Ben Morgan-Brown tries the latest in PRS’s ‘more affordable’ acoustic range
PRS may be best known for its much admired solid bodied electric guitars but it has also been making luxurious acoustic instruments for a good few years. The problem has been with that word ‘luxurious’. They’re hand crafted in the USA to very high standards and have been priced accordingly. In an attempt to branch out, and as it had done successfully with its electric models, the Maryland company has previously tried to launch ‘SE’ acoustic models, made outside the USA and designed to offer PRS features at lower prices, but these earlier SE acoustics didn’t really deliver what this fiercely competitive market demanded. That is all set to change in 2018, PRS promised when it launched the latest SE range, throwing down the gauntlet to the other big brand guitar makers with top quality guitars at prices more players can afford..
The news SE’s come in two body shapes: Angelus Cutaway and Tonare Grand, meaning “Angel” and “Thunder” respectively. They come with either traditional “X” bracing or hybrid “X”/Classical bracing. PRS says traditional “X” bracing allows the top to vibrate while providing a stability that gives these instruments punch. PRS Hybrid bracing features the traditional “X” at the soundhole with classical fan bracing across the belly. The maker says this produces better tone. The newcomers offer solid tops and impressive detail features like ebony fretboards and bridges, bone saddles, impressive inlays and abalone purfling, In an attempt to keep the price down, they also have backs and sides made of laminates – albeit very high quality ones.
So how does the SE T50E stack-up against the fierce competition from established acoustic brands? For his first outing with Acoustic Review, Ben Morgan-Brown tries the handsome SE T50E.
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Specifications
PRS SE T50E
UK Price RRP £749
Top Wood: Solid Sitka Spruce
Middle Wood: Figured Maple
Back Wood: Figured Maple
Body Shape: Tonare Grand
Body Depth at Neck Block: 3 19/32”
Body Depth at Tail Block: 4 3/8”
Bracing: PRS Hybrid “X”/Classical Bracing
Body Purfling: Abalone
Body Binding: White/Black
Rosette: Abalone, White/Black
NECK
Number of Frets: 20
Scale Length: 25.3”
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Neck Shape: Wide Fat
String Spacing: 2 7/32”
Fretboard Wood: Ebony
Fretboard Inlay: Birds
Fretboard Radius: 11.81″
Strength/Truss Rod: Adjustable
Nut: Bone
HARDWARE
Bridge Wood: Ebony
Tuners: PRS-Designed
Acoustic Saddle: Bone
Strings: 12-53
Included Accessories: PRS Hardshell Case
ELECTRONICS
Fishman GT1
