Are you ready for something completely different?
PRS have delivered a new guitar, and the first word that springs to mind here is ‘uncompromising’.
Care to take a look with me?
Herman Li
This brave new guitar design is a signature model for Dragonforce guitarist Herman Li. For those who are not aware, Dragonforce are a proper old school ‘dungeons and dragons’ metal band, with galloping rhythms, frenzied guitar solos and songs about, well, dragons!
Such music cannot be properly performed on just any guitar, though. Lead guitarist Herman Li is not only known for his lightning-fast legato runs and tight alternate picking, but also for his fondness for swinging his guitar around by the tremolo arm to create wide, fluctuating noise.
I don’t recommend you try that last one at home, okay?
In earlier times, Herman had a signature Ibanez guitar, but he has since moved across to PRS, and together they have created something truly unique…
PRS Chleo
The PRS Chleo first emerged as a USA-made guitar only very recently, so the guitar is still fresh on the market, as it were. Sculpted and spec’d to Li’s precise wants, the Chleo is a very specific and idiosyncratic instrument. Everything has been considered and designed to allow sleek and efficient performance, from its (really) thin body to the positioning of the control knobs.
The PRS Chleo is a premium grade instrument, made in Maryland and thoroughly road-tested by Li. It’s his dream guitar, and it may well be your dream guitar too, so this next part of the story might be of interest to you…
PRS SE Chleo
Yes, there is now a newly released PRS SE Chleo! Now, I don’t know if you’ve tried an SE model yet, but they are quickly becoming THE go-to choice for musicians who might have to compromise on price, but won’t compromise on quality. These are built in Indonesia by Cortek, to the same levels of passion, dedication and pride as the folks who make Core PRS models in the USA.
The SE Chleo has impressively retained most of the special features of the American model, starting with a super thin Mahogany body, topped with a cap of figured maple. This is a seriously skinny guitar! The idea is that the less weight there is, the more energy you can put into your performance. Makes sense!
Herman’s signature Fishman Fluence pickups are here, and the ebony board holds those fierce dragon inlays at bay! Very Dragonforce, and very PRS!
The SE Chleo is available at launch in three special finishes:
These bursts apply to the front of the guitar, showing off that luscious flamed maple. The back is matte black, with the bolted-on neck remaining free of lacquer, again to aid those frenzied, speedy runs that Herman is partial to.
As Herman himself says: “With the PRS SE Chleo, we set out to create the best affordable guitar that delivers a unique combination of effortless playability, outstanding craftsmanship, and versatile tonal range. It combines modern innovations with classic style, giving players the tools they need to create everything from classic tones to cutting edge new sounds. The SE Chleo proves that a world-class instrument doesn’t have to break the bank—it’s a guitar that brings high-end performance within reach for everyone.”
Now, I hear what he’s saying, but this is not a cheap guitar. It’s still nearly two grand, after all! But compare it with the £5k price of the US-made Chleo and you start to see his point a little bit clearer! In every way, this guitar is a top-quality guitar, made for professional quality performance. It’s a fact that Indonesia are making some of the loveliest guitars in the world right now, and PRS’s commitment to making their Cortek-made guitars as good as they can possibly be is making an appreciable difference.
Whether the SE Chleo is going to find an audience outside of the Dragonforce fanbase remains to be seen, but PRS has a track record of getting signature guitars into the hands of lots of non-fans: the Tremonti and Silver Sky models are proof of this! Check out the PRS SE Chleo and see what it does for your guitar playing.
Just don’t swing it around by the whammy bar, ok?
