PRS Guitars: Debunking the Mojo Myth
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 лис 2023
- Delve into the polarizing world of opinions surrounding PRS guitars and the persistent claim that they lack the elusive "mojo." In this video, we'll examine various perspectives, from die-hard PRS fans to skeptics, and explore the reasons behind the ongoing debate. Is the mojo missing, or is it a matter of personal preference? Join us as we navigate the diverse opinions and shed light on the PRS mojo controversy!
My PRS is the cheapest one they sell new, its the new ce 24 se in charcoal satin. Plays perfect out of the box. That has never ever happened to me in 20 years of playing. And its a $500 guitar brand new.
And .... It has the same pick ups in it as your $2500 stock. 85/15's
I'm a newer guitar player and as I have gone more down the rabbit hole of guitars I have seen bigger UA-camrs say the same things about PRS and stick with Gibson (Rhett?) or whatever brand. I don't understand the stubbornness to not branch out to other brands. I've seen bands at music festivals playing PRS SE guitars in front of thousands of people, I've also seen bands on that same stage play a Gibson LP Custom in front of the same crowd, then a band playing all Schecter, then a band with ESP. At the end of the day, it's what feels good and plays good to you. The only people who gripe about guitar brands are those who play the guitar. The audience could care less as long as the music is good. More people seem to notice the color anyway.
100% correct
As a player of 5 different PRS models, I think you covered it pretty well!
Thank you so much! I'm doing my best👍
You're a nice guy. This is a good start. Music bed can stand to be fully half as loud.
Good tip, I kinda stopped adding background music to these types of videos!
What I've been doing is snatching "banged up" PRS Core guitars on Reverb. PRS guitars hold their value pretty well, but once they get sufficient "relicing", they drop like rocks. I've scored a gold top DGT for $2,000 and a Silversky for $1,500, and both of them turned out amazing. The guitars are so well made that I can buy them sight unseen and be confident that they are great. The DGT had the back of the neck stripped for smoother playing and a tremolno installed, along with a few minor dings on the body, and the Silversky was reverted to a lefty config, and reverted back for the sale, so whole was drilled (and subsequently filled) for the strap button. I've grown to love PRS guitars even though I was initially put off by the aesthetics.
I love a good deal, it's a cool story to hear! You have any videos or pictures of them?
Yup I just snagged a 2017 Custom 24 for 2500 on reverb. I couldn't afford a new one, but I could afford 2500, especially for one in excellent condition. Plays amazing! Certianly no more pricey than the other major brands, especially considering the quality.
Personally, I chose PRS because I wanted to have only two really nice guitars rather than having a lot of inexpensive guitars. My CE24 fills the role for Fender tones, while my DGT covers the Gibson role. What I've got invested in the two is actually less than what I had before when I owned a bunch of Strats, Teles, LPs, Carvin... Keeping it to only two was difficult at first, because who doesn't love more than one type of guitar? But I really enjoy having to care for and feed just two (strings, maintenance, etc.). All the tones I like-- and more-- are easily at hand with these two. So the shift to PRS has been great on many different fronts. Oh; did I mention the PRS is ready to go right out of the box? No need for replacement pickups, setups, hardware changes, re-frets... plug & play ;) Of course that's just my opinion~
BTW, the only "hate" I've encountered with PRS has been on the internet! Not once has anyone said something negative about the guitar when I'm out among the living in the real world. In fact, most people don't give a rip about what I'm playing. Just another example of ignoring voices on the net... Wait... isn't this technically the "net"? Who the heck should listen to what I have to say... Go out and play your guitar!! LOL :D
I feel the same, I feel most people at the clubs and bars etc are pretty passive about it and either like them or don't care at all. Internet hate is its own thing
My 2 cents about PRS. I own 2 PRS guitars. An S2 single cut and a McCarty sunburst from the 2010’s. They are very consistent guitars. The build quality is ridiculous. The frets, the nut, the neck, the paint, the tuners all great. Even the South Korean ones are very consistent and built very well. You can pick an America PRS off the wall at any music store and they will all feel very high quality and will play perfectly. Compare that to a Gibson. I own a few Gibsons. I had to pick thru a lot of Gibsons before finding one that didn’t have flaws and was set up correctly. Warped necks. Bad neck pocket. Fret sprout. Rough frets etc. I love my Gibsons but it took some time to find them. In the past few years the consistency has improved a lot tho. My PRS McCarty is the best guitar I own. I usually switch out the pickups but not the PRS. It was perfect right off the wall. The only thing I’ve ever had to do is turn the truss rod a quarter turn once in a while. The PRS sound is definitely different from a Gibson. To me they sound clearer, cleaner, and more defined. They tend to have a sharper tighter transient on the note and sound more like a combination of a Strat and a Gibson. If you don’t like that then you won’t like PRS. They are expensive. I recommend buying used. But they are excellent guitars that will last decades without the hardware wearing out. If my house was burning I’d grab the PRS.
"People think these are only for rich people, they're not. Now let me tell you about how I had to max out a credit card to get it."
