Hi Mike, great vid and music. I really like your playing and thoughts and always find them inspirational, useful, truthful and down to earth. Im not the best player in the world and I do keep trying and have often gone down the wrong path but its people like you who can be bothered to share your experience that really help. You have a brilliant tone and excellent knowledge, I just wish you lived closer so I could get some personal lessons from you. I love the blues stuff you do so any blues lesson tips videos will always be appreciated. Oh that Laney of yours still blows my mind. Best wishes David
Mike, Thanks for the demo. Had to send a LP studio back for QC issues. The salesman talked me into checking out the BM PRS SE. Sight unseen I ordered it. After your demo and great reviews I am stoked to receive mine. It looks and sounds like a fantastic guitar. Former Gibby player. New PRS player.
When I first saw this guitar I thought it was one of the more expensive PRS guitars. It is a really beautiful guitar. I also think that you did a wonderful job of demoing this guitar. I wish more people trying to demo products would take the time as you have with really explaining the controls and how they work. Thsi is what really makes a demo worth watching. Good work!! I don't know what kind of amp you're using but this guitar really sounds good coming through it.
Great demo, nice playing over the backing track at the end. I saw Bernie in concert last night using his prototype version, I'm now totally in love with this guitar.
Hi Mike, Wow, just wow, your playing is fantastic, It´s like a mix of Gary Moore (RIP) and Dave Guilmour, plus that beautiful PRS and the lovely Laney Lionheart, I commented last year in your fantastic demo of the 5w Laney Lionheart I have the same amp since 2012, had a few other amps over the years that I traded, but the Laney Lionheart LT5 is not going anywere, stays with me, the Speaker is now wel borken in (is not that stiff) so the amp sounds even better than before. It sounds great with or without effects, I usually plug straight into the amp an forget about cables and stuff, bueautifull reverb and overdrive on board, some times I put a Boss DD7 Delay pedal in analog mode (simulation) in the loop. Do you still have the beautifull Laney ? Your demo have like 11 years, It´s crazy and your playing is pro level. Nice pedal the Blues Breaker, have the first old version, and a Marshall Guv´nor pedal that I don´t use that often, I can tell from your Strat specs , in the other video with the SSL 1 and SSL 5 that your influence comes form Guilmour, now this vid is a surprise because I see Gary Moore in heavy passages, out of this world. It would be very nice to know if you still have and enjoy the Laney Lionheart. Cheers. Hope you release new videos soon. Take care.
@@gerardoromano3436 Hi Gerardo, still have the Laney. All original but I need a new handle as it’s disintegrating. Still haven’t heard a better amp either! Gary Moore is a major influence on me. Probably Gilmour, Moore and Mark Knopfler. Many others too along the way but those are the three I always come back to. Unfortunately I have a major issue with the middle finger of my left hand. Had an X Ray but have been waiting weeks for the result. I’m hoping it isn’t something too serious but we’ll see. Just want to get on with playing again!
I got mine a month ago, exchanged the PUs (Suhr Doug Aldrich), the nut (bone nut), the bridge (ABM Wraparound 3024), the potis (BK CTS 550k), the mechanics (Goto SD 510), and did some modifications to the electronics (Wires, Pio Caps). Finally all former cream parts as well as the poti knobs are in chrome now. It looks sharp and the sound is breathtaking. Endless sustain and enormous pressure. This is my beast! By the way Mike, you should try the DA neck pickup as well. The result is phantastic.
David, I have had both guitars. I now own the 53/10 BM. I luv it. Tone beats the stock 245 pickups anyday! I ordered and ship to the U.S. It has the tone quality of a 1959 LP aka the Beast! About as close to tone without spending a fortune. Very happy with the BM PRS SE w-53/10's. Hope this helps if you have not made the choice or have the chance. Good luck! Keep Jammin! Enjoy Life !
Hi Mike, Spot on review, I tried this at DV247 Romford - it felt ALIVE!. I was so impressed with the attack and sharp full sound and yet very musical as in your vid. Agree the build quality is also top shelf! I play Fender Strat and Takomine for my mixed taste in music and this one would add in nicely.Your jamming suggests the Bridge pickup is OK, personally I wouldn't mess with it. The guitar is what it is, a very respectable and very affordable PRS a "Beast Copy" 5* - Tony, SW France.
Cheers Jorge! The SE 245 pickups are really good pickups... For 2015 I'd love to see PRS change the Bernie to a 4 knob layout with an unfinished neck (Like the new Zach Meyers (Myers?)) and some covered pickups... Guitar just looks right with nickel pup covers.. My humble opinion of course! :)
Mike, that is sweet!!! I am with you on that neck pickup. Superb. The bridge pickup shines quite nicely at times but seems like it doesn't always play nice with that superb neck pup. Your equipment demos are second to none. One more question, I never asked what mastering software you chose. Please do tell! Thanks for the show! Regards//KP
Hey mike thanks for the reply - luthier retired it and now it sounds INCREDIBLE !! This is a great pickup ! Ps - no but change was required luthiers imply greased the g string - indentation (on then nut) and this has stopped the g string going out of tune Thanks for the replies , advice and suggestions - your time and experience are appreciated
I have the same SE BM and also a SE Custom 24 and a Gibson SG special and change my mind about my favorite all the time. Sometimes I wish I just had one so I would stop comparing them to each other, etc.
