A few important things: 1) Weight 7lbs 4oz. I think the other was other one was 7lbs 12oz. 2) Thanks to those who mentioned I reversed the pickup animations. 3) I can now also hear the push/pull. Sometimes you spend a crazy amount of time on an edit and everything starts to blur together lol. It's subtle, but that's not a bad thing.
I really appreciate the level of detail, but especially the honesty of all of your reviews. Sadly, I don't think many companies will want to work with you, due to the fact that you're so honest. Phil McKnight has that problem, many companies who work with other youtubers will not provide him with their product, because he won't give positive reviews on things that don't deserve them, nor allow them to preview the videos he makes before posting them. Keep up the good work, sir!
The push pull tone switch is a Myles Kennedy specific thing If you listen and watch live performance of a song like blackbird he turns the tone knob It is easy way of switching between lead and rhythm for him
@@andrefludd Noticed that too but Andre's reviews are so so thorough that im suprised this doesnt happen more often, I really cant grasp how much editing must take place, love the vids
The best gear review channel on youtube. I thought the tone demo was especially well done and really showcased what you could expect from the instrument.
The tone selection reminds me of my Tele Nashville, except they got the 3 pickup effect into 2 pickups with clever switching choices. Also not having to mess with separate coil split switches. I concur with others here that your reviews and thorough and honest. You don't shill for junk like I've seen on other channels.
No such thing as an over explained, over detailed or too much anything… this is what we want and need, thank you as usual giving everything on you vids, they are the best! Really feel your enjoyment through the camera when going in depth about any instrument, this is the closest one can get to the instrument before actually getting it! Thank you again sir, huge hug!
I got mine at Crossroads 2023… I absolutely love it! It feels great in my lap. The neck feels awesome, and it sounds fantastic. It is one of my favorite PRS. Paul signed mine at Crossroads.
Awesome review, Dr. Fludd! My only nitpick is that Myles’s official demo says that the push-pull pot only works for the bridge position. I’m glad you went in depth with the neck profile because other than the price tag, that would be the only thing keeping me from buying. As for the haters, I think people seeing a T shape get upset because they expect it to be a “Tele clone” when Myles intended to build a guitar that fits his needs and the shape is only 1 component. Keep up the good work!
Not mentioning a word about neck profile is selling to a noob audience, not real players, and our local friend Darrell Braun seems to be stuck with the role of catering to that niche audience while being generally super supportive the brand. They’re dazzled about buying new interesting guitars which js cool too but also knowing about your personal best neck profiles helps you avoid purchase errors and advance as a player.
@@j_freed Darrell liked this guitar, but generally doesn’t like PRS Guitars - he has plenty of videos where he highlights their build quality, but that they are too sterile for his tastes? The neck profile on this sounds like a thick 50s style neck. I’ll definitely avoid due to that, so thanks Andre for pointing this out - slim 60s style necks for me.
@@PrisonerD that's cool, I think some other players also do evolve towards thicker necks over time and develop stronger hands and then they find they can play heavier strings. My case, big hands. I love a 1 inch boat neck
I’m here because of the Parker p38 video you did which I have and need help with improvements. I’m officially a Patreon member. Keep pumping out the videos ANDRE!!!!!
Love your work, Andre… I think the red dot animation delineating the switch position may be mirrored to the actual position. Keep doing what you do, I’m sure your community will keep growing! 🎸🤘🏻
Thanks for the honest and unsponsored review. Most of the guitar UA-cam space feels like one giant paid advertisement, so it’s refreshing to watch something like this
I think Paul is the greatest guitar hype man of the modern age. Like the Billy Mays of guitars. He BELIEVES in his products. What I admire about him is that if a reviewer is critical, he will watch it and ask to come on and discuss it. Figure out what went wrong. He’s not afraid of critical press. He’s less visible now than he was, but their reputation is now solidified by Mayer and the Silver Sky.
I'm just glad you actually said "Tele" and "Telecaster" ... I get so sick of people only referring to Teles as "T-Style" and Strats as "S-Style" because that comes off like they're reading from the corporate marketing materials that were approved by legal (in other words; inauthentic AF).
some photos look like the guitar is a 3 piece ash body.... however some look like a single piece. Seems more evident on the cutaway and the top angle looking down towards the cutaway and strap button. Can you please confirm how many pieces of ash the guitar is made from?
In Australia, this guitar is about $Aud 6000. That is getting into Fender Custom shop tele money territory in Australia. And for that money why don’t you get a hard case. Maybe PRS will do an S2 or SE model.
agreed. its criminal what they are charging. could get so many other t style guitars. top of the range from suhr, fender, charvel, schecter, ibanez, reverend, g&l, esp etc.
