It’s the player that puts the soul into the guitar, not the other way around. We’ve all been processed to believe that LP’s SG’s Tele’s and Strats were the only guitars worth considering because they were the instruments that have hung around the necks of our guitar heroes for the past several decades. That explains their desirability. The absolute crap that was coming out of Gibson’s US factory for years didn’t seem to deter players from lusting after them. If one believes that those substandard LP’s and SG’s had/have some special kind of mojo and/or somehow touched one’s soul then that only means that Gibson successfully pulled off one of the greatest cons ever in this industry. That’s the power of branding. It certainly has nothing to do with putting a mystical instrument in your hands that was going to give you some kind of special “tone”. Listen to David Grissom play with Joe Ely, James McMurtry, Storyville or solo and see what he can pull out of the DGT as well as the DGT SE or what he can pull out of an ES-335. It’s all in the player’s heart, soul and hands. The guitar is simply a tool to voice one’s singular “tone” which comes from within. Kudos to PRS for not believing that their guitars had to look like Gibson and Fender clones (save for the Silver Sky thanks to Mr. Mayer) to land in the hands of many of the best session players in the States, let alone all the gigging musicians that play PRS guitars.
So the list of great players and their PRS guitars lack "mojo". The magic is the PRS guitars response to a player using a lighter touch...much like one would use with a fine Acoustic. The headroom with PRS guitars is their amazing dynamic range. Not a favorite with Metal players and other heavier handed players. @@geraldhills41
So for $800 you got a guitar that has no blemishes, has a cool finish and natural wood binding, a tremolo that works and stays in tune, flawless frets, rosewood fret board, nice setup out of the box, has nice humbucker tones, has nice strat style tones, a well cut nut, and tone and volume pots that actually work. But, you don't like it because it has no "mojo". I would be happy to take if off your hands.
If one of his favorite players used it,it would have "mojo"....he's just old school...just like,he has the right to like or dislike..weather it's looks or whatever..don't be such a PRS fanboy
I’m not a PRS fanboy at all, but it is beyond me that people focus on things like the guitar shape, headstock shape, headstock logo, and other meaningless things. And as for "mojo", that comes from the player, not the guitar. Too many YT personalities and influencers are barely intermediate players and would be better served by spending more time behind the guitar instead of in front of the camera.
I am a big PRS fan but you won't lose me, nothing wrong with all having our preferences and like cars, guitars are emotion too! Only thing i don't understand is why you have chosen a tremolo bridge guitar when you like LP's, SG's and Tele's and don't like Strat's. Hope to one day see a McCarty594 in your hands, if you don't like that then we can say PRS is definately not for you :D
@@MartinDamms Santana was the first person I ever saw playing a PRS....it put a bug in me that lasted a long time. My SE 24 is flawless, just took some time to lighten my touch...
I've had several PRS SE's and loved em all, for me at the price point the playability is unrivalled, but I've always felt the need to switch out the pickups. I also understand it isn't for everyone, so I'm glad for your honest review.
Same here. I have a beautiful sapphire SE and it's very smooth to play but the pickups aren't great. Haven't changed them yet but I will eventually. I have other guitars that I play a lot more than that one.
Changed pickups on the PRS Silver Sky Core. Made a difference between keeping and selling. Love the guitar now. Love my PRS DGT Core. However thinking I will sell the PRS 594. Just can't jive with it even with different pickups.
I have a Standard SE and had trouble adapting to the pickups as well. Instead of replacing them I lowered the height from the factory settings and that helped a lot. Also, I play with a keyboard player so I found using it in the coil split mode helps it sit in the mix better with more clarity. For those heaver songs, I can always flip to full humbuckers if needed.
@@stevied3006 Rotate the bridge pickup to put the screw poles on the neck facing bobbin. Raise the screw poles 1/8 to 3/16ths then rebalance the pickups by ear. I found this is the trick to 'fixing' these guitars. Chunky P90 tone with hum protection.
I fully agree with you Colin! I've tried a couple of PRS but they never spoke to me. Great guitars but they don't make me play with pleasure. Great review!
I really hoped for you to like the DGT, but its fine. If PRS is not your thing I get it. I wasn't a PRS fan myself, but after trying some different ones got hooked into them and love PRS now. And the DGT has been one of my favorite sounding guitars ever (on par with the Gibson R8 I had, my Eastman SB59/v) Has something special those pickups that I just love. But really nice you took a chance with it. And for sure will not leave your channel hehe. Love the honesty!
Great review. I have like everyone else been eyeballing this and about 20 other guitars over the past 3 years of trying to learn a new hobby. I bought my first and only electric back then, one of PRS SilverSky Core models and even though I know nothing of proper playing, even from its inception I commented to my brother on how it just felt sterile. Fast forward 3+ years and it is still my only electric and I have to say that it has seasoned well. It seems to have moved into a state of great feel and tone. I don’t have other experiences on other beautiful creations out there, but thought I would tell you about the seasoning having made this a keeper. Still GASsing nonetheless however.
As always, great video. I bought a brand new Gibson Les Paul Standard in 1993 and played it all over the states for 20 years. Then in 2006 I bought a 20th anniversary PRS Standard USA made guitar. That guitar is my number one since then and I haven't touched my LP since. So you can say I love PRS guitars but I don't like the bird inlays either. I have moon inlay on my guitar.
I went through a phase last year where I acquired a few PRS guitars and initially really like them . After a while I also felt like, while yes they are masterfully made guitars, they don’t really have the soul or mojo I need to connect with a guitar.
Same here. I love the look of my sapphire green SE and it is very smooth but the pickups could be better and it does lack soul. I get it when people say they don't bond with this brand. They're rather enigmatic guitars.
@@stevied3006 switch Pickups, get some Locking Tuners...........................and off you go! Spend some Superdistortions on my new SE 594SC and Gotoh Locking Tuners. Now this one is PERFECT! All my other SEs (including a Bernie Marsden LTD 2018) got new PUs and Locking Tuners. Really make these Guitars better!
I, like you, have been skeptical about PRS. For a long time, it's been Fender and Gibson. After watching many videos of Paul himself, I was amazed by his drive to make great guitars. They are growing on me and I bought one. It's a Paul's Guitar Se model and I love it! Great videos! I went for the birds 🐦.
I agree that PRS guitars are an acquired taste. For years I refused to even play one, stuck to my Strats and LP’s. Over the last 5 years, I’ve seen “the light” and now own 5 PRS guitars including the DGT SE, which is a fantastic guitar for the money and very close in feel and sound to the much more expensive Core model. Always appreciate your reviews and commentary!
It's a good thing we don't all like the same things or life would be pretty boring. Personally, I like figured wood tops. Only one of eight guitars is a solid color. I own two PRS's: a Studio (core) and a Custom 24 SE and like them both a lot. I play the same on all my guitars: LPs, SGs, Strats, Teles. For me they are just tools for making music. YMMV... Love the channel!
Had a PRS for about a week before deciding it wasn't for me. Didn't like the neck at all and got tired of looking at the birds and the flamed top. Returned it and got another strat instead. Cheers!
In my rather modest collection (17) I have managed to accumulate 4 PRS's (all SE ... Custom 24, Bernie Marsden, Angelis Acoustic, Hollowboby ii Piezo) . Personally I like the look of them, but understand those who don't. Interestingly I have not bonded with them as much as my go to Strat Ultra & neither have I bonded with my Led Paul. So... The obvious conclusion is that there is no right or wrong, just personal preference... And I guess I love Strats above all others... Some will agree, some will disagree... All that matters is one's personal choice. What I can say is, for the money, one would be hard pressed to beat the quality of the SEs...
Great honest assessment. Unfortunately, I think you picked the wrong model for yourself and subconsciously set yourself up for failure as a result. You love single cuts, so why did you pick the double cut? You love Gibsons and Epiphones, but you picked a more modern guitar that’s designed for a whole other type of player. I think you would prefer the PRS McCarty 594 SE single cut or the double cut - they have more traditional sounding pickups based off original 50’s Gibsons, a thicker neck profile, and other appointments you’d be happier with. Or if you want super badass rock, try one like the Mark Tremonti, Mark Holcomb, Zack Myers, or SE Hollowbody II Piezo. The DGT you got seems more suited to people who prefer Strats that don’t have that beefiness both totally and neck profile-wise. I am wondering why you thought this model would be a good option for you. Please give PRS another shot. You can’t really judge an entire brand off a single model, can you? Perhaps it would help to go to a dealer that keeps PRS guitars in stock so you can try some other models out. 😉😊
Hey buddy! I'm excited for you to try PRS..I got my first PRS in 2020. Custom 24 se in charcoal burst and it is flawless. I hard tailed it as I do all trems and it's just solid as a rock.
yeaaaaa its Friday. time for some guitar talk! and a Maybach lester! oooh man i cant wait for both of those Maybach reviews. been wanting to see them on this channel for awhile
To prove it's not some prized possession to own but a tool you use to make music and send a message. If you have to ask then you don't understand the spirit of Punk.@@mikakoivunen3456
It's the difference between seeing a guitar as some prized possession to be coveted or just a tool to make music and send a message. Joe Strummer was the latter@@mikakoivunen3456
I wasn't big on PRS, even though I owned a Bernie Marsden model. However, once I got my SE Custom 24, I was hooked. I put a new set of pickups from Missing Link Audio in it and its one of the best feeling, best sounding guitars I've ever played. Once it's set up correctly, it almost never goes out of tune.
