A guitar costing as much as a Gibson should have impeccable QC. Gibson's QC and fit/finish is offensively bad. Epiphone is practically beating Gibson at QC these days. No one can argue the extraordinary build quality, fit, and finish of a PRS. It's on another level. I would have placed PRS as far "better" than Gibson for a long time now.
@@Hickeroar I think you're contributing too much value to a guitar's paint job. Plus, just because Spectre sound studios got a bad paint job doesn't mean that that's the norm.
I own PRS, Gibson and Fender guitars and wouldn't want to part with any of these wonderful instruments. A Tele, CE24 and an SG standard '61. I play each of these guitars nearly daily. I don't have a favorite. I love them all.
1 Prs custom 24, 1 prs mccarty sc 594, 3 Gibson lp standard, 1 Gibson sg standard and 2 fender custom shop strats. I love them all. Only miss a good tele
I've played a bunch of Gibson and PRS in all price ranges from SE/Epiphone to Custom Shop/Private Stock, and personally I prefer the tone and feel of PRS. There are things I like about Gibson, but when it comes to spending my money, it's going to PRS. I respect anyone's opinion which differs from mine, as well. If you like Gibson better, that's totally cool. There are way more important things in this life to fight about rather than guitar brand preference lol
@@calvinevans6347 there is one ☝️ called guitar pedals 😁. There are so many that you can literally drown in them or swim like Scrooge Mcduck on his gold 😂
I have both a PRS McCarty and a Slash LP Standard as my main guitars. I prefer the tone of the LP, but favor the ergonomics of my PRS. Whichever one I use kinda depends on my mood at the time, I’m just thrilled to have both.
On my prs I would prefer a 3 way switch than the blade style pick up switch. I owned a les paul with an ebony neck and the dam thing wouldn't stay in tune. It might stay in tune now. I don't play all that heavy metal stuff any more.
I don't play or have ever touched either one, but that Gibson sounded better right from the first strum. Just to my ear. It was something I noticed right away.
Same....there just that extra oomph in that 79 that just isn't present in the prs. That being said, I do prefer the neck pickup on the prs on clean tone. It's a lot more clear and smooth.
@@TheFrontyer it's not the same it's a combination of everything in the les paul that gives it that tone. You can't just take the pickups and put them in another guitar thinking that it will sound the same.
@@TheFrontyer if that is the case then i can just put a gibson pickup on a wodden stick with a stop bar tail piece and it will sound just as a good as a les paul
That blend of a Strat and LP is because Paul wanted to Goldilocks his guitar model both Fender and Gibson buyers. He traced around a Strat and LP on a big sheet of paper and then drew his PRS right in the middle. He put his scale length right in the middle too. Then he fixed a few flaws (lower headstock angle, straight string pull to the tuners) for more tuning stability, and used 80s-Hamer-style exotic tops with careful finishing. That way he believed he could best capture both buyers as they would feel very close to home.
@@6stringcodger450 I know what ya'll are talking about but none of my Les Pauls noticeably vibrate in the hands,...But they ALL have wonderful tone and sustain..They are extremely lively guitars.
Cool. I still have and record with my 1968 LP Custom - bought it in 1974 and used it live for a decade. Irreplaceable! Recently I bought the Epiphone 59 LP with Gibson pick-ups & wiring - nice to finally have a 'Standard' - it has its own personality. I also bought a PRS SE 24-08, which is a lovely feeling and very versatile piece of work. I'm not really up for the US made top line PRS stuff financially but I am really impressed with the few I've tried out. There's no 'best' IMO - just what suits you best, and if you can afford 2 or 3 guitars why not enjoy best of both worlds, I guess?
4:53 yup, I agree! The Les Paul is not as comfortable, not as balanced, perhaps less versatile, BUT there is something about them that makes 'em very special and awesome guitars. For me I think its the feel of the neck and of course the unmistakable tones :)
Outside of Robert's particular Les Paul not having coil splitting pots,.but considering there are Les Pauls that do,..I don’t understand this "more versatile" idea about the PRS. Can you elaborate ?
@@stricknine8623 yeah, I was mostly thinking of the fact that a standard PRS guitar has coil splits, and Les Pauls have them less often... Also I find the coil splits in PRS guitars to be some of the best ( in the sense they sound most like a genuine single coil)... Really the main point I was making is the tones of a Les Paul is better to me... Which guitar is more versatile is subjective
I’ve specifically wanted a “Les Paul Sound” on plenty of covers and originals but I can’t say I’ve ever really insisted on having a “PRS Sound” on anything. Maybe just because they’re newer overall but they just seem kinda bland tonally.
I tried a ton of PRS’s and ended up buying a McCarty Korina about 13 years ago or so. I feel like it has it’s own vibe and sits real well in between a sparkly strat and the darker sound of a Les Paul. When I played normal PRS guitars they came across, to me, as a version of a Gibson rather than its own thing. My McCarty is my favorite guitar for any type of crunchy rhythm work and for doing some 80’s session style leads.
I always felt like PRS is similar to Taylor in that they’re both so beautifully engineered and crafted, but their tone is so “perfect” (for lack of a better word) that they sound more like machines than wooden instruments played by human hands. There’s just a certain warmth and character that’s missing.
Exactly Zero real musicians would describe John Mayer, Carlos Santana, or David Grissom’s recorded or live tones, playing a PRS, as sterile or lacking warmth.
@@tacdoc8736 I would respectfully argue that John Mayer’s and David Grissom’s tone can indeed sometimes sound a little sterile. I love both of these artists. They’re so talented they’d make a broomstick sound amazing. I just think if you take tone for tone and ignore the artist, the LP has a warmer less sterile sound. Its minor but it’s perceptible. Build quality and playability go to PRS.
It’s kind of like video game competition characters. There’s mario who’s the well rounded character, and good overall in everything, but he doesn’t excel in one area. Whereas other characters aren’t as balanced, but excel in certain areas. Toad is fast, Luigi jumps higher, etc. If you want a Gibson or Fender tone you will only be satisfied with a gibson or Fender
I found this to be true. It's the pickups and Capacitors prs uses. I gutted mine and added new electronics, it added what was missing sound wise. Now I have the tone I wanted with the perfect playability that prs is known for.
that's funny, I just commented the opposite thing lol for me a PRS beats a Les Paul in almost every way, except tone. I love the look, the feel, the tuning stability, but nothing beats those sweet, rockin' tones you get from a Les Paul
@@justaguy2365 The overwhelming majority of what is commented are subjective opinions. I dont really understand the importance of pointing out that someone's clearly stated opinion is subjective. Nobody implied or claimed it as being an objective fact.
I’ve owned a total of 7 USA PRS and 4 Gibson Les Paul’s. Currently have 1 PRS(the cheapest one, too…an S2 satin singlecut 😂) and 3 Gibson Les Pauls. I always preferred playing the PRS for comfort and quality feel, but the Gibson’s just have that “X” factor to the tone. It was after trying many different pickups with the PRS that I decided i just liked the Gibson sound a lot better.
