I hope PRS does not become like Keisel guitars with too many guitars that it can loose its identity.

[SinSir]

This. As long as they keep quality they'll be fine.

One of the big reasons I bought my first PRS a couple of years ago was a comment by Fractal audio founder Cliff Chase that PRS had the most consistent quality in the US (followed by Collings).

Consistency in quality is very much an identifying trait of PRS for me more than a model

 

[gush]

For me, the new models or variations of existing models from F and G don't generate much interest from me. Not hating on those brands at all but Paul is passionate about making his guitars better and that means something to me.

A new prs model comes out and I'm very interested because The Man is still the Captain of the ship.

Nothing pleases me more than seeing somebody being passionate about their craft.

 

[Mike J.]

Nothing wrong with trying to make the best of every significant electric guitar.

I couldn’t begin to count, let alone understand, all the variations of Stratocaster that Fender sells.

I was thinking the same thing regarding Fender. If I remember right, seems like Fender had a few variations on the Strat, Tele, Jazz and Precision way back in the early 1960's. Variations as far as a few different colors. Made choosing a guitar or bass pretty easy back then.

While it's nice having multiple choices it can be a little overwhelming (and confusing) these days. Good, bad? Not for me to say.

 

[MarcWink]

I remember back in the late 90's and early 00's when I was in high school and drooling adding a Custom 22 to my CE 22 that the model brochure had the CE 22 and 24, the Standard 22 and 24, the McCarty and McCarty Standard with soapbar variations of each, the Swamp Ash Special, the Custom 22 and 24 and the Archtops, including one with a spruce top and back. The brochure was maybe 20 stiff glossy pages and there was a separate booklet with the options and pricing. It was almost like a car brochure. Now, I highly doubt that they could generate that kind of model brochure with as bloated as the lineup is. I doubt they could do that kind of marketing brochure for just the Core lineup.

 

[shinksma]

I remember back in the late 90's and early 00's when I was in high school and drooling adding a Custom 22 to my CE 22 that the model brochure had the CE 22 and 24, the Standard 22 and 24, the McCarty and McCarty Standard with soapbar variations of each, the Swamp Ash Special, the Custom 22 and 24 and the Archtops, including one with a spruce top and back. The brochure was maybe 20 stiff glossy pages and there was a separate booklet with the options and pricing. It was almost like a car brochure. Now, I highly doubt that they could generate that kind of model brochure with as bloated as the lineup is. I doubt they could do that kind of marketing brochure for just the Core lineup.

As I pointed out earlier, the 2007 catalog had 27 different core models, which if you count the 22 and 24 fret variations as separate, was really 31.

EDIT: Oh, I just noticed the 2007 catalog offers trem or stoptail as options on several models, which today would probably be listed as separate models. So add another 6 models for that. And the Spruce HB, HB I and HB II were offered with and without piezo, so add another 3 models in today's counting system.

Today, PRS does not have 31 different core models. Today, there are 20 different core models listed, if I counted correctly. There are another 12 models in the Bolt-On category, and that includes the Silver Sky counted twice - once for maple FB, once for RW. In 2007, neck and FB materials were an Artist Pack upgrade. EDIT: and the SAS listed the maple FB as a core option - so that really cancels out the double Silver Sky count.

In other words, there are 31 different "Core and what used to be core bolt-on" (CE, SAS, and related) models.

So I'm not sure why everyone thinks PRS has "too many models" right now. Same as it ever was, maybe even a bit less.

Unless you are concerned their S2 line is watering it down. There are about 13 unique models there in today's S2 line-up.

 

[Ronald]

I have had a few PRS guitars. At the moment I have three. A 2010 25th anniversary 305 (SSS). 2024 Private Stock McCarty 594 with Soapbars. And my favorite, 2009 Santana Abraxas one SE Carlos autograph which has just one Soapbar and one volume control. Nothing else. This 2009 Santana is by far the least expensive PRS guitar I have ever bought and, remarkably, the most rewarding to play. I think you have to like Soapbars a lot to feel this way though.

 

[Squirrel]

The OP original premise makes absolutely no sense to me. As the old saying goes, "The more (guitars) the merrier."

 

[dogrocketp]

I have had a few PRS guitars. At the moment I have three. A 2010 25th anniversary 305 (SSS). 2024 Private Stock McCarty 594 with Soapbars. And my favorite, 2009 Santana Abraxas one SE Carlos autograph which has just one Soapbar and one volume control. Nothing else. This 2009 Santana is by far the least expensive PRS guitar I have ever bought and, remarkably, the most rewarding to play. I think you have to like Soapbars a lot to feel this way though.

I think everybody needs to become familiar with soapbars. I have a 1, a 2, and a 3 pickup PRS soapbar.

 

[Runcible Gates]

The OP original premise makes absolutely no sense to me.

I lost him at "loose".

 

[WingerRules]

I think everybody needs to become familiar with soapbars. I have a 1, a 2, and a 3 pickup PRS soapbar.

I’d love to have one with soapies

 

[Rider1260]

The PRS Identity is a quality guitar and a tool for everyone.
The difference between PRS and others is they will try things , Body Shapes , finishes , Bridges , pickups , tuners and folks for the most part except it. I also believe in the company's eye they are building guitars that are better today than when they started , today and the future is the Golden Age of PRS not 1950/60s like Gibson and Fender.

