Looking for recommendations for core model(s)

[Harris529]

Greetings! I’m new here….and kinda new to PRS guitar. Back in the late 90’s, I had a Custom 24, but never really bonded with it and I didn’t like the 5-way rotary switch. I sold it. Just recently, I bought an S2 Custom 22 Semi hollow. Wow…what a great guitar! As is typical for us guitar junkies…I’d really like to move up to a core model. I’m looking for recommendations on what I should set my sights onto next. I’m specifically looking for a used guitar. That said….things that the guitar must have 1) not a thin neck. Pattern regular and wide-fat are great. If there are other fat necks…also great. 2) Trem 3) Not 100% deal breaker, but would really like to have coil taps. 4) I really like the semi-hollow thing a lot…so a preference, but not a deal breaker.

Other stuff: would prefer a set neck, so I’m really not looking for a CE. That said, I have not played one…if I’m missing something special, let me know. Also, not a 408…the proprietary pickup size doesn’t work for me.

So, essentially…what’s your favorite trem bridge, not thin neck, set neck PRS?

 

[RickP]

The Special 22 seems a good fit, except it does contain one proprietary pickup; a Narrowfield. A custom 22 might fit. The newer ones don’t have the 5-way, as far as the 24s and 22 go. Not sure beyond those.

 

[Greywolf]

I'd agree with a Special, they are one of the most versatile and have a great feel, I love mine .
I'd strongly suggest trying a DGT , along with the Santana/ Westie for me they are my Go To of all my 13 PRSi.

now if you want a rare tonemonster .... this popped up on the verb recently a Korina McCarty .. 'nuff said

 

[Greywolf]

or one of my faves a Rosewood neck McSoapy , this one has the OEM duncans included and Dragonfire mini HB's installed ( think Gibby Firebird)

 

[Harris529]

or one of my faves a Rosewood neck McSoapy , this one has the OEM duncans included and Dragonfire mini HB's installed ( think Gibby Firebird)

WOW!!! That is SWEET!

 

[Harris529]

The Special 22 seems a good fit, except it does contain one proprietary pickup; a Narrowfield. A custom 22 might fit. The newer ones don’t have the 5-way, as far as the 24s and 22 go. Not sure beyond those.

The Special 22 seems a good fit, except it does contain one proprietary pickup; a Narrowfield. A custom 22 might fit. The newer ones don’t have the 5-way, as far as the 24s and 22 go. Not sure beyond those.

Great suggestion....the narrowfield pup would not bother me in the least in that guitar. Thanks!

 

[bodia]

I'm a broken record....Santana, all day

 

[SinSir]

So, essentially…what’s your favorite trem bridge, not thin neck, set neck PRS?

Santana

 

[aamefford]

Santana. No coil taps though.

 

[DISTORT6]

Singlecut Trem

 

[SinSir]

Santana. No coil taps though.

Some Santana pickups have splitting capabilities. If so, push pull and in business

 

[Gtrbldr]

DGT or indeed a special 22 (if the hollow part is a must). In that order.

There are some CU22s trems with WF neck floating around, which will work like a charm as well. A rotary switch (PITA if you ask me) is easily replaced with a 3 way toggle and push pull tone for splits. Some of those are even semi hollow, but without the F hole. Those are rare though.

 

[Maertl513]

DGT is a really worthwhile recommendation.
In terms of the neck profile Pattern Regular, the prerequisit used, it's the 513 you should watch out. Older ones come with Rosewood necks, younger ones (the last production line) with mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard, but point-to-point soldered electrical connections instead of PCB, in order to provide the most transperent sound.

 

[Peacemaker]

I have enjoyed the 35th anniversary custom 24 models (and the 35th anniversary S2s have these features). Pattern regular necks available, dedicated coil tap for each pickup, and trem!

 

[NiceBrightColors]

The Special Semi-Hollow seems to check all your boxes:
1. Has a pattern neck
2. Has a trem
3. Has coil tap
4. Is semi-hollow

I am also a new PRS convert and just last week got my first PRS, the Special Semi-Hollow. It’s a fantastic instrument. It has so many sounds in it with the many pickup combinations and coil taps (12 configurations in total, but with volume and tone adjustments each position has many sounds).

I would also suggest looking into the Studio. It is not semi-hollow, but checks all the other boxes. It was my other top choice when getting my first PRS. I went with the Special because it was further away tonally from Strats, which is what I was primarily playing.

Good luck, take solace in the fact that if you are getting a core PRS you are going to get a fantastic instrument no matter which you choose.

 

[Texsunburst59]

This one is easy.

DGT is most likely your best fit per the specs you requested.

 

[GGJJGG]

If it’s a playing in a bar guitar, DGT. If it’s recording, maybe MEV (caveat, Les has yet to invite to come play on the soon to be best rock song ever…). For all around fun, the SSH. I can’t say a bad word about any of them. All are solid.

I may play the DGT more, but that’s because the wife doesn’t know about the other two…