What gets me about these guitars (and not just PRS) is that 70 years after, companies still can’t come up with a new idea? Is a telecaster really the best they can do? Why not another Strat clone??? Thanks for the review. I enjoy your videos.
Maybe it’s because they already got the idea of the the guitar right more than half a century ago. We don’t need new ideas regarding the guitar. We need new ideas from guitar players. Not new guitars.
It's exactly what sells. It's familiar enough to 'classic' guitar people. Paul's earlier Strat SSS pickup guitar designs failed hard in the market. Too different. Name one EB Music Man shape that's really original and sells all that well. And they do try... every too-weird Gibson body shape died off... even the 50's Explorer and Vee (priceless now) were not wildly received at the time, and that was from classic Gibson. They even discontinued the maple-top LP Standard until it caught on years later. People can be reactionary.
Also, I'll point out this strategy is working for PRS and their margin for screw on neck slab bodies has to be way higher than for a pricier Core model. Hail Leo Fender... wow, these things cost over 4000 bucks in Canada. What am I getting out of that? I must ask.
The basic acoustic guitar shape has been around for hundreds of years? Other than adding a cutaway for upper fret access, it really hasn’t changed. In that sense there is a lot more variation with electric guitars.
I think you are underestimating the impact of subtle alterations can have on the playability of guitars. I know from my USA tremonti the 10 in radius, small lower horn carve, tummy cut, 25 in scale length and other features in of themselves might not seem groundbreaking but they are subtle improvements that creates a wholly unique instrument. It plays so much better than any les paul I've ever tried so I'd imagine for certain players the MK might just be that for a tele player
Thank you for another in-depth review! You're awesome. The problem with this guitar is that the Ibanez Prestige AZS series exists, their take on a Tele-style guitar. For $2k new ($1000 less than this), you get stainless steel frets, a roasted maple neck and the modern sound capabilities thanks to the dyna-mix sound switching system. And you even bring that guitar up at the end of the video! I'd like to see you try one. Maybe you can contact sweetwater and ask if you can get a loaner guitar to try in exchange for a plug?
I wish Ibanez would adopt a switching system similar to PRS though. I’ve thought about that tele but the alter switch is just so clunky vs a 5 way, and there’s no coil split on the neck!
I got a chance to play one of these today. If you're a super-fan of very thin necks, like the Ibanez RG series - you may not like this guitar. But I own an Ibanez AZ prestige model, and this PRS Miles Kennedy felt amazing to me. I really appreciated the feel of the chunky neck. I'm also a fan of the Silver Sky, and love the way it feels and sounds, but this Miles Kennedy model just made its way onto my short list of "must have" guitars. The feel, the sounds, and the quality of the workmanship were pretty stellar imho.
gonna put a trem on it? just took delivery of a Bootlegger Spade with Alchemy floating trem, HSH pickups and coil split; 5 way switch, 24 frets, rosewood fret board, 5-piece maple neck through...letting it acclimate overnight. Also comes with a hardshell case. Made in Korea. Body wings are Swamp Ash. edit: not crazy about the color, I prefer solid colors, white, black, blue...purple.
Another outstanding video - the level of detail you go into is always instructive and insightful. I hadn't seen any other reviews of this model as I wasn't interested in it (although I'd seen the thumbnails so I knew it existed), but I could definitely hear a (slight) difference between the pickups when the switch was engaged. It wasn't obvious but, listening through headphones, there was a slight but noticeable difference in my opinion. It's still not something I'd buy but I'm always impressed with how thorough your reviews are.
Seems like a great, all-in-one package. It's got the classic bluesy tones, and also roars with heavy distortion for metal rhythm playing. That finish has always been my favorite tele finish too. It's the aesthetic...natural, almost butterscotch-looking finish with the black guard. If I had the money, this would have probably been my perfect guitar as a 15 year old who loved Iron Maiden and Metallica but was also into bands like Cinderella, and really any artist who could play lead guitar really well. It would have cut down on the headaches of trying to figure out what guitar to buy. You've got a point as well about other companies who charge as much and more but don't innovate.
Always interesting to see new teles. I've got an FGN Iliad - from FujiGen, the factory that makes a lot of Ibanez and used to make Fender Japan's stuff. Much lower price, but a good deal, overall. If they're available in the US, I'd be very curious to see what you think of them - I think their introductory line is like $550-600 USD? I paid in yen, but I know they're overseas now too. They've got "Classic" and "Modern" lines without and with body contours, different neck joints, pickups and switching, etc.
