Bringing back the oldies

[Tucson Thump]

I've read the sentiment that PRS is making their best guitars now, with the best electronics, the best finishes, etc.

However I've seen some smashing older guitars for sale; really good lookers.

My basis for understanding how the older guitars were made are the 1985 and 1986 "pre-Standard" models I have had for about 27 years. I wasn't super excited about the electronics but every time I played one of them I wondered why I didn't have more contemporary models.

While I wouldn't buy an 80's or early 90's guitar and change it I've been considering buying older PRS guitars and updating the pickups, pots and switches to get a more contemporary flavor, along with an intonatable bridge. I don't expect them to be collectible but I expect them to be fine players.

What are your thoughts?

 

[toothace]

Get what makes you happy, and make it yours!

 

[veinbuster]

I think you are spot on that they would be great players. If changing out some of the electronics makes the sound suit you better, go for it.

That said, I find it hard to beat the playability of the new stuff. Much like I feel about the older ones.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I like the old ones, pretty much everything about 'em, especially when that meant all of 'em were 24 frets.

.. updating the pickups, pots and switches to get a more contemporary flavor

Heh.. "contemporary" in this case would mean more "vintage" right? Since that's where PRS has been heading lately with their electronics (mostly).

It's kinda like how we've been shopping for furniture and remodeling our house and my girl likes "modern" stuff. I keep explaining that it's mid-century modern like, "babe that's an old version of what people thought modern looked like, not today's version of modern which would be called contemporary.. no wait, that's some old sh!t too."


So "modern" sounding pickups mean the stuff made popular in the 70's-80's, and "vintage" sounding stuff means the stuff they made in the 50's-60's, and then "contemporary" sounding stuff must mean 408's, NF's, and 305/513 pickups?

I'm sofaking confused.

 

[Tucson Thump]

I like the old ones, pretty much everything about 'em, especially when that meant all of 'em were 24 frets.



Heh.. "contemporary" in this case would mean more "vintage" right? Since that's where PRS has been heading lately with their electronics (mostly).

It's kinda like how we've been shopping for furniture and remodeling our house and my girl likes "modern" stuff. I keep explaining that it's mid-century modern like, "babe that's an old version of what people thought modern looked like, not today's version of modern which would be called contemporary.. no wait, that's some old sh!t too."


So "modern" sounding pickups mean the stuff made popular in the 70's-80's, and "vintage" sounding stuff means the stuff they made in the 50's-60's, and then "contemporary" sounding stuff must mean 408's, NF's, and 305/513 pickups?

I'm sofaking confused.

I have to laugh because too many of these comments hit too close to home

 

[garrettb]

I'm generally of the mind to let the old ones be what they are, but totally get it if people want to mod them to suit their needs. They're still fantastic guitars and I think will still be appreciated as time goes on and trends change.

If it were me, I'd remove the entire original wiring harness intact and put it aside with the pickups. This way it could be easily restored to original spec with minimal disturbance to the original solder joints. If the market ends up anything like it is with old Fenders, that sort of thing will matter.

 

[AP515]

I got "into" PRS in the mid 2000's. I found my first PRS to be modern sounding since my first was a Cu24. Now, I'm not a metal player so I was asking it to do a lot of 70's rock type stuff and it performed terrifically. Still, I agree with the thought that the current PRS offerings are pushing the vintage vibe more and more. So which is better, the oldest stuff from the 80's, the middle aged stuff from the 2000's or the latest models?

I agree with the OP that the electronics are better now, maybe best ever (though my Dragon 1's would challenge that). I think the body style he nailed from the beginning, and that is why it has changed so little. So if I had to pick an order, I'd say the most current models are the best ever (though I own none of them) because of the electronics. The 90's to 2000's are the ones I gravitate to and love. The oldest are the most impressive because of how much he got right, but IMO lack the electronics to be in the top slot. I put SD 59's in my 88 CE24 and it came alive. Dramatic change to the tone. I put the old standard's back in when I found the switch to put everything back original.

 

[bodia]

The oldie I scored a couple of weeks ago stands near the top of my "heap". It's a stellar example of a great guitar. Not many around though.

 

[toothace]

The oldie I scored a couple of weeks ago stands near the top of my "heap". It's a stellar example of a great guitar. Not many around though.

Show off

 

[bodia]

Show off

More like a lucky idiot ​

 

[Boogie]

More like a lucky bastage ​

Fixed it for ya. You're no one's idjit.

Amazingly enough, if you plug a "modern" guitar into a "vintage" amp, suddenly, the guitar sounds more vintage. Play what you like, how you like. The worst thing you can do to a PRS is pidgeon hole it.

 

[dmatthews]

My fav "player" is a 2001 McCarty. My fav versatile tool is my 2012 P22.

 

[Jazzedout]

I am with Sergio on this one...
My '92 Custom with HFS/Vintage Bass sounds more "modern" / "heavy" than a Custom 24 with 58/15's.
I would love to try some \m/ pickups in my Custom to see how they compare to the HFS...
The 513 has the modern + vintage sounds in one guitar. I guess this is considered contemporary electronics along with the 408 system.
The newer 58/15 LT/594 etc certainly goes more vintage, but is newer...

 

[Screamingdaisy]

I got "into" PRS in the mid 2000's. I found my first PRS to be modern sounding since my first was a Cu24. Now, I'm not a metal player so I was asking it to do a lot of 70's rock type stuff and it performed terrifically. Still, I agree with the thought that the current PRS offerings are pushing the vintage vibe more and more.

The 70s was the era of rewound/overwound PAFs and Super Distortions.

 

[Steve's addiction]

For me my 89 CE is more of a versatile any style guitar but the CU24 (2013) seems to be more limited to straight up rock. Both have the vintage hfs and vintage bass pickups but the 5 way rotary on the CE opens up so much more than the push/pull of the CU24. I play a mostly R&B, Funk, and Jazz. Strictly my personal opinion but the CE def more vintage for what I play. Now the 305 is whole dif story

 

[Boogie]

For me my 89 CE is more of a versatile any style guitar but the CU24 (2013) seems to be more limited to straight up rock. Both have the vintage hfs and vintage bass pickups but the 5 way rotary on the CE opens up so much more than the push/pull of the CU24. I play a mostly R&B, Funk, and Jazz. Strictly my personal opinion but the CE def more vintage for what I play. Now the 305 is whole dif story

If that's what you like, put a 5-way rotary in the Cu24. That's how mine came.

 

[Steve's addiction]

I thought about that but its an artist pkg and want to leave it stock.

 

[shallbe]

I like them all, but have a soft spot for some of the older guitars. My 2003 Santana II is as good as an electric guitar can be, and my 2008 CU22 and CU24 Santana Artist twins have more of what I want than any new ones I have seen. My DGT Artist is relatively recent, and it is an outstanding guitar.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I played my 1993 CE today. It has been awhile and I had thought of perhaps replacing the pickups... f@ck. That guitar is still so good, it's perfect. I thought I'd be spoiled now with some of the newer PRS I've got. Nope. I knew there was a reason I bought that guitar 24 years ago.