Triple Treat

Along with its specific 40th Anniversary models, PRS is cranking out the new releases this year, not least with two new three-pickup Special Semi-Hollow models in the S2 and SE line. We compare those with the longer-running Core version

- Dave Burrluck

PRS SPECIAL SEMI-HOLLOW, S2 SPECIAL SEMI-HOLLOW & SE SPECIAL SEMI-HOLLOW £5,169, £2,899 & £1,180 CONTACT PRS Europe PHONE [phone] WEB www.prsguitars.​com

Not too long back, the majority of new guitars and gear were launched around the USA NAMM Winter and Summer Shows. Now it seems they're coming thick and fast every month or so! We've already lost count of the new models PRS has released in this significant anniversary year, but its latest five-strong wave adds the original-style PRS HSS Studio to the S2 and SE lines (along with an SE bolt-on Studio Standard), while the S2 and SE range also get a Special Semi-Hollow, which has been a USA Core model since 2021.

If you're not au fait with these different PRS levels, the USA Core range is the top tier before you go into the exclusive Private Stock custom shop. The S2 models are also made in the USA, in the same factory alongside the Core models, but use a simplified production path and, up until recently, the same hardware and pickups as the startup SE models. These SEs are primarily made in Indonesia by Cor-Tek and are the entry-level models, starting currently with the bolt-on SE CE 24 Standard Satin at £520.

So, with a three-pickup Special Semi-Hollow in all three ranges, a comparison was too good to miss - not least that, as you can see, our three guitars range from £1k to £5k. Good, better, best? Let's find out...

Special Semi-Hollow