I honestly need help here

[horax]

Months ago I ordered a midnight rose silver sky with maple neck.

I was excited. My friend bought a red one, so I went to try it. I was underwhelmed. Felt and sounded like every strat id ever played.

the order was taking a long time to fulfill, so I cancelled and bought a gibson LP standard 50s. That thing rocked! Posted photos online and a local guy asked if I’d want to consider a trade for a Suhr standard pro.
We swapped guitars for a few days and I decided it was worthwhile.

I’ve missed the gibson, but have enjoyed my suhr. I find myself mostly playing my tele though.
My friend decided to sell his silver sky. He has let me borrow it so I can compare to the Suhr on my own rig.

dangit! The PRS makes my Suhr seem thin! The pickups are awesome and the neck is thicker than the small Suhr neck. I like fatter necks. Gah!

I’m torn. So very torn. Did I make a mistake in cancelling the midnight rose with maple? Do I sell the Suhr and realize I will probably never get a chance at another one?
I’m honestly confused here.
I play blues mostly, so anything would really work.

advice?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

If you didn’t vibe with the SS then it’s ok to pass. Find the ones that bring the best out of you and go all in.

 

[HANGAR18]

I don't think you are very clear on what you are looking for.
I too have chased unicorns. It is maddening.
There are times when the same guitar and the same amp sound different to me on different days.
I think this is due to my ear becoming more discerned and picking up things I missed previously.

There have been times I would go through my own guitar collection (10 or 12 guitars) and spend 30 seconds on each guitar before going on to the next in order to better understand the differences between each. Doing that the small differences between each became a lot more noticeable.

 

[Tahlee]

Well, since you are asking for advice, I’ll try to help get you sorted out.

My initial impression is that you are very spontaneous, which can be really fun and exciting, but sometimes it gets you into these types of situations. Keep that in mind the next time you are about to make a hasty decision.

Based on what you’ve said, the Suhr is not the guitar for you. It sounds thin and you don’t love the neck. So, you don’t need to worry about whether or not you will ever be able to get another because you don’t like the one that you already have.

Now, you only have to figure out if the Silver Sky is the right guitar for you. Or, maybe it’s the Les Paul? At least I’ve narrowed your choices down for you.

Which guitar makes you want to pick it up and play? That’s the one you need.

 

[shinksma]

Sometimes a guitar speaks to you every time you pick it up. Sometimes you or they are more fickle.

Probably you would enjoy the Silver Sky, but apparently that first time was not overwhelming. And I hate to break it to you, but the Silver Sky was designed to "feel like a strat" - combining the best features of the best strats ever according to JM, but that was the core mission.

 

[AP515]

Summaries are, of necessity, generalizations but let's see if I've got a reasonable assessment of the situation.

The LP - you liked it but not enough to keep it.
The Suhr - you liked it but not enough to play it more than your Tele.
The SS - you didn't like it at first but now you like it more than the Suhr.
Add to this the observations that you mostly play the blues and for some reason you are not thrilled about playing Strats.

Conclusion: In the words of U2, you "Still haven't found what you're lookin for". Try a 594 or a McCarty with P90's. Maybe a HBll. Something that will give you "the sound you hear in your head" because up to now, your heart has not been captured. When I bought my first PRS it was because the guitar would not let me leave without it. You haven't yet had that experience. Keep looking.

 

[RickP]

Stay with one for a while. Work with it. Play it when you don’t feel like it. Get to where you know what happens when you move a volume or tone knob.

You”ll never feel at home if you move to a new town every couple of months.

 

[shimmilou]

The simplest solution is probably the best solution. In other words, get all three guitars, and get even more guitars after that. And after you get those guitars, get a few more.

Seriously though, each of the three choices is unique and each is special in its own way, so you should just get them all.

 

[bodia]

Summaries are, of necessity, generalizations but let's see if I've got a reasonable assessment of the situation.

The LP - you liked it but not enough to keep it.
The Suhr - you liked it but not enough to play it more than your Tele.
The SS - you didn't like it at first but now you like it more than the Suhr.
Add to this the observations that you mostly play the blues and for some reason you are not thrilled about playing Strats.

Conclusion: In the words of U2, you "Still haven't found what you're lookin for". Try a 594 or a McCarty with P90's. Maybe a HBll. Something that will give you "the sound you hear in your head" because up to now, your heart has not been captured. When I bought my first PRS it was because the guitar would not let me leave without it. You haven't yet had that experience. Keep looking.

I'm gonna say "ditto" to this.

