PRS Guitars... Who's made the switch

[Mizati20]

Came in here to second the "They are awesome, but they are their own thing" comment...

...don't expect them to replace anything, especially not a Lester... that being said, they are my favorite guitar on the planet hands down, upper fret access is completely uninhibited... and they get all the grind and snarl you could ever need... maybe not as much as a Paul... but trust me, they fucking rock...

 

[cphr3d]

I have both a Les Paul Classic and a Custom 22. They are different in their tone and feel, but I love both. I agree with most of the comments above about the fit and finish and consistency of a PRS being pretty damn stellar. My vote, get both....

 

[AndyK]

They really are different sounding guitars. The PRS's are more like ultra quality SG's in tone (IMHO).

As Ferris Beuller would say, "I urge you to have one of each, if you have the means!"

 

[Ventura]

Part of my reasoning and inquiring is this:

PRS seem to be just over-the-top when it comes to attention to detail and quality - there's just no lacking in this department. They're "bang on" a helluva lot more than, say, Gibbys are. Secondly, they've got what appears to be some excellent "tech" in their guitars - I'm digging the 408 and the variety of pup configurations one can get. Part of my knows my Lesters do one or two things real well... Which is great. But man, took a few years to really find the right ones to DO these ONE or TWO things. I see PRS as maybe more versatile guitars. I'm going to be needing a versatile guitar or two down the road. I also see that, with their newer models, a pup swap may not be as easy as I am used to with my Lesters - PRS has a custom sized pup, NO BKP FO' YOU!!!!

So ya, it's less an "all or nothing" kinda thing, and I really DO know they're not "like" Les Pauls and they're not "like" Fenders, but they're their own thang - which is cool to me. Just wondered if all that quality control and fine woods and attention to detail and technical advancement make 'em "better" for "players" than us knuckledragging Lester fanbois dig and groove to typically.

Peace

 

[thiswaythatway]

Part of my reasoning and inquiring is this:

PRS seem to be just over-the-top when it comes to attention to detail and quality - there's just no lacking in this department. They're "bang on" a helluva lot more than, say, Gibbys are. Secondly, they've got what appears to be some excellent "tech" in their guitars - I'm digging the 408 and the variety of pup configurations one can get. Part of my knows my Lesters do one or two things real well... Which is great. But man, took a few years to really find the right ones to DO these ONE or TWO things. I see PRS as maybe more versatile guitars. I'm going to be needing a versatile guitar or two down the road. I also see that, with their newer models, a pup swap may not be as easy as I am used to with my Lesters - PRS has a custom sized pup, NO BKP FO' YOU!!!!

So ya, it's less an "all or nothing" kinda thing, and I really DO know they're not "like" Les Pauls and they're not "like" Fenders, but they're their own thang - which is cool to me. Just wondered if all that quality control and fine woods and attention to detail and technical advancement make 'em "better" for "players" than us knuckledragging Lester fanbois dig and groove to typically.

Peace

Checkout the DGT model if you can.

 

[glip22]

from, say, Les Pauls to PRS guitars?

I'm still borderline. I love my Lesters, and you're probably going to ask "then why switch?", but the versatility of these guitars seems awesome, as does the CONSISTENCY of quality control and finish and build quality. I've yet to try a few out - not easily accessible where I live, but I'm always a bit pissed at the access on the higher frets of my Lesters (but I've learned to live with it and love 'em), and the weight is up there too. Now, all this said, I LOVE the tone of a good Lester. And of all the Lesters I've had, I've kept the growling, sustaining, rich and sweet ones. But there's something really "intriguing" about these PRS guitars.

Is it just hype?? I'd love a 408, C22, and probably a PG or Eagle or Reserve Stock. But, what are they like???

Mo, Why do you need to make a switch? Keep your Pauls and buy a PRS. You don't have to be in one camp or the other.

 

[steve_k]

There's a gazillion shops selling PRS. Best to go play a few. I like the Custom 24. Wouldn't buy another one, but I like them. The Tremonti I had was just as good as any Les Paul.

 

[glassjaw7]

I've always had a thing for the old Custom 22 models. Those guitars just feel perfect to me and I would take one over most LPs.

 

[Ventura]

from, say, Les Pauls to PRS guitars?

I'm still borderline. I love my Lesters, and you're probably going to ask "then why switch?", but the versatility of these guitars seems awesome, as does the CONSISTENCY of quality control and finish and build quality. I've yet to try a few out - not easily accessible where I live, but I'm always a bit pissed at the access on the higher frets of my Lesters (but I've learned to live with it and love 'em), and the weight is up there too. Now, all this said, I LOVE the tone of a good Lester. And of all the Lesters I've had, I've kept the growling, sustaining, rich and sweet ones. But there's something really "intriguing" about these PRS guitars.

Is it just hype?? I'd love a 408, C22, and probably a PG or Eagle or Reserve Stock. But, what are they like???

Mo, Why do you need to make a switch? Keep your Pauls and buy a PRS. You don't have to be in one camp or the other.

I don't need to switch, I'm just trying to see if there are cats from my camp (the Lester side of the fence) who've found happiness going with one or three of these PRS axes. I'm not really trying to go full bore and dump my Lesters, but hey, I've got a lot of expensive guitars already man

I'm just wondering - you know? I think from a quality and tech standpoint, they're top of their game. What do they offer a tried and true Les Paul addict like me? That's where I'm going with this....

But ya, seems I'll have to test a few out. And Steve, there's no shops specializing in geetars where I live, just snowboards, skis and mountain bikes.............a lot of them.

 

[Ventura]

That's hot.

 

[thiswaythatway]

from, say, Les Pauls to PRS guitars?

