"The price is mind-boggling considering all the performance you’re getting." We review the PRS SE Studio Standard and find a guitar that's one of the best choices around for working players

The recently introduced SE Studio Standard brings the acclaimed Studio model (first introduced in 1988) into the SE series as a bolt-neck alternative to the fancier set-neck SE Studio. Categorized by PRS Guitars as “specialty models,” the two electric guitars differ in several ways. The Studio Standard on review here features a flat-top solid mahogany body with pickguard mounted pickups, while its pricier sibling has a carved flame-maple top over a mahogany back and pickups mounted into the body.

Decked out in Sage Green, my review guitar looks great with its white three-ply pickguard carrying the two Narrowfield DD “S” pickups, a chrome-covered 58/15 LT “S” bridge humbucker and clear knobs.with black skirts. The five-way blade switch and push-pull function on the tone control work in tandem to expand the range of this versatile guitar and the selections are as follows:

Position 1: Bridge humbucker (forward coil with tone pot up)

Position 2: Bridge humbucker and middle Narrowfield (forward coil of humbucker with tone pot up)

Position 3: Middle Narrowfield

Position 4: Middle and neck pickups

Position 5: Neck pickup

The range of sounds this guitar delivers is impressive, covering everything from pristine cleans to ballsy overdriven tones and all points in-between.

Played through a Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue (with circuitry by Alessandro and a GA-SC64 speaker), a PRS DG-15 and a new PRS Archon Classic, the Studio Standard sounded killer played straight into these amps or with added boost from an Xotic EP and distortion from a Fulltone OCD and UAFX Lion ’68 Super Lead pedals.

The PRS 58/15 LT “S” bridge humbucker is badass for grinding rock tones, and it blends beautifully with the Narrowfield DD “S” middle pickup in switch position 2 for a rich, chiming sound that’s very addictive.

With the tone knob pulled up, the sound is snarkier and more Strat-like. which sounded verdy cool through the Deluxe set clean. For jazzier sounds, the Studio Standard’s neck setting is warm, deep and nicely detailed, and the middle-plus-neck combination in position 4 is great if you want that phasey color with a beefier response that sounds awesome with distortion.

I also liked the middle pickup by itself for fat, singing lead tones in the Santana/Dickey Betts camp. Worth noting that the Narrowfields are dead quiet when used solo.

Playability-wise the Studio Standard rules. The Wide Thin neck — which has a depth of 13/16 inch at the first fret and 57/64 inch at the 12th fret — is comfortable and inviting. The 22 medium frets are evenly crowned and polished, and the rosewood fingerboard on our review guitar is smooth and nicely figured. The birds inlays are a classy touch although I did notice a little filler around them.

Combined with a factory setup that provides low action and tuneful intonation the acoustic sound is clear and resonant with a touch of reverb-like shimmer emanating from the springs in the trem.

Speaking of which, the PRS Patented Tremolo is simply perfect to infuse your playing with musically expressive vibrato bends. Adjusted to float, it responds to the lightest press on the bar yet returns to pitch reliably under aggressive whammy workouts.

The system is so well balanced and the proprietary synthetic nut mitigates any pinching when the strings move across it, so even though the tuners are non-locking it doesn’t cause any issues. You can also rest your hand on the bridge without feeling any sharp edges, which is totally in keeping with the ergonomics of this guitar and how everything has been optimized for comfort and playability.

The SE Studio Standard is an inspiring guitar and well deserving of a five-star review. Its great playability and range of tones make it one of the best choices around for working players who can appreciate being able to own a celebrated PRS specialty model for a price that’s mind-boggling, considering all the performance you’re getting here. Well done!

SPECIFICATIONS

CONTACT prsguitars.com

PRICE $849, gig bag included

NUT PRS proprietary material, 1 11/16" wide

NECK Maple, Wide Thin shape, bolt-on joint

FRETBOARD Rosewood, 25" scale, 10" radius, Birds inlays

FRETS 22

TUNERS PRS designed, 18:1

BODY Mahogany flat top with arm and belly carve

FINISH High-gloss polyurethane

EXTRAS Available in Pearl White, Sage Green and Silverstone Gray

BRIDGE PRS Patented Tremolo

PICKUPS PRS Narrowfield DD “S” (neck and middle), 58/15 LT “S” humbucker (bridge),

CONTROLS Volume, push-pull tone. 5-way blade selector

STRINGS PRS Classic, .010-.046

WEIGHT 7.46 lbs (tested)

PRO Excellent playability. Lightweight and toneful. Combination of two Narrowfield DD “S” pickups and a 58/15 LT “S” humbucker provides a wealth of sounds

CON The tone knob cab be hard to grip when pulling it up