I think you nailed it. It's like the difference between a Taylor and a Martin acoustic. Taylor and PRS are functionally great instruments that are extremely versatile, but tend to lack character and can sound a bit sterile. I also find PRS to be a little too "pretty" with all the figured tops and fancy colors. Gibson and Martin may be "imperfect" in some ways, but have a character that's inspiring and lend themselves to certain kinds of music. If I'm playing in a worship or wedding band that covers a lot of stylistic ground, I might choose a PRS. If I'm playing blues, rock, or Americana, it's a Gibson all day long.
I agree with your Martin-Taylor analogy. I'm in the market for an acoustic and have tried a ton of them. Taylor’s are well made instruments and appear to cover a lot of ground tone-wise. I’m sure they’re easier to record and fit in a mix more readily than a Martin but M’s just have the mojo to me. And mojo wins every time.
@@TheFrontyer Pickups are indeed a big part of the sound, but there's more to it than just that. Body composition, neck & fretboard composition, bridge, nut, finish, and scale length (which differ anywhere from 1/4" to 3/4" for a Gibson and PRS) all contribute to the overall sound of a guitar. Throwing a pair of Gibson PAFs in a PRS would no doubt change the sound and bring it closer to a Gibson, but it would still sound different.
@@festcentral None of that matters, the only thing that makes a difference is the pickups. There has been thoroug studies on this, and no matter what you change it makes no difference in tone. With the exception of strings and to a certain degree scale lenght.
I love Les Pauls...the tone, the iconic look, they're classics! I've had 3 or 4 from different decades and there's no mistaking the sound. But as a regular player I need something that stays in tune better...I can't be looking down checking my B and G strings throughout the entire set. All that said, as a TOOL, a PRS wins. Mostly because of the design, but also because of its versatility. Some say they sound more generic, but that 10% more character you hear when you're sitting in your basement or studio...it gets lost in a live mix. That's why I say PRS...or better yet, a Suhr strat!
I totally agree! As someone who owns many guitars, my Gibson Les Paul Standard outfitted and finished like a classic 59' has fabulous tone, killer looks, and is the easiest to play. Coupled with my Marshall half stack, it's a rock monster that's even too loud for my outdoor concerts.
Definitely agree haha Gibson kinda just lives with the problems in their instruments a lot. They've done things to try and help but it just made it worse (those damned robotic tuners🤣)
Ive done the same comparison. Les paul definitely has the thump. Another factor is scale length. PRS with the 25 inch and Gibson with 24.75 inch. PRS seem very mid focused. But you crank both through a 4x12 and it’s a lot closer. Both are great IMO
Great video… it will be greater if there wasn’t a lot if reverb that doesn’t help too much to decide difference in tone, like it hides it sometimes. Anyways, thanks!
I would like to hear/see how your LP is set up in this video. Those cream colored pickups harken back to vintage rock times when combined with the tobacco burst. The tones are spot on as well. Tell us more!
A master violinist doesn't play a Stradivarius because it's easier to play or lighter than other violins. The primary purpose of a musical instrument is to make wonderful sounds. That said, both these guitars have their contexts, and I think the Venn diagram overlaps a bit in the middle. But outside that middle ground, I'd choose the one that owns that area and learn how to play it. As always, love the videos, Robert!
Man, I agree with this so much. PRS is better in EVERYTHING on paper. But LP has that LP sound. PRS can get there with one very small change. They just need to move the bridge pickup closer to the bridge. Won't work on Trem models, but on a 594, it needs to happen. I overcame the difference with a different (Bill Lawrence) pickup.
Killer intro there, Robert! Short but so sweet! Also, thank you for stating your preference. Too many half-hour review/comparison videos on YT that end in "I have no guts to tell you what I think so let me know in the comments what you think". (Yea, that's why I watch your videos, so I can read what others think.) Also, you made fair points for both in this comparison so totally cool. I unsubscribed from many guitar channels recently but yours is staying for sure 😉
I own a Gibson Les Paul Tribute and a PRS S2 Custom 24. I find that the PRS is my go to when I want to play Post Rock style music (i.e.; loads of reverb, delay, etc...). It just fills that niche for me. The Paul is pretty much my all around go to. Mainly use if for rock and older metal. Really works for when I want to get that Tool sound. I also have a Mexican Strat that I break out occasionally for grunge and 90s rock. All in all, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I think guitars are like mood pieces. Depending on how you're feeling in the moment, will dictate what guitar you pick up. As I get older, brands mean less. Feeling and sound mean so much more.
It hasn't been an argument for years. PRS have had the upper hand for a long time. Amazing craftmanship. Amazing tone. They feel perfect in your hands. My PRS Tremonti's are the best guitars I've ever played.
Just wondering if you have the treble bleed caps in your DGT in or out of circuit. I found my DGT to be a bit sharp and sterile in sound until I disconnected the these caps. Now it has the warmth that my Les Paul has. Mind you, the are times when having these caps in circuit could be handy so I'm looking at ways of switching them in and out without butchering the guitar. The bleed caps out could be the 10% you're after?
Personally I tend to play stuff that suits the instrument but I think this is your strength that vibe with instrument playing what you feel and getting the way you feel to be right in tonality. Dude loved the strat vibe when you did the pedal stuff with Rhett and Tim.
That's really what it comes down to, the guitar needs to just feel right, and that is an individual thing. I have an 80's Vantage Les Paul copy that I paid $200 for new. Definitely not a top end guitar, but it feels and plays awesome to me. I put a Carvin Allen Holdsworth pickup in it that probably cost me almost the same as the guitar. That guitar responds perfectly to my touch. It's awesome to find an instrument that has "that sound and feel" that makes your brain smile.
I have had more than one of each...both great. Of course the Les Paul has the "classic" sound...that you have to keep tuning every five minutes to keep. PRS is the present. Their star is rising.
I have both a Gibson Custom Shop and a PRS Core line and I think the PRS has a slight lead. The Regular line Gibsons are not up to the Core line PRS. They sound different to me, the LP cannot be compared to in tone. Nothing beats a LP thru a Marshall.
I legit think that PRS guitars are the most perfect guitars out there. If there was an objective answer to subjective question of "what's the best guitar that exists right now?" I honestly think that this title should go to the Custom 24. It literally takes the best of both worlds between the two most iconic styles of solid body electric guitars (the Stratocaster and the Les Paul) and mixes them into a single instrument. Too bad they're so expensive, the Custom 24 is literally my dream guitar.
lol Tone??? It is called Amp and Pedals setup. Amp and Pedal setup has way more to do with tone than pickups. If you don't believe me there are videos of $200 guitars sounding fantastic because they are going through a great amp and pedals that are setup for that guitar.
@@theshadowoftruth7561 both guitars would have sounded the same. My strat doesn’t sound exactly the same as my tele using the same exact pedal board and amp. My Les Paul doesn’t sound like my 335 through the the same board and amp. They make a big difference but to pretend that guitars don’t have their own tone is ridiculous and shows how little you actually know.
