513 swamp ash vs the rest in tone?

[joshua marcus]

Hey guys! So I love the clean bluesy tones coming from the 513's I'm seeing on YouTube, still has the woody bite of a single coil as well.

There just aren't many good clean swamp ash 513 demos and that's the version I can actually afford....

Is there a big difference between the swamp ash model and the Brazilian model ?( I'm guessing that's the most popular model that is being demoed all the time)

Thanks

 

[xjbebop]

The swamp Ash 513 is a PRS unicorn....

 

[joshua marcus]

Could you tell the difference playing one blindfolded?

 

[Jazzedout]

Never played one, but always wanted to try one!
Dancing Frog will probably chime in with more details about this, since he owns several 513s...

Here is a post with a quick comparison between the models:
513s

 

[shinksma]

The swamp Ash 513 is a PRS unicorn....

Really? I've seen one or two on Reverb over the years, not really looking for them so wan't really paying attention to whether there were lots more.

 

[xjbebop]

They exist but rarely get sold. Mine never will...not by me!
There were a couple of articles / threads on other forums I found a few years ago that ran down the many different configurations and evolution of the 513 model over the years (along with a long running thread here somewhere..) that also included descriptions.
A little google time would find more info.

 

[Dancing Frog]

Could you tell the difference playing one blindfolded?

Absolutely. It would be apparent where the sweet spot is. The sweet spot on the Swamp Ash is in the modern humbucking mode rather than the clear humbucking mode like in the other models. That would be the give away. It would also be brighter and not quite as warm as the others. It also has a bit of a twang to it. Probably, better for a Telecaster applications than any of the other models.

It would also be apparent that you were playing a 513 rosewood as well. The rosewoods would have raised grain in the neck if they hadn't been oiled in awhile and micro-sanded. There would be a slight mid-scoop, but not nearly as scooped as the swamp ash. The 513 rosewood also would have piano like lows and a smoother top end.

Here is a pretty good representation of the swamp ash. You can really hear the bite through the HRDV.

 

[Dancing Frog]

Interestingly enough, I pulled out the 513 Swamp Ash yesterday after not playing it for years. It was still perfectly set up which was amazing outside of the strings being slightly dead. Elixirs last a good long time as long as their coatings are not compromised. Other than the fretboard, the finish was poly which seems to be a good moisture barrier. I found that I actually liked it better than when I got it. I guess my tonal sensibilities have drifted toward telecaster. Well, it's that or I have lost some sensitivity to treble frequencies.

The first ones released were in Seafoam. If you find a find a seafoam, there is a chance are you found one of the first ones. Things to look for would be 513 birds, a 513 neck carve(feels like a wide fat or a pattern wide), polyurethane finish, and a scalloped nut. The pick ups also have a higher DC resistance than the others indicating a few more winds.

 

[RedGuitars]

I had one and sometimes wish I had it back. It was the most Fenderish PRS I've ever owned.

 

[joshua marcus]

Thanks!! So I picked up a strandard 513. I ordered some elixir nano web 9s for it. The strings it shipped with are pretty dead sounding , but I noticed it's lacking sustain and a bit robotic sounding. I'm hoping it's just the strings.
Are the the colbalt string good on this guitar to bring the top end out? I'm finding the top end to be a little buried....
It's sounds super jazzy , and I like that, just want it to sound a little more alive and get more bounce off the pick attack...
I'm playing through my fender bassbreaker 15

Thanks!!

 

[BALIstic]

Thanks!! So I picked up a strandard 513. I ordered some elixir nano web 9s for it. The strings it shipped with are pretty dead sounding , but I noticed it's lacking sustain and a bit robotic sounding. I'm hoping it's just the strings.
Are the the colbalt string good on this guitar to bring the top end out? I'm finding the top end to be a little buried....
It's sounds super jazzy , and I like that, just want it to sound a little more alive and get more bounce off the pick attack...
I'm playing through my fender bassbreaker 15

Thanks!!

Joshua,

Let me be the first (maybe on the forum) to wholeheartedly congratulate you on purchasing what is arguably PRSZ finest guitar. Nah, fu<k that.....theyre the finest guitar in the entire PRSZ lineup. Ingnore what 509 owners may say (face the facts 509ers, we're FOUR BETTER ! Please go ahead and add it to the "513's, Owners Thread", now on the second, correction third page of this forum. Add yours and return it to its rightful place on page one and while your there have a drool over some kick ass 513's. Then of course a proper NGD is now required with the minimum / mandatory 50 pics..............

