Hey John, it was so awesome to meet you at the Vertical Horizon show in Salisbury, MA this week! You guys totally rocked the house! It was truly and honestly the best show I've ever seen. (My voice was sore the next day from singing along at the top of my lungs all night.). Your playing was rock solid! I have a less interesting PRS story. When I was in college in the late '80s, I worked in a music store in Worcester (Martin's Music....remember it? Near WPI) and wanted a PRS so badly...but couldn't even dream of affording one. The shop was a Washburn dealer, and I couldn't even afford the Washburn "knock off" of the PRS (RS-V10) with an employee discount! I didn't get my own PRS until 15 years after graduation, but never gave up on the dream of owning one. What a guitar! I honestly think it improved my playing just because it plays so well, you can't help but play better. Honestly, there is no other guitar even remotely in the same league. So glad you got yours back. Hope to see you again....underwater next time! Hello to Ron, Mark and Matt! Sending you good vibes on the tour.
Love your PRS and I love the stories, Wes! I had an emerald green flame maple 5 string PRS bass way back in 88. Unfortunately I sold it 10 years later and have regretted that decision ever since. Hold on to your baby! ❤
1989, winter in Key West, feeling like we were living in a kaleidoscope circus so many, many nights. But Rick's Upstairs, with Autodrive in residence, for awhile just might have been the center of the Universe. Truly leading edge.
Strange and wonderful times. And y'all were WORKING, Hard, for what...3, 4 or more sets a night. I appreciate even more now what a musical blessing it was too hear you and the band play so often and at such a high level..
Thank you for sharing this amazing story. Very cool to hear PRS get credit for designing a great-sounding, versatile guitar and -- more importantly -- making it attainable for a working musician who really needed it. The right tool for the job, at the right price.
The CE 24 series should get more respect. I had one about 20 years ago and after it got stolen from a friend's studio a went on to get a custom 22 with his compensation money and, while that is a great guitar too, I found it sounded and felt great for some things rather than beeing the all rounder my CE was for me. For years I thought that beat up CE was "the one that got away" for me and kept trying to see it pop up in used guitar adds up until last year when I finally gave up and bought a brand new one instead. To my surprise that feeling it could do everything came back the moment I plugged it in. The neck was the perfect balance between fast yet not wafer thin, the tone had that humbucker growl yet was bright enough to cut through when needed and that bar was just miles ahead of anything else I played through the years. To me this should be seen as Paul Reed Smiths masterpiece, a true workhorse guitar that takes what the strat is and takes it to the next level.
Yeah man, when they built the main guitar I use now, I had them use a wide thin profile like the neck on a CE and I still love it. The CE is such a workhorse.
I couldn't afford a decent guitar either, but I fell in love with PRS, among other things, because of the sound you were able to get from that guitar. I love Porcupine tree and all your contribution to the band's sound, also your solo albums are amazing, so it was an inspiration for me ever since I heard You and Steven playing on PRS. it was like magic for me, I didn't want to have any other guitar so... I built my own Prs 22 custom :) and i love it, it's looks and sounds great, shame i have so litttle of time to play... :( Enyway... great story, I love your yt channel it's like a good book on a winter night by the crackling fire sorry for bad english ;) cheers from Poland :)
Thank you! Yes the PRS guitars have saved me many times... I hope to get back to Poland one of these days, one of my favorite countries to perform in. Again... thank you!
Wow...greatly appreciated, those were good times. That was an amazing touring cycle and of course Glasgow is one of my favorite cities...many good friends there!
I loved my 2000 CE 22, both you and SW signed it after a PT show in Cleveland! Unfortunately I had to let it go... I remember having a discussion about this guitar!
I thought I recognized that guitar from P-Tree. It's a beauty! I love PRS - it's great that you've been playing them for 35 yrs. What a special story! Yes, I hope your son is very careful with it. 😆 I bet your old guitar tech felt horrible for dinging it. 🎸
Man... I wish I could say "one line of PRS Guitars" is so much better than another. But what I have found, is that it comes down to each guitar. If you find a PRS SE that is killer... think of it this way, the most expensive Tele from the 50's was just a block of wood cut on a ban saw and sold for 125 bucks, but some of them...are amazing, some are ..not. I have played some mind blowing SE's... enjoy the guitars you connect with.