@@smelltheglove2038 What I was getting at is his setup is configured for his Les Paul and these are both humbucker setups not single coil , P90s or Lipstick. I was talking about setups you should not be using the same setup for every guitar. Every guitar needs its own setup to sound its best. If I use my Schecter C1 Classic with my amp set up for my PRS se Mira it would sound horrendous!
I love both but agree LP tone is second to none. I like the quality of construction and the comfort of PRS core instruments. Basically I alternate practice and gigging between both brands and love their sound and respective differences!
Les Pauls are uncomfortable, heavy, have shitty access down the fretboard but NOTHING sounds like a Les Paul. Plus LEGENDARY recordings have been made with a Les Paul which all of us want to emulate
You should do a comparison video of Harley Benton's SC 550 Plus and a Les Paul. It would be interesting to see how a highly acclaimed budget Les Paul compares to the real thing.
Let’s not forget how many LPs don’t actually have that ‘vibe’ and feel off the shelf. And a lot of the diff is in the pickups. Slap some burstbuckers in a single cut PRS and you get too close to really tell the diff.
All I can say is with the LP the sound is there and how many have survived from the 50’s and 60’s on the road etc. truly legendary. PRS is the “ perfect” guitar made to align with every spec imaginable and are great. A les Paul just has something indescribable! They can vary a lot also. I would love to add a nice PRS but I’m content
I love playing a nice resonating guitar. I remember those the most when I try out guitars. I have only encountered about 4 like this. Two Firebirds, one Eric Clapton Strat and a Les Paul. I wish I had the money at the time I tried those out after understanding this. The Les Paul put me in auto rocker mode. I was playing Journey licks and melodies to songs I never learned when I tried out the Les Paul. It felt like I played with intuition with that one.
I don't know what it is about PRS's - they are very well built guitars, but whenever I see one, my eyelids become heavy and I start having an uncontrollable urge to yawn. Maybe it's just me, but from what I've read online, It is pretty widespread.
I own a CE24 made during Covid with the split coil setup. I grew up playing my uncle's Mexican Stratocaster. Played on Epiphone LP models as well throughout my bullshitting through guitar. To me, my PRS is the best of both Fender and Gibson. But you have to understand that the dynamic of having the best of both worlds means sacrificing something in return. Therefore, it's not fully a Strat, and not fully a Gibson. But again, with that you encounter a new sound on its own, which I think have become synonymous with PRS today.
I'm with you, I love Les Pauls. They may not be the easiest guitars to get along with but they reward you for perseverence. It's like a relationship with a strong, stubborn, talented woman. It's not for everyone. Everybody calm the fxxk down, that's not a sexist remark. It's a high compliment. Btw I have great respect for PRS.
It doesn’t matter they’ll always be posh guitars for posh players. Gibson has the vibe, the look, the tone, the history and .....The Vibe....for Daysssssss 😎
I totally agree with all your conclusions. I prefer the tone of my Les Paul Standard, period, but my PRS Wood Library Custom 24-08 is such a beautifully built machine and so playable that I'm happy keeping them both. 🙂
A few things that would be important to note... both companies offer multiple pickup options - different windings, different wiring, different magnets, etc. Comparing one Les Paul to one PRS doesn't begin to cover the field of tonal variety. The PRS in your hand looks like an SE, which has different pickups than a McCarty or a Santana (which has different pickups than both) or a Special 22. What pickups are in your LP? The '59 Standard has different pickups than the '69 Standard and both are different than the LP custom or Slash, etc, etc...
I'm a "Double-Cut" kinda Guy! I've tried to Love Gibson.....owned a few tried a LOT more, they just don't feel right in my hands (same goes for the Fender Brand!). A PRS does it for me and the original McCarty, I think, has that sound that you are missing from your DGT (although that is an Awesome guitar!). Yes, your L.P. has that Rockin' Tone, but I think I can dial that tone in on most humbucker equipped guitars that don't have a trem system. I wanted to love a Les Paul so much.......
What pickups are in that Les Paul? I’m looking to replace the stock pups with some uncovered cream ones like those. Right now I’m leaning towards a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and a Dimarzio 36th Anniversary 59 PAF in the neck.
Paul Reed Smith has in depth knowledge of guitars that gives me a confidence with purchasing their guitars. He had a relationship with Ted McCarty who used to be at Gibson. Paul knows how the frets used to be put on the Gibson's, what type of glue they used, what all the specs are. He knows how the pickups were wound, what type of wire, all the little details about making a Gibson that Ted shared with him. He used this knowledge to make a better guitar. When making the Silver Sky, he x-rayed the John Mayer Fender pickups and studied them. He has a piece of equipment with software that tells him all the details about a pickup that you need to know. He knows the 21 rules for tone. He said there are about 2 or 3 where most people are dead wrong. He knows all the little secrets of making a good guitar great. You feel his passion about guitars every time he speaks. A guitar that sustains 45 seconds is better than one that sustains 25 seconds. With all of his hard work, he and his team earned to be where the company is today. Leo Fender did not stay with Fender as long, and we all know about the CBS Fender guitars and what many thought about them. Paul and his team focus on making sure a guitar that was made on a Monday morning and one made on a Friday afternoon are as close to each other as they can. For that window of changes between guitars to be as small as they can. This does not mean every guitar is perfect, as when people are involved, sometimes things happen. But with PRS, they happen less often. They also have weekly meetings that include a discussion on what can we do better? Having this knowledge about the team at PRS, gives me the confidence of the little things you don't see behind the paint job, and that construction, parts, and what you don't see inside the guitar they have taken the greatest care to make. This makes me want to own PRS guitars and when owning them proud to play them. The other guitars I have sit in their case more as the PRS 594 and Silver Sky I own generally meet the needs of a session or live gig.
The PRS pick ups are warmer, clearer and push the amp to saturation quicker. Here is how I feel after listening to the comparison: Want something dirty to push a Fuzz, OD, Pitch Shift, Octave, or Distortion with some Flanger or Phase Shift? Choose a Gibson LP Standard (or Studio). Want something that has a lot of expression and breaks through the noise or for creating headspace by boosting into Chorus, Vibrato, Echo, Delay, Uni-vibe, Tremolo/Pan, Reverb? Choose a comparable quality PRS Custom 24 or better. I prefer a longer scale length. I just like the feel and a compound neck is easier on the hand and wrist IMO. I usually just jam through a bunch of different guitars, but I seem to always start with the heaviest and work my way to the lightest before I am done. I have a Gibson USA LP Studio, a LP 50's P-90 Gold Top, an Epiphone LP PRO II (very similar to the LP in the demo here), and a PRS 35th Anniversary Artist Series ($$$). The PRS plays easier, more range. I grab the PRO II before the Gibby's, and the PRS because of the comfort, quality, and balance. Did I mention that I bought it without playing it first? I figured that it had better be worth it, based on the hype. So we are actually comparing apples to apples, but it is more like comparing a Honeycrisp to a Red Delicious. Both are great to eat, or put in a pie. But which flavor is better is up to the one tasting it...
After trying multiple samples of both they both sounded great. But I bought a Les Paul as it just felt more fun to play and it was closer to the sound I was looking for.
