New to PRS - Happy & Frustrated

U

unidigitize

New Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Messages
10
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Hey! So I just picked up a PRS Archon 100 (new version with black faceplate) and I'm just blown away by the tone coming out of this thing. I owned a Mesa Roadster for a long time and I just can't do that sound anymore. The Archon has been a great transition. Cleans are the best I've ever heard on a high gain amp and the gain is everything I could ask for and more. I'm also using the matching stealth 4x12. This has been the hardest change for me, but not really in a bad way. I'm used to the V30 sound but this cab sounds nothing like my Mesa did. They were harsh and cold. This thing is mellow, deep and 3 dimensional. It's taking time to get used to it but I feel like I've really matured with this rig.

So here's my frustration.... When researching this amp I read that Paul doesn't even like it. I've seen many posts about the Archon and suggested guitar features to be "not his thing". Man that's frustrating. I play telecasters. I've really wanted to get into something new. My search brought me to Mayones and struck me that PRS seems to be the only company in the states that COULD really take them on without being totally custom.

Why is he so hesitant to change? The Archon is evidence of what's possible. Why not build guitars for people who wan't modern feature like "metal" scale length and fixed bridges? Why not offer what Mayones offers? It seems a bit condescending to build guitars with the mentality that he knows better and we get what he likes. His name is on the guitar. It is his decision, but it just seems like that will eventually be the downfall of a company like this. I mean no disrespect.

Anyway... just curious. Love the amp!
 
First off, PRS does make all the stuff you’ve mentioned, and PRS has come a long way with giving their customers what they want rather than just what Paul likes to use for himself.

I mean, if you think about it... it’s not being condescending to start your business doing sh!t you like. It’s natural. So you’re a metal head, you start your band and you don’t play any pop music or country stuff, right? But then there’s a whole pile of potential fans for your band that love that sh!t.... are you gonna start playing “Holla Back Girl” or “She Thinks My Tractors Sexy” right away?
 
unidigitize said:
I looked through the custom 24 specs and I can't find a model that's extended scale with a fixed bridge. Are you saying this can be done? Only custom?
Click to expand...

Yeah, “custom” in this case would be what they call Private Stock, but there’s the Mark Holcomb model that is/was available in Core and SE versions, and the Tremonti baritone.

There’s 35 years worth of models out there, you just gotta dig around.
 
Thanks! I just looked into the Marc Holcomb axe and I found the US version. That's exactly what I would be looking for. The price point is actually competitive a brand like Mayones too. I guess what I was getting at with my post was why isn't there at least one model spec'd like that Holcomb with more colors available etc. That's all. Seems like it would be really popular with my crowd. Plus, that ones not even being made now.
 
I get what you’re saying. No matter what style of guitar it is, it would be great to have PRS quality construction and attention to detail applied to it. From what I see, Paul has focused on what has been most asked of him. That wasn’t to make a wider range of guitars, but to make the current range in more affordable versions. That’s a huge ask... bringing the quality of the best guitars in at not one, but two, lower price points.

As Sergio mentioned, there have been some metal-tilted versions, but the demand hasn’t kept them in the lineup. My personal favorite PRS is also no longer made. Once you get beyond ”these are the guitars I love, so I build them,” I guess it is down to economics. It supports itself, or moves to the used-to-be column.

I have to say, though, that there is much virtue in focusing on what you love and leaving things you’re less drawn towards to the people who have a passion for that thing. Many brands have become so diluted that, in the attempt to be everything to everyone, they have lost their identity. I think Paul is wise to avoid that path.
 
While I agree, I wish that PRS would have never gone the SE/S2 route. It cheapened the brand to me. The US line is awesome if you can find what you want. This PRS Archon is amazing though! That's why I'm here. He got my attention with this (even though he apparently doesn't like the amp??)

Thanks for the replies everyone!
 
I think Paul and company made a wise decision making instruments that all could afford. It put PRS quality in the hands of young people and new players alike, who may never have experienced the brand otherwise.

They are a gateway “drug” to the core/WL/Artist/PS instruments. Heck if it’s good enough for other companies.

As an SE owner, I would say that if I was 30 years younger, I’d be very lucky to have my SE245 as my first, it knocks other guitars from other makers out of the park and when you consider the cost, it makes it even more incredible.

In this day and age a company like PRS has to consider its business strategy carefully and what share of the market it can and is likely to obtain.

In my opinion it was a shrewd move.
 
Not to mention the MI industry is a volatile one. How many other excellent makers have bitten the dust or have gotten bought up only to be put out to pasture?

The SE and S2 lines did cheapen the brand. They took what was essentially the world’s biggest boutique luxury brand and turned it into something of a mainstream “type” of guitar.

I’ll admit at first I wasn’t psyched about losing some of my bs egotistical status symbol crap but.... in the long run, more people get to experience what great guitars they are regardless of their economic status. That’s a good thing. More people are living their best life.
 
unidigitize said:
While I agree, I wish that PRS would have never gone the SE/S2 route. It cheapened the brand to me. The US line is awesome if you can find what you want. This PRS Archon is amazing though! That's why I'm here. He got my attention with this (even though he apparently doesn't like the amp??)

Thanks for the replies everyone!
Click to expand...
I can see the argument that says do the best and nothing else. I own 5 core and one bolt-on model (a Silver Sky; so it may as well be core), so I have my own elitist tendencies, I suppose. But I’m glad they’ve expanded vertically rather than just horizontally. From a music genre standpoint, that has also allowed them to bring in some signature models (including harder rock players) that couldn’t have been justified at the core price level. It’s all good, and much clearer to me than the price/feature/origin maze that Fender and Gibson have adopted.

On the Archon, while it may not be his favorite, Paul liked it enough to manufacture it. He also has a “Paul’s Guitar.” Don’t let his preferences worry you. You like it, and that’s what matters.
 
Fender and Gibson don't do the extended scale, fanned fret, metal and djent machines. I don't see their downfall any time soon (well, not Fender's, at least. :cool:). Nothing wrong with having a certain niche, market-space, and being the best possible in that area.

If you think back to the late 90's/early 2000's, PRS's were totally considered the (nu) metal guitar, and many wouldn't buy a PRS guitar because of that association. Things change, tastes change... I think PRS will be absolutely fine.
 
Last edited:
You're little late to the party. ;)

People predicted the demise of PRS, and cheapening the brand, blah blah blah, two decades ago, when they came out with the SE line. Didn't happen.

Yet there's an 18 month backlog on Core PRS orders at present. That was the last I heard, anyway (I have a 2020 McCarty on order). They're doing something right!

Tells folks a lot about the continuing desirability of PRS guitars. Also tells you that Paul's effort isn't misplaced making guitars whose tone he understands and likes; that's what people respond to. His customer base is growing. Will his guitars appeal to everyone? No.

They don't have to.

There are good reasons that PRS is where PRS is - the third largest US guitar maker. PRS does what they're good at. That's a good thing. Companies get into trouble doing things they're not good at. You can't be all things to all players. Better to be what you are.
 
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