If you really want to be entertained, check out the full video here: ua-cam.com/video/w9Kkx9dalyQ/v-deo.htmlsi=zh0HGT-CHaHCpF2J I would have been 27 or 28!
Hi John, Do you know if that is an alder or mahogany body? I have a couple of older (early 90s) CE 24s . One’s alder (light, bright) & the other’s a flame maple top on mahogany back (a good bit heavier). Love em both! I know the CEs were not the top of the line PRS model, and the bird inlays on the customs look pretty sweet compared to plain dots, but man, the CE is one helluva engineered and well-made instrument. Thanks for sharing the journey. Glad to have seen you live at a few stops (DC and Baltimore area) along the way! ~Brendan
Really enjoying the channel! Are you able to do playthroughs of the guitar parts you played while touring with Porcupine Tree, or are there copyright concerns with that? I only ask cause I have no doubt that would bring a lot of new viewers to your channel.
Ya know... I have been asked several times about that very thing. I am not sure what the reaction would be from the Tree camp, and prefer to just leave it. For now, I'll let it be and work on other things. You never now how things will develop and thanks for asking!
Hey John, it was so awesome to meet you at the Vertical Horizon show in Salisbury, MA this week! You guys totally rocked the house! It was truly and honestly the best show I've ever seen. (My voice was sore the next day from singing along at the top of my lungs all night.). Your playing was rock solid! I have a less interesting PRS story. When I was in college in the late '80s, I worked in a music store in Worcester (Martin's Music....remember it? Near WPI) and wanted a PRS so badly...but couldn't even dream of affording one. The shop was a Washburn dealer, and I couldn't even afford the Washburn "knock off" of the PRS (RS-V10) with an employee discount! I didn't get my own PRS until 15 years after graduation, but never gave up on the dream of owning one. What a guitar! I honestly think it improved my playing just because it plays so well, you can't help but play better. Honestly, there is no other guitar even remotely in the same league. So glad you got yours back. Hope to see you again....underwater next time! Hello to Ron, Mark and Matt! Sending you good vibes on the tour.
Love your PRS and I love the stories, Wes! I had an emerald green flame maple 5 string PRS bass way back in 88. Unfortunately I sold it 10 years later and have regretted that decision ever since. Hold on to your baby! ❤
I bet that was an amazing bass! Will hold now! Got really lucky the first time!
1989, winter in Key West, feeling like we were living in a kaleidoscope circus so many, many nights. But Rick's Upstairs, with Autodrive in residence, for awhile just might have been the center of the Universe. Truly leading edge.
Wow, yeah man. That was an amazing time...surreal. I think back on those nights sometimes and it feels like a Fellini film. Unreal.
Strange and wonderful times. And y'all were WORKING, Hard, for what...3, 4 or more sets a night. I appreciate even more now what a musical blessing it was too hear you and the band play so often and at such a high level..
Thank you for sharing this amazing story. Very cool to hear PRS get credit for designing a great-sounding, versatile guitar and -- more importantly -- making it attainable for a working musician who really needed it. The right tool for the job, at the right price.
The right tool at the right time. And still is...
I love “ that’s how they do that” moments. 🎸 . Thank you for sharing the stories from your journey.
Awe, thank you Karin!
Wow! That guitar has stood the test of time.
yeah man... some wear and tear, replace the consumable parts and keep going...
Beautiful guitar! Great job on the new channel. Really enjoying all the stories.
Thank you Lee! She is a still a beauty after all of those miles!
Guitar stories, a great addition to your channel love this and look forward to hearing more.
Thank you Marc! More to come...
The CE 24 series should get more respect. I had one about 20 years ago and after it got stolen from a friend's studio a went on to get a custom 22 with his compensation money and, while that is a great guitar too, I found it sounded and felt great for some things rather than beeing the all rounder my CE was for me. For years I thought that beat up CE was "the one that got away" for me and kept trying to see it pop up in used guitar adds up until last year when I finally gave up and bought a brand new one instead. To my surprise that feeling it could do everything came back the moment I plugged it in. The neck was the perfect balance between fast yet not wafer thin, the tone had that humbucker growl yet was bright enough to cut through when needed and that bar was just miles ahead of anything else I played through the years. To me this should be seen as Paul Reed Smiths masterpiece, a true workhorse guitar that takes what the strat is and takes it to the next level.
