PRS Newbie

[randytheguitardad]

Good day all,

New to the PRS community. I am an Ibanez guy and have been since I began playing... but I've been perseverating on getting a PRS down the road, more specifically a PRS CE Custom 24. From what I've been told, I've been told that playing a PRS is a cross between playing an Ibanez S Prestige and a Gibson Les Paul, in terms of comfort and feel. Is this true?

Also, would any of you consider a PRS as a "shredding" guitar? Was very curious of what you guys think.

Would love to hear any feedback. Thank you so much. Looking forward to interacting with the PRS community.

Rock on!

 

[theDeepender]

Good day all,

New to the PRS community. I am an Ibanez guy and have been since I began playing... but I've been perseverating on getting a PRS down the road, more specifically a PRS CE Custom 24. From what I've been told, I've been told that playing a PRS is a cross between playing an Ibanez S Prestige and a Gibson Les Paul, in terms of comfort and feel. Is this true?

Also, would any of you consider a PRS as a "shredding" guitar? Was very curious of what you guys think.

Would love to hear any feedback. Thank you so much. Looking forward to interacting with the PRS community.

Rock on!

I play a variety of different styles, and I’d have to say that pretty much any PRS is versatile enough to be used in almost any style. Different models excel in different styles.

 

[randytheguitardad]

I play a variety of different styles, and I’d have to say that pretty much any PRS is versatile enough to be used in almost any style. Different models excel in different styles.

Hi, thank you for your reply! In your humble opinion, what PRS model(s) would you use to play progressive-style, or guitar solo-type stuff (a la Steve Vai or Angel Vivaldi)?

 

[FlaGuitars]

Welcome to the family. I have an Ibanez Joe Satriani model that i totaly love. Probably my second most played guitar. If you shred then you can shred on any guitar.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

Hi, thank you for your reply! In your humble opinion, what PRS model(s) would you use to play progressive-style, or guitar solo-type stuff (a la Steve Vai or Angel Vivaldi)?

I want to be a shredder when I grow up, so I hope this helps.

It depends more on what you like/want in the guitar. There are models with Floyds, if thats your thing, but that is certainly not required unless you want it. Most PRS guitars play like a dream, which is conducive to playing as fast as you want to or can. MOST of them can be shredded on.

 

[Maertl513]

@WingerRules nailed pretty much nearly everything on the wall.

Decisive points towards or against certain PRS are - my two cents - the prefered neck shape, number of frets, type of bridge, pickup layout, body style.

 

[Russ73]

OP I rip on my PRS...grew up in the 80s...i like 22 frets but there's more 24 fet models....the CE is awesome and ergonomic like an ibanez....you can play metal to country with a PRS and still look good on stage lol...whats your budget??

 

[thewesdavis]

If you can, check out an older CE24 with the wide thin neck. The older ones can be had for 1000-1500 and the ceramic HFS humbucker in the bridge scorches.

 

[randytheguitardad]

I want to be a shredder when I grow up, so I hope this helps.

It depends more on what you like/want in the guitar. There are models with Floyds, if thats your thing, but that is certainly not required unless you want it. Most PRS guitars play like a dream, which is conducive to playing as fast as you want to or can. MOST of them can be shredded on.

This absolutely helps! I saw the PRS guitars with the Floyd Rose. I have an Ibanez JEM7VWH, so I would get a PRS with their tremolo system and not with the Floyd.

BTW, I’m pretty sure you’re a shredder based on your response!!!

 

[randytheguitardad]

If you can, check out an older CE24 with the wide thin neck. The older ones can be had for 1000-1500 and the ceramic HFS humbucker in the bridge scorches.

Funny you mention that, because I was looking at older models with the wide thin neck, and some of the prices on those models went for a fortune! WHEN I get one, I want to be the first and only one to get my dirty paws on it. Haha

 

[randytheguitardad]

OP I rip on my PRS...grew up in the 80s...i like 22 frets but there's more 24 fet models....the CE is awesome and ergonomic like an ibanez....you can play metal to country with a PRS and still look good on stage lol...whats your budget??

