Has anyone noticed this parallel between PRS and Apple before?

[Utkarsh]

Hi folks,
Firstly apologies for my sporadic appearances on the forum over the last few months. There are two reasons. Firstly I have not bought any new guitars since January so there isn't much to show. It appears that the PS 594 Trem from Ishibashi Tokyo has actually cured by GAS. Or my GAS could be cured by reason 2, the Youtube channel (s) I have been working on. It's been great to step away from the grind of the corporate world and do some fun things. That said, I'll try and be on the forum more often.

Last week, I was using my Apple watch while running and I had a sudden weird thought that Steve Jobs must have been about PRS's age (don' ask me why this thought sprung to mind). That led to a longer train of thought thinking about PRS and Apple in the same breath, and the consequence was this video. I do think while they are extremely different (PRS and Apple), there are some interesting parallels. I have put it out there. Would love to know what you think

 

[TheX]

I really hate the way Apple does business. I'm an IT Director and Apple products are terrible in the enterprise.

That said, PRS has never struck me that way. I could be totally naive here.

 

[László]

All the things you mentioned are true, I think. Here's what I think they share most:

The 'vision thing'.

Both companies were founded by people with vision. They knew what they wanted. They figured out how to get there. They achieved what they set out to do at the highest level.

They are not, and were never, compromised 'lowest common denominator' products - they were designed to meet the standards of the people with the vision.

That, in fact, is what makes them so highly desirable.

 

[László]

I really hate the way Apple does business. I'm an IT Director and Apple products are terrible in the enterprise.

They appeal to individuals for different reasons. I've used them in my 'enterprise' since 1987.

There's a whole world of smaller businesses that Apple products are perfect for.

I didn't need an IT director to set up a LAN for my small (10 employees) law firm back when I was practicing law in the late '80s. I did it myself. The knowledge came from a short article in Macworld magazine.

It worked perfectly, and we switched everything over from DOS to the Mac and Apple peripherals around 1988. My former partners are still running their now-larger offices on Macs.

I would have needed a vendor or IT person to do that with the old DOS machines.

I haven't needed IT folks for my professional music composition, and recording studios, from the late '80s on when I switched careers. There have been multiple innovations along the way that I won't bother to go into. Many of them were later adopted by other software developers and manufacturers.

In fact, in the late '80s and early '90s in the days when I had to synchronize two analog tape machines, a Sony U-Matic analog video tape recorder, a machine synchronizer, and the sequencing software on my Mac (Performer), as well as set up editor-librarians for all the patches on my synths and effects boxes, everything was controlled by my Mac using MTC (midi time code). I was able to set the system up myself over the course of one day, and recall all the MIDI information for client changes as well on my computer. And run the thing myself.

The products work seamlessly with Apple's cloud based communication between various devices. I have zero issues with them to this day.

The phones communicate - and synchronize - with the iPads, the computers, the cloud, everything just freaking works! If I need to be near certain pieces of equipment and run Logic on my Mac without an assistant, I don't have to have a separate computer in the recording area. My iPad works with it as a remote, and it works PERFECTLY. So does my freaking PHONE!

And Logic, by the way, is the most sophisticated composition and recording tool on the market (I've used them all at one time or another, including Pro Tools which started out as Sound Designer on the Mac). The Mac is everywhere in the recording world. Most film composers use it, too. There's a reason for that and it isn't just that the computers look nice.

Incidentally, I also use Universal Audio's Luna DAW, and I think after several years they finally came out with a Windows version, but it was Mac only because most studios run on Macs. It has some wonderful features, although they still haven't got picture scoring ability for it, so it's a secondary tool here.

Neither of these enterprises were large enough to justify or require an IT department - I'm the IT department. I saved a lot of time and money by being able to do all this stuff myself.

There are products intended for IT people, and there are products intended for 'the rest of us'. Being an ordinary person, I really need the Apple stuff to make my business go.

[pardon the long polemic, I kind of wax enthusiastic about this stuff]

 

[TheX]

They appeal to individuals for different reasons. I've used them in my 'enterprise' since 1987.

There's a whole world of smaller businesses that Apple products are perfect for.

