Convince me to buy a PRS

A

abwh

New Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2013
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So I finally have the cash to burn to buy an expensive guitar. Before I've been getting by on my Squier. I like it, but I think it's time for a change.

I have about 2000 dollars to spend. I have a Blues Junior, a Hoof fuzz pedal and a Blues Driver. I play a wide range of genres, from symphonic rock to djent-influenced music. Most of the time, I play with a crunchy tone, and for special effects I sometimes use the fuzz.

I like the humbucker sound, but I don't like muddy sounds. Right now my Squier is a bit spikey. Specifically, I'm looking for a good neck pickup tone; one that is not too muddy, but warm enough. I also play a lot of chords as well, so the guitar should be very defined when it comes to chords.

I gig, and I want my new guitar to be reliable. Also, I would like it to be very comfortable; a thin neck is preferable.

I don't know what else to add...Now, convince me to buy a PRS!

If anyone needs any more info on my tastes, or anything else that'll give you a better idea of what guitar is best for me, feel free to say so. :)
 
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Hi abwh,

I received my first PRS a few days ago, so am not yet fully fanaticized by these guys over here (will shortly be, though!). I mostly played strats before pulling the PRS trigger, but also ES335, LP and a bit of everything falling in my hands. I don't gig at all, but I guess that doesn't matter as we all want reliability and a guitar that we can use for hours with no issues. My choice was a CU24 as you will see in my signature and without having owned other PRS guitars I can tell you that it is definitely a guitar to try.

The neck is amazingly comfortable (mine is a pattern thin rosewood neck, fast and velvety) and the pickups (HFS/VB in my case) give you a bit of those more strat tones (single coil positions) at the time that you get more aggressive and fat tones when switching to humbucker positions. One of my last strats mounted a humbucker in the bridge but was miles away from the HFS in terms of clarity, definition of notes and bite. On the other side, the neck pickup of the strat sounded great, but a bit thin to my taste when compared to the VB (i.e. the strat was great for clean/lightly crunched bluesy tones but not that much for soloing with a more distorted tone). With the right gear you will be able to play whatever you like with this guitar... trust me.

So far, my limited experience is that my new PRS beats by far my 20+ years guitars in terms of tone, comfortability and ease of playing, which to me means a lot. If I compare it to something else, I feel as if I'd been wearing stock suits for a number of years and now I own a tailor-made one. Not that the stock ones were bad, not my size or anything similar - it is just that I never got this feeling of "I could wear/(play) this suit/(guitar) every single day of my life".

Good luck with your choice!
 
Try many models and one of them will hook you for sure
Depending on your playing style of course

Good luck with your hunt
 
The variety of tones, playability, craftsmanship, easily adjusted (which is almost never needed), oh...and they look awesome....and the pure cold fact that once you start, you'll need more!! The Custom 24 is their flagship, but any of their Swamp ash models are awesome!! Good hunting...2000 can get you a nice axe! (I've bought a few used and as long as the truss rod is working and you give it a good workout, try all the controls, used is a great way to get a reeeeeally nice axe kinda cheap)
 
bluefade said:
If you need to be convinced to buy ANYTHING ...Save your money , until you know what you want...
Click to expand...

LSchefman said:
First convince me that you don't know how to choose a guitar for yourself.
Click to expand...

You guys....

The OP asks that we provide some suggestions, which he/she is free to ignore, about what would be a good PRSi to meet the described requirements. If my only guitar had been a Squier (I assume a strat), the world of possible PRSi would have overwhelmed me too. I mean, if I decided I wanted a Fender guitar, there are really only two main models for the uninitiated: the Strat and the Tele. Similarly, if I wanted a Gibson, I would probably want a LP, or maybe a 335/355 type (for jazz/blues). If you look at what popular bands and guitarists are playing, those four models would cover 80% of the instruments, in my estimation. [citation needed]

For PRSi, there are a half-dozen models that seem to be front-and-center: the Cu22, the Cu24, and variety of SCs (most signature models), plus the408 and 513 appear first in the available "core" models on the PRS products page. On top of that, there is the S2 line, which while not as well-known right now, do seem to offer a few more options like a Mira and a Starla, and Semi-Hollows!

Let's help a guy/gal out!

So...any PRSi will be reliable. So no worries there.

Humbuckers - well, most PRSi are so-equipped, so the question becomes which HB sound do you like? Have a listen to YouTube videos of the various offerings in PRSi - check out the product page for the specs of each model. There can be quite a range.

