I read a lot up on the Bernie Marsden model and watched an interview of him about his LP the beast and his deal with PRS. Definitely a guitar I will take a look at for sure. Sounded good on line, but I cant play like him. Amazing how a pro can make about anything sound amazing. I have a PRS S2 custom 24 and love it. Thanks for the replies. I will definitely check the models out you guys put on here.
I'm quite certain that if Bernie heard me play, he'd punch me in the nether region and take my guitar away from me.
I'll NEVER play even remotely close to the way he does...but it doesn't stop me from enjoying it. If the SE I have was modelled after the Beast, with respect to specs, then I'm fully understanding what the magic is behind his.
The guitar is just exceptional.
As for the ZM...it is equally fantastic. Different feel and sound, what with the semi-hollow body...but very, very easy to play, and built incredibly well.
I'm sincere when I say that both blew my LP Studio out if the water.
Enjoy the search, and try everything you can. There's no law saying that LP or PRS are THE right one for you...but I know where I'd throw MY funds!!!
Matter of fact...if PRS is, in fact, kicking out a BM SE for 2017, I'll be first in line to snag another one...without question.
Now...if price isn't your primary concern...and if you're willing to go above comparable LP Traditional dollars...you will NEVER go wrong with an SC594. I feel as though it is the end-all, be-all Singlecut guitar...headstock logos be damned. It is the culmination of everything that a guitar should be, and absolutely a pleasure to play. Damned near plays itself!
I will be buried with mine. Even in the afterlife, I'll be butchering barre chords with it.