Let's see some PRS pics and share your stories about them

[PiggySmallz]

First, I love both those builds you have.

PRS appears to be super picky about what things they’ll entertain. It also seems to be based on year you order. Based on the model. And based on the dealer and their relationship with PRS

For example some dealers say PRS will not allow them to order direct pickups because it isn’t on the order sheet. But another dealer got it for me the next day.

PRS also used to offer stainless frets and different radiuses on their models. But when I asked the private stock team in person at the factory if they could do stainless and a different radius for the 3 builds I was there to do I got a flat and immediate no. My holcombs were ordered with direct pickups but they messaged me after I submitted my spec sheets and said they won’t build that model with DM pickups anymore at all. It almost feels random honestly.

Forgot to answer the last part. Besides the Dm pickups it was standard hardware but just in black. No modified layout. But PRS was willing to do insane options like the zombie board or fill a whole neck in luminlay…but not do a custom 24 in 20” radius like a Holcomb. They also wouldn’t let me do PRS \m/ pickups on the Holcomb model. I assume due to an artist contract but still found that funny. They won’t do a 20” custom 24 but would build a 7 string multi scale with a 16” radius…just weird randomness. They also wouldn’t build a custom 22 for years even in PS. No idea why. I think they’re back now though.

Were on the same page. Ive often found it baffling. I remember seeing these wild builds in 2010-2011 or so then feeling as though private stock had become a production line with some expensive options.

I understand not modifying an artist guitar but refusing to build models that they clearly already have cnc programs was frustrating. My custom 24 is really just a holcomb with different pickups, lampshades and a 10" radius. Would love a 14 or 16" radius on one of these. The holcomb felt a bit off at 20" with the wide thin carve.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I never liked them but learned Paul's mother was an avid birdwatcher so it's his tribute to her. Once in a while someone does something that earns my respect and that was one of those times.

Some awesome looking axes in here. Thread is delivering already!

Still waiting for @Music&Chaos to post his beautiful red PRS.

Thanks for the shoutout!

Picked up this PRS McCarty 10 top for an absolute steal! Previous owner refretted with stainless steel frets. Needed some benchnwork, but is a workhorse of a guitar.

Sounds like a monster slamming metal riffs.

 

[jski59]

I've heard a lot about people having problems with clouding and I've seen some that did. But, of the 7 I've owned, I haven't had any problems. I think most of that problem was during the hybrid nitro experiments and isn't nearly as common now. What I've heard is that it's caused by moisture being trapped under the finish, which could come from a previous coat, what I think was happening with PRS, or from the wood itself, which has happened to more than a few builders. But, I'm not a finish expert.

It was called the V12 finish when I bought mine. I have some little spots where I hit something cloud up bit thankfully not too bad and it’s a plain top anyway. Adds character. But definitely something to watch for when shopping for a fancy top.

 

[ewill52]

My Tremonti and CU24. Both have gone through a few different iterations of pickups, both are now back to stock lol.

Exceptional playing and sounding guitars!!! These are the two i'd run back into a burning home to save.

 

[rsm]

PRS?. Nah, almost as bad as a James Tyler. IMO

I prefer EBMM Majesty

and my older 2016 Majesty

 

[LPMojoGL]

Had a Custom 24 10-top in the late 90s. Flipped a late 70s LP Custom for it.
Wish I could take that one back.
The CU24 was so perfectly beautiful, I was afraid to take it anywhere to play.

The only other PRS I've owned, still have, 97 CE24:

You can see it has some battle scars, and someone replaced the tuners.
So, the story goes: I went to GC to check out some Friedman Metro Ds that were on clearance. While I was doing that, my buddy, Gino was wandering around the store checking stuff out.
I didn't like the Friedmans, was ready to go. Gino said, "I want you to check out this guitar." He was getting back into playing, just had a Mexican Strat mutt and an LTD Kelliher. He brings this guitar into the amp room, I put it thru it's paces. Daaaamn. It played and sounded great. I was impressed. I could see he was tempted after hearing me play it. But, like I said, hes just getting back into playing, and his wife is super goal-oriented with their income. Called my GC buddy into the room, asked what he could do on the price. He knocked it down considerably, steal, imo.
Saw the GAS in Gino's eyes. Said, "I'll buy it if you don't." He bought it! I was surprised, tbh.

