PRS Studio - Reviews

[GBrux]

Hey Guys,

I'm pretty new to this forum. Just wanted to get your feedback on the PRS Studio. I just picked up a 2011 PRS Studio (in Smoked Orange) from The Guitar Sanctuary. This is a non 10 top and blows away my Custom 22 with 10 top and McCarty. Absolutely gorgeous guitar.

Sound wise, was looking for a more singlecoil tone in the neck and middle position. Eventhough the NF pickups are not true singlecoils they certainly deliver a nice beefy stratlike tone. I think it is more on the P90 side rather than strat but inbetween sounds are very comparable to a classic strat tone.

What has been your experience with PRS Studios.

Thanks for taking the time to review.
G.

 

[newfmp3]

I don't have one to compare sounds, but that sure is a pretty one!

 

[László]

Sorry for the off-topic reply, but that's gorgeous!

 

[aduayer]

Sorry for the off-topic reply, but that's gorgeous!

indeed

 

[jrw32]

Very nice, congrats! I currently own a regular Studio, and a Swamp Ash Studio so can give you some insight based on my experience with both:

1. I found lowering the neck & middle pickups, & raising the bridge pickup did wonders for both guitars, both tonally and for equal volume balance between the 3 pickups. You might try adjusting to taste. On both guitars, the volume & tone controls are extremely dynamic/responsive....there's a LOT of tones in there! You might try lowering the volume on the guitar to less than 5, & using a boost to get a more Strat-like bite.
2. The SAS Studio is definitely more Strat-like, as you'd expect with a thinner, swamp ash body & maple neck...much more snap/quack/bite to it than the regular Studio. There's an immediacy to the attack. I have a video on Youtube of it if you want to hear/compare to the regular Studio.
3. I'm most at home on the regular Studio, because it's warmer and chimier (without being too brittle) and has that classic maple/mahogany sound. And I actually prefer the fatter Strat-like tones I get from it, as well as the slightly thicker body. It has a "singing" quality to single notes that's a little sweeter than the SAS to my ears.

Hope that helps!

 

[GBrux]

Very nice, congrats! I currently own a regular Studio, and a Swamp Ash Studio so can give you some insight based on my experience with both:

1. I found lowering the neck & middle pickups, & raising the bridge pickup did wonders for both guitars, both tonally and for equal volume balance between the 3 pickups. You might try adjusting to taste. On both guitars, the volume & tone controls are extremely dynamic/responsive....there's a LOT of tones in there! You might try lowering the volume on the guitar to less than 5, & using a boost to get a more Strat-like bite.
2. The SAS Studio is definitely more Strat-like, as you'd expect with a thinner, swamp ash body & maple neck...much more snap/quack/bite to it than the regular Studio. There's an immediacy to the attack. I have a video on Youtube of it if you want to hear/compare to the regular Studio.
3. I'm most at home on the regular Studio, because it's warmer and chimier (without being too brittle) and has that classic maple/mahogany sound. And I actually prefer the fatter Strat-like tones I get from it, as well as the slightly thicker body. It has a "singing" quality to single notes that's a little sweeter than the SAS to my ears.

Hope that helps!

Thanks a million. This certainly helps. I will adjust the pickups tonight. I will also lower the action a little more. I love the guitar and like strat-like tones. I'm used to the thicker McCarty bodies and love the tones I get on these guitars. I was wondering what the Samp Ash Studio sounded like compared to the regular studio. Can you post the link to your video? Thanks again. Really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Take care.

 

[jrw32]

Good luck and keep us posted of the results! Below is the video of the SAS Studio, through a little solid state Vox Pathfinder through 1x12 cab, mostly clean:

 

[GBrux]

Ok guys, I lowered the Narrowfield pickups a little bit, just to be even with the pickup rings, and raised the 57/08 in the bridge. Really nice balance now. No that I played with the guitar a little more I'm getting the hang of the NF pickups. Volume on 10 = full humbucker with a little more highend chime; Vol on 7-8 = P90; Volume on 5-6 = Strat tones. Have not messed with the Tone too much, but will get to that!

 

[GBrux]

Do you find the NF pickups to be extremely bass heavy? I'm a big fan of my McCarty with stock pickups or 57/08 pickups and same goes for the Custom 22 with 57/08 pickups.

When switching from the 57/08 pickup to the neck NF pickup I feel that the sounds gets a little too bass heavy and even a little bit muddy. When rolling back the volume I can address the issue but that's not the point. Just wanted to get your feedback.

 

[jrw32]

Do you find the NF pickups to be extremely bass heavy? I'm a big fan of my McCarty with stock pickups or 57/08 pickups and same goes for the Custom 22 with 57/08 pickups.

When switching from the 57/08 pickup to the neck NF pickup I feel that the sounds gets a little too bass heavy and even a little bit muddy. When rolling back the volume I can address the issue but that's not the point. Just wanted to get your feedback.

Yes & no. I have found it really depends on the amp...you may want to try fiddling with the EQ more on your amp, or adjusting the pickup heights more to your liking.

 

[GBrux]

Yes & no. I have found it really depends on the amp...you may want to try fiddling with the EQ more on your amp, or adjusting the pickup heights more to your liking.

You are absolutely right. I have changed the settings on my amp as well as pedals to compensate for the bass response and have also adjusted the pickup height a little and things sounds phenomenal. Really enjoy the versatility of the Studio.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Things are good and I'm an extremely happy PRS Studio owner!

 

[Mikeprsusa]

[QbutOTE=GB02202222;25721]Do you find the NF pickups to be extremely bass heavy? I'm a big fan of my McCarty with stock pickups or 57/08 pickups and same goes for the Custom 22 with 57/08 pickups.

When switching from the 57/08 pickup to the neck NF pickup I feel that the sounds gets a little too bass heavy and even a little bit muddy. When rolling back the volume I can address the issue but that's not the point. Just wanted to get your feedback.[/QUOTE]

mine was a mud machine. It sounded like the tone knob was on 0 when it was on 10 .the bridge pickup was a real bad also it was a dud so I made some Mods. and got it soundIng fantastic. There was some trial and error but it was worth it. first I replaced the 5708 with a Hfs.then I replaced the tone pot with a 500 K pot . Here is what made a big difference changing the capacitor . The cap was an .033 I took it out. I tried several even an old bumblebee. but when I changed to a Sprague orange Drop 715p
.022 200 volt the result was amazing it still was kind of throaty and sweet and the highs were clear the tone pot of was also responsive from 0 to 10 . Strat tone is nice too. I was a little bummed to see there was no shielding in the guitar as my other two PRS have?

 

[GBrux]

Thanks for the info. That is great to know.