I’ve had a gibson, various fenders and more recently a PRS S2 Vela and PRS wins the day for me. Bought a Gibson Les Paul Standard which was a £2k lovely looking guitar but within 6 months had fret sprout and even one of the inlays coming loose! My fender Strat has lasted since 1995 without any issues at all and my tele could have probably been used to dig up the road and would have stayed in tune but the PRS ticks ALL the boxes for me, especially this model as it’s not as fancy looking as some of the others with various binding and 10 tops etc.
I think we have reached a point where all top tier brands are on the same level it all just comes down to preference at a certain point, although an example to example might vary because quality control and setup differences but I think fender, gibson, prs and other guitars on that level are equal quality with just different specs to appeal to each player
Had a 2016 Gibson LP Standard. It's a solid guitar, but my band plays a variety of songs from slow jazz to punk rock to heavy rock to pop music to country, etc. Got real old real fast having about 5 different guitars up there because of being a tone-chaser. Decided to focus on 2 guitars to cover the wide range. After woodshedding it for a couple months, I found what works for me is a 1994 PRS Custom 24 for about 80% of all the songs, and my Telecaster with Texas Special pickups (made the Tele from a kit!) for the remaining 20% of songs that just need that extra treble to sound right. Fiddling around with stomp pedal effects, my PRS sounds close enough to an LP or a Strat that the casual listener won't really notice or care. Gibson makes some kick@ss quality LPs, but it is a bit limited. Fender makes some kick@ss Stratocasters, but it is a bit limited. PRS is more like a Swiss Army Knife compared to those two, but the tradeoff is that it sometimes feels like it's a Jack of All Trades, but a Master of None. Still, it is far preferable to being a Master of only One.
I have a lot of guitars, but I have and even closer pairing - A Les Paul Traditional HCSB with Classic 57s, and I have a PRS core Singlecut 594 with 58/15 LT pickups, designed to be the perfect PAF. The 594 is a masterpiece, Paul's take on a perfect Les Paul. it sounds spectacular and is much more versatile. Yoiu want a crystal clear ambient tone with delay, a Jazz tone, a great metal tone, etc. And because the pickups a designed to sound like PAFs, it sounds like a super clean older Les Paul. The Les Paul plugged into a Plexi with glowing tubes and a little delay is a monster. Same plugged into a Dirty Shirley (at match made in heaven) It has a bite and a mojo the PRS doesn't. I love them both, but they each have their place. I play the 594 more, but when I want to crank my 50 watt Marshall, the Les Paul is going into it.
At least when I bought my les paul. A korean PRS-SE was the same price point as a satin finish Gibson les paul. I went to the store to buy a prs-se but came home with a Gibson. Not had a chance to try a USA PRS.
Well, my main solid bodies right now are a 2018 Epiphone LP and a 2001 PRS/Santana SE (first gen, back when they were still Santana branded). The biggest issue I have with the PRS SE's of this era is that they're flat tops. Still have the belly cut, so that part is more comfortable than a Les Paul, but my picking arm likes the LP's carved top better. That must makes me want to get a new PRS SE with their fancier carved tops, probably a Custom or Standard 24.
Hey Robert, one question: what pickups do you have on your les Paul? Great video, thanks for share… there are a lot of UA-cam videos about the sound of each guitar, but there is not describe what about the feeling, playing sensations, etc… this information is very importante on this days that internet commerce is growing and many people don’t have the option to play before buy…
I have a Les Paul Special Tribute that is balanced and I can take my hands of it while playing seated - it's a 2021 model with no chambering and the neck is profile is called rounded which is full but not '59 fat.
So what do you prefer PRS or Gibson?
both
Gibson. The look is an attitude, and the attitude is rock and/or roll.
A guitar costing as much as a Gibson should have impeccable QC. Gibson's QC and fit/finish is offensively bad. Epiphone is practically beating Gibson at QC these days. No one can argue the extraordinary build quality, fit, and finish of a PRS. It's on another level. I would have placed PRS as far "better" than Gibson for a long time now.
@@Hickeroar I think you're contributing too much value to a guitar's paint job. Plus, just because Spectre sound studios got a bad paint job doesn't mean that that's the norm.
I have an Epiphone and covet both. But, really, I love my Epiphone.
I own PRS, Gibson and Fender guitars and wouldn't want to part with any of these wonderful instruments. A Tele, CE24 and an SG standard '61. I play each of these guitars nearly daily. I don't have a favorite. I love them all.
I feel the same, I love them all and try to play a few licks on each daily
LP, Strat, Taylor, PRS HB2. Sometimes that PRS brings me tears.
I’m the same… my favourite is the one I just played… because I felt like playing it.
and they all have their own voice and personality !!!!!
1 Prs custom 24, 1 prs mccarty sc 594, 3 Gibson lp standard, 1 Gibson sg standard and 2 fender custom shop strats. I love them all. Only miss a good tele
I've played a bunch of Gibson and PRS in all price ranges from SE/Epiphone to Custom Shop/Private Stock, and personally I prefer the tone and feel of PRS. There are things I like about Gibson, but when it comes to spending my money, it's going to PRS. I respect anyone's opinion which differs from mine, as well. If you like Gibson better, that's totally cool. There are way more important things in this life to fight about rather than guitar brand preference lol
Please give us an idea of what's more important to fight about than this subject. Lol
@@calvinevans6347 there is one ☝️ called guitar pedals 😁. There are so many that you can literally drown in them or swim like Scrooge Mcduck on his gold 😂
I prefer playing my PRS. People sometimes dislike PRS pickups but there’s something about them that really sits with a band well.
They’re sterile, with no souls. They’re the Tim Henson, or whatever that kids name, is of pickups.
I think PRS core pickups sound fantastic.. I have 12 cores..
I’ve found that once you get the levels right, they really sound good.
@@paisteplayer104012? Like one for every month of the year?😅
@@bagazheful 12
I have both a Les Paul and PRS. I Really cannot tell which one is better, it depends on the mood I am in. I love both my kids equally ;-)
yeah, same boat here... have both and love em (just differently)
Man I freaked out a little bit when the Gibson started moving to the floor, thought you were about to let it drop.
I have both a PRS McCarty and a Slash LP Standard as my main guitars. I prefer the tone of the LP, but favor the ergonomics of my PRS. Whichever one I use kinda depends on my mood at the time, I’m just thrilled to have both.
LOVE my McCarty and my LP VOS 1959!! GOTTA have 'em both. BOTH! LOL
On my prs I would prefer a 3 way switch than the blade style pick up switch.
I owned a les paul with an ebony neck and the dam thing wouldn't stay in tune.
It might stay in tune now. I don't play all that heavy metal stuff any more.
The fact thats its a slash, its probably pretty shit
@@jameshickson8174 no
Swap pick ups and see what happens.
I don't play or have ever touched either one, but that Gibson sounded better right from the first strum. Just to my ear. It was something I noticed right away.
