I played a core with flamed top when I was demo'ing a Mesa Mini Rec. The guitar was on sale (great price!) but I was there to buy an amp. I took the amp home and when I came back a month later (store is 3 hours away) the Mira was gone. I truly regret not buying that guitar. It was VERY nice and the best looking one I've seen shy of the PS'. And, I could have easily bought the Mini Rec later, but the Mira was gone.
Also note, PRSh has been quoted on a video as saying a few years back that whenever he was checking and he and Doug were devoloping amps, he picked up the Mira first because it sounded great, was so versatile, and he love the pickups. Given his choices, I'd say that carries a lot of weight with me. So, again, should have bought the flame top core!
Oh, I did play a regular core at the same time. It was almost as great, but different. All hog and had that SG vibe going. The flametop was a little brighter and that made the SC tones pop a little more as well.