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PRS SE Hollowbody Standard
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
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Playability
70
Sound
70
Build
58
Value
71
Score
66
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Playability
68
Sound
72
Build
61
Value
72
Score
67
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PRS SE Hollowbody Standard vs SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow

Reasons to Get
PRS SE Hollowbody Standard over SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow

Release Year
2020 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
Wide Fat vs Wide Thin
Thick neck that gives you a better grip
Body Type
Hollowbody vs Semi-Hollow
Warm tone, lighter and acoustic sound
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.86'' (21.8mm) vs 0.82'' (20.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.96'' (24.4mm) vs 0.91'' (23.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Avg. Weight
6.075lbs (2.8kgs) vs 7.1lbs (3.2kgs)
Tends to be lighter

Reasons to Get
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow over SE Hollowbody Standard

Neck Profile
Wide Thin vs Wide Fat
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Hollowbody
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm) vs 0.86'' (21.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.91'' (23.1mm) vs 0.96'' (24.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Value Score
72 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
PRS SE Hollowbody Standard vs SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow

Bridge Pickup
PRS 58/15 S vs PRS 85/15 S
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
PRS 58/15 S vs PRS 85/15 S
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Mahogany vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
PRS SE Hollowbody Standard vs SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Nut Material
PRS Propietary
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25'' (635mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
10'' (254mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Mahogany vs Beveled Maple Top with Flame Maple Veneer
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Locking Tuners
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow is probably the better product overall with its final score of 67 compared to the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard's 66 score, although not by a lot.

The PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow is the better choice.

The PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard Overview

  • From PRS's 2020 SE series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 10" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • PRS Adjustable Stoptail bridge
  • Wide Fat Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • PRS Designed Tuners tuners
  • Weight between 6lbs (2.7kgs) and 6.15lbs (2.8kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow Overview

  • From PRS's 2018 SE series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 10" Fretboard Radius
  • Beveled Maple Top with Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • PRS Patented Tremolo, Molded bridge
  • Wide Thin Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • PRS Designed Tuners tuners
  • Weight between 6.95lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.25lbs (3.3kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard pickups switch and push knobs diagram
PRS SE Hollowbody Standard's switch options
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow pickups switch and push knobs diagram
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow.

Final Sound Quality Scores

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 49
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 70
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
Pickups 90
Sustain 65
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 72

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard compares to the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have PRS Propietary nuts. It's similar to TUSQ nuts, but they're not as hard, and the tone is not as bright. However, the material is self-lubricating, and it's usually well cut, so they have good tuning stability.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The PRS SE Hollowbody Standard's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow's is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with PRS Designed Tuners.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE Hollowbody Standard
  • Expensive Wood
  • PRS Propietary Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
  • Expensive Wood
  • PRS Propietary Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard
Quality of materials 50
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 58
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
Quality of materials 48
Features 65
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 61

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42.9mm (1.688'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard and PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25".

This scale is close to a Les Paul (24.75''), but it's slightly longer for those who want more tension of the strings and a slightly brighter sound (but not as much as with a 25.5'' Stratocaster scale).

This longer scale will also mean the frets are slightly more separated, which can affect your speed when playing. However, since this increases the tension of the strings, it will also allow you to lower the action even further without getting fret buzz. It comes at the cost of making the strings feel stiffer, which makes bending more difficult, though.

However, remember that you can also change the tension of the strings by using different string gauges.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard Neck Profile
PRS SE Hollowbody Standard's neck profile
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow Neck Profile
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The PRS SE Hollowbody Standard has a Vintage type of neck. This means that it's thicker than most modern necks, and makes it a better fit for playing chords and slow solos. Some people prefer this type of neck because it gives them a better grip thanks to the extra mass. Still, the vast majority prefer a thinner, faster, and more ''modern'' neck.

The PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard and the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow have the same fretboard radius of 10". This is slightly flatter than the typical modern Stratocaster, but not by a lot. This radius will make it comfortable to play chords without muting strings accidentally. However, when compared to Strats, the extra .5 inches radius will make it slightly more comfortable to play solos without sacrificing too much chord playability.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the PRS SE Hollowbody Standard favors large hands more than the PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow.

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard:
Big Hands
Small Hands
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard and PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

Final Playability Scores

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 55
Playability 70
PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 65
Playability 68

Specs Side-by-Side

PRS SE Hollowbody Standard vs SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
General PRS SE Hollowbody Standard SE Custom 22 Semi-Hollow
Brand: PRS PRS
Year: 2020 2018
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: SE SE
Colors: Red Burst, McCarty Sunburst Yellow
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Hollowbody Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: PRS Adjustable Stoptail PRS Patented Tremolo, Molded
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: PRS Designed Tuners PRS Designed Tuners
Fretboard: Ebony Rosewood
Neck Material: Mahogany Maple
Decoration: Birds Birds
Scale Size: 25" 25"
Shape: Wide Fat Wide Thin
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.86'' (21.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.96'' (24.4mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.91'' (23.1mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 10" 10"
Nut: PRS Propietary PRS Propietary
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker / Passive) PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: PRS 58/15 S (Humbucker / Passive) PRS 85/15 S (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Speed
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1