Kestrel VS Kingfisher

[rugerpc]

It appears to be a simple choice, but it isn't.

Can you tell us why you chose the way you chose?

 

[themike]

It appears to be a simple choice, but it isn't.

Can you tell us why you chose the way you chose?

Kestrel - I think its a much more unique bass sound. Humbucking basses (for my needs) I can emulate by pitch shifting down a clean guitar for recording but the Kestrel sounds so alive to me. Also - pickguard. Diggggggin' that pickguard. Obviously if I played bass outside of the studio it would be a different story but I dont.

And now for a typical Mike curveball........ anyone thinking of the PTC-A-Bilities (trademark'd!) of these basses? Can bass pickups be tapped/split the same way a guitar one can? Can PTC turn a Kingfisher into a dual humbucking bass with the option of splitting them for Kestrel like territory?

 

[CoreyT]

I went with the Kingfisher over the Kestrel as pickguards turn me off, and I wanted humbuckers.
I like the look much better of the Kingfisher.

 

[rugerpc]

Kestrel - I think its a much more unique bass sound. Humbucking basses (for my needs) I can emulate by pitch shifting down a clean guitar for recording but the Kestrel sounds so alive to me. Also - pickguard. Diggggggin' that pickguard. Obviously if I played bass outside of the studio it would be a different story but I dont.

And now for a typical Mike curveball........ anyone thinking of the PTC-A-Bilities (trademark'd!) of these basses? Can bass pickups be tapped/split the same way a guitar one can? Can PTC turn a Kingfisher into a dual humbucking bass with the option of splitting them for Kestrel like territory?

I have been wondering about splits too....

Paging Shawn to the white courtesy phone....

edit: just noticed that this was post 3333 for me....

 

[CoreyT]

Now that would be cool with two tiny switches like my 408 has.
I bet my dealer can do this, they do a lot of custom stuff like that.

Yeah, the only guitar I have that has a pickguard is my Gibson SG, I just prefer the clean look without one.
I want to see all that wood and not hide it under a pickguard.

 

[andy474x]

The Kestrel has a killer vibe in looks and sounds! I dig the pickguard, and the single coils are a bit more punchy and present. I think it'll be a great instrument for rock and blues. Good for getting a groove going that the audience can pick out of the mix. Gonna have to get one eventually for when people come over to jam!

 

[Shawn@PRS]

While the Kingfisher's pickups are true humbucker, the pickups have one hum cancelling dummy coil. The remaining active coil in each pickup cannot be tapped. Paul worked very hard to develop these pups and it took a long time before he was truly happy. He changed the windings, magnets, moving the placement of the pickup on the body, etc. I think they sound amazing

Funny story. When the Mira was being introduced we had a contest for employees to name the guitar. The name I chose was "Kestrel". So although I didn't win that contest, I guess I do get naming credit for the Kestrel Bass. During that same contest Doug, the SE manager, chose "Kingfisher". But then again he names most of the SE guitars anyway, so it's no big deal for him.

 

[Shawn@PRS]

The SE basses will fit in the PRS Grainger hardshell case.

Part # ACC-4266, available through your local PRS dealer.

Click to enlarge

 

[Sage]

I am leaning toward the Kingfisher. The Kestrel has the neck-through design, but otherwise it's not much different from a Jazz clone. Kingfisher appears at first glance to be more versatile, though I really want to hear some demos of it being played (*not* slapped) with just one pickup active. There wasn't enough of that in the demos posted the other day to get an idea of how much the sound varies.

Kingfisher also wins on looks, hands down. Kestrel did sound damn good in the demos though.

 

[JSL]

When can we expect to see these at the dealers?

 

[Sage]

I have to say I do really dig the bird-themed names, Shawn.

Kestrel:

Kingfisher:

 

[László]

It comes down to what styles you play and what kind of tone you're looking for. I liked the open top end and the clarity of the Kestrel a lot, and for the rock tones most of my clients are into these days, I'd go with that.

If you're into a funkier, more round, punchier sound, the Kingfisher is the way to go as far as I'm concerned. It'd be a sound that would cut through a dense mix.

So it really depends what you want to get out of the instrument.

 

[Sekunda]

I want both… then there are no questions as too what sound you can get!

Seriously, these look like some quality pieces that will sell very well. I've always wanted a PRS bass in my collection. You guys sure know how to light the fire under my G.A.S.

 

[rugerpc]

My (first) SE Bass ordered.

,,,no, I'm not sayin' which one yet, even though I'm polling you guys! :vroam:

 

[CoreyT]

Thanks Shawn for the info on the Grainger case.
Just stopped by my dealer to give him some cash for him placing the order the other day, and he is going to have the guitar shipped from you in the Grainger case I believe, but will take the gig bag too.
The gig bag will be handy if I want to bring the bass to work to put in my locker.

 

[mezzio]

Since I have to base it solely on looks and assumed sound (I haven't seen any videos or reviews yet), id go for the kingfisher, but that's just me

 

[Whitecat]

Kestrel. It's just right.

 

[Shawn@PRS]

From time to time I see kestrels hunting in a field or even near the side of the road. I've always been impressed with their ability to hover in one spot as they hone in on their prey.

 

[themike]

From time to time I see kestrels hunting in a field or even near the side of the road. I've always been impressed with their ability to hover in one spot as they hone in on their prey.

Whoa, they're like the Harrier Jet of the bird world!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Whoa, they're like the F-35 STOVL of the bird world!

Fixed it for ya.