Just in case anyone is wondering, the guitar now has Graphtech Tusq but, Bare Knuckle Mule Neck pup, Suhr Doug Aldrich bridge pup, upgraded electrics, and locking studs.
CognKno Hq the new pickups are 'different' rather than better. I always thought the stock neck pickup was fantastic sounding but the stock bridge was 'decent' rather than great. But that's a tone thing so very subjective. The locking studs are better. The original studs and bridge have a poor fit so the bridge leans forward slightly the locking studs correct this. The but was also a required change as the original was cut poorly on my guitar and I wanted the string spacing widened slightly. The change in pots and cap was a needless change in hindsight. So, the only essential change was the but. The pups where more about chasing a particular tone and aesthetics with the covers. The locking studs is a beneficial upgrade but not essential. I will probably get larger frets when the time comes for a re-fret.but that's a long time off!
***** so, to answer you question. It's better sounding but only marginally so. It's a little closer to what I was after. It stays in tune better now I have a better quality nut. But it was a great guitar to start with so this is more about tailoring it to what I want rather than making it better.
I like it,good review and jam :) by the way ı have a question friend ; what did you used for jam records,I mean ı wonder your equipment as a soundcard ? .Your sound very clear for me,ı really like that !
MGTOW Bombay & Swiss Liked the neck pup a lot but changed both for a better match. As it happened I changed the bridge again. Yep, changed pots, cap, bridge, nut.. The pot change was pointless in the end. The stock ones are just fine. I need a new pup selector switch. Not bad after 5 or so years heavy use.
I really like the neck binding of the SE Bernie as well, but I prefer the control layout of the SE 245, also, I think the SE Bernie is a bit more mid-ranged than the 245...
Nicely done! Lots of useful feedback Mike. Thank you. Other than aesthetic differences (as with the tuners), what differences do you know of as compared to the P245 or SE 245 (feel, playability, quality, sound etc.).
Thanks for commenting!!! The main difference over the SE245 isn the neck shape. The neck on the Marsden is based on Bernie's 59 LP and is a little bigger than the 245. The body may be a little deeper too, although I'm not certain on that. That extra bit of wood seems to give the Marsden a bit more 'meat' tone wise. It seems to sound a little 'thicker' and more classic sounding than the 245. The neck is a more personal thing I suppose but it feels niucerbin the hand than the 245, even if they both claim to be wide fat. Everything else is cosmetic with the binding, tuners and single tone control.
***** 'nicer in the hand I meant to say! I should add that quality wise they're the same. Great guitars that are worth way more than they cost. The only issues with SE's is that the nut can be poorly cut sometimes. Easy and cheap to sort out but worth checking before you buy.
Thanks Mike! I have an SE Mark Tremonti now with the longer 25" Scale Length in the Wide Fat format, but I would really like to add Bernie's SE to my collection. With the added weight, richer tone PLUS the matching neck and body binding that I don't think the 245's have; I'm sold. I may put in a set of the new Cream T Billy F Gibbons Banger Humbuckers though. ;)
Mike please, please, please make a video of your prs with the new pickups in it. I am trying to decide between the Mules, 59/09, 57/08, or Seymour Duncan Joe Bonamassa pickups. And your videos are a great help. I whatched your video a ton before I bought my bernie, thanks.
I've just acquired a Black Cherry model and I also have a Vintage Sunburst. These are hard to get hold of now. There were a recent run of limited edition colours with Black Cherry being one of them, but I can only find one Santana Yellow model on ebay now. Where have they all gone? I would love one in Trampas Green.
SITH GIRL I would have loved a couple of the Lim Ed ones... I think there may be another run of limited edition ones this year. Did you see any of the Private Stock Marsdens?
How would you compare this to the SE 245? Did you end up changing the bridge pickup? If you haven't what would you replace it with? Thanks! Great Video.
Nice playing ! I have one of these and am wondering what upgrades people have been doing. Did you change either of the pickups ? Cheers from San Francisco.
I have one of this , i put a kluson tonepros vintage tuners, bareknukle humbuckers, Emerson pro pots, and paper in oil capacitor ! the bridge is not bad !!!! maybe two pivots in brass!!!!!
