PRS Guitars is likely to be most celebrated for its high-end electrics, however in recent times, the corporate has been providing acoustic gamers numerous bang for the buck with its SE Sequence steel-strings. These flattops at the moment are obtainable in three sizes—Angelus Cutaway, Tonare Grand, and Tonare Parlor—every with a number of completely different tonewood choices. They’re distinctive-looking guitars, incorporating particulars borrowed from their electrical counterparts, like PRS’ trademark chicken fretboard inlays. On the similar time, the SEs incorporate the hybrid X/classical bracing sample discovered within the Non-public Inventory devices PRS makes in very restricted numbers in its Maryland store. From the Angelus sequence, I checked out the brand new SE A20E and was impressed as a lot by its simple playability as its shiny but versatile tonal vary. 

Compact and Comfy

With its Angelus Cutaway physique, the SE A20E has a decrease bout of 15.5 inches, shut in measurement to a regular 14-fret dreadnought. The guitar is constructed completely of mahogany (strong high and laminated again and sides) and, like all the opposite SE acoustics, options the aforementioned hybrid X/classical bracing that’s stated to permit the highest to vibrate extra freely, translating to enhanced projection and sound. 

The evaluation mannequin arrived with low motion, which is good for me. However I did hear some slight buzzing throughout all six strings on the second fret and better. Relying in your taking part in fashion, the guitar may benefit from knowledgeable setup out of the field. In any other case, the SE A20E’s playability is easy. Whereas the neck form is described as wide-fat, it feels comparatively slender and quick, an impact enhanced by its inviting satin end and good fretwork, free from the sharp edges generally discovered on devices at this worth level. 

Putting Appears and Good Resonances

Visually talking, the SE A20E makes a press release recent out of the case with its shiny black high and uneven headstock. The guitar’s distinctive aesthetic is additional outlined by these trademark chicken inlays throughout the fretboard, and the physique is accented by crème binding in addition to the stylish contact of herringbone purfling and rosette detailing. However the SE A20E shouldn’t be merely well-appointed. As soon as you start to play it, it turns into instantly obvious that it has simply as a lot to supply sonically. 

The SE A20E is noticeably resonant, with a robust midrange and clear highs. And though the low finish is barely much less audible, you possibly can nonetheless sense its presence beneath the extra spectacular mid-to-high frequency ranges. As could be anticipated for an instrument of its measurement, the guitar has good projection and quantity. It rings out enthusiastically when strummed; the notes are clear and pronounced, with good string separation in chords, giving technique to satisfying overtones. 

With a flatpick, I attempted taking part in some songs of my very own, which fall into the folk-rock class, in addition to some tunes like “Stickshifts and Safetybelts” by Cake and the solo from Chic’s “Santeria.” Every accented melody line reduce by means of with spectacular readability, producing tones that sat comfortably within the midrange however have been nonetheless couched in stability of registers. 

As for fingerpicking, with out using acrylic nails or a thumb decide, the dynamic stays delicate and mild. I get pleasure from taking part in classical items by composers like J.S. Bach, Francisco Tárrega, and Nikita Koshkin on steel-string guitars; on this context, the SE A20E’s midrange and excessive finish come out collectively in nuanced layers, giving the compositions a novel texture. 

The SE A20E is outfitted with a PRS-voiced Fishman Sonitone undersaddle pickup, which has the standard thumbwheel quantity and tone controls positioned conveniently beneath the soundhole. And it arguably sounds even higher amplified than it does unplugged. Nearly something under the very best tone setting sounds nice; the low setting provides off a daring, vivid tone with out being overpowering, and the mid setting has a becoming roundness to it.

The Backside Line

The PRS SE A20E boasts an adaptable tonal palette together with good consolation and playability, to not point out a particular look. The guitar responds equally nicely to flatpicking and fingerpicking, and, given its glorious amplified sound, it’s a nice possibility for any guitarist in search of a pleasant all-purpose acoustic on a restricted price range.

Specs 

BODY Angelus Cutaway form; strong mahogany high; layered mahogany again and sides; hybrid
X/classical bracing; ebony bridge; bone saddle with 2-7/32″ string spacing; shiny high end with satin again and sides

NECK Mahogany neck; double-acting truss rod; wide-fat profile; 1-11/16″ bone nut; 25.3″ scale size; ebony fretboard; chicken inlays

OTHER PRS Basic Acoustic strings 80/20, gentle (012–.053); PRS-voiced Fishman Sonitone electronics; gig bag

MADE IN China

PRICE $699 avenue

prsguitars.com

Store for this guitar with Sweetwater, Amazon, or Reverb.