I finally caved and dipped my toe into the PRS waters with a CE24 in green. I was blown away by the build quality, feel and playability, pleasing looks, everything. Its one of my favs now.
I have a SE Custom 24 and it is a really nice guitar, sounds decent, and looks amazing. I can't pinpoint why, but I hardly ever have the desire to play this guitar over my Fender and Gibson guitars.
I completely agree with you. I own a beautiful prs 594... Its a joy to play.. sounds fantastic and is pretty near perfect......and yet, like you my Tele, Strat and LP will always win over it. I've thought about why that's the case alot and I think for me at least it comes down to history. All my hero's play Fenders or Gibsons... None play PRS's.
I always had the same problem. Plays great, sounds OK, but the inspiration isn't there almost at all. I pick up my Gibson or Fender, Gretsch, Dano, I mean these things I play hours solid just jamming on, but cannot connect with PRS this same way. They just fail to speak to me.
the Se hollowbodys are intriguing to me but that pricetag is hard for many to swallow for an overseas made instrument. I doubt I will ever own a PRS, Id still go a high end Fender Strat over a Silversky or a Les Paul over a McCarthy, for no other reason than tradition.
@@bryanherward4679 i mean i bought one but i understand peoples reservations about buying a guitar made in a country that uses slave labor to pick cotton in 2021 (china)
Its just the change in perspective that takes time for ppl to adjust to. Im sure the Prs guitars being made in Indonesia and examined back in the states are fine instruments, esp as the workforce gets more and more experience, Cort are quite capable but it doesnt change that ppl seeing a 2000 dollar price tag on a guitar made their isnt jarring and contrary to ppls expectations. These student edition models are hardly student prices anymore.
@@seanbrooks2583 I get it...my first new guitar was a 1989 Epiphone Les Paul...it's the first year of the current Epi line and the only year with an epi style book headstock...I swore if they ever got rid of the clipped ear headstock I'd buy one. Last year they did but I can't do it. I refuse to send money to China if I can help it. Korea, Indonesia and Mexico sure.
I bought a Special 22 semi-hollow a few months ago. It blew my mind. Everything about it makes it one of the absolute best rock/metal electric guitars I've ever played. It has some of the best clarity I've ever heard with extreme high gain, and the neck just feels perfect.
Could not agree more, tried a friends 594 and after 20+ years of playing I was blown away! Tried his CE24 and it beat out all my other guitars that I worked so hard on and I sold all of them for a Core Custom 24 35th Ann. and could not be happier!
I bought a PRS S2 Singlecut Satin during the lockdown before ‘the great guitar consumption’ began and it happened to be made in 2020. It’s my first PRS and I was not disappointed. It plays beautifully and sounds great. It’s quite comfortable and extremely well built. It has an unusual bridge for a single cut S2, individually adjustable brass saddles. I named the guitar Eddie.
I bought a DGT last month from Lark in San Antonio, was a Wood Library piece with a crazy roast flame neck and Brazilian board in champagne gold. My first PRS.
@@nathanielvargas3863 That shop is nice...I drive up from Corpus Christi to shop there...I've bought at least 3 guitars from there...and a few pedals. Not too far away from the GC and SA stores either.
I've owned several McCartys with the idea that I preferred a more Gibson feel and vibe. Turns out the best PRS for me is a CE24 Semi Hollowbody. I love the weight, tone and playability of the CE24 more than other PRSs I've played.
I planned to get a Core Custom 24 because I was coming from an SE Custom 24. Somehow ended up with a Custom 22 and absolutely love it. I love the thicker neck, the spacing between my arms feels better and that neck pickup is oh so sweet!
I have posted literally every time it made sense on your videos: my PRS S2 Thinline McCarty 594 is the best guitar ever made. I have many guitars, many more $$.
I love PRS Guitars. I own 4 and they’re amazing. They’re super reliable with intonation and they stay in tune. Great feeling necks and beautiful tops. I’ll have PRS guitars for life.
Thanks for the comment, it's just what I wanted to read! I have had nothing but problems with my $5000 Les Paul, with the tuning and intonation and am close to buying a PRS.
@@richardwitherow5289 I’ve never had any issues with any of my PRS guitars, and my oldest one is from 2005. Super dependable instruments. I’d suggest getting a core level guitar, since value wise that’s in the range of your Les Paul. If you don’t go Artist package or wood library spec, you’ll be able to get something around $4k.
@@jaybe813 Thanks very much your response! I'm interested in the PRS McCarty 594 at present. I don't know if I can justify buying a Core model. As long as it's American made and doesn't have a chunky neck, plus stays in tune! I live in a fairly remote part of Australia and can't test one of these guitars in person, so I may have to take the risk of buying one online.
@@richardwitherow5289 There are 2 versions of that guitar. The core and the S2. The S2 is great for the money. Hard to beat in my opinion. The core gives you all USA made parts and pickups and of course a nicer, maple top and more colors and nicer aesthetics. S2 is made in the same building as Core-just not as fancy. I don’t own any S2’s but I have played some and I know people that love them. Go find some McCarty 594’s in your area and play them. Play as many as you can. Play other PRS models as well, just to educate yourself on neck profiles, pickups etc.
I own 3 PRS guitars and they all are fantastic. I have a 2016 S2 Custom 24(my 1st ever PRS), A 2019 S2 Standard 22 and, what has become my go to workhorse a Custom 24 SE 35th Anniversary in the faded blue burst. I have only done 2 mods to the SE, PRS locking tuners and the lampshade knobs.
S2 Vela Satin. It’s built like a PRS, but very affordable ($1200 or so), and it doesn’t look like a PRS, so it’s perfect for the folks who prefer workhorse guitars and don’t like the attention-grabbing looks of most PRSs.