I liked the detail you provided with the neck. For me, the feel of the neck is the most important thing and what I pay attention to with reviews. These 2023 prices are out of touch with reality. Not many people could afford a $2000 guitar 3 years ago. My guess is most people still can’t afford $2000 now and $3000 is laughable. Not many consumer products have gone up 33.33…% in 3 years. Not 1 component in that guitar costs 33% more now than it did 3 years ago. I also doubt PRS is paying their employees 33% more. Maybe in 5 years, average yearly wages will increase enough for these 2023 prices? The markups with guitars is out-of-balance with the economy.
I love your vids, I watch them all the time, I love the super in-depth approach. If you can get your hands on an FGN guitar you won’t regret it. It would be awesome to watch you take it through its paces. Peace and all the best to you and everyone you love.
Definitely heard a difference between the pot up and down. I could blind test it for sure. There was a slightly warmer sound, and it was very sweet. Definitely has a place in a mix.
That push pull pot sounds to me like it cuts a little of high end, not a lot, but like rolling your tone knob down to 8 or something. Subtle, but I like it
IMHO, the best Tele is your spec Warmorth neck and body (pine or ash), your pick of Fralin, Lollar, pickups, and early Tele or Esquire wiring. My bias favors six saddle bridges and vintage slotted, tuck hole tuners. Production model, I'd go with G&L made in USA custom ASAT stuff.
In the pickup variations part beginning about 10.30, do you have this the wrong way round? The graphic is saying you start at the bridge and end at the neck, but you actually do the opposite.
Very nice review. I really like your thorough approach. When you did the push pull pot demo I could definitely here the difference on position one (full bridge) but I could not hear the difference in position 4. One other thing…LOVED the way you used the pick up diagram with your playing of each position. I think if you go back…at the very end you were back on position one and the diagram showed position 5…maybe something you could edit…but just wanted you to know. Love your channel!!
Great Stuff Doc! Very nice assortment of usable tones. I am a Major Fan of PRS, but I have Fenders, Gibsons and more. I Find myself always reaching for my Green Machine Custom 24. It's just a great feel and tends to play itself.
Is it possible to change the pickups for a humbucker in single shape ? If not then for me it is problematic . Even in Fender teles people like to change the pickups for more vintage or modern tone . That said - I'm surprised that the push-pull knob doesn't boost the volume , which is a good news .
I couldn't hear a difference at all on the cleans. But I heard it dampen on the crunchy tone for sure. I wonder if the darkness intensifies if the gain is pushed higher and higher
I wouldn't have expected something like this from PRS, seems like a very interesting guitar compared to a traditional telecaster. Have you ever tried any guitars from Legator ?. I would love to hear your opinion on that brand. I recently bought one.
There were three, I bought the first one and you got the second. It's not a Tele in my book, it's another versatile PRS. It doesn't feel or sound like any of the four Teles I have.
10:23 Are the pickup diagrams below the video different than what he's playing? He pushes the switch all the way down and diagram show the switch all the way to the right.
Thanks! That position 4 clean is saweet. I love the comfort carves too. Don't know why Fender hasn't figured out how to do the later on a Tele after 70 yrs.
Nice review. I would personally never pay that amount of money for a Tele style guitar, but I also don't really feel that it's a traditional tele either. There can be some comparisons made like you mentioned, but at the end of the day it is a morphed tele "style" guitar. On a side note, I don't think these guitars look pretty either.
I really love these pickups' sound as humbucker but im not really feeling it when it's split...they just don't have the oomph, for a lack of better word
Did you really buy that guitar? Also, you're comparing it against a cheap Squier? How about doing a comparison against the Fender American Ultra Tele. Thanks.
7:00 in and wanted to add so people really understand size difference and while it might not seem like a lot, it does make a huge difference. Side note, my work self was crying (from laughing and realizing the difference in worlds, but in all good fun) watching you measure the neck/strings & frets with the verniers and how you were calling out the numbers. It’s a strange world watching other people use it when it’s so normal at work for me. ANYWAYS. I personally use 9-46 on my 25.5” Standard E guitars. I have a 25.5” guitar in drop B with 12-60. This translates to (using the verniers for measurement) .009”-.046” for E and .012”-.060” for B. Now think about setting up E standard with the 12-60. The high string has a difference of only .003” (literally less than the thickness of a sticky note), but that is a WORLD of difference in feel and RIP to fingertips trying to do bends. Now imagine the difference in neck size which is .020”+. Ok back to the video.