Frankly, I think a SC model might be down your alley. Either a core SC245, or the S2 Single Cut or SC semi-hollow. But you might find the CU24 to be exactly what you wanted! Neck profiles may also play into it.

So, even though I've thrown out a few suggestions, I will repeat what others have said, and that I guess Les and bluefade were alluding to: go try out some PRSi, and see what appeals to you. Then come back for further clarification. We could spend all day suggesting SC or CU22/24 type guitars, when it turns out you really like the feel of a Mira.
 
IMO they're gig-ready without needing any modifications, built to very high quality. The pick-ups are amazing (mine are 57/08s and 59/09s). They are well contoured and not too heavy. And let's face it, they look amazing.
 
All of the above. In my signature you'll see what I get to snuggle with, and I have to say they both are great (ok, maybe one greater than the other). One cost under $1k and the other I had to squeeze my butt cheeks together to come up with, let's just say, between $2k & $3k. Bide your time, play your cards right, and you can snag yourself a real beauty. You won't be disappointed no matter what you end up choosing, I guarantee it.:wink:
 
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Let's see....

Ummm, I'm kinda following the OP's note, but kinda not?

First off...yeah, I certainly hope that he's NOT trolling...mainly because coming around the official PRS forum is just stupid. Also...PRS guys seem to really....REALLY love their gear and actually love talking about it....BUT, they're human...and no-one likes to be made a fool of.

So perhaps that's the reason why replies have been....tentative.

Having said all that....the OP's requirements strike me as a little weird...

"I want my bacon CRISP! But is should also be juicy and soft.
I want my pickups HOT...but they should also be warm

It's this kind of stuff that makes it sound "troll-ish"...

One thing that stands out....you gig, with a Squier?? Really??? That's....different. But, everyone starts somewhere.

Let's try this.....

Thin neck, like a Squier---I would presume you mean maple with rosewood or maple/maple.

Humbucker that cleans up and can be articulate?

I would say....

1) current model Custom 24 with a Floyd Rose, and swap the P/U's

2) used CE-24 or CE-22

3) used or NOS Swamp Ash Special With Narrowfields.

4) swamp ash studio

5) current Studio with mahogany/maple top.

If you're looking at new, 2k might not be enough.

I would lean towards a Studio either body wood version. I think that would cover a HELL of a lot of ground.

As for build quality....dude, now you're just trollin.

PRS build quality is legendary. Gig right out of the box....

PRS is probably the ONLY guitar that I trust I could buy online and know a quality piece to coming to me.

So....if you're serious....I think you could start with the Studio as a reference point and look around from there....

If you're just trollin, well I guess I'm the monkey....but it's fun extolling the virtues of PRS


LATER!

Now....
 
AP515 said:
Don't you guys smell a troll?
Click to expand...

I like to give any new poster the benefit of the doubt. If later posts reveal their true intentions, then the mods can delete the entire thread and kill their membership if deemed appropriate.

If I was fresh out of college or high school, and been getting by in my first band with my first guitar such as a Squier, doing gigs (no matter whether they are up to "our" standards or not), I would be hankering for something better. And when I saved up enough, finally, a PRS might, just might, be on my radar. And being still young, my first post on a new forum might be a little hesitant and confused sounding. I'd rather assume this is the case and help the kid out, rather than assume he/she is a troll and have him/her go away pi$$ed that the PRS forum is full of better-than-thou snobs.

I dunno, maybe I'm just too easy going on first encounters...
 
shinksma said:
I'd rather assume this is the case and help the kid out, rather than assume he/she is a troll and have him/her go away pi$$ed that the PRS forum is full of better-than-thou snobs.
Click to expand...

As the better-than-thou snob that you just called out, I don't mind if someone trolling goes away pissed.
 
I wasn't trying to call anyone out specifically, Les, I was trying to avoid the collective "troll-radar" defensive screen that can go up a little too quickly.

I agree - if the poster turns out to be a troll, they can go away pi$$ed. But if they aren't a troll, if they are truly are just not well informed and they are seeking a little guidance, then why not give them the benefit of the doubt?

I dunno, maybe I need to give myself a holiday from this forum...
 
I agree with you, I'd rather be helpful than not, but the wording seemed too contrived to me. Maybe I'm the one who needs a time out!
 
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