So I've been playing 30 years approx and started on supetstrats of all kinds...briefly went over to gibbys until I discovered PRS about 10 or 12 years ago with the S2 line...the ergo bodies and 25" scale just hit the spot with me...I guess with the new studio standard I just picked up.. the only SE atm I'm back with a superstrat with improvements obviously ...im all PRS in my collection right now but satisfied for the moment...whats your journey been??
How many brands before you found PRS and preferences??
- Thread starter Russ73
- Start date
Glide-bpm
Number of GLiDE's to change a lightbulb...
Wanted one since I was in high school in the late 1980's. Got out of college and bought a Hamer hair metal guitar with a Floyd. Could afford my first PRS finallly in 1998, a 10-Top Custom 24. Went on a Hamer USA kick, too. Now I'm a poster boy for PRS...
USA Homer's were awesome glide...I couldn't afford them when they were around but had the right specs for me now...
Glide-bpm
Number of GLiDE's to change a lightbulb...
It's sad they couldn't stay in business! They were really good guitars.
I even had a Phantom Custom (not the weird bodied original phantom) that was the Prototype with a single coil added to the neck side.
My first Hamer was a Chaparral Custom with a marbled dark green finish.
Jacked that sucker into an original 5150 half stack for a few years!
I used to gig with an original 5150...they were indestructible lol...I have the 5153 50 watt but it's at a buddies house...im using a Katana II through a 2x12 in a NY apt with my wife now...
I remember loving the look of PRS when they first came out, but I didn't like the necks ( still don't like the thin ones) I played for 46 years before buying my first of 15 PRS guitars, all keepers . I started my Luthier journey about the same time as Paul and for a good 20 years only played what I built although I'd occasionaly pick up the obligatory Fender, Gibby and Gretch . After retiring , I got my 1st PRS ( 01 Mc Soapy ) and stick with the chunkier necks . (McCarty, DGT, Santana) I've only got 4 non PRS instruments.
all Korina Hamer Special Artist, Teye Azteca,'55 Les Paul, Artinger Sidewinder they are all quite special in their own way
all Korina Hamer Special Artist, Teye Azteca,'55 Les Paul, Artinger Sidewinder they are all quite special in their own way
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DISTORT6
NJ Devil
When I first started out playing, it was all about Jackson’s, BC Rich, Ibanez, and ESP guitars. I was aware of PRS since 1986 when at Sam Ash in Paramus, NJ, I saw my first PRS guitar. They were hanging in the “top shelf” position on the wall and my teenage brain somehow figured out that they were there for a reason. I wasn’t even playing at that point and that stuck with me.
Eventually in 1994, with some blackjack winnings from Trump’s Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and Ed Roman putting a CE24 into my hands, I finally reached the “top shelf”.
Eventually in 1994, with some blackjack winnings from Trump’s Taj Mahal in Atlantic City and Ed Roman putting a CE24 into my hands, I finally reached the “top shelf”.
My first guitar was a Made in Mexico Strat. The sound was too thin for my tastes… and my skill level. Bought the wrong pedals. Couldn’t keep it in tune. I didn’t know how to do a setup, that you could lubricate the nut and string trees, replace parts, etc.
My second guitar was an SE singlecut trem, and everything just worked.
It’s funny, and totally unfair, but I won’t buy any guitar that has a headstock like a Strat now because of that beginner experience. Those first brand experiences stick with you.
My second guitar was an SE singlecut trem, and everything just worked.
It’s funny, and totally unfair, but I won’t buy any guitar that has a headstock like a Strat now because of that beginner experience. Those first brand experiences stick with you.
Tony M.
New Member
I started with a Danelectro convertible.
You know, the one with the add on kit to make it electric.
After that I got a 3 pickup Hagstrom.
The next guitar was a red ES 335.
I have a few guitars of different varieties now but
when I pick up a 335 it's like going home for me.
You know, the one with the add on kit to make it electric.
After that I got a 3 pickup Hagstrom.
The next guitar was a red ES 335.
I have a few guitars of different varieties now but
when I pick up a 335 it's like going home for me.
Stephen J.
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2020
- Messages
- 800
Spring 1991 - Purchased Series 10 Strat copy
Summer 1992 - Traded for Washburn D13
Spring 1993 - Purchased Peavy Destiny
Summer 1995 - Traded for Gibson Les Paul Studio
Fall 1995 - Traded for Fender Strat Plus Deluxe
Summer 1996 - Purchased PRS CE3 (24) in Vintage Yellow with Birds
That was a pretty quick escalation. It wasn’t that I could afford it, but that is where my priorities were.
Summer 1992 - Traded for Washburn D13
Spring 1993 - Purchased Peavy Destiny
Summer 1995 - Traded for Gibson Les Paul Studio
Fall 1995 - Traded for Fender Strat Plus Deluxe
Summer 1996 - Purchased PRS CE3 (24) in Vintage Yellow with Birds
That was a pretty quick escalation. It wasn’t that I could afford it, but that is where my priorities were.
tbp0701
There are some who call me ... Tim.
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2014
- Messages
- 443
Among electrics, a Fender, a Fender Japan, then a Hamer (after trying and not liking a few Gibsons), a G&L, and a used PRS Mira. After the Mira I stopped buying guitars, sold the Hamer and G&L (along with a Collings acoustic), and have since been content with the Mira/Tele/Strat combo (and a Martin 000-15 acoustic).
