PRS - Boggling Minds, One At A Time

[László]

I love when folks "get" PRS guitars and amps. You can see the light bulb going off in their heads reflected in their faces...

Yesterday one of my guitar playing friends came by the studio to check out my HX/DA. He had a really good-sounding, highly modified LP copy. It does sound very good, by the way. I think he replaced about everything on the guitar but the wood!

He has a vintage Strat, and some big name guitars, but really digs this modded LP.

He's also a really good player, so I always enjoy when he comes around the studio, as we have a great time.

He plugged into the amp, and played a little, and just got this big smile on his face. Then he dug in, and the smile got bigger.

"My guitar has never sounded this good," he said. "This amp is really great. Tell me about it again?"

So I went through the Allmans story, and about the transformer, and how the switches take it from Superbass to Superlead, etc. Then I turned the master volume down to about "2".

"Play it with the master set at whisper levels," said I.

He did, and just shook his head. "This is a truly great amp. I have to bring my amp over and see if it can get these tones."

Then I played my A-V and Sig through the amp, and showed how I can get different tone colors just using the volume and tone controls on the guitars. When I was done, he said, "You've never sounded better."

I handed him my A-V. "Try it."

He played it for a couple of minutes, and then looked up and said, "This is like a surgical instrument, compared to my guitar. You can really feel the difference."

I just smiled. I love when that happens.

 

[andy474x]

Great story Les. Really need to get my hands on an HX/DA sometime down the road, you've become the fuel of my envy!

I've had a couple friends come to the same realization, though I will admit at a different level (with SE stuff), but I think it's universal for PRS products. Seems to me people are sometimes put-off by the flash and price tag, but when they actually sit down with some PRS gear, they finally "get" what it's about. I think your friend said it perfectly when he called your A-V "surgical," that's what PRS is in an even broader sense - every detail is finer than any other brand I've played. Neck shapes are spot on, action and playability have been meticulously adjusted right out of the box, electronics and pickups react nicely, amp frequencies are tuned better than anything else I've tried. Once people realize that the fancy finish is just icing on the cake, that every other aspect of the instrument is just as impressive, it suddenly makes sense.

In your business, I bet it makes life a lot easier not having to worry about your gear being able to handle the job, and also being able to do your thing with a relatively small arsenal. I think your experience in particular says a lot about this stuff!

 

[jfb]

That's great. I know you make me really want to try a HX/DA and an A-V. Maybe we can get you to make a video demo of the rig?!

 

[TAJ]

Great story Les!! Because of your support of the HX/DA across many threads I have finally pulled the trigger and ordered one. In a few weeks when it comes in, I will share some photos and stories as well. Thanks!!

 

[László]

Great story Les!! Because of your support of the HX/DA across many threads I have finally pulled the trigger and ordered one. In a few weeks when it comes in, I will share some photos and stories as well. Thanks!!

I sure hope you like it!

I'd be glad to share tips and settings.

 

[TAJ]

I sure hope you like it!

I'd be glad to share tips and settings.

Thanks, I will definitely take you up on that offer!!

 

[László]

Thanks, I will definitely take you up on that offer!!

Definitely!

Remember to set the amp up with the guitar volume only about halfway up or a little more. Then use the guitar volume and tone to control the amp. You will be surprised at what it can do. But I also have a few other tricks up my sleeve...