Back again: Pot up comparison to pot down, I hear a SUPER slight difference. Using my apple AirPods while watching. I think it’s super subtle. I’m not sure if I’m hearing the highs cut a little bit or maybe a little bit more mids added? I don’t know EQ and how to describe sound and if that’s even a possibility - I’m an active bridge humbucker metal caveman. It sounds rounded off a little, but I think only cause I’m listening with little speakers directly in my ear. Through a cab or monitors I’m not sure if I’d hear the difference.
I usually like almost everything that PRS comes out with. I loved my two USA models when I played PRS, and I never had to do anything to fix them. They were nice out of the box, and they stayed that way for the years that I played my Custom 24 and SC245. I did regular maintenance, and they were amazing. likewise, since the company moved the SE line to the Cort factory? They have been almost as good as the USA versions! I played the DGT, and I played all of the Custom SE models. They were amazing. Andre, my dude... This guitar is visually offensive. Maybe it plays really well. Maybe I could make it sound absolutely beautiful. But aesthetics matter, and I hate it. LOL. I love your Parker guitars. I like your Strandberg! I like MOST guitars! This one? Im sorry man! lol.
It seems PRS has been trying to make these 'classic inspired' guitars for a while and have just been waiting for an artist to use them as a signature model for. Who knows maybe we'll get a PRS explorer / flying V with as a signature for a metal dude.
A few important things:
1) Weight 7lbs 4oz. I think the other was other one was 7lbs 12oz.
2) Thanks to those who mentioned I reversed the pickup animations.
3) I can now also hear the push/pull. Sometimes you spend a crazy amount of time on an edit and everything starts to blur together lol. It's subtle, but that's not a bad thing.
I really appreciate the level of detail, but especially the honesty of all of your reviews. Sadly, I don't think many companies will want to work with you, due to the fact that you're so honest. Phil McKnight has that problem, many companies who work with other youtubers will not provide him with their product, because he won't give positive reviews on things that don't deserve them, nor allow them to preview the videos he makes before posting them. Keep up the good work, sir!
He can definitely get review gear, so long as he brands this as a media endeavor.
To their credit, PRS still sends Phil a lot of gear to review. He's been very critical of them on occasion -- and directly to Paul himself.
With Philip McKnight I just look at the Guitars on his walls and trust that if he kept them they're good enough 😁
You must’ve just watched Phil’s live Q&A the other day…
Where he also mentioned American companies don’t ‘get it’.
Thanks for reviewing this, Dr. Thanos.
A dr with a 50% mortality rate
That’s hilarious 😂😂
The push pull tone switch is a Myles Kennedy specific thing
If you listen and watch live performance of a song like blackbird he turns the tone knob
It is easy way of switching between lead and rhythm for him
FYI - Highlights in the position chart for the sound demo are reversed.
Great review!
Face palm* thanks for pointing that out.
@@andrefludd Noticed that too but Andre's reviews are so so thorough that im suprised this doesnt happen more often, I really cant grasp how much editing must take place, love the vids
2:48 that's not a les paul studio. That's a les paul special. But I do think you're spot on with the comparison!
I'm noticing the improvements to your editing over time. Definitely is adding some more energy to the videos!
Thanks for noticing, Mike. This one took me a long time but it was a lot of fun.
I feel that. Editing is already time consuming, but adding that extra bit of sauce adds even more.
That extra effort is not going unnoticed!! Great stuff Andre!
Agreed, the overlays are great
Dude ur videos have quickly become some of my favorites here on UA-cam.
"Tele Quantification Matrix" is totally the name of my new side project.
As someone who appreciates attention to detail, your information & reviews are stellar! Thanks
The best gear review channel on youtube. I thought the tone demo was especially well done and really showcased what you could expect from the instrument.
Thank you! Working on some equally innovative lessons ;)
I found your channel like a month ago and I you are my favorite music channel for demo´s! I love your channel and playing! Keep creating content man🙌
The tone selection reminds me of my Tele Nashville, except they got the 3 pickup effect into 2 pickups with clever switching choices. Also not having to mess with separate coil split switches. I concur with others here that your reviews and thorough and honest. You don't shill for junk like I've seen on other channels.
Agree 100%
Great review! Liked how you pointed out the innovations PRS has made on the T-style at a decent cost.
No such thing as an over explained, over detailed or too much anything… this is what we want and need, thank you as usual giving everything on you vids, they are the best! Really feel your enjoyment through the camera when going in depth about any instrument, this is the closest one can get to the instrument before actually getting it! Thank you again sir, huge hug!
I appreciate that thank you!
I got mine at Crossroads 2023… I absolutely love it! It feels great in my lap. The neck feels awesome, and it sounds fantastic. It is one of my favorite PRS.
Paul signed mine at Crossroads.
