PRS Guitars and their F’ing 10” radius fretboards

[JTyson]

Ive had several of them, I actually preferred it once I got used to it compared to gibsons and fenders. Apples and oranges. If they had tons of people requesting other radius options, It would be in their best interest to offer them, they may feel it sets them apart.. Paul knows, but his answer would probably take 30 minutes and either bore us to tears or make us want to break stuff

 

[andross182]

I have a USA Holcomb I bought new that I really should play more but since when are they 5k? I guess I should hold on to it then.

You probably have his CE model. He had a limited edition core run a few years back with a set neck. Those were the 4k+ models.

I have zero issues with the radius on mine.

 

[garey77]

Ive had several of them, I actually preferred it once I got used to it compared to gibsons and fenders. Apples and oranges. If they had tons of people requesting other radius options, It would be in their best interest to offer them, they may feel it sets them apart.. Paul knows, but his answer would probably take 30 minutes and either bore us to tears or make us want to break stuff

It’s more than likely a shop set-up and re-tooling issue, as well as the money involved that they’d have to tack onto the overall price of the guitar. I’m sure he knows his US stuff is already expensive for many people who’d love to own one.

 

[chunktone]

I've really tried to like PRS, as their guitars are beautiful! But the necks are just not up to par, imo. I don't like the radius either, but the big thing for me is the 3" of lumber sticking out of what they pass off as a finished neck joint! I've never heard one person even try to offer a reason for this!

 

[mooncobra]

I recently got into PRS. Must say, I think they are great! Mine has wide/thin and pattern thin. I really like them. No need to change anything.

I recently got back into PRS. They keep upping their game. I have a Custom 24 30th anniv with one piece maple top, ebony fretboard and those awesome new 85/15 pickups, and this thing just kills. I also got a 408 and that thing also kills, and its great for heavy music. Yeah, PRS keeps getting better. I am very impressed by their latest offerings. Below is a pic of my 408, and although I am not a big fan of the color, it is a great guitar

 

[Mr. Willy]

I've really tried to like PRS, as their guitars are beautiful! But the necks are just not up to par, imo. I don't like the radius either, but the big thing for me is the 3" of lumber sticking out of what they pass off as a finished neck joint! I've never heard one person even try to offer a reason for this!

The elongated heel is supposed to increase sustain, I believe.

 

[vchizzle]

Ive had several of them, I actually preferred it once I got used to it compared to gibsons and fenders. Apples and oranges. If they had tons of people requesting other radius options, It would be in their best interest to offer them, they may feel it sets them apart.. Paul knows, but his answer would probably take 30 minutes and either bore us to tears or make us want to break stuff

It’s more than likely a shop set-up and re-tooling issue, as well as the money involved that they’d have to tack onto the overall price of the guitar. I’m sure he knows his US stuff is already expensive for many people who’d love to own one.

Yup. Set up and tooling costs money, then you also have the issue of guitars not selling because of specs. It’s not worth it to have multiple radius options when you look at big picture of running a large business. Their goal is to build quality guitars and sell as many as possible. Adding another radius option complicates things. Given their spot in the hierarchy of sales, I think they’re doing just fine.

 

[K-Roll]

I LOVE my PRS CU22 Artist with a wide fat neck, it's one of the best guitars I've ever used. Needed some nut work cause i've been using it in drop B. It feels and plays awesome and i am a huge fan of the fretboard actually. I do have an ibanez 1527 prestige with their (?)15'' radius and i've come to realize that for rhythm work and heavy riffing i prefer the PRS. Somehow my left hand sits with more comfort, i don't get any spasms, chord fretting seems more natural rather than on a flat board. i guess everyone has a different preference .

 

[MYLILSS]

I have an old 20th anniversary CE22 that I had Lee @ GMW do a Floyd rose install. it was actually the second one I have done. on this one he shaved the neck heel and gave the neck a slightly slimmer profile, while removing the clear coat and just oiling the back of the neck. granted, he did a lot of changes to it, but I don't even notice the radius anymore like I used too with the fatter neck. it flat out rips now

 

[MYLILSS]

I recently got into PRS. Must say, I think they are great! Mine has wide/thin and pattern thin. I really like them. No need to change anything.

I recently got back into PRS. They keep upping their game. I have a Custom 24 30th anniv with one piece maple top, ebony fretboard and those awesome new 85/15 pickups, and this thing just kills. I also got a 408 and that thing also kills, and its great for heavy music. Yeah, PRS keeps getting better. I am very impressed by their latest offerings. Below is a pic of my 408, and although I am not a big fan of the color, it is a great guitar

that's a freakin gorgeous guitar dude !

Edit: the 408 mooncobra posted. (pic didn't transfer)

 

[mooncobra]

I recently got into PRS. Must say, I think they are great! Mine has wide/thin and pattern thin. I really like them. No need to change anything.

I recently got back into PRS. They keep upping their game. I have a Custom 24 30th anniv with one piece maple top, ebony fretboard and those awesome new 85/15 pickups, and this thing just kills. I also got a 408 and that thing also kills, and its great for heavy music. Yeah, PRS keeps getting better. I am very impressed by their latest offerings. Below is a pic of my 408, and although I am not a big fan of the color, it is a great guitar

that's a freakin gorgeous guitar dude !