Fell out of love with my Les Pauls when I got my vintage cherry ES-335. Replaced one with a PRS I kinda fell into, a ‘97 Custom 22, with a piano black finish, and the original Dragon pickups. Great sounding guitar. Love the 5-way rotary switch sounds.
My go to is a S2 Custom 24. It’s a Swiss army knife guitar. Only a few features but they combine to get a lot of sounds without a pedalboard. It isn’t a LP or a Strat or a Tele, it’s its own thing, but it fills that one guitar to a jam (in a gig bag) hole in most people’s collections. And it’s sturdy and stable.
I am a PRS guy. I have a SE Semi Hollow, the old style with the odd, swish style sound hole and a Brent Mason Signature. The Brent Mason attracted me because I like bolt on necks, maple fret boards and it just looked great (and the micro switches). Like any guitar parent, I love all my guitars, but the PRS's are special. Usually when I play a guitar it starts to get sour in my ear after about 30 to 45 minutes, I'm just ready to switch. The PRS guitars never sour; sometimes a couple of hours go by and yes I may have to check tuning, but the guitar feels as fresh as when I started. They make great guitars.
My friend Larry at PRS was their National Rep and is definitely one of the nicest guys you could ever know. Super knowledgeable. I'm sure you know him too. He was friends with everyone. When he retired he went over the biggest name in retail guitars in MDV area. I have the S2 594 in my sights.
Thank you Baxter for making sure Jonathan clarified it was not a permanent tooth. Also, what about the PRS SE 245 and SE 245 Standard? Any opinions on those?
I agree the PRS SE models are great for the cost. Can’t really beat em for that reason alone. I no longer own any PRS. Just fell out of love with the sound. I would also recommend a Knaggs. Especially the Kenai J models if you are looking for a “budget” version. The P90 Kenai J’s are tremendous and Knaggs have direct lineage to PRS.
I've had many LP standards.. Never bonded! I've had many C24s.. Never bonded! Then I played a 594 Semi.. And finally bonded! I do want to pickup a 594 or DGT single.. I Do believe you nailed PRS top offerings. As a strat guy, I'd throw in the silversky as a solid prs offering.
Never bought a PRS so I ordered one recently and its on the way. I got the PRS SE Pauls guitar in Aqua blue / green. Seemed like a good choice for my first PRS. Have you had any of these in your shop?
I received a 72 Thin line Telecaster Body, neck and loaded pickguard by Warmoth from a good friend. All I had to do is buy a set of tuning machines and control knobs and have it put together. One of the best things that were part of the gift was a pair of PRS Humbucker pickups. I had another friend who's a guitar tech put it together It turned out to be one of the best guitars I've ever owned.
I bought an SE Custom 24 around 6 years ago, and it sounded awful - the pickups were extremely muddy and dark. Sold it off for that reason. Picked up a 2020 version of the same model at my local shop, and I was blown away by how much they’ve improved the stock pickups! That’s what I love about PRS. They’re always improving their offerings
Same thing with gibson & Fender...there's a certain amount of guitars out of 100 that will be a DUD! 😉 My modded (red tortoise shell PG and blk tuners/hardware) PRS Silver Sky in Piano Blk is 100% fabulous and thats over any other Gibson and Fender I've had! 😎
I'd love to have a core 594 with a blue burst 10 top, but can't imagine spending that on a guitar. I have a unique story though! I don't know what year Paul was making guitars by himself, but it was when I went to VCU, so it would have been 1980-1985. I met a guy from Maryland, a real shredder named Tim, and he invited me to his apartment to see 3 handmade guitars, and they were 3 very early PRSs that had slight differences, and finishes. They had the lowest action I'd ever played, sounded incredible, but when he told me what they cost, I almost fell out. They were all well over $2000, which was unheard of in the early to mid 80s!!! He still lives in Richmond, and still has one or two of them. I bet they're worth quite a fortune now, and I'm still envious!!! Peace, Keith in Debtsville VA
One they didn't mention (and they should have): Special 22 Semi Hollow. Omg what an incredible guitar! So versatile and work do many different tones. And every one if them is perfectly usable. I love this guitar so much. Anyone who doesn't think PRS guitars have soul should play this guitar. It is mojo personified. And speaking of mojo, my other PRS is the incredible DGT '11. Not surprised Jonathan and Baxter love that one, btw. I can't even describe how awesome that guitar is also. Just a great instrument, and also very versatile. And just so y'all know, I'm no PRS fan boy. I have several other custom shop Gibsons and Fenders and love and play them all. It's just the PRS seem to scratch the itch for me, usually. YMMV, of course ;)
I purchased two of the recommended PRS’s on this list (SE HB II and S2 Thinline) from Casino over the past few months and could not be happier! Guitars and dealer service both top rate!
Those along with the core 594 dc are my favourite PRS guitars (at any price) The thinline and the se hollowbody 2 both have something that can’t be had in the core lineup. The core lineup has no laminate guitars!
I really like the S2 McCarty 594. Ever since the S2s came out I had been waiting for a McCarty. Ill admit it, I'm a snob with some things, especially pickups and hardware. It went without says that I would replace the pickups with either Wagner or Fralins. But I was blown away with how much I like the 58/15S's sound. In the middle position with the coils tapped and strummed some chords, if I didnt know what I was playing, I'd swear it was an acoustic.
The hardest thing for me. I shopped around and play 15 LP's before I found mine. every PRS I have played just feels great right away. Sold my LP to get a PRS
When I first entered the ream of electrics, I felt like Goldilocks in a guitar store. Gibson LP was first pick but it was too heavy and had the D/G tuning problem I had to get used to. So I tried a Fender MIM Strat. Loved the feel & ergonomics but not the “glassy” sound. So I tried a PRS SE24. 8 PRS later they are still my fave-weight, features, craftsmanship, and they are gorgeous.
