The Best HSH Guitar Overall (my top pick)
PRS SE Swamp Ash Special
At the time we published this roundup, the PRS SE Swamp Ash Special was fairly new, but - as we typically see with SE models - one of the best-value electrics available, especially in the HSH (humbucker / single coil / humbucker) category. It's my top pick, though I've admittedly been a PRS fan of decades now.
Read the full review: PRS SE Swamp Ash Special
Best HSH Electric Guitars: Full List of Recommendations
Here's my list of HSH guitars that I like in addition to the PRS SE Swamp Ash Special. Ibanez makes a ton of these across several different series, and they're all excellent. Charvel and of course PRS are other good brands to target.
Why I like the SE Swamp Ash Special
If we're limiting things to the HSH category, the SE Swamp Ash Special gives us the core feature we want, with a ton of other boxes checked. Versatility, solid pickups, reliable brand, and value are all there. Even if we weren't just talking about HSH pickup configurations, the SE series in general is one of my favorite electric guitar recommendations.
A good look at the PRS SE Swamp Ash Special. Image via Music Force
For instance, the PRS SE McCarty 594, which was also released along with the SE Swamp Ash, is another one of my favorites. So this is not just an HSH guitar that gives us the single feature we want, but a very complete instrument that checks almost all the boxes we like to see in a high-value electric guitar.
A few highlights on the SE Swamp Ash HSH.
My Selection Methodology
To make recommendations I rely heavily on brands that I've used and trust. Some of them, including PRS, I've also worked with to develop content. Broadly, I focus on electric guitar models that I've tested or have been used by other musicians I keep in touch with. In other words, all of our recommendations are based on personal experience by actual musicians and guitar players. This means we recommend less products but can make better quality selections.
All of our recommendations are based on first-hand experience by real guitar players and musicians. This is me testing the PRS SE Swamp Ash Special.
PRS SE Swamp Special Price Tracker
Prices updated Fri, August 21st, 2026.
Questions about my recommendation?
If you have questions about the SE Swamp Ash or other HSH electric guitars, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. It's always helpful to future readers of these articles to have your questions answered, in case they have similar questions and situations. We'll see you there.
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More PRS SE Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Electrics & Roundups
Written by Guitar Chalk on Electrics & Roundups
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Hi Bobby.
I agree the SE is hard to beat.
I personally like a lot of guitars in this price range. I think I would have to pick the Ibanez guitars in this price range. For instance the S series and the 450 RG series. Also, the Charvel and Jackson mid range guitars are pretty nice.
So many great products. I’m 63 now this month and I would have given anything to have had such nice guitars in these price ranges when I was a kid. All things being equal.
When I was young and learning guitar you had Gibson, Fender, and really really bad Japanese and Korean copies that were made of terrible materials and no quality control. Even with Gibson and Fender before CNC and automated routers, etc, it was hit and miss. Now the quality has risen to a much higher degree with automation and technology. We live in a great time for people just starting and pro’s alike to buy quality instruments that don’t cost an arm and a leg.
Great article and great choice. The swamp ash SE is for sure a nice guitar for the money. The only thing I wish they would change is offer the guitar with Jumbo or Xtra jumbo frets. That’s just personal preference though.
Best regards sir..
Tim..
It honestly blows my mind too, even just compared to what we had when I was a kid, and I’m only 37! Especially in regards to pedals and digital effects. The only significant modeling amp in that space was Line 6. It’s incredible how far the tech has come.