PRS tops-Whats the deal?

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Ancient Alien

Ancient Alien

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Out of all the high dollar guitars out there, I've noticed that PRS either has blind people working at the factory, or they just can't find nice tops.
Don't get me wrong, there are a few real nice ones out there that I have seen.
I always see AAAAA Flame, Ten Top, Etc on Ebay, classifieds, etc.
Yet, they have very poorly matched, and poorly figured tops.
I personally have yet to play a PRS that I liked, but that is just me.
I just don't get it.
Is there some smoke a mirrors behind this?
Will someone say, "they pic the tops for tone!"
What say you?
 
PRSflamedtop.jpg


PrivateStock_85Replica-FadedRoyalBlue-5105425-FrontBody.jpg


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the tops definitely aren't what they used to be, and i think their definition of a 10 top has had to come down as production increased, but i think the flame tops are better in comparison to the early days than the quilts, mine is everything i wanted from a flame 10

DSCN0240.jpg
 
They build alot of guitars....way higher volume than most other builders with comparable or better tops. That much wood that looks and has the resonant properties they look for is difficult to keep up with, I'm sure. I can't find it now, but I believe they complete 60-80 guitars per day. Not many guitar makers do that kind of volume with serious tops. I would guess the Private Stock program is also gonna take most of the premium wood as well, that you would've seen on regular guitars before that program existed. And yes, they do look for resonant properties in wood, wood that vibrates alot....how scientific it is, I don't know.
 
Ancient Alien":1tyfa2l2 said:
Out of all the high dollar guitars out there, I've noticed that PRS either has blind people working at the factory, or they just can't find nice tops.
Don't get me wrong, there are a few real nice ones out there that I have seen.
I always see AAAAA Flame, Ten Top, Etc on Ebay, classifieds, etc.
Yet, they have very poorly matched, and poorly figured tops.
I personally have yet to play a PRS that I liked, but that is just me.
I just don't get it.
Is there some smoke a mirrors behind this?
Will someone say, "they pic the tops for tone!"
What say you?

Weird. Most people complain that PRS' tops are too nice. Go over to TGP and you'll see thread after thread of people bitching about how PRS look too good to play and that people hate PRS because they would be too afraid to play them and get them scratched or dinged up because the tops are just soooooo nice. So many people out there just hate PRS for whatever the reason.

PRS quality control is probably one of, if not the, best in the industry per volume. That means compared to other companies outputting a similar volume of product in a given time period.

While their normal topped guitars are kind of bleeeghg sometimes, some of their 10 and many of their Artist tops are stunning. But, whatever... if you don't like 'em then you don't like 'em.

Here's my Artist:

n12201202_31144803_7312.jpg

n12201202_31144810_9833.jpg


Here's a bunch of other PRS that I think look pretty damn good:

n12201202_31359389_2666.jpg

n12201202_31359419_762.jpg

n12201202_31359432_5018.jpg
 
That's funny, I always thought PRS had the nicest tops out of pretty much anyone. If you put a flame 10 top next next to you average flame top LP it puts it to shame IMO. Whenever I mention PRS around my dad though he can't help but start talking shit about how they can't bookmatch a top for shit :lol: :LOL: I always just attributed it to the fact that he's an ornery old man :D
 
Meh, I dont think the best tops equal best tone. I've heard too many beautiful ones that were just OK. Really hard to tell how the finished product will sound until its finished. I love a good flame, but have a McCarty standard that is super resonant, almost as resonant as my Modern Eagle, which is the most resonant guitar I've ever played. I have played some other Eagles that were not as good, but had better tops on them. The Mc standard I am speaking of just has a standard flame, but is fantastic. You gotta play them and compare them acoustically to really tell. ;)
I think they pick the tops for the visual aspect, and a lot of people equate a great top to great tone, but my personal experience has been better when I disregard the top and listen to em acoustically.
I do this with all the guitars I've ever owned, and had good results with it. I've had 9 PRS guitars and I'm down to the 3 most resonant ones. The better it rings acoustically, the better it will sound plugged in
 
I know there are a bunch on nice ones out there as some of you have posted.
I think FourT6and2's Artist is the nicest of the bunch so far.
I just always see horrible tops when I go into stores with $4k to $10K price tags.
I see the same on a lot of Gibsons too.
Just figured for that kind of coin, they would take a little more time bookmatching and selecting tops :thumbsup:
 
JTyson":3kyf2jxd said:
Meh, I dont think the best tops equal best tone. I've heard too many beautiful ones that were just OK. Really hard to tell how the finished product will sound until its finished. I love a good flame, but have a McCarty standard that is super resonant, almost as resonant as my Modern Eagle, which is the most resonant guitar I've ever played. I have played some other Eagles that were not as good, but had better tops on them. The Mc standard I am speaking of just has a standard flame, but is fantastic. You gotta play them and compare them acoustically to really tell. ;)
I think they pick the tops for the visual aspect, and a lot of people equate a great top to great tone, but my personal experience has been better when I disregard the top and listen to em acoustically.
I do this with all the guitars I've ever owned, and had good results with it. I've had 9 PRS guitars and I'm down to the 3 most resonant ones. The better it rings acoustically, the better it will sound plugged in

:picsorban: ............ :lol: :LOL:
 
This is the exact reason I have never bought a nice topped guitar, Not counting the price of some of the ones I have liked. :lol: :LOL:

The Poor Book Matching is annoying and I wouldn't even call it or them a Book Matched Top..
I would consider it a Slip Matched Top because the grain on some of the tops on the guitars even in this post do not Meet Perfectly, Which to me would be Slip Matched...

I have Made/Built Custom Maple, Mahogany and Teak Cabinets lots of times growing up so I know how much of pain in the ass and How much wood gets wasted doing a perfect Book Match.
 
Ancient Alien":3lx05c59 said:
danyeo":3lx05c59 said:

That is what I am talking about.
To me, that is a horrible match.
Nice color and wood, but bad match.


Yeh that is what I was talking about with Not considering it a Book Match and considering it a Slip Match..
With my expectations and depending on the price of the guitar anyways...
 
Ancient Alien":2nsnjatv said:
I know there are a bunch on nice ones out there as some of you have posted.
I think FourT6and2's Artist is the nicest of the bunch so far.
I just always see horrible tops when I go into stores with $4k to $10K price tags.
I see the same on a lot of Gibsons too.
Just figured for that kind of coin, they would take a little more time bookmatching and selecting tops :thumbsup:

And my Artist was $2,500. I think that's a pretty good deal.
 
Ancient Alien":1dyo0mjf said:
FourT6and2":1dyo0mjf said:
That is a very nice match. But I have a feeling that is one of their $10K plus guitars.

Oh yeah. Those are probably wicked expensive. Private stock most likely.
 
Those two guitars are rare. That's why they're so expensive. Their tops might not be AAAAAAAAAAAAA grade, but they're not valued for their maple caps. I don't especially like the coveted '59 Burst LPs, but they're still worth a lot of money.
 
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