Mental confussion about my PRSi and guitars in general

[Basauri]

Good morning,


I'm jumping back into the forum after being away from the guitar world for a few years. I went through some frustrating live playing experiences and, honestly, I just gave up. I quit.
But in 2022, I had a kid—and that’s really sparked a desire in me to pass on a love for music and the guitar. It’s made me reconnect with the instrument in a totally different way.
I’m 46 now and I started playing guitar about 20 years ago, though I’ve had two major breaks during that time—each around 3 years (including this latest one).
I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist, not a fan of wasting time. So pretty early on, playing guitar stopped being fun and turned into this constant grind of chasing flawless technique and total fretboard mastery. It became more of a discipline than a joy—an impossible goal that just led me to push myself harder and harder.
As my income improved over the years, I started collecting high-end guitars—Gibson Reissues, Fender Custom Shop, ESP… all driven by hype, media standards, and the fantasy of becoming a guitar hero like the legends we admire.
That chase for perfection eventually brought me to PRS. I found in their guitars not just flawless craftsmanship, but an overall design focused on player comfort and tone. I got hooked. So much so that I even flew all the way from Spain to attend the 2016 PRS Experience -to visit the factory, meet Paul, see the process and the magic behind it all—and meet some of you, too.

Long story short—a few years ago I quit again, and now that I’m picking the guitar back up, I’m trying to do it in a more practical, personal way—letting go of trends, idols, and all the noise. Just focusing on what feels good and sounds good to me.
Funny enough, the first guitars I gravitated to this time were the Gibson Reissues and a 335. The PRSs didn’t call to me. I didn’t feel that spark when playing them. It’s like, “If I had to choose one guitar to play for the rest of my life—it’d be the Les Paul.” And part of me even feels like I wasted my “PRS era.”
That said, as I’m relearning things (and wow, you really do forget more than you’d like after 3 years off), I’m starting to notice flaws in the LPs that make certain things hard to play—chords up high on the neck are tricky because of the chunky heel around the 15th fret, plus the weight and thick body aren’t exactly ergonomic. Low frets don’t help either...
So, I’ve been pulling the PRSs out of the case and noticing things I used to overlook because I was centered in the bling bling—little design choices that now make a huge difference. They play effortlessly. Smooth, comfortable. And I think, “Paul nailed it from day one.”

And yet—I still don’t feel passionate about playing them. I’m not in love.
My brain tells me they’ll help me play better, learn faster, fix bad habits more easily. I know they’d make it easier to teach my son, too. But something in my head keeps blocking that connection. I keep reaching for the Gibsons even though they’re not as comfortable. They give me this weird false sense of security—like, “Yeah, maybe they’re harder to play, but hey—it’s a Gibson. All your heroes played one. That must mean something.”

Sorry for the long and personal rant, but I feel like this is the right place to let it out.

Have any of you gone through something similar? Got any advice for how to break through those mental blocks and just enjoy the instrument for what it is?


Thanks, everyone.

 

[DISTORT6]

None of my heroes play PRS as a primary guitar that they would be known for. None.
Always play something that inspires YOU no matter what that might be. That might just help keep you in the game.

 

[bodia]

None of my heroes play PRS as a primary guitar that they would be known for. None.
Always play something that inspires YOU no matter what that might be. That might just help keep you in the game.

This is solid advice. I’m in this camp, too.

 

[RickP]

There is benefit in playing what inspires your playing, as opposed to your ego or what others think is best. That’s a trap we all fall in from time to time. As you said you wanted to play in a more practical way, perhaps putting aside having to feel passionate about the guitar that makes you play better is fitting for you this time around.

Try a different way… you said your old way had you quitting every 7 years (on average), so maybe you’re right. Less being driven by passions, and more by practicality and personal fit, might be just the thing to keep you playing from now on!

Best of luck with your journey, and your young family.

 

[Greywolf]

As a Luthier and Collector most clients/artists are surprised when I tell them : it doesn't matter what's on the headstock , or how pretty it is , or where it's made ..Does it play easily, stay in tune, meet your sonic needs ?

I have some inexpensive guitars that have magic , and some 15k+ ones with less ( but are riduculously pretty) . If you find one that you can't put down .. that inspires you and meets the basics .. who cares about the rest?

Love my Gibbys, and Taylors but I always gravitate back to PRS .. and since I got it the KL 33 has taken the cake.... She ain't fancy , a bit roadworn but in your hands .. there just isn't a reason to pick up anything else..