 

[Warmart]

Absolutely, the only thing that can help the undecided (when it comes to guitars) is try them all. In your home, under your conditions. Wash, rinse and repeat until your hair is clean.

 

[GuitarJammin]

One thing is see here...Did you initailly play the SS on your own rig? Or your buddies rig? Sounded like you used his rig. BUT...then you brought it to yours....and HELLLO. Yea you'll notice things outta your own rig better than anywhere else. Just my two cents. I think if you like that tone it's no accident.

 

[GuitarJammin]

Summaries are, of necessity, generalizations but let's see if I've got a reasonable assessment of the situation.

The LP - you liked it but not enough to keep it.
The Suhr - you liked it but not enough to play it more than your Tele.
The SS - you didn't like it at first but now you like it more than the Suhr.
Add to this the observations that you mostly play the blues and for some reason you are not thrilled about playing Strats.

Conclusion: In the words of U2, you "Still haven't found what you're lookin for". Try a 594 or a McCarty with P90's. Maybe a HBll. Something that will give you "the sound you hear in your head" because up to now, your heart has not been captured. When I bought my first PRS it was because the guitar would not let me leave without it. You haven't yet had that experience. Keep looking.

1+

 

[dcm_guitar]

Based on what I read here, I would have said you're a single coil guy, except you really like the LP.

What is it about the Tele that makes you play it the most? Is it the sound or the feel?

Tone chasing is fun and frustrating at the same time. Based on what I've read here (which is short), I'd try out a 594; particularly a newer model with the TCI. You CAN get that two pickup Tele tone from a 594 with the coil taps. It takes some guitar and amp tone and volume tweaking, but it's there. Plus you get the fat LP tones from a 594 as well. The only thing you miss from a 594 at this point is the in-between Strat quack.

 

[toothace]

I'm gonna say "ditto" to this.

Tritto.

 

[horax]

One thing is see here...Did you initailly play the SS on your own rig? Or your buddies rig? Sounded like you used his rig. BUT...then you brought it to yours....and HELLLO. Yea you'll notice things outta your own rig better than anywhere else. Just my two cents. I think if you like that tone it's no accident.

yes, I played on his rig, not my own. Big mistake.

Based on what I read here, I would have said you're a single coil guy, except you really like the LP.

What is it about the Tele that makes you play it the most? Is it the sound or the feel?

Tone chasing is fun and frustrating at the same time. Based on what I've read here (which is short), I'd try out a 594; particularly a newer model with the TCI. You CAN get that two pickup Tele tone from a 594 with the coil taps. It takes some guitar and amp tone and volume tweaking, but it's there. Plus you get the fat LP tones from a 594 as well. The only thing you miss from a 594 at this point is the in-between Strat quack.

I love teles. I love the feel, the design, the tone, everything. Always been my end up go to guitar.

 

[dcm_guitar]

yes, I played on his rig, not my own. Big mistake.



I love teles. I love the feel, the design, the tone, everything. Always been my end up go to guitar.

I also LOVE Teles, but actually don't have one right now. Why? I had a 2012 American Deluxe that was GREAT! But I have a Vela that is very Tele-like and I liked it better. If you're a Tele fan I'd recommend playing a Vela and seeing how it meets your expectations.

 

[Rider1260]

I fall in temporary love with lots of new gear , I have been on a Firebird kick lately and thought I had to have one BUT I played a few of my guitars last night and realized it was just a fad.
I slowly fell in love with the Silver Sky after having a 305 and then a DC3 to fill my single coil needs.
I wish they ( PRS ) would do a an update on the Tele ( or Esquire ) also !!!!

 

[bodia]

I fall in temporary love with lots of new gear , I have been on a Firebird kick lately and thought I had to have one BUT I played a few of my guitars last night and realized it was just a fad.
I slowly fell in love with the Silver Sky after having a 305 and then a DC3 to fill my single coil needs.
I wish they ( PRS ) would do a an update on the Tele ( or Esquire ) also !!!!

I could get on board with that!

 

[horax]

After experimenting last night and today, I'm convinced if I picked up both guitars in a store and played them side by side, I'd walk out with the PRS.
The trem on the suhr is superior. The build quality is about hte same...suhr might be a notch higher. Pickups and neck go to PRS.

Dangit....

 

[bodia]

After experimenting last night and today, I'm convinced if I picked up both guitars in a store and played them side by side, I'd walk out with the PRS.
The trem on the suhr is superior. The build quality is about hte same...suhr might be a notch higher. Pickups and neck go to PRS.

Dangit....

Silver Sky it is.