Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

NAMM 2018: PRS announces new SE guitars and updates to existing models

News
By Michael Astley-Brown
Published 7 November 2017

Multi-Foil and exotic wood finishes, plus a fresh seven-string

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

NAMM 2018: Not content with giving nearly every model in its SE line a 2017 revamp, PRS has shaken things up once again for 2018, with the addition of new guitars and tweaks to existing formulas.

The most striking is, of course, the Multi-Foil-finished SE Standard 24, but the SE SVN seven-string is sure to win plenty of fans, as are the worldwide launches of European limited-editions, such as Black Stone Cherry man Chris Robertson’s signature and Exotic Veneered Custom 24s.

The range is due to land in December, but we've been assured there are plenty more announcements to follow at NAMM, so keep your eyes peeled to MusicRadar for all the latest.

Head on through the gallery for a closer look at each model, and visit PRS Guitars for more info.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
PRS SE Standard 24 Multi-Foil

PRS SE Standard 24 Multi-Foil

PRESS RELEASE: Designed around a finish offered by PRS in the late 80’s, the PRS SE Standard 24 Multi-Foil (or Multi-Metal back in those days) may be a nod to the past, but it keeps its striking, modern feel even a few decades later.

Creating by layering different finishes in a unique way, this distinctive finish has graced stages for decades –always commanding attention from the crowd.

Sporting two 85/15 “S” humbuckers and a 3-way blade switch with push/pull tone control, the SE Standard 24 Multi-Foil has the tone to match its powerful look.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
PRS SE SVN (“Seven”)

PRS SE SVN (“Seven”)

PRESS RELEASE: The SE SVN (“Seven”) offers classic PRS looks, playability, and reliability.

The Wide Thin maple neck and 26.5” scale length make the SE SVN addictive to play, and the 85/15 “S” pickups, modified for seven strings, deliver full, modern tone with clear, strong low end and clear, musical high-mids and treble.

Topped off with coil-taps for the pickups and the PRS patented molded tremolo, the SE SVN is a pro-level instrument with amazing versatility and response.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
PRS SE Chris Robertson

PRS SE Chris Robertson

PRESS RELEASE: When on tour fronting the hard rock band Black Stone Cherry, Chris Robertson heavily relies on SE Series instruments.

The SE Chris Robertson is a singlecut guitar with a mahogany back and maple top with flame maple veneer and a 22 fret, 24.5” scale length Wide Fat mahogany neck with rosewood fretboard.

With a Soapbar in the neck position and a 57/08 “S” humbucker in the bridge, the SE Chris Robertson delivers old-school tone to match its classic appointments.

The three-way toggle switch and volume and tone controls for each pickup, allow players to dial in a wide range of tones.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
SE Standards

SE Standards

PRESS RELEASE: The SE Standards from PRS offer some enviable appointments for their humble price tag, including versatile switching systems complete with coil taps and rosewood fretboards.

New for 2018, PRS SE Standards now come with 85/15 “S” pickups, fretboard binding, and the PRS SE signature headstock logo.

SE 245 Standard (£545)

SE 245 Standard (£545)

The SE Series began in 2001 with the goal of providing a quality instrument to players of all levels.

This segment of guitars is meant to extend this promise to an even more affordable pricepoint.

SE Santana Standard (£545)

SE Santana Standard (£545)
Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
SE Custom 24 - Exotic Veneers & a Lefty

SE Custom 24 - Exotic Veneers & a Lefty

PRESS RELEASE: The PRS SE Custom 24 is the quintessential SE instrument, designed to faithfully reflect the PRS model that started it all. For 2018, PRS is adding two new veneer options: spalted maple and zebrawood.

Both new veneers come finished in Vintage Sunburst, adding a distinctive new look while serving up classic PRS playability, reliability, and vibrant tone.

SE Custom 24 Spalted Maple (£849)

SE Custom 24 Spalted Maple (£849)

The SE Custom 24 Lefty is another new model in the SE lineup, for left-handed players the world over.

These new offerings for the SE Custom 24 keep the same foundational specifications as the SE Custom 24: maple top, mahogany back, Wide Thin maple neck, 24 frets, 25” scale length, the PRS patented molded tremolo, dual 85/15 “S” pickups with a 3-way blade switch and push/pull tone control for coil tapping.

SE Custom 24 Lefty (£879)

SE Custom 24 Lefty (£879)
Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.

Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Ibanez Axe Design Lab Iceman ICMS721
Guitars Ibanez just weaponised the Iceman for metal and refreshed a bunch of its flagship signature models
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
PRS Silver Sky Defender in front of a matching Defender 4x4.
Guitars Who knew classic Land Rover Defender paint jobs would look so good on John Mayer’s Silver Sky?
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
Fender American Vintage II 2026 refresh
Guitars Fender refreshes the American Vintage II lineup with classic finishes from the paint room
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Bass Guitars Ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted pays his respects to the late, great Cliff Burton
 
 
Jackso Pro Series Phil Collen PC1-E
Artists Phil Collen on why you can play anything on his new Jackson, and even nail those Hysteria tones
 
 
Hotone Ampero II Stage
Guitar Pedals “Even if you have a decent amp, there's enough variety and depth of effects in the Stage to justify integrating it into an existing rig”: Hotone Ampero II Stage review
 
 
Fender American Ultra Luxe 60s Stratocaster
Guitars Fender CEO admits regret over S-style cease-and-desist campaign – but says it will "improve" guitar design
 
 
Polyend Loop looper pedal
Guitar Pedals Polyend Loop is part looper pedal, part drum machine and comes stocked with over 100 effects
 
 
Boss EX-4 Effects Expander
Guitars “Expands the range of your pedalboard – without changing what already works”: Boss unveils the EX-4 Effects Expander, a compact multi-fx powerhouse that's designed to maximise your pedalboard's potential
 
 
Latest in News
Bit Layer
Tech This free multiband bitcrusher is a surgical tool for lo-fi sound design
 
 
UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 22: Photo of Stevie WONDER; Stevie Wonder promoting the album Songs In The Key Of Life, dressed as cowboy (Photo by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns)
Artists Stevie Wonder surprise releases four previously unheard songs from 1976's Songs in the Key of Life
 
 
Bass Guitars Ex-Metallica bassist Jason Newsted pays his respects to the late, great Cliff Burton
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 27: (L-R) Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear of Nirvana accept the Video Vanguard Award onstage during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) at Peacock Theater on September 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Artists Nirvana's Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl reunite at the 2026 VMAs as Madonna and Taylor Swift win big
 
 
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 25: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Olivia Rodrigo performs onstage during The Unraveled Tour kick off at PeoplesBank Arena on September 25, 2026 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
Artists Olivia Rodrigo kicks off her Unraveled tour with a “one of one” heart-shaped guitar and a surprise solo
 
 
Fred Again
Artists Fred Again slams AI music: "I've felt no pull whatsoever to even try it... the process is the magic"
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...