I've been playing for over 35 years, and only got into PRS two months ago. Since then, I've bought an S2 Vela, SE Custom 24, and an SE Standard 24. They are literally some of the all-around best guitars I've ever had. Don't think I'll be getting rid of any of them. :)
I tried an S2 satin semi-hollow Vela, and wanted to like it do bad but couldn't get along with the neck. I ended up buying a Godin Multiac, but that was the second PRS that I tried to like but couldn't. They might not be for me.
At first I got a Custom 24. Gibson tuning issues frustrated me, so I read about the subject and tried a PRS. After, I sold a LP traditional to get a McCarty 594 and was a great decision. I still have other Gibson LP, a custom, which was always my dream guitar and thankfully doesn’t have the same tuning issues the traditional had. But the McCarty and the Custom 24 are more reliable IMO.
I had a S2 custom 24 35th anniversary model. Guitar was so pretty I was afraid to play it cause I didnt want to scratch it..so I sold it. Finally found an old Vela with bird inlays and its fantastic.
Guys..... the CE!!! How could you pass over the CE. Great tops, US PRS pickups, Maryland made.... I recently picked up one and was so blown away by it, I ordered a second 3 days later. I think the CE is probably the best built guitar for the dollar period. I've owned an S2 and the build was great but I'm not a fan of the import pickups and electronics. Once you jump to CE you get such better pickups!!
“It fixes some of the little eccentric things of the LP.” Like fighting the G string and the head stock falling off…ha. Sorry Gibson - still love y’all.
Having toured their facility, is it true that they have wallpaper with their various models that you can touch and each guitar image will play a unique lick? Is there a boat ride involved?
So i might be a little biased but i have owned several models from se to wood library i think the se paul's guitar was great and i really think the silver sky does a great job as Paul said if only they have tried a lot of models the pickups on my paul s guitar has a lot of cool voices and then silver sky does everything else
I got a SE Custom 22 ‘semi hollow’ (like a thinline) and I love it. It’s beautiful to play with your fingers, high gain, turn the gtr volume down and just … stroke it lightly … and it will just respond and resonant and be beautiful, and then you dig in and it fkkn explodes
With a "Paul's" and a "594" do you get the ability to play single coil pick up and humbucker, and also combine them? I would need a thinner neck. Do either of them only come in thin necks?
Played the core custom 24 it was eh whatever. Then i tried the silversky which is a good guitar but too expensive for what i like to pay for a bolt on. But I've been getting major GAS for the DGT either in gold top or McCarthy tobacco burst with moon inlays.
Oh that’s so easy….The PRS Lunar Ice Silver Sky….with maple neck…not many people can say they like every position of the pickup selector switch on their guitar. The one I tried out at the music store was a instant Strat love affair. I Want One so much….
I have a Mark Holcomb SE and a Paul's guitar SE and the Paul's is the best playing guitar I have ever played and the holcomb is the best sounding guitar I have ever played for any genre
I've owned the 594 core, custom 24 core, Custom 24 CE, multiple SE's... but 100% my favorite of all time and i'll never sell it (and i sold all my american ones) SE Hollowbody Standard. Amazing guitar, its my number 1 player. If they made an american version of this , id buy it in a heart beat. (the american hollowbodies are carved tops, not traditional laiminent like the SE models) that being said... an S2 custom 24 is on its way to my house from sweetwater right now lol..
The S2's are great value, the DGT is awesome. I have an 10 top McCarty Soapbar, 594 HBII Artisan and Special semi 22 Artisan. Hard to go wrong with PRS
The 2021 re-release of the Studio with the narrow field humbuckers has me highly intrigued, but there's no way I can justify the cost for me. A bedroom player with aspirations to "go pro" as a musician.
I was completely sold by the silver sky (fixed all the problems I had with fender strats), and that led me to a baritone, and then the Les Paul I’d been searching for, 594 McCarty Single-cut, which finally sounded and played how I dreamed all of the Gibson and Epiphone Les Pauls would, but didn’t. And I managed to find one with a pretty subdued plain top in dark blue (I can’t handle that highly figured top). My goodness that 594 is good. I’m done searching for the perfect Les Paul. Do I still dream of a Gibson Les Paul with a lemon burst / honey burst faded top with a 50s neck? Every. Goddamn. Day.
I spent 3-4 months looking for a Les Paul. Tried dozens looking for one that felt right. I knew the 594 was an alternative, but don't have reasonable access to them in my market. Fast forward a few months into my journey and I see 2 594's on the wall of my local shop. One was a SC semi hollow. An hour later I had to have a very very hard conversation with my wife. Since that time the only other LP I would have considered that I have played was an R8, and I still think the 594 plays better.
This video reminds me of a tee shirt my wife gave me for Christmas which has four guitar headstocks and has the caption, “Diversified Portfolio.” The guitars are a strat, les paul, tele and PRS. I have a strat, les paul and two teles. I think it may be time to balance my portfolio.
I’ve owned nearly a dozen of them and played dozens more, but I just cannot get attached to them in any way. My brother and I were discussing it and he came upon a point that I think may be my problem: they are a little bit too close to being perfect. After decades of developing a playing style based around fighting LesPaul imperfections and fender foibles, it’s hard for me to settle in with a guitar that doesn’t have any real issues to speak of… And I’m fine with that. Thanks for another great video, fellas!
That’s a great great point and we have struggled with that same thing as well! We often laugh about it but you did nail it. There is that fight from the fender and Gibson that just feels “right” sometimes! Thanks a ton for the thoughts and keep killing it out there!