I am a huge Gibson fan. I own 5 of them, along with some other non-Gibon guitars. But I decided to try the PRS DGT SE, and I find it very enjoyable and very versatile. The pickups sound very good to my ear, and the coil tap is quite useful. The fret work was excellent, and the neck profile is really comfortable. And a biggie - the trem is the best I've used with regard to tuning stability. I think if you don't like the looks, it will make it hard to enjoy the guitar. I don't find the looks to be a problem (mine is sunburst with birds). Not my favorite guitar, but it is a great guitar, a great value, and a keeper.
Very fair and honest review. I play a PRS myself, but I've swapped the pickups for unpotted PAFs and I installed a regular 3-way switch without any coil splits. You could say I "Gibsonified" the PRS. This combined with the fact that my particular PRS is also fairly beat up (it has already had a fret job done to it), it actually resembles more a stereotypical worn out Gibson rather than a pristine posh PRS - just a bit more reliable. Basically I've introduced little bit of grit to the guitar, and now I find it the perfect instrument for me.
Reverend would be my choice in this price range. Where the PRS is sterile and vanilla, Reverends have mojo in spades! Would love to see a Reverend on the channel!
In my opinion, this is a beautiful guitar. It has its own unique design, but it is elegant, including the technical processing, the wood used and the color treatment, the weight is OK. The price seems reasonable to me, it is a popular brand of guitars in the Czech Republic as well. Definitely a good choice for good players. Greetings Pavel CZ.👍👍👍PS like I hear about 23 minutes of Dire Straits, I like them very much.❤
I've had several PRS guitars (USA/SE's), sold them after a few years of purchase. Then I heard the DGT SE, and man what a heck of a guitar. THIS guitar is not like any other PRS, it is the Anti-PRS. Since I have big hands the neck radius isn't an issue, and those pickup are outstanding.
I sold off the first PRS I ever got. Just couldn’t jive with it. Second go-round, I finally got it. They’re my favorite guitars, though Les Pauls come close. The real trick, I’ve found, is the volume control. Set low, you’re clean as a whistle. Gradually edge it up, and you find the right amount of dirt. The mistake I see people make (even with guitar players much better than me) is to start at 10. I don’t gig a lot, but my PRS Se Standard 24 is my go-to.
I found the reverse positions of the Volume controls drove me mad !! BUT if you go into the cavity you will find that there is plenty of cable tied up and you can reverse them without any soldering required !! Much better !! Great guitar for the money !
bought the se sky on the last day of the year for 20% off......which brought it down to the Sire7 full price.....my take?......the Sire just gushes with undeniable quality.....and even at the discounted price, i would say the Sire a better value.....the maple fret board Nylon Blue neck on the SE is so different than any fender - chunkier - close to the 7.5 R. mild V shaped of the Fender Vintera.....unfinished though......a good addition to my neck collection...
I agree that PRS guitars aren't for me either. I think of them as being the Toyota Camry of guitars. A well designed and made, practical, affordable guitar. But like how people who think of their car as more than just transportation aren't inspired by the Camry, I'm not inspired by PRS. I do have to say that I like the head stock though. Sensibly designed to minimize string bending at the nut, while having a little bit of flair. Thanks for the Video as always.
I saw Paul Reed Smith and David Grissom a few years ago. The memory of the demo David did stuck with me all this time. In this video Colin made it clear he isn't a fan of PRS. He wasn't trying to sell me on the thing. The odd thing is, he pretty well did convince me to buy this model. I don't want "trouble" from my guitar. I don't want sloppiness in the fit and finish of the guitar. I don't want something too flashy. As Colin pointed out, this is rather plain for a PRS guitar. But Colin's playing and the tones he got from the DGT SE really sold me on the thing. I'm sold on the practicality of a nearly flawless instrument with great tones at an affordable price. Entertaining and helpful video, in large part due to Colin's blunt honesty about his own preferences...and his very nice playing. My thanks.
You came to the same conclusion as I did with my PRS se. It’s an amazing guitar that you cannot fault, but there is something that stops me bonding and falling in love with it. That being said, I occasionally record a guitar solo to post on my own Facebook so as friends can try and guess the song from the solo. And I always reach for the PRS se first as I know it will do the job with no fuss. Which is why it hasn’t been traded for something else. Thanks for the video Col
@@AudioWonderlandAnd you actually edited your comment, bravo! I've been a road cyclist for over 50 years and a musician. Carbon road bikes have no soul either, Steel and Titanium ones however do. Unfortunately for you Princess you don't get it and obviously never will. Keep doing what you excel at editing and a word of advice, if you've nothing nice to say, keep your mouth shut! Especially when someone isn't talking to you, mind your own business!
Very much agree - I had a PRS 245 se which sounded really nice and did all the things it was meant to but like you say it was just too perfect. The only physical thing I could put it down to was the neck was too narrow for my taste but overall just need something with a bit more character.
Like any other object an opinion is purely subjective, there is no right or wrong. But I, and many others viewers of your channel, appreciate your thorough in depth, unbiased reviews.
I have, lets say, more than one PRS and I completely understand that "vanilla sound" sometimes called "soulless"/"uninspiring"/"didn't bond with it" and the problem is always pickup setup. My fix has been: rotate the bridge pickup so the screw poles are on the neck facing bobbin, lower the pickup to the trim ring and raise the screw poles 3/16ths inch. What that does is bias the pickup into a P90 tone (P90s happen to cross the strings there) and they sound gloriously chunky "like proper rock n roll". .. Then I put the neck pickup poles into a Strat Stagger because I like Strat neck pickups and these bland guitars come alive. .. Adjust your pickups up/down and bass vs treble tip plus the EQ of the screw poles and you can get these guitars to give you great tone. And all those adjustments are reversible. Of course you can swap pots and caps (last is pickups because they are the most expensive and change the cheap stuff first) but with careful adjustment that is not needed.
This is new to me. The feeling of understanding what I'm seeing when you play. It resonates . I see the subtle but frequent changes you're making. It'll make me a better player. Thanks. FYI, I'm a novice at 35 years of playing but 2 year's ago I woke up being able to hear. So, 45 and new but not. It's strange to be given a musical ear after so long.
I'm in the market for a S-style guitar next but I'm torn between a PRS a Sire S7 or Fender player series strat, decisions decisions. I'm a SG player for the most part usually I wonder what one I would get on with the best. I'm thinking the Fender as I want a single coil sound in my collection. Nice video as usual Colin, lots of relevant info.
Perfect review and description at the end, I had the same feeling about a Tremonti SE Custom I bought online a few years back, within one minute of taking it out of the box I'd decided to send it back, it felt like a piece of furniture and was without a soul.
I recently bought an SE Custom 24 with a quilted maple top; it is a beautifully made guitar. I can understand the criticism, because sometimes I just can’t get into playing it, but then, when then I’ve got all the eq and pedals sorted it really comes together. This guitar feels and plays quite different, so getting to know it will be worthwhile.
I thought that would be the solution to all that say it has no soul, slap a pedal in front...sheesh... soul may be the wrong word, I heard people play very soulful stuff on aPRS..
Colin, I bought a PRS Standard SE before the pandemic and have loved it ever since! If you need some inspiration, watch Carlos make the notes cry and sing at the same time. Dire Straits wasn’t that bad though. PRS pickups are safe and comfortable, a pleasing tone of vibrant frequencies. It’s a pedal man’s dream come true, perfect tone modulated to any way you want.
I have an SE 24 08 and i love it. Its so different from my other guitars, which i like. Variety. Its very precise and articulate. It makes me want to practice and learn more. The bridge is similar to a Strat except for the mounting. The screws have a groove,like Floyd screws, and the holes have knife edges. So it is a full floating bridge, and it feels amazing to me. The build quality is excellent, as with almost every guitar Cort makes, and the finish is beautiful. The flame maple veneer is from a beautiful piece of maple and the book match is excellent.
I have 4 PRS core guitars. They are all fantastic guitars but I hardly ever play any of them. When I do play one of them I wonder why I don’t play it all the time because they really are so good. A week later they’ll be back in their case and I won’t see it for another year. I’ve never figured it out. Good luck with yours though.
I personally think they are great guitars. And no offence meant by this, but I thought that you had negative feelings before this review….and I don’t think that anything was going to change your opinion. I have a PRS DGT SE and a Core PRS Paul’s Guitar and I have a Les Paul Standard 1992…each are different…but great guitars…This is why all guitars are different…they bring out different things in each and every one of us…Keep On Keeping On…Your videos are a great watch.
I agree with what you say, and I think a lot of people have in their mind subconsciously how they are supposed to feel about PRS. I would like to see a blindfold test and see what they think.
In a blindfold test... the PRS wins it... PRS got a bad rep because people called them "Dentist / Doctor guitars..This was down to their expensive cost. They were called "soulless"...I've yet to find and play a guitar that has a soul.... And yet..people who have never even picked up a PRS still call them soulless... If you don't like the guitar...fair enough....but too many people jump on the anti PRS wagon...without ever playing one...@@stevemiller1203
@@stevemiller1203 Blind test indeed. Grissom actually did multiple blind tests with recording engineers...using his '59 Les Paul vs the PRS DGT prototypes....NOT ONE SINGLE ENGINEER CHOSE THE LES PAUL.