You picked yourself a unique beauty that will go on to be a much sought after classic, in the not too distant future and way beyond. IMO!

 

[shinksma]

I had one and sometimes wish I had it back. It was the most Fenderish PRS I've ever owned.

If you sold or offered that on Reverb, that might have been one of the ones I remember seeing. That looks very nice indeed!

 

[Jazzedout]

Congrats on the new guitar! Waiting for pics!

 

[Dancing Frog]

Thanks!! So I picked up a strandard 513. I ordered some elixir nano web 9s for it. The strings it shipped with are pretty dead sounding , but I noticed it's lacking sustain and a bit robotic sounding. I'm hoping it's just the strings.
Are the the colbalt string good on this guitar to bring the top end out? I'm finding the top end to be a little buried....
It's sounds super jazzy , and I like that, just want it to sound a little more alive and get more bounce off the pick attack...
I'm playing through my fender bassbreaker 15

Thanks!!

Congratulations. Nanowebs are pretty good. They are what I used before Curt Mangan Fusion Matched Nickels.Those don't last as long as the Elixirs, but I like how they push up the harmonic content while knocking a little of the nose off the thing. If you're still having problems after that, there are things we can do.

Ingnore what 509 owners may say (face the facts 509ers, we're FOUR BETTER ! Please go ahead and add it to the "513's, Owners Thread", now on the second, correction third page of this forum. Add yours and return it to its rightful place on page one and while your there have a drool over some kick ass 513's.

Give me a break, already. I am the only 509 owner you know, and I am a 513 lover as well. 8 of them at last count, and they ain't going anywhere.

 

[xjbebop]

I'm not a string snob. Give a set of GHS boomers a try...you might be surprised..

 

[Bill SAS 513]

I had one and sometimes wish I had it back. It was the most Fenderish PRS I've ever owned.

And she is gorgeous!! Hope someone is enjoying it...love the grain pattern.

 

[BALIstic]

Congratulations. Nanowebs are pretty good. They are what I used before Curt Mangan Fusion Matched Nickels.Those don't last as long as the Elixirs, but I like how they push up the harmonic content while knocking a little of the nose off the thing. If you're still having problems after that, there are things we can do.

Give me a break, already. I am the only 509 owner you know, and I am a 513 lover as well. 8 of them at last count, and they ain't going anywhere.

I know how many you have and let me say it again, "Your an inspiration to us all". However I didn't realise you owned a 509, have you recently received a blow to the head, have you had your ears checked ?

A 513 is FOUR BETTER !

 

[Dancing Frog]

I know how many you have and let me say it again, "Your an inspiration to us all". However I didn't realise you owned a 509, have you recently received a blow to the head, have you had your ears checked ?

A 513 is FOUR BETTER !

It's a GOTM, and it's a completely different beast than a 513. Would you do this to someone who owned a 305? The 513 is 8 better. BTW, I have had my ears checked recently, I am no worse or better than I was 10 years ago.

 

[BALIstic]

It's a GOTM, and it's a completely different beast than a 513. Would you do this to someone who owned a 305? The 513 is 8 better. BTW, I have had my ears checked recently, I am no worse or better than I was 10 years ago.

I hope you realise I'm just pulling your leg, I'm sure you do hence the lil winking yellow face thing. I truly am in awe of your PRS collection. Even though the 509 is a different animal, I personally don't think I'd look at adding one to my little collection. I'm hoping to hunt down a very early PRS ideally and a I wouldn't say no to a Mark Holcomb or Hollowbody with Piezo.

.........and I think you'll find a 513 is 208 better than a 305........BAZINGA !

P.S. Mr DF, I had no idea there was a 305, checked out some vids on YT. A PRS Strat-O- like, oh yeah. Now that's in the mix with the 80's PRS, Holcomb and Hollowbody. Doesn't look like many made it to Oz though. I only found one old listing and she was long gone. Bugger !

 

[BALIstic]

Thanks!! So I picked up a strandard 513. I ordered some elixir nano web 9s for it. The strings it shipped with are pretty dead sounding , but I noticed it's lacking sustain and a bit robotic sounding. I'm hoping it's just the strings.
Are the the colbalt string good on this guitar to bring the top end out? I'm finding the top end to be a little buried....
It's sounds super jazzy , and I like that, just want it to sound a little more alive and get more bounce off the pick attack...
I'm playing through my fender bassbreaker 15

Thanks!!

Josh,

Where did you go ? No description of this new guitar, where's our pic's brother, we're totally in the dark. You've had 24hrs to play already....and let's face it that's why we're all here, for the guitar porn. Pic's or it never happened !