First PRS, Seeking Advice: Special or Studio

[NiceBrightColors]

Hey there, I am looking to grab my first PRS and was hoping to get some advice.

I am looking at either a Studio or a Special Semi-Hollow. In many ways, they seem quite similar and both seem to offer versatility, which is what u am looking for.

My biggest problem with making the decision is I cannot play either of them. No one around me has either, so if I want one I have to order online. I don’t like the idea of this, but it is what it is.

Given that these two guitars are quite similar, the decision really seems to come down to what I would want from the bass pickup. I know there are also some different selection options, like no solo middle pickup on the Special, but that doesn’t seem like a major issue to me (I play mostly Strats and basically never on the middle alone). Yes, the special is semi hollow too but I don’t think this is a major point for either (but I have never had a semi hollow guitar, so I could be wrong on this).

Basically, what I want to know, ideally from someone who has played both, is the major differences in the tones from the bass pickup (any other information or insights are also very welcome and appreciated). The Special seems to offer more range of tones here, since it can do full humbucker and coil split/tap (I don’t actually know which since the website says coil tap but every review and the PRS demo says split.. I also do not care if it sounds good). But, what is the range of the NF in the Studio? I have only ever heard these in demos, never live and never in my own hands. From the demo and description it sounds somewhere in the realm of a P90.

I know looks shouldn’t matter.. but I absolutely love the look of the Special. I don’t know what it is, but it’s awesome. It’s very unique when coming from the world of standard (SSS) Strats. The Studio also looks great, but is closer to what I am familiar with (and to be honest, I don’t know if this is a pro or a con).

Anyway, any advice, insights, or experiences would be much appreciated.

 

[László]

Each is versatile in its own way. They're different enough that what follows may help in your decision.

The semi-hollow construction creates a lower midrange resonance that can lean into 335 territory if you use the controls judiciously (though it won't do 100% 335). The pick attack, especially on the heavier strings, is a little softer than when playing a solid body guitar.

The Narrowfield pickups are wonderful. They're definitely not P-90 tones; the P-90 is more raw and nasal. But they're articulate, noise free, and have their own distinct sound. Some people have compared them to a Gibson mini-humbucker, though they're not 100% that either. To me, it's good that they do their own thing.

The neck pickup on the Special is more that traditional humbucker sound. Both bridge and neck pickup split well, and the Narrowfield is a great middle pickup, whether alone as with the Studio, or blended as with the Special.

In both cases, the mahogany body and neck have a thicker tone than what you get from a Strat, so either one is going to have a different voice than what you're currently playing.

For me, the choice would partly come down to whether you like the particular characteristics of the semi-hollow construction.

The demo videos on the PRS website do a good job of demonstrating the differences; they represent pretty much what you can expect to hear from each guitar. One caveat is that I'm not a heavy metal player, I'm more an 'edge of breakup' bluesy tone kind of person, and my style is generally melodic single-note playing instead of power chords, etc. So if you're into metal, ignore most of what I've said!

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

OG studio

 

[Fro]

Special Semi-Hollow

 

[Greywolf]

What Les said is spot on .. I find the Special SH to be the swiss army knife of tone.

 

[NiceBrightColors]

Thanks all for your input!

Las - thank you for the insights, this is indeed very helpful. I don’t play metal or anything with high gain. Like you, I prefer edge of breakup tones that can clean or dirty up with dynamics. I do play chords, but almost never power chords. Your comment has given me some things to consider, and I appreciate it.

OG studio

Bow - I am curious about this. I was basically only considering the newer Studio, since I have heard that it is very balanced between the NFs and the LT. What do prefer about the OG studio? And, I also suppose I should clarify, are you talking about the 2011 model or the 80s model?

There are definitely some good deals on the 2011 models, so there is that.

 

[GGJJGG]

Special Semi Hollow.

 

[Jo-]

Anything with an F-hole gets my vote... the SSH!

 

[MWebster]

Between the two, the special semi hollow gets my vote mainly because I feel like you can do more with the bass pickup, it already has a musical, articulate sound on its own but splits very nicely, it's the fuller sounding resistor to ground kind of split. Lots of pleasing tones in this guitar. There are some caveats.

I'm actually not a fan of the narrow field pickups. Some people really love them here. I sortve fell out of love with the SSH because I couldn't ever figure out a good height for the middle pickup.. it always sounded really round and undefined where as a strat the middle pickup is more bitey.

The 58/15 LT bridge is a pretty weak, trebly sounding pickup. Especially so in the SSH. Often many of the issues people have relating to the LT set is resolved in the solid body McCarty 594 which also has very nice split coil sounds. I used to have the SSH and it was a great guitar but I did not bond with it. Don't know why. I just bought one of the new Thinline S2 594's with the core electronics in it and the 58/15 LT's and the guitar simply rocks and is wildly versatile. I liked the platform so much I bought one of the full thickness 594's.

I'm getting the feel you want something versatile that can cover a lot of ground. I implore you not to buy something of this expense without holding it in your hands and playing it. Whatever that takes. Because if you don't jive with it, you'll be unhappy and it can be hard to offload.

 

[DISTORT6]

Anything with an F-hole gets my vote... the SSH!

TWSS…literally!

 

[GGJJGG]

not sure what the original author is looking for in a guitar. But the MEV should also be considered if you’re looking for a three pickup model. To me that’s the most variety of pickup options.

 

[Rider1260]

That would be a tough choice , The Special Semi hollow for me the 2 and 4 position with gain the Narrowfield acts like a boost very cool
I just played a Studio , very different from the Special tone wise, brighter overall ( in a good way ) and more Strat like tones to my ear , I will likely own both in the near future.