Perhaps I could have explained that the guitar was paid off quickly, also they do make guitars at every price range that are attainable for anyone willing to save up for them and I find the se models to be some of the best quality guitars in that "beginner" proce range
@@PNWGuitar you paid $2500 for bird inlays shut up geek
Incredibly well made instruments, I have a Ce24 from 1999 and it’s still just as amazing as the day it was made. It rings like a bell and sustains for days
The CE is my favorite followed closely by the Vela
I picked up a PRS SE Custom 24-08 in a Faded Blue finish with a Boss Katana 100 mk2 and man oh man i love playing it. It feels smooth, stays (mostly) in tune, sounds great, and looks amazing. Granted i am a beginner and love to come up with my own tunes and get somewhat creative with the sounds. I do catch myself sometimes trying to play something lo-fi like when i am in a mental flow. ill play around with exploring the fretboard and experimenting various notes with a metronome playing around in the background while im resting. I havent played around with it recently because ive been sick with covid but I do feel amidst all this stress from college in trying to keep up with the coursework that it does help me de-stress. Sorry for that rant, bottom line, PRS guitars are awesome in both their sounds and looks!
Music and laughter are the best therapy I've ever found! Congrats on two fantastic purchases!
When I bought my PRS Hollowbody 25 years ago I was an itinerate fruit picker. My last job before retirement was driving a front end loader at the tip so there goes the 'only for the rich' myth. It's still my desert island guitar.
I got my dream / bucket list guitar, PRS Custom 24-08 10- top for my 50th birthday, I absolutely love it! in amazed at the fit n finish, its completely set up ready tp play , I did not want to live a life without owning one. worth every penny. it feels like if it was made especially for me.
Well done! Haters are going to Hate..... The SE versions are, what I feel, is the ultimate Workhorse Guitar. Less painful if it was to get stolen while on the road! While I own a PRS McCarty (Original Core version) and the coil tap system on that is their first generation, and quite honestly is almost unusable in a real LIVE situation (I've done it, but .....) so when the SE Paul's Guitar came out and I heard demoes on line with that system, I grabbed one! Wow! My oldest Son is now the Caretaker of my old Core McCarty (He loves it!) and I own 4 SE models. I also own a Harley Benton CST 24-T (think SE CU-24 style) that I actually like better than the PRS SE CU-24. Just personal preference!
Traynor custom special 50!!! Amazing amp, I wish traynor never stopped producing them. I regret selling my ycs90, very underrated
They're a real sleeper, also one of the few amps I could use all thr gain on hahaha
Recently bought my first PRS, an S2 vela. It has mojo for days and I have piece of mind that if something catastrophic were to happen to it, I could get another one and it’ll be relatively the same.
Forst off congrats on the sweet new axe, the vela is one of PRS coolest and most MOJO filled guitars. Secondly you are exactly correct, I love that if (God forbid) anything happens to my guitar I can replace it with one that will be virtually identical
I would love to try a PRS but my preference is a chunky 50s neck with Gibson T top style pickups, or a vintage spec guitar.. Does PRS have anything like this?
They do! The mcarty 594 comes in a asingle abd double cut and is a mich more traditional lp style instrument with a more chunky neck and classic sounding humbuckers. I'm also partial to the vela and the older sc545 or sc550
ill save you the trouble....take a 20 min nap , ..there you just played a prs
@@rv6205 Yeah, I prefer a guitar that they don't build properly. BTW, I spent $5k on two Gibsons years ago. Won't make that mistake again. The SG I had was really nice......unless I wanted to stand up and move around, then it would go out of tune. The LP sounded good, but again had tuning issues even after being fixed. And it was over 10lbs with the 9 hole weight relief.
McCarty 594. They recently released them in the SE line. I own the S2 model, best guitar I've ever owned. PRS came up with a better "les Paul" then Gibson . Only thing I've had to do to it was was swap out the 3 way toggle for a better quality switch craft toggle . I may get a set of the newer 58/15 LT pickups , the "TCI" set.
Great point about how a PRS sits in the mix.
Never heard anyone make that point before.
Luv and Peace.
Thank you!
I 'only' have an SE (Paul Allender in purple with bats!) but it is gorgeous and enjoy it every day - after years of questionable instruments this was quite the revellation and made me wonder why I had not sought PRS previously - so 10 years + in with my SE and it's epic. It feels wonderful and sounds very unique to me. I'd love to try a more upmarket model, but finances LOL. I'd try it and then *have* to buy it!
That guitar you have is pretty rare and I hear they're great! Look cool too
Mojo is purely a personal thing. When a guitar speaks to you, just go with it. It doesn't matter in the slightest what other think about your chosen instruments.
Completely agree!
If one has the money for it, go ahead. I recently bought the cheapest new Squier that was out there. I did a fret job, nut change, bought new pickups (DiMarzio, SD, and a Noname alnico V china made pickup for the neck), changed the volume pot, it plays and sounds excellent. Bought the guitar for 160 USD, spent another 200 on it, it's a keeper. I've been playing for 20+ years, had a few instruments, I'll keep this one for sure.
There is a magic to upgrading those cheaper guitars!
Really good video, loved the inserts, but the loop was driving me crazy after awhile.