 

[Runcible Gates]

While it's nice having multiple choices it can be a little overwhelming (and confusing) these days. Good, bad? Not for me to say.

I know what you mean. OTOH, I know exactly what I like (and will make maximum use of), so I buy it when I see it.

I've been an almost exclusively S-type player for the past thirty years. PRS' recent-ish move - the "Dead Spec" - with their Silver Sky line prompted me to buy one. Reaching for an oddball automotive analogy, I love the Alpine A110; and the Dead Spec is kind of like an Alpine A110 R-GT edition (only a heck of a lot cheaper.....).


If you don't know what you need, and are buying to fill some perceived "want", I guess confusion is to be expected.

 

[watelessness]

i disagree with the OP that having too many products will promote identity death. PRS believes in innovation or death and THAT is their identity. They are constantly trying new things, as evidenced by the myriad models available, but if something doesn't sell it is gone.

We PRS oldtimers can tell you that for each of the models you list there are two models or configurations that no longer exist. And several of the models are just tweaks to previous editions. For instance, the Studio used to be around in the early 2010s, then went away (unfortunately), but recently came back with tweaks, while ME has had five iterations, with the current one having multiple options for body and neck combinations.

Gibson's identity was to make some really good guitars and then rest on the laurels of those guitars while letting the quality suffer in a massive way. I think it's cute how Gibson is finally getting around to making a guitar honoring Ted McCarty (the Theodore).

I truly believe PRSh stays up late every night trying to come up with pickup/wood/switching/scale combinations that have a niche in my sonic palette because he knows that I would rather buy a new tool than learn to actually play guitar.

 

[Ronald]

i disagree with the OP that having too many products will promote identity death. PRS believes in innovation or death and THAT is their identity. They are constantly trying new things, as evidenced by the myriad models available, but if something doesn't sell it is gone.

We PRS oldtimers can tell you that for each of the models you list there are two models or configurations that no longer exist. And several of the models are just tweaks to previous editions. For instance, the Studio used to be around in the early 2010s, then went away (unfortunately), but recently came back with tweaks, while ME has had five iterations, with the current one having multiple options for body and neck combinations.

Gibson's identity was to make some really good guitars and then rest on the laurels of those guitars while letting the quality suffer in a massive way. I think it's cute how Gibson is finally getting around to making a guitar honoring Ted McCarty (the Theodore).

I truly believe PRSh stays up late every night trying to come up with pickup/wood/switching/scale combinations that have a niche in my sonic palette because he knows that I would rather buy a new tool than learn to actually play guitar.

I agree. PRS is a business that strives to offer a product that delivers the inspiration that each of us search for. I have tried many PRS models. I have yet to find one that I don't like. I do like some more than others of course and I think many folks here have differing taste than mine. That is a good thing!
I have one PRS PS McCarty 594. Exquisite guitar and priced accordingly. I also have a 2009 Santana Abraxas One SE (Carlos signed LE). The 2009 Santana cost about 1/10th what the PS cost. Is the PS 10 times better? Absolutely not. As the price of PRS guitars goes to the top level, there is a diminishing return. Not to say I am unhappy with the PS. Quite the reverse... I love the way it feels, looks and sounds. No other manufacturer can match it in my opinion. The relatively inexpensive 2009 PRS Santana, however, is also exceptionally nice in every way and if I had to keep only one guitar, I would be happy to keep the 2009 PRS Santana Abraxas One SE with its one single soap bar and one volume control with no tone knob. It is that good and PRS makes nothing similar now.
I can say I have the same love for my PRS 25th Anniversary 305. Just a rare and addicting guitar. The really amazing part of all this is that PRS discontinued the 305. Only 305 units of 25th Anniversary 305s were built (more in other years). A guitar this nice that was discontinued with no real comparable replacement is baffling to me. The Silver Sky is not really comparable to anyone who has played both.
My PRS PS McCarty 594 has a pair of Soapbars. So to conclude, to say that offering "too many products will promote identity death" is not the way I see it. I see that PRS is simply very committed to offering each of us the most rewarding experience possible. That is the PRS "identity" that I see and love.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

They really only make one guitar now IMO.

 

[watelessness]

They really only make one guitar now IMO.

dude, they stopped making westie years ago

 

[sergiodeblanc]

dude, they stopped making westie years ago

They still make Santanas.

For now.

 

[DISTORT6]

They still make Santanas.

For now.

 

[Phil M]

It’s all subjective of course but to me, PRS is the Custom 24 and Custom 22. Coming in behind those are the McCarty, the 594 variation of the McCarty and maybe the CEs. In my mind, that is the PRS identity.

Everything else is extra. Some of it is AWESOME (like the SAS and the Hollowbody ), but peripheral.

Again, that’s just my view on the OP’s topic.

 

[Phil M]

This. As long as they keep quality they'll be fine.

One of the big reasons I bought my first PRS a couple of years ago was a comment by Fractal audio founder Cliff Chase that PRS had the most consistent quality in the US (followed by Collings).

I think this is true for the Core models. I’m a Les Paul guy but only Historics; even then they’re not all the same. But if you go play a bunch of Custom 24s from the same year with the same wood and pickups, they’ll be very consistent.