Considering a Tremonti over an SC 58/Stripped 58/SC 245. Why should or shouldn't I?

[Bill Downing]

Other than the name on the headstock! I've decided my next PRS will be a Singlecut, just not sure which model. I'm seriously considering a Singlecut Hollowbody II, but want to focus on these solid body models for this post. I've been playing my JEM & Torero a lot lately and it got me thinking a few things. Namely, I really prefer thin necks and I do like having the option of a trem. I will admit I tend to be a traditionalist in terms of not liking the look of a trem on a Singlecut, but I'm sure I'd get over it if the guitar delivered on playability.

Unlike neck profiles, I'm not sure I have a preferred scale length for playability as I tend to just adapt. However, I do know it does effect tone. My only 24.75" scale length guitar is an LTD EC-1000VB, which has 24 frets and I love.

The SC 58, Stripped 58 and SC 245 are all pattern neck 22 fret 24.5" scale length and come with 57/08 pups. The differences I'm aware of are the SC 58 has an artist top, binding and headstock veneer standard that the Stripped 58 can't get with birds optional. With the artist package, you can basically make the new SC 245 an SC 58 except no binding or headstock veneer. What I'm unsure of is if there are any differences as far as weight relief or not between these models.

The Tremonti is a pattern thin neck 22 fret 25" scale length with his spec pups and a trem. Best I can tell, they use the same woods and the bodies are the same thickness.

The music that moves me most to play is blues/southern rock/rock/80's hair bands. Think 60's through 90 with a smattering between then and now.

Obviously pups can be changed much easier than neck profiles or scale lengths and bridge types. Please add anything about these models you think I've missed or overlooked that may be pertinent in the decision process. Thanks.

 

[Herr Squid]

The SCHB will feel big and stiff and weird if you're comfy with the JEM and Torero, especially if they're still stringing them with 11's with a wound G string.

You want a Tremonti, probably with 59/09s if you find the stock pickups are too hot.

 

[Bill Downing]

The SCHB will feel big and stiff and weird if you're comfy with the JEM and Torero, especially if they're still stringing them with 11's with a wound G string.

You want a Tremonti, probably with 59/09s if you find the stock pickups are too hot.

Yeah, I'm also very curious about the \m/ pups, since Shawn's been singing their praises. :wink:

*EDIT*

Thanks for the opinion on the SCHB. I'm actually concerned about the size as I've never played one, but have played a Gretsch White Falcon and it was HUGE! :biggrin:

 

[alantig]

IIRC, the Tremontis are not weight-relieved like the SC245. Some people say that makes a difference in the tone, but I'm not really prepared to testify to that because of the pickup differences. The Tremonti pups are quite hot, so that's something you'll have to evaluate. My SC245 is from the 1957/2008 run from Experience a few years back, so it has early 57/08s, which are very vintage sounding to my ears.

 

[cphr3d]

I was in the same boat until recently. I knew I wanted a singlecut but wasnt sure if I wanted a SC245, SC58, or Tremonti. I ultimately went with the Tremonti because I wanted a 25in scale and felt that the Tremonti would just suit my style of music better (modern hard rock). Not that the SC245 or SC58 couldn't handle the heavier tones.

In the end, if you want a thinner neck profile and trem, you really cant go wrong with the Tremonti. Something else you might consider is one of the singlecut trems. However, I dont recall what neck profile they use on the singlecut trems.

 

[goof1073]

If you like thin necks, the choice is REALLY clear...Tremonti; plain and simple.

 

[vchizzle]

IIRC, the Tremontis are not weight-relieved like the SC245. Some people say that makes a difference in the tone, but I'm not really prepared to testify to that because of the pickup differences. The Tremonti pups are quite hot, so that's something you'll have to evaluate. My SC245 is from the 1957/2008 run from Experience a few years back, so it has early 57/08s, which are very vintage sounding to my ears.

I think Bill's referring to the new SC245(the renamed stripper w/dot inlays/2 piece bridge). If that's the case, those are not weight relieved. The older SC245 with the wraparound stoptail were, for the most part, relieved.

I agree, if you need that thin neck, the Tremonti is the way to go.

 

[C&M Music - Lafayette]

Other than the name on the headstock! I've decided my next PRS will be a Singlecut, just not sure which model. I'm seriously considering a Singlecut Hollowbody II, but want to focus on these solid body models for this post. I really prefer thin necks and I do like having the option of a trem. I will admit I tend to be a traditionalist in terms of not liking the look of a trem on a Singlecut, but I'm sure I'd get over it if the guitar delivered on playability.

Unlike neck profiles, I'm not sure I have a preferred scale length for playability as I tend to just adapt.