CommViewer The stock PRS SE pickups are actually pretty nice considering the cost of the guitar. The neck pickup is especially good for warm, smooth leads, but gets muddy with chords or double stops. The bridge pickup works great for medium gain crunchy rhythm stuff. I found that lowering the pickups, then raising the polepieces, opened things up a bit. I also tilted the neck pickup, so the bass side is lower than the treble side, and this helped reduce some of the muddiness. Don't expect a night and day difference, of course, but it definitely improved things. And adjustments like these are free! I'll probably replace the pickups sometime down the road, but for the moment, I'm quite happy with the stock pickups. Definitely replace the nut. That's an essential upgrade to any inexpensive guitar. I got my SE Bernie Marsden for a steal. A local Guitar Center had a brand new one heavily discounted, priced at $430. There wasn't anything wrong with it either; it was in perfect condition. And it had one of the nicest flame maple tops I've ever seen on a guitar costing under $2,000. I'm definitely glad I caught that bargain before anyone else!
***** Thanks for the info....I was lucky enough one day to be walking through a Guitar Center and noticed a used SE 245 for sale. The feel of the neck was so incredible and the price ( $300 ) were such that I had to buy it and made the very tough decision to sell the Bernie and do the upgrades to the SE 245. Its turned out to be a great decision. I upgraded the nut by buying one from PRS - this is a necessity. The nut on the SE 245 is semi hollow. The nut for the SC 245 is solid. I also upgraded the pickups to a pair of SC 245 pickups (got them used on Ebay) and I swapped the stoptail bridge for a PRS adjustable/intonatable stoptail bridge (they are over $200 new from PRS and IMHO are too expensive - I waited until I could buy a used one on craigslist) . All three upgrades (did not touch the wiring or capacitors) combined have given me an instrument that plays like a guitar in the $1000 to $1300 range. Love the SE 245 range !! the value for money is phenomenal ! In retrospect had I left the original SE 245 pickups on the guitar and upgraded the nut and bridge I still would have ended up with a very solid guitar.
CommViewer Nice. $300 is a great price for a used SE245. Isn't it amazing how much of a guitar you can get for $300 nowadays? Since you upgraded the pickups, nut, and bridge, I would definitely consider upgrading the rest of the electronics. The pots, switch, output jack, wiring, and capacitors aren't the best, and they definitely are now the "weakest link" in your guitar. And even with high-quality parts (CTS pots, Switchcraft jack and toggle switch, etc.), all the parts will cost around $40.
Hi Justin, thanks for your further input - it had crossed my mind (I bought a Fender Super Champ tube amp and can't believe the tones I am getting so I was wondering about how much wiring might impact things). Is there a one stop shop where I could get everything I need in one go as a set ? Is there a set that's considered optimal for PRS ? would it be daft to combine something like a BumbleBee wiring harness with the 245 pups ?
Cheers HFK! Demographics... (Presumption alert!) The single cut away shape appeals to more people who may buy an Se given prices and the ages of some buyers. Love to see an SE C22. Didn't really get on with the SE C24 with its extra frets and neck shape.
***** Yes that makes sense...I bought some PRS and always went for their 'signature shape' with Custom 22's and 24's although I prefer the Les Paul shape..I also got a Nik HUber with a Les Paul shape : the Orca and as beautiful as it was I traded it because it was like too perfect and too expensive and I felt that it was dangerous to play...too delicate and I didn't like that feel. I think that guitars should be tools to make music...anyway thanks again for an excellent demo...what a sound!
A US made PRS Bernie Marsden is pretty much confirmed now. Should be due out by the end of the year. Search CZcams for the Lee Anderson meets Bernie Marsden video for more details. Now... Anyone want to lend me a few grand!! :)
Hey Mike,according to Bernie the middle position on the p/u selector switch was going to be wired out of phase(the so-called Peter Green tone)but it doesn't sound like it to me.What do you reckon?
i totally agree with what you said about the nut. It shouldve had a little bit more work done to it. It tends to grab alot and brings your guitar out of tune.
Nicely done review. Question, I am considering this guitar along with the new Gibson 2012 Les Paul Standard. What guitar would you prefer, the PRS or the 2012 Gibson Les Paul. I am looking for the most detailed sound, and of course the holy grail 59 Les Paul sound for Led Zeppelin songs, clapton, etc. Any comments along those lines?
Thanks for the answers friend :) these are very useful for me.I'm recording something with my equipments too,you know ,I'm trying to get a real guitar sound.That's why ı asked you.Thanks again :)
@MikeGarveyBlues Received it two hours ago and I love it !!!! My other guitar is a "real" PRS Dave Grissom and at one FIFTH of the price the Bernie Marsden easily comparers to its much more expensive american cousin . It will receive a fret polish next time i change strings something all my guitars cheap or expensive have needed but apart from that this guitar is a 10. Highly recommended !!!!