Edit: the 408 mooncobra posted. (pic didn't transfer)

thanks man. it plays and sounds fantastic. brazilian neck and fretboard. I really like the pickups also, they remain nice and tight when playing with a lot of gain. I am very happy with this guitar. personally, I think PRS just keeps putting out better guitars as the years go by.

 

[JTyson]

I recently got into PRS. Must say, I think they are great! Mine has wide/thin and pattern thin. I really like them. No need to change anything.

I recently got back into PRS. They keep upping their game. I have a Custom 24 30th anniv with one piece maple top, ebony fretboard and those awesome new 85/15 pickups, and this thing just kills. I also got a 408 and that thing also kills, and its great for heavy music. Yeah, PRS keeps getting better. I am very impressed by their latest offerings. Below is a pic of my 408, and although I am not a big fan of the color, it is a great guitar

DAM!
That guitar is stunning

 

[errrrrl]

I have a USA Holcomb I bought new that I really should play more but since when are they 5k? I guess I should hold on to it then.

You probably have his CE model. He had a limited edition core run a few years back with a set neck. Those were the 4k+ models.

I have zero issues with the radius on mine.

Def not a CE model. I got the limited edition when they first came out after winter namm but I only paid a little over 3k. To hear they are going for close to 5k is mind boggling.

 

[robertkoa]

Anyone else find it funny that PRS doesn’t offer a flatter radius on any of their models, other than the Holcomb, which is like $5k?!!

Yes it is odd. Even the McCarty SE has 10".
His excuse is old Les Pauls don't have 12" Radius anyway lol.

The LP's I played were 12" and some from the 60's.

I owned an SG =12" ES 347=12"
Don't like vintage Radius if less than 12"
Compound Radius¿ - because you play chords low on the Neck and leads high on the neck ? WTF ?

Are we playing Country Chords ?

I play chords everywhere on 14"
radius with medium jumbos.

12" Radius is fine with .047 high or close to it frets

And solos everywhere ...

And who thinks chords are easier on rounded fingerboards - lol.

Marketing hype- if you have good frets and setup it won't matter on chords [ and I use tones of voicings with 2 barrès etc and 6 fret stretches].

And for some like myself wide bends and vibrato are tougher on small radius boards ...

So I like that PRS uses angled headstocks on the Mayer Sig.

I wish Strats were like that.

I don't worship old Strats / old LPs - I think LPs age better than Strats because of the set necks .

But I think for resonance / sustain / tones the EJ Strats will beat most of the older ones anyway....

I don't own a LP or a EJ Strat - they both need taller frets for me .

I do find the EJs easy to play though and they sound excellent or great ...

But 10" is so specialized - suprised PRS never uses 12".

I think the SE's sound very good for the $...

I played a PRS 513 and the Radius didn't bother me - the proprietary pickups non standard size - for future proof- ness did bother me for that much money.

Rant ends here. Lol

 

[OnePingOnly]

That’s annoying. An operation as big as PRS should offer more options. At any rate, I do love my CU 24. It’s been a real workhorse for me.

You mean like expecting Gibson to offer their Les Paul in a 14-20" radius? snort. Their radius is part of their "thing". Their feel and distinction. But it might not be right for you. Doesn't make it bad in itself. Me? I dislike any of those shredder thin necks and 14" + radius fretboards. But that doesn't mean you can't like them. Like ice cream flavors- everyone like different things.

 

[Mr. Willy]

You mean like expecting Gibson to offer their Les Paul in a 14-20" radius? snort. Their radius is part of their "thing". Their feel and distinction. But it might not be right for you. Doesn't make it bad in itself. Me? I dislike any of those shredder thin necks and 14" + radius fretboards. But that doesn't mean you can't like them. Like ice cream flavors- everyone like different things.

I like it just fine. More options would be better. You can step off with your condescending scolding, though.

 

[OnePingOnly]

I like it just fine. More options would be better. You can step off with your condescending scolding, though.

no condecending scolding intended. My apologies. Just stating fact. Like you're not getting a Quarter Pounder at Burger King. And no I won't step off....
Having said that if you go PVT stock or Cust build, I'm sure they will make you any radius you're willing to pay for. Don't step on your willy.

 

[Mr. Willy]

no condecending scolding intended. My apologies. Just stating fact. Like you're not getting a Quarter Pounder at Burger King. And no I won't step off....
Having said that if you go PVT stock or Cust build, I'm sure they will make you any radius you're willing to pay for. Don't step on your willy.

It’s an opinion, and you can step off.

 

[vultures]

I've changed a radius on an older PRS to 16" and refretted it with stainless steel for someone. It was a game changer for that guitar. I'm waiting until I'm bored enough to do the same to my CU24. There are way too many things they won't do because "paul doesn't like it", and it frustrates me.

 

[itsgoodnow]

I've changed a radius on an older PRS to 16" and refretted it with stainless steel for someone. It was a game changer for that guitar. I'm waiting until I'm bored enough to do the same to my CU24. There are way too many things they won't do because "paul doesn't like it", and it frustrates me.

They won’t even do a different radius for a model on private stock. Or stainless frets. It’s definitely annoying. I was debating doing the 16” re radius and a stainless refret to one of mine and I think this convinced me