With my recent delve into bass I started with a Squier VM77 Jazz Bass and then found an SE Kingfisher, which I've mainly played since. I'll likely change the pots and pickups in the Kingfisher at some point, but for now I'm content (I occasionally look at listings of FGN Jazz Basses, though).
With my recent delve into bass I started with a Squier VM77 Jazz Bass and then found an SE Kingfisher, which I've mainly played since. I'll likely change the pots and pickups in the Kingfisher at some point, but for now I'm content (I occasionally look at listings of FGN Jazz Basses, though).
jkornel
Member
Started playing more seriously around 1987. Went through some cheap starter guitars, upgraded to BC Rich, then some lower end Peavey and eventually an 1988 Peavey Vandenberg (still have this one). Used that for the 90's, had a break late 90's where I didn't play much (long story) then early 2000's started getting back more seriously, and playing in a band again. Started my PRS dreaming in 1990 but it was around 2002 when I came across a first edition Santana SE and that kick started my PRS journey. Kept that one for a while, put some dragon 1 pickups in it. Then came a used 1998 CE24 quilt top, followed by a 1992 Custom 24, then my first brand new PRS, a 2008 Mira and then a Custom 24 SE.
Remaining today, and part of my gigging tools every weekend are the 1992 Custom and the Mira.
Remaining today, and part of my gigging tools every weekend are the 1992 Custom and the Mira.
RickP
Established 1960, Still Not Dead
Gibson, Carvin, Fender, Yamaha, EBMM for electrics, then bought a 513 in 2006 or 2007 and it’s been mostly PRS since. I’m not 100% faithful to brand, but PRS has been the norm for almost 20 years now.
aamefford
Same old member, thanks.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2021
- Messages
- 1,742
I’m essentially an old beginner. I was also a beginner 45 or so years ago, but recreational euphoriants got in the way. I was looking at Squires and found the PRS corner. Tried a couple of SE’s and bought one. Sold it for an S2 Studio and then added a Santana III because I wanted a Santana and found a nice used one. Added a KL 380 just because it popped up on CL and looked just beautiful. It’s now my favorite. My acoustic guitars are “other” and are more than I need. Electric guitars though are PRS only at least for now.
dmatthews
Dave's not here
Yamaha until going to a Dweezil Zappa bandcamp in 2010. I "was" thinking about a Clapton strat at the time, but seeing a pile of PRS at the camp got me on the bandwagon.
Never got off...
Never got off...
PRS guitars gained curiousity soon after guitars crossed my path in 1992. But it lasted 19 years until my first acquisition of a PRS.
2011: a new PRS 513 MT.
In the meantime I had bought a Rockinger Rudvog and a Parker Fly Deluxe. My nameless starter guitar was a gift by my parents.
2016: a new PRS SE Mark Holcomb.
2023: a second hand PRS 513 RW.
2025: a second hand PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom as the legacy of my passed away best friend.
In terms of new and second hand a good balance, aswell in terms of Core and SE.
Other brands in my collection:
- Peavey (1)
- Reverend (1)
- Ernie Ball Music Man (1)
- Linus (3)
- Linus/Max Mauluff (1)
My preferences are PRS 513, EBMM Kaizen 7, Linus Red Scorpion, Black Scorpion.
2011: a new PRS 513 MT.
In the meantime I had bought a Rockinger Rudvog and a Parker Fly Deluxe. My nameless starter guitar was a gift by my parents.
2016: a new PRS SE Mark Holcomb.
2023: a second hand PRS 513 RW.
2025: a second hand PRS SE Mark Tremonti Custom as the legacy of my passed away best friend.
In terms of new and second hand a good balance, aswell in terms of Core and SE.
Other brands in my collection:
- Peavey (1)
- Reverend (1)
- Ernie Ball Music Man (1)
- Linus (3)
- Linus/Max Mauluff (1)
My preferences are PRS 513, EBMM Kaizen 7, Linus Red Scorpion, Black Scorpion.
dogrocketp
I drank the PRS kool aid, and it was tasty!
Started with a Harmony solid body, then a tele that wouldn’t stay in tune, then a Gibson 330 that I kept for 6 years till the truss rod snapped. I then went all Gibson-L7C, EBO bass, less Paul custom deluxe. Then guild X700 Stuart, X170 + X135.
After a brief Godin fling, I got my first PRS, an SE Singlecut with 2 soap bars. It stayed in tune and sounded great, better than any of my other guitars. I couldn’t rock out on my Guilds. Everything else got sold, and I started flipping PRSi for side money after my divorce. One thing led to another and now it’s all I have and I have several at each level. I’m not interested in plying any other brands these days, except maybe a P90 archtop.
After a brief Godin fling, I got my first PRS, an SE Singlecut with 2 soap bars. It stayed in tune and sounded great, better than any of my other guitars. I couldn’t rock out on my Guilds. Everything else got sold, and I started flipping PRSi for side money after my divorce. One thing led to another and now it’s all I have and I have several at each level. I’m not interested in plying any other brands these days, except maybe a P90 archtop.
KentuckyBoiledChiccan
A good boy
Squier then Fender for a very long time, then Mayo Regius, then all forms of standard Ibanez RG, one LACS, then EBMM 6s and 7s, couple of ZW Gibsons for fun, and CU22 for jams, then a very long break, back to Fender, then PRS (I still own both), and a Fender again
I really like this PRS SE 24 but I love my Gibsons, PRS is a great design on guitar, but a good guitar by Gibsons, or even other random cheapos can but found / setup. I round out my playing and then I play the better guitars , my prs is one of those. l6
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