Does PRS have a guitar for me?

[zwayne]

Looking for a new solid body electric guitar and want to see if I should look into any PRS models. Here are my specific requirements.

1) I play exclusively sitting down. The guitar needs to be well balanced while sitting - without a strap - and weigh less than 8 pounds.
2) Want a forearm contour for comfort. I love the feel of the strat shape, although a belly contour is not as important.
3) I play fingerstyle. My right hand should rest between pickups (strat not good for this, tele is.)
4) No tremolo bar needed, pickups designed for clean playing rather than shredder/distortion.
5) Budget of $1000 or less for a stock model. (Anything more and I'd consider getting a custom axe that I have my eyes on for about 2 grand.)

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Looking for a new solid body electric guitar and want to see if I should look into any PRS models. Here are my specific requirements.

1) I play exclusively sitting down. The guitar needs to be well balanced while sitting - without a strap - and weigh less than 8 pounds.

Every guitar (even within the same model) is balanced a little different - based on the wood. If you're buying online (without playing it first), stick with models that have a long upper horn. Also, ebony tuning buttons can replace the metal ones if you fall in love with one that is a hair neck heavy.

2) Want a forearm contour for comfort. I love the feel of the strat shape, although a belly contour is not as important.

The SE Line excels in this area.

3) I play fingerstyle. My right hand should rest between pickups (strat not good for this, tele is.)

Stick with the Wide/Thin or Wide/Fat Neck profile. The DGT and Standard neck carve is narrower at the nut.

4) No tremolo bar needed, pickups designed for clean playing rather than shredder/distortion.

This, in my opinion, is more a function of the amp than the pickup. All of the PRS pickups, even "Shredder" pups are clean through my '64 Twin Reverb. Still, the Archtop pickups, 57/08's, 408's, etc are all worth considering. Dragons, Tremonti's and HFS are pretty hot pickups.

5) Budget of $1000 or less for a stock model. (Anything more and I'd consider getting a custom axe that I have my eyes on for about 2 grand.)

My recommendation... http://www.prsguitars.com/secustomsh/

 

[CoreyT]

Excellent choice, you can see on hanging on my wall in my sig below.
It is my sons, but I played it for two weeks before giving it to him for his birthday.

That shape, same as my SE Custom 24 plays nice sitting down.
My SE Santana on the other hand does not balance well sitting down.

The 25" scale of the SE Semi-Hollow plays very nice.
Wide/fat neck is good, but I prefer the wide/thin neck of the 24 better.

 

[zwayne]

Thanks for the recommendation! It's really a gorgeous looking instrument and is on my short list. Hopefully I can try out a used one locally & save some bucks (used ones seem to go for about $200 off list.) I really don't want to try out a new one at a store if I don't intend on buying it there...

 

[CoreyT]

Where are you at?
My dealer has a 2011 in stock when I got the 2012 for my son.
No difference between the two years except for maybe a color change on the knobs.
I am sure you could get the 2011 discounted.

 

[Sam]

Looking for a new solid body electric guitar and want to see if I should look into any PRS models. Here are my specific requirements.

1) I play exclusively sitting down. The guitar needs to be well balanced while sitting - without a strap - and weigh less than 8 pounds.
2) Want a forearm contour for comfort. I love the feel of the strat shape, although a belly contour is not as important.
3) I play fingerstyle. My right hand should rest between pickups (strat not good for this, tele is.)
4) No tremolo bar needed, pickups designed for clean playing rather than shredder/distortion.
5) Budget of $1000 or less for a stock model. (Anything more and I'd consider getting a custom axe that I have my eyes on for about 2 grand.)

A Mira or Starla will tick all of those boxes. The forearm contours are super comfy - you can also find new old stock X versions for very reasonable prices.

 

[zwayne]

Se Michigan

 

[leeasam]

the dealer I buy from has this in stock and I agree it would be a good choice for what you are looking for http://davesguitar.com/products/paul-reed-smith/se-custom-semi-hollow/ in LaCrosse WI but they do have a 48 hour like it or return policy. Just pay shipping. I think you would like these.

 

[garrett]

The SE Soapbar II would be a great choice. Contours front and back, very light, wide fat neck, plenty space between pickups, P-90's are very versatile from jazz to hard rock. Not made anymore, so you'd be buying used and will land well under $1k even if you decide to do some upgrades. Or, if you want humbuckers, get one of the earlier Santana SE's.

For a US guitar, a used Mira could come in around the $1k range. For sitting and fingerstyle, I'm not so sure, though. The 24 fret neck extends a good way from the body and there is less room between the pickups. Would definitely be a try before buying situation to see if it's comfortable for you.

 

[zwayne]

The PRS site shows either a Tri-Color Sunburst or Vintage Natural color options. The one reviewed by Vintage Guitar only a few weeks ago was a "Matteo Blue". http://www.vintageguitar.com/3883/prs-se-custom-semi-hollow/

Anyone know if this is a new color that they will be adding to the lineup?

 

[CoreyT]

That color is nice!
I would be tempted to pick one up if they do this color down the road.

 

[jtbadge]

Blue Matteo used to be a stock color on the Semi-Hollow. In fact, I want to say it was one of the original finish offerings. You should be able to track one down.

 

[CoreyT]

I would spring for a new one with birds if offered in that color.
Rather see the neck in the lighter color too like the sides of the body.
My son's Semi-Hollow just pops with that lighter color.