Prs 2014 headstocks

[cmcgrath72]

Hmm...I've been looking to get a new PRS 408 to add to my collection. Already have 2 CU24's. I have to say I'm not sure how I feel about the new rosewood/ebony headstocks.
They look good with some colors like the Blood Orange and Greens, but with other more classic colors they seem a bit drab. I wonder if the wood veneer headstocks are permanent.
Does anyone else have the same thoughts. I kinda prefer the old ones better and have a veneer as an option.

 

[kselbee]

I like them and they seem to go well with the fretboard but for me seeing the sides finished in black with the face being rosewood looks a little odd.

 

[Pietrox]

Hi, new guy here! I'm not a fan of the rosewood veneer on the headstock either. I tried to order a new prs without it, but its no longer a option. I think it would be cool as an optional thing, but I dont think it look good on all finishes. I hope that in the future it will be possible to choose a prs with or without the rosewood on the headstock. Thanks guys.

 

[tonyvenn]

Interesting post...

Personally, I can't stand the rosewood headstock veneer. I mean, to the point where I won't even entertain the idea of buying a new PRS...they look that bad. Ebony, on the other hand, looks okay, since black can go with just about any color.

The other peeve I've got lately, is the lack of color on the backs and necks of new PRS'

I don't know...it's like they're not even trying. Thank goodness colors like Blue Makena get the dark blue treatment.

But the headstock veneer has got to go! The PRS logo gets lost in all the streaky brown rosewood...

Aesthetics count.....

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

If it's anything like my '04 Brazilian headstock veneer then I love it!

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Aesthetics count.....

Everyone has a different aesthetic, that's the problem...I'd rather punch myself in the d!ck than look at a blue guitar, but I think the headstock veneers and natural backs are cool.

Now if we wanna talk about that mandatory blade switch on everything.... :evil:

 

[László]

It's funny, people were all over the painted backs, and complaining that they couldn't see the wood; strong preferences were expressed for natural backs, so PRS gave us natural backs.

The headstock veneers with inlaid logos were formerly only available on Artist Package or Private Stock guitars. I think they look much better than the painted headstocks, too. They create a "one piece" look for the neck from the bottom of the fingerboard all the way to the top of the headstock. And since they match the fingerboard, I don't see how anyone can say they don't go with certain colors. The same wood is already there on the guitar!

Tonyvenn, if aesthetics count, here's a vote for the veneers!

 

[Rider1260]

I only have one with a painted headstock (CU22) and it looks cool with that guitar ( matches the color of the back and neck )
Rosewood neck guitars should have rosewood headstocks

 

[vr6corrado]

I got a '14 Tremonti with the rosewood veneer on the headstock and I love it! The back of the guitar and neck is black and I think it all looks cool as it matches the fretboard nicely, One more vote for veneer! now, about that white logo, is it inlaid? Painted? Decal? Sorry but my eyes don't work as they used to

 

[László]

It's inlaid.

 

[g.wizz]

I ordered my 513 AP with ebony fretboard and veneer and it looks awesome
With natural back ( i can't stand painted necks unless maybe black)
So double vote for veneers and natural backs

 

[cmcgrath72]

Interesting post...

Personally, I can't stand the rosewood headstock veneer. I mean, to the point where I won't even entertain the idea of buying a new PRS...they look that bad. Ebony, on the other hand, looks okay, since black can go with just about any color.

The other peeve I've got lately, is the lack of color on the backs and necks of new PRS'

I don't know...it's like they're not even trying. Thank goodness colors like Blue Makena get the dark blue treatment.

But the headstock veneer has got to go! The PRS logo gets lost in all the streaky brown rosewood...

Aesthetics count.....

Yeah, I agree. Ebony looks pretty good, though I'd still like to have an option.

 

[cmcgrath72]

Hi, new guy here! I'm not a fan of the rosewood veneer on the headstock either. I tried to order a new prs without it, but its no longer a option. I think it would be cool as an optional thing, but I dont think it look good on all finishes. I hope that in the future it will be possible to choose a prs with or without the rosewood on the headstock. Thanks guys.

Oh man, thats not cool. I was thinking to try and do a custom order. Usually if you have the cash they'll build whatever you want. Maybe if enough people get on their case they will have it as an option.

 

[cmcgrath72]

It's funny, people were all over the painted backs, and complaining that they couldn't see the wood; strong preferences were expressed for natural backs, so PRS gave us natural backs.

The headstock veneers with inlaid logos were formerly only available on Artist Package or Private Stock guitars. I think they look much better than the painted headstocks, too. They create a "one piece" look for the neck from the bottom of the fingerboard all the way to the top of the headstock. And since they match the fingerboard, I don't see how anyone can say they don't go with certain colors. The same wood is already there on the guitar!

Tonyvenn, if aesthetics count, here's a vote for the veneers!

Fair enough, I guess everyone has their tastes. I just think the gloss headstocks look more pronounced with certain colors, like the fire red or tobacco sunbursts, etc. I'm just sensitive I guess to color schemes since by trade I'm am illustrator. But like I said, the veneer looks good on certain colors as well.

 

[László]

Fair enough, I guess everyone has their tastes. I just think the gloss headstocks look more pronounced with certain colors, like the fire red or tobacco sunbursts, etc. I'm just sensitive I guess to color schemes since by trade I'm am illustrator. But like I said, the veneer looks good on certain colors as well.

The headstock veneer and inlay are one reason I always liked the Artist Pkg. but I like the gloss ones as well, and have had plenty.

A veneer headstock has long been traditional on high end guitars, going back at least to the 1500s. So there's that. They were also a feature on historical Torres guitars in the 19th century that more or less set the standards for modern classical guitar building. So there's a traditional aspect that satisfies a lot of players' expectations. High end Gibsons came with black tinted wood overlays until around the early 70s, when they cheaped out and started using painted fiber of some kind. They're also on the top end Martins, Taylors, and many others.

For me, it kind of "finishes" the guitar in a nice way, but then, I like the continuation of these kinds of guitar-making traditions.

 

[Suppalak Klabdee]

I have 2 PRSi from 2013, 1 of them has Rosewood veneer on headstock, the other the whole neck thing is Brazilian Rosewood. I love them both and they both look great!

For the opaque body, if I will have one, I would prefer the headstock of the same matching color though.

 

[Egads]

Everyone has a different aesthetic, that's the problem...I'd rather punch myself in the d!ck than look at a blue guitar...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Thanks Eric... I was just tryin' to make a point. :evil:

 

[László]

So did you look at the blue guitars in the pic or punch yourself in the dick or both?

Incidentally, I think punching yourself in the balls would hurt more. So I'm thinking, I dunno, maybe a guy dressed head to toe in a Canadian tuxedo wearing a blue toque and blue suede shoes, playing blues on a blue guitar through a Mesa Blue Angel might do the trick?

Dunno really, just more or less a thought...

 

[BrianC]

I like what they have done with the headstocks, it also helps to hide some of the poor matching ears that some have!!!