I didn't need an IT director to set up a LAN for my small (10 employees) law firm back when I was practicing law in the late '80s. I did it myself. The knowledge came from a short article in Macworld magazine.

It worked perfectly, and we switched everything over from DOS to the Mac and Apple peripherals around 1988. My former partners are still running their now-larger offices on Macs.

I would have needed a vendor or IT person to do that with the old DOS machines.

I haven't needed IT folks for my professional music composition, and recording studios, from the late '80s on when I switched careers. There have been multiple innovations along the way that I won't bother to go into. Many of them were later adopted by other software developers and manufacturers.

In fact, in the late '80s and early '90s in the days when I had to synchronize two analog tape machines, a Sony U-Matic analog video tape recorder, a machine synchronizer, and the sequencing software on my Mac (Performer), as well as set up editor-librarians for all the patches on my synths and effects boxes, everything was controlled by my Mac using MTC (midi time code). I was able to set the system up myself over the course of one day, and recall all the MIDI information for client changes as well on my computer. And run the thing myself.

The products work seamlessly with Apple's cloud based communication between various devices. I have zero issues with them to this day.

The phones communicate - and synchronize - with the iPads, the computers, the cloud, everything just freaking works! If I need to be near certain pieces of equipment and run Logic on my Mac without an assistant, I don't have to have a separate computer in the recording area. My iPad works with it as a remote, and it works PERFECTLY. So does my freaking PHONE!

And Logic, by the way, is the most sophisticated composition and recording tool on the market (I've used them all at one time or another, including Pro Tools which started out as Sound Designer on the Mac). The Mac is everywhere in the recording world. Most film composers use it, too. There's a reason for that and it isn't just that the computers look nice.

Incidentally, I also use Universal Audio's Luna DAW, and I think after several years they finally came out with a Windows version, but it was Mac only because most studios run on Macs. It has some wonderful features, although they still haven't got picture scoring ability for it, so it's a secondary tool here.

Neither of these enterprises were large enough to justify or require an IT department - I'm the IT department. I saved a lot of time and money by being able to do all this stuff myself.

There are products intended for IT people, and there are products intended for 'the rest of us'. Being an ordinary person, I really need the Apple stuff to make my business go.

[pardon the long polemic, I kind of wax enthusiastic about this stuff]

That's great, has nothing to do with Apple as a world-wide company.

 

[archtop]

Well, does PRS make you wait for an "Older Customer Specialist" when you turn 50? While traveling in Nevada in the past I've stopped by Apple stores in Reno and Las Vegas and been told "you have to go home and make an appointment with the Older Customer Specialist". These stores refused to sell me a laptop, iPhone, cables, or even pickup an online order without having a prior appointment with an Older Customer Specialist. All while 5 - 10 Apple salespeople were standing around with nothing to do. These stores only had 1 employee who had the proper counseling and emotional fortitude to survive talking to someone over 50.

So far PRS, nor their dealers, have told me I'm too old to buy PRS gear or talk to their precious employees.

 

[Black Plaid]

I really hate the way Apple does business. I'm an IT Director and Apple products are terrible in the enterprise.

That said, PRS has never struck me that way. I could be totally naive here.

I think this is not a like for like comparison.

Have you ever dealt with PRS from an enterprise perspective? I've heard some stories about PRS from the point of view of a retailer which lines up with yours on Apple in the enterprise. (vague but not good)

Apple and PRS feel very much the same from a customer perspective.

 

[archtop]

I think this is not a like for like comparison.

Have you ever dealt with PRS from an enterprise perspective? I've heard some stories about PRS from the point of view of a retailer which lines up with yours on Apple in the enterprise. (vague but not good)

Apple and PRS feel very much the same from a customer perspective.

It's definitely 'like for like' as Apple told me to leave the store and refused to sell me a $3,500 laptop because of my age. PRS has never refused my money.

 

[László]

Apple and PRS feel very much the same from a customer perspective.

Agreed and stated in a much better way than I was able to.

 

[Moondog Wily]

It's definitely 'like for like' as Apple told me to leave the store and refused to sell me a $3,500 laptop because of my age. PRS has never refused my money.

That sounds like a lawsuit about age discrimination waiting to happen! And probably in California!!