 

[Mentalo87]

To be honest PRS guitars are no mystical unicorns and just compare to other guitar brands like everything else. They have an extraordinary look, maybe a top tier QC and Paul created something unique that isn’t a copy of Strat or a LP. That’s it. If the shoe doesn’t fit, just don’t force it. In regards of ergonomics there are more specialized brands out there. Imho the violin carve is nice to look at but not very comfortable, at least for me. I also enjoy playing other brands and with my Flying V I‘m always impressed how playable the 24.75 scale length is. So either you haven’t found the perfect PRS model for your needs yet or you have to move on. Just spend time playing and not overthinking it too much.

 

[strat63]

This has already been said, but you have to play what inspires you. Perfection is great in theory but it's not all that important if it doesn't give you the spark to play. I've been a fan of PRS guitars since the beginning but they don't always inspire me. What I find funny is my least perfect PRS currently really gets me to want to play. It's a 94 CE22 with sloppy winged tuners, a W/T neck that's way too thin, and hot Dragon 1 pickups that are exactly opposite of what I would normally gravitate towards. It's on the heavy side and the maple top is possibly the most bland I've ever seen. On paper, it's a terrible guitar for me. The reality is the guitar just has something special that makes me want to play it. Even my bandmates perk up when I pull it out.

 

[Faded]

If you’re looking for an object to make you love music then you’re doing it wrong.

Any guitar, no matter the brand is supplemental to the love. Not the cause of.

Once you can transcend the need to cosplay as jimmy page, Clapton or even Santana you can just focus on your own musical expression and appreciation for the instrument in your hands becomes more satisfying than loving an object because of it’s sentiment.

 

[RC Mike]

A large part of happiness is not looking too deeply into what you are feeling. Trust the parts of you that generate those feelings and go with them. Nobody else cares what guitar makes you feel this way or that way—it’s only you that matters.

The other part of that is to be open to change. Sounds like you’ve got enough toys to go whatever direction your feelings take you in. Enjoy that! It’s a guitar, not a commitment to a brand, model, or anything else.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

.. and since I got it the KL 33 has taken the cake.... She ain't fancy , a bit roadworn but in your hands .. there just isn't a reason to pick up anything else..

I’m unsure if PRS has ever made a better guitar.

 

[veinbuster]

Play what feels good to you.
I like the sound of my Les Paul, but I don’t play it much because it isn’t comfortable enough to play for very long.
I play a comfortable guitar for longer.
Maybe take some time to dial in the sound you want from a PRS and see if you play it more. If not, save it for your son. He won’t be biased by who your idols are.

 

[dogrocketp]

I took a 20 year sabbatical to focus on work and family. (Dumbest thing I ever did). When I started again, I had all my Gibsons and none of them made me happy. I stumbled across a used PRS SE Soapbar, ALL the Gibbys got sold, and here I am. I’m also a perfectionist when it comes to my mediocre playing. The most inspiring guitar I have is my worn in Custom 22 Triple soapbar. I found the guitar that inspired me every time. I say keep looking, don’t settle, and buy it with your hands and your ears.

 

[Glide-bpm]

I'm a PRS freak... However, I play my Gibsons, Fenders and other brands.

Strangely enough, one of my most frequently played guitars is this Brian Moore Custom Shop... It's got Majik Mojo!!!
Do what makes it magical for you!!!

 

[László]

So, I’ve been pulling the PRSs out of the case and noticing things I used to overlook because I was centered in the bling bling—little design choices that now make a huge difference. They play effortlessly. Smooth, comfortable. And I think, “Paul nailed it from day one.”

And yet—I still don’t feel passionate about playing them. I’m not in love.
My brain tells me they’ll help me play better, learn faster, fix bad habits more easily. I know they’d make it easier to teach my son, too.

There's no 'best' guitar, the real choice gets down to whatever works best for your playing. Sometimes it comes down to more than one, each for different things.

It's hard to decide that in real-time while you're playing, especially with the distractions involved in simply re-learning how to play the instrument for the third time.

Try this:

Record yourself playing each guitar on a good day or night. Do it with something as simple as the video camera on a phone, if there's nothing else conveniently to hand.

Make sure the phone is the same distance from the amp for each guitar, to ensure some consistency. Then hit 'record', sit down and do what you do. When they're all recorded, listen to your playing.

You'll know after a few listens which guitar is/guitars are giving you the most of what you want to hear (including which ones make it easier express your music).

Of course, that isn't the whole picture or 'end of story'. There could be more than one. It's a snapshot, a moment in time. But you can learn some valuable things by listening to yourself play.

Finally, there's no requirement that players love an instrument, or love a given instrument. Play what works for you, sell what doesn't. Or save them all because over time playing improves, tastes change and you may rediscover something you like besides the appearance.