Thanks, very useful indeed! I'm quite attracted to this guitar. (1) Do you have any idea why the prices differ so much depending on the finish? i.e. They're generally £595 but the gold one is c.£449/£479, the spalted one c.£499. The PRS web site only lists black and gold, so are the others just being chopped out as unsuccessful? (2) I've seen some adverse comments about poor nut cutting, was yours ok? Thanks again!
Marmaduke Winterbotham They reduced the prices on them including the standard Bernies for a while. The new ones that came in (2015 models) went back to near full price but those that where on offer stayed at the offer price. The splayed, gold and others where limited editions but I'm not sure how they did sales wise. My nut wasn't cut too well. It is the one thing to look out for on an SE. They are cheap to fix (widen slots) or even replace. I had mine replaced for a Tusq nut. Worth it if there's an issue but most SE nuts are fine these days.
***** Many thanks Mike. I passed a couple in a music shop last week and picked one up out of curiosity. I was pleasantly surprised by the neck. From reviews etc.I was under the impression it was very thick but in my book it's just right. It's all about personal preference of course. I've got a first class guitar tech near me who sets up all my guitars and he could sort/replace a duff nut. There may be some GAS building here!
Wildwire guitars - Leon did me the best deal on this guitar and the best i could find on the internet! Call him as he is a great guy to deal with (i have no affiliation to them)
Does anyone have any experience with the neck profile of the Marsden compared to the SE245? I love my 245 but the neck is just a little too beefy for me. Thanks. Oh, nice review.
In general the Bernie neck is a little bigger than the SE245. It's been known to vary. I know someone who thought their 245 neck was bigger and someone tried two Nbernies and one had a bigger neck. But overall, I'd say if you find the 245 neck to beefy you won't like the Marsden neck. You may be better off looking at SE's with wide thin. The Marsden neck isn't baseball bat big but it's no slouch. It's based on Marsdens' 59 LP neck.
the problem for me with this is, it`s modeled on bernies 60 year old guitar, I`d want mine to look like this AFTER 60 years, so I`d have to get it refinished in a proper `burst`! I`d also put the best (Bareknuckle) p`ups in it and I`m left thinking why not just buy the proper prs 58 singlecut? shame, cos Bernie`s one of my all time favorite guitarists! (and I can`t afford a 58 even stripped it`s way outta my financial league-bugger)
Hi Mike, great vid and music. I really like your playing and thoughts and always find them inspirational, useful, truthful and down to earth. Im not the best player in the world and I do keep trying and have often gone down the wrong path but its people like you who can be bothered to share your experience that really help. You have a brilliant tone and excellent knowledge, I just wish you lived closer so I could get some personal lessons from you. I love the blues stuff you do so any blues lesson tips videos will always be appreciated. Oh that Laney of yours still blows my mind. Best wishes David
Excellent demo, great playing, thank you!
Cheers MarshallAmpMan!
Great demo!!
This is the best sounding demo of this guitar that i've heard.Very nice!
Cheers Tele..!
Mike, Thanks for the demo. Had to send a LP studio back for QC issues. The salesman talked me into checking out the BM PRS SE. Sight unseen I ordered it. After your demo and great reviews I am stoked to receive mine. It looks and sounds like a fantastic guitar. Former Gibby player. New PRS player.
When I first saw this guitar I thought it was one of the more expensive PRS guitars. It is a really beautiful guitar. I also think that you did a wonderful job of demoing this guitar. I wish more people trying to demo products would take the time as you have with really explaining the controls and how they work. Thsi is what really makes a demo worth watching. Good work!! I don't know what kind of amp you're using but this guitar really sounds good coming through it.
Wow! Great tone. Especially with the backing track. Top notch playing!
Great demo, nice playing over the backing track at the end. I saw Bernie in concert last night using his prototype version, I'm now totally in love with this guitar.
Hi Mike, Wow, just wow, your playing is fantastic, It´s like a mix of Gary Moore (RIP) and Dave Guilmour, plus that beautiful PRS and the lovely Laney Lionheart, I commented last year in your fantastic demo of the 5w Laney Lionheart I have the same amp since 2012, had a few other amps over the years that I traded, but the Laney Lionheart LT5 is not going anywere, stays with me, the Speaker is now wel borken in (is not that stiff) so the amp sounds even better than before. It sounds great with or without effects, I usually plug straight into the amp an forget about cables and stuff, bueautifull reverb and overdrive on board, some times I put a Boss DD7 Delay pedal in analog mode (simulation) in the loop. Do you still have the beautifull Laney ? Your demo have like 11 years, It´s crazy and your playing is pro level. Nice pedal the Blues Breaker, have the first old version, and a Marshall Guv´nor pedal that I don´t use that often, I can tell from your Strat specs , in the other video with the SSL 1 and SSL 5 that your influence comes form Guilmour, now this vid is a surprise because I see Gary Moore in heavy passages, out of this world. It would be very nice to know if you still have and enjoy the Laney Lionheart. Cheers. Hope you release new videos soon. Take care.