I'm lucky enough to own 30+ guitars, most of them high end( Gibson, Fender, Charvel, Music Man), but my nr 1 is my PRS SE custom 24. As with the vanilla, I agree, but as I play mostly covers in very different styles, it works for me without having to change guitars every other song. When I was younger I liked it when a guitar fought a little back, but now as I'm getting older I do appreciate it plays like butter.
Couldn’t hit the like button quickly enough. Now to see what you actually say…😂 Edit: I honestly think this was some of your best playing. Sounded really nice and crunchy.
I’m on the flip side I guess, I was a tele player for 25+ years for gigs and various sessions. Tried a PRS Vela out and never looked back. Ticked all the boxes and corrected the problems that I’d convinced myself were quirks. Never looked back. Totally pulled the rug out from underneath me at the end though with that Maybach! Looks great!
PRS SE are FOOLPROOF purchases. CORT has a dedicated wing in it's Factory just for making PRS SE guitars. PRS unboxes and does a final QC check and setup before shipping. You would think this is standard practice in the industry but only a handful of companies actually do this (PRS, Reverend, Dingwall, Solar to name a few). You rarely ever see a PRS guitar on a Luthiers bench. Whether or not you bond with the guitar or think it's soulless is another story. Thanks for the video Sir Colin and all your hardwork making them🍺🇨🇦
I am not the biggest PRS fan but for what you get at that price point it blows away the other imports on the market. It appears to be a high quality instrument You did a great review
It also blows away many Fender and Gibson “Made in USA” guitars. The quality workmanship and control that goes into the production of PRS’s SE line is incredible.
Hey Colin, I bought myself a Gretsch G2215 P90 in Sahara Metallic. I am pretty impressed, I have to say !!! I don´t like the look of that PRS either. The look is at leist 50%, don´t you think ?
Years ago, I had a prs custom 24 artist pack, within two weeks, it was traded for a Gibson Les Paul. A few years later I had an se245 which I done the greeny mod on. I can see why they exist, but I don't find them to be an original entity in themselves. To me, they are/were just hybrids if Gibson and fender. I've often looked at getting another se of some description, but when I look at them, they don't give me the urge to buy. One thing I do like about them, is the bird inlays Also, I think one thing some of us guitarists like, are the imperfections and quirks of brands
An artist friend once told me that only something that is imperfect can actually be perfect. Every PRS I’ve played has been perfect but completely soulless and uninspiring.
@@mattpearce79 right, it feels sterile for some reason…like the guitar equivalent of a doctors office …great quality but it’s just a tucked in plaid shirt and khakis
Im a les paul guy through and through, also love a good strat, i bought one of these DGTs and have been gigging it. It covers all of the sounds i need, i dont change guitars all night. The trem is FANTASTIC, stays in tune, very smooth. The pickups are great, i can get warm tones or very clear spanky tones. Its a do all guitar for me, im getting another as a backup and theyre my new go to for gigs. Extremely versitile guitar and much lighter than my les pauls aslo!
The Dentist's guitar, lol. I'll never buy one because of PRS saying he didn't care about lefty players years ago. If you ever watch his old interviews, he's a horrible human being.
Noice !! I had a look at the other one with the birds. I didn’t plug it in as I only wanted to feel the neck. I have a 2020 PRS Tremonti Standard SE single cut in gloss black. Flawless fit and finish but had tuning issues. Ended up filing the nut as per a video from Andy guitar geek and that helped a lot. It’s now got 3 FU-Tone springs in it along with 2 of the original 4 factory springs. Only took me 2 years to sort it out but it’s such a great sounding and looking guitar that I persisted with it and I’m glad i did. It’s my only PRS. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
I started with late 60s guitars hunting for the diamond in the rough. I follow Paul Reed Smith finally bought 1, then another, now 5 total. They are precise. It's up to me to give it soul. I even gigged and did studio with Paul's se, s2 594 McCarty. Love it. Solves all the Les Paul and Strat issues I had. Love mine. Great review. But If PRS came 1st the vintage guys would have struggled quality wise. I prefer Zach Myer se prs for intense playing .
I’ve been playing a custom 24 since 1996. Rock solid today as it was when i bought it. Had to re-fret it twice but the action, tuners, electronics, finish are still perfect. I’ve played thousands of gigs and endless jamming and practicing. I can get it to sing on most styles of modern music. My les pauls and teles sit in their cases. Probably should put them up on reverb.
After watching this latest vlogs it peek my curiosity about the PRS brand. I was in the market for a new guitar but didn't want to fall in the typical styling that all-over the place. No mistakes . Ive owned strats and LPs. Now I have a 594 single cut McCarty on the way and I'm willing to oversee the unconventional head stock and enjoy a very special guitar. BTW keep your up the good work and honest point of views.
I had a limited edition PRS , came out of the box playing like a dream , silky smooth , lowest action I've ever had on a guitar ........But it had no character , none . It was the guitar equivalent of beige . But great craftsmanship and easy to play .
To each his own :) After playing Les Pauls for 30-odd years I gave up guitar completely. Then, a decade later I returned, tried out a few Gibsons and just couldn't bring myself to do it again. For me, the Gibsons took the fun out of playing (changing out hardware, pickups, wiring, correcting goofy necks, tuning issues, etc.). One of the main reasons I left Gibson was the weight! I'm an older guy now, and have back issues-- no doubt partly thanks to Gibson LPs LOL! So when I returned, I wanted a guitar that was good to go right out of the box, didn't weight a ton, was easy to play and sounded good. Picked up a PRS and haven't looked back. Our tastes & needs change through the years, and life would be pretty dull if we all liked the same things, held the same opinions... Another fun video, and appreciate your honesty! Now how about that black P-90 thing, eh?! :D
I bought a hot pink SE that I used as part of a Halloween costume one year. It was ok. It didn’t speak to me at all the way a Gibson or Fender usually does. It was sold after the Halloween gig was done.
I brought a PRS DGT and think it's a great guitar, only problem I had, and also a friend that brought the same guitar, is the input jack needed changing, besides that in my opinion it's a great guitar ❤ 🎸
I waited months to buy a Goldtop dgt se, finally bought it, sold it on Reverb in 2 weeks! Just didn't like the pickup sounds, the coil tap nobs difficult to pull up with a pick in the hand, order of the neck volume, no binding on the neck. Great looking guitar but was not a keeper for me. I briefly had a PRS 24/08 mohogany, this was a much better guitar in my opinion. Sold it to buy the DGT! Regrettable!
It’s a classic human paradox that I can agree with both sides of this debate. Owned 2 PRS’: I couldn’t get on with the neck shape, found them too bling for me (despite getting relatively non-flash colours) and lacking that “soul” that lives in my imperfect, very lightly relic’d (or roughed up from my gigs) teles, strats , an LP and a goldtop. My second PRS, a McCarty 494, was also without question the best made, longest sustaining, most in tune and most versatile guitar I’ve ever owned. I’ve nearly bought a DGT numerous times for that reason. I have owned a couple of other other guitars that I didn’t connect with and found them lacking in “soul” - including by the big two whose guitars I also treasure; but this feeling with PRS models does seem to be a by-product of them having ALL of the amazing qualities I listed above. And I also agree that more learning and less GASing would probably allow me to express better on any and all guitars. Not as much fun though.
I'm really surprised that you don't like the SE DGT, because I bonded with it immediately and it's become my joint go-to guitar alongside my Tone Fox Elcaster Mk.1. I'd tried a few PRS's previously and hadn't got on with them, finding them a bit "sterile" somehow, but the SE DGT was completely different for me - the neck suits me perfectly and it felt already "played in", and everything about the guitar encourages me to really dig in and stretch out in my playing. In other words, I find it very "rock 'n roll" - just the opposite to you. It just underlines why it's so great to have a huge selection of quality affordable guitars these days - there's literally something to suit all tastes. 😎
I was always a more traditional brand user, ie. Fender, Gibson, Gretsch etc. Then I bought a PRS Zach Meyers to see how it was. It turned out to be a great guitar, then I bought a PRS Anniversary model, it also was great, then I bought the PRS semi hollow body which was beyond great. Probably one of the best guitars I ever played. Period. What I like about them s their feel, they always stay in tune even if you don't touch them for weeks, their contours make sense, and most of all their POTS actually work well. When you dial down the tone it stays clean and clear not muddy like most others. I still own my other guitars, all 344 of them but PRS clearly stands a cut above the rest for quality, sound and feel. Character in an instrument I believe comes more from the player than the instrument. What the instrument does do, is contributes to the way you feel emotionally about it which is reflected in the playing. But again the character of the music comes from the player not the guitar itself. Again, just my humble opinion.
Yes 344. I have become a player/collector over the years. Now my son plays professionally so he will have all the equipment he will need or a down payment for a house, lol
Great review Colin. You’ve got to hand it to PRS, it’s a great deal as regards price and quality. But if it’s not your cup of tea it’s not your cup of tea.
I've played teles and les Paul's my whole life and finally got a prs se McCarty and I love it . I gig with it regularly and my les Paul can stay in the studio. I've played prs before but never liked the thin necks or the pickups but the McCarty is different it has excellent 58/15 pickups and a chunky fat neck . It's an exceptional guitar.
Tremolo info .....the screws that hold it to the body has grooves just under the heads,the trem body sits in the grooves on a knife edge,so it doesn't actually sit on the body like a strat trem,it floats in the grooves, suspended slightly above the body....
