PRS SE Angelus Custom Piezo Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural

I went to my local GC to pick up a new acoustic guitar. I tried several different acoustics in the $500-$1k range. The Martins were a little darker than what I was looking for and seemed to lack some excitement in its tone. I found the Taylors had the excitement i wanted but were just too bright. After trying several different models I knew I wanted something between the two, sonically. I then picked up a PRS Angelus STANDARD. Wow, tonally, it was exactly where I wanted to be. I didn't think I would find a better sounding guitar in my price range. Then I saw the Angelus CUSTOM right next to the standard. I decided to give it a try too. WOW! It occupied the same tonal territory as the standard but with way more luscious overtones and more body to the overall sound. A difference of night and day. It also plays and feels extremely good. If you are considering this one or the standard, go for this one!

I have had this guitar for a few days now and I have to say.... I am very happy and completely satisfied with my purchase. For this price range guitar none compare to the tone and play-ability of the custom. I played both the Standard and Custom version. As soon as I picked up the custom I could feel the difference. The custom was a little heavier in weight. It played and sounded much better than the standard. The tone of the Custom is warmer and cleaner. I can't believe the tone that comes out of this guitar, omg wow!!!! I agree with one of the reviews about some small finish issues. They are ever so slight though. At a glance you would never see them. I had to look over it for a while to find some. Don't let that stop you. Overall this is a very beautiful guitar. I played several other Acoustic/Electric cutaways in this price range and couldn't find one I liked at all. I thought I would need to spend a lot more money. This guitar plays and sounds better than some of the $2500 guitars in the store. If you don't believe it, well I guess you will just need to play one for yourself to see. The only bad review I found on this guitar said that he wasn't happy that it didn't have a pick guard. Believe the reviews. You will be happy!

My first review of the PRS ANGELUS SE was a bit too harsh as I have gone back and tried the guitars again and have to revise my assessment on this guitar. My opinion of Taylor Guitars remains in tact and they are just spectacular guitars ... that being said Taylor offers several series of guitar in three different styles whereas PRS has the $5000 "Maryland Made" and the ANGELUS SE. I went back and played the 200 series Taylor which left me flat in comparison to the 300 series and the price level jumped along with the series jump. So believe it or not I am recommending the PRS ANGELUS SE STANDARD because it turns out to be a really good guitar at a really good price. I followed my own advice and went down (again) to retry these guitars out and Im glad I did. Will I own a 800 series Taylor eventually? Yes and it will never leave the house (LOL) but meanwhile I'm going to play this one out "Live" as much as possible.

I have been playing 30 years in all types of bands and solo engagements. This guitar is awesome! It has all the options and more you would want to find on an electric acoustic guitar. The tuner, EQ, volume, notch filter, EQ bypass all sitting right where you can see them while you are playing. The tuner is easy to use live. The sound is amazing. I was playing a Gibson acoustic electric that just wasn't ringing through live. This guitar rings like a bell! I plug it straight into my TC Helicon (vocal effects floor unit)and out of that straight into a Mackie PA speaker and I can do coffee shops and restaurant solo gigs with one small load of equipment. It sounds beautiful. When I play with my rock band "Narcoleptic Spiders" it cuts through the mix and sounds beautiful. I own a PRS electric and after playing it awhile sold my Gibsons and Fenders in favor of a couple PRS' after playing them and a Schecter for Drop tuning stuff since they have really similar necks. The PRS acoustic has a neck that I love. zero time to get used to the neck. I bought it Wed and played a solo acoustic gig with it Friday. I went into Guitar Center Scottsdale AZ before buying it and tried everything. Price is no indicator of the quality of sound. I played Yamahas, Gibson, Taylors, and some of the more expensive ones were just okay, and some of the $300 acoustics sounded better than some of the $3000 acoustics. The PRS SE Angelus Custom Piezo Acoustic-Electric Guitar sounds really close to their $5000 model, close enough that I would never pay the extra $4000 (I'd grab a nice Santa Cruz Guitar if I planned to spend that much). I could not be happier! Gave my wife the Gibson acoustic and this is my main acoustic for performing.

Overall there are a couple of small things that could have been better. After buying it I found two tiny flaws in the finish and I think the truss rod cover looks cheap. They should use an ebony or ??? wood truss rod cover. The best feature is the sound/tone. It's very different than my other guitars, so it's a great addition. It has wonderful ring in the mid range that's great for open tunings. The low end is uniquely crisp, hard to describe with words but less muddy/boomy??? It's surprisingly loud and I found it easy to hear myself when I'm jamming with others. It has an addictive sustain that make the open chords really sing. The action is set very low and is really easy to play up the neck. Mine plays buzz free despite the super low string clearance. The intonation is nearly perfect and have yet to even think about a set-up. Plugged into a mixer/PA system it sounds great. Plugged into my amps it's a little bright and crispy. It may be a little over priced but it's one of my favorite sounding guitars and way cheaper than many others that I'm not nearly as impressed with.

I've been searching for a quality acoustic for under a grand for awhile now, and this guitar was one of the few that seemed to fit the criteria. It's not a very wide guitar, but the warmth of the tone and volume of the guitar rivals most dreadnoughts that I've played. I couldn't be happier with this guitar, and I'm completely sold on PRS. This will not be the last guitar I buy from them.