Thanks for noting that! I've moved away from the background music in more recent videos (or dropped the volume ao its less annoying 😜)
GREAT video. For me personally the PRS aesthetics- the flame tops, the bird inlays and the headstocks- make them nonstarters but I wish other manufacturers would get with the PRS program as far as consistent quality is concerned. No need to hate or even be divisive on PRS. I wouldn’t mind having one of their old school bolt on neck guitars those were cool.
Totally get your pov, they have a very specific look and it's not for everyone but I love the constancy and quality. Also I recently came across a 90s ce22 and it was awsome, dot inlays and fairly plain red top but it sounded great 👍
Excellent intro and explanation of the "each one is unique" factor that drives a lot of likeness for other brands, especially Gibson. I think of PRS as the Taylor guitars of the solid body electric world, in that both brands are known for consistency. Both brands known for being more machine built than hand built as the more factory automation you have the less room for human error... To drive more into the psychology against PRS- Keep in mind when the electric guitar peeked as an instrument, I'm talking about it's peek in popular music and how the models of those eras naturally become the most sought after... More traditional manufacturing techniques lead to inconsistencies. Gibsons of the 1940s-1960s were also incredibly inconsistent. An artist is looking for something unique that speaks to them. Because what is "good tone" is subjective and nuanced, the cherry picking aspect for the artist who composes is going to always be there... But not everyone who plays music is an artist. Many are just very skilled performers who make money playing music other people have written. The instrument is just a tool and you don't want a unique paint brush, you just want a really great quality paint brush. Some original artist also want this, there's room in the world for both.... PRS USA made instruments are priced in line with what other USA builders charge. It's the cost of American labor, it's the better quality tops, it's the way the wood is conditioned over time differently before being used for construction, it's sometimes unique pickups exclusive to USA models. It's half marketing BS to get a player to spend more and half truths. But they are priced where they are because that's what the market allows. 80% or more of players will buy the import model. For those who can afford the USA builds and want to pay for nuanced quality differences, the USA product is there. Most of those things are completely unnecessary given the quality of PRS's SE line. The audience will never hear $2000 difference and the durability isn't going to be any different. If anything that poly finish on the imports will outlast the more delicate Nitro finish on the USA models, but it doesn't really matter. There's a market for both and I don't know why people waste time criticizing the choices of others.
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I agree with your pov, it seems silly that people would critique the choices of gear that others use but I think alot of that comes down to wanting to feel like what they have is adequate. As far as prs being priced unlined with other guitars produced in the USA you are absolutely correct! I own one US made prs and it's what I'd call the sweet spot for someone who gigs and records it's American made with some small corner cutting to bring the price down and I'm happy with that!
I have an 2018 S2 custom double cutaway and a 2007 SC250 both are my favorite guitars out of the 9 I own including a fender strat I have had since 1991
I'd really like to get an sc245
PRS make very good quality instruments. The problem for me is that I never look at one and find it inspiring. It could be the years of conditioning with media and culture where PRS is rarely seen. To me it just feels like a background guitar
The original control configuration from the 80s was amazing - too bad they've abandoned that. The original locking tuners and crazy bulky neck heel were atrocious, though. Not a fan of the bird inlay or 6-point trem. For playability, the dot-inlay era SEs blow away any USA models, for a fraction of the price.
To my knowledge, there's never been an American version of the SE One, the best guitar with the name "PRS" on it, IMO.
I bought my S2 Single cut semi hollow for $800. First bid won it on eBay. It’s was less than I bought my Japanese Fender Jag used in the early 2000s.
I remember reading an interview with Slash where he talked about going to the Gibson factory and playing a bunch of Les Paul’s just to find one that he liked. Sometimes the guitar he picked hadn’t completed their production process but he insisted on taking it anyway as is before they had a chance to F with it.
Yeah, great, instead of them building them all to be good. 🙄 And this is a guy who makes a lot of money for them. Slash probably had his own tech finish setting it up.
I spent years working in guitar stores here in Australia when I was younger and used my fortunate position and generous staff discount to acquire a collection of expensive guitars. Out of eight Gibsons, three Fenders and a core PRS, only the PRS arrived with a poor setup that needed tweaking. Mostly nothing major, just saddle height and a minor truss rod adjustment, but it did have a dead spot around the 13th fret, G and B strings. All of the Gibsons were PLEK'd and perfect, one of the Fenders was a custom shop and was bang on, as were the other two. I sold loads of Gibsons whilst working in shops, the consistency was great and the quality was amazing. I genuinely don't understand where the 'bad QC' reputation online comes from. Butt hurt losers maybe?
I really like my PRS, it's comfortable to play, lightweight and versatile. But, it's not miles better than anything else I own. The sounds are great, and actually quite unique. But I like the grunt I get from my Gibsons for high gain stuff a little better. Admittedly, the finishes are flawless. In general, I don't think any company finishes a guitar better than PRS. However, I have seen a few imperfections sneak through and end up on the shop floor though. So much for PRS's superior QC.
I certainly don't think they lack mojo, but since my last band split up I really haven't gotten it out much. At home, just playing for my own enjoyment, I tend to reach for my Tele, my Firebird or my 335.
For me, it comes from spending over $5k with Gibson (over 10 years ago) and having two of their flagships not stay in tune. I had an SG Supra and it was nice unless you wanted to stand up and move around, then forget it staying in tune. The LP was over 10lbs with weight relief and again, wouldn't stay in tune even after getting it worked on. McCarty for the win - light, sounds good, stays in tune.