Same....there just that extra oomph in that 79 that just isn't present in the prs. That being said, I do prefer the neck pickup on the prs on clean tone. It's a lot more clear and smooth.
Could just add the pickups on a PRS, and you will get best of both worlds
@@TheFrontyer it's not the same it's a combination of everything in the les paul that gives it that tone. You can't just take the pickups and put them in another guitar thinking that it will sound the same.
@@_vixen_4504 yes you can lol. Pickups is the only thing that matters. That has been proven countless times.
@@TheFrontyer if that is the case then i can just put a gibson pickup on a wodden stick with a stop bar tail piece and it will sound just as a good as a les paul
I would like to see you compare a single cut PRS to the Les Paul. I think the traditional PRS’s have a great blend of a Strat and Les Paul.
Yeah, that's the real comparison.
That blend of a Strat and LP is because Paul wanted to Goldilocks his guitar model both Fender and Gibson buyers. He traced around a Strat and LP on a big sheet of paper and then drew his PRS right in the middle. He put his scale length right in the middle too. Then he fixed a few flaws (lower headstock angle, straight string pull to the tuners) for more tuning stability, and used 80s-Hamer-style exotic tops with careful finishing. That way he believed he could best capture both buyers as they would feel very close to home.
I actually liked the neck pickup on the prs more, had a bit more clarity and I could hear separate notes easier the finish as well is gorgeous btw
Feel like PRS is what you get crossing a Les Paul and strat
I think that's what Paul Reed Smith originally wanted to do when making his guitars
I think it’s more of an SG and a strat.
That’s what Paul was going for when he designed them.
100% the reason I never liked them. Until I bought a Silver Sky.
I’ve had my Les Paul for 44 years and as much as I like it, my 99’ PRS Custom 22 blows it away. It just resonates in my hand and feels alive!
@@6stringcodger450
I know what ya'll are talking about but none of my Les Pauls noticeably vibrate in the hands,...But they ALL have wonderful tone and sustain..They are extremely lively guitars.
@@6stringcodger450 the guy who re-fretted my 76 les paul was a guy named paul reed smith !!!!
Cool. I still have and record with my 1968 LP Custom - bought it in 1974 and used it live for a decade. Irreplaceable! Recently I bought the Epiphone 59 LP with Gibson pick-ups & wiring - nice to finally have a 'Standard' - it has its own personality. I also bought a PRS SE 24-08, which is a lovely feeling and very versatile piece of work. I'm not really up for the US made top line PRS stuff financially but I am really impressed with the few I've tried out. There's no 'best' IMO - just what suits you best, and if you can afford 2 or 3 guitars why not enjoy best of both worlds, I guess?
4:53 yup, I agree! The Les Paul is not as comfortable, not as balanced, perhaps less versatile, BUT there is something about them that makes 'em very special and awesome guitars. For me I think its the feel of the neck and of course the unmistakable tones :)
Outside of Robert's particular Les Paul not having coil splitting pots,.but considering there are Les Pauls that do,..I don’t understand this "more versatile" idea about the PRS.
Can you elaborate ?
Les paul is less versatile? The only thing that makes it not versatile is the player playing it.
@@stricknine8623 yeah, I was mostly thinking of the fact that a standard PRS guitar has coil splits, and Les Pauls have them less often... Also I find the coil splits in PRS guitars to be some of the best ( in the sense they sound most like a genuine single coil)... Really the main point I was making is the tones of a Les Paul is better to me... Which guitar is more versatile is subjective
@@downshift00 hence the "perhaps"... that's up to the player
Finally? Has been since 1985!
“Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man...” Jeff Lebowski
I’ve specifically wanted a “Les Paul Sound” on plenty of covers and originals but I can’t say I’ve ever really insisted on having a “PRS Sound” on anything. Maybe just because they’re newer overall but they just seem kinda bland tonally.
You can’t compare a 79 KM Les Paul with a new DGT. That specific Les Paul is one of the best I’ve ever heard.
Those Gibson Standard ‘50s are what it’s all about.
I like the LP more, but I prefer a SG. Nice playing on both beautiful instruments.
I tried a ton of PRS’s and ended up buying a McCarty Korina about 13 years ago or so. I feel like it has it’s own vibe and sits real well in between a sparkly strat and the darker sound of a Les Paul. When I played normal PRS guitars they came across, to me, as a version of a Gibson rather than its own thing. My McCarty is my favorite guitar for any type of crunchy rhythm work and for doing some 80’s session style leads.
I always felt like PRS is similar to Taylor in that they’re both so beautifully engineered and crafted, but their tone is so “perfect” (for lack of a better word) that they sound more like machines than wooden instruments played by human hands. There’s just a certain warmth and character that’s missing.
This. Great instrument but as with Taylors they have a hard to define sterility to them.
Exactly Zero real musicians would describe John Mayer, Carlos Santana, or David Grissom’s recorded or live tones, playing a PRS, as sterile or lacking warmth.
@@tacdoc8736 I would respectfully argue that John Mayer’s and David Grissom’s tone can indeed sometimes sound a little sterile. I love both of these artists. They’re so talented they’d make a broomstick sound amazing. I just think if you take tone for tone and ignore the artist, the LP has a warmer less sterile sound. Its minor but it’s perceptible. Build quality and playability go to PRS.
It’s kind of like video game competition characters. There’s mario who’s the well rounded character, and good overall in everything, but he doesn’t excel in one area. Whereas other characters aren’t as balanced, but excel in certain areas. Toad is fast, Luigi jumps higher, etc.
If you want a Gibson or Fender tone you will only be satisfied with a gibson or Fender
I found this to be true. It's the pickups and Capacitors prs uses. I gutted mine and added new electronics, it added what was missing sound wise. Now I have the tone I wanted with the perfect playability that prs is known for.
Your Les Paul is particularly awesome sounding with a huge attack
Honestly love the sound of a PRS more. It's sounds a little more focused and ergonomically it just ticks all the boxes
that's funny, I just commented the opposite thing lol for me a PRS beats a Les Paul in almost every way, except tone. I love the look, the feel, the tuning stability, but nothing beats those sweet, rockin' tones you get from a Les Paul
@@SeanDS89 tone, look and price Les Paul is more interesting than PRS.
@@nmnmnm9509 Subjective
@@SeanDS89 haha I guess it's just different for everyone and that's what makes guitar awesome
@@justaguy2365 The overwhelming majority of what is commented are subjective opinions.
I dont really understand the importance of pointing out that someone's clearly stated opinion is subjective.
Nobody implied or claimed it as being an objective fact.
I’ve owned a total of 7 USA PRS and 4 Gibson Les Paul’s. Currently have 1 PRS(the cheapest one, too…an S2 satin singlecut 😂) and 3 Gibson Les Pauls. I always preferred playing the PRS for comfort and quality feel, but the Gibson’s just have that “X” factor to the tone. It was after trying many different pickups with the PRS that I decided i just liked the Gibson sound a lot better.
I own both and they both have there place. There both absolutely wonderful guitars and I’m so glad I’m fortunate enough to own both! Great vid!
PRS has been better since PRS became an option. The real question is why are some people so blind to not realize this?
