Electric guitars

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD

The PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD pairs a versatile Fishman pickup system with a Floyd Rose tremolo and distinctive signature styling. Its wide nut and floating bridge best suit players comfortable with modern, high-performance guitar setups.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD: Technical Review

The PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD is a signature guitar for Herman Li of DragonForce. Its listed price is 1,699, and the model has been available since November 2025. The specification sheet describes a mahogany body, maple top, bolt-on maple neck, ebony fingerboard, 24 frets, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo with a PRS saddle. This review is limited to those supplied details. No customer reviews are available, so there are no user impressions or playing tests to report.

There is a finish-description discrepancy in the supplied information. The general listing says "Burst," while the detailed specifications name the finish "Orchid Dusk." Those descriptions may refer to the same finish, but the data provided does not confirm that. Buyers should check the specific retailer listing or confirm the finish before ordering.

Body, Neck, and Fingerboard

The mahogany body is topped with maple, while the bolt-on neck is also maple. The fingerboard is ebony, with Eclipse Dragons inlays. These details give the instrument its stated signature styling, while the wood and construction choices are specifications rather than proof of a particular tone or feel. Without a hands-on evaluation, it is not possible to make reliable claims about weight, balance, resonance, or neck comfort.

The fingerboard radius is 508 mm, or 20 inches. The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches, and the nut width is 44.5 mm, or 1.75 inches. The guitar has 24 frets. Together, these measurements describe a full-length electric guitar with a wide, flat fingerboard radius and two-octave fretboard layout. How those dimensions feel in practice will depend on the player and setup.

Pickup Layout and Controls

The pickup configuration is humbucker-single coil-humbucker. At the bridge and neck are two Fishman Fluence Signature Series Omniforce Herman Li humbuckers. A matching signature-series single-coil pickup sits in the middle position. This is a three-pickup arrangement with a five-way selector, giving the player several pickup selections. The supplied specifications do not list the exact wiring for each switch position, so specific combinations should not be assumed.

One volume control and one tone control are listed, and both have push-pull functions. The data does not explain what either push-pull action changes. It also does not specify alternate voices or switching options, so buyers should consult the manufacturer's wiring documentation if those functions are a deciding factor. The pickup names identify the installed models, but they do not establish how the guitar sounds through a particular amplifier or recording setup.

Tremolo and Hardware

The bridge is a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo fitted with a PRS saddle. The hardware is specified in smoked black, and the guitar uses PRS machine heads. A locking tremolo system is a notable part of this model's hardware specification, but setup, tuning behavior, and suitability for a player's preferred techniques cannot be judged from the parts list alone.

The original strings are PRS Classic RL in.009 to.046 gauge. String preference is personal, and changing gauges can affect setup on a tremolo-equipped guitar. The supplied information does not state the factory action, neck relief, or tuning, so those details should be checked on the individual instrument.

What the Specifications Establish

The package includes a gig bag. No separate hard case is included according to the provided data. The item number is 627476, and the sales unit is one piece. These practical details help distinguish what is supplied from what may need to be purchased separately.

On paper, the PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD is defined by its signature Fishman Fluence pickup set, 24-fret ebony fingerboard, maple-on-mahogany construction, and Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. The available information supports a careful assessment of its components, but not a verdict on sound, playability, build quality, or value compared with other guitars. Those judgments require direct inspection and playing. For shoppers, the key points to verify are the Orchid Dusk versus Burst finish wording, the behavior of the push-pull controls, and the setup of the tremolo-equipped instrument.

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD, front view
8.0/ 10 overall score
$1,699current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Fishman Fluence Signature Series Omniforce pickups provide a humbucker-single-coil-humbucker configuration with five-way switching.
  • Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo supports expressive pitch changes.
  • The 24-fret ebony fingerboard, 25.5-inch scale, and included gig bag make it ready for extended-range playing and transport.

What bugged me

  • The Floyd Rose tremolo can require more setup and string-changing time than a fixed bridge.
  • The 1.75-inch nut width may feel broad to players accustomed to narrower necks.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

Ideal for Herman Li fans, technical rock and metal players, and guitarists who want multiple pickup voices with a floating tremolo. Also a fit for players comfortable with a wider nut and more involved bridge setup.

Look elsewhere if

Not ideal for players who prefer a fixed bridge or quick, uncomplicated string changes. The broad nut may also be a poor fit for players who favor narrower necks.
RockMetalProgressive metal

Suggested level: Intermediate

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD, $1,699Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Burst
Body
Mahogany
Top
Maple
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Ebony
Frets
24
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
HSH
Tremolo
Floyd Rose
Incl. bag
Yes
Including case
No

Up close

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD, detail 2PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD, detail 3PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD, detail 4PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What pickup configuration does this guitar use?

It has two Fishman Fluence Signature Series Omniforce Herman Li humbuckers, at the neck and bridge, plus a matching single-coil pickup in the middle position. A five-way switch selects pickup combinations.

Does it have a locking tremolo?

It is equipped with a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo with a PRS saddle. The supplied specifications do not identify a locking nut.

What are the scale length and nut width?

The scale length is 25.5 inches, and the nut width is 1.75 inches.

Does the guitar come with a case?

It includes a gig bag. A hard case is not included.

Is this a good choice for a first electric guitar?

It can work for a beginner, but the Floyd Rose tremolo may make tuning and string changes more involved. It is a stronger fit for players ready to manage a floating tremolo setup.

The last word from the bench

This signature model offers a broad range of pickup options through its HSH layout, five-way switch, and two push-pull controls. The 24-fret ebony fingerboard and Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo are well suited to technical playing and expressive pitch effects. The wide nut and floating bridge may take adjustment for some players. At its listed price of 1699, it is most compelling for guitarists specifically seeking Herman Li's configuration and features.

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD, $1,699Check today's price →

Hanging next to it

PRS SE Chleo Herman Li OD

Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.

See it at the retailer →
Guitar Gear Reviews Played on the bench before it gets a score