PRS SE 245 Soapbar Review: Examining the Pros and Cons

The PRS SE 245 Soapbar is a popular guitar model known for its versatility and impressive playability. I will analyze the pros and cons of this instrument, shedding light on its notable features and potential drawbacks. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the PRS SE 245 Soapbar will help you make an informed decision about adding it to your collection.

The guitar was created as a variation of the popular PRS SE 245 model, featuring soapbar-style pickups instead of the traditional humbuckers. It was designed to offer players a different tonal character and versatility compared to the standard SE 245. The soapbar pickups provide a unique and distinct sound, combining warmth and clarity with a snappy, gritty quality. This variation caters to guitarists seeking a different sonic experience and expanded tonal options.

The SE 245 Soapbar retains the core design elements of the SE 245 series, including the classic single-cut body shape, mahogany body, and set neck construction. These features contribute to the guitar’s balanced tonal characteristics, sustain, and overall resonance.

My Journey with the PRS SE 245 Soapbar

The renowned PRS core (USA) line had always intrigued me with its flawless craftsmanship, modern design, premium tonewoods, and stunning tops. However, the price range was beyond my reach. That’s when I stumbled upon the PRS SE range, featuring the PRS SE 245, Santana SE, and Custom SE, which lured me into a local guitar shop one fateful day.

Exploring the PRS SE Range

First on my list was the SE 245 with humbuckers. While it closely resembled my beloved Les Paul, it lacked the extra punch I was seeking and felt somewhat generic. Next up was the Custom SE. Although it offered a wide range of tones, it had a more sterile, “metal” sound and the flat fingerboard proved unwieldy for my playing style. It didn’t quite resonate with me. The Santana model was next, and it immediately stood out as the best option so far. Its classic tone, single volume/tone controls, and vibrant vibrato appealed to me. However, it still didn’t possess the desired punch, sounding similar to the SE 245.

Then, as fate would have it, I discovered the SE 245 Soapbar. It instantly clicked. The PRS P90 pickups added that elusive punch I had been missing for years with my worn-out Gibson Les Paul Studio. I was sold on the spot. However, fate had a twist in store for the guitar shop—I had already set my sights on a stunning limited edition spalted maple model online and promptly purchased it that very night.

Standout Features of the Guitar

The initial encounter with the PRS SE 245 Soapbar, priced at £500, immediately showcases its excellent value for money. The included padded gigbag alone is worth £50, setting a positive tone from the start. But what truly takes your breath away is its sheer beauty. The spalted maple body adorned with cream P90s creates a stunning visual appeal that never fails to captivate. Enhancing its aesthetic allure are the classic PRS bird inlays, the minimalist wrap-over one-piece bridge, and the matching spalted maple headstock veneer, making it one of the most visually striking instruments I’ve ever laid my eyes upon.

Beyond its striking appearance, the PRS SE 245 Soapbar reveals meticulous attention to detail in its design. It omits unnecessary scratch plates, pickup surrounds, and selector switch rings, maintaining an elegant simplicity. The inclusion of oversized strap buttons eliminates the need for strap locks, ensuring peace of mind during performances. Another thoughtful improvement over Gibson’s design is the straight string pull over the nut, promoting better tuning stability. Additionally, the PRS SE 245 Soapbar features a 24.5-inch scale length, resulting in looser string tension and enhanced playability.

In terms of construction, this guitar embraces a tried and tested single-cut design that exudes reliability. However, it possesses a sleeker profile compared to a Gibson Les Paul, allowing better access to the upper frets. Notably, it is also lighter in weight, even considering the deep C-profile neck and “Wide/flat” fingerboard. The neck profile may take some time to adjust to, but it ultimately adds to the overall comfort and playability of the instrument.

Sounds of the PRS SE 245 Soapbar

The PRS SE 245 Soapbar combines P90 pickups with a mahogany body to create a harmonious blend of warmth and snappy tones. The bridge position offers exceptional clarity, surpassing humbuckers and traditional single coils. This versatility allows the guitar to adapt to different styles, showcasing its chameleon-like character. Notably, it produces a distinctive woody bark similar to a Telecaster on the wound strings.

The Soapbar’s neck pickup, often preferred over a Les Paul’s neck humbucker, provides outstanding clarity while maintaining a noticeable contrast to the bridge pickup. It delivers a full and versatile tone, unlike the warm and indistinct sound of a Les Paul’s neck humbucker. Personally, I found myself frequently switching to the neck pickup, a preference that differed from my experience with a Les Paul.

In the middle position, the Soapbar offers more snap than a humbucker, making it suitable for funk and similar styles. However, if you focus on choppy and syncopated playing, nothing compares to the out-of-phase positions found on a Fender Stratocaster.

With its one-piece bridge, lightweight construction, and stripped-down design, the Soapbar resonates naturally and produces a remarkable, classic sound. Its versatility makes it an excellent instrument for various musical contexts.

Drawbacks of the PRS SE 245 Soapbar Revealed

Regrettably, the PRS SE 245 Soapbar is not without its issues, the most noticeable being related to the electronics. When playing with moderate gain in genres like classic rock or blues, even a slight adjustment to the volume pots can abruptly diminish all the top-end frequencies. Rather than having a gradual taper, it behaves more like an on-off switch. This limitation poses a significant challenge for those who prefer to set up distinct lead and rhythm tones by adjusting the volume control.

Another aspect of the PRS SE 245 Soapbar that warrants attention is the nut, which seems to be optimized for lighter gauge strings, despite the guitar being initially equipped with heavier 10-gauge strings. This creates a dilemma for players. Considering its 24.5-inch scale length, using 9-gauge strings becomes impractical as the action becomes excessively loose and floppy. However, if one opts for thicker strings, they encounter binding problems at the nut, leading to a host of tuning difficulties and frustrations. Finding the right balance between string gauge and playability becomes a crucial consideration for those seeking optimal performance from the instrument.

While the P90 pickups offer versatility, they do come with compromises. It’s important to acknowledge that they cannot replicate the pristine cleans of a Stratocaster or the singing sustain of a Gibson Les Paul. Although the absence of sparkling cleans may not be a significant concern, P90s tend to fall short in sustaining notes during high-gain solos, with the sound decaying earlier than desired, which is a drawback compared to the performance of humbuckers.

Conclusion

The PRS SE 245 Soapbar encountered various setbacks that affected its overall performance. Firstly, it struggled to maintain tuning stability due to a poorly cut nut. Additionally, the inferior quality of the electronics rendered the live use of volume controls problematic.

Furthermore, despite the widespread acclaim surrounding PRS for their exceptional playability and quality control, the PRS SE 245 fell short in comparison to a battle-tested Gibson Les Paul Studio that I owned for ten years. The Gibson offered superior setup with lower action and a more manageable neck profile.

Upon reflection, the PRS SE 245 did not provide the anticipated value for its price of £500. Manufactured in Korea, it featured subpar woods, electronics, and setup, accompanied by a soft case. Comparatively, the USA-made Gibson Les Paul Studio was priced at only £799 and included a hard case, nitro-cellulose finish, professional setup, fully functional electronics, and a genuine dark mahogany back.

Nevertheless, it is worth acknowledging that the PRS SE 245 Soapbar came close to achieving its intended objectives. It exhibited captivating sounds and boasted an aesthetically pleasing and well-thought-out design. However, a higher investment in electronics and quality control would have significantly enhanced its overall appeal.