Most Brands Cut Corners on Acoustics. PRS Didn’t.
Most guitar brands treat acoustics as an afterthought—slap some wood together, charge $400, hope you don’t compare it to a Taylor or Martin. PRS went the opposite direction with the SE T60E Tonare Grand.
This is a serious acoustic guitar. It has the tone character and projection of instruments that cost triple the price. PRS’s SE line usually means “affordable,” but in the acoustic category, it means “we’re not cutting corners.”
The Wood: Tonare Grand Body
The Tonare Grand designation refers to the body size. It’s larger than a standard 00—closer to an OM body depth with extra width. This extra volume means deeper low-end projection, more resonance without muddiness, and better fingerstyle projection.
Solid Spruce Top: PRS spec’d solid Sitka spruce, not laminate. This matters. Solid wood vibrates and ages, developing character over time. You’re getting an instrument that gets better with years of playing.
Ziricote Back and Sides: Ziricote is a Central American hardwood—warm, dense, with visual character. It produces warm, sustained tones with defined midrange. More affordable than rosewood but tonally comparable.
Hybrid X/Classical Bracing: The Secret
The top is braced with a hybrid system combining X-bracing (durable, responsive) and classical bracing elements (symmetrical support). This means:
– More responsive to fingerstyle
– Resilient to aggressive strumming
– Balanced treble-to-bass response
– Less prone to premature aging
Fishman Presys VT Electronics
The Presys VT is Fishman’s mid-tier system—professional for studio recording, transparent for live sound. It features undersaddle pickup, onboard preamp with tone shaping, feedback suppression, and XLR output for balanced connection.
Is the Tonare Grand too big for smaller players?
The Grand is larger than standard concert but not uncomfortably so. Smaller players might prefer the standard T50E size. I recommend playing both before deciding.
Will the solid spruce top warp?
Solid wood requires humidity management (keep guitars between 40–50% humidity). The hybrid bracing is designed to minimize stress. Proper care means decades of stable tone.
How does the Fishman Presys VT compare to expensive electronics?
The Presys VT is transparent and feedback-resistant. Higher-end systems add more tone-shaping options. For recording and live scenarios, the Presys VT is plenty.
For another take on the PRS formula, check out the PRS SE Ed Sheeran Cosmic Splash Limited Edition.
Can I upgrade the nut and saddle?
Yes. Many players upgrade to bone nut/saddle for improved tone and sustain. It’s a $50–$100 improvement worth it for long-term players.
The PRS DGT Semi-Hollow Review offers a different approach within the same PRS family.
Shoppers cross-shopping this model should also consider the Fender vs Gibson.
The Gibson L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition is a strong alternative from a rival brand.