I’ll second the thought that personal selection with both in your hands is the way. Even two Les Paul’s can feel very different from one another. It’s really in how the guitar speaks to you.
As for a comparison of PRS to Gibson, I was a long time Gibson fan that got away from them because the consistency in quality became a concern. I had a couple of really good Les Pauls and an equal number of mediocre ones. I can’t say I ever had a bad one, but it wasn’t the sure thing it had been. PRS has been top quality in every case, and I hope it stays that way. So, a PRS is equal to a great LP, and better than most. They are my first pick.
I’ve been a 513 devotee for years now, but just got a 594 (see a recent post for a pic). To me, it may be the best Les Paul style guitar ever made, even though mine is the DC version. It sounds like a great old LP, but feels like a great new PRS. What could be better? The 58/15LT are not nearly as hot as the 490 series pickups, but have a much better and clearer sound. The neck and bridge pickups are the same, a rarity for most guitar makers, but it works and all switch positions yield smile producing tones, even into a cooking tube amp. They sound like old PAFs or T-Tops, in that they have a clarity newer versions of Gibson pickups can lack. Accordingly, they probably aren’t a top metal choice, but for anything less grinding, I’d bet you’d like them. By the way, plan on blanking your amp and starting from scratch... old settings don’t do them justice. Because if their clear voice, they can sound thin if you put them through the same settings your DiMarzios were using!
Sorry for the long post! Last thought... I put the 594 through a Deluxe Reverb (one of the Alessandro hand wired ones) with just a King of Tone pedal in front and it was glorious!