 

[Moondog Wily]

Utkarsh, thanks for a great video! Always a treat to hear your thoughts!! I will check out the new channel as well!!!

 

[KentuckyBoiledChiccan]

PRS / Android user checking in.

 

[HANGAR18]

I really hate the way Apple does business. I'm an IT Director and Apple products are terrible in the enterprise.

That said, PRS has never struck me that way. I could be totally naive here.

I'm an underpaid IT guy. Your organization hiring?

 

[deathworlder]

I haven't used an Apple product since the 3rd grade; all it was good for was Oregon Trail and Olympic Decathlon.

 

[KentuckyBoiledChiccan]

Yo, you guys driving Tesla, I hope

 

[dmatthews]

It's definitely 'like for like' as Apple told me to leave the store and refused to sell me a $3,500 laptop because of my age. PRS has never refused my money.

Where is this rule? I cannot find it.

 

[Herr Squid]

They appeal to individuals for different reasons. I've used them in my 'enterprise' since 1987.

There's a whole world of smaller businesses that Apple products are perfect for.

I didn't need an IT director to set up a LAN for my small (10 employees) law firm back when I was practicing law in the late '80s. I did it myself. The knowledge came from a short article in Macworld magazine.

It worked perfectly, and we switched everything over from DOS to the Mac and Apple peripherals around 1988. My former partners are still running their now-larger offices on Macs.

I would have needed a vendor or IT person to do that with the old DOS machines.

I haven't needed IT folks for my professional music composition, and recording studios, from the late '80s on when I switched careers. There have been multiple innovations along the way that I won't bother to go into. Many of them were later adopted by other software developers and manufacturers.

In fact, in the late '80s and early '90s in the days when I had to synchronize two analog tape machines, a Sony U-Matic analog video tape recorder, a machine synchronizer, and the sequencing software on my Mac (Performer), as well as set up editor-librarians for all the patches on my synths and effects boxes, everything was controlled by my Mac using MTC (midi time code). I was able to set the system up myself over the course of one day, and recall all the MIDI information for client changes as well on my computer. And run the thing myself.

The products work seamlessly with Apple's cloud based communication between various devices. I have zero issues with them to this day.

The phones communicate - and synchronize - with the iPads, the computers, the cloud, everything just freaking works! If I need to be near certain pieces of equipment and run Logic on my Mac without an assistant, I don't have to have a separate computer in the recording area. My iPad works with it as a remote, and it works PERFECTLY. So does my freaking PHONE!

And Logic, by the way, is the most sophisticated composition and recording tool on the market (I've used them all at one time or another, including Pro Tools which started out as Sound Designer on the Mac). The Mac is everywhere in the recording world. Most film composers use it, too. There's a reason for that and it isn't just that the computers look nice.

Incidentally, I also use Universal Audio's Luna DAW, and I think after several years they finally came out with a Windows version, but it was Mac only because most studios run on Macs. It has some wonderful features, although they still haven't got picture scoring ability for it, so it's a secondary tool here.

Neither of these enterprises were large enough to justify or require an IT department - I'm the IT department. I saved a lot of time and money by being able to do all this stuff myself.

There are products intended for IT people, and there are products intended for 'the rest of us'. Being an ordinary person, I really need the Apple stuff to make my business go.

[pardon the long polemic, I kind of wax enthusiastic about this stuff]

Les, I suspect the difference between you and TheX here is that you were expecting to hook up computers and have them do their computery thing well.

An IT Director, on the other hand, needs to lay down Corporate Policy on the computery things and make them submit to the Corporate Will.

Those are two way, way different things!

 

[László]

Les, I suspect the difference between you and TheX here is that you were expecting to hook up computers and have them do their computery thing well.

An IT Director, on the other hand, needs to lay down Corporate Policy on the computery things and make them submit to the Corporate Will.

Those are two way, way different things!

Yes, they are different. I tried to make that clear in my post saying, "There's a whole world of smaller businesses that Apple products are perfect for."

Studios are generally small businesses, even the famous ones are gnats compared to the corporate giants.

 

[Utkarsh]

They appeal to individuals for different reasons. I've used them in my 'enterprise' since 1987.

