Honest question Artist Series 2

[12manD]

Hey all, so I have a question here. A local shop has just got in a Artist series 2 hardtail in and it looks amazing. My question is with all the improvements PRS(per PRSh) has made in the 15 years since this instrument was made, would a core model today be better or the same as far as playability, tone and overall performance as the Artist 2 from 94.

I know the quality of woods and grade of top as well as electronics will be different perhaps better seeing as the Artist series guitars were given a lot of care, but would the Artist 2 be a higher quality instrument than today's core models or is the value going to be more in the fact the Artist is a limited edition instrument?

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[DISTORT6]

Hey all, so I have a question here. A local shop has just got in a Artist series 2 hardtail in and it looks amazing. My question is with all the improvements PRS(per PRSh) has made in the 15 years since this instrument was made, would a core model today be better or the same as far as playability, tone and overall performance as the Artist 2 from 94.

I know the quality of woods and grade of top as well as electronics will be different perhaps better seeing as the Artist series guitars were given a lot of care, but would the Artist 2 be a higher quality instrument than today's core models or is the value going to be more in the fact the Artist is a limited edition instrument?

Thanks for the help in advance.

Welp, I’m gonna have to be THAT guy…
Only YOUR ears can / will tell.
Sorry, I’m not usually that guy.

 

[12manD]

Welp, I’m gonna have to be THAT guy…
Only YOUR ears can / will tell.
Sorry, I’m not usually that guy.

Haha yeah I saw that coming, no sorry needed! I suppose I should have said theoretically would today's core models be equal to or better performers than a 1994 Artist 2.

It's a bit like, every Corvette will get you going fast, but which one makes you feel like you are flying... I won't know until I get down there and try that Artist but man I may have to bring in a lot of trade in goods to make it happen and that I am not sure I about doing

 

[veinbuster]

The Artist 2 will have nicer bits, but be the same playability.
Tone is personal taste. I liked the mid 90s pickups a lot and prefer the electronics to the evolution over the last 10 years or so.

I would take the Artist in good shape over a recent core.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Old artist over a new core any day of the week.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Best of luck with what ever you decide.

 

[dmatthews]

It would depend on my needs/wants.
I'd dearly love the A2 as a collector and being able to play it.
But... if I had a job to do musically I'd be tempted to find a wonderful fit for the task at hand.
Artist could be that axe for sure.

 

[DISTORT6]

Truth be told, I would knock over a rack of 594’s to get at that OG Studio that bowtiefanatic is waiting on.

 

[11top]

Hard to improve on an Artist II, which was (and is ) my first PRS btw.

 

[László]

I had an Artist II, bought it when they came out.

Everyone's different. I like the new PRSes more. For me, the new guitars' tone is more vintage, which is something I like. I wasn't in love with the Artist II's pickups, and was looking to swap them out.

I wouldn't trade any of my more recent models for another one. For me, the new ones sound better.

 

[Tag]

Hey all, so I have a question here. A local shop has just got in a Artist series 2 hardtail in and it looks amazing. My question is with all the improvements PRS(per PRSh) has made in the 15 years since this instrument was made, would a core model today be better or the same as far as playability, tone and overall performance as the Artist 2 from 94.

I know the quality of woods and grade of top as well as electronics will be different perhaps better seeing as the Artist series guitars were given a lot of care, but would the Artist 2 be a higher quality instrument than today's core models or is the value going to be more in the fact the Artist is a limited edition instrument?

Thanks for the help in advance.

The pups and the weight are the only issues with these killer guitars. Make sure it's 8lbs or under imo, and you can always swap pups. Don't buy it for investment purposes though, only if you love its playing and tones. Like a few others here, it was my first PRS and I had it for a long time.
Phenomenal guitar.

 

[12manD]

The pups and the weight are the only issues with these killer guitars. Make sure it's 8lbs or under imo, and you can always swap pups. Don't buy it for investment purposes though, only if you love its playing and tones. Like a few others here, it was my first PRS and I had it for a long time.
Phenomenal guitar.

Thank you that's very helpful because that was the other part of it, I was wondering if for investment value if this would be a model to aggressively go after. I guess the starting place is to go play this one but the guits I have that I thought about trading I pretty much love so this might be a no from the get go