2001 PRS Santana SE-should I?

[Cedarburger]

I am looking at what appears and is reported to be a "like new" 2001 Santana SE stopbar this morning. I own an SE Custom (24) that I love. The price on the Santana is sub $300. My thought is even if I don't like it, at the price of a Sqiuer Affinity (new) or less than a used Classic Vibe, if nothing else it can be modded. So, never having even seen one up close, am I Iooking at this the right way? How are these guitars really? Reviews seem to range from poop to hidden gems. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[nojazzhere]

I am looking at what appears and is reported to be a "like new" 2001 Santana SE stopbar this morning. I own an SE Custom (24) that I love. The price on the Santana is sub $300. My thought is even if I don't like it, at the price of a Sqiuer Affinity (new) or less than a used Classic Vibe, if nothing else it can be modded. So, never having even seen one up close, am I Iooking at this the right way? How are these guitars really? Reviews seem to range from poop to hidden gems. Any advice is appreciated.

Sub-$300? Sounds fishy to me.

 

[NOTHING89 10]

Very low price,, be careful.
Excellent guitar, I wish I had kept mine.

Good luck! RM

 

[kuch]

Yeah, I had one of those in the early 2k's. they were around $250 back then.
I'm appalled at what they're going for these days, for what I remember what they were like.

check it out well

 

[Cedarburger]

Yeah, I had one of those in the early 2k's. they were around $250 back then.
I'm appalled at what they're going for these days, for what I remember what they were like.

check it out well

So, not so good?

 

[kuch]

So, not so good?

I don't want to discourage you, but this is what I remember about it. The one I picked up back then felt "cheap". It didn't feel "solid" like a MIM strat or tele, and the pickups were "bland".
I don't have any idea if they've improved the model since and wouldn't base my judgement on newer ones on this.

I would strongly advise you to play it if you can.

good luck

 

[Peegoo]

Those SEs are great guitars, made at the WMI factory in Korea at that time.

Make sure the neck is straight and see that the truss rod works. Check the frets for excessive wear, because a fret job is expensive unless you can do the work yourself.

Anyone selling any guitar with no strings on it is a huge red flag.

 

[telleutelleme]

I have both. Mine are circa 2010. Stick with the CE 24. Apart from the color, it isn't one I play much. Thought I would, but tonally not much there for my taste. However we all look at and hear guitars differently.

 

[Cedarburger]

Those SEs are great guitars, made at the WMI factory in Korea at that time.

Make sure the neck is straight and see that the truss rod works. Check the frets for excessive wear, because a fret job is expensive unless you can do the work yourself.

Anyone selling any guitar with no strings on it is a huge red flag.

I couldn't tell if the neck was twisted. Stopbar looks really high on high E side.

 

[Peegoo]

That's not necessarily a bad thing, and it doesn't mean the neck is twisted. If the action is consistent and all notes ring clearly, you're good.

 

[Colo Springs E]

Look down the neck from the headstock point of view. Look for raised areas or dips looking down both sides toward the body.