andy474x
Knows the Drill
Because I like you guys...
I sacrificed some strings to bring you a shootout of the new PRS Classic and Signature Strings!
Here's the link to a playlist, there are four clips, two clean, two dirty. I played around with some different riffs, and picked parts I thought showcased the differences best (kept it simple).
https://soundcloud.com/6stringthunder/sets/prs-signature-vs-classic-string-shootout/s-R1DX5
The long story: I recorded these clips on my most resonant guitars, the S2 Satin 22 and S2 Studio. I first recorded my fairly fresh set of DR Pure Blues on the Satin (which I didn't include audio of here, just for my own reference), then put on the Classics, and last the Signature set. I recorded clean and dirty parts, but the dirty parts didn't showcase the difference between string sets very well, so I went back with my S2 Studio, which still had its factory Classic set on it, recorded a different dirty part, and then put a set of Signatures on and recorded that dirty part again. So, the cleans above are the S2 Satin, the dirty is the Studio. Obviously, you may be thinking that it wasn't a great comparison with the Classics on the Studio being several months old... personally, I thought they still sounded great, and still compared very well to the Signatures, so props for their long life. All clips were guitar straight into my Custom 50, into the Torpedo with a 2x12 closed V30 cab IR, 57/421 blend.
My thoughts:
The Classics are very close to my go-to DR Pure Blues - makes sense, they're both pure nickel strings, as far as I know. If the longevity is there, I'll probably be switching to these rather than the DR's from now on, simply because they're a couple bucks a pack cheaper - nice!!!
I expected the Signatures to be similar to nickel plated steel, such as the DR Tite Fits I use on my S2 Semi, however, they were not. The NPS sets, on the wound strings, are brighter, which compensates for the generous and looser bass of the S2 Semi. With the signature strings, the wound strings sounded basically the same as the Classics, the difference was on the plain strings, which had slightly more output and enhanced upper harmonics. I hesitate to say flat-out brighter, because they definitely weren't shrill, but they had a sweet, upper range "kerrang" that really made them sing, were slightly more articulate, and they also felt like they sustained slightly longer. Very musical and pleasing.
Bottom line: I liked both sets, a lot. I've been very happy with the DR Pure Blues, and at a couple bucks a pack less for the PRS Classics, with essentially the same tone and feel, it's a no brainer. The Signature set, IMO, isn't an absolute "better" sound, but rather may compliment certain guitars best. I definitely prefer them on the Satin, the jury is still out on the Studio, and I have a few other guitars I'd like to try them on. Since they're considerably more expensive than the Classics, I'll likely only use them regularly on those that really benefit from them - on the rest, I'll be happy to use the Classics, and maybe go to a Signature set if I'm going to record with the guitar.
I sacrificed some strings to bring you a shootout of the new PRS Classic and Signature Strings!
Here's the link to a playlist, there are four clips, two clean, two dirty. I played around with some different riffs, and picked parts I thought showcased the differences best (kept it simple).
https://soundcloud.com/6stringthunder/sets/prs-signature-vs-classic-string-shootout/s-R1DX5
The long story: I recorded these clips on my most resonant guitars, the S2 Satin 22 and S2 Studio. I first recorded my fairly fresh set of DR Pure Blues on the Satin (which I didn't include audio of here, just for my own reference), then put on the Classics, and last the Signature set. I recorded clean and dirty parts, but the dirty parts didn't showcase the difference between string sets very well, so I went back with my S2 Studio, which still had its factory Classic set on it, recorded a different dirty part, and then put a set of Signatures on and recorded that dirty part again. So, the cleans above are the S2 Satin, the dirty is the Studio. Obviously, you may be thinking that it wasn't a great comparison with the Classics on the Studio being several months old... personally, I thought they still sounded great, and still compared very well to the Signatures, so props for their long life. All clips were guitar straight into my Custom 50, into the Torpedo with a 2x12 closed V30 cab IR, 57/421 blend.
My thoughts:
The Classics are very close to my go-to DR Pure Blues - makes sense, they're both pure nickel strings, as far as I know. If the longevity is there, I'll probably be switching to these rather than the DR's from now on, simply because they're a couple bucks a pack cheaper - nice!!!
I expected the Signatures to be similar to nickel plated steel, such as the DR Tite Fits I use on my S2 Semi, however, they were not. The NPS sets, on the wound strings, are brighter, which compensates for the generous and looser bass of the S2 Semi. With the signature strings, the wound strings sounded basically the same as the Classics, the difference was on the plain strings, which had slightly more output and enhanced upper harmonics. I hesitate to say flat-out brighter, because they definitely weren't shrill, but they had a sweet, upper range "kerrang" that really made them sing, were slightly more articulate, and they also felt like they sustained slightly longer. Very musical and pleasing.
Bottom line: I liked both sets, a lot. I've been very happy with the DR Pure Blues, and at a couple bucks a pack less for the PRS Classics, with essentially the same tone and feel, it's a no brainer. The Signature set, IMO, isn't an absolute "better" sound, but rather may compliment certain guitars best. I definitely prefer them on the Satin, the jury is still out on the Studio, and I have a few other guitars I'd like to try them on. Since they're considerably more expensive than the Classics, I'll likely only use them regularly on those that really benefit from them - on the rest, I'll be happy to use the Classics, and maybe go to a Signature set if I'm going to record with the guitar.