That's my issue as well, my gibsons never held tune and at some point you just want the instrument to do what it needs to so you can play
They are not “controversial”. That’s the whole point. There is little about them that doesn’t compromise in the name of consistent build, quality control, versatility, and a sense of premium materials. They are not very “rock n roll” in that pre-90s sense. They seem to have been initially conceived as a blend of the premium attractions of Gibsons and the manufacturing rationale of Fender. If that bothers you, none of the arguments presented here are going to convince you.
Never been ritch by any means, I have 3 prs guitars, no se guitars just the american ones. They are all fun to play, best playing guitar I have ever played was a 1984 tele my friends dad has had since the early 90s. That thing is just extremely playable, low action, hand wound pickups so is incredibly dynamic on attack. Just an amazing guitar. Not a fender guy btw, just a guitar lover. Owned everything from early 90s ibanez jems all the way through to a really beat up 70s les paul. Buying a new guitar I want to try a Keisel next.
It's good to hear! My experience has been similar Ive tried all kinds of guitars and liked many of them. My PRS is probably my favorite if not top 2, the others I play all the time are my standard strat and an esp. The experience of playing different guitars is part of the fun❤
The best playing guitar brand new I've bought was from Wayne Charvel and his son Michael. Unfortunately, PRS like to ship with the action a bit high. I guess that's so they can keep Paul's thing of you can take it out of the box and play it onstage immediately.
Do they sound dull and lifeless like mine?
@beefnacos6258 No I am good.
@@beefnacos6258 Mine don't make any sound until I play them. I don't claim to be the best thing ever, but they sound good to me.
Guitars don't leave the factory with "mojo" no matter how convincingly they are laboratory reliced. Players enchant the instrument with "mojo" over the years through thousand of hours of playing.
MOJO is a human thing and you're exactly correct no product is made brand new with it
I have 2 SE's and they are great BUT I've just bought a Gibson SG standard 61 and it certainly got some mojo that is missing from the SE's - I have no idea what it is but it has it it in spades :)
I love the SG, especially in the middle pickup selection setting for a clean sound it's great
Unlike Gibsons, PRS guitars stay in tune. Among other things, that's more than good enough for me. :D
Nothing wrong with owning or playing pricey guitars but I have been using an 89$ Grote with 33$ worth of alnico pickups installed at my gigs for the last 3 years. It has done everything I needed it to do, flawlessly.
I have been an authorized factory repairman ( luthier is not the correct term btw. I am a repair technician) for Hishino, C. Bruno, SLM and several other guitar brands and gigged and done session work for 40+ years.
The guitar world is so full of hype, reinforced by insecure guys who couldn't play a simple bar gig if they had to.
Someone needs to address the B.S. of the whole biz.
Playing a gig that pays 100$ per man on a cruddy stage in a filthy bar seems more reasonably done on a sub 300$ guitar🤔.
I've done gigs with a boss katana and an epiphone and was very happy with the outcome. I've also gigged with alot of pricey gear and was equally happy. It's all about What gets the job done and if it inspires you to be creative.
I just wish Gibson would be as consistent and watch their quality control like PRS.
We all do, I love some of their designs
I have a '93 CE Bolt-On, and it's the weird black sheep of the PRS family because its alder body sounds more Fender-y than Gibson-y. Bought it specifically because it was an affordable PRS (got it for under $1k, new, in '94), all made right here in the USA. Love the thing. In the shop now getting a tune-up and it can't come back quickly enough!
They're great! I tried a ce22 with the old school locking tuners and moon inlays and LOVED IT
@@PNWGuitar Mine's a CE 24, and it has regular DOTS, not even the moons! Also a simple black finish, with just the edge showing the underlying wood underneath. Alex Lifeson had a very similar one, but since his was a few years older, his pickup selector was a back and forth switch rather than a rotary dial. So they made concessions where they could to get the price down, but all of the main hardware is the same as their more expensive models. I was 24 years old, and this was the way to get a state of the art guitar for a non bank-breaking price.
Your correct getting a used PRS for a good price is a great way to get s premium guitar and spend less 😉
Your correct getting a used PRS for a good price is a great way to get s premium guitar and spend less 😉
I saw the PRS version of the tele at a local guitar shop where I live in Australia. At $AUD 6000 and only a gig bag - it’s an easy pass.
I agree on that!!
@@PNWGuitar I bought a secondhand Baja mim telecaster for $1300 Aud. Can’t see why I would ever need the PRS tele.
I get it, but I'll tell you, those core hard cases are heavy. It's thicker than my other G&G and TKL cases and much heavier.
As for the Expensive American made guitars and tehir price: They are over priced, make no mistakes about it, and it's not just that they cost more to make (that's a small part of it) but because they have a much higher profit margin at lower overhead!