I just wish I loved the necks. They look and sound great, but I've tried a pattern regular and thin and neither one excited me. It's a was bummer because they great deals
-PRS ------------------- Zach Meyers Semi-hollow Single Cut signature. Mcarty 594 single cut. Hollowbody Piezo -Fender ------------------- Classic Strat - SSS Vintage Bridge - H.E.R. strat is a good example Modern Strat - SSH Modern 2 point Bridge - Ultra/Luxe Classic Telecaster - SS Modern Telecaster - HH Jazzmaster - Jazzmaster pickups and full traditional dials. -Ibanez ------------------- Jem PIA Iceman - similar to Paul Stanley sig -Gibson -------------------- LP -Classic or Trad Pro or both TBH P-90 LP Goldtop SG Standard SG(LP) HHH Vibrola Explorer Flying V Firebird - Traditional Acoustic 12 string -Martin ------------------- Acoustic 6 string Metal Strings Acoustic 6 String Nylon Strings -DanElectro ---------------- 59' -Hofner --------------- Galaxie 175 Deluxe- 68' -Gretsch------------- Duo Jet -Zemaitis--------------- MFG22 -BC Rich---------------- Warlock -Rickenbacker------------------ 350 The round sound collection where you have everything you could possibly need.
Cant go wrong with any of them really. Depends on ones price point. Did I mention how incredible it would be to own a Silver Sky Lunar Ice ? SUBLIME !!
I like the weird PRS guitars, like the Mira and Vela. I would also dig the S2 Standard 22 in that nice antique white. Of course none of these are made left-handed, so I'm left in the dark day dreaming.
Jonathan … not trying to spend your money … but … I run that SE Hollowbody II Piezo through some acoustic IRs from 3 Sigma Audio and it sounds so much like a real acoustic that my sound guys have problems mixing it because they are use to EQ’ing fake piezo sounds from real acoustics. It genuinely sounds too authentic. Best part is my sole acoustic (Gib SJ 200) now stays at home for recording and I don’t have to worry about somebody knocking a few thousand dollars off a guitar stand. Also, that piezo goes a long way towards cleaning up those somewhat muddy stock pickups when rolled in just a tad.
The reason I don't have a PRS is that there are too many variants I'm not satisfied with, and too few I am, and too many colors I think would be awesome (given that my favorite color and Paul's are very similar). I want a teal/blue (or maybe blue-violet) guitar that is curly or quilted maple on the front, also blue on the back and neck, and that is surprisingly hard to find for under ~$4k in PRS's line. Their site doesn't make it explicit what you're getting on the back, but, hey, that's the side *I'm* looking at when I'm playing it, and I freakin' hate black guitars. Natural's okay (but boring IMHO) if the entire thing is that color, but frankly just coloring the front seems like it's unfinished, and I wouldn't pay $1500 or $2500 for that (I have been tempted by a Zach Myers, but I ultimately know I'd be unhappy with it because of the non-matching back). So…that rules out about 80% of PRS Guitars right there without getting into any other features. So, I ordered a Warmoth. With a matching neck and headstock. :P
My 594 SC is one of my “grab in case of fire” guitars along with a custom shop ‘62 tele. Now if the tele had been built in the factory while Leo was running it…
I finally caved and dipped my toe into the PRS waters with a CE24 in green. I was blown away by the build quality, feel and playability, pleasing looks, everything. Its one of my favs now.
Uhhhh the CE?
I have a SE Custom 24 and it is a really nice guitar, sounds decent, and looks amazing. I can't pinpoint why, but I hardly ever have the desire to play this guitar over my Fender and Gibson guitars.
I completely agree with you. I own a beautiful prs 594... Its a joy to play.. sounds fantastic and is pretty near perfect......and yet, like you my Tele, Strat and LP will always win over it.
I've thought about why that's the case alot and I think for me at least it comes down to history. All my hero's play Fenders or Gibsons... None play PRS's.
Ever had to play a gig at some dodgy bar?
I just got my Black Fiore and to me it’s the perfect answer to a one guitar Fender/Gibson sounds
I also have an SE Custom 24 and I am struggling to bond with this guitar. I can't put my finger on it. I'm thinking about swapping the 85/15 PUs out.
I always had the same problem. Plays great, sounds OK, but the inspiration isn't there almost at all. I pick up my Gibson or Fender, Gretsch, Dano, I mean these things I play hours solid just jamming on, but cannot connect with PRS this same way. They just fail to speak to me.
the Se hollowbodys are intriguing to me but that pricetag is hard for many to swallow for an overseas made instrument. I doubt I will ever own a PRS, Id still go a high end Fender Strat over a Silversky or a Les Paul over a McCarthy, for no other reason than tradition.
The SE hollowbody standard is my favorite PRS guitar. you can get them used for around 700$
I know right...imagine spending $60000 on an overseas car like a Lexus instead of a US made Chevy
@@bryanherward4679 i mean i bought one but i understand peoples reservations about buying a guitar made in a country that uses slave labor to pick cotton in 2021 (china)
Its just the change in perspective that takes time for ppl to adjust to. Im sure the Prs guitars being made in Indonesia and examined back in the states are fine instruments, esp as the workforce gets more and more experience, Cort are quite capable but it doesnt change that ppl seeing a 2000 dollar price tag on a guitar made their isnt jarring and contrary to ppls expectations. These student edition models are hardly student prices anymore.
@@seanbrooks2583 I get it...my first new guitar was a 1989 Epiphone Les Paul...it's the first year of the current Epi line and the only year with an epi style book headstock...I swore if they ever got rid of the clipped ear headstock I'd buy one. Last year they did but I can't do it. I refuse to send money to China if I can help it. Korea, Indonesia and Mexico sure.