You nailed it!!! The man Paul Reed Smith, as far as I know, was basically from my region, the Great Lakes Area. We call it the Midwest here in the United States. So, I knew about PRS way before they ever became popular. I believe Ted Nugent and Alex Lifeson were amongst his first well known artists to advocate for his brand. They were originally all handcrafted by Paul himself in the beginning if my memory serves me well. Then some Detroit area and Ontario Canada area music stores began to market the PRS line. That really helped to get PRS up and rollin'! My initial thoughts, I believe, seem quite comparable to your thoughts. His guitars were pristine as all-get-out! Very beautiful esthetically, solidly built, and sound pretty good!!! However, I did not care for the sound much relative to my style; my thought was "too pristine" for most applications, but sometimes needed. I don't really know if that explains my thoughts well enough. And I also noticed they stay in tune quite well. They're not my first choice; however, I plan to purchase one as just another tool to add to my home studio arsenal. I'm quite certain I will be happy with a PRS guitar for all the aforementioned reasons. Take care Colin!
I bought a 35th Anniversary PRS Custom 24 in 2021 or so and loved it so much, I just had to have a real core carve and ended up buying a 2002 Custom 22 Artist a couple of years ago. I don't play them often but I enjoy looking at them from time to time. Paul is quirky as hell and yet I really enjoy following him and watching his stuff from time to time. I recently bought a Paul's SE and it is wonderful in every respect. And yet, I don't know. It is not something I play regularly. I love my Fenders and Gibsons (and Yamaha Revstars) and somewhere in the middle of everything, I love my PRS guitars too...but not that kind of love. Hard to explain!!
I think "vanilla" is a good description of PRS. However, I had one and really regret selling it. They make great guitars, some being reasonably priced with great quality. Can't knock that. I can see myself buying another in the future.
When i received my PRS SE DGT i was a little underwhelmed, but i set it up to the way i prefer, gave it a whole new feel, and it felt like it unlocked something within the guitar, sounds a bit cheesy, but thats what happened. PRS arent for everyone, we all have different tastes, that is what makes music fun
I’ve owned one PRS in my life. I bought a PRS DGT Gold Top with Moons new in 2009. I had a lot of Gibson guys ask me about the pickups after I got it as that guitar sounded so good. But it was no surprise since David Grissom wanted them to sound like his vintage ES-335. I still have it and love it. These import DGT versions are decent but from the few I’ve played they don’t sound the same nor are the neck spec’s the same as the original.
Great shout on the DGT! I owned an SE Paul’s Guitar briefly. Loved the fit/finish, tuning stability and tone versatility. Really like Paul and his company ethos. As such, felt a bit obligated to play and like it. Ultimately was not greatly inspiring to play and sold it on. Might try a semi-hollow model in the future for more of a ‘jazz box’ vibe. Tada!
I have played one PRS in my life, back in 2014, it was a custom 22. It was an amazing guitar and legit , if it didn't have that weird rotary switch for the pickups but a normal blade or 3 way toggle, I'd have walked out the store that day with it. I am very happy with the mayones I ordered that day, never looked back.
It’s funny to me that people are intolerant of others opinions. You shouldn’t have to apologize for not loving the shape or the headstock or any perceived gaudiness. Of the PRS models that one is not my favorite but I love my SE Custom 22. I didn’t love the pickups that came with it so I replaced them but I love the shape of the PRS and the headstock and birds look super cool to me. And both of our opinions are completely valid for us. Different strokes for different folks. The quality of the instrument and the fit and finish are spectacular as you indicated and those appealed to my aesthetic and I appreciate and value your opinion. Thanks for reviewing one.
I have a big reverb unit made by Solar which someone gave me many many years ago. I'm sure it was made in the mid seventies. I run it with one of those Fender Greta pawn shop amps that both sit on top of a cabinet with a 15 inch speaker inside. It sounds proper nice. In all my years I've never seen another.
I have 3 PRS SEs. DGT, SAS and Starla. All three had minor problems that I fixed. Maybe that's why I love all three! I have many guitars including USA Gibson and Fender and I'd like to think that any "Mojo" a guitar has, comes from the player. All my guitars work for me for their intended use. They're tools.
Interesting review. Thank you. I’m considering this guitar but yet to play one. I have the PRS Bernie Marsden signature which is nice, but a bit heavy. Nicely made but the pickups are a bit uninspiring. Anyway, looking to change it and the DGT SE might be the next purchase. I’ve heard a lot of positive reviews but need to actually get my hands on one. I have to admit I prefer the burst version with birds! I’ve just never liked gold top guitars. Cheers for the thorough review.
For me personally, I have played 37 plus years and had all the usual brands (LP, strat, tele, Ibanez, Revstar, SG etc) bought one of these this year to join the clan and really like it… stays in tune great, great trem, great fret edges, nice pickups and very useable coil split / treble bleed / dual volume. It is good at many things and covers many bases. We just need to disassociate it not being a strat or LP, it’s a modern guitar, I personally generate my own mojo with it. For what I paid (£749) it’s incredible value. Even David Grissom plays them live and that really says something, these are 100% gigable level. I can play Gary Moore, robben ford (coil split), ACDC, ZZ Top, pink Floyd whatever on this thing such is the versatility. Final point I have other PRS SEs and the DGT SE is many levels above those SEs in quality and sound……
I have no personal experience with a PRS so I can't comment on the guitar. But it is a strange thing that you can pick up a guitar and it seems like it just has a groove in it and others don't. Great video. Cheers
One of the best guitar reviews I’ve seen. I too bought a PRS wanting to love it and it’s perfect but lacks character and doesn’t bond with me. Great review
i have three very different PRS guitars and they are all excellent and inspiring guitars to me. if you want a brand where every one is a little different you are not going to get that with PRS because they are so repeatable with their build process. when i bought a new tele i played 10 different guitars and they were all a little different from each other. you can like or hate that. i feel like i can buy a PRS without necessarily playing it but i don't feel like that at all about fender or gibson. i prefer the consistency but i could understand that some might call that a little boring. since i got my custom 24 piezo i have mostly played that even though i have some other really great guitars. the great thing these days is that there is something out there for almost every taste. whether you like them or not and/or whether you think they're overpriced you can't honestly deny that PRS makes absolutely top quality instruments.
It’s the player that puts the soul into the guitar, not the other way around. We’ve all been processed to believe that LP’s SG’s Tele’s and Strats were the only guitars worth considering because they were the instruments that have hung around the necks of our guitar heroes for the past several decades. That explains their desirability. The absolute crap that was coming out of Gibson’s US factory for years didn’t seem to deter players from lusting after them. If one believes that those substandard LP’s and SG’s had/have some special kind of mojo and/or somehow touched one’s soul then that only means that Gibson successfully pulled off one of the greatest cons ever in this industry. That’s the power of branding. It certainly has nothing to do with putting a mystical instrument in your hands that was going to give you some kind of special “tone”. Listen to David Grissom play with Joe Ely, James McMurtry, Storyville or solo and see what he can pull out of the DGT as well as the DGT SE or what he can pull out of an ES-335. It’s all in the player’s heart, soul and hands. The guitar is simply a tool to voice one’s singular “tone” which comes from within. Kudos to PRS for not believing that their guitars had to look like Gibson and Fender clones (save for the Silver Sky thanks to Mr. Mayer) to land in the hands of many of the best session players in the States, let alone all the gigging musicians that play PRS guitars.
Amen to that - you hit the nail on the head.
Well said!
You writing a book?
I wish I could debate you on this one. But I can't. P.R.S. has Q.C. down to a science. Maybe in my next life time.
Totally agree Colin. I've had 3 PRS's and ended up trading them all. Lovely guitars but something just doesn't click for me.
Same as Yamaha 2000 ! No mojo .
So the list of great players and their PRS guitars lack "mojo". The magic is the PRS guitars response to a player using a lighter touch...much like one would use with a fine Acoustic. The headroom with PRS guitars is their amazing dynamic range. Not a favorite with Metal players and other heavier handed players. @@geraldhills41
They are passionless.
I disagree,@@geraldhills41, plenty of mojo, at least on my Fredrik Akesson. A rock/jazz/metal/fusion machine!
@@saleemisgodBlocks of wood with electronics don't have passion, people/players do.
So for $800 you got a guitar that has no blemishes, has a cool finish and natural wood binding, a tremolo that works and stays in tune, flawless frets, rosewood fret board, nice setup out of the box, has nice humbucker tones, has nice strat style tones, a well cut nut, and tone and volume pots that actually work. But, you don't like it because it has no "mojo". I would be happy to take if off your hands.
If one of his favorite players used it,it would have "mojo"....he's just old school...just like,he has the right to like or dislike..weather it's looks or whatever..don't be such a PRS fanboy
This is very true. My favourite most guitar is sg though Ihave never played one. I feel for guitar the mojo is very very important 😉
Mojo is important. I love classic les pauls even though they aren’t very ergonomic. Why? Mojo.
That said, it would be a much better guitar if it cost $3000. What’s wrong with us?
I’m not a PRS fanboy at all, but it is beyond me that people focus on things like the guitar shape, headstock shape, headstock logo, and other meaningless things. And as for "mojo", that comes from the player, not the guitar. Too many YT personalities and influencers are barely intermediate players and would be better served by spending more time behind the guitar instead of in front of the camera.
I am a big PRS fan but you won't lose me, nothing wrong with all having our preferences and like cars, guitars are emotion too! Only thing i don't understand is why you have chosen a tremolo bridge guitar when you like LP's, SG's and Tele's and don't like Strat's. Hope to one day see a McCarty594 in your hands, if you don't like that then we can say PRS is definately not for you :D
I have the SE McCarty 594 Standard which is all mahogany. I love mine. Couldn't find any flaws, plays great and sounds great.
