NGD: Back to PRS with a 408 in Frost Blue Metallic!

tolm

New Member
Joined
May 8, 2012
Messages
174
Location
Bournemouth, UK
Been a long time Gibson player but then started exploring PRS territory in the last couple of years: tried a Korina 24 (neck too slim), 25th SAS Narrowfield (shoulda kept it), SC250 (too heavy, tone wise), 25th Mira Soapbar (great tone, felt too light) and a McCarty Artist (uber-bling but too dark sounding) but none were quite right. Figured the Studio might be the model for me so dropped into my local store yesterday since they had a couple in. Unfortunately they didn't have the right combination of neck profile / colour for my liking.

So, whilst I was there, I decided to try the Frost Blue Metallic 408 they'd just got in - just for completeness, wasn't necessarily expecting too much, but it looked too cool not to try it out!

Didn't know much about this model but I clicked with it straight away:

- Thicker 'McCarty' style body which is a great weight (~7.5 lbs) and very comfortable
- Pattern neck which is supremely comfortable
- A slick action to absolutely die for
- Plus that gorgeous V12 finish!

But what really blew me away was the pickups. Turns out they're made using the same wire, magnets, etc as the 57/08s ... so that's a very good start.

The extra-wide bridge humbucker gives some huge chunky tones and the narrower bridge humbucker keeps the bass focused - no muddiness at all. And then you get to the coil taps: as well as splitting the coils, they also add in additional turns on the remaining coil to keep the output up. So, you go from a vintage output 8k humbucker to a equally vintage output 6k single-coil. And you can 'mix and match' since there's a separate mini-toggle for each humbucker.

I found leaving the bridge pickup full and splitting the neck allowed for a great Hendrix neck single-coil tone, a fat AC/DC bridge rhythm tone and a slight Strat-esque 'quack' in the middle position. That'll do me for 90% of the time!! Splitting the bridge alone gives an almost P90 tone due to the oversized coils and the combined position with both split is even more Strat-like. I was seriously impressed and will be able to cover everything my band plays without compromising the 'right' tone or changing guitars.

So, needless to say, I pulled the trigger. Still got my good ol' P90 Firebird - which I shall enjoy playing at home - but this baby is my new #1 gig-meister:

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Great to get so many positive responses - wasn't sure how popular the plain colours are: so many insane flame tops on here!

Recovering from a burst eardrum at the moment but should be back jaming with the band towards the end of the month - can't wait to get the new 408 cranked up through my full rig alongside the rest of the guys! :)
 
Congrats!! Thanks for sharing, I'm also thinking about getting a 408 here soon and your review helps my decision. :top:
 
Congrats!! Thanks for sharing, I'm also thinking about getting a 408 here soon and your review helps my decision. :top:

Cool - glad I could help! :)

For me, it seems to be the best blend of other PRS models I've had - and have liked - but have ultimately not quite been right. It's got the feel and playability of my old McCarty but the pickups - when split - have the clarity and 'chime' of the Narrowfields from my old SAS whilst still getting a huge crunch tone out of the bridge in humbucker mode.
 
Man, that EXACT guitar would be on a very short list of possible choices if something happened to my current guitars and I needed a new one fast.
 
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