I have an SE Santana,and I'm blown away how great it is, well built, stays in tune and sounds fantastic 👍
I’ve got a DGT and a 594 and they’re both absolute weapons.
I bought a Special 22 semi-hollow a few months ago. It blew my mind. Everything about it makes it one of the absolute best rock/metal electric guitars I've ever played. It has some of the best clarity I've ever heard with extreme high gain, and the neck just feels perfect.
It was you who made me love my PRS,almost a year ago.Baxter,I thank you👍🏿
Awesome! It’s super helpful when you do these videos, so much to learn. Helps me get a foothold
Could not agree more, tried a friends 594 and after 20+ years of playing I was blown away! Tried his CE24 and it beat out all my other guitars that I worked so hard on and I sold all of them for a Core Custom 24 35th Ann. and could not be happier!
I've owned the custom 24, a few SE's and now the CE 24. The CE 24 is my favorite PRS, no question. Would love to get my hands on a 594 someday.
Thanks for this video. I’ve been looking really hard at PRS, but I have been overwhelmed.
I bought a PRS S2 Singlecut Satin during the lockdown before ‘the great guitar consumption’ began and it happened to be made in 2020. It’s my first PRS and I was not disappointed. It plays beautifully and sounds great. It’s quite comfortable and extremely well built. It has an unusual bridge for a single cut S2, individually adjustable brass saddles.
I named the guitar Eddie.
I bought a DGT last month from Lark in San Antonio, was a Wood Library piece with a crazy roast flame neck and Brazilian board in champagne gold. My first PRS.
I live in San Antonio and have always wanted to go check out that shop. I love their Instagram
@@nathanielvargas3863 That shop is nice...I drive up from Corpus Christi to shop there...I've bought at least 3 guitars from there...and a few pedals. Not too far away from the GC and SA stores either.
@@ehiracheta I'm in the market for a DGT and live in Stone Oak north of 1604
I've owned several McCartys with the idea that I preferred a more Gibson feel and vibe. Turns out the best PRS for me is a CE24 Semi Hollowbody. I love the weight, tone and playability of the CE24 more than other PRSs I've played.
I planned to get a Core Custom 24 because I was coming from an SE Custom 24. Somehow ended up with a Custom 22 and absolutely love it. I love the thicker neck, the spacing between my arms feels better and that neck pickup is oh so sweet!
One that I have and have grown to LOVE! The Starla SE. Such good chimey vintagey vibes! It has become one of my ‘top 3’
I love mine!
Robert Baker's video helped me decide between a CE and S2. I went for a CE 24 in Dark Cherry Sunburst. I love it.
I have posted literally every time it made sense on your videos: my PRS S2 Thinline McCarty 594 is the best guitar ever made. I have many guitars, many more $$.
I love PRS Guitars. I own 4 and they’re amazing. They’re super reliable with intonation and they stay in tune. Great feeling necks and beautiful tops. I’ll have PRS guitars for life.
Thanks for the comment, it's just what I wanted to read! I have had nothing but problems with my $5000 Les Paul, with the tuning and intonation and am close to buying a PRS.
@@richardwitherow5289 I’ve never had any issues with any of my PRS guitars, and my oldest one is from 2005. Super dependable instruments. I’d suggest getting a core level guitar, since value wise that’s in the range of your Les Paul. If you don’t go Artist package or wood library spec, you’ll be able to get something around $4k.
@@jaybe813
Thanks very much your response!
I'm interested in the PRS McCarty 594 at present. I don't know if I can justify buying a Core model. As long as it's American made and doesn't have a chunky neck, plus stays in tune!
I live in a fairly remote part of Australia and can't test one of these guitars in person, so I may have to take the risk of buying one online.
@@richardwitherow5289 There are 2 versions of that guitar. The core and the S2. The S2 is great for the money. Hard to beat in my opinion. The core gives you all USA made parts and pickups and of course a nicer, maple top and more colors and nicer aesthetics. S2 is made in the same building as Core-just not as fancy. I don’t own any S2’s but I have played some and I know people that love them. Go find some McCarty 594’s in your area and play them. Play as many as you can. Play other PRS models as well, just to educate yourself on neck profiles, pickups etc.
@@richardwitherow5289 Then an S2 will be great for you, so long as the neck carve works out. They’re great guitars.
I own 3 PRS guitars and they all are fantastic. I have a 2016 S2 Custom 24(my 1st ever PRS), A 2019 S2 Standard 22 and, what has become my go to workhorse a Custom 24 SE 35th Anniversary in the faded blue burst. I have only done 2 mods to the SE, PRS locking tuners and the lampshade knobs.
I play mostly Fender but have a PRS 277 SE baritone. Great quality for an SE and the baritone sound is really unique.
S2 Vela Satin. It’s built like a PRS, but very affordable ($1200 or so), and it doesn’t look like a PRS, so it’s perfect for the folks who prefer workhorse guitars and don’t like the attention-grabbing looks of most PRSs.
Fell out of love with my Les Pauls when I got my vintage cherry ES-335. Replaced one with a PRS I kinda fell into, a ‘97 Custom 22, with a piano black finish, and the original Dragon pickups. Great sounding guitar. Love the 5-way rotary switch sounds.
My go to is a S2 Custom 24. It’s a Swiss army knife guitar. Only a few features but they combine to get a lot of sounds without a pedalboard. It isn’t a LP or a Strat or a Tele, it’s its own thing, but it fills that one guitar to a jam (in a gig bag) hole in most people’s collections. And it’s sturdy and stable.