It all started in the early 90's when more and more private builders and small MFGS had to charge more for not having the much more efficient equipment, couldn't get anywhere near as good of prices for parts and materials, and then Gibson and others decided they could charge just as high a price, and pocket the difference! They started calling shit custom, for charging exponentially more for a freaking ounce of paint, just because it was a "Non standard color" on a guitar that came off the same freaking rack, even though it added no extra cost at all to them, and made none of the real improvements people like me started all the way back in the 80's! We figured out that SS frets would be better, the use of carbon fiber, alternative (often better) woods and the whole "Super Strat" Movement... Doing all that came with added build difficulties and much higher material costs, and so why we absolutely had to charge more: To not lose our shirts! They just wedged themselves into that price range by nothing but marketing, and didn't just not make any improvements, but cut more corners and found better ways to cut the MFG cost!
Also: If you think CNC's make better guitars, than only better than underpaid untrained workers, and no amount of CNC precision can do jack for woods that were not properly dried, and hastily slapped together parts with no attention to detail or even good reasoning. I have already done fretwork to PRS's made in Korea... because no matter how tight the tolerances are right after made, all it takes is some time, and the flaws become apparent! No amount of better tuners and other hardware will fix warped necks and rollercoaster fret jobs, and that's where your $400 guitar can easily become a $700 guitar, and before you spend hundreds more on parts that are the least of your wories!
You're correct in that all companies will use any excuse to increase prices while trying to pocket the biggest chunk of that as they can. If that means sacrificing quality they will do so as long as the consumers keep buying. During the pandemic we got to see that in many different areas, even today freight forwarding issues are used as an excuse to justify increased prices. That being said I do appreciate a company who atleast offers a quality product at a number of price ranges, at the end of the day companies exist to make money and they can't "give the milk away for free" but as long as the customer is happy that's the tradeoff.
@@PNWGuitar Well, I'm a company (Luthier) and I haven't raised my prices in over two decades! I really need to though as it's been getting hard keeping up with inflation. There are still a few companies that at least don't feed you line after line of BS, and put more effort into actually improving their products in real ways.
I mean when Gibson pulls out "Play Authentic" as an excuse to buy one of their way overrated tech stagnant (Where it really counts) instruments when copies have fewer tuning problems, SS frets, more access to the higher frets and what not, then they are just fishing for gullible fools and sales, and so busy with it instead of just shutting up and making good freaking guitars! If they did that, people would take notice and word would get out! I don't have adds anywhere, I don't collect reviews or ask for any... I have been booked solid for decades already and turn down work!
I was studying engineering when I got into guitar repair and took it seriously in that regard, and so studied the related physics in depth. The only "Engineers" Gibson or really anyone else making guitars have ever had are "Marketing engineers" where you are what's being engineered, not the instruments!
I'm glad to hear that you are trying to keep things real and unbiased, it's the right thing to do.
If you have 10 of them maybe you are rich. If you have one or two it's fine and not any different than buying USA Gibson Les Paul Custom or custom shop Strats, etc. Even Les Paul Standards and USA Fenders are $2,300-$3,200 on average. I'm in my 30s, but people used to save for things they want and not cry so much. It's not uncommon to see musicians with basic jobs buying upper tier guitars.
I completely agree!
My first PRS is a 1996 CE24. Paid under $1000 from Reverb in Maybe I got lucky but you can get an awesome deal on a USA PRS.
Very true! Prs owners seem to like new models so older ibes especially from the 90s are a good deal. I'd love a 1992 model
When I was coming up, most of the working musicians played plain guitars. It was the 80s, so I had a Peavey t-60 and an Ibanez RG550. I think much of it is UA-cam/social media marketing making everyone think they need the latest/fanciest of things or 400 pedals. Seems to move between "look at this $100 Amazon guitar it's amazing" and "This $6k guitar is so much better than anything else".
The reality is you can get one or two guitars, a few pedals and an amp and make most of the sounds you'll ever need.
I love my two PRS guitars, but Paul gets on my nerves. Good video!
Thank you! What is it about Paul that irks you?
He comes across as condescending, to me anyway. Super talented and knowledgeable obviously so maybe it's a me problem.
@@mustuddd I think he's just quirky and kind of socially awkward. He has an interesting brain. It's like listening to elon musk's speech cadences, he throws you off rythym
@@Hobinator17 He reminds me of an eccentric uncle. He used to get on my nerves, but his enthusiasm is infectious.
@@Hobinator17 Nah, I'll take Paul all day long, he has a sense of humor.
PRS Best - SE / Hollow Body / DGT / CE / Custom…. Pick your price range you won’t go wrong.
I agree!
Best mass produced guitars in the world. Been a PRS owner/convert for 2 years now, played Strats for 40+ years, Les Paul for 8 years and never going back to them. It’s up to a musician to inject soul into their playing regardless of what brand of instrument you are using, if you can’t do that I seriously doubt your credentials.
Hi PNW I'm glad you Love ❤ your PRS it's suits you 😂 in a way that some People Love Garlic for seasoning and some people OD on it. Happy strumming. Best 👍 Regards fo 24. John.
Thanks John! Happy Holiday 😀
I have a PRS Mira, with my amp I get great blues, fuzz, or metal tones. It's a fine guitar.
Completely agree! Alot of the less known prs models are real gems. I love the vela though I have never owned one
I was looking at a Firebird and Mccarty yesterday. I may get a Mccarty or Tremonti. Any advice?
Love the Mira. I have both a Core and an S2. Both are cool.
