ME Quatro vs Paul's Guitar

[telebuck]

Hi,

I'm thinking of picking up either a ME Quatro or a Paul's Guitar. Unfortunately, I am not able to play them to compare. I've listened to demo's online, and am leaning toward the Quatro, due to what I perceive as a bit more of a vintage humbucking sound, which is part of what I'm after. However, I also want something that will give me the quintessential PRS tone (whatever that is... maybe a Custom 24). With respect to the Paul's guitar I've read some describe the narrow-field 408s as much like the 57/08s which definitely have that vintage tone. Also, I've also read that the Paul's may be replacing the Modern Eagle line.

Sorry for the rambling question, but would appreciate the thoughts of anyone who has tried both of these.

Thanks!

 

[wardog]

I have a quatro. Like you, I was trying to decide on it or a Paul's guitar. the local guitar center have one of each and the quatro vibes the best with me. Those 53/10 pickups sound awesome. Weird thing for me is I honestly do not like the 408 pickups as much as others here do. Of course now the local gc has a 408 and Paul guitar. I a/b them and put them back on the wall. :dontknow:

 

[yankeebulldog]

I've owned both, still have the Paul's guitar. I like the smaller 408s in the Paul's guitar much better than the full sized 408 bridge pickup. It's certainly more in the 57/08 vein than the larger 408. I admit that I really don't care for the tone of rosewood necked guitars vs. hog necks. The perceived mid scoop of the rosewood just doesn't gel well with my rig. The Paul's guitar has a much more vintage style tone to my ears than the Quatro. It's certainly more in the range of the DGT or McCarty tone vs. the Custom 24.

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

I've never owned or played an MEQ but I do have a Paul's Guitar and can't say enough good things about it... Very versatile guitar and in my humble opinion, the best pickups to ever come out of the PRS factory. So far, it has handled every style of music I've thrown at her with no complaints whatsoever.

 

[tbs7duke]

I own both and find the Paul's Guitar to be way more versatile. That being said, the 53/10's produce a meaty (ok not as meaty as the 57/08's) pleasant tone to my ears that I absolutely love.

I love both equally.

ME Quatro has that vintage humbucking sound you are after.
Paul's guitar has its own humbucking monster that is actually very pleasing...with the addition of some very impressive single coil sounds.

 

[WEDGE]

No experience with the Paul's guitar but I had a Quatro that was killer. I should have put hot pickups in it and kept it......

 

[Tag]

I loved my Qutro. Loved it, but I just could not stand the "pattern" neck. I need a WF. I would grab a ME2 WF trem. I am not crazy about the 408 stle pups either. Give me full buckers in a PRS baby! If you can get a CU 22 Artist pack with a WF, thats another killer way to go IMO. CU 22, IRW WF neck with 57/08s, and Ebony board. :rock:

 

[László]

They're not making the 53/10s any more because they can't get the wire.They're great pickups, a little different than what you might expect, but beautiful tones.

They're still making the Paul's.

So I'd get the MEQ.

 

[telebuck]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! Sounds like a great case could be made for either, but I decided to go for the MEQ. A used mccarty burst from Dave's. Will post some pics, etc.. when it arrives.

 

[enigma]

I had a Quatro with 53/10s and loved it. I tried out Paul's guitar extensively with 408 pickups, and was not as impressed as I was with ME Q, IMO!

 

[megaboogie]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! Sounds like a great case could be made for either, but I decided to go for the MEQ. A used mccarty burst from Dave's. Will post some pics, etc.. when it arrives.

Nice! I was really tempeted by the used PG, looks like that one is gone as well.
Hope you love the MEQ, the 53/10 pickups are pure magic.

 

[telebuck]

The Modern Eagle has landed, and I am stoked! I love the 53/10 pickups. Really great humbucking sounds at the bridge and neck that are in the ballpark of my old R8, but also distinct and with better clarity. Also love the coil-tap sounds... really nice Fendery tones. I can see why some people describe the 53/10s in the Quatro as somewhat strat-like. And the neck is just perfect.. I had sold my R8 because the neck was too beefy for my taste. The pattern neck seems perfect... maybe just a bit beefier than the 60s profile neck on my '63 ES-335. Fret work is perfect, and I love having the binding on the neck. Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts.

Here's a couple of quick pics.

 

[WEDGE]

Hot, I love that criss cross grain.

 

[László]

Wow. That is absolutely gorgeous!

 

[Egads]

Total win! Congrats.

 

[wardog]

NICE!!!!!

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

That. Is. Beautiful.

 

[Whitecat]

Wonderful guitar. Well-chosen. I too would've done the MEQ, not that my opinion matters after-the-fact or ever!

 

[RDNZL]

The good news is that whichever you decide to go with...you will be very, very pleased.

 

[g.wizz]

You chose very wisely
congrats :beer: