Collection: PRS SE
Step into the world of premium PRS guitars at an accessible price point with the acclaimed PRS SE series. Designed by Paul Reed Smith to bring exceptional tone, playability, and PRS's signature aesthetic to more players, PRS SE electric guitars offer incredible value without compromise. Whether you're a developing musician, a gigging artist, or simply seeking a high-quality, budget-friendly electric guitar, the SE Series delivers renowned PRS features like iconic bird inlays, versatile pickups, and comfortable neck profiles. Experience the legendary PRS craftsmanship and sonic versatility that makes these affordable guitars a standout choice for any player.
At Chicago Music Exchange, we’re proud to offer one of the best selections of PRS SE Guitars anywhere—high-performance instruments designed to deliver the iconic Paul Reed Smith feel, tone, and craftsmanship at a remarkably accessible price. From the bestselling PRS SE Custom 24 to the SE Silver Sky, SE Standard, SE Hollowbody, and signature models from Mark Holcomb, Zach Myers, Carlos Santana, and John Mayer, our curated lineup covers every style of player.
If you’re searching for PRS SE electric guitars, best PRS SE models, PRS SE Custom 24, PRS SE Silver Sky, or PRS SE guitars for beginners and professionals, you’re in the right place.
Why Guitarists Want PRS SE Guitars
PRS SE Guitars (short for Student Edition) were created so players of every skill level could access PRS quality without the price of a Core or Wood Library instrument. The goal was simple:
Make the design, feel, and reliability of a world-class PRS guitar truly affordable—without compromising tone or construction.
Players love PRS SE Guitars because they offer:
- iconic PRS body shapes
- dependable hardware and tuning stability
- carved maple tops & stunning finishes
- versatile pickups for rock, blues, jazz & pop
- exceptional playability and setup precision
- the best price-to-performance ratio in the PRS lineup
- From students to touring pros, PRS SE guitars are built for real-world performance.
A Short History of PRS SE Guitars
The PRS SE Series launched in 2001 as a collaboration between Paul Reed Smith and partner factories in South Korea. The line successfully captured the PRS design philosophy—elegant styling, ergonomic balance, and musical versatility—at a lower cost through efficient manufacturing and smart component choices.
Over time, the PRS SE line expanded to include:
- carved maple-top models
- premium mahogany & rosewood necks
- coil-split wiring
- chambered & semi-hollow models
- PRS patented tremolo designs
- upgraded tuners, nuts & electronics
- artist signature guitars
Today, PRS SE instruments are among the most searched and best-selling electric guitars in the world.
Popular Models & Styles of PRS SE Guitars
CME stocks every major PRS SE model type, including the most searched versions online.
1. PRS SE Custom 24 & Custom 22
The flagship SE model—quilt or flame maple veneer tops, 24 frets, coil-splitting, PRS tremolo. Ideal for modern rock, pop, fusion, and studio versatility.
2. PRS SE Silver Sky
One of the most searched electric guitars globally. Classic single-coil clarity with PRS refinement. Used by beginners, pros, and YouTubers alike.
3. PRS SE Standard Series
All-mahogany body, incredible value, great for first-time electric players or modders.
4. PRS SE Hollowbody II
A fan favorite. Warm resonance + PRS clarity. Optional piezo system for acoustic tones.
5. PRS SE Signature Models
Top searched signatures:
- PRS SE Mark Holcomb (Periphery)
- PRS SE Zach Myers
- PRS SE Carlos Santana
- PRS SE Chris Robertson
These models offer custom pickups, scale lengths, finishes, and hardware unique to each artist.
Specs That Define PRS SE Guitars
Common PRS SE guitar features include:
- Mahogany body + maple top (Custom series)
- Wide Thin or Wide Fat neck profiles
- PRS 85/15 “S” pickups or 245 “S” pickups
- Two-point PRS tremolo systems
- Set neck construction
- Rosewood or ebony fingerboards
- Coil-split switching
- PRS bird inlays
- Stunning veneer tops (quilt, flame, natural, charcoal, burst)
These specs combine to produce the smooth playability and rich sustain PRS is known for.
Popular Artists & Influencers Who Use PRS SE Guitars
PRS SE guitars have become favorites of both professionals and content creators.
Major Artists
- Mark Holcomb (Periphery) – SE Holcomb
- Zach Myers (Shinedown) – SE Zach Myers semi-hollow
- Carlos Santana – SE Santana
- Orianthi – SE Orianthi (past model)
- Tim Henson & Scott LePage (Polyphia) – Use PRS (Core/SE influence on market)
- John Mayer – SE Silver Sky has become a massive fan-driven success
Top YouTubers & Influencers
- Rhett Shull
- Paul Davids
- Music Is Win (Tyler Larson)
- Mary Spender
- Marty Music
- Ola Englund
- Jared Dines
Many demo and review PRS SE models, making them among the most searched guitars online.
PRS SE pricing varies by model:
- $499–$699: SE Standard models
- $699–$999: SE Custom & SE Signature entry models
- $999–$1,499: SE Silver Sky, SE Hollowbody, SE Signature high-end
At Chicago Music Exchange, we carry every price tier, from beginner-friendly PRS SE guitars to premium SE Hollowbody and Silver Sky builds.
