PRS guitars - is the stellar rep real or hype?

[Chris O]

Just wondering... I mean, aside from the beautiful tops, what sets apart the "real deal" PRS's from everything else out there?

I've been looking at these with more than casual interest lately. I've had a handful of SE's, and they are arguably the most consistent import I've laid hands on in YEARS. The fit and finish is always pretty much top notch -- better than many USA guitars from the "high dollar volume manufacturers". I picked up a SE Bernie Marsden the other day, and it's a strong candidate for my main player right now.

So in light of that, I've been sniffing around for some local PRS's, but haven't really come across anything to put hands on yet - of course I will though.

I'm just wondering though - what makes them so great and gives them the reputation (and price) they usually carry? What are the desirable sub-$2K models out there I should keep an eye out for? I like the single-cuts, but they mostly have the wide-fat profile, and I'd like the have a wide-thin around too potentially. I'm really a sucker for more of a plain-top style guitar, so I don't need to scour the earth for the perfect 10-top or artist series. Are the trem models pretty table? I hate standard trems... I've done well with their wrap-around bridges and really enjoy that kind of simplicity.

What about the bolt-ons? What's the deal with those?

Let's hear it - the good, bad, and (not-so) ugly...

 

[Steinmetzify]

Dude, there's a silver Singlecut in the classifieds I'd buy in a second if I could. 2003 I think; badass guitar.

The Singlecuts have been my favorite, consistently. Think about Gibsons and Epiphones; there's a big difference between the USAs and the SE line. The SEs are great import guitars, even the generic pups are decent which is not always the case for import lines.

I tried a USA SC first, and it pretty much felt like that guitar was made for my hand; pups were great, and I love their one piece bridge. If you leave your guitars in one tuning or have others for different tunings, snag one. I'm not a fan of trying to change tunings a lot with that bridge though. Really nice fit and finish; up there with the top stuff that Gibson produces. I don't think you can find a nicer production guitar line. Buy used; I think all guitars are overpriced anymore and you can save a bundle. Usually $1500 or less for a used non 10 top; the SC in the classifieds is competitively priced at a little over $1200 because of some surface pinpricks. It'd be a player though.

 

[guitarman967]

Hype? Is this a real question? Theyre not exactly a the flavor of the month compa y. Theyve been around since the 80's.

 

[Chris O]

Hype? Is this a real question? Theyre not exactly a the flavor of the month compa y. Theyve been around since the 80's.

I wasn't implying they were FOTM. Did I say Friedman, Cameron, or something like that? So by "hype", maybe I'm implying "price tag", as they have been some of the higher priced guitars (non-vintage/production) that I can remember over my years of playing.

The "hype" has always been about the quality - is it really THAT good? We know that it doesn't translate to Gibson, or pretty much anything FMIC touches.

 

[Chris O]

Dude, there's a silver Singlecut in the classifieds I'd buy in a second if I could. 2003 I think; badass guitar.

Don't think I didn't notice...

 

[Steinmetzify]

Grabitgrabitgrabitgrabit

 

[stompboxfreak72]

I had a SC for 10 years. The neck was just too fat/wide for me but the guitar looked and sounded so great it took a long time to part with it. Id love to get another PRS with a different neck but at the price tag I probably never will.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

I've played a few different DGT's that had that liquid sustain to them.
More so then any Les Paul I have owned or played

 

[FourT6and2]

I had a Singlecut Artist and a Custom 22 at one point. And while I did like them, I didn't gel with them as much as my Les Pauls. So away they went. Not to say they are bad or anything. It was just a feeling thing. But if I found one that spoke to me somehow as I played it, I wouldn't hesitate to grab it. Great build quality (better than Gibson), consistency, and materials. What sets them apart from many other brands is the scale length, bridge design, and aesthetics mostly.

Here was the Singlecut I had. It was definitely a looker:

 

[stratotone]

I have had a custom 22 10-top I bought used from GC website for $1499, it was a fine guitar. But to be honest my 2013 Gibson Traditional plays and sounds better than the PRS ever did.
The rotary pickup selector is no good for live use, unless your playing some yacht rock that has a lot of space where you can fiddle with the damn thing. They make some really pretty guitars, but the sound is just ok. Some of them of course can sound great, but like any other guitar it's just chance. If it's a good piece of wood sonically, then it's as good as anything else.

I would recommend buying used from GC and then you can always take it back if it's not really your thing.

I hate the 5 way rotary selector, it's the suck. McCarty switching is better, but it's still a pain in the ass to pull up a tone knob to get a single coil sound. (McCarty has a regular three way toggle, then a push/pull pot to split the coils). I've owned eight or so, Kept three - two McCartys and a Cu22 hollowbody. They were the best sounding ones, the others were pretty average sounding. One I got rid of was one of the magical 'pre factory' PRS guitars. Other than the heel being smaller, I couldn't really tell a sonic or playability difference between it and later ones.

I do prefer the playability of a PRS over a Gibson LP though, I just don't have hands big enough to easily navigate above the 17th or so fret on a LP and in general, the LPs are heavier than the PRS guitars. I also have always had issues with LPs going out of tune on the G string especially that I don't have with the PRS guitars, whether they have locking tuners or not.

