An Affordable Metal Machine
March 18, 2019 • Christopher Volpini • Music
Artist models are a funny thing. It used to be a great marketing campaign for guitar companies in the early-mid 2000s. Now, they’ve become somewhat polarizing. I know people that will not even consider buying an artist model. Some, myself included, just want a great instrument, and don’t really care if someone’s signature is on the headstock. Still others have to age old outlook of “If it’s good enough for ________, it’s good enough for me.”
Enter the PRS SE Mark Tremonti. First, let’s do the specs.
PRS SE Mark Tremonti
BODY:
Top Wood: Beveled Maple with Flame
Body Wood: Mahogany
NECK:
Number of Frets: 22
Scale Length: 25"
Neck Wood: Maple
Neck Shape: Wide Thin
Fretboard Wood: Rosewoood
Fretboard Inlay: Birds
HARDWARE:
Bridge: PRS Patented Tremolo with Trem-Up Route
Tuners: PRS Designed Tuners
Hardware Type: Nickel
ELECTRONICS:
Treble Pickup: Tremonti "S"
Bass Pickup: Tremonti "S"
Controls: Volume and Tone Control for Each Pickup with 3-Way Toggle Pickup Selector On Upper Bout
OTHER:
Case/Gig Bag: Gig Bag
Sometimes Artist models get pigeonholed because some may see them as only being good for their namesake’s musical style. That, of course, is a mostly incorrect assumption especially in the case of the PRS SE Tremonti. As shown in the video, this guitar can easily weave through any genre. Of course, it gets a great rock tone, and receives overdrive and distortion effects very well. However, the attached video also shows that it can get as clean as the Pine Sol Lady’s living room floor in Spring. This makes it a great jazz or funk guitar as well. Also, the patented PRS Tremolo lets you dive down and soar higher than the birds inlayed on the neck. One may say that this guitar is unstoppable.
This model’s real limitation as far as tone is the lack of coil tapping. That said, all PRS models are made with modification in mind, letting you answer all of those “What Ifs”. There is a very large control compartment. This lets you add anything you may want in the way of electronics. Also, the pickups are a standard humbucker route. You can swap over to your humbucker of choice with a soldering iron and a few minutes of your time.
One of the best things about this model is that it is from the SE series. These guitars come at a very affordable price point which makes them accessible to most any budget. You also get a lot for the modest price tag. Including cases with instruments has become a lost art on many builders. This is especially true for the sub $1,000 lines. When they do come with a case, it usually is good enough to get the instrument home and little else. The gig bag that comes with the SE Tremonti is very high quality with a tight fit and heavy duty zippers.
In conclusion, this is a great interpretation of a classic design that is priced with a working musician in mind. If you decide to take the plunge on one of these, bust out of your own prison and give Moores a call. They are standing by to receive your order with arms wide open.