The best non Fender Telecaster is the Yamaha Mike Stern model. 👌
Awesome review, Dr. Fludd! My only nitpick is that Myles’s official demo says that the push-pull pot only works for the bridge position. I’m glad you went in depth with the neck profile because other than the price tag, that would be the only thing keeping me from buying.
As for the haters, I think people seeing a T shape get upset because they expect it to be a “Tele clone” when Myles intended to build a guitar that fits his needs and the shape is only 1 component.
Keep up the good work!
But the PRS chart said something else. Idk lol thanks for supporting Zack.
Not mentioning a word about neck profile is selling to a noob audience, not real players, and our local friend Darrell Braun seems to be stuck with the role of catering to that niche audience while being generally super supportive the brand.
They’re dazzled about buying new interesting guitars which js cool too but also knowing about your personal best neck profiles helps you avoid purchase errors and advance as a player.
@@j_freed Darrell liked this guitar, but generally doesn’t like PRS Guitars - he has plenty of videos where he highlights their build quality, but that they are too sterile for his tastes? The neck profile on this sounds like a thick 50s style neck. I’ll definitely avoid due to that, so thanks Andre for pointing this out - slim 60s style necks for me.
@@PrisonerD that's cool, I think some other players also do evolve towards thicker necks over time and develop stronger hands and then they find they can play heavier strings.
My case, big hands. I love a 1 inch boat neck
I’m here because of the Parker p38 video you did which I have and need help with improvements. I’m officially a Patreon member. Keep pumping out the videos ANDRE!!!!!
Talk to you soon on Patreon :). Thanks for supporting!
I'm really curious how this compares to a G&L ASAT special with MFD jumbo single coils.
Love your work, Andre… I think the red dot animation delineating the switch position may be mirrored to the actual position. Keep doing what you do, I’m sure your community will keep growing! 🎸🤘🏻
Thanks for the honest and unsponsored review. Most of the guitar UA-cam space feels like one giant paid advertisement, so it’s refreshing to watch something like this
I think Paul is the greatest guitar hype man of the modern age. Like the Billy Mays of guitars. He BELIEVES in his products.
What I admire about him is that if a reviewer is critical, he will watch it and ask to come on and discuss it. Figure out what went wrong. He’s not afraid of critical press.
He’s less visible now than he was, but their reputation is now solidified by Mayer and the Silver Sky.
The Owl is Myles kennedy Album logo
I'm just glad you actually said "Tele" and "Telecaster" ... I get so sick of people only referring to Teles as "T-Style" and Strats as "S-Style" because that comes off like they're reading from the corporate marketing materials that were approved by legal (in other words; inauthentic AF).
some photos look like the guitar is a 3 piece ash body.... however some look like a single piece. Seems more evident on the cutaway and the top angle looking down towards the cutaway and strap button. Can you please confirm how many pieces of ash the guitar is made from?
In Australia, this guitar is about $Aud 6000. That is getting into Fender Custom shop tele money territory in Australia. And for that money why don’t you get a hard case. Maybe PRS will do an S2 or SE model.
agreed. its criminal what they are charging. could get so many other t style guitars. top of the range from suhr, fender, charvel, schecter, ibanez, reverend, g&l, esp etc.
What gets me about these guitars (and not just PRS) is that 70 years after, companies still can’t come up with a new idea? Is a telecaster really the best they can do? Why not another Strat clone??? Thanks for the review. I enjoy your videos.
Maybe it’s because they already got the idea of the the guitar right more than half a century ago. We don’t need new ideas regarding the guitar. We need new ideas from guitar players. Not new guitars.
It's exactly what sells. It's familiar enough to 'classic' guitar people. Paul's earlier Strat SSS pickup guitar designs failed hard in the market. Too different.
Name one EB Music Man shape that's really original and sells all that well. And they do try... every too-weird Gibson body shape died off... even the 50's Explorer and Vee (priceless now) were not wildly received at the time, and that was from classic Gibson. They even discontinued the maple-top LP Standard until it caught on years later. People can be reactionary.
Also, I'll point out this strategy is working for PRS and their margin for screw on neck slab bodies has to be way higher than for a pricier Core model. Hail Leo Fender... wow, these things cost over 4000 bucks in Canada. What am I getting out of that? I must ask.
The basic acoustic guitar shape has been around for hundreds of years? Other than adding a cutaway for upper fret access, it really hasn’t changed. In that sense there is a lot more variation with electric guitars.
I think you are underestimating the impact of subtle alterations can have on the playability of guitars. I know from my USA tremonti the 10 in radius, small lower horn carve, tummy cut, 25 in scale length and other features in of themselves might not seem groundbreaking but they are subtle improvements that creates a wholly unique instrument. It plays so much better than any les paul I've ever tried so I'd imagine for certain players the MK might just be that for a tele player
Thank you for another in-depth review! You're awesome.