BTW, I also had two SEs - nice guitars, especially for the money, but the USA PRS were noticeably better for my use. Just my opinion. Heck, you may prefer the SEs.

 

[Heritage Softail]

PRS is good, or great, depending on what you want. I have played lots of them since GC has 2 stores near me.

I bought an old CU and like it. It is very light and plays perfectly. Just not sure what pups to put in it. May put a chicken head on the rotary switch or see if there is some kit thing to make it a blade type.

The SC guitars have gotten better. I have an SC-58 that is the best playing LP I have. Pups are good but not exactly what I like some days... But great others.

Are the high $ PRS worth it? A good SC with new pups may be. But it still isn't a LP if that is what you want. And modded it will drop price more. People generally don't collect SC's like LP's, so resale is a factor.

If you like the imported guitar quality then I would stick with it. If it sounds great and plays great, aside of the dick swinging element, seems like no real reason to spend an extra 1-2K.

 

[ibenhad]

Have had several and just have one left. It's not bad. Dig the color more than anything. The tone to me on all the ones I have owned or played in stores is just MEH! Could be my suckage at playing but they just don't have the weight/tone of a Les Paul. Always felt they were more straty then Les Paul like tone wise. Good luck on your quest let us know what you find and decide. Find one that speaks to you and who cares what it says on the headstock.

 

[JTyson]

I've had several and kept 3 that were standouts. 2 of those are McCarty's and 1 first year ME. I still have other brands, but I play the PRS stuff the most, in particular a McCarty that has had some pup changes.
I dont get all the "this is better" stuff floating around, I've gotten rid of a bunch of guitars that were on that list
There are exceptionally good versions and lesser versions of everything I've ever played, regardless of brand. My #1 McCarty blows the doors off any of the 3 Les Pauls I owned, but that dosent mean there isint a better one out there. I'm sure there is...
And when I find it, I'll buy it
I've never been one of those people who thinks because I happen to own something, its the best thing ever.
Different strokes for different folks, variety is a good thing
I still own 5 other brands of guitars that produce a sound the PRS stuff dosent do

 

[Chris O]

McCarty's come up a LOT. Incidentally, those are the models that seem to catch my eye more than any other.

What's the "magical" thing about them? (Serious question - I'm no PRS historian..)

If you like the imported guitar quality then I would stick with it. If it sounds great and plays great, aside of the dick swinging element, seems like no real reason to spend an extra 1-2K.

I'm with you here. Not looking to impress anyone but ME.

Here's my Marsden - it impresses me...

 

[drjenkins]

I've owned 9 and have kept 3 that will never go anywhere. A couple of them I wish I still had, but that's life. Kept a 92, and a 93 CU24, and an 08 McCarty Korina one -off with special finish and pickups. The 92 is bone stock, the 93 is my beater and it's got new pickups, all new electronics w/the McCarty switching, and graphtec saddles. The rotary can be a pain for some, but I've played it so long that it's just second nature for me.

They all just work for me, and I would think if you like your SE you'd gel with a US model as well.

 

[moltisanti]

the "magic" with the McCartys and Singlecuts comes down to one simple thing for me - body thickness.

The normal PRS shape (Custom) has a relatively thin body, which (IMO) is what creates the honky mid/heavy sound a lot of people associate with PRS.

Of the 8 PRS that i have owned the "best" ones for me were the singlecuts, which are almost twice as thick as the customs, the McCarty is significantly thicker too

 

[tubortski]

I was really happy with a SC-245. Great build quality.

 

[iplayloudly]

I recently bought my 1st PRS, a '95 CE24 with the original HFS/Vintage Bass pickups for $1000. For the money I think its an excellent guitar. Mine has the wide-thin neck. Very comfortable and very versatile. Even though I do hate the 5-way rotary switch, it offers a wide variety of tones, all which are useable. (Why can't they just put a dang 5-way switch on it like a strat?)

It does have the trem bridge, but I don't use a trem bar with it so I just tighten all the springs in back and the tuning is very stable. It also came with the old style locking tuners, but I couldn't really get along with those, so I've already swapped them out with some normal Grovers.

 

[prsplayer86]

First post!
I'm a huge PRS fan boy. I think it comes down to "do you like the PRS tone". The single cuts get compared with Gibson constantly, but they honestly have their own tone. I love Les Pauls, but prefer my PRS single cut to my Custom (Gib). The PRS neck profile and tone just resonate more to me than Gibson has.

You can find single cuts with very nice tops for 1000-1500 all day long ( that silver single cut is awesome by the way). I don't care for the none tune-o-matic bridges. I'd suggest to anyone to find a single cut that came with a tune-o-matic or upgrade to one. I wouldn't mess with the rotary switch either. Cool Idea but I would imagine it would be a nightmare to work live. My 3 way toggle is where its at for me.

There trems work great if thats what your into, and they stay in tune when you use them. For the money.. . I you came across that one guitar that you knew was your #1 and would never be sold... spend the money (no matter what brand) IMO.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

Loves mines. Left handed.

Sure it's pretty and all that crap but the tone of the guitar is unreal. Sounds amazing.

After touring the PRS Factory and seeing them test wood for harmonics and resonance I was sold.