Your intro riff with the les Paul was sick, sounds similar to siege engine by Buckethead, check it out! Great video as always
Exactly! 👍
Holy crap dude. That very first rythm deal you played on the Les Paul was awesome. Please do a video on that rythm. Please My Guy.
I think you nailed it. It's like the difference between a Taylor and a Martin acoustic. Taylor and PRS are functionally great instruments that are extremely versatile, but tend to lack character and can sound a bit sterile. I also find PRS to be a little too "pretty" with all the figured tops and fancy colors. Gibson and Martin may be "imperfect" in some ways, but have a character that's inspiring and lend themselves to certain kinds of music. If I'm playing in a worship or wedding band that covers a lot of stylistic ground, I might choose a PRS. If I'm playing blues, rock, or Americana, it's a Gibson all day long.
I agree with your Martin-Taylor analogy. I'm in the market for an acoustic and have tried a ton of them. Taylor’s are well made instruments and appear to cover a lot of ground tone-wise. I’m sure they’re easier to record and fit in a mix more readily than a Martin but M’s just have the mojo to me. And mojo wins every time.
The sound is mostly irrelevant imo, as its just a matter of pickups, so they could be easily swapped to achieve whatever tone/sound you want.
@@TheFrontyer Pickups are indeed a big part of the sound, but there's more to it than just that. Body composition, neck & fretboard composition, bridge, nut, finish, and scale length (which differ anywhere from 1/4" to 3/4" for a Gibson and PRS) all contribute to the overall sound of a guitar. Throwing a pair of Gibson PAFs in a PRS would no doubt change the sound and bring it closer to a Gibson, but it would still sound different.
@@festcentral None of that matters, the only thing that makes a difference is the pickups. There has been thoroug studies on this, and no matter what you change it makes no difference in tone. With the exception of strings and to a certain degree scale lenght.
I love Les Pauls...the tone, the iconic look, they're classics! I've had 3 or 4 from different decades and there's no mistaking the sound. But as a regular player I need something that stays in tune better...I can't be looking down checking my B and G strings throughout the entire set. All that said, as a TOOL, a PRS wins. Mostly because of the design, but also because of its versatility. Some say they sound more generic, but that 10% more character you hear when you're sitting in your basement or studio...it gets lost in a live mix. That's why I say PRS...or better yet, a Suhr strat!
I totally agree! As someone who owns many guitars, my Gibson Les Paul Standard outfitted and finished like a classic 59' has fabulous tone, killer looks, and is the easiest to play. Coupled with my Marshall half stack, it's a rock monster that's even too loud for my outdoor concerts.
I like and have both. Although the PRS is definitely more refined.
Definitely agree haha Gibson kinda just lives with the problems in their instruments a lot. They've done things to try and help but it just made it worse (those damned robotic tuners🤣)
i own both, and they are equally great
Ive done the same comparison. Les paul definitely has the thump. Another factor is scale length. PRS with the 25 inch and Gibson with 24.75 inch. PRS seem very mid focused. But you crank both through a 4x12 and it’s a lot closer. Both are great IMO
Great video… it will be greater if there wasn’t a lot if reverb that doesn’t help too much to decide difference in tone, like it hides it sometimes. Anyways, thanks!
I would like to hear/see how your LP is set up in this video. Those cream colored pickups harken back to vintage rock times when combined with the tobacco burst. The tones are spot on as well. Tell us more!
is there really such thing as better? Or does it depend on personal preference?
exactly! I use both for different jobs. I hate these pissing contests.
A master violinist doesn't play a Stradivarius because it's easier to play or lighter than other violins. The primary purpose of a musical instrument is to make wonderful sounds. That said, both these guitars have their contexts, and I think the Venn diagram overlaps a bit in the middle. But outside that middle ground, I'd choose the one that owns that area and learn how to play it. As always, love the videos, Robert!
Think you got it Rob. LP notes have a roundness to them. PRS sounds jagged.
Man, I agree with this so much. PRS is better in EVERYTHING on paper. But LP has that LP sound. PRS can get there with one very small change. They just need to move the bridge pickup closer to the bridge. Won't work on Trem models, but on a 594, it needs to happen. I overcame the difference with a different (Bill Lawrence) pickup.
I'm really liking all these intros that you make. Makes me pick up my guitar and learn it
Killer intro there, Robert! Short but so sweet! Also, thank you for stating your preference. Too many half-hour review/comparison videos on YT that end in "I have no guts to tell you what I think so let me know in the comments what you think". (Yea, that's why I watch your videos, so I can read what others think.) Also, you made fair points for both in this comparison so totally cool. I unsubscribed from many guitar channels recently but yours is staying for sure 😉
Nah. All hail Gibson! Big fat heavy chunk of wood that sustains for days.
I own a Gibson Les Paul Tribute and a PRS S2 Custom 24. I find that the PRS is my go to when I want to play Post Rock style music (i.e.; loads of reverb, delay, etc...). It just fills that niche for me. The Paul is pretty much my all around go to. Mainly use if for rock and older metal. Really works for when I want to get that Tool sound. I also have a Mexican Strat that I break out occasionally for grunge and 90s rock. All in all, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I think guitars are like mood pieces. Depending on how you're feeling in the moment, will dictate what guitar you pick up. As I get older, brands mean less. Feeling and sound mean so much more.
It hasn't been an argument for years. PRS have had the upper hand for a long time. Amazing craftmanship. Amazing tone. They feel perfect in your hands. My PRS Tremonti's are the best guitars I've ever played.
ever played a hello kitty squier?
@@LTDudzek oh man! Hello Kitty Squier is the holy grail of guitars!
Is it on par with the Emily the Strange Epiphone?
Just wondering if you have the treble bleed caps in your DGT in or out of circuit. I found my DGT to be a bit sharp and sterile in sound until I disconnected the these caps. Now it has the warmth that my Les Paul has. Mind you, the are times when having these caps in circuit could be handy so I'm looking at ways of switching them in and out without butchering the guitar. The bleed caps out could be the 10% you're after?
Personally I tend to play stuff that suits the instrument but I think this is your strength that vibe with instrument playing what you feel and getting the way you feel to be right in tonality. Dude loved the strat vibe when you did the pedal stuff with Rhett and Tim.
That's really what it comes down to, the guitar needs to just feel right, and that is an individual thing. I have an 80's Vantage Les Paul copy that I paid $200 for new. Definitely not a top end guitar, but it feels and plays awesome to me. I put a Carvin Allen Holdsworth pickup in it that probably cost me almost the same as the guitar. That guitar responds perfectly to my touch. It's awesome to find an instrument that has "that sound and feel" that makes your brain smile.
I have had more than one of each...both great. Of course the Les Paul has the "classic" sound...that you have to keep tuning every five minutes to keep.
PRS is the present. Their star is rising.
Besides the guitar what was the rest of your set up? What amp were you using?
I have both a Gibson Custom Shop and a PRS Core line and I think the PRS has a slight lead. The Regular line Gibsons are not up to the Core line PRS. They sound different to me, the LP cannot be compared to in tone. Nothing beats a LP thru a Marshall.