I'm still borderline. I love my Lesters, and you're probably going to ask "then why switch?", but the versatility of these guitars seems awesome, as does the CONSISTENCY of quality control and finish and build quality. I've yet to try a few out - not easily accessible where I live, but I'm always a bit pissed at the access on the higher frets of my Lesters (but I've learned to live with it and love 'em), and the weight is up there too. Now, all this said, I LOVE the tone of a good Lester. And of all the Lesters I've had, I've kept the growling, sustaining, rich and sweet ones. But there's something really "intriguing" about these PRS guitars.

Is it just hype?? I'd love a 408, C22, and probably a PG or Eagle or Reserve Stock. But, what are they like???

Mo, Why do you need to make a switch? Keep your Pauls and buy a PRS. You don't have to be in one camp or the other.

I don't need to switch, I'm just trying to see if there are cats from my camp (the Lester side of the fence) who've found happiness going with one or three of these PRS axes. I'm not really trying to go full bore and dump my Lesters, but hey, I've got a lot of expensive guitars already man

I'm just wondering - you know? I think from a quality and tech standpoint, they're top of their game. What do they offer a tried and true Les Paul addict like me? That's where I'm going with this....

But ya, seems I'll have to test a few out. And Steve, there's no shops specializing in geetars where I live, just snowboards, skis and mountain bikes.............a lot of them.

I'd say that if you're in a cover band or an original band with lot's of different tones going on you would be able to get through a gig with a PRS better than an LP without having to grab a strat for 1 song. A Strat won't do a LP tone and an LP won't do a Strat tone, but a PRS can do both. Maybe not as good as each but it's they're like Dual purpose motorcycles.

Aside from that, expect better fretwork, better upper fret access, forearm contour, STAYS IN TUNE.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I took the rotary switch out of my PRS fast after I got it. It's too difficult to use live, and I discovered with it that I HATE split humbucker sounds with a passion. Install a 3-way switch and all's well. IMHO, the PRS guitars being made now are the best the company has ever produced. I loved the McCarty 58 I played awhile back. One thing about them those,is that I don't their pickups are great. Besides the 59 bridge, they all seems mediocre to me. Find a nice set of replacements and you're good to go.

 

[kalt]

IMHOP, I don't think it's fair to compare a PRS to any other guitar, as some have already said. They really are their own deal. Personally, I have two LP's and two PRS (among others) and I like them all for different reasons. I know I'm going to get blasted for this but for me my main guitar is a PRS CU22 with EMG's. This guitar in particular REALLY responds well to the EMG's and is a great metal guitar. Very thick but tight low end and plenty of mids to cut. My CU24 I left stock with the 57/08s and it rips as a classic rock / blues guitar. I wouldn't say any of them replace any of the Giibby's but they are very well built guitars.

 

[racerevlon]

Can't get on with the scale, string spacing, or neck profiles. If they played as well as they sounded I would be interested.

 

[TX6Strings]

I don't know why anyone would have to "switch". I've got a PRS Custom 24, McCarty 22, McCarty SC with P90's and a 1982 LP Standard. I love all these axes for different reasons and sounds. No two PRSs or LPs are going to sound or play exactly the same so there's no way to really compare them.

 

[glip22]

I don't know why anyone would have to "switch". I've got a PRS Custom 24, McCarty 22, McCarty SC with P90's and a 1982 LP Standard. I love all these axes for different reasons and sounds. No two PRSs or LPs are going to sound or play exactly the same so there's no way to really compare them.

Mo is Gassing and has some strange justifications he keeps trying to convince himself of

 

[thiswaythatway]

IMHOP, I don't think it's fair to compare a PRS to any other guitar, as some have already said. They really are their own deal. Personally, I have two LP's and two PRS (among others) and I like them all for different reasons. I know I'm going to get blasted for this but for me my main guitar is a PRS CU22 with EMG's. This guitar in particular REALLY responds well to the EMG's and is a great metal guitar. Very thick but tight low end and plenty of mids to cut. My CU24 I left stock with the 57/08s and it rips as a classic rock / blues guitar. I wouldn't say any of them replace any of the Giibby's but they are very well built guitars.

Sorry but I think EMG's in a PRS are like brushing your teeth, then gulping down a pint of OJ.

 

[Ventura]

I don't know why anyone would have to "switch". I've got a PRS Custom 24, McCarty 22, McCarty SC with P90's and a 1982 LP Standard. I love all these axes for different reasons and sounds. No two PRSs or LPs are going to sound or play exactly the same so there's no way to really compare them.

Mo is Gassing and has some strange justifications he keeps trying to convince himself of

Truth.

IMHOP, I don't think it's fair to compare a PRS to any other guitar, as some have already said. They really are their own deal. Personally, I have two LP's and two PRS (among others) and I like them all for different reasons. I know I'm going to get blasted for this but for me my main guitar is a PRS CU22 with EMG's. This guitar in particular REALLY responds well to the EMG's and is a great metal guitar. Very thick but tight low end and plenty of mids to cut. My CU24 I left stock with the 57/08s and it rips as a classic rock / blues guitar. I wouldn't say any of them replace any of the Giibby's but they are very well built guitars.

Sorry but I think EMG's in a PRS are like brushing your teeth, then gulping down a pint of OJ.

Kinda there too... Like a sledghammer to put a tack in.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I'll back up the EMGs, best thing I ever did to my CU24 besides trading it away for a LP Standard, period. The 81/85 combo worked really well in it. Was not just a metal machine either, it worked for jazz too. Did away with that 5-way switch and went 3-way toggle.

 

[Gadzz]

I went with a Knaggs Kenai over the PRS I love it still have my Lester though never gonna part with it! Probably going to get another Knaggs in the near future