There's a whole world of smaller businesses that Apple products are perfect for.

I didn't need an IT director to set up a LAN for my small (10 employees) law firm back when I was practicing law in the late '80s. I did it myself. The knowledge came from a short article in Macworld magazine.

It worked perfectly, and we switched everything over from DOS to the Mac and Apple peripherals around 1988. My former partners are still running their now-larger offices on Macs.

I would have needed a vendor or IT person to do that with the old DOS machines.

I haven't needed IT folks for my professional music composition, and recording studios, from the late '80s on when I switched careers. There have been multiple innovations along the way that I won't bother to go into. Many of them were later adopted by other software developers and manufacturers.

In fact, in the late '80s and early '90s in the days when I had to synchronize two analog tape machines, a Sony U-Matic analog video tape recorder, a machine synchronizer, and the sequencing software on my Mac (Performer), as well as set up editor-librarians for all the patches on my synths and effects boxes, everything was controlled by my Mac using MTC (midi time code). I was able to set the system up myself over the course of one day, and recall all the MIDI information for client changes as well on my computer. And run the thing myself.

The products work seamlessly with Apple's cloud based communication between various devices. I have zero issues with them to this day.

The phones communicate - and synchronize - with the iPads, the computers, the cloud, everything just freaking works! If I need to be near certain pieces of equipment and run Logic on my Mac without an assistant, I don't have to have a separate computer in the recording area. My iPad works with it as a remote, and it works PERFECTLY. So does my freaking PHONE!

And Logic, by the way, is the most sophisticated composition and recording tool on the market (I've used them all at one time or another, including Pro Tools which started out as Sound Designer on the Mac). The Mac is everywhere in the recording world. Most film composers use it, too. There's a reason for that and it isn't just that the computers look nice.

Incidentally, I also use Universal Audio's Luna DAW, and I think after several years they finally came out with a Windows version, but it was Mac only because most studios run on Macs. It has some wonderful features, although they still haven't got picture scoring ability for it, so it's a secondary tool here.

Neither of these enterprises were large enough to justify or require an IT department - I'm the IT department. I saved a lot of time and money by being able to do all this stuff myself.

There are products intended for IT people, and there are products intended for 'the rest of us'. Being an ordinary person, I really need the Apple stuff to make my business go.

[pardon the long polemic, I kind of wax enthusiastic about this stuff]

I really agree that Apple products are really designed for the Customer (ie a normal person) and the design just works. That said, the Cult of Apple and some of their practices really turn me off, but I still end up using Logic and Final Cut/iMovie. PRS and Apple are not exact parallels. I really like PRS's business practices (not letting anyone go during the pandemic being one of them)

 

[Moondog Wily]

I really agree that Apple products are really designed for the Customer (ie a normal person) and the design just works. That said, the Cult of Apple and some of their practices really turn me off, but I still end up using Logic and Final Cut/iMovie. PRS and Apple are not exact parallels. I really like PRS's business practices (not letting anyone go during the pandemic being one of them)

I couldn't agree with all you say above, though I have never used Logic and haven't touched Final Cut in I think >15 years, and when I did use it years ago it was because it was what was available at client site. Anyway, I think the reason that PRS is such a class act is because it is still a small enough company that is still in the hands of the brain trust that started it all. What happened when Apple got too big for their britches? They fired the brain trust ;~() Everything I have seen of PRS has been a class act on a business level and I would stick with them for that reason alone over other brands. Yes, there are other boutique builders that are even smaller, etc., but PRS ROCKS!!! The cult of Apple (and no, PRS is not a cult, just similar and I am a member) coupled with several of their ideas of how to conduct business have kept me away from their products. Well, and the price ;~)) I have for decades been happy to admit they have had faster computers (until maybe 10 years ago), slicker looking designs, easier user interfaces, etc. But as a programmer, I want and even need control over my systems, controls that Apple intentionally, without exception in many cases, prevents. It was easier to use AOL than the Alta Vista search engine back in the day, but some people just wanted a button to click, so AOL was it. All good, it creates some competition in the market. Without this rivalry less progress would be made IMO ;~)) Wrote my first code on a Apple product in 1984!