Yeah man, when they built the main guitar I use now, I had them use a wide thin profile like the neck on a CE and I still love it. The CE is such a workhorse.
It does sound amazing, I have seen it live in action and it was fantastic indeed! ❤
You most certainly have!
I have an early 2000’s CE22 that I absolutely love
They get better with age...
I couldn't afford a decent guitar either, but I fell in love with PRS, among other things, because of the sound you were able to get from that guitar. I love Porcupine tree and all your contribution to the band's sound, also your solo albums are amazing, so it was an inspiration for me ever since I heard You and Steven playing on PRS. it was like magic for me, I didn't want to have any other guitar so... I built my own Prs 22 custom :) and i love it, it's looks and sounds great, shame i have so litttle of time to play... :(
Enyway... great story, I love your yt channel it's like a good book on a winter night by the crackling fire
sorry for bad english ;) cheers from Poland :)
Thank you! Yes the PRS guitars have saved me many times... I hope to get back to Poland one of these days, one of my favorite countries to perform in. Again... thank you!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist I can't wait to see You again on stage than 😁
Yes!!!
@@uPerun
Me too!@@uPerun
Awesome story buddy
Fred!!!!
Love the ending Baby Face!!
Long time ago on a planet far far away and... less grey...
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist Like a fine wine... only better with time! 🍷
CE line are some of the most underrated guitars ever
Agreed!!!
Cool video Wes. Met you in Glasgow Scotland in 09 while you were touring with Porcupine Tree. You were the highlight of those live shows!
Wow...greatly appreciated, those were good times. That was an amazing touring cycle and of course Glasgow is one of my favorite cities...many good friends there!
I loved my 2000 CE 22, both you and SW signed it after a PT show in Cleveland! Unfortunately I had to let it go... I remember having a discussion about this guitar!
Yeah man... still going!
Amazing story!
Thank you...
and, great tunes on your page man!
🤗Thank you so much! I have just got back to releasing music after a long break so it means a lot you saying that.
I thought I recognized that guitar from P-Tree. It's a beauty! I love PRS - it's great that you've been playing them for 35 yrs. What a special story! Yes, I hope your son is very careful with it. 😆 I bet your old guitar tech felt horrible for dinging it. 🎸
It was there...!
Killer story Wes, she's a beauty !
Thank you!
Great vid Wes you are a natural! you know I love that guitar!
Thanks brother... and thanks for being such an important part of her journey... need to connect soon and get you on here!
I have an S2 but really want a CE. I prefer a bolt-on to a set neck, but the price on CE's are hard to justify. Maybe someday.
Man... I wish I could say "one line of PRS Guitars" is so much better than another. But what I have found, is that it comes down to each guitar. If you find a PRS SE that is killer... think of it this way, the most expensive Tele from the 50's was just a block of wood cut on a ban saw and sold for 125 bucks, but some of them...are amazing, some are ..not. I have played some mind blowing SE's... enjoy the guitars you connect with.
And that last video is wow! How young were you then?
If you really want to be entertained, check out the full video here: ua-cam.com/video/w9Kkx9dalyQ/v-deo.htmlsi=zh0HGT-CHaHCpF2J
I would have been 27 or 28!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist thanks for the link! Wow!
Hi John,
Do you know if that is an alder or mahogany body? I have a couple of older (early 90s) CE 24s . One’s alder (light, bright) & the other’s a flame maple top on mahogany back (a good bit heavier). Love em both!
I know the CEs were not the top of the line PRS model, and the bird inlays on the customs look pretty sweet compared to plain dots, but man, the CE is one helluva engineered and well-made instrument.
Thanks for sharing the journey. Glad to have seen you live at a few stops (DC and Baltimore area) along the way!
~Brendan
I am going to say Mahogany, it's got some heft to it for it's thickness. It's a true workhorse...
Really enjoying the channel!
Are you able to do playthroughs of the guitar parts you played while touring with Porcupine Tree, or are there copyright concerns with that?
I only ask cause I have no doubt that would bring a lot of new viewers to your channel.
Ya know... I have been asked several times about that very thing. I am not sure what the reaction would be from the Tree camp, and prefer to just leave it. For now, I'll let it be and work on other things. You never now how things will develop and thanks for asking!
FNM 🤘🏻
Yep!