PRS SE 30 - What To Know & Where To Buy

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 6, 2026.

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Price

$657.45 5 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $657

Standard/Professional

$300

$701+

Price Tier

In the Combo Guitar Amplifiers category, PRS SE 30 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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High-end

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Description

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Unleash your musical potential with the PRS SE 30, a highly expressive and responsive tube combo amplifier that brings boutique-level features to your fingertips without breaking the bank. Perfect for both practice and recording, this 30-watt powerhouse offers a dynamic range that effortlessly adapts to your playing style, thanks to its all-tube design featuring 12AX7, 12AT7, and "Tungsol" 5881 tubes. Whether you're chasing pristine cleans or searing overdriven tones, the SE 30 delivers with remarkable clarity and articulation.

The SE 30's two-channel design provides dedicated tone controls, allowing you to tailor your sound precisely. It comes equipped with a custom-voiced 12" speaker co-designed by PRS and Eminence, ensuring that every note is delivered with depth and dimension. Embrace the versatility of this amplifier with its dual speaker outputs and 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm selector switch, making it a breeze to pair with any extension cabinet and expand your sonic landscape.

With a global reverb and an effects loop with Line/Inst switch, you can integrate virtually any sound source or processor, making the PRS SE 30 a perfect fit for musicians who demand flexibility and quality. Its closed-back design ensures a tighter, focused sound while maintaining the amplifier's natural warmth.

Key Features:

30-watt all-tube combo amplifier with 12AX7, 12AT7, and "Tungsol" 5881 tubes
2-channel design with dedicated tone controls for each channel
Custom 12" speaker co-designed by PRS and Eminence
Global reverb and effects loop with Line/Inst switch
Dual speaker outputs with 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm selector switch for easy cabinet matching
Closed-back design for a focused sound

Product specs

Brand	PRS
Model	SE 30 2-Channel 30-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo
Finish	Black
Year	2011 - 2013
Made In	China
Categories	Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects	Built-In Effects
Color Family	Black
Electronics	Tube
Number of Channels	2 Channels
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	30
Power Tube Type	5881
Reverb	Spring Reverb
Speaker Configuration	1x12"

FAQs

What type of tubes does the PRS SE 30 amplifier use?: The PRS SE 30 amplifier uses 5881 power tubes, which are known for their robust tone and reliability, providing a warm and dynamic sound suitable for a variety of musical styles.
How many channels does the PRS SE 30 combo amp have?: The PRS SE 30 combo amp features two channels, allowing for versatile sound options, from clean tones to overdriven textures, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitar playing.
Is the PRS SE 30 loud enough for live performances?: Yes, with its 30-watt output, the PRS SE 30 is powerful enough for small to medium-sized venues, offering ample volume for live performances while maintaining clarity and presence.
Does the PRS SE 30 amplifier have built-in reverb?: Yes, the PRS SE 30 features a built-in spring reverb, which adds a classic, lush ambiance to your sound, enhancing both clean and distorted tones.
What kind of speaker configuration does the PRS SE 30 have?: The PRS SE 30 is equipped with a 1x12" speaker configuration, providing a balanced and full sound that is ideal for both practice and performance settings.

Videos

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N Stuff Music

PRS SE 30 1x12 Combo Guitar Amp

N Stuff Music

PRS SE 30 Amp Demo with Rhett Smith

PRS Guitars

Video Review - PRS SE 30 & 2x12 Cabinet

Premier Guitar

2013 PRS SE30 Combo - First UK Demo

Paul Glover

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about PRS SE 30.

Features and functionality

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The SE 30 combo offers substantial clean headroom but is often described as lacking character, resulting in a flat sound.
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User experience

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Some owners find the distortion channel underwhelming and prefer using fuzz/dirt pedals for drive instead.
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Comparisons

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The clean channel of an Archon 50 is praised, while its distortion is compared unfavorably to a Mesa Dual Rectifier.
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Value and pricing

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Despite quality construction, the SE 30's price point is challenged by more versatile amps like Mesa's Tremoverb.
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Use cases and applications

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Designed with blues/rock/roots in mind, PRS amps' overdrive reflects 1980s gain preferences, which may not suit all modern styles.
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Critic Reviews

PRS SE 30 Amp Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Paul Reed Smith SE 30 amplifier impresses with its versatility and ability to produce a wide range of tones, from sparkling cleans to gritty rock sounds, making it a strong contender in the competitive amp market. Its construction quality is commendable, featuring high-end components like hardwired pots and switches, and it offers user-friendly features like an accessible bias-adjustment pot. However, it struggles to deliver pristine clean tones with humbuckers and its reverb is somewhat shallow. Despite these drawbacks, the SE 30's responsive nature and robust sound make it a great choice for rock enthusiasts on a budget.

positive

Full Review

PRS SE 30 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The PRS SE 30 amplifier impresses with its lush clean tones and responsive dynamics, making it a great choice for players who value expressive sound. Its straightforward design and well-built construction are commendable, with a clean channel that offers both clarity and a touch of raunchiness when pushed. However, the lead channel falls short of excitement compared to the clean, lacking the same level of vibrancy. While it may seem pricey for a 'Student Edition', its quality build and suitability for blues and rock applications make it a worthwhile consideration for those seeking a pure tone-focused amp.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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marctremors

121

about 9 years ago

Stupid Good.

I took a chance on this amp, it was sitting at a local guitar shop for the last 4 years or so, since the amps were released, read a few reviews that weren't overly pleasant, but I had never plugged into a PRS amp before and I've had a certain sound in my head that I just haven't been able to find. This is it. The first note had me in love, the warm and smooth but clear and distinct clean tones are to die for. I'm still testing out the lead channel but I've gotten some nest sounds out of it, I'll probably stick to pedals mostly though. As for the build this thing feels like a tank, its larger enclosure than my AC15C1 but the weight isn't too bad. This amp just sounds so full, I find you can dial in great tones at both high and low volumes, the 30 watts provides a fair bit of head room for a guitar loaded with single coils, humbuckers tend to break up quicker. All in all I'm in love! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a well balanced amp that you can really dial in to your own unique sound.