PRS SE Swamp Ash Special Guitar - Vintage Sunburst

Distinct swamp ash sounds

The PRS SE Swamp Ash Special pairs nimble pickup selections with a body carved from one of the most nimble tonewoods: swamp ash! Swamp ash grows only near the banks of the Mississippi River, the same central and southern heartlands that birthed the blues and rock ’n’ roll. Because its roots grow directly in water, it is the lightest species of ash available, with incredible balance, resonance, and dynamic response. When played politely, swamp ash strikes an ideal balance between brightness and girth. Played aggressively at loud volumes or with distortion, swamp ash reveals a gnarlier side characterized by midrange bite and snarl that cuts through any mix. One of the finest tonewoods known to humankind, swamp ash is becoming harder to come by — thankfully, PRS’ stockpiles have kept this tonewood icon available to all.

PRS-designed pickups

Enticing pickup trios have been a hallmark of the Swamp Ash Special over the years. This new SE version carries on this tradition with two potent 85/15 “S” humbuckers and a single-coil AS-01, a combination that packs enough range for hot Nashville twang, mellow jazz, driven hard rock, and more. The 85/15 “S” humbuckers are retooled versions of Paul Reed Smith’s original pickups. You can expect sweet, vintage-tinged harmonics and chunky humbucker warmth, but with output and inflection optimized for modern gear and tastes. The AS-01 pickup in the middle position offers a brighter, more crisp alternative to humbuckers and is a natural fit for classic styles such as country rock or the blues. The AS-01 blends a conventional alnico magnet with steel alloy, resulting in a fuller single-coil body that responds well to player dynamics and volume knob placement. Moreover, a push-pull pot lets players get single-coil style tones from the 85/15 humbuckers, bringing the total number of pickup voices onboard to six. With this trio of PRS-designed pickups, no tone is off-limits!