@@gerardoromano3436 Hi Gerardo, still have the Laney. All original but I need a new handle as it’s disintegrating. Still haven’t heard a better amp either! Gary Moore is a major influence on me. Probably Gilmour, Moore and Mark Knopfler. Many others too along the way but those are the three I always come back to. Unfortunately I have a major issue with the middle finger of my left hand. Had an X Ray but have been waiting weeks for the result. I’m hoping it isn’t something too serious but we’ll see. Just want to get on with playing again!
This is testament to the Laney lionheart 5 watt combo also, a lot of the tone comes from that fantastic British amplifier ....
Thanks for this great review it made me go out and buy one! It arrives tomorrow. Great playing by the way - you have a nice feel
congrats! You'll love it! Wildwire is a great shop... Always enjoy their videos.
I got mine a month ago, exchanged the PUs (Suhr Doug Aldrich), the nut (bone nut), the bridge (ABM Wraparound 3024), the potis (BK CTS 550k), the mechanics (Goto SD 510), and did some modifications to the electronics (Wires, Pio Caps). Finally all former cream parts as well as the poti knobs are in chrome now. It looks sharp and the sound is breathtaking. Endless sustain and enormous pressure. This is my beast! By the way Mike, you should try the DA neck pickup as well. The result is phantastic.
Great demo! I would love to see you do another one after you get all the upgrades done. Thanks.
Awesome, Mike! A beautiful guitar with a great sound. The Laney of course is great as usual. Hope you stay happy with it. tminet
Beautiful guitar, great tones, great guy! Nice review and playing. *lights lighter and shouts ENCORE!
David, I have had both guitars. I now own the 53/10 BM. I luv it. Tone beats the stock 245 pickups anyday! I ordered and ship to the U.S. It has the tone quality of a 1959 LP aka the Beast! About as close to tone without spending a fortune. Very happy with the BM PRS SE w-53/10's. Hope this helps if you have not made the choice or have the chance. Good luck!
Keep Jammin! Enjoy Life !
Hey Mike Thats a beaut of a guitar, fantastic playing and editing bro, had to go to my brothers house to watch this, damn connection here lol.Top Job.
Best looking, and playing SE yet. I put a set of 57/08 pickups in it and it kills.
Hi Mike, Spot on review, I tried this at DV247 Romford - it felt ALIVE!. I was so impressed with the attack and sharp full sound and yet very musical as in your vid. Agree the build quality is also top shelf! I play Fender Strat and Takomine for my mixed taste in music and this one would add in nicely.Your jamming suggests the Bridge pickup is OK, personally I wouldn't mess with it. The guitar is what it is, a very respectable and very affordable PRS a "Beast Copy" 5* - Tony, SW France.
GREAT PLAYING!!! NICE DEMO.
awesome demo and playing. Based on what I heard here I would leave those pups alone....sounded great.
Cheers Jorge! The SE 245 pickups are really good pickups... For 2015 I'd love to see PRS change the Bernie to a 4 knob layout with an unfinished neck (Like the new Zach Meyers (Myers?)) and some covered pickups... Guitar just looks right with nickel pup covers.. My humble opinion of course! :)
Mike, that is sweet!!! I am with you on that neck pickup. Superb. The bridge pickup shines quite nicely at times but seems like it doesn't always play nice with that superb neck pup. Your equipment demos are second to none. One more question, I never asked what mastering software you chose. Please do tell! Thanks for the show! Regards//KP
Hey mike thanks for the reply - luthier retired it and now it sounds INCREDIBLE !! This is a great pickup ! Ps - no but change was required luthiers imply greased the g string - indentation (on then nut) and this has stopped the g string going out of tune
Thanks for the replies , advice and suggestions - your time and experience are appreciated
You're welcome! Enjoy the Bernie! :)
Nice one Mike! Looks and sounds the business. That's some demo boy! GB will never be able to download it, lol. Nige (as was "schnuffi" rip)
Great review and demo! I just have a SE 245 Standard. Great guitar too.
Wow, great piece of music and good review :)
Mike, I just ordered another BM PRS w/53/10 coil tap. From wildwire. You guys got 50, none in the US. Hope it is great. Had to send my other one back.
Ordered mine on friday can´t wait :)
Excellent
Nice playing and greta tone.
Man love this guitar cant wait to get mine
You'll love it even more when you get to play it!!! :)
Im sure I will Mike just hope it isn't like some Ive had in the past were they didn't live up to all the hipe ya know
piller35801 I hope that it does! I've had that happen more times than not but the Bernie was just right from the start.
piller35801 I hope that it does! I've had that happen more times than not but the Bernie was just right from the start.
I have the same SE BM and also a SE Custom 24 and a Gibson SG special and change my mind about my favorite all the time. Sometimes I wish I just had one so I would stop comparing them to each other, etc.