 

[RickP]

I love the Narrowfield pickups, and have occasionally wondered what a full sized HB might add to the NF3 formula, so I’d love to give the more recent Studio a spin. That would be my vote.

 

[SinSir]

Special Semi Hollow for me. I'd agree to giving the MEV a look too.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Thanks all for your input!

Las - thank you for the insights, this is indeed very helpful. I don’t play metal or anything with high gain. Like you, I prefer edge of breakup tones that can clean or dirty up with dynamics. I do play chords, but almost never power chords. Your comment has given me some things to consider, and I appreciate it.


Bow - I am curious about this. I was basically only considering the newer Studio, since I have heard that it is very balanced between the NFs and the LT. What do prefer about the OG studio? And, I also suppose I should clarify, are you talking about the 2011 model or the 80s model?

There are definitely some good deals on the 2011 models, so there is that.

Early models late 80’s early 90’s. 24 frets, true single coils, plus wing tuners are a nice touch.

Nothing bad to say about the newer ones, I am an NF fan for sure. Aesthetically and sonically I would prefer a 59/09 in the newer ones but that’s splitting hairs.

 

[Headset]

I myself was trying to decide between the same two models. I ultimately went with the SSH for a couple of reasons;

1. I really love semi-hollow tonal characteristics
2. I don’t love the sound of the narrow fields by themselves
3. I wanted the versatility of pickup combinations the SSH offered over the studio

 

[Mozzi]

Hey there, I am looking to grab my first PRS and was hoping to get some advice.

I am looking at either a Studio or a Special Semi-Hollow. In many ways, they seem quite similar and both seem to offer versatility, which is what u am looking for.

My biggest problem with making the decision is I cannot play either of them. No one around me has either, so if I want one I have to order online. I don’t like the idea of this, but it is what it is.

Given that these two guitars are quite similar, the decision really seems to come down to what I would want from the bass pickup. I know there are also some different selection options, like no solo middle pickup on the Special, but that doesn’t seem like a major issue to me (I play mostly Strats and basically never on the middle alone). Yes, the special is semi hollow too but I don’t think this is a major point for either (but I have never had a semi hollow guitar, so I could be wrong on this).

Basically, what I want to know, ideally from someone who has played both, is the major differences in the tones from the bass pickup (any other information or insights are also very welcome and appreciated). The Special seems to offer more range of tones here, since it can do full humbucker and coil split/tap (I don’t actually know which since the website says coil tap but every review and the PRS demo says split.. I also do not care if it sounds good). But, what is the range of the NF in the Studio? I have only ever heard these in demos, never live and never in my own hands. From the demo and description it sounds somewhere in the realm of a P90.

I know looks shouldn’t matter.. but I absolutely love the look of the Special. I don’t know what it is, but it’s awesome. It’s very unique when coming from the world of standard (SSS) Strats. The Studio also looks great, but is closer to what I am familiar with (and to be honest, I don’t know if this is a pro or a con).

Anyway, any advice, insights, or experiences would be much appreciated.

It really does come down to you and what you want/prefer.

Whilst they are very similar in some ways, it's really the differences that will decide which to go for. The Studio is much more like a 'Strat' in its operation - 5-way is wired in a typical Strat like way - just with a HB in the bridge. The NF's are perhaps more P90ish, just without the 'Hum' of course. The Special is more a Custom 22-08, but they have added a NF to give you a few extra tonal options - as you know, you can't use the NF on it's own, but that does give you all the Options of a traditional dual Humbucker guitar (like 594 or Pauls for example) and a few other options as well.

Bridge and Bridge/middle tones maybe similar as they have the same Pups - but its the middle and neck options that are different. Both the Studio and Special have the option to split the HB and whilst the NF in the neck of the Studio is certainly 'different' to the split coil of a HB, you may feel that is close enough - especially with tweaks to your set-up - that it's covering the same territory. As such, the only real difference is whether you want the middle NF on its own or the Double Humbucker options you'd get with the Special. The Special obviously has more 'options' but you may prefer the Studio.

As I said, I think the Studio is more like a Strat with a HB in the Bridge whilst the Special is more like a Les Paul with an added NF to get more options from it. The Semi-Hollow build of the Special seems more about aesthetics and weight savings than competing with the 335 (I think you'd need a PRS Hollowbody if you wanted that). I bought the Limited Edition Special before they brought the Studio back. As such, I didn't feel I needed a Studio...

 

[László]

Like you, I prefer edge of breakup tones that can clean or dirty up with dynamics. I do play chords, but almost never power chords.

Sounds like we have a lot in common! The beauty of this choice is that you really can't go wrong. Both are great.

For me, the choice would come down to whether I already have a solid body guitar that does what I need a solid body guitar to do. If so, I'd get the SSH. If I didn't have that in a solid body I'd be more tempted by the Studio.

But that's not a prescription for anyone else. It's just how my brain works.

 

[Stephen J.]

When the Special Semi-Hollow came out, I knew it was the guitar for me. Then I played one. Full humbucker positions were great, but any other combination was not for me. I played a Special and had it not be a color I really dislike, I probably would have bought it. I had been looking for a MEV to try, as I thought that might be the way to go. I eventually bought a MEV used online without having ever played one and I am happy with my choice. I still think about the studio from time to time. It isn’t as versatile as the MEV, but it did sound really good.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

One other bit of mention. And this is totally personal.

I absolutely despise the control layout of the SSH/408 with the mini toggles a nautical mile behind where your hands naturally are. The PG/Siggy controls are far better and easier to navigate on the fly.