@@PNWGuitar I have a Vela semi hollow and it is awesome.
Look great, sound great, ive never played one but they are extremely proud of them and out of reach for most players
I know what you mean. I will say I had the chance to play everything from the se series all the way up to custom order 8k guitars yesterday and the playing experience was different for each guitar but they were all constant in overall quality and sound
I own 2 se standards & se silver sky & a s2 McCarty love them
I'm eyeing an se mcarty 594 sc myself!
I've never owned or played one and I probably won't. I just like something that feels a bit more like a beater. Not really reliced per se, but something I'm not going to fret about after I get my first ding. Also PRS always seems a bit arrogant to me, which kind of turns me away. That being said by all accounts they are excellent guitars.
Hey the new SECE24 is only 500 US with a satin finish on an all mahogany body. QC is sometimes a bit or miss on the imports, but play one or two and pick the best. Anyway it's a great guitar and isn't something you have to worry about damaging. M
PRS offers the best guitar they can possibly build at every price point.
I agree!
PRS is like the MOOG of guitars.
What do you mean? 🤣
They are great guitars, specially if you are playing in a Creed/ Nickelback cover band!
😆 🤣
@@PNWGuitar 😝😂😂😂
If these things are true wouldn’t every gigging musician and the best session men be using them? Everything mentioned is a session mans dream but almost none of the ones I know utilize these guitars.
I think I could name alot of tracks recorded with a prs but live people use different things. Some of that's esthetic, some of it is personal preference but I think the idea that PRS are just a brand for rich people that are not good sounding and playing guitars or that they are not top quality is a really flawed view. I have a strat and I love it, I've owned many different guitars from many brands and loved them but it's all personal taste.
A jack-of-all trades means being a master of none.
You feel they do everything ok but nothing well?
A whole bunch of talk and no playing. Guitar players need to hear the sound to see if it justifies your support. I have a PRS SE Custom. Had to put Seymour Duncan Phat Cats in it to bring some oomph. Common complaint is that often the pickups have to be swapped out. The higher end of the range do tend to sound fruity, thank goodness, but that is too costly for most.
Almost all my videos have my PRS on them, feel free to give the tones a listen and draw your own conclusions. It's all a matter of personal taste and opini9n, there is no right or wrong, I just felt people were unnecessarily harsh on PRS so thought I'd share my thoughts. Seems to have sparked alot of discussion which was the whole point so I'd call that a success
The CE come with the same pickups as the SE . They are the import pickups.
There is a se ce that has import pickups, the ce I'm talking about has the prs core 85/15 pickup set that are American made. It does have an import bridge though. Thatvis the newer version though, I'm not sure what the older ce's have
The older CEs I have from the 90s came with HFS Treble and Vintage Bass.
Oh okay I'm not as familiar with older PRS models but I did hear the 90s ce's were amazing
Ah, yes. Why get a car if it works and is good every time? I like jeeps and dodge - its always thrilling to see if it'll start spewing white smoke from burnt coolant or maybe not go into gear.
This is how I think about guitars too, which is why I wont get a PRS. But also because PRS - the man - says X and then 5 years later says that X is obviously wrong, and 5 years after that says X again. He's so wishy washy that the brand kinda gives me a sour taste. That said, they're still good guitars and thats just a personal shortcoming that I can afford to have! lol.
I collect fender custom shop guitars and ive had a few high end prs...but they are so boring and sound soooo blah and bland ..im done with prs
PRS guitars are a high quality canvas for the player to create unrestricted. It responds to everything you do. It's not the guitar that's bland and boring, it's the player. I've personally owned 1 PRS, the S2 594. I prefer the Les Paul type control layout
Go south Korea! They build great guitars.Thats a pretty guitar.
Korea, Japan and Indonesia make some of the best guitars I've played these past few years
Im also not getting the "controversy" or the endless "PRS discussions", Mojo here, Mojo there. I just dont get them, they dont feel ergonomic to me, where the body is and where it puts the neck and also Im yet to find any neck profile, that suits me, nor I found any of their pickups interesting.
And thats perfectly allright. I also dont like ESP guitars and Im also not huge for many Ibanez guitar. So what? Should I spend all the time bashing those brands? Big no. I just go and find what I like and leave those guitars for people that likes them, as every one of us has bit different needs and style.
PS: Im sad, that I dont like PRS guitars, cause they are so solid and consistent. I would like to love them, as it would be easy to get one and be done with it.
Some (positively meant) feedback: Leave out the gifs, its gimmicky and adds nothing.
I've done less since this
There is no doubt they are quality and versatile. I know Paul gives lots of straw man arguments over tone. My favorite guitar was built out of pine from a hardware store. I am Tele guy. Not sure why there such controversy. In reality a double humbucker guitar with coil taps can cover lots of ground sonically. That being said I prefer a single single coil with a lefty bridge to slant the pickup opposite. I guess I don't chase other tones, just the one that works for my style.
Makes sense to me! Everyone has different tastes
It's the shitty bird inlays I don't like. I bought one with dots and it plays wonderfully, cost me a grand but I prefer cheap guitars you can just abuse.
