PRS SE Chleo Herman Li CPB

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li CPB review

The PRS SE Chleo Herman Li CPB is a signature electric guitar built around the needs of DragonForce guitarist Herman Li. Its specification combines a mahogany body, maple top, bolt-on maple neck, ebony fingerboard, and a three-pickup configuration using Fishman Fluence Signature Series Omniforce Herman Li pickups. A Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo and PRS nut complete a setup aimed at players who use expressive pitch effects and need the strings to stay stable through aggressive tremolo work.

The listed price is 1769. The model has been available since November 2025 and ships with a gig bag. There is no included hard case. Its Charcoal Purple Burst finish is reported to have a subtle color transition, though the official color listing also uses the broader term "Burst."

Construction and playing feel

The body is mahogany with a maple top, while the maple neck attaches with a bolt-on joint. The ebony fingerboard has 24 frets, Eclipse Dragons inlays, and a 508 mm (20-inch) radius. The 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale is a familiar full-length format for electric guitar. Nut width is 44.5 mm (1.75 inches), a dimension that may feel wider than some players expect.

One owner describes the body as sitting comfortably against the player and reports that the instrument felt easy to play in the upper frets. They also found the neck width unfamiliar at first, but adapted quickly to the neck profile. These are individual impressions rather than universal results, but they offer useful context for anyone considering the Chleo without trying it first. The available specifications do not identify a named neck profile, so players should check the instrument in person if that detail is important to their fit.

The same owner praised the finish, workmanship, and overall feel, noting that the Charcoal Purple Burst looked better in person than in photographs. They also compared its playing experience favorably with their U.S.-made PRS guitar. That is encouraging feedback, though a single report cannot establish consistency across every instrument.

Pickups and controls

The HSH layout places two Fishman Fluence Signature Series Omniforce Herman Li humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions, with a matching single-coil pickup in the middle. A five-way pickup switch provides the available pickup combinations. Both the volume and tone controls have push-pull functions, giving the player additional switching options. The supplied specifications do not spell out every resulting voice or switching state, so buyers should consult PRS or Fishman documentation for a complete control map.

That pickup set is a central part of the model's appeal. An owner specifically cited the Fishman configuration, which they understood to match the limited U.S. Signature model, as a key reason for accepting the price. The provided information confirms the pickup models in this SE, but does not establish that its electronics or construction are identical to any other PRS model.

Tremolo, tuning, and setup

The Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo is paired with a PRS nut. This hardware suits players who want a floating tremolo for deep bends and rapid pitch changes, but it also makes setup and string changes more involved than on a fixed-bridge guitar. PRS machine heads and smoked black hardware round out the specification. Factory strings are PRS Classic Strings in.009 to.046 gauge.

Setup quality is the main caution in the owner feedback. One buyer received an instrument that reportedly arrived with rusty, dull strings and string action measuring 4.5 mm at the 12th fret. They considered that unacceptable at this price and later bought another example from a smaller dealer. The replacement arrived with fresh strings, a near-perfect setup, and an inspection record. This contrast points to a meaningful practical issue: the reported experience varied between individual instruments and sellers.

That account does not prove that every Chleo needs corrective work, but it makes an arrival inspection sensible. Check the string condition, action, tuning stability, and tremolo operation before settling in. If the action is uncomfortable or the tremolo does not return to pitch, ask the retailer to assess it before making adjustments yourself.

Verdict

The PRS SE Chleo Herman Li CPB offers a distinctive finish, a full-length 24-fret layout, signature Fishman pickups, and a Floyd Rose tremolo in one package. The reported comfort and upper-fret access are strong points, while the neck width may take some adjustment. The most significant reservation is quality control at setup, based on a buyer report of poor strings and unusually high action on one instrument.

For players drawn to Herman Li's specification, the pickup configuration and tremolo are compelling features. Buy from a retailer willing to inspect the guitar and address setup concerns, and confirm the controls and neck feel suit your playing before purchase. The included gig bag is useful for transport, but the absence of a hard case is worth factoring into the overall value.