I am a PRS guy. I have a SE Semi Hollow, the old style with the odd, swish style sound hole and a Brent Mason Signature. The Brent Mason attracted me because I like bolt on necks, maple fret boards and it just looked great (and the micro switches). Like any guitar parent, I love all my guitars, but the PRS's are special. Usually when I play a guitar it starts to get sour in my ear after about 30 to 45 minutes, I'm just ready to switch. The PRS guitars never sour; sometimes a couple of hours go by and yes I may have to check tuning, but the guitar feels as fresh as when I started. They make great guitars.
Great breakdown! Thank you 🙏
My friend Larry at PRS was their National Rep and is definitely one of the nicest guys you could ever know. Super knowledgeable. I'm sure you know him too. He was friends with everyone. When he retired he went over the biggest name in retail guitars in MDV area. I have the S2 594 in my sights.
Thank you Baxter for making sure Jonathan clarified it was not a permanent tooth.
Also, what about the PRS SE 245 and SE 245 Standard? Any opinions on those?
I agree the PRS SE models are great for the cost. Can’t really beat em for that reason alone. I no longer own any PRS. Just fell out of love with the sound. I would also recommend a Knaggs. Especially the Kenai J models if you are looking for a “budget” version. The P90 Kenai J’s are tremendous and Knaggs have direct lineage to PRS.
I've had many LP standards.. Never bonded! I've had many C24s.. Never bonded! Then I played a 594 Semi.. And finally bonded! I do want to pickup a 594 or DGT single.. I Do believe you nailed PRS top offerings. As a strat guy, I'd throw in the silversky as a solid prs offering.
Never bought a PRS so I ordered one recently and its on the way. I got the PRS SE Pauls guitar in Aqua blue / green. Seemed like a good choice for my first PRS. Have you had any of these in your shop?
I received a 72 Thin line Telecaster Body, neck and loaded pickguard by Warmoth from a good friend. All I had to do is buy a set of tuning machines and control knobs and have it put together. One of the best things that were part of the gift was a pair of PRS Humbucker pickups. I had another friend who's a guitar tech put it together It turned out to be one of the best guitars I've ever owned.
I bought an SE Custom 24 around 6 years ago, and it sounded awful - the pickups were extremely muddy and dark. Sold it off for that reason. Picked up a 2020 version of the same model at my local shop, and I was blown away by how much they’ve improved the stock pickups!
That’s what I love about PRS. They’re always improving their offerings
Same thing with gibson & Fender...there's a certain amount of guitars out of 100 that will be a DUD! 😉
My modded (red tortoise shell PG and blk tuners/hardware) PRS Silver Sky in Piano Blk is 100% fabulous and thats over any other Gibson and Fender I've had! 😎
I'd love to have a core 594 with a blue burst 10 top, but can't imagine spending that on a guitar. I have a unique story though! I don't know what year Paul was making guitars by himself, but it was when I went to VCU, so it would have been 1980-1985. I met a guy from Maryland, a real shredder named Tim, and he invited me to his apartment to see 3 handmade guitars, and they were 3 very early PRSs that had slight differences, and finishes. They had the lowest action I'd ever played, sounded incredible, but when he told me what they cost, I almost fell out. They were all well over $2000, which was unheard of in the early to mid 80s!!! He still lives in Richmond, and still has one or two of them. I bet they're worth quite a fortune now, and I'm still envious!!!
Peace, Keith in Debtsville VA
One they didn't mention (and they should have): Special 22 Semi Hollow. Omg what an incredible guitar! So versatile and work do many different tones. And every one if them is perfectly usable. I love this guitar so much. Anyone who doesn't think PRS guitars have soul should play this guitar. It is mojo personified. And speaking of mojo, my other PRS is the incredible DGT '11. Not surprised Jonathan and Baxter love that one, btw. I can't even describe how awesome that guitar is also. Just a great instrument, and also very versatile. And just so y'all know, I'm no PRS fan boy. I have several other custom shop Gibsons and Fenders and love and play them all. It's just the PRS seem to scratch the itch for me, usually. YMMV, of course ;)
I purchased two of the recommended PRS’s on this list (SE HB II and S2 Thinline) from Casino over the past few months and could not be happier! Guitars and dealer service both top rate!
Those along with the core 594 dc are my favourite PRS guitars (at any price)
The thinline and the se hollowbody 2 both have something that can’t be had in the core lineup.
The core lineup has no laminate guitars!
I really like the S2 McCarty 594. Ever since the S2s came out I had been waiting for a McCarty. Ill admit it, I'm a snob with some things, especially pickups and hardware. It went without says that I would replace the pickups with either Wagner or Fralins. But I was blown away with how much I like the 58/15S's sound. In the middle position with the coils tapped and strummed some chords, if I didnt know what I was playing, I'd swear it was an acoustic.
The hardest thing for me. I shopped around and play 15 LP's before I found mine. every PRS I have played just feels great right away. Sold my LP to get a PRS
When I first entered the ream of electrics, I felt like Goldilocks in a guitar store. Gibson LP was first pick but it was too heavy and had the D/G tuning problem I had to get used to. So I tried a Fender MIM Strat. Loved the feel & ergonomics but not the “glassy” sound. So I tried a PRS SE24. 8 PRS later they are still my fave-weight, features, craftsmanship, and they are gorgeous.
I've been playing for over 35 years, and only got into PRS two months ago. Since then, I've bought an S2 Vela, SE Custom 24, and an SE Standard 24. They are literally some of the all-around best guitars I've ever had. Don't think I'll be getting rid of any of them. :)
I tried an S2 satin semi-hollow Vela, and wanted to like it do bad but couldn't get along with the neck. I ended up buying a Godin Multiac, but that was the second PRS that I tried to like but couldn't. They might not be for me.
SC594 Goldtop with P90s. Yes please, I've kept my eye out for one of these for a bit. And if they did this in the S2 line, I couldn't resist.
i can’t wait for yalls podcast to come out!
