PRS P245 Semi-Hollow

Paul Reed Smith unveils the PRS P245 Semi-Hollow, a short-scale guitar with LR Baggs/PRS piezo system.

PRS P245 Semi-Hollow

This guitar is designed for players who are looking for a vintage-style semi-hollow body guitar with traditional short scale neck playability, and modern acoustic-electric pickup switching capabilities.

PRS is on a roll lately, unveiling quite a number of guitars in time for their 30th anniversary focusing mostly on their line of affordable and mid-tier line. This doesn’t mean that their premium line is slowing down, as evidenced by this new release, which is a variation of an existing model.

This is basically a semi-hollow version of the original PRS P245, carrying over the same shape, specs, look and even electronics, with the main difference being the thinline chambered body with a rosewood block on the bridge. It has the same figured maple top with mahogany back carved into a single-cutaway shape, only this one has a single f-hole that lets you peek into the semi-hollow body design.

The neck is crafted from mahogany and features a scale length of 24.5″, shorter than their usual 25″ configuration, and much more akin to tradition LP style guitars. Combined with the 22 fret design, you can expect a more traditional playing feel.

Like the solidbody version, the new P245 Semi-hollow comes equipped with the company’s 58/15 pickups, which are designed by Paul himself to meet the demands of players looking for vintage voiced instruments. Contrasting its classic appeal is the built-in LR Baggs/PRS piezo system, which gives you authentic sounding acoustic tones that should match better with the semi-hollow body compared to the solidbody version.

To let you better utilize both the conventional pickups and the piezo system, PRS implemented two output jacks that will let you plug-in the magnetic pickups’ output to a regular amp, and the piezo pickup’s output to an acoustic amp or DI. And note that you can mix and match the conventional pickups with the piezo to give you a bigger sound even when using a single output. You can combine the two sounds via the blend knob or via the 3-position switch piezo/magnetic pickup switch. Push-pull tone knob is mentioned on the description but it’s not clear if it allows for split-coil sounds – which should be a neat addition to further improve the sonic possibilities that you can get from this instrument.

Check out the official video demo:

Although I’m not too impressed with the acoustic sound, it still is better than merely using the clean sound of an electric. Also, the piezo output will be a welcome and convenient solution for gigging guitarists who want to travel light by avoiding the necessity of lugging around acoustic and electric guitars to gigs.

PRS National Sales Manager Jim Cullen said, “This guitar provides players with the traditional electric guitar tones of yesteryear [similar to our SC245] and authentic acoustic tones in a single instrument. A wonderfully diverse short scale guitar you can rely on night after night.”

Other features of the PRS P245 Semi-hollow include a PRS adjustable stoptail bridge and Phase III locking tuners. It comes in a wide variety finishes including Antique White, Azul, Black, Black Cherry, Black Gold Burst, Blood Orange, Charcoal Burst, Faded Vintage Yellow, Faded Whale Blue, Gold Top (opaque color), Gray Black, Honey, Jade, Royal Blue, Scarlet Red, Tortoise Shell, Vintage Sunburst and Violet.

Visit PRS Guitars for further details.

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