2nd PRS suggestion?

[veloce]

Just looking for a new guitar...SE model due to budget. In the house right now--Zach Myers.... I also have a strat, tele and hollowbody. Just looking for something a bit different than what I have--I've been looking at LP styles-but nothing just makes we want to pull out my wallet. Music I play is all over the place-I know I have a lot of ground covered in the guitars I have, but just wanting to explore other options.

If you have the time, give me a suggestion, and tell me how it will be different from the ZM. Or should I just pull the trigger and get an LP or copy?

Thanks,
veloce

 

[Brad737]

If you're looking for an SE, I'd say find a Bernie Marsden. Great little guitars.

 

[bodia]

If you're looking for an SE, I'd say find a Bernie Marsden. Great little guitars.

Ditto this. When I bought my Bernie a couple of years ago I went to GC (gasp!) looking for an Epi LP, or one of the Gibby LP versions in the low end price range. I played every one that they had In that store and none of them reached out to me. I saw the Bernie, and thought it looked nice, and decided to try it out. Played it unplugged for a few minutes and decided it was the best guitar I'd touched all day. Bought it without even plugging it in. That's one purchase I've never second guessed.

 

[Austinjohnson]

Bernie Marsden here! my favorite SE so far I think the hardware on the BM and the ZM are almost the same.

 

[andy474x]

I'll add a third for the Bernie (personally, I'm an Akesson guy, but they're very similar and neither will disappoint). Both are a step up over the stock SE245, which is already a great guitar.

If you're in the mood for something with a trem, I would check out the Santana, Santana Standard, or the Tremonti Custom. From your existing collection, I'm going to assume you're not into guitars with high output pickups, so I would steer clear of the SE CU24 if that's true. Not bad guitars, I just like others better. Or I could be wrong, and maybe that's what you're after.

Or, if you REALLY want to treat yourself, look into one of the new S2 Satins, or a used S2 Mira. If you're crafty you could talk either one down to close to the price of a new SE. And they are intensely good.

 

[markintime]

Ditto on the S2 Satins. The feel is wonderful and plays like a dream.

 

[AP515]

Another for the Bernie, but they might be getting hard to find.

 

[Big Mard]

Another one for the Bernie. It was my second PRS. It did lead to a Se245, oh and a S2 Custom 24 and a McCarty. Just saying.

 

[veloce]

If the Bernie Marsden and the Zach Meyer have pretty much the same hardware, then what am I actually going to get in change of tone? Is it really worth having the Bernie if I have the ZM? Other than the upside of having two PRS instead of one.

 

[G-Man]

A good used CE. Awesome gateway into core guitars for about $1,000.

 

[Mikegarveyblues]

Bernie.

The ZM will have a different tone partly because it's a semi.

The Marsden is thicker with a bigger neck which gives it a tone and feel unlike any other SE.

Trust me. The Marsden is a very special guitar!

Plus, you can change the pups when you can afford it.

 

[shinksma]

If the Bernie Marsden and the Zach Meyer have pretty much the same hardware, then what am I actually going to get in change of tone? Is it really worth having the Bernie if I have the ZM? Other than the upside of having two PRS instead of one.

This is why I wouldn't suggest a Bernie, as good a guitar as it is apparently (never played one, but I trust the guys/gals around here on such things).

In your case, since you have a strat and a SE ZM, I would try an SE CU24. it will have the trem like a strat (except a quality PRS version), but humbuckers like your ZM, double-cut instead of SC (so look more like a strat), and possibly most importantly, be 25" scale, a bit longer than the 24.5" of your ZM, but shorter than the 25.5" scale length of your strat. I have a ZM and it feels very different from my (core) CU24 - I love both, just different.

Or, as mentioned by G-Man, find a used CE.

Good luck on your journey!