Why Buy PRS SE Guitars from Chicago Music Exchange?
- Massive PRS Selection: From SE to Core and everything in between
- Exclusive CME Inventory: Unique finishes, limited editions & high-demand SE models
- Expert Staff: Our PRS specialists know the specs, differences & best options for your style
- Premium Setup: Every guitar is inspected and ready to play out of the case
- Best PRS SE Guitars Available: Custom 24, Silver Sky, Hollowbody II, Standards, Signatures & more
- Fast Worldwide Shipping from one of the most trusted guitar stores on earth
If you’re searching for the best place to buy PRS SE guitars, CME has the selection, expertise, and service to get you the right guitar quickly and confidently.
PRS SE Guitars FAQ
What is the best PRS SE guitar?
The PRS SE Custom 24, PRS SE Silver Sky, and PRS SE Hollowbody II are among the most popular and most searched SE models.
Are PRS SE guitars good for beginners?
Yes—SE guitars like the SE Standard 24 offer professional reliability, stable tuning, and comfortable neck profiles at beginner-friendly prices.
Are PRS SE guitars good for professionals?
Absolutely. Many touring pros use SE guitars live thanks to their stability, tone, and build quality.
What’s the difference between PRS SE and PRS Core?
PRS Core guitars are built in Maryland with top-tier materials; PRS SE guitars offer similar designs produced overseas for affordability—but still maintain excellent quality.
What genres are PRS SE guitars good for?
Rock, pop, blues, progressive metal, worship, indie, R&B, country—PRS SE guitars are extremely versatile.
What PRS SE guitar is best for metal?
The PRS SE Mark Holcomb is a top choice thanks to hot pickups, stability, and extended-range feel.
Is the PRS SE Silver Sky worth it?
Yes. It offers premium single-coil tone, comfortable neck shapes, and PRS refinement at an unbeatable price.
PRS SE Custom 24
The PRS SE Custom 24 is a masterclass in affordable versatility—an instrument that channels the spirit of Paul Reed Smith’s legendary Custom 24 design while remaining roadworthy and approachable. It sports a mahogany body capped with a beautifully figured maple top, whose shallow violin carve offers both visual elegance and resonance. The wide-thin maple neck feels fast and modern, paired with a 25″ scale length and 24-fret rosewood fingerboard inlaid with PRS’s iconic birds.
Under the hood, dual 85/15 “S” humbucking pickups deliver a rich tonal range — thick, punchy, articulate — and with the push-pull tone control plus a 3-way blade switch, you can unlock coil splits or travel through eight distinct voices. This makes the SE Custom 24 remarkably adaptable: it thrives across rock, blues, metal, or anything in between.
Hardware-wise, you get the PRS patented molded tremolo, designed for tuning stability and smooth expressiveness, plus PRS-designed tuners for reliable precision. The finish options — from Charcoal to Turquoise to Vintage Sunburst — bring both elegance and attitude. All told, the SE Custom 24 is a modern classic: rugged enough for the road, refined enough for the studio, and endlessly playable.
PRS SE Hollowbody
The PRS SE Hollowbody is a beautifully balanced meeting of warmth and clarity — a hollow-body electric that doesn’t compromise on playability or sonic depth. The Standard model features a fully hollow mahogany body, giving it a rich, resonant voice with a natural, woody character. Its 22-fret, 25″-scale Wide Fat mahogany neck offers a substantial, comfortable grip, while the ebony fingerboard, inlaid with PRS’s signature bird motifs, adds elegance to the design.
Inside, dual 58/15 LT “S” humbucking pickups deliver a warm, balanced, and articulate tone, great for clean, full-bodied passages or more driven electric work. A 3-way toggle switch gives you simple, intuitive control over your pickup configuration. PRS Guitars The PRS adjustable stoptail bridge ensures both sustain and tuning stability, while the classic nickel hardware feels immediately solid under your hands.
If you’re craving even more variety, the Hollowbody II ups the visual game with a flame-maple top and back, and the Piezo version adds an LR Baggs / PRS system so you can blend or separate acoustic and magnetic tones. In short: the SE Hollowbody is an affordable, refined instrument with a voice that breathes — perfect for players who want hollow-body richness without sacrificing modern playability.
PRS Electric Guitars
When you think of high-performance electric guitars, PRS (Paul Reed Smith) stands among the premier brands—blending world-class craftsmanship, tonal depth, and striking aesthetics in every model. Founded in 1985, PRS Guitars has grown under the leadership of Paul Reed Smith into a company that epitomizes modern luthiery: finely carved maple tops, rich mahogany bodies, and meticulously shaped necks form the heart of their design philosophy.
One of the most distinctive visual signatures is the bird inlay on the fretboard—a graceful but instantly recognizable touch that signals both elegance and precision. Tonally, PRS electrics are defined by their in-house pickup designs, offering everything from warm, vintage-voiced humbuckers to more modern, articulate combinations—often with coil-splitting or multi-voiced switching for expanded versatility.
The lineup spans from accessible to boutique: the SE Series provides high quality at a more budget-friendly price point; the S2 Series offers U.S.-made mid-tier instruments; and the Core models fine-tune PRS’s signature sound with premium materials and craftsmanship.