Just in case anyone is wondering, the guitar now has Graphtech Tusq but, Bare Knuckle Mule Neck pup, Suhr Doug Aldrich bridge pup, upgraded electrics, and locking studs.
***** In your opinion are the new changes to this guitar better than what you reviewed?
CognKno Hq the new pickups are 'different' rather than better. I always thought the stock neck pickup was fantastic sounding but the stock bridge was 'decent' rather than great. But that's a tone thing so very subjective. The locking studs are better. The original studs and bridge have a poor fit so the bridge leans forward slightly the locking studs correct this. The but was also a required change as the original was cut poorly on my guitar and I wanted the string spacing widened slightly. The change in pots and cap was a needless change in hindsight. So, the only essential change was the but. The pups where more about chasing a particular tone and aesthetics with the covers. The locking studs is a beneficial upgrade but not essential. I will probably get larger frets when the time comes for a re-fret.but that's a long time off!
***** so, to answer you question. It's better sounding but only marginally so. It's a little closer to what I was after. It stays in tune better now I have a better quality nut. But it was a great guitar to start with so this is more about tailoring it to what I want rather than making it better.
I like it,good review and jam :) by the way ı have a question friend ; what did you used for jam records,I mean ı wonder your equipment as a soundcard ? .Your sound very clear for me,ı really like that !
Mate did you not like ether stock pick ups? Did you also upgrade the pots & nut?
MGTOW Bombay & Swiss Liked the neck pup a lot but changed both for a better match. As it happened I changed the bridge again. Yep, changed pots, cap, bridge, nut.. The pot change was pointless in the end. The stock ones are just fine. I need a new pup selector switch. Not bad after 5 or so years heavy use.
I really like the neck binding of the SE Bernie as well, but I prefer the control layout of the SE 245, also, I think the SE Bernie is a bit more mid-ranged than the 245...
Very great! I´ve an SE soapbar and I love it so much :) I´m thinking about buying an SE 245 or a SE satana! Keep on rockin :)
Nicely done! Lots of useful feedback Mike. Thank you. Other than aesthetic differences (as with the tuners), what differences do you know of as compared to the P245 or SE 245 (feel, playability, quality, sound etc.).
Thanks for commenting!!! The main difference over the SE245 isn the neck shape. The neck on the Marsden is based on Bernie's 59 LP and is a little bigger than the 245. The body may be a little deeper too, although I'm not certain on that. That extra bit of wood seems to give the Marsden a bit more 'meat' tone wise. It seems to sound a little 'thicker' and more classic sounding than the 245. The neck is a more personal thing I suppose but it feels niucerbin the hand than the 245, even if they both claim to be wide fat. Everything else is cosmetic with the binding, tuners and single tone control.
***** 'nicer in the hand I meant to say! I should add that quality wise they're the same. Great guitars that are worth way more than they cost. The only issues with SE's is that the nut can be poorly cut sometimes. Easy and cheap to sort out but worth checking before you buy.
Thanks Mike! I have an SE Mark Tremonti now with the longer 25" Scale Length in the Wide Fat format, but I would really like to add Bernie's SE to my collection. With the added weight, richer tone PLUS the matching neck and body binding that I don't think the 245's have; I'm sold. I may put in a set of the new Cream T Billy F Gibbons Banger Humbuckers though. ;)
i love this guitar, its the best i ever owned
I bought one! Easily a "Number One" to go to!
Mike please, please, please make a video of your prs with the new pickups in it. I am trying to decide between the Mules, 59/09, 57/08, or Seymour Duncan Joe Bonamassa pickups. And your videos are a great help. I whatched your video a ton before I bought my bernie, thanks.
Very nice demo. Well done, and helpful. Thanks!
tdarian
I've just acquired a Black Cherry model and I also have a Vintage Sunburst. These are hard to get hold of now. There were a recent run of limited edition colours with Black Cherry being one of them, but I can only find one Santana Yellow model on ebay now. Where have they all gone? I would love one in Trampas Green.
SITH GIRL I would have loved a couple of the Lim Ed ones... I think there may be another run of limited edition ones this year. Did you see any of the Private Stock Marsdens?
Sounds like a great set of upgrades. Not finished upgrading mine but the pennies are tight. :)
How would you compare this to the SE 245? Did you end up changing the bridge pickup? If you haven't what would you replace it with? Thanks! Great Video.
Nice playing !
I have one of these and am wondering what upgrades people have been doing.
Did you change either of the pickups ?
Cheers from San Francisco.
I have one of this , i put a kluson tonepros vintage tuners, bareknukle humbuckers, Emerson pro pots, and paper in oil capacitor ! the bridge is not bad !!!! maybe two pivots in brass!!!!!