At first I got a Custom 24. Gibson tuning issues frustrated me, so I read about the subject and tried a PRS. After, I sold a LP traditional to get a McCarty 594 and was a great decision. I still have other Gibson LP, a custom, which was always my dream guitar and thankfully doesn’t have the same tuning issues the traditional had. But the McCarty and the Custom 24 are more reliable IMO.
My first prs is mY ce24 and I LOVE IT
I had a S2 custom 24 35th anniversary model. Guitar was so pretty I was afraid to play it cause I didnt want to scratch it..so I sold it. Finally found an old Vela with bird inlays and its fantastic.
I’ve been eyeing the hollow-body ii piezo since I first saw them.
Guys..... the CE!!! How could you pass over the CE. Great tops, US PRS pickups, Maryland made.... I recently picked up one and was so blown away by it, I ordered a second 3 days later. I think the CE is probably the best built guitar for the dollar period. I've owned an S2 and the build was great but I'm not a fan of the import pickups and electronics. Once you jump to CE you get such better pickups!!
“It fixes some of the little eccentric things of the LP.” Like fighting the G string and the head stock falling off…ha. Sorry Gibson - still love y’all.
Maybe you just can't tune . Headstocks only break if you drop them ..
@@samright4661 you are right....I can't tune....hahaha! .
Stupid Gibson headstock design. Why would someone do that to an otherwise spectacular guitar? Doesn’t keep me from having one, but….
@@JiminTennessee same here. Never learned theory. Ha.
@@JiminTennessee I have a Les Paul I don't have any problems with tunning
Having toured their facility, is it true that they have wallpaper with their various models that you can touch and each guitar image will play a unique lick? Is there a boat ride involved?
What about tuning stability out of the box vs Gibson or epiphone
So i might be a little biased but i have owned several models from se to wood library
i think the se paul's guitar was great
and i really think the silver sky does a great job
as Paul said if only they have tried a lot of models the pickups on my paul s guitar has a lot of cool voices
and then silver sky does everything else
I turn 50 years old on 2024-07-23 and I want a PRS to celebrate. I'm saving up! Thanks for this video!
The CE24 is my favorite guitar they make.
I have a McCarty 594 Thinline and it is unreal good. It's so so good. It should be on everyone's list to check out...
I got a SE Custom 22 ‘semi hollow’ (like a thinline) and I love it. It’s beautiful to play with your fingers, high gain, turn the gtr volume down and just … stroke it lightly … and it will just respond and resonant and be beautiful, and then you dig in and it fkkn explodes
Two of the best PRS for the money #1 Vela #2 Silver Sky
I should have bought the 594-S2 thinline instead of the Epiphone '61 SG ... just saying. Thanks for another great video y'all
With a "Paul's" and a "594" do you get the ability to play single coil pick up and humbucker, and also combine them? I would need a thinner neck. Do either of them only come in thin necks?
Played the core custom 24 it was eh whatever. Then i tried the silversky which is a good guitar but too expensive for what i like to pay for a bolt on. But I've been getting major GAS for the DGT either in gold top or McCarthy tobacco burst with moon inlays.
Great video! Thanks for breaking them down! Like a kid at a candy store!
Oh that’s so easy….The PRS Lunar Ice Silver Sky….with maple neck…not many people can say they like every position of the pickup selector switch on their guitar. The one I tried out at the music store was a instant Strat love affair. I Want One so much….
I have a Korean Se custom 24 and it's an awesome guitar.
I have a Mark Holcomb SE and a Paul's guitar SE and the Paul's is the best playing guitar I have ever played and the holcomb is the best sounding guitar I have ever played for any genre
I've owned the 594 core, custom 24 core, Custom 24 CE, multiple SE's... but 100% my favorite of all time and i'll never sell it (and i sold all my american ones) SE Hollowbody Standard. Amazing guitar, its my number 1 player. If they made an american version of this , id buy it in a heart beat. (the american hollowbodies are carved tops, not traditional laiminent like the SE models)
that being said... an S2 custom 24 is on its way to my house from sweetwater right now lol..
PRS SE Tremonti for me. Can't fault it. Solid build quality. Bright sounding humbuckers.
The S2's are great value, the DGT is awesome. I have an 10 top McCarty Soapbar, 594 HBII Artisan and Special semi 22 Artisan. Hard to go wrong with PRS
Love my 408. Different guitar from Les Paul and Strat sounds
The 2021 re-release of the Studio with the narrow field humbuckers has me highly intrigued, but there's no way I can justify the cost for me. A bedroom player with aspirations to "go pro" as a musician.
I was completely sold by the silver sky (fixed all the problems I had with fender strats), and that led me to a baritone, and then the Les Paul I’d been searching for, 594 McCarty Single-cut, which finally sounded and played how I dreamed all of the Gibson and Epiphone Les Pauls would, but didn’t. And I managed to find one with a pretty subdued plain top in dark blue (I can’t handle that highly figured top). My goodness that 594 is good. I’m done searching for the perfect Les Paul.
Do I still dream of a Gibson Les Paul with a lemon burst / honey burst faded top with a 50s neck? Every. Goddamn. Day.
I spent 3-4 months looking for a Les Paul. Tried dozens looking for one that felt right. I knew the 594 was an alternative, but don't have reasonable access to them in my market. Fast forward a few months into my journey and I see 2 594's on the wall of my local shop. One was a SC semi hollow. An hour later I had to have a very very hard conversation with my wife.
Since that time the only other LP I would have considered that I have played was an R8, and I still think the 594 plays better.
The 594 was double my budget and I still slapped that money down.