 

[Basauri]

As a Luthier and Collector most clients/artists are surprised when I tell them : it doesn't matter what's on the headstock , or how pretty it is , or where it's made ..Does it play easily, stay in tune, meet your sonic needs ?

This is a good point and I totally understand it. In fact, I mentioned I've been playing a 335 lately... well, it is an Epiphone, Dave Grohl's one. I'm a fan of the Foos and when the Epiphone model came out with fancy appointments (one-piece neck, burstbuckers...) it was a no-brainer for me. And playing that guitar I feel no pressure because I'm not expecting a high-end instrument but an efficient one. And it is! It is surprising how well it is made, the tuning stability and the sound.

Perfection is great in theory but it's not all that important if it doesn't give you the spark to play.

Part of my frustration for why I quit this last time was that, playing live, I was giving the best of myself — trying to surprise with intricate melodies, working hard at home to deliver a professional performance... and people showed the same interest in my creations as in someone else playing four cowboy chords in the I-vi-IV-V sequence. Giving too much and receiving little back.

Nobody else cares what guitar makes you feel this way or that way—it’s only you that matters.

Absolutely true. It's only in our heads. And knowing it makes it even more frustrating.

Maybe take some time to dial in the sound you want from a PRS and see if you play it more. If not, save it for your son. He won’t be biased by who your idols are.

He won't be, for sure. I find it really interesting and funny that when I show him my guitars, his only interest is how beautiful the color is. Being 3, obviously he doesn't care about selected mahogany, double-action truss rods, or historically correct PAF pickups.

Try this:

Record yourself playing each guitar on a good day or night. Do it with something as simple as the video camera on a phone, if there's nothing else conveniently to hand.

Make sure the phone is the same distance from the amp for each guitar, to ensure some consistency. Then hit 'record', sit down and do what you do. When they're all recorded, listen to your playing.

You'll know after a few listens which guitar is/guitars are giving you the most of what you want to hear (including which ones make it easier express your music).

This is very interesting! in fact when I record myself, I hear things and tones that I don't notice when I'm playing because I'm focused. I'll try it!



Thank you all for your support

 

[László]

This is very interesting! in fact when I record myself, I hear things and tones that I don't notice when I'm playing because I'm focused. I'll try it!

It worked for me many years ago, maybe it'll help!

 

[TheCraftsman]

I don’t think it’s time to sell up your prs but you’ve had a journey and throughout those preferences likes and wants change. Can I ask if you “noodle” and wrote your own stuff or just get into arps scales and the want to know everything before playing?

Either way, a square peg doesn’t fit a round hole, maybe the prs you have don’t fit what you now prefer, maybe you’ve moved on from your enchantment of prs. There’s no answer anyone here can give you that you’ve not already thought, enjoy playing, don’t feel guilty about the tool your using, if you’re having fun then that’s all there is to it, the guitar is simply a tool used for expression, much like the paintbrush of an artist.

Sounds to me like you need to add some kindling to the fire of playing music and not be so mechanical about your approach

 

[Basauri]

I don’t think it’s time to sell up your prs but you’ve had a journey and throughout those preferences likes and wants change. Can I ask if you “noodle” and wrote your own stuff or just get into arps scales and the want to know everything before playing?

Either way, a square peg doesn’t fit a round hole, maybe the prs you have don’t fit what you now prefer, maybe you’ve moved on from your enchantment of prs. There’s no answer anyone here can give you that you’ve not already thought, enjoy playing, don’t feel guilty about the tool your using, if you’re having fun then that’s all there is to it, the guitar is simply a tool used for expression, much like the paintbrush of an artist.

Sounds to me like you need to add some kindling to the fire of playing music and not be so mechanical about your approach

For me, it’s not really a lack of inspiration — music actually motivates me emotionally, and a lot of times I get musical ideas in my head. The problem is, when it comes time to translate those ideas into actual music through the guitar, I just don’t have the knowledge or tools to play what I’m hearing in my head.

That’s why I’ve spent years studying theory, scales, arpeggios, and all the mechanics — trying to “know it all,” like you said. But that path has mostly led me to frustration, because not only do I realize I can’t fully master all those concepts, I still can’t express what’s in my head through the instrument.

And on top of that, every time I pick up the guitar, I start overthinking — like, maybe the reason I can’t express myself is because the pickups aren’t right, or the wood isn’t perfect, or maybe I’m using the wrong type of guitar altogether. It just becomes this endless cycle that never really resolves.

And hey! I’ve never said anything about selling