DG plays mainly bridge pickup which is why the set up is as is. PRS started the SE line at the request of Santana, hardly soulless.
Still waiting for my 594 in white. It’s a les Paul made by prs . Imo
@@MartinDamms Santana was the first person I ever saw playing a PRS....it put a bug in me that lasted a long time. My SE 24 is flawless, just took some time to lighten my touch...
I liken PRS to Audi. Perfectly good but I drive a Land Rover and an Alfa Romeo. They’re flawed but give me the fizz 😹
Colin you worked hard for that video, I’ve had 2 and got rid, and back to my Tele’s. You are fair and right. Cheers
I've had several PRS SE's and loved em all, for me at the price point the playability is unrivalled, but I've always felt the need to switch out the pickups. I also understand it isn't for everyone, so I'm glad for your honest review.
Same here. I have a beautiful sapphire SE and it's very smooth to play but the pickups aren't great. Haven't changed them yet but I will eventually. I have other guitars that I play a lot more than that one.
Changed pickups on the PRS Silver Sky Core. Made a difference between keeping and selling. Love the guitar now. Love my PRS DGT Core. However thinking I will sell the PRS 594. Just can't jive with it even with different pickups.
I have a Standard SE and had trouble adapting to the pickups as well. Instead of replacing them I lowered the height from the factory settings and that helped a lot. Also, I play with a keyboard player so I found using it in the coil split mode helps it sit in the mix better with more clarity. For those heaver songs, I can always flip to full humbuckers if needed.
@@stevied3006 Rotate the bridge pickup to put the screw poles on the neck facing bobbin. Raise the screw poles 1/8 to 3/16ths then rebalance the pickups by ear. I found this is the trick to 'fixing' these guitars. Chunky P90 tone with hum protection.
@@jvin248 Thanks for the tip. Will give it a try. Cheers. 🙂
I fully agree with you Colin! I've tried a couple of PRS but they never spoke to me. Great guitars but they don't make me play with pleasure. Great review!
no pleasure?
@@juliegrafton93something can sound cool, but if the feel doesn’t float your boat, it’s out. Tactile profession/hobby! 🤷🏻♂️
"I'm not looking for perfection- I'm looking for trouble!" Absolutely brilliant!!🤘
Really?
I'm looking for inspiration.
PRS provides ZERO inspiration.
yes, really.
without trouble or some test of character, "perfection" ends up indistinguishable from a billion other manikins.
I really hoped for you to like the DGT, but its fine. If PRS is not your thing I get it. I wasn't a PRS fan myself, but after trying some different ones got hooked into them and love PRS now. And the DGT has been one of my favorite sounding guitars ever (on par with the Gibson R8 I had, my Eastman SB59/v) Has something special those pickups that I just love. But really nice you took a chance with it. And for sure will not leave your channel hehe. Love the honesty!
Great review. I have like everyone else been eyeballing this and about 20 other guitars over the past 3 years of trying to learn a new hobby. I bought my first and only electric back then, one of PRS SilverSky Core models and even though I know nothing of proper playing, even from its inception I commented to my brother on how it just felt sterile. Fast forward 3+ years and it is still my only electric and I have to say that it has seasoned well. It seems to have moved into a state of great feel and tone. I don’t have other experiences on other beautiful creations out there, but thought I would tell you about the seasoning having made this a keeper. Still GASsing nonetheless however.
As always, great video. I bought a brand new Gibson Les Paul Standard in 1993 and played it all over the states for 20 years. Then in 2006 I bought a 20th anniversary PRS Standard USA made guitar. That guitar is my number one since then and I haven't touched my LP since. So you can say I love PRS guitars but I don't like the bird inlays either. I have moon inlay on my guitar.
We criticise Gibson for having flaws, and we criticise PRS for being flawless. What a funny species we are.
I was just about to say hahaha
Thank you sir. It blows my mind. It's too perfect isn't a bad thing ever.
Great point
Too true
Yup
I went through a phase last year where I acquired a few PRS guitars and initially really like them . After a while I also felt like, while yes they are masterfully made guitars, they don’t really have the soul or mojo I need to connect with a guitar.
Same here. I love the look of my sapphire green SE and it is very smooth but the pickups could be better and it does lack soul. I get it when people say they don't bond with this brand. They're rather enigmatic guitars.
@@stevied3006 switch Pickups, get some Locking Tuners...........................and off you go! Spend some Superdistortions on my new SE 594SC and Gotoh Locking Tuners. Now this one is PERFECT! All my other SEs (including a Bernie Marsden LTD 2018) got new PUs and Locking Tuners. Really make these Guitars better!
I, like you, have been skeptical about PRS. For a long time, it's been Fender and Gibson. After watching many videos of Paul himself, I was amazed by his drive to make great guitars. They are growing on me and I bought one. It's a Paul's Guitar Se model and I love it! Great videos! I went for the birds 🐦.
I agree that PRS guitars are an acquired taste. For years I refused to even play one, stuck to my Strats and LP’s. Over the last 5 years, I’ve seen “the light” and now own 5 PRS guitars including the DGT SE, which is a fantastic guitar for the money and very close in feel and sound to the much more expensive Core model. Always appreciate your reviews and commentary!
You didn't see the light..you got tired of the same ol same ol
It's a good thing we don't all like the same things or life would be pretty boring. Personally, I like figured wood tops. Only one of eight guitars is a solid color. I own two PRS's: a Studio (core) and a Custom 24 SE and like them both a lot. I play the same on all my guitars: LPs, SGs, Strats, Teles. For me they are just tools for making music. YMMV... Love the channel!
Had a PRS for about a week before deciding it wasn't for me. Didn't like the neck at all and got tired of looking at the birds and the flamed top. Returned it and got another strat instead. Cheers!
In my rather modest collection (17) I have managed to accumulate 4 PRS's (all SE ... Custom 24, Bernie Marsden, Angelis Acoustic, Hollowboby ii Piezo) .
Personally I like the look of them, but understand those who don't.
Interestingly I have not bonded with them as much as my go to Strat Ultra & neither have I bonded with my Led Paul.
So... The obvious conclusion is that there is no right or wrong, just personal preference... And I guess I love Strats above all others... Some will agree, some will disagree... All that matters is one's personal choice.
What I can say is, for the money, one would be hard pressed to beat the quality of the SEs...
Great honest assessment. Unfortunately, I think you picked the wrong model for yourself and subconsciously set yourself up for failure as a result. You love single cuts, so why did you pick the double cut? You love Gibsons and Epiphones, but you picked a more modern guitar that’s designed for a whole other type of player. I think you would prefer the PRS McCarty 594 SE single cut or the double cut - they have more traditional sounding pickups based off original 50’s Gibsons, a thicker neck profile, and other appointments you’d be happier with. Or if you want super badass rock, try one like the Mark Tremonti, Mark Holcomb, Zack Myers, or SE Hollowbody II Piezo. The DGT you got seems more suited to people who prefer Strats that don’t have that beefiness both totally and neck profile-wise. I am wondering why you thought this model would be a good option for you.
Please give PRS another shot. You can’t really judge an entire brand off a single model, can you? Perhaps it would help to go to a dealer that keeps PRS guitars in stock so you can try some other models out. 😉😊
Hey buddy! I'm excited for you to try PRS..I got my first PRS in 2020. Custom 24 se in charcoal burst and it is flawless. I hard tailed it as I do all trems and it's just solid as a rock.
I have a 2020 in whale blue burled poplar. The pickups arent real clear but it does alright set up for c standard.
yeaaaaa its Friday. time for some guitar talk! and a Maybach lester! oooh man i cant wait for both of those Maybach reviews. been wanting to see them on this channel for awhile
Love your honest reviews man. Keep it up! Thanks 👌
Agree with Colin 100%. Flawlessly engineered instruments but I just can't imagine Joe Strummer putting stickers on one.
...and yet a few stickers would've done wunderz
Why the fk would you put stickers on a guitar?
To prove it's not some prized possession to own but a tool you use to make music and send a message. If you have to ask then you don't understand the spirit of Punk.@@mikakoivunen3456
It's the difference between seeing a guitar as some prized possession to be coveted or just a tool to make music and send a message. Joe Strummer was the latter@@mikakoivunen3456
To cover up the made in Indonesia stickers? @@mikakoivunen3456
Usually not a PRS fan either. That gold top looks really nice though. And I have to say it sounds great.
Killer guitar. Best guitar under 1k that I've played in a long time.
I wasn't big on PRS, even though I owned a Bernie Marsden model. However, once I got my SE Custom 24, I was hooked. I put a new set of pickups from Missing Link Audio in it and its one of the best feeling, best sounding guitars I've ever played. Once it's set up correctly, it almost never goes out of tune.
I am a huge Gibson fan. I own 5 of them, along with some other non-Gibon guitars. But I decided to try the PRS DGT SE, and I find it very enjoyable and very versatile. The pickups sound very good to my ear, and the coil tap is quite useful. The fret work was excellent, and the neck profile is really comfortable. And a biggie - the trem is the best I've used with regard to tuning stability. I think if you don't like the looks, it will make it hard to enjoy the guitar. I don't find the looks to be a problem (mine is sunburst with birds). Not my favorite guitar, but it is a great guitar, a great value, and a keeper.
