Swamped with the Soul of Rock ’n’ Roll
The PRS SE Swamp Ash Special represents an exquisite collision between SE series design and versatility. PRS builds a small run of Swamp Ash Special electric guitars every few years, making them a fun find for collectors and a chance for players to explore sounds that won’t apologize for being adventurous. The SE Swamp Ash Special combines the hearty, soulful character of a swamp ash body with the tonal range of three pickups (two 85/15 “S” humbuckers and one single-coil AS-01) and the heightened expressive power of a PRS Patented tremolo. An unembellished maple neck makes playing the Swamp Ash Special a visceral thrill. The Wide Thin neck carve keeps your fretwork silky smooth, and, on top of being comfortable, the maple fingerboard gives your initial note attack an extra dash of bright, peppery zing. Between classic tonewoods and ample pickup options, guitarists at Sweetwater find the Swamp Ash Special is ready for countless genres — jazz, blues, hard rock, heavy metal, pop, and more. How does PRS do it? Find out with an SE Swamp Ash Special electric guitar of your own.
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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’s 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 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 “S” humbuckers, bringing the total number of pickup voices onboard to six. With this trio of PRS-designed pickups, no tone is off-limits.
A tonal soundscape
The SE Swamp Ash Special aims for streamlined appeal, but its 3-pickup configuration and 5-way switch provide a tonal universe to explore. Players can experience an assortment of sounds, including timeless favorites inspired by countless genres and styles.
PRS SE Swamp Ash Special Features:
- A fan-favorite limited-run release now available as an SE series model
- Versatile SE design with classic tonewoods and 3-pickup configuration
- Solid swamp ash body balances brightness, girth, and sustain with memorable flair
- Bolt-on maple neck with a Wide Thin carve combines vintage support and modern comfort
- 22-fret maple fingerboard plays effortlessly and adds zing to note attack
- Versatile HSH pickup configuration with 2 x 85/15 “S” humbuckers and 1 PRS-designed AS-01 single-coil pickup
- 5-way pickup switch and push-pull tone control offer a variety of voicings
- PRS Patented tremolo system and PRS-designed tuners