The regular Gibson's are in the price range as the PRS S2 line though, so that's where the comparison should be.
The first selector of the prs and the 2nd selector of the les paul would be 2 perfect combinations in one guitar.
I legit think that PRS guitars are the most perfect guitars out there. If there was an objective answer to subjective question of "what's the best guitar that exists right now?" I honestly think that this title should go to the Custom 24. It literally takes the best of both worlds between the two most iconic styles of solid body electric guitars (the Stratocaster and the Les Paul) and mixes them into a single instrument. Too bad they're so expensive, the Custom 24 is literally my dream guitar.
I have both and the PRS is definitely a more evolved Gibson .... but I have to have both in my arsenal .. They just "Vibe" very differently.
The tone on that Les Paul beat the shit outta the PRS.
all day long
lol Tone??? It is called Amp and Pedals setup. Amp and Pedal setup has way more to do with tone than pickups. If you don't believe me there are videos of $200 guitars sounding fantastic because they are going through a great amp and pedals that are setup for that guitar.
@@theshadowoftruth7561 both guitars would have sounded the same. My strat doesn’t sound exactly the same as my tele using the same exact pedal board and amp. My Les Paul doesn’t sound like my 335 through the the same board and amp. They make a big difference but to pretend that guitars don’t have their own tone is ridiculous and shows how little you actually know.
@@smelltheglove2038 What I was getting at is his setup is configured for his Les Paul and these are both humbucker setups not single coil , P90s or Lipstick. I was talking about setups you should not be using the same setup for every guitar. Every guitar needs its own setup to sound its best. If I use my Schecter C1 Classic with my amp set up for my PRS se Mira it would sound horrendous!
@@smelltheglove2038 You know that is why they have all those knobs on the amps and pedals.
I love both but agree LP tone is second to none. I like the quality of construction and the comfort of PRS core instruments.
Basically I alternate practice and gigging between both brands and love their sound and respective differences!
I like PRS if for no other reason than you don't have to play 20 of them before you find a really good one, unlike with a Les Paul.
TOTALLY. top quality.
No, but its still awesome
Les Pauls are uncomfortable, heavy, have shitty access down the fretboard but NOTHING sounds like a Les Paul. Plus LEGENDARY recordings have been made with a Les Paul which all of us want to emulate
You should do a comparison video of Harley Benton's SC 550 Plus and a Les Paul. It would be interesting to see how a highly acclaimed budget Les Paul compares to the real thing.
Let’s not forget how many LPs don’t actually have that ‘vibe’ and feel off the shelf. And a lot of the diff is in the pickups. Slap some burstbuckers in a single cut PRS and you get too close to really tell the diff.
All I can say is with the LP the sound is there and how many have survived from the 50’s and 60’s on the road etc. truly legendary. PRS is the “ perfect” guitar made to align with every spec imaginable and are great. A les Paul just has something indescribable! They can vary a lot also. I would love to add a nice PRS but I’m content
I love playing a nice resonating guitar. I remember those the most when I try out guitars. I have only encountered about 4 like this. Two Firebirds, one Eric Clapton Strat and a Les Paul. I wish I had the money at the time I tried those out after understanding this. The Les Paul put me in auto rocker mode. I was playing Journey licks and melodies to songs I never learned when I tried out the Les Paul. It felt like I played with intuition with that one.
This might be the first video I've seen of a Les Paul that made me want to get another one (I haven't owned one since the 80's). Great video!
Cool brother! What model PRS model is that the SE 24?
I don't know what it is about PRS's - they are very well built guitars, but whenever I see one, my eyelids become heavy and I start having an uncontrollable urge to yawn.
Maybe it's just me, but from what I've read online, It is pretty widespread.
A little off topic, but do you ever sell or post your Axe Fx presets?
I like the lp . What are those white pickups in yours?? Sounds great!!
What model is that Les Paul? I love the uncovered pickup look!
Forget about the guitars, what’s that little finger twister lick at the end of the video?
I have a Custom shop 59R...I also have a PRS C24 and I love them both.
I own a CE24 made during Covid with the split coil setup. I grew up playing my uncle's Mexican Stratocaster. Played on Epiphone LP models as well throughout my bullshitting through guitar. To me, my PRS is the best of both Fender and Gibson. But you have to understand that the dynamic of having the best of both worlds means sacrificing something in return. Therefore, it's not fully a Strat, and not fully a Gibson. But again, with that you encounter a new sound on its own, which I think have become synonymous with PRS today.
I'm with you, I love Les Pauls. They may not be the easiest guitars to get along with but they reward you for perseverence. It's like a relationship with a strong, stubborn, talented woman. It's not for everyone. Everybody calm the fxxk down, that's not a sexist remark. It's a high compliment. Btw I have great respect for PRS.
Personally, I'd rather have a Gibson Les Paul than a woman . haha
@@sixslinger9951 I've felt that way. One thing, my guitars don't make me choose between them and something else. Ha!
It doesn’t matter they’ll always be posh guitars for posh players. Gibson has the vibe, the look, the tone, the history and .....The Vibe....for Daysssssss 😎
I totally agree with all your conclusions. I prefer the tone of my Les Paul Standard, period, but my PRS Wood Library Custom 24-08 is such a beautifully built machine and so playable that I'm happy keeping them both. 🙂
What kind of pickups are in the Gibson?
A few things that would be important to note... both companies offer multiple pickup options - different windings, different wiring, different magnets, etc. Comparing one Les Paul to one PRS doesn't begin to cover the field of tonal variety. The PRS in your hand looks like an SE, which has different pickups than a McCarty or a Santana (which has different pickups than both) or a Special 22. What pickups are in your LP? The '59 Standard has different pickups than the '69 Standard and both are different than the LP custom or Slash, etc, etc...
I'm a "Double-Cut" kinda Guy! I've tried to Love Gibson.....owned a few tried a LOT more, they just don't feel right in my hands (same goes for the Fender Brand!). A PRS does it for me and the original McCarty, I think, has that sound that you are missing from your DGT (although that is an Awesome guitar!). Yes, your L.P. has that Rockin' Tone, but I think I can dial that tone in on most humbucker equipped guitars that don't have a trem system. I wanted to love a Les Paul so much.......
What pickups are in that Les Paul? I’m looking to replace the stock pups with some uncovered cream ones like those. Right now I’m leaning towards a Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge and a Dimarzio 36th Anniversary 59 PAF in the neck.
