Thanks for the reply Les. I think we both like PRS, which is good given we're on a PRS Forum. I think the new and old are just different. I think the newer guitars are better in some ways - or at least more mainstream in things like switching and pickups (mainstream not meant in a pejorative way). I think in other ways all guitar makers have had their hands tied and I'm sure Paul (and Gibson with their Custom Shop reissues, for example) would still like to use BRW on more guitars (so not just on a few special runs). I've looked at a few Private Stock and been impressed and am planning to look at a few more when I get time. That said I also quite fancy a telecaster, so maybe there's no hope for me. All the best CW.
We’re all beyond hope, I’d guess!
I try not to say the new ones are “better.” It’s too subjective, and older PRSes are terrific guitars. But it’s also true that I like the recent models more.
While I appreciate important touches like ergonomics, I like the way the newer ones sound a bit more. The pickups are far more suited to my taste (and since the 5x/0x I don’t want to replace them), the finishes are thinner, have a feel I prefer and the guitars seem more resonant. Innovations like the 408 pickups, the Narrow fields, the switching options, are tangible, and I could go on and on.
The 594 neck carve that seems made for my hand, the locking Gen 3 trem - unbelievable how well the guitar stays in tune - the electronics, the brilliant design of the newer two piece bridges - these are improvements that make my day. But the bottom line’s the tone.
Truth is, I wouldn’t trade one of my current guitars for PRS 00001, guitar-for-guitar, except to make money on it; as much as I love history, fact is I’m not running a museum here at Studio Craptastic, this is a working person’s studio!