Totally understand that! Same reason I gravitate to the mid lvl guitars, I want quality without having to worrying about a scratch when I'm playing
Stop blaming "Quality control! Quality control isn't the same thing as consistency control, and happens after the guitar is already made, and so doesn't do jack shit to make anything better other than pointing out who can't get screws in straight, or overdoes it with the buffer...!
Making consistent instruments must be figured out before even making them! One thing PRS does do, is pick woods by species and weight (Even within the same species there can be variations, some very wide, like in Ash. Tonewood is a Myth, and nothing that vibrates on a guitar "Adds" anything, it's always a loss to the strings! The more the instrument vibrates the more its robbing the strings of energy, and since strings vibrate in linear waves, and bodies and necks in radial waves. Any energy coming back from the wood into the strings is at an exponential loss. Stiffer guitars for that reason have longer sustain, and the differences in Les Paul's and Fender Strats for that matter is because LP's have a much shorter neck and both mahogany and rosewood or ebony are stiffer (less flexible) than maple, and why fender necks absorb a lot of bass (Sound brighter) and those differences are minute. There is no such thing as perpetual motion, and it's high time people start getting their basic high school sciences right!
Those good vibrations they try to sell you, and most have fallen for hook line and sinker, is absolute nonsense. Add to that, an instrument constructed not to vibrate as much will have greater tuning stability even with larger temperature changes, and need less frequent setups.
And no, I don't give a flying F what you hear with your own ears! Take that up with your otolaryngologist and shrink! It's a known fact that the more you pay for anything, the more your own brain will diminish it's flaws and highlight it's strengths but that's only in your head! Gaslighting is another way to achieve the very same effect, and that's what marketing aims to do! Paul R. Smith has worked in aeronautics for big players, for his understanding of some of the physics and the related math, and if anyone has no excuse to use fake words like "Tonewood" it's him, but he didn't get so big being 100% honest either, because way too many believe in mythology than reality which is not science, but religion!
Thanks for the comment! I do think it's important to put all of these claims to the test, I like the scientific approach and some of my new videos will be applying these types of approaches to the "tone debate" 👍
Some good points. At the end of the day for me at least if I'm.gonna spend my hard earned cash on something .. it will probably be a PRS..I don't care about Paul's hype or anything else. What I care about it value for my money. I like LPs , but dang the amount of crap Gibson produces.. nope not wasting my money there. PRS builds good guitars that do what I want them to. I did have a problem with the finish on my 2021 CE. Sent it back to them and they corrected it without hassle. Holding up very good now a few years later.
It sucked buying a nice guitar with issues, but they stood by their warranty and made it righta
@@shawnmcginnis2508 Gibson: Tell me about it!! Every time I get one in my shop I can only hope it's not another busted head stock or even worse needs a neck reset... I mean a guitar with a terrible finish will still perform identical as far as human hearing is concerned, but making the damned head stocks worse over time (from the 50's to the late 80's going from a 3/32 ebony reinforcement plate to no plate! Then they finally got enough flack they added a carbon composite layer that is tough, but still flexible, so they only break a little bit less easy, and so they still do frequently, and then the carbon has to come off which is a real freaking bitch, and makes repairs more difficult and therefore more expensive! They changed the neck joints many times, sometimes in silly ways that makes little to no difference, but didn't tell anyone, and so unless you can find some privately published specs of someone taking one off and showing you the joint, with as close to the date the instrument your working on, so you are less likely to approach it all the wrong ways for having a false expectation. In the 80's for a while they carved a dovetail onto the neck heel, but instead of a dovetail in the body to accept it all they did is drill a big hole it would just slide into, with the only contact being on the edges of the dovetail leaving huge gaps they just filled with epoxy. try softening up that amount of glue with heaters without warping the woods all over the place! It's better to cut it off, graft on new wood pieces and rebuild everything to make a proper joint that shouldn't ever fail in the first place.
It's funny that PRS players are always making videos to justify playing them. You don't see Fender players doing that😆. The biggest reason to be careful buying expensive PRS guitars new is they depreciate at a much higher rate than Fender and Gibson. My only issue with the silversky is the tiltback headstock. I don't need that with a bolt on neck bang around instrument. Yes I don't usually like Paul's take on pickups. Paul likes raspy rock tones. Unfortunately, that is where his pickup designs shine the most. If you want something else, it becomes a struggle. His proprietary pickup shapes just piss me off. I don't like any company that tries to lock me in to only buying from them because of proprietary items no one else makes or uses. #Apple.
I agree about the apply thing, however the reason I was compelled to make the video was becuae the PRS I got was my dream guitar and I had alot of people making off hand comments about it. To me Fender and Gibson have been around so long they don't need to have people speak on their behalf, however people still do. It's all in good fun and really just an opinion peice.
they can be sterile! i know you touched on it but it's more than just rolled off highs
i'm still thinking of trying to get someone to sell me an SE singlecut flame for 700 while they seem to still have lots of stock left
in your experience has sweetwater given decent deals to customers who've recently bought items? i just got a $3k h-150 custom core from them, hoping they might sell me the singlecut for 7
Sweetwater's hit and miss.