The problem with this guitar is that the Ibanez Prestige AZS series exists, their take on a Tele-style guitar. For $2k new ($1000 less than this), you get stainless steel frets, a roasted maple neck and the modern sound capabilities thanks to the dyna-mix sound switching system. And you even bring that guitar up at the end of the video! I'd like to see you try one. Maybe you can contact sweetwater and ask if you can get a loaner guitar to try in exchange for a plug?
I wish Ibanez would adopt a switching system similar to PRS though. I’ve thought about that tele but the alter switch is just so clunky vs a 5 way, and there’s no coil split on the neck!
Nice guitars!
Japan beats USA most of the time. I think Ibañez/ Hoshino Gakki will only get more expensive and even better.
I keep wondering why you "only" have 17k subs. Keep up the good work and have a wonderful day ;)
I’m building a Warmoth Tele and MJT Tele. Both will cost under $2900 combined. I own s PRS SC Korina SE but I’m not a PRS fanboy.
I got a chance to play one of these today. If you're a super-fan of very thin necks, like the Ibanez RG series - you may not like this guitar. But I own an Ibanez AZ prestige model, and this PRS Miles Kennedy felt amazing to me. I really appreciated the feel of the chunky neck. I'm also a fan of the Silver Sky, and love the way it feels and sounds, but this Miles Kennedy model just made its way onto my short list of "must have" guitars. The feel, the sounds, and the quality of the workmanship were pretty stellar imho.
The owl is from Myles Kennedy solo album, "The Ides of March"
I love how honest you are in your reviews, man!
gonna put a trem on it?
just took delivery of a Bootlegger Spade with Alchemy floating trem, HSH pickups and coil split; 5 way switch, 24 frets, rosewood fret board, 5-piece maple neck through...letting it acclimate overnight. Also comes with a hardshell case. Made in Korea. Body wings are Swamp Ash.
edit: not crazy about the color, I prefer solid colors, white, black, blue...purple.
No this isn’t a mod guitar lol
Another outstanding video - the level of detail you go into is always instructive and insightful. I hadn't seen any other reviews of this model as I wasn't interested in it (although I'd seen the thumbnails so I knew it existed), but I could definitely hear a (slight) difference between the pickups when the switch was engaged. It wasn't obvious but, listening through headphones, there was a slight but noticeable difference in my opinion. It's still not something I'd buy but I'm always impressed with how thorough your reviews are.
Thanks Simon :)
Seems like a great, all-in-one package. It's got the classic bluesy tones, and also roars with heavy distortion for metal rhythm playing. That finish has always been my favorite tele finish too. It's the aesthetic...natural, almost butterscotch-looking finish with the black guard. If I had the money, this would have probably been my perfect guitar as a 15 year old who loved Iron Maiden and Metallica but was also into bands like Cinderella, and really any artist who could play lead guitar really well. It would have cut down on the headaches of trying to figure out what guitar to buy.
You've got a point as well about other companies who charge as much and more but don't innovate.
3,000$ guitars? I don’t own a $300 guitar. 😂
The bridge is from the PRS Vela.
An interesting blend of modern and vintage. As always, great analysis!
Thank you!
DaGuhm! That was slick 7:06
Now this is how you market your courses!
😂if only it worked.
Just picked up a used PRS MK. Love it. Love the sound. It's unique. And, that PRS build quality is great too. Thank you for the review!
I stopped playing years ago, but I do really enjoy your reviews and insight \m/
Great review!! Love the guitar!!
Always interesting to see new teles. I've got an FGN Iliad - from FujiGen, the factory that makes a lot of Ibanez and used to make Fender Japan's stuff. Much lower price, but a good deal, overall. If they're available in the US, I'd be very curious to see what you think of them - I think their introductory line is like $550-600 USD? I paid in yen, but I know they're overseas now too. They've got "Classic" and "Modern" lines without and with body contours, different neck joints, pickups and switching, etc.
Brilliant review! 🙏
Had to give the like after that sauced intro haha good stuff man
I liked the detail you provided with the neck. For me, the feel of the neck is the most important thing and what I pay attention to with reviews. These 2023 prices are out of touch with reality. Not many people could afford a $2000 guitar 3 years ago. My guess is most people still can’t afford $2000 now and $3000 is laughable. Not many consumer products have gone up 33.33…% in 3 years. Not 1 component in that guitar costs 33% more now than it did 3 years ago. I also doubt PRS is paying their employees 33% more. Maybe in 5 years, average yearly wages will increase enough for these 2023 prices? The markups with guitars is out-of-balance with the economy.