Paul Reed Smith has in depth knowledge of guitars that gives me a confidence with purchasing their guitars. He had a relationship with Ted McCarty who used to be at Gibson. Paul knows how the frets used to be put on the Gibson's, what type of glue they used, what all the specs are. He knows how the pickups were wound, what type of wire, all the little details about making a Gibson that Ted shared with him. He used this knowledge to make a better guitar. When making the Silver Sky, he x-rayed the John Mayer Fender pickups and studied them. He has a piece of equipment with software that tells him all the details about a pickup that you need to know. He knows the 21 rules for tone. He said there are about 2 or 3 where most people are dead wrong. He knows all the little secrets of making a good guitar great. You feel his passion about guitars every time he speaks. A guitar that sustains 45 seconds is better than one that sustains 25 seconds. With all of his hard work, he and his team earned to be where the company is today. Leo Fender did not stay with Fender as long, and we all know about the CBS Fender guitars and what many thought about them. Paul and his team focus on making sure a guitar that was made on a Monday morning and one made on a Friday afternoon are as close to each other as they can. For that window of changes between guitars to be as small as they can. This does not mean every guitar is perfect, as when people are involved, sometimes things happen. But with PRS, they happen less often. They also have weekly meetings that include a discussion on what can we do better? Having this knowledge about the team at PRS, gives me the confidence of the little things you don't see behind the paint job, and that construction, parts, and what you don't see inside the guitar they have taken the greatest care to make. This makes me want to own PRS guitars and when owning them proud to play them. The other guitars I have sit in their case more as the PRS 594 and Silver Sky I own generally meet the needs of a session or live gig.
What les paul is that? Also why does the binding around the body seem to look thicker maybe? It stands out more than normal I feel like.
The Les Paul just has that tone.
Noticed that you mostly use your Axe Fx for your tones, do you use the Axe Fx more than your tube amps?
FOr videos I do just because of noise in the room when the video lights are on.
That opening riff was Hot AF!!!!
The PRS pick ups are warmer, clearer and push the amp to saturation quicker. Here is how I feel after listening to the comparison: Want something dirty to push a Fuzz, OD, Pitch Shift, Octave, or Distortion with some Flanger or Phase Shift? Choose a Gibson LP Standard (or Studio). Want something that has a lot of expression and breaks through the noise or for creating headspace by boosting into Chorus, Vibrato, Echo, Delay, Uni-vibe, Tremolo/Pan, Reverb? Choose a comparable quality PRS Custom 24 or better. I prefer a longer scale length. I just like the feel and a compound neck is easier on the hand and wrist IMO. I usually just jam through a bunch of different guitars, but I seem to always start with the heaviest and work my way to the lightest before I am done. I have a Gibson USA LP Studio, a LP 50's P-90 Gold Top, an Epiphone LP PRO II (very similar to the LP in the demo here), and a PRS 35th Anniversary Artist Series ($$$). The PRS plays easier, more range. I grab the PRO II before the Gibby's, and the PRS because of the comfort, quality, and balance. Did I mention that I bought it without playing it first? I figured that it had better be worth it, based on the hype.
So we are actually comparing apples to apples, but it is more like comparing a Honeycrisp to a Red Delicious. Both are great to eat, or put in a pie. But which flavor is better is up to the one tasting it...
After trying multiple samples of both they both sounded great. But I bought a Les Paul as it just felt more fun to play and it was closer to the sound I was looking for.
PRS convert here.. I own and have owned many Gibson’s. Still a fan of the Les Paul but I reach for my PRS guitars more and more
Prs is from my hometown, he used to come to our guitar class in high school, great guy, Bowie MD by the way
Rob what pickups does that gibson have in it ?
PRS DGT pickups are actual on the lower outoput side at 7.9 neck 8.7 bridge
I agree with your feeling! And can we like, scope that AxeFX tone settings?!?
I’ve had a gibson, various fenders and more recently a PRS S2 Vela and PRS wins the day for me.
Bought a Gibson Les Paul Standard which was a £2k lovely looking guitar but within 6 months had fret sprout and even one of the inlays coming loose! My fender Strat has lasted since 1995 without any issues at all and my tele could have probably been used to dig up the road and would have stayed in tune but the PRS ticks ALL the boxes for me, especially this model as it’s not as fancy looking as some of the others with various binding and 10 tops etc.
I think we have reached a point where all top tier brands are on the same level it all just comes down to preference at a certain point, although an example to example might vary because quality control and setup differences but I think fender, gibson, prs and other guitars on that level are equal quality with just different specs to appeal to each player
What year is your LP?
Had a 2016 Gibson LP Standard. It's a solid guitar, but my band plays a variety of songs from slow jazz to punk rock to heavy rock to pop music to country, etc. Got real old real fast having about 5 different guitars up there because of being a tone-chaser. Decided to focus on 2 guitars to cover the wide range.
After woodshedding it for a couple months, I found what works for me is a 1994 PRS Custom 24 for about 80% of all the songs, and my Telecaster with Texas Special pickups (made the Tele from a kit!) for the remaining 20% of songs that just need that extra treble to sound right. Fiddling around with stomp pedal effects, my PRS sounds close enough to an LP or a Strat that the casual listener won't really notice or care.
Gibson makes some kick@ss quality LPs, but it is a bit limited. Fender makes some kick@ss Stratocasters, but it is a bit limited. PRS is more like a Swiss Army Knife compared to those two, but the tradeoff is that it sometimes feels like it's a Jack of All Trades, but a Master of None. Still, it is far preferable to being a Master of only One.
I have a lot of guitars, but I have and even closer pairing - A Les Paul Traditional HCSB with Classic 57s, and I have a PRS core Singlecut 594 with 58/15 LT pickups, designed to be the perfect PAF. The 594 is a masterpiece, Paul's take on a perfect Les Paul. it sounds spectacular and is much more versatile. Yoiu want a crystal clear ambient tone with delay, a Jazz tone, a great metal tone, etc. And because the pickups a designed to sound like PAFs, it sounds like a super clean older Les Paul.
The Les Paul plugged into a Plexi with glowing tubes and a little delay is a monster. Same plugged into a Dirty Shirley (at match made in heaven) It has a bite and a mojo the PRS doesn't. I love them both, but they each have their place. I play the 594 more, but when I want to crank my 50 watt Marshall, the Les Paul is going into it.
At least when I bought my les paul. A korean PRS-SE was the same price point as a satin finish Gibson les paul. I went to the store to buy a prs-se but came home with a Gibson. Not had a chance to try a USA PRS.
Well, my main solid bodies right now are a 2018 Epiphone LP and a 2001 PRS/Santana SE (first gen, back when they were still Santana branded). The biggest issue I have with the PRS SE's of this era is that they're flat tops. Still have the belly cut, so that part is more comfortable than a Les Paul, but my picking arm likes the LP's carved top better. That must makes me want to get a new PRS SE with their fancier carved tops, probably a Custom or Standard 24.
Hey Robert, one question: what pickups do you have on your les Paul?
Great video, thanks for share… there are a lot of UA-cam videos about the sound of each guitar, but there is not describe what about the feeling, playing sensations, etc… this information is very importante on this days that internet commerce is growing and many people don’t have the option to play before buy…
what is the color on this PRS?
PRS are better made but their tone is between a Strat & a Paul & I absolutely hate it. Best $ for $ QC tho!
I have a Les Paul Special Tribute that is balanced and I can take my hands of it while playing seated - it's a 2021 model with no chambering and the neck is profile is called rounded which is full but not '59 fat.
had to come back for a second round of that Intro song. That's a great one.