CommViewer The stock PRS SE pickups are actually pretty nice considering the cost of the guitar. The neck pickup is especially good for warm, smooth leads, but gets muddy with chords or double stops. The bridge pickup works great for medium gain crunchy rhythm stuff.
I found that lowering the pickups, then raising the polepieces, opened things up a bit. I also tilted the neck pickup, so the bass side is lower than the treble side, and this helped reduce some of the muddiness. Don't expect a night and day difference, of course, but it definitely improved things. And adjustments like these are free!
I'll probably replace the pickups sometime down the road, but for the moment, I'm quite happy with the stock pickups.
Definitely replace the nut. That's an essential upgrade to any inexpensive guitar.
I got my SE Bernie Marsden for a steal. A local Guitar Center had a brand new one heavily discounted, priced at $430. There wasn't anything wrong with it either; it was in perfect condition. And it had one of the nicest flame maple tops I've ever seen on a guitar costing under $2,000. I'm definitely glad I caught that bargain before anyone else!
*****
Thanks for the info....I was lucky enough one day to be walking through a Guitar Center and noticed a used SE 245 for sale. The feel of the neck was so incredible and the price ( $300 ) were such that I had to buy it and made the very tough decision to sell the Bernie and do the upgrades to the SE 245. Its turned out to be a great decision. I upgraded the nut by buying one from PRS - this is a necessity. The nut on the SE 245 is semi hollow. The nut for the SC 245 is solid. I also upgraded the pickups to a pair of SC 245 pickups (got them used on Ebay) and I swapped the stoptail bridge for a PRS adjustable/intonatable stoptail bridge (they are over $200 new from PRS and IMHO are too expensive - I waited until I could buy a used one on craigslist) . All three upgrades (did not touch the wiring or capacitors) combined have given me an instrument that plays like a guitar in the $1000 to $1300 range.
Love the SE 245 range !! the value for money is phenomenal !
In retrospect had I left the original SE 245 pickups on the guitar and upgraded the nut and bridge I still would have ended up with a very solid guitar.
CommViewer Nice. $300 is a great price for a used SE245. Isn't it amazing how much of a guitar you can get for $300 nowadays?
Since you upgraded the pickups, nut, and bridge, I would definitely consider upgrading the rest of the electronics. The pots, switch, output jack, wiring, and capacitors aren't the best, and they definitely are now the "weakest link" in your guitar. And even with high-quality parts (CTS pots, Switchcraft jack and toggle switch, etc.), all the parts will cost around $40.
Hi Justin, thanks for your further input - it had crossed my mind (I bought a Fender Super Champ tube amp and can't believe the tones I am getting so I was wondering about how much wiring might impact things). Is there a one stop shop where I could get everything I need in one go as a set ? Is there a set that's considered optimal for PRS ? would it be daft to combine something like a BumbleBee wiring harness with the 245 pups ?
How loud are you playing with the backing track, Can you give me the loudness of your amplifier in Decibel? Very nice playing and tone.
Great Guitar!!!
What's the amp that you use in this vid? Thx
You can do one-finger volume swells with the neck pickup only, the volume for the bridge is too far away.
Great demo thanks:) Why are most PRS SE Models single cutaways???????
Cheers HFK! Demographics... (Presumption alert!) The single cut away shape appeals to more people who may buy an Se given prices and the ages of some buyers. Love to see an SE C22. Didn't really get on with the SE C24 with its extra frets and neck shape.
***** Yes that makes sense...I bought some PRS and always went for their 'signature shape' with Custom 22's and 24's although I prefer the Les Paul shape..I also got a Nik HUber with a Les Paul shape : the Orca and as beautiful as it was I traded it because it was like too perfect and too expensive and I felt that it was dangerous to play...too delicate and I didn't like that feel. I think that guitars should be tools to make music...anyway thanks again for an excellent demo...what a sound!
wow, thats awesome!!
I hope so! I got lucky but I've seen a lot of nice tops on the Bernies... Some better than mine! :)
hey man ...amazing playing .... btw ... which song is the 1st one ....
A US made PRS Bernie Marsden is pretty much confirmed now. Should be due out by the end of the year. Search CZcams for the Lee Anderson meets Bernie Marsden video for more details. Now... Anyone want to lend me a few grand!! :)
Sorry, that should be Lee Anderton. Bloody auto correct!
***** Copy and paste... The captain meets Bernie Marsden
don't see a problem with the pickups . . . sound fine
Hey Mike,according to Bernie the middle position on the p/u selector switch was going to be wired out of phase(the so-called Peter Green tone)but it doesn't sound like it to me.What do you reckon?
I just ordered mine. I hope the sunburst will be just as awesome. It seems the Sunburst doesn´t always look the same on all the SE BM´s.
i totally agree with what you said about the nut. It shouldve had a little bit more work done to it. It tends to grab alot and brings your guitar out of tune.
Oh BTW! I saved $800.00 by picking the PRS BM SE over the Gibson LP Studio. Can't wait.