Fast forward a year or so? Another trip to GC. Gino finds a Gibson Les Paul he likes, asks me to check it out. Immediately feel it's a special one. Take a closer look...brass nut, with low fast action. Look it up, it has a 1.695" nut, wider fretboard with compound radius. Like someone injected lil bit of Jackson into a LP. It was sweet! Gino had that look again. And me, being a good friend, who thinks everyone should have Gibson in their life, offered to buy the PRS for what he paid if he wanted the LP. Again, to my surprise, he went for it! and got a killer LP for about $300 more than the PRS.
Clip of the PRS HFS bridge pup vs an Explorer with an old Dimarzio Super Distortion.
I just installed that Super Distortion, and really dig it. I've only had the SD in 2 HSS Strats, didnt like it. It's really nice in the Explorer!

 

[Airwave]

I still have this PRS Artist though I haven't played it in a long time, I've owned a few, 2x CUS22, CUS24, CE Bolt-on Alder, PS and this blue, I prefer others...

 

[VonBonfire]

Anybody got a Santana Model?

 

[itsme]

2011 Tremonti and DGT 10 tops

 

[VHTStark]

 

[Laputan Machine]

Back in highschool I was friends with a dude that had parents who were primary caretakers of a super famous actors estate in my town. The actor was/is really into guitars and gave my friend a PRS. No one who played guitar knew what it was, everyone that played guitar thought it kinda sucked, my friend tried to sell it to me for 200 bucks but I didn't want it. It was usually just left in the music room of the high school in one of the utility rooms. Pretty sure it was a early 90s Custom 24, I remember the birds on it.

 

[VHTStark]

A couple more. I own and have owned a bunch of PRS's over the years.

My favorites are: The Copperhead McCarty Artist package, NF3 (not pictured), White 305 (modded by the PRS PTC), Hollowbody JA-15 and black McCarty Robben Ford and Black Tremonti.

 

[VonBonfire]

Man guys, I had no idea we had so many doctors and lawyers on this board until I created this thread! J/K

The SE Santana model clip sounds damn nice. Always have loved Santana's tone whether it was a LP, SG, Yamaha, or PRS:

 

[ChurchHill]

It was called the V12 finish when I bought mine. I have some little spots where I hit something cloud up bit thankfully not too bad and it’s a plain top anyway. Adds character. But definitely something to watch for when shopping for a fancy top.

Yeah, that's right. Couldn't think of it last night. Clouding sucks, but I think it's gotten better for PRS, and it happens to other brands. Always something to watch out for buying used.

 

[CoreyW]

Here is my custom 24, 21’ model in charcoal pattern thin neck

 

[LP Freak]

 

[CoreyW]

PRS?. Nah, almost as bad as a James Tyler. IMO

I prefer EBMM Majesty

View attachment 436306




View attachment 436307

and my older 2016 Majesty


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Ive been pretty intrigued by the Majesties, seeing them in person for the first time I had no idea they were so freaking small.

 

[rsm]

Ive been pretty intrigued by the Majesties, seeing them in person for the first time I had no idea they were so freaking small.

they are compact, not small.


like Petrucci;

and Gimli from LOTR


The Kaizen are larger; still my main guitars.

 

[PiggySmallz]

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Nice collection!

I had a brisket burst holcomb that I foolishly traded for an artist package tremonti before they took off in price. Still love seeing them pop up since they had such low production numbers.

 

[Akira]

Thanks for the shoutout!

Picked up this PRS McCarty 10 top for an absolute steal! Previous owner refretted with stainless steel frets. Needed some benchnwork, but is a workhorse of a guitar.

Sounds like a monster slamming metal riffs.

I (maybe egregiously?) wanted to see if a PRS McCarty could do metal. I bought this maybe 2006 or so? Took it to my luthier and explained. He laughed and did it anyways. It was my main stage guitar for maybe 3 years? Totally worked in drop C. Same hardware, same pickups, all of it. PRS are fuckin workhorses. Don’t ever let anyone tell you different. That guitar got BEAT.

I really like the moon inlays over the birds. Have been considering picking up an older McCarty as I've never owned a PRS before. Do you guys find the stock pickups work well for metal?