Very fair and honest review. I play a PRS myself, but I've swapped the pickups for unpotted PAFs and I installed a regular 3-way switch without any coil splits. You could say I "Gibsonified" the PRS. This combined with the fact that my particular PRS is also fairly beat up (it has already had a fret job done to it), it actually resembles more a stereotypical worn out Gibson rather than a pristine posh PRS - just a bit more reliable. Basically I've introduced little bit of grit to the guitar, and now I find it the perfect instrument for me.
Reverend would be my choice in this price range. Where the PRS is sterile and vanilla, Reverends have mojo in spades! Would love to see a Reverend on the channel!
Second that. Would love to see a Reverend (or 2 or 3) on this channel.
Yes, Reverends are great.
I’d love to see a Reverend on the channel too!
can't stand the look of Reverends lol but like him, I have opinions
Every Reverend I've picked up is really heavy and that's a deal breaker for me.
In my opinion, this is a beautiful guitar. It has its own unique design, but it is elegant, including the technical processing, the wood used and the color treatment, the weight is OK. The price seems reasonable to me, it is a popular brand of guitars in the Czech Republic as well. Definitely a good choice for good players. Greetings Pavel CZ.👍👍👍PS like I hear about 23 minutes of Dire Straits, I like them very much.❤
When you are used to Gibson's, it's easy to forget that it is possible to make a guitar without flaws and QC issues 🙂
😂
@@joec6448same with Jackson. Bad qc
Haha! True Story, Lol
I've had several PRS guitars (USA/SE's), sold them after a few years of purchase. Then I heard the DGT SE, and man what a heck of a guitar. THIS guitar is not like any other PRS, it is the Anti-PRS. Since I have big hands the neck radius isn't an issue, and those pickup are outstanding.
I had a couple CE-22 bolt-ons. (they were the "affordable" USA models in the 90s) Great workhorses but hated those Dragon I&II pups.
I sold off the first PRS I ever got. Just couldn’t jive with it.
Second go-round, I finally got it. They’re my favorite guitars, though Les Pauls come close.
The real trick, I’ve found, is the volume control. Set low, you’re clean as a whistle. Gradually edge it up, and you find the right amount of dirt.
The mistake I see people make (even with guitar players much better than me) is to start at 10.
I don’t gig a lot, but my PRS Se Standard 24 is my go-to.
I found the reverse positions of the Volume controls drove me mad !! BUT if you go into the cavity you will find that there is plenty of cable tied up and you can reverse them without any soldering required !! Much better !! Great guitar for the money !
I’ve had 8 SE’s of different sorts. Spotless, well put together, great sounding and good value imo
bought the se sky on the last day of the year for 20% off......which brought it down to the Sire7 full price.....my take?......the Sire just gushes with undeniable quality.....and even at the discounted price, i would say the Sire a better value.....the maple fret board Nylon Blue neck on the SE is so different than any fender - chunkier - close to the 7.5 R. mild V shaped of the Fender Vintera.....unfinished though......a good addition to my neck collection...
I agree that PRS guitars aren't for me either. I think of them as being the Toyota Camry of guitars. A well designed and made, practical, affordable guitar. But like how people who think of their car as more than just transportation aren't inspired by the Camry, I'm not inspired by PRS. I do have to say that I like the head stock though. Sensibly designed to minimize string bending at the nut, while having a little bit of flair. Thanks for the Video as always.
More like a Tesla
Maybe more like a Lexus; very comfy to drive on long road trips but hardly and steering feedback to give a sense of adventure.
"I'm not looking for perfection. I'm looking for trouble" might be the best guitar revoew quote I've ever heard.
😁👍
What does "bullocks" mean...I e heard people say "thats bullocks" using it like that's bullshit...but you using it like "prs is the bullocks" some say
I saw Paul Reed Smith and David Grissom a few years ago. The memory of the demo David did stuck with me all this time. In this video Colin made it clear he isn't a fan of PRS. He wasn't trying to sell me on the thing. The odd thing is, he pretty well did convince me to buy this model. I don't want "trouble" from my guitar. I don't want sloppiness in the fit and finish of the guitar. I don't want something too flashy. As Colin pointed out, this is rather plain for a PRS guitar. But Colin's playing and the tones he got from the DGT SE really sold me on the thing. I'm sold on the practicality of a nearly flawless instrument with great tones at an affordable price. Entertaining and helpful video, in large part due to Colin's blunt honesty about his own preferences...and his very nice playing. My thanks.
Cheers Carey, great comment and perspective this! 😎👍👍
Mojo is in the soul and hands of the player IMHO!
You came to the same conclusion as I did with my PRS se. It’s an amazing guitar that you cannot fault, but there is something that stops me bonding and falling in love with it. That being said, I occasionally record a guitar solo to post on my own Facebook so as friends can try and guess the song from the solo. And I always reach for the PRS se first as I know it will do the job with no fuss. Which is why it hasn’t been traded for something else. Thanks for the video Col
For me they have no soul, there’s just something about them that doesn’t touch me. I just don’t get it. Great video Colin, as always. 🤘💜
Guitars don't have soul. Players do. I don't care if you like them but don't justify it with nonsensical commentary
@@AudioWonderlandWith respect Princess I wasn't talking to you!
@@AudioWonderlandAnd you actually edited your comment, bravo! I've been a road cyclist for over 50 years and a musician. Carbon road bikes have no soul either, Steel and Titanium ones however do. Unfortunately for you Princess you don't get it and obviously never will. Keep doing what you excel at editing and a word of advice, if you've nothing nice to say, keep your mouth shut! Especially when someone isn't talking to you, mind your own business!
The PRS 'signature sound' is...they don't have one. 😴
@@jaypeterson7637 Fact. 👍🏼
Very much agree - I had a PRS 245 se which sounded really nice and did all the things it was meant to but like you say it was just too perfect. The only physical thing I could put it down to was the neck was too narrow for my taste but overall just need something with a bit more character.
My SE custom is one of the few guitars I own that didn’t need sending away to be set up . Let down by weak pickups but nicely made & fun to noodle on.
How many ohms?
Like any other object an opinion is purely subjective, there is no right or wrong. But I, and many others viewers of your channel, appreciate your thorough in depth, unbiased reviews.
I have, lets say, more than one PRS and I completely understand that "vanilla sound" sometimes called "soulless"/"uninspiring"/"didn't bond with it" and the problem is always pickup setup. My fix has been: rotate the bridge pickup so the screw poles are on the neck facing bobbin, lower the pickup to the trim ring and raise the screw poles 3/16ths inch. What that does is bias the pickup into a P90 tone (P90s happen to cross the strings there) and they sound gloriously chunky "like proper rock n roll". .. Then I put the neck pickup poles into a Strat Stagger because I like Strat neck pickups and these bland guitars come alive. .. Adjust your pickups up/down and bass vs treble tip plus the EQ of the screw poles and you can get these guitars to give you great tone. And all those adjustments are reversible. Of course you can swap pots and caps (last is pickups because they are the most expensive and change the cheap stuff first) but with careful adjustment that is not needed.
This is new to me. The feeling of understanding what I'm seeing when you play. It resonates . I see the subtle but frequent changes you're making. It'll make me a better player. Thanks. FYI, I'm a novice at 35 years of playing but 2 year's ago I woke up being able to hear. So, 45 and new but not. It's strange to be given a musical ear after so long.
I'm in the market for a S-style guitar next but I'm torn between a PRS a Sire S7 or Fender player series strat, decisions decisions. I'm a SG player for the most part usually I wonder what one I would get on with the best. I'm thinking the Fender as I want a single coil sound in my collection. Nice video as usual Colin, lots of relevant info.
I’d go sire mate
I picked up a Sire A4 grand auditorium last year and I have been blown away with it, I may just go there again.@@ItsJustRyan89
Player Series are fantastic
@@ItsJustRyan89 I’ll 2nd your opinion of the Sire. They do it right. The great price is just icing on the cake.
I'd go and try a G&L (Tribute) too.
Perfect review and description at the end, I had the same feeling about a Tremonti SE Custom I bought online a few years back, within one minute of taking it out of the box I'd decided to send it back, it felt like a piece of furniture and was without a soul.
I recently bought an SE Custom 24 with a quilted maple top; it is a beautifully made guitar. I can understand the criticism, because sometimes I just can’t get into playing it, but then, when then I’ve got all the eq and pedals sorted it really comes together. This guitar feels and plays quite different, so getting to know it will be worthwhile.
I thought that would be the solution to all that say it has no soul, slap a pedal in front...sheesh... soul may be the wrong word, I heard people play very soulful stuff on aPRS..
@sgholt yes u cant eq all your guitars the same
Colin, I bought a PRS Standard SE before the pandemic and have loved it ever since! If you need some inspiration, watch Carlos make the notes cry and sing at the same time. Dire Straits wasn’t that bad though. PRS pickups are safe and comfortable, a pleasing tone of vibrant frequencies. It’s a pedal man’s dream come true, perfect tone modulated to any way you want.
I have an SE 24 08 and i love it. Its so different from my other guitars, which i like. Variety. Its very precise and articulate. It makes me want to practice and learn more. The bridge is similar to a Strat except for the mounting. The screws have a groove,like Floyd screws, and the holes have knife edges. So it is a full floating bridge, and it feels amazing to me. The build quality is excellent, as with almost every guitar Cort makes, and the finish is beautiful. The flame maple veneer is from a beautiful piece of maple and the book match is excellent.
