Tremonti Custom or SC 594?

[RowdyGrunt]

The wisdom of the deviant, one track minded, gear acquisition afflicted of this forum is sought...

The question simply put: Which would you choose?
I'm torn between which one to snag next. I have found one of each in a finish that I like. You with more PRS experience than I, would likely enable a smarter decision.

I am a huge Tremonti fan; but I'm also a fan of the 594's. I'm not enough of a fanboi to simply get a Tremonti because it's a sig model. And frankly, I am not a fan of having another man's name on the head stock of my guitar. Although that's not a huge thing.

I'm not getting these things for resale value, but I do like the notion of collectability. I don't want to trade them away either. But I buy fine art for the sake of collecting it. And that's how I'm trying to look at this; but I do not think that I know enough to make a wise decision.

 

[alantig]

They both have another man’s name on the headstock - the Tremonti just has two.

The 594 is a tad more classic sounding - the Tremonti edges newer. The Tremonti has the trem, the 594 doesn’t.

Ultimate, *you* have to decide what it is you’re looking to get out of the guitar, figure which is going to give you your voice, and what you need versus what you’d like to have.

Then buy both. Because you’re going to anyway.

 

[Alan Manning]

Both completely different. (sound neck carve for Instance)
Need to try both If poss but a nice conundrum to have.
Good Luck.!!!

 

[RowdyGrunt]

They both have another man’s name on the headstock - the Tremonti just has two.

The 594 is a tad more classic sounding - the Tremonti edges newer. The Tremonti has the trem, the 594 doesn’t.

Ultimate, *you* have to decide what it is you’re looking to get out of the guitar, figure which is going to give you your voice, and what you need versus what you’d like to have.

Then buy both. Because you’re going to anyway.

Damn it... well played man. Well played...

Why couldn't I make it that simple.

And f'ing A, if you're not right.
I'll send the wife your way when the second of the two is home.

 

[RowdyGrunt]

Both completely different. (sound neck carve for Instance)
Need to try both If poss but a nice conundrum to have.
Good Luck.!!!

You guys are right.
While I love the classic sounds, I am a metal guy at the end of the day...

How different is the neck carve? I've played both, and they are both fantastic feeling. But if it comes down to what sound I'm after...
It's the Tremonti that's coming home first.

 

[Boogie]

Neck carve...huge deal for a lot of people. Get your hands on a wide thin necked model and a 594 and take them for a spin. Otherwise, the 594’s popularity means oodles of special builds, cool options, colors and stuff you’d never find on a Tremonti. And if you don’t like it, with all the 594 fervor out there, you could flip it in no time.

 

[toothace]

buy both

Best advice you'll ever get on this Forum...

It's the Tremonti that's coming home first

And I see you've solved the "which came first" dilemma

 

[Mozzi]

You guys are right.
While I love the classic sounds, I am a metal guy at the end of the day...

How different is the neck carve? I've played both, and they are both fantastic feeling. But if it comes down to what sound I'm after...
It's the Tremonti that's coming home first.

The 594 is 'like' a classic Les Paul and can easily do metal too. The unique (as in the only PRS guitar with it) Vintage neck carve feels amazing to me as it feels like its been worn in through years of play, worn in an asymmetrical way. It also tells you the vibe that PRS was going for. The 594 is like finding a 58 Les Paul with modern features and PRS build quality. Les Pauls have been used in rock and Metal for years. The Pick-ups are more vintage sounding too so you may have to put a bit more 'gain' in than you will with hotter PU's but Metal isn't necessarily played with the hottest PU's and Gain turned up to 11 - not if you want to keep it tight and have clarity too. I find it funny that people don't think the 594 can do 'Metal' too...

The Tremonti is more modern sounding and has a more 'common' neck carve. Its the same options as on the other PRS guitars and comes with the trem system too. In a lot of ways, this is more a Custom 22 with LP control layout.

At the end of the day, you can get them to sound 'similar' enough - whether that means swapping PU's or changing your set-up - amps and pedals - but its not easy to change the neck, the scale length and the bridge set-up. The correct answer is to buy both as they are 'different' but which to buy first should come down to your own preference and usage requirements. For me, the 594 is preferred because I grew up with 'Les Pauls' and the music they were used on. It shaped my preference. Another option is that you can get a 'cheaper' Tremonti (SE or 2nd hand) which may mean you can get both.

 

[garrettb]

You guys are right.
While I love the classic sounds, I am a metal guy at the end of the day...

How different is the neck carve? I've played both, and they are both fantastic feeling. But if it comes down to what sound I'm after...
It's the Tremonti that's coming home first.

VERY different neck carves. Tremonti has the thinnest while the 594 has the thickest. Some people get by fine on both, while others can't deal with one or the other.

You could always put Tremonti pickups in a 594 if you'd rather have a more vintage Les Paul-ish feel to the guitar.

 

[bodia]

If it were me, I'd get the Tremonti, but that's only because I've already got a 594

 

[sergiodeblanc]

594, only because I'm holding out for a production guitar like that Santana-ed GOTM they came out with (was it last year?) for a SC with a trem. I don't have a problem with W/T necks or anything but, I'm not sure I will buy another guitar with one if I can help it.

 

[goof1073]

594 with Tremonti p'ups put in it; cause I am NOT a Pattern Thin fan.

 

[ViperDoc]

Play them both after you've bought them both, and then look for an HB II.