Mozzi
https://imgur.com/user/BAMozzy/posts
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2018
- Messages
- 4,294
Can’t argue with that, but I’ll explain what I meant.
I think the quintessence of PRS isn’t so much a single guitar model, as a process of constant growth and learning.
At the moment, the 594 is my candidate for most successful example of how well their process works. Sounds vintage, feels modern. So it gets my ‘quintessence award’.
and I can't argue with that...
Although if we are to take your comment, I think the quintessence of PRS isn’t so much a single guitar model, as a process of constant growth and learning, then I would add their quality and reputation as guitar builders which is present throughout their entire range. That is more about PRS as a company and all of this is present in any number of their guitars - not just the 594. The Silver Sky, perhaps the most 'controversial' and most 'radical' departure for PRS, perhaps the 'hardest' to sell led to so much demand that various people have yet to receive their pre-order.
I say Hardest because there are so many 'strat' type guitars from multiple builders and Fender themselves churn out more guitars a day than PRS can make in a month (not inc guitars that PRS don't make - SE's). They face competition from G&L as well as Suhr, Music Man etc. PRS, apart from the few models that haven't stuck around, have more models that are closer to Gibson to varying degrees and looking back, you can see the 'steps' - The custom 22 to give the same spacing between PU's, then the McCarty that added the thicker body etc.
In any case, both the 594 and the Silver Sky, despite being based on vintage instruments that are far to expensive and rare (especially if you want quality, consistency and low maintenance too and not to risk a guitar that costs more than a LOT of NEW cars) are successful and, by the reasoning you mention, quintessential PRS. For me, I see it as almost PRS taking both of the most revered instruments from history and making them but also making them better and much more consistent - to give every guitarist the opportunity to get the sounds without any of the drawbacks associated with owning vintage instruments. Every model though is quintessential PRS if you take the company and its ethos but as far the most 'PRS', the one guitar that is 'PRS' and not a PRS version of, has to be the Custom 24. Its the Guitar that enabled PRS to build, to have the opportunity to grow and learn, built up the reputation for exceptionally high quality instruments so that over 30yrs later are able to make and have great success with models like the 594 and Silver Sky. At least the 594 though does come in many flavours and not just the SC that it borrows from.
You can't argue with its success and the amount of diversity this model has but I do think that many view it as a LP alternative rather than its own entity overall. Maybe this is something we can discuss over and over again but as far as a specific model of guitar is concerned, I would have to say the Custom 24 is and perhaps always will be the quintessential PRS. Nothing also encapsulates the constant growth and learning as this model - the number of refinements over the years demonstrating the learning, the body shape being used for other models which demonstrates the growth and all models share the quality, consistency and reputation that PRS have built up over the years.
Anyway, this is a bit off topic but it doesn't change the fact that the 594 is an excellent model that does encapsulate the essence of PRS in its build. I would have NO hesitation in recommending one to anybody and, if I am honest, I would love to add the Hollowbody version to my Solid one. That is testament to how highly I rate this model.