What is the body wood used in the PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow?

The guitar features a mahogany body for warmth and resonance, topped with a figured maple top for aesthetic appeal and tonal clarity.

What type of neck profile does this model have?

It uses the PRS 'Wide Thin' maple neck profile, which is designed for comfort and fast playability across the fretboard.

How many tonal options are available on this guitar?

The guitar provides twelve distinct tonal options through the use of a 5-way blade pickup selector and two mini-toggle coil-tap switches.

What pickups are installed in the PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow?

It is equipped with two 58/15 'S' humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions, and a Narrowfield DD 'S' pickup in the middle position.

Does this guitar have a tremolo system?

Yes, it features the PRS patented tremolo bridge, designed for smooth vibrato action and reliable tuning stability.

What is the function of the Narrowfield DD 'S' pickup?

The Narrowfield pickup provides a focused, single-coil-like clarity but with the hum-cancelling benefits and output levels of a smaller humbucker.

Is the PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow a full hollowbody guitar?

No, it is a semi-hollow guitar, meaning it has a solid centre block to reduce feedback while maintaining the resonance of a hollow instrument.

What fretboard material and inlays are used?

The guitar features a rosewood fretboard adorned with the signature PRS bird inlays for a classic look.

What is the typical price range for this model in the UK?

The typical price for this guitar is approximately £849, making it a mid-range professional instrument.

How does the coil-tap feature work?

The mini-toggle switches allow the user to split the 58/15 'S' humbuckers into single-coil modes, offering thinner, brighter tones for genres like funk or country.

What finish is standard for this specific model?

This specific model features the Charcoal Burst finish, which highlights the grain of the figured maple top.

Which genres is this guitar best suited for?

Thanks to its twelve tonal options, it is highly versatile and suitable for everything from jazz and blues to rock and contemporary pop.

Gear article

PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow Charcoal Burst

The PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow Charcoal Burst is a versatile electric guitar that combines a resonant semi-hollow body with an unconventional three-pickup configuration. Part of the Paul Reed Smith SE line, it is designed to offer professional-grade features, including a figured maple top and a sophisticated switching system, at a mid-range price point.

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Design and Construction

The PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow is constructed with a mahogany body that provides a warm, foundational resonance, topped with a figured maple veneer that adds both visual elegance and high-end clarity. The body features a single f-hole, characteristic of semi-hollow designs, which aids in natural sustain and weight reduction.

The neck is crafted from maple with a 'Wide Thin' profile, catering to players who prefer a faster, more modern feel. The 22-fret rosewood fingerboard is decorated with the iconic PRS bird inlays, maintaining the brand's aesthetic heritage. Hardware includes PRS-designed tuners and a patented moulded tremolo bridge, engineered for tuning stability and reliable vibrato performance.

Electronics and Tonal Versatility

The defining feature of this model is its unique three-pickup electronic layout. It is equipped with two 58/15 'S' humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions, known for their vintage-inspired voicing and mid-range punch. Between them sits a Narrowfield DD 'S' pickup, which provides the focus of a single-coil without the associated hum.

Management of these sounds is handled by a 5-way blade selector switch and two mini-toggle coil-tap switches. This configuration allows for twelve distinct tonal options, ranging from high-output humbucking tones to crisp, shimmering single-coil textures.

Sound Character

Due to its semi-hollow construction, the SE Special Semi-Hollow possesses a dynamic and expressive character. The mahogany back provides a 'woody' warmth and sustain, while the maple top ensures notes remain defined under gain. The combination of the 58/15 'S' pickups and the Narrowfield middle pickup allows the guitar to transition seamlessly between jazz-like warmth, bluesy grit, and bright, percussive pop tones.

Market Position and Comparisons

Priced typically around £849, this guitar occupies a space between entry-level semi-hollows and premium US-made instruments. It competes with traditional semi-hollow models such as the Gibson ES-335 or ES-339 series, though it offers a more modern ergonomic feel and a wider variety of pickup combinations than the classic two-humbucker '335' layout. While instruments like the Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body offer a more traditional 'big box' sound, the PRS SE Special is geared toward players needing a versatile workhorse that can cover multiple genres in a single session.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the body wood used in the PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow?: The guitar features a mahogany body for warmth and resonance, topped with a figured maple top for aesthetic appeal and tonal clarity.
What type of neck profile does this model have?: It uses the PRS 'Wide Thin' maple neck profile, which is designed for comfort and fast playability across the fretboard.
How many tonal options are available on this guitar?: The guitar provides twelve distinct tonal options through the use of a 5-way blade pickup selector and two mini-toggle coil-tap switches.
What pickups are installed in the PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow?: It is equipped with two 58/15 'S' humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions, and a Narrowfield DD 'S' pickup in the middle position.
Does this guitar have a tremolo system?: Yes, it features the PRS patented tremolo bridge, designed for smooth vibrato action and reliable tuning stability.
What is the function of the Narrowfield DD 'S' pickup?: The Narrowfield pickup provides a focused, single-coil-like clarity but with the hum-cancelling benefits and output levels of a smaller humbucker.
Is the PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow a full hollowbody guitar?: No, it is a semi-hollow guitar, meaning it has a solid centre block to reduce feedback while maintaining the resonance of a hollow instrument.
What fretboard material and inlays are used?: The guitar features a rosewood fretboard adorned with the signature PRS bird inlays for a classic look.
What is the typical price range for this model in the UK?: The typical price for this guitar is approximately £849, making it a mid-range professional instrument.
How does the coil-tap feature work?: The mini-toggle switches allow the user to split the 58/15 'S' humbuckers into single-coil modes, offering thinner, brighter tones for genres like funk or country.
What finish is standard for this specific model?: This specific model features the Charcoal Burst finish, which highlights the grain of the figured maple top.
Which genres is this guitar best suited for?: Thanks to its twelve tonal options, it is highly versatile and suitable for everything from jazz and blues to rock and contemporary pop.