Just so I am not the only one :p I love my SE 24
@@sgholt I did a couple of things to mine that made it even better! I love it so much. It was a gift from my daughter when i turned 50 last year.
@@sgholt mine is the green one, which one do you have?
I have 4 PRS core guitars. They are all fantastic guitars but I hardly ever play any of them. When I do play one of them I wonder why I don’t play it all the time because they really are so good. A week later they’ll be back in their case and I won’t see it for another year. I’ve never figured it out. Good luck with yours though.
I personally think they are great guitars. And no offence meant by this, but I thought that you had negative feelings before this review….and I don’t think that anything was going to change your opinion. I have a PRS DGT SE and a Core PRS Paul’s Guitar and I have a Les Paul Standard 1992…each are different…but great guitars…This is why all guitars are different…they bring out different things in each and every one of us…Keep On Keeping On…Your videos are a great watch.
I agree with what you say, and I think a lot of people have in their mind subconsciously how they are supposed to feel about PRS. I would like to see a blindfold test and see what they think.
In a blindfold test... the PRS wins it... PRS got a bad rep because people called them "Dentist / Doctor guitars..This was down to their expensive cost. They were called "soulless"...I've yet to find and play a guitar that has a soul.... And yet..people who have never even picked up a PRS still call them soulless... If you don't like the guitar...fair enough....but too many people jump on the anti PRS wagon...without ever playing one...@@stevemiller1203
@@stevemiller1203 Blind test indeed. Grissom actually did multiple blind tests with recording engineers...using his '59 Les Paul vs the PRS DGT prototypes....NOT ONE SINGLE ENGINEER CHOSE THE LES PAUL.
I'm lucky enough to own 30+ guitars, most of them high end( Gibson, Fender, Charvel, Music Man), but my nr 1 is my PRS SE custom 24. As with the vanilla, I agree, but as I play mostly covers in very different styles, it works for me without having to change guitars every other song. When I was younger I liked it when a guitar fought a little back, but now as I'm getting older I do appreciate it plays like butter.
Couldn’t hit the like button quickly enough.
Now to see what you actually say…😂
Edit: I honestly think this was some of your best playing.
Sounded really nice and crunchy.
I’m on the flip side I guess, I was a tele player for 25+ years for gigs and various sessions. Tried a PRS Vela out and never looked back. Ticked all the boxes and corrected the problems that I’d convinced myself were quirks. Never looked back. Totally pulled the rug out from underneath me at the end though with that Maybach! Looks great!
PRS SE are FOOLPROOF purchases. CORT has a dedicated wing in it's Factory just for making PRS SE guitars. PRS unboxes and does a final QC check and setup before shipping. You would think this is standard practice in the industry but only a handful of companies actually do this (PRS, Reverend, Dingwall, Solar to name a few). You rarely ever see a PRS guitar on a Luthiers bench. Whether or not you bond with the guitar or think it's soulless is another story. Thanks for the video Sir Colin and all your hardwork making them🍺🇨🇦
But, thats the story thats being discussed, not that rubbish. Each their own. Cheers
I am not the biggest PRS fan but for what you get at that price point it blows away the other imports on the market. It appears to be a high quality instrument
You did a great review
It also blows away many Fender and Gibson “Made in USA” guitars. The quality workmanship and control that goes into the production of PRS’s SE line is incredible.
Hey Colin, I bought myself a Gretsch G2215 P90 in Sahara Metallic. I am pretty impressed, I have to say !!! I don´t like the look of that PRS either. The look is at leist 50%, don´t you think ?
Three things are important when you buy an electric guitar- what it looks like, what it looks like and what it looks like!
Years ago, I had a prs custom 24 artist pack, within two weeks, it was traded for a Gibson Les Paul.
A few years later I had an se245 which I done the greeny mod on.
I can see why they exist, but I don't find them to be an original entity in themselves.
To me, they are/were just hybrids if Gibson and fender.
I've often looked at getting another se of some description, but when I look at them, they don't give me the urge to buy.
One thing I do like about them, is the bird inlays
Also, I think one thing some of us guitarists like, are the imperfections and quirks of brands
An artist friend once told me that only something that is imperfect can actually be perfect. Every PRS I’ve played has been perfect but completely soulless and uninspiring.
This comment is the words I’ve been looking for, for years…fantastically put!
Absolutely! My feeling about every PRS I’ve played.
Bollocks, logically, but on the other hand, I don't like these guitars.
Totally agree. I have PRS custom 24, nothin fancy, feels lovely to play…just lacking mojo
@@mattpearce79 right, it feels sterile for some reason…like the guitar equivalent of a doctors office …great quality but it’s just a tucked in plaid shirt and khakis
Im a les paul guy through and through, also love a good strat, i bought one of these DGTs and have been gigging it. It covers all of the sounds i need, i dont change guitars all night. The trem is FANTASTIC, stays in tune, very smooth. The pickups are great, i can get warm tones or very clear spanky tones. Its a do all guitar for me, im getting another as a backup and theyre my new go to for gigs. Extremely versitile guitar and much lighter than my les pauls aslo!
I love my 3 PRS SE's - I like the looks, ease of play, and pu tone.
Great video, glad to see the crocs cam has returned!
The Dentist's guitar, lol. I'll never buy one because of PRS saying he didn't care about lefty players years ago. If you ever watch his old interviews, he's a horrible human being.
I’ve always had that vibe
Noice !! I had a look at the other one with the birds. I didn’t plug it in as I only wanted to feel the neck.
I have a 2020 PRS Tremonti Standard SE single cut in gloss black. Flawless fit and finish but had tuning issues.
Ended up filing the nut as per a video from Andy guitar geek and that helped a lot. It’s now got 3 FU-Tone springs in it along with 2 of the original 4 factory springs. Only took me 2 years to sort it out but it’s such a great sounding and looking guitar that I persisted with it and I’m glad i did. It’s my only PRS.
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
I started with late 60s guitars hunting for the diamond in the rough. I follow Paul Reed Smith finally bought 1, then another, now 5 total. They are precise. It's up to me to give it soul. I even gigged and did studio with Paul's se, s2 594 McCarty. Love it. Solves all the Les Paul and Strat issues I had. Love mine. Great review. But If PRS came 1st the vintage guys would have struggled quality wise.
I prefer Zach Myer se prs for intense playing .
I’ve been playing a custom 24 since 1996. Rock solid today as it was when i bought it. Had to re-fret it twice but the action, tuners, electronics, finish are still perfect. I’ve played thousands of gigs and endless jamming and practicing.
I can get it to sing on most styles of modern music. My les pauls and teles sit in their cases. Probably should put them up on reverb.
After watching this latest vlogs it peek my curiosity about the PRS brand. I was in the market for a new guitar but didn't want to fall in the typical styling that all-over the place. No mistakes . Ive owned strats and LPs. Now I have a 594 single cut McCarty on the way and I'm willing to oversee the unconventional head stock and enjoy a very special guitar. BTW keep your up the good work and honest point of views.
Don't fret. PRS are not for me either. Tried them but I too don't like the style. Good to have a review of one.
I had a limited edition PRS , came out of the box playing like a dream , silky smooth , lowest action I've ever had on a guitar ........But it had no character , none . It was the guitar equivalent of beige . But great craftsmanship and easy to play .
To each his own :) After playing Les Pauls for 30-odd years I gave up guitar completely. Then, a decade later I returned, tried out a few Gibsons and just couldn't bring myself to do it again. For me, the Gibsons took the fun out of playing (changing out hardware, pickups, wiring, correcting goofy necks, tuning issues, etc.). One of the main reasons I left Gibson was the weight! I'm an older guy now, and have back issues-- no doubt partly thanks to Gibson LPs LOL! So when I returned, I wanted a guitar that was good to go right out of the box, didn't weight a ton, was easy to play and sounded good. Picked up a PRS and haven't looked back. Our tastes & needs change through the years, and life would be pretty dull if we all liked the same things, held the same opinions... Another fun video, and appreciate your honesty! Now how about that black P-90 thing, eh?! :D
I bought a hot pink SE that I used as part of a Halloween costume one year. It was ok. It didn’t speak to me at all the way a Gibson or Fender usually does. It was sold after the Halloween gig was done.
I brought a PRS DGT and think it's a great guitar, only problem I had, and also a friend that brought the same guitar, is the input jack needed changing, besides that in my opinion it's a great guitar ❤ 🎸
I waited months to buy a Goldtop dgt se, finally bought it, sold it on Reverb in 2 weeks! Just didn't like the pickup sounds, the coil tap nobs difficult to pull up with a pick in the hand, order of the neck volume, no binding on the neck. Great looking guitar but was not a keeper for me. I briefly had a PRS 24/08 mohogany, this was a much better guitar in my opinion. Sold it to buy the DGT! Regrettable!
If they shortened the horns might be more appealing to me! Super job Colin!
It’s a classic human paradox that I can agree with both sides of this debate.
Owned 2 PRS’: I couldn’t get on with the neck shape, found them too bling for me (despite getting relatively non-flash colours) and lacking that “soul” that lives in my imperfect, very lightly relic’d (or roughed up from my gigs) teles, strats , an LP and a goldtop.
My second PRS, a McCarty 494, was also without question the best made, longest sustaining, most in tune and most versatile guitar I’ve ever owned. I’ve nearly bought a DGT numerous times for that reason.