There are more than enough dentists and lawyers to keep the $$ flowing to PRS. They seem to be doing very well.
BOOM. Speaking truth on the prices!
All I have to ask- scarf joint neck? Epiphone?
Thanks so much. Another great review.
Thank you! I'm still digesting the idea of a PRS Tele but their vision is interesting
I love your vids, I watch them all the time, I love the super in-depth approach. If you can get your hands on an FGN guitar you won’t regret it. It would be awesome to watch you take it through its paces. Peace and all the best to you and everyone you love.
Thank you! I'll try!
@@andrefludda top tier solid brand is the ESP/LTD lineup it’s definitely something that I’ve never been disappointed with my end
Definitely heard a difference between the pot up and down. I could blind test it for sure. There was a slightly warmer sound, and it was very sweet. Definitely has a place in a mix.
Excellent review Andre. Respect!
I think I heard that the push-pull only does stuff in positions 1 and 5. I definitely heard it, but not in the pos 4 samples.
At near $3,000 USD! This won’t replace the good old Tele. Great video by the way.
It is just showcasing and marketing, they know only a few will sell...the money will come from the SE version.
That push pull pot sounds to me like it cuts a little of high end, not a lot, but like rolling your tone knob down to 8 or something. Subtle, but I like it
Thx for the Review Dr. Fludd. You and Phil McKnight probably have the most detailed overviews on UA-cam.
got yourself a sub sir, great job!
IMHO, the best Tele is your spec Warmorth neck and body (pine or ash), your pick of Fralin, Lollar, pickups, and early Tele or Esquire wiring. My bias favors six saddle bridges and vintage slotted, tuck hole tuners. Production model, I'd go with G&L made in USA custom ASAT stuff.
In the pickup variations part beginning about 10.30, do you have this the wrong way round? The graphic is saying you start at the bridge and end at the neck, but you actually do the opposite.
Thanks - nicely detailed video.
Very nice review. I really like your thorough approach. When you did the push pull pot demo I could definitely here the difference on position one (full bridge) but I could not hear the difference in position 4. One other thing…LOVED the way you used the pick up diagram with your playing of each position. I think if you go back…at the very end you were back on position one and the diagram showed position 5…maybe something you could edit…but just wanted you to know. Love your channel!!
Yea, a few others pointed out the mistake but I can't edit it after the video has been posted. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel!
For real, you are one of the fews that does the really deep review.
Great Stuff Doc! Very nice assortment of usable tones. I am a Major Fan of PRS, but I have Fenders, Gibsons and more. I Find myself always reaching for my Green Machine Custom 24.
It's just a great feel and tends to play itself.
I could hear the differences on the tone pot push/pull. It's subtle but it's a nice change.
And yeah, waiting on the SE model before I get one of these.
They're basically just taking a Fender, making small ass changes and putting ugly birds on it.
I agree on the gig bag, I would choose that too, though it seems like a lot of money without a hard case
PRS should use the santana headstock more, it looks better than the regular prs headstock in my opinion
Is it possible to change the pickups for a humbucker in single shape ? If not then for me it is problematic . Even in Fender teles people like to change the pickups for more vintage or modern tone . That said - I'm surprised that the push-pull knob doesn't boost the volume , which is a good news .
Thank you Brother!!
Quite versatile sounding indeed. Great review as always.
Might be me, but the order of pickup selection on the clean tones are backwards ? 🤔
Great video, I like your approach to these reviews. 💯
I couldn't hear a difference at all on the cleans. But I heard it dampen on the crunchy tone for sure. I wonder if the darkness intensifies if the gain is pushed higher and higher
Man you do the best reviews!
Why did you choose the Myles Kennedy model over the NF model that PRS also just released? On paper, the NF looks to be the “more Tele” model.
I generally find signature models more interesting. I know, not the best answer but it def wasn’t a carefully thought out decision on my part.
Do the john 5 ghost!!
Is the Kaizen review Patreon only? Would love to see your thoughts on it!
For now yes. But eventually there will be a UA-cam video
I wouldn't have expected something like this from PRS, seems like a very interesting guitar compared to a traditional telecaster. Have you ever tried any guitars from Legator ?. I would love to hear your opinion on that brand. I recently bought one.
Hey fam, do you put 8 gauge on absolutely all your guitars? I wanna put 8s on my CE24 Floyd but I don't want my e string to get too buzzy.
Not lately. I’ve been back up to 9s. And my strat is tuned down to Eb with 10.5s. Been experimenting a lot lately.
@@andrefludd I really appreciate the input, you’re amazing dude.