A WAMP bah da bee bop a wamp bam boo
Tutti Frutti
They look so nice, but they don’t feel good in my hands. But I definitely like looking at them . Especially the 10 tops.
This video reminds me of a tee shirt my wife gave me for Christmas which has four guitar headstocks and has the caption, “Diversified Portfolio.” The guitars are a strat, les paul, tele and PRS. I have a strat, les paul and two teles. I think it may be time to balance my portfolio.
I’ve owned nearly a dozen of them and played dozens more, but I just cannot get attached to them in any way. My brother and I were discussing it and he came upon a point that I think may be my problem: they are a little bit too close to being perfect.
After decades of developing a playing style based around fighting LesPaul imperfections and fender foibles, it’s hard for me to settle in with a guitar that doesn’t have any real issues to speak of… And I’m fine with that. Thanks for another great video, fellas!
That’s a great great point and we have struggled with that same thing as well! We often laugh about it but you did nail it. There is that fight from the fender and Gibson that just feels “right” sometimes!
Thanks a ton for the thoughts and keep killing it out there!
I sure wish they would bring back the Swamp Ash Special with maple board. My all time favorite PRS
⚓️ Thanks Casino 😎
I LOVE my DGT!
I agree a gibson lp or prs 594 both great guitars but the 594 for me
I have a 2002 CE22 that guitar was my main guitar touring from 2006 to 2010 and if you open the case its probably in tune
I just wish I loved the necks. They look and sound great, but I've tried a pattern regular and thin and neither one excited me. It's a was bummer because they great deals
I have an se245, which is definitely a bang for buck option, like I’ve played $1200 les Paul’s that don’t play or feel the same
-PRS -------------------
Zach Meyers Semi-hollow Single Cut signature.
Mcarty 594 single cut.
Hollowbody Piezo
-Fender -------------------
Classic Strat - SSS Vintage Bridge - H.E.R. strat is a good example
Modern Strat - SSH Modern 2 point Bridge - Ultra/Luxe
Classic Telecaster - SS
Modern Telecaster - HH
Jazzmaster - Jazzmaster pickups and full traditional dials.
-Ibanez -------------------
Jem
PIA
Iceman - similar to Paul Stanley sig
-Gibson --------------------
LP -Classic or Trad Pro or both TBH
P-90 LP Goldtop
SG Standard
SG(LP) HHH Vibrola
Explorer
Flying V
Firebird - Traditional
Acoustic 12 string
-Martin -------------------
Acoustic 6 string Metal Strings
Acoustic 6 String Nylon Strings
-DanElectro ----------------
59'
-Hofner ---------------
Galaxie 175 Deluxe- 68'
-Gretsch-------------
Duo Jet
-Zemaitis---------------
MFG22
-BC Rich----------------
Warlock
-Rickenbacker------------------
350
The round sound collection where you have everything you could possibly need.
Love my 594!
The 509 never get's any love! I love mine! She cover's a lot of sound's and I like the scale length on the neck.😁
Cant go wrong with any of them really. Depends on ones price point. Did I mention how incredible it would be to own a Silver Sky Lunar Ice ? SUBLIME !!
So what's the PRS version of a custom shop R9? Does PRS care about tone wood?
Look at the new Joe Walsh 594 McCarty. About 7k
Zach Myers/Semi-Hollow in “Myers Blue”. Best DAMN guitar you can get for $850.
I like the weird PRS guitars, like the Mira and Vela. I would also dig the S2 Standard 22 in that nice antique white. Of course none of these are made left-handed, so I'm left in the dark day dreaming.
SE One Korina Single cut with a P-90. A crazy little offshore that appreciates?
I should have jumped when it was first offered
Dang! I just bought a 245. Miss it didn't I?
Jonathan … not trying to spend your money … but … I run that SE Hollowbody II Piezo through some acoustic IRs from 3 Sigma Audio and it sounds so much like a real acoustic that my sound guys have problems mixing it because they are use to EQ’ing fake piezo sounds from real acoustics. It genuinely sounds too authentic. Best part is my sole acoustic (Gib SJ 200) now stays at home for recording and I don’t have to worry about somebody knocking a few thousand dollars off a guitar stand. Also, that piezo goes a long way towards cleaning up those somewhat muddy stock pickups when rolled in just a tad.
Wish prs would get around to making a SE silversky
I love my Custom 22 Lefty, but I’m really dubious about the 24’s. To me they feel and sound a little off. But that’s a personal preference.
The reason I don't have a PRS is that there are too many variants I'm not satisfied with, and too few I am, and too many colors I think would be awesome (given that my favorite color and Paul's are very similar). I want a teal/blue (or maybe blue-violet) guitar that is curly or quilted maple on the front, also blue on the back and neck, and that is surprisingly hard to find for under ~$4k in PRS's line. Their site doesn't make it explicit what you're getting on the back, but, hey, that's the side *I'm* looking at when I'm playing it, and I freakin' hate black guitars. Natural's okay (but boring IMHO) if the entire thing is that color, but frankly just coloring the front seems like it's unfinished, and I wouldn't pay $1500 or $2500 for that (I have been tempted by a Zach Myers, but I ultimately know I'd be unhappy with it because of the non-matching back). So…that rules out about 80% of PRS Guitars right there without getting into any other features. So, I ordered a Warmoth. With a matching neck and headstock. :P
My 594 SC is one of my “grab in case of fire” guitars along with a custom shop ‘62 tele. Now if the tele had been built in the factory while Leo was running it…
I got a CE 24 (bolt-on) about 2 months ago, and I can't put it down.
The best PRS for me? The one that I can trade in for a decent 335!
7:39 We need a "PRS Wolverine" !!! With self-healing properties, and _three_ "whammy claws", it will sell like tools of joy!
I still haven't tried a Core Tremonti