The anti-PRS brigade

[VC4Ever]

Cause dentists buy them

 

[VC4Ever]

and they cost too much and they use all kinds of rare woods and they all look the same and they suck

 

[Shark Diver]

I've had about 30 through the years. My favs were the original Modern Eagles. But the early CU 22s and 24s were very nice. Never got on with the pups much. (Probably the biggest reason I started using after market pups.) So many models it's hard to say you just don't like them unless you have spent time with the different models. It's like playing one Marshall and saying you don't like Marshalls. The scale length does make a difference, so that would be very subjective. Maybe it's the Guitar Center connection, they are never really set up well at the stores. Maybe it's the Emo/Recto connection? Maybe it's the arrogant attitude of a lot of PRS owners? (Kind of the Dumble crowd.) Or just that people want "traditional" equipment?

A mexican strat can be a great guitar for some, so to dismiss a much better built brand seems unfounded. They are well built, and have there own thing going on. I got screwed by the Private Stock Team so I have a disdain for them - but not because they aren't extremely well built guitars.

They are like Mesa Boogie being the first boutique amp company in that they kind of started the boutique guitar thing.

As said, haters are going to hate.

 

[jerrydyer]

I dont have these kinds of problems cause I cant afford a PRS

 

[59Bassman]

I've had a Cu24 since 1995. I'll admit, I've struggled with it at times. I got it to be an "all-in-one" - I wanted a Lester in the bridge, some sort of Strat in the middle, and an ES-335 in the neck. It's not that. I was sorely disappointed, and I'd blown a huge chunk of money ($1700) that my new wife and I didn't have on a guitar I really didn't like all that much.

However, over time, I've come to appreciate it. I swapped the pickups for Duncan AP II's. That improved the tone, particularly the bridge pickup tone. The PRS trem is as good as it gets for non-locking units. The original "winged" tuners are accurate, and make string changes easier than even Sperzels. It's a comfortable guitar to play - and I can play that instrument better than about any other guitar I've ever owned.

But you have to approach it knowing it's got its own thing going on. It's brighter than a Lester, more middy than a Strat. I think as much as anything else, it's an 80's Rock/Jazz Fusion guitar. Approaching it hoping for the guitar to sound anything like any other instrument will lead to disappointment. It doesn't like 10" speakers.

But give it a "modern" voiced amp like a Mesa Mark, a good 12" speaker or two, and don't expect it to sound like the original VH album, and you've got yourself a rig with your own tone.

Why do people hate them? I dunno. They look good (PRS really stood apart with their maple treatments), they play good, and they're very consistent (in my experience). But they're successful. People hate things once they become successful. Don't know why it is, it's just how some folks roll. I like mine enough to send it off for a refret now that it's got some miles on it.

 

[bigdaddyd]

I am not disagreeing, but perhaps people compare PRS to Gibson because got his original idea from Gibson and then refined it. The Singlecut didn't help either.

http://www.hansenguitars.com/engine/ins ... er=Archive

True, but surely Paul wasn't trying to emulate the tone of a Les Paul, for example? That's plainly not what the Custom 24 (for example) is designed for.

-C

Did you click on my link? In the early days, he surely was. He refined his designed over the years and made it his own though by changing things that he thought needed work. He mixed in the best of Fender and Gibson in his own way and did it very well, but your damn straight he copied the piss out of the LP in the beginning, and if you don't think the Singlecut was influenced by Gibson, you are delusional.

Yes you are right and I saw an interview on youtube with Paul that say so! He tried to build something starting with a LP junior ans a Strat. But what difference does it makes if it's good for you? There is so many brands that copied the Fender Stratocaster starting with Charvel and so many more (everything that looks like) and peoples doesn't do the same talking about them as they do to PRS. It's funny to see how people buy, like or don't just because some others like or not!! I personnaly think that the best guitar in the world is the one that you like the most! When I was young I bought so many guitars and brands only because people liked or didn't or whatever but I founded that maybe 95% didn't fit what I liked and probably many of you did also.

I am not sure why you are directing this at me since you seem to be agreeing with me. I don't need an explanation on what to buy since I don't give a shit what people think. I always have and always will only buy what I like. I was merely answering the OP. Clearly you have the same info as me. I too saw the same interview with PRS. He has been pretty open about his origin and influences. In either case, I agree with you.

 

[joepete77]

They often get labelled as a dentist guitar because in all seriousness they are. Most of the loyal prs customers are 40+ in age professional tgp type. Now that doesn't equate to being a shit guitar and in fact could mean the opposite. I never liked the looks of prs guitars and never cared for many of the bands I would see playing them, but I remember plugging in to a few different prs in like 2000 and being blown away by how nice they played and sounded. Even though I am a Gibson guy , there is no doubt that the qc and level of care that goes into standard production prs is much greater then Gibson USA production. Even the woods seem nicer especially these days. I still would feel out of place playing one though for some reason.

 

[Ventura]

Cause dentists buy them

But we need dentists

 

[steve_k]

It's a damn good thing there is more than one brand of guitar/body style/neck shape/electronics package to choose from....

That said, Paul has some of the coolest tops and paint schemes around. High priced - hell yes. Ridiculous. But, so are others (Suhr, TA, and other production guitars) in the same class. At least with say the Custom 24 you get a set neck. What I don't get is $3000-4000+ guitars with a bolt on neck.

 

[Motorpud]

Cause dentists buy them

But we need dentists

Yeah, God forbid you go to school for 8-10 years to be a dentist and make a shit load of money. The internet will make fun of you

It's a damn good thing there is more than one brand of guitar/body style/neck shape/electronics package to choose from....