There were three, I bought the first one and you got the second. It's not a Tele in my book, it's another versatile PRS. It doesn't feel or sound like any of the four Teles I have.
10:23 Are the pickup diagrams below the video different than what he's playing? He pushes the switch all the way down and diagram show the switch all the way to the right.
Yes. It’s backward
Holy Shit THREE GRAND. Is the Japanese Fender Elemental Telecaster worth comparing to this for 1/3rd-ish cost?
Thanks! That position 4 clean is saweet. I love the comfort carves too. Don't know why Fender hasn't figured out how to do the later on a Tele after 70 yrs.
Thank you for the super chat! The best tele fender makes IMO is the richie kotzen Sig. Comfort and amazing tones.
Look at those subscribers keep growing 😊
Nice review. I would personally never pay that amount of money for a Tele style guitar, but I also don't really feel that it's a traditional tele either. There can be some comparisons made like you mentioned, but at the end of the day it is a morphed tele "style" guitar. On a side note, I don't think these guitars look pretty either.
Thanks, appreciatie this review
Appreciate your content Andre. I'm not a Tele fan but watching your extreme reviews is the guitar review equivalent of ASMR.
I really love these pickups' sound as humbucker but im not really feeling it when it's split...they just don't have the oomph, for a lack of better word
Did you really buy that guitar? Also, you're comparing it against a cheap Squier? How about doing a comparison against the Fender American Ultra Tele. Thanks.
I show my receipt in the video. I just compared it to whatever other guitars I had available lol
You should try Misha Mansoor's Jackson socal strat!
Subscribed because you actually point out negatives
is the selector wired backwards...seems in reverse?
7:00 in and wanted to add so people really understand size difference and while it might not seem like a lot, it does make a huge difference. Side note, my work self was crying (from laughing and realizing the difference in worlds, but in all good fun) watching you measure the neck/strings & frets with the verniers and how you were calling out the numbers. It’s a strange world watching other people use it when it’s so normal at work for me.
ANYWAYS. I personally use 9-46 on my 25.5” Standard E guitars. I have a 25.5” guitar in drop B with 12-60. This translates to (using the verniers for measurement) .009”-.046” for E and .012”-.060” for B. Now think about setting up E standard with the 12-60. The high string has a difference of only .003” (literally less than the thickness of a sticky note), but that is a WORLD of difference in feel and RIP to fingertips trying to do bends. Now imagine the difference in neck size which is .020”+.
Ok back to the video.
Back again: Pot up comparison to pot down, I hear a SUPER slight difference. Using my apple AirPods while watching. I think it’s super subtle. I’m not sure if I’m hearing the highs cut a little bit or maybe a little bit more mids added? I don’t know EQ and how to describe sound and if that’s even a possibility - I’m an active bridge humbucker metal caveman. It sounds rounded off a little, but I think only cause I’m listening with little speakers directly in my ear. Through a cab or monitors I’m not sure if I’d hear the difference.
I could hear a difference on the push pull only at position 1
There is a difference it only affects the highs. The Los and mid stay the same tone unlike a tone control
Hi Andre, love your content man, keep it up! The body of this guitar reminds me of the Kiesel Allan Holdsworth signature...HH2..just saying :)
I usually like almost everything that PRS comes out with. I loved my two USA models when I played PRS, and I never had to do anything to fix them. They were nice out of the box, and they stayed that way for the years that I played my Custom 24 and SC245. I did regular maintenance, and they were amazing.
likewise, since the company moved the SE line to the Cort factory? They have been almost as good as the USA versions! I played the DGT, and I played all of the Custom SE models. They were amazing.
Andre, my dude... This guitar is visually offensive. Maybe it plays really well. Maybe I could make it sound absolutely beautiful. But aesthetics matter, and I hate it. LOL.
I love your Parker guitars. I like your Strandberg! I like MOST guitars! This one?
Im sorry man! lol.
Shock shock I like yet another ugly guitar 😂😂. If nothing else, I’m consistent.
@@andrefludd LOL!
But I like your other "ugly" guitars!
Thanks
It seems PRS has been trying to make these 'classic inspired' guitars for a while and have just been waiting for an artist to use them as a signature model for. Who knows maybe we'll get a PRS explorer / flying V with as a signature for a metal dude.
pretty sure they are gonna make a version of every guitar shape that has been done so far, judging by their success with the SS. Maybe a SG next ;)
Tremonti used to play a really odd looking prs/explorer hybrid, but i think they never sold it to the public, but it would be so awesome to see
@carloszavala735 it's more of an RD than an explorer and the market could use a hi end RD other than Dunable