Quality Time With A Paul's Guitar

[László]

I was waiting for my wife this afternoon, and spotted a guitar shop, so I went in. Sure enough, they had a Paul's guitar that had recently arrived.

I've had a Sig and a 408 and loved them both, and had spent a few minutes with a Paul's, but today I got to spend more time with one because the guy at the shop said, "please take your time and try it anyway" when I said I wasn't really shopping.

It's an impressive guitar. The one I played was a stoptail, light weight, beautifully set up. It was very much like my Sig Limited, maybe a bit less thick in the midrange on the bridge pickup, but going from memory kind of hard to tell for sure.

In any case, I can see why people dig these! :top:

 

[jcha008]

The treble pickup is quite nice. Hard for me to describe but they just have a very nice sweet sound. Maybe it was the amps, but the tone seemed to have a nice natural compression with a bit of focus.

Not surprising that Paul made this his signature guitar. His tone seems to fit the style of the instrument. I remember when he did a clinic at WWG before the PGs came out and he called the treble pickup in the Brent Madon semi-hollow "possibly the best treble pickup we've ever made." So I knew he really dug those. Also, like Tag, Paul knows tone .

 

[László]

Yeah, I really dug it. Nicely focused, nice and sweet sounding.

 

[AP515]

I tried one some time back. I gotta say it didn't meet expectations. It was nice, and I loved the brushstroke birds, but the tone was just so-so. I know sometimes a guitar just isn't a winner. I think that is what I had.

 

[tabl10s]

I have a Siggy and I'm looking at a P'sG w/BRW and not sure if I should sell it or keep both.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

I have a Siggy and I'm looking at a P'sG w/BRW and not sure if I should sell it or keep both.

I have both, and for my ears there is difference enough between them that they can coexist. The PG is more "vocal" sounding and send to have a lot harmonically going on that really makes it stand out. The Siggy is a little deeper and dirtier - I thing the wider treble 408 is better for heavier styles.

FWIW my Siggy has been my #1 since I got it, and even though it's been followed by my PG and 408 Brazzy it has never been dethroned - so think twice about letting yours leave

 

[Tosca]

^^^^^+1
I look at it like having an SG and a Les Paul (but both better/more versatile).

 

[Suppalak Klabdee]

I love mine ^ ^

 

[thieves&foxes]

I am in the process of looking at a new core guitar and the 408 and Pauls are both in the top 3 (along with another Hollowbody) I haven't had the opportunity to play one but when I fly to New York, Nashville LA next year I am definitely going to play one, seeing as their arent any here at the bottom end of Africa at present. Having said that I am keen to see what PRS release for 30th anniversary next year.

 

[László]

I love the 408, and find the Paul's similar, though slightly different of course. I'd be happy with either.

Then again, I have my hands full right now with the Hammer of the Gods, so...there's that!

 

[92Esquire]

I've not had the chance to play a PG, but I have played a 408 and thought that I could certainly get along with a guitar using that neck pickup. I do like that PRS is trying different things in pickups, but I wish they had a couple more flavors of each available (or would work with an aftermarket company to produce a couple varieties).

 

[prsrocker1988]

Thanks for the post Les, always enjoy your viewpoint.

The Paul's Guitar appeals to me more than the 408 visually, but not played either to compare sonically.....