I've heard they can be sterile but there's so much more to your sound than the guitar I can't help but think it's got to be a combo of things
@@PNWGuitar oh yeh it is... they're slick, they're super modern, like, i was looking at the singlecut bc i can't do the more modern body styles...
i think it starts from the visual aesthetics, and is most salient there, probably that philosophy of design language is easily trasnposed onto the tone of the guitar, which is, you're correct, influenced by myriad difft subtle changes..
i think the allure of some older guitars come from the technical imperfections imbuing certain tonal and aesthetic characteristics, that can kinda give you a "signature."
bc it's never gonna be, at least for me, searching for the 'cleanest' or the 'dirtiest,' in a way that could be measured objectively.
and w the PRS's everything is so clean and glossy and HYPER-FLAMED (if it is) that it loses any subtlety i find so alluring in the soft gradients of aged bursts...
to me certain plain top bursts are like Rothko paintings... you can lose yourself in the infinite # of colors in all that's going on in those paint jobs...
i think that's why they're so timeless, as much as "X player played them."
bc the pro players i know couldn't care less about what famous mega-rock star played what.. and neither do i
but it's ofc all subjective in the end...
i just don't like modern guitar styles or (aesthetic/visual) design language applied to them
@@ListenHereOldMan Then you should probably play a lute. 🤣
You had some great comments. Allow me to give you some nits to your video. The repetative lick started to be really old...and I"m imagining guitar players watching this video...and getting them to sit thru 11 minutes of the same chord progression over and over again, boderlines on going insane. Also...I watched with headphones, and most of the time...a drum "kick" in the right earphone, was just thumping away... again contributing the the "water torture" of the backdrop music. I think if you totally ditched the music after the first minute, I could pay more attention to what you're saying. Also, cutting the time you spend talking to half of what you now have, would keep me watching until the end. 11 minutes is pushing. QUALITY content...but I'm picky and easy to do watching someone else's video.
Thanks for the tips!
Mojo shmojo, guitars are tools to make music. This is all like carpenters fixating on vintage vs. new hammers to me. Drive the nail, build the house and get on with it. Fuck consumer fetishism.
Paul has driven soooo many improvements to guitar making whilst Fender and Gibson have been living off of their past and only half a$$’d at that. Paul is on the factory floor every day and in design meetings every day….not a company managed by a board of directors….any put down of PRS is snobbery or jealousy.
Paul is incredibly hands on, which shows in the product. I love the passion
Paul sells snake oil and mojo.. his stuff is over priced and geared towards folks who don't understand how an electric guitar works.
Yes He has innovated some things.. but his asinine insistence on 'tap testing' lumber and other crazy things just drives me nuts. His guitars look amazing. build quality is solid.
I don't like his necks, I don't like his pickups.. and I don't like his prices or tones. he is a microcosm of what is wrong with the guitar industry.
Appreciate the opinion, I'll agree I don't buy all of Paul's beliefs BUT he makes high quality guitars that look and sound great and for the price stand up against gibson as far as I'm concerned. I usually stay within the CE/S2 lines for my budget and compared to similarly priced Gibsons I've had a great experience and none of the issues. I also love the Eii Japanese ESP guitarsvfor the same reason though they're much more modern feeling and geared towards metal for the most part
I'm sorry man, I couldn't make it past the first minute of this video. Background music. You don't need it. Or at least it doesn't need to be that loud.
I appreciate the feedback!
$3600 and you get a gig bag. Still makes me laugh. Love PRS, but really a gig bag.
I will say people were not that thrilled with the price before everything went sky high so that price is a little nuts. I'm glad I got my CE when I did and I definitely won't be parting with it, it's become my go to guitar for just about everything
Well man its been swell ,But that music is killing me,Gotta go.
That's fair, my new videos use little to no background music since it was a big talking point here
1. They make a more consistent product.
2. Their guitars sound less muddy.
GUITAR PLAYER: Thet suck! No “soul.” No “mojo.”
Only musicians.
Musicians can be pretentious and never sewm satisfied
I've played numerous PRS guitars and while they're well built, i just don't like them. Lots of people like them though.
So you’re saying the vibe is cold clinical consistency…..rock on?
If rock and roll means out of tune or poor qc then by all means try something else 🤣
What a dumb comment.... I would want consistency from ANY product of that price point....
Prs, only for the plebs
The poor you mean? 🤣 opposite opinion of most
Nobody needs to make an apology video. Gear snobs don't like it because in the end PRS guitars are going to hold value better than vintage instruments.
Do you think they will?
Whether you buy an SE or a Core, they have no distinct tone. They are indeed the prettiest guitars in the world, but not much tone, kinda like a hot girl with no substance.
I disagree but I'm happy for the feedback and always open to opinions
@PNWGuitar I just cant spot one on a record like I can several other types of guitars where you know a model when you hear it. Alter Bridge doesnt count because they always use PRS.
They are not “controversial”. That’s the whole point. There is little about them that doesn’t compromise in the name of consistent build, quality control, versatility, and a sense of premium materials. They are not very “rock n roll” in that pre-90s sense. They seem to have been initially conceived as a blend of the premium attractions of Gibsons and the manufacturing rationale of Fender. If that bothers you, none of the arguments presented here are going to convince you.
I wouod agree, I do find alot of the arguments against these being high quality workhouse guitars come down to "I don't like them" you can't argue against taste