By: Staff
Ricky Skaggs playing the SE Angelus
The folks over at PRS Guitars have been busy this past year, and the fruits of the efforts are currently being undraped to dealers and the press at Experience PRS, the guitar manufacturer’s own trade show. One of their most exciting new additions is the expansion of their SE models of guitars to include an acoustic model, the PRS SE Angelus.
The SE Angelus is the first guitar in the brand new line of SE Acoustics, which Paul Reed Smith and company have designed to provide superior quality at a very reasonable price point. The SE Acoustics will all be made with the same PRS “hybrid X” bracing pattern as well as other proprietary features of PRS’s acclaimed line of Maryland-made acoustics. The SE line uses solid backs, solid spruce tops, bone saddles and nuts and PRS SE tuners, which are designed in-house.
In the words of Paul Reed Smith himself, the Maryland-made acoustics are “just finally being accepted by the marketplace,” and with the new line of SE acoustics, PRS is hopeful to solidify their place among the revered acoustic guitar manufacturers. Smith went on, “The SE Acoustic line is a major moment for PRS, and I believe it will be very well received. The value of these instruments is remarkable and their integrity is apparent.”
But don’t take Paul’s word for it. After playing the SE Angelus for only the second time (apart from hearing Paul play it over the phone to him), bluegrass and country legend Ricky Skaggs said, “It’s amazing! I swear, I could not believe it. And for 700 bucks, they can walk out with a great guitar.”
The SE Angelus comes in two packages, the SE Angelus Standard and Custom. The Standard model brings in mahogany sides and back and a rosewood fretboard and bridge, while the Custom model includes rosewood sides, an ebony fretboard and bridge and a solid rosewood back. Both will be purely acoustic guitars, but the line is expected to expand into acoustic-electrics in the first few months of 2012. More information on the new line of acoustics is available at this location.
Tony McManus playing the PRS SE Angelus
Paul Reed Smith SE Angelus
Rob (12 years ago)
Wow! I have heard different renditions of “Atlantic Mast” over the years, but, the combination of Todd Bauchspies and that great sounding instrument have put it in a whole new light for me. This new SE Angelus line should absolutely lock in and expand PRS’S place in the acoustic market. With premium construction and terrific sound quality at a moderate price, I foresee nothing but good thing for PRS.