I have owned a couple of other other guitars that I didn’t connect with and found them lacking in “soul” - including by the big two whose guitars I also treasure; but this feeling with PRS models does seem to be a by-product of them having ALL of the amazing qualities I listed above.
And I also agree that more learning and less GASing would probably allow me to express better on any and all guitars. Not as much fun though.
I'm really surprised that you don't like the SE DGT, because I bonded with it immediately and it's become my joint go-to guitar alongside my Tone Fox Elcaster Mk.1. I'd tried a few PRS's previously and hadn't got on with them, finding them a bit "sterile" somehow, but the SE DGT was completely different for me - the neck suits me perfectly and it felt already "played in", and everything about the guitar encourages me to really dig in and stretch out in my playing. In other words, I find it very "rock 'n roll" - just the opposite to you. It just underlines why it's so great to have a huge selection of quality affordable guitars these days - there's literally something to suit all tastes. 😎
I was always a more traditional brand user, ie. Fender, Gibson, Gretsch etc. Then I bought a PRS Zach Meyers to see how it was. It turned out to be a great guitar, then I bought a PRS Anniversary model, it also was great, then I bought the PRS semi hollow body which was beyond great. Probably one of the best guitars I ever played. Period. What I like about them s their feel, they always stay in tune even if you don't touch them for weeks, their contours make sense, and most of all their POTS actually work well. When you dial down the tone it stays clean and clear not muddy like most others. I still own my other guitars, all 344 of them but PRS clearly stands a cut above the rest for quality, sound and feel. Character in an instrument I believe comes more from the player than the instrument. What the instrument does do, is contributes to the way you feel emotionally about it which is reflected in the playing. But again the character of the music comes from the player not the guitar itself. Again, just my humble opinion.
Hang on 344?? 😲🙌🙌🙌
Yes 344. I have become a player/collector over the years. Now my son plays professionally so he will have all the equipment he will need or a down payment for a house, lol
You won't lose any subs Cole !!! Sometimes is a good exercise to put our prejudices aside to find out nice surprises.
🙂🙂🙂🙂
Great review Colin. You’ve got to hand it to PRS, it’s a great deal as regards price and quality. But if it’s not your cup of tea it’s not your cup of tea.
I've played teles and les Paul's my whole life and finally got a prs se McCarty and I love it . I gig with it regularly and my les Paul can stay in the studio. I've played prs before but never liked the thin necks or the pickups but the McCarty is different it has excellent 58/15 pickups and a chunky fat neck . It's an exceptional guitar.
Tremolo info .....the screws that hold it to the body has grooves just under the heads,the trem body sits in the grooves on a knife edge,so it doesn't actually sit on the body like a strat trem,it floats in the grooves, suspended slightly above the body....
You nailed it!!! The man Paul Reed Smith, as far as I know, was basically from my region, the Great Lakes Area. We call it the Midwest here in the United States. So, I knew about PRS way before they ever became popular. I believe Ted Nugent and Alex Lifeson were amongst his first well known artists to advocate for his brand. They were originally all handcrafted by Paul himself in the beginning if my memory serves me well. Then some Detroit area and Ontario Canada area music stores began to market the PRS line. That really helped to get PRS up and rollin'! My initial thoughts, I believe, seem quite comparable to your thoughts. His guitars were pristine as all-get-out! Very beautiful esthetically, solidly built, and sound pretty good!!! However, I did not care for the sound much relative to my style; my thought was "too pristine" for most applications, but sometimes needed. I don't really know if that explains my thoughts well enough. And I also noticed they stay in tune quite well. They're not my first choice; however, I plan to purchase one as just another tool to add to my home studio arsenal. I'm quite certain I will be happy with a PRS guitar for all the aforementioned reasons. Take care Colin!
No, He's from Maryland which is on the east coast.
Nice work !! I'm still a Gibson guy at heart.. haven't played a PRS before , but couldn't get passed the looks of em
Totally agree with your closing comments, the PRS as well as it may be made is not inspiring... That 54 Old Black on the other hand 😍
I bought a 35th Anniversary PRS Custom 24 in 2021 or so and loved it so much, I just had to have a real core carve and ended up buying a 2002 Custom 22 Artist a couple of years ago. I don't play them often but I enjoy looking at them from time to time. Paul is quirky as hell and yet I really enjoy following him and watching his stuff from time to time. I recently bought a Paul's SE and it is wonderful in every respect. And yet, I don't know. It is not something I play regularly. I love my Fenders and Gibsons (and Yamaha Revstars) and somewhere in the middle of everything, I love my PRS guitars too...but not that kind of love. Hard to explain!!
I think "vanilla" is a good description of PRS. However, I had one and really regret selling it. They make great guitars, some being reasonably priced with great quality. Can't knock that. I can see myself buying another in the future.
When i received my PRS SE DGT i was a little underwhelmed, but i set it up to the way i prefer, gave it a whole new feel, and it felt like it unlocked something within the guitar, sounds a bit cheesy, but thats what happened.
PRS arent for everyone, we all have different tastes, that is what makes music fun
I’ve owned one PRS in my life. I bought a PRS DGT Gold Top with Moons new in 2009. I had a lot of Gibson guys ask me about the pickups after I got it as that guitar sounded so good. But it was no surprise since David Grissom wanted them to sound like his vintage ES-335. I still have it and love it.
These import DGT versions are decent but from the few I’ve played they don’t sound the same nor are the neck spec’s the same as the original.
Great shout on the DGT! I owned an SE Paul’s Guitar briefly. Loved the fit/finish, tuning stability and tone versatility. Really like Paul and his company ethos. As such, felt a bit obligated to play and like it. Ultimately was not greatly inspiring to play and sold it on. Might try a semi-hollow model in the future for more of a ‘jazz box’ vibe. Tada!
I have played one PRS in my life, back in 2014, it was a custom 22. It was an amazing guitar and legit , if it didn't have that weird rotary switch for the pickups but a normal blade or 3 way toggle, I'd have walked out the store that day with it. I am very happy with the mayones I ordered that day, never looked back.
It’s funny to me that people are intolerant of others opinions. You shouldn’t have to apologize for not loving the shape or the headstock or any perceived gaudiness. Of the PRS models that one is not my favorite but I love my SE Custom 22. I didn’t love the pickups that came with it so I replaced them but I love the shape of the PRS and the headstock and birds look super cool to me. And both of our opinions are completely valid for us. Different strokes for different folks. The quality of the instrument and the fit and finish are spectacular as you indicated and those appealed to my aesthetic and I appreciate and value your opinion. Thanks for reviewing one.
My son had aPRS Soapbar 2 SE. I loved it and he sold it without letting me know he was going to. I absolutely enjoyed playing that guitar. Cheers!
I have a big reverb unit made by Solar which someone gave me many many years ago. I'm sure it was made in the mid seventies. I run it with one of those Fender Greta pawn shop amps that both sit on top of a cabinet with a 15 inch speaker inside. It sounds proper nice. In all my years I've never seen another.
Aloha Colin! The Dave Grissom Tremolo is the most thought out model PRS makes. Supposedly. If I were to buy a PRS, it probably be a DGT.
I have 3 PRS SEs. DGT, SAS and Starla. All three had minor problems that I fixed. Maybe that's why I love all three! I have many guitars including USA Gibson and Fender and I'd like to think that any "Mojo" a guitar has, comes from the player. All my guitars work for me for their intended use. They're tools.
Interesting review. Thank you. I’m considering this guitar but yet to play one. I have the PRS Bernie Marsden signature which is nice, but a bit heavy. Nicely made but the pickups are a bit uninspiring. Anyway, looking to change it and the DGT SE might be the next purchase. I’ve heard a lot of positive reviews but need to actually get my hands on one. I have to admit I prefer the burst version with birds! I’ve just never liked gold top guitars. Cheers for the thorough review.
For me personally, I have played 37 plus years and had all the usual brands (LP, strat, tele, Ibanez, Revstar, SG etc) bought one of these this year to join the clan and really like it… stays in tune great, great trem, great fret edges, nice pickups and very useable coil split / treble bleed / dual volume. It is good at many things and covers many bases. We just need to disassociate it not being a strat or LP, it’s a modern guitar, I personally generate my own mojo with it. For what I paid (£749) it’s incredible value. Even David Grissom plays them live and that really says something, these are 100% gigable level. I can play Gary Moore, robben ford (coil split), ACDC, ZZ Top, pink Floyd whatever on this thing such is the versatility. Final point I have other PRS SEs and the DGT SE is many levels above those SEs in quality and sound……
I have no personal experience with a PRS so I can't comment on the guitar. But it is a strange thing that you can pick up a guitar and it seems like it just has a groove in it and others don't. Great video. Cheers
One of the best guitar reviews I’ve seen. I too bought a PRS wanting to love it and it’s perfect but lacks character and doesn’t bond with me. Great review
i have three very different PRS guitars and they are all excellent and inspiring guitars to me. if you want a brand where every one is a little different you are not going to get that with PRS because they are so repeatable with their build process. when i bought a new tele i played 10 different guitars and they were all a little different from each other. you can like or hate that. i feel like i can buy a PRS without necessarily playing it but i don't feel like that at all about fender or gibson. i prefer the consistency but i could understand that some might call that a little boring. since i got my custom 24 piezo i have mostly played that even though i have some other really great guitars. the great thing these days is that there is something out there for almost every taste. whether you like them or not and/or whether you think they're overpriced you can't honestly deny that PRS makes absolutely top quality instruments.