The SC 58, Stripped 58 and SC 245 are all pattern neck 22 fret 24.5" scale length and come with 57/08 pups. The differences I'm aware of are the SC 58 has an artist top, binding and headstock veneer standard that the Stripped 58 can't get with birds optional. With the artist package, you can basically make the new SC 245 an SC 58 except no binding or headstock veneer. What I'm unsure of is if there are any differences as far as weight relief or not between these models.


The music that moves me most to play is blues/southern rock/rock/80's hair bands. Think 60's through 90 with a smattering between then and now.

Obviously pups can be changed much easier than neck profiles or scale lengths and bridge types. Please add anything about these models you think I've missed or overlooked that may be pertinent in the decision process. Thanks.

Not sure what the neck thickness is, but it sounds like you would possibly like a NS-14 (Neil Schon) Artist Model. You get the hollowbody, lightweight,24.5 scale and trem! No? Otherwise, i say go with the SC250 in the Artist Package, as it should have (mine does) the relief carve. Of course it is 25" scale.

 

[yankeebulldog]

Tremonti also has the regular sized frets, were as the SC58s have the slightly larger ones. Not sure about the frets on the new SC245s. I dig the Tremonti treble pickup in my PS SC245 but most of my other short scale PRS have 59/09s. Once I get my new "metal" guitar, I might swap it out for another 59/09 or a metal if they ever make one without the cover. For the kind of music you play, the 59/09 or other 57/08 pickups would work fine but as you said they can be easily swapped out. There are also a few of the original SC245s from 4-5 years back that have W/T necks if you want the short scale and thin neck and can live without a trem.

 

[themike]

I mean this whole argument should just come down to bridge, neck width and scale like you said.

SC245 and SC-58 are stop tail with 24.5" scale with a pattern neck while the Tremonti is a Tremolo with a 25" scale and a thin neck.

If you prefer the fat neck, try hunting down a SingleCut Tremolo LTD model from Experience this year. That will give you a thick neck with the 25" scale with a trem.

Pickups can always be changed the PRS pickups retain decent resale value so I wouldnt let that sway you from getting a comfortable model.

 

[Bill Downing]

Thanks for the replies. Some great stuff here!

Something else you might consider is one of the singlecut trems. However, I dont recall what neck profile they use on the singlecut trems.

I was, but like themike pointed out, they have the WF neck profile.

I think Bill's referring to the new SC245(the renamed stripper w/dot inlays/2 piece bridge). If that's the case, those are not weight relieved. The older SC245 with the wraparound stoptail were, for the most part, relieved.

Yes, I was referring to the 2013 SC 245. Thanks.

Not sure what the neck thickness is, but it sounds like you would possibly like a NS-14 (Neil Schon) Artist Model. You get the hollowbody, lightweight,24.5 scale and trem! No?

Yes! This was a model I had my eye on and it somehow got lost in the shuffle. As you noted, I need to find out what PRS neck profile the "Neal Schon Neck and Heel" is most like. Anyone know? For the moment, it's back in consideration. Thanks.

Tremonti also has the regular sized frets, were as the SC58s have the slightly larger ones. Not sure about the frets on the new SC245s.

Thanks, I hadn't given much thought to fret size as it's never been a make or break issue for me, but I know to many it is and thus worth considering.

I'm leaning towards a Tremonti, but need to find out more about the neck profile on the NS-14 as it could be a great fit for me. Thanks.

*EDIT*

I found this in the iguitarmag.com review of the NS-14.

"The neck is a little chunkier than the regular "wide thin" Paul Reed Smith necks that I'm used to playing but I did not find this a problem at all. The neck fell into my hand very nicely and the radius provided a stress free string bending environment that left me feeling like I'd been playing the guitar for years."

 

[Egads]

The SC HBs are definitely thicker, but not nearly as cumbersome as that White Falcon! Play one if you can. Also, the old SC250 was available with the WT neck, IIRC.

 

[alantig]

I think Bill's referring to the new SC245(the renamed stripper w/dot inlays/2 piece bridge). If that's the case, those are not weight relieved. The older SC245 with the wraparound stoptail were, for the most part, relieved.

I thought about that after I'd started typing - I knew the old SC245s were weight-relieved, but I couldn't remember whether the new ones were, and I figured I couldn't put my foot in my mouth unless I went ahead and posted anyway, so I did. You'd think that'd learn me, but you'd be wrong!

 

[Bill Downing]

The SC HBs are definitely thicker, but not nearly as cumbersome as that White Falcon! Play one if you can.

I'd like to play it and an NS-14. While researching the "Neal Schon Neck and Heel" profile earlier, I noticed in pictures it looks a lot like my Torero neck and heel and based on the review I dug up is just "a little chunkier than the regular "wide thin" Paul Reed Smith necks". This excites me as I especially love the neck and heel joint on my Torero. :top: