Hollowbody Standard offers an all-mahogany body, the guitar combining the warm characteristics of the wood with the articulate resonance lent by the hollow construction. The SE Hollowbody II sandwiches mahogany sides between a maple top and back for a more snappy response.
Both hollowbodies sport two humbuckers and a one-piece wrapover bridge, a recipe more commonly seen on solidbodies – a fact that could make these guitars an ideal entry point for solidbody players who want to begin exploring the world of hollow guitars. In any case, the models offer two differently voiced, highly-spec’d instruments.
SE Starla Stoptail & SE Mira
The Starla and Mira were always more retro-vibed compared to most PRS instruments, and according to PRS these 2020 versions are designed to further distinguish these models from the rest of the line-up’s more contemporary vibe.
With new vintage-voiced coil-splittable humbuckers, the Mira and Starla offer a wide variety of tones each, while maintaining the stripped-back vibe of both instruments. The Starla features a two-piece bridge, while the Mira features PRS’ own single-piece hardtail design.
Despite the stated vintage aspirations, however, there are still some more modern PRS touches on these guitars, including fretboards with bird inlays, deep carved lower cutaways for easy access to all 22 frets.
SE Custom 24 Poplar Burl and SE Custom 24 Burled Ash
Elsewhere, the SE range is also gaining a pair of exotic veneer-finished Custom 24s. Both models retain the core specifications of the SE Custom 24, with zebra humbuckers, a PRS tremolo and a bound rosewood fretboard featuring, of course, 24 frets. The veneers on the Poplar Burl and Burled Ash models offer unique, exotic grain patterns, with a finish of Vintage Sunburst for the Burled Ash and Whale Blue for the Poplar Burl.
The pricing for these additions to the SE range is as follows:
- SE Mira and SE Starla: £599
- SE Hollowbody Standard: £899
- SE Hollowbody II: £999
- SE Custom 24 with Exotic Tops: £799
More information at prsguitars.com
Check out all NAMM 2020 news here.