I love it!!! I like 22 frets actually! But I’ll go 24, no questions asked. And about being on stage, I’m more worried about looking good while playing at home at the moment. budget wise, whatever the cost is of a PRS CE Custom 24 is, that’s what I will spend. It’s go big or go home for me.!

 

[randytheguitardad]

@WingerRules nailed pretty much nearly everything on the wall.

Decisive points towards or against certain PRS are - my two cents - the prefered neck shape, number of frets, type of bridge, pickup layout, body style.

Agreed. All of those points are valid, and all of those points are a decisive YES for me to get one!

 

[randytheguitardad]

If you can, check out an older CE24 with the wide thin neck. The older ones can be had for 1000-1500 and the ceramic HFS humbucker in the bridge scorches.

Check this out. This post from my guitar teacher a while back is what really launched me to get a PRS…

https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/banana-yellow-pre-standard-with-bird-inlays.1485/

 

[thewesdavis]

Funny you mention that, because I was looking at older models with the wide thin neck, and some of the prices on those models went for a fortune! WHEN I get one, I want to be the first and only one to get my dirty paws on it. Haha

I understand - but (this is my opinion) what you described might be better found in an older model (the CEs have evolved over the years)

 

[Maertl513]

@randytheguitardad, if your hands are used to flat necks, then there are PRS with Wide Thin neck profiles to consider.
The majority of SE models is WT.
Shred-guitars have HH (or HSH) layout.
Stoptail, vintage vibrato, FR?

- Stoptail: SE Mark Holcomb (24 frets, double cut)
- Vintage vibrato (incl. up-routing): Mark Tremonti (22 frets, single cut)
- FR: second hand Torrero, CE 24 Dustie Waring (both 24 frets, both double cut)

 

[dogrocketp]

I would also look for an older CE, particularly one from before 2016. They have very nice wide, thin necks. The bodies are thicker than the newer ones, and the HFS is a shredder’s friend. You don’t NEED a flawed rows trem. The stock US PRS one is great, and you can wang to your hearts delight. The older ones are much closer to the core models in their manufacture.

 

[Xtcclassic]

Funny you mention that, because I was looking at older models with the wide thin neck, and some of the prices on those models went for a fortune! WHEN I get one, I want to be the first and only one to get my dirty paws on it. Haha

Don’t sleep on the older CE models. They were built to a much higher level back then (they are Core models with a bolt-on neck while the new ones have incorporated a number of cost-cutting downgrades). The older ones are superior guitars that you can buy for a lower price compared to the inferior (but still good) new ones.

 

[WIZARD1325]

Nice

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

@randytheguitardad, if your hands are used to flat necks, then there are PRS with Wide Thin neck profiles to consider.
The majority of SE models is WT.
Shred-guitars have HH (or HSH) layout.
Stoptail, vintage vibrato, FR?

- Stoptail: SE Mark Holcomb (24 frets, double cut)
- Vintage vibrato (incl. up-routing): Mark Tremonti (22 frets, single cut)
- FR: second hand Torrero, CE 24 Dustie Waring (both 24 frets. both double cut)

Just for the record, I was a hard core Ibanez man when I discovered PRS. I have a 79 Artist and a JS100 that are GREAT guitars. But I absolutely DESPISE the Wizard neck. SO many otherwise great shredder guitars back in the 80s that Ibanez made and I’d feel that neck and couldn’t put it down fast enough.

That said, even if you take the “artist” model shape out (Silver Sky) I still have 4 of their regular neck profiles and I love them all. They are all close enough together that while I can feel it and while I have favorites, I haven’t found one of their standard neck sizes yet that I can’t live with.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

Decisive points towards or against certain PRS are - my two cents - the prefered neck shape, number of frets, type of bridge, pickup layout, body style.

Exactly!