Keep Jammin! Enjoy Life!
Nicely done review. Question, I am considering this guitar along with the new Gibson 2012 Les Paul Standard. What guitar would you prefer, the PRS or the 2012 Gibson Les Paul. I am looking for the most detailed sound, and of course the holy grail 59 Les Paul sound for Led Zeppelin songs, clapton, etc. Any comments along those lines?
These are as good as any American made guitar I have played or owned!
I just got this guitar and I love it. Mt serial # is M000008. Is that the 8th one made?
I put a set of Bareknuckle Mules in my BM and they are zebra too so the look hasn't changed but the sound has a lot ..for the better I may add.
Thanks for the answers friend :) these are very useful for me.I'm recording something with my equipments too,you know ,I'm trying to get a real guitar sound.That's why ı asked you.Thanks again :)
Just about to order one of these as im tired of my emg 81/85 's
Fitted the suhr bridge pickup
Nice!
Mike, am about to buy a PRS BM - in your opinion are the 53/10 worth the £150 more than buying the standard BM and swapping in BKP The Mule?
Tasteful playing BTW!
So, are you using the Bare Knuckles in the beginning of the video?
oh, and what type and gauge pickup were you using and the strings on the guitar?
Compare the SE 245 to Bernie Marsden... Which one would ya choose?
@MikeGarveyBlues Received it two hours ago and I love it !!!! My other guitar is a "real" PRS Dave Grissom and at one FIFTH of the price the Bernie Marsden easily comparers to its much more expensive american cousin . It will receive a fret polish next time i change strings something all my guitars cheap or expensive have needed but apart from that this guitar is a 10. Highly recommended !!!!
Thanks, very useful indeed! I'm quite attracted to this guitar. (1) Do you have any idea why the prices differ so much depending on the finish? i.e. They're generally £595 but the gold one is c.£449/£479, the spalted one c.£499. The PRS web site only lists black and gold, so are the others just being chopped out as unsuccessful? (2) I've seen some adverse comments about poor nut cutting, was yours ok? Thanks again!
Marmaduke Winterbotham They reduced the prices on them including the standard Bernies for a while. The new ones that came in (2015 models) went back to near full price but those that where on offer stayed at the offer price. The splayed, gold and others where limited editions but I'm not sure how they did sales wise. My nut wasn't cut too well. It is the one thing to look out for on an SE. They are cheap to fix (widen slots) or even replace. I had mine replaced for a Tusq nut. Worth it if there's an issue but most SE nuts are fine these days.
***** spalted rather...
***** Many thanks Mike. I passed a couple in a music shop last week and picked one up out of curiosity. I was pleasantly surprised by the neck. From reviews etc.I was under the impression it was very thick but in my book it's just right. It's all about personal preference of course. I've got a first class guitar tech near me who sets up all my guitars and he could sort/replace a duff nut. There may be some GAS building here!
Are you and Sean Bean from the same region? Very similar accents.
I see the mag is out but I haven´t read it yet have you ??
what were the settings on the clean channel for the demo?
Wildwire guitars - Leon did me the best deal on this guitar and the best i could find on the internet! Call him as he is a great guy to deal with (i have no affiliation to them)
Now this looks interesting. I find so many of the SE models look a a little too cheap. @This might be an exception. Thanks
Does anyone have any experience with the neck profile of the Marsden compared to the SE245? I love my 245 but the neck is just a little too beefy for me. Thanks. Oh, nice review.
In general the Bernie neck is a little bigger than the SE245. It's been known to vary. I know someone who thought their 245 neck was bigger and someone tried two Nbernies and one had a bigger neck. But overall, I'd say if you find the 245 neck to beefy you won't like the Marsden neck. You may be better off looking at SE's with wide thin. The Marsden neck isn't baseball bat big but it's no slouch. It's based on Marsdens' 59 LP neck.
the problem for me with this is, it`s modeled on bernies 60 year old guitar, I`d want mine to look like this AFTER 60 years, so I`d have to get it refinished in a proper `burst`!
I`d also put the best (Bareknuckle) p`ups in it and I`m left thinking why not just buy the proper prs 58 singlecut? shame, cos Bernie`s one of my all time favorite guitarists!
(and I can`t afford a 58 even stripped it`s way outta my financial league-bugger)
Is this the same thickness as a PRS SE 245? Thanks
Yes it is nice
but the pickups are now out of phase ?
That doesn't sound right. Sounds like it's been wired up wrong.
Is it as thick as the SE 245?
btw I meant to type great tone, and not greta tone, just in case you think I'm Italian!
I thought the bridge PU sounded fine.
never use a coin to adjust the bridge hight. slacken off the strings before adjusting the bridge. otherwise you'll burr the metal screws.
No nut change was required
I think they've improved the qc on the nuts.
Fitted the suhr bridge pickup