That said, Paul has some of the coolest tops and paint schemes around. High priced - hell yes. Ridiculous. But, so are others (Suhr, TA, and other production guitars) in the same class. At least with say the Custom 24 you get a set neck. What I don't get is $3000-4000+ guitars with a bolt on neck.

Very good point Steve

 

[VC4Ever]

Anti Dentite...

In all seriousness though PRS guitars are a cult phenomenon not just dentists.

 

[steve_k]

Anti Dentite...

In all seriousness though PRS guitars are a cult phenomenon not just dentists.

Whoever saw a dentist with calluses on his finger tips? Please...........

 

[TrueTone500]

I can afford a PRS, and I wouldn't own one. They look like something a dentist would own...or did someone already say that?

 

[Subclavian]

I think PRS had its moments when they were still a small manufacturer but in about the mid 90's they lost me.

I think Carvin puts out better stuff now.


p.s. I'm a Gibson guy

 

[spirit7]

Well, I'm glad this thread has provoked debate!

Anyway, I probably fulfil some of the alleged clichés of a PRS owner (I'm a lawyer).

However, I am only 27 and play the shit out of all my guitars, especially the PRS's. I buy them because they look killer and play amazingly well. The pickups points raised are valid, though - all of mine have BKPs.

-C

 

[chunktone]

I have asked this before, can ANYONE tell me why they have that big, rediculous block of a neck joint? There are many companies that have found ways around that. Is there any reason for it?

Yes. It's because Paul likes it and wants it on the guitar. Anderson won't do certain things with his guitars, too. It's just how they are. If you like it, great. If you don't, I'm pretty sure Paul doesn't care.

So, there's no reason for it. It's a very poor design. They're guitars are great to look at, but that's about it, imo.

 

[rlord1974]

I have asked this before, can ANYONE tell me why they have that big, rediculous block of a neck joint? There are many companies that have found ways around that. Is there any reason for it?

Yes. It's because Paul likes it and wants it on the guitar. Anderson won't do certain things with his guitars, too. It's just how they are. If you like it, great. If you don't, I'm pretty sure Paul doesn't care.

So, there's no reason for it. It's a very poor design. They're guitars are great to look at, but that's about it, imo.

I don't find the PRS neck joint to feel any better or worse than a traditional Fender 4-bolt neck (which is also used by some of the newer build guitars that are popular on this site, such as Luxxtone). So I still don't see why anyone would think it's a "flawed design"? It works fine for me and the thousands that own them.

 

[mindseye]

I never got the neck joint thing with PRS guitars, non issue for me.
As with any guitar company there are good ones and bad ones, Ive actually had way better luck with better playing PRS than Gibson guitars when they came fresh out the gate.

I think the pickup argument is kind of moot for most also because they change out the pickups in every guitar they own anyway, The newer pickups since 2008 or so have been way better than past pickups.

Im no DR. or lawyer thats for sure and I worked my ass off to own every piece of gear ive owned including some killer PRS guitars0 , some like apples some like oranges....to say something sucks just because you dont like it isnt really fair to anyone.

This was my main player for years and its got the wounds to prove it, one of the ones that got away....sucks being poor and having PRS taste.....lol

 

[university81]

they do make some very nice guitars with a suitably high price tag, i sometimes wonder how much of that price tag go towards aesthetic appointments

i owned a Custom 24 for a little while, played great and very pretty almost so much so that i'd be weary of taking out to some places to play, i'd prefer less bling i guess on the guitars with similar spec, if it counts for anything i have 3 PRS SE's which i absolutely love to play,

i've heard them referred to as coffee tables , or very nice pieces of furniture , and the same stereotypes that you mentioned, it's kinda like comments on all people that drive BMW's or (insert hi priced car brand here) are wankers
you don't drive a BMW as well do you?

 

[blackba]

I couldn't agree with this more.

I owned a 1997 PRS Custom 24. Bought it brand new. Sold it exactly 11 months later, because it felt like dog shit to play. It looked AMAZING. To this day, it's one of the best looking guitars I've ever owned, not to mention, one of the most expensive. However, it simply didn't live up to its looks. The problem with the feel of the guitar was all in the neck.

IMHO, one of the biggest problems with PRS necks is that they all have -- with the exception of the Santana model -- a 10 inch radius. That's a fairly vintage and rounded radius. Most modern guitars start at 12 inches at least and go from there. A 10 inch radius is like playing a Fender Strat neck. If you like Strat necks, you'll love PRS necks. If you like palying Stevie Ray Vaughn and the Beatles, then you probably love Fender and PRS necks. If you like playing Metallica, Megadeth, etc, then you're probably barking up the wrong tree trying to own a PRS or Fender. Before people start citing the Jim Root Strat, that has a compound 12-14 radius on it.

PRS has made some headway in this area a little bit. First, the Pattern Thin neck is actually a really good feeling neck. It's not too far off from a Jackson "speed" neck. Second, they're offering a new guitar called the Torero that has a 14 inch radius on it. I think PRS is getting the message, but they're just very slow at it.

Lastly, PRS prices are insane. However, people are easily amused creatures, and we like shiny things. The shinier something is, the more we'll pay for it. PRS guitars are very attractive guitars.

One of my friends who is a huge PRS fan and loves his PRS, also hates strats with a passion. He would also complain when playing a strat on the few songs that called for it. So if the PRS neck is like a strat neck, I am confused by your statement that if you like strat necks, you will like PRS necks.

I am a strat guy, so maybe I will like PRS necks. I know I typically do not like shredder guitar necks like Jackson, ESP, etc.