You Don't Have To Always Spend Big $$$

[Mark Ray]

It had been a good while since I took the Bernie out of the house. I used it last night at rehearsal, and it just blows my mind how good this guitar is for the amount of cash I have in it. Snagged it used from GC a few years ago for $400, gig bag included, same as new. I put a set of Doug Aldrich pickups in, upgraded pots, switch, and wiring, and changed to locking tuners. For less that $700 this thing eats Les Pauls for lunch! I know, because I've owned over 20 LP's in my life. I now have 0.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Whenever I get GAS for a SingleCut/LP I simply go play my Bernie and the feeling disappears.

I take my Bernie for granted. In fact I will go pull it outta the case today.

 

[aamefford]

I missed one on CL a couple months ago. I knew about them, but not a lot about them. It was $400. I wasn't sure if that was a good price. Apparently it was. I don't think it lasted a day on CL, compared with most PRS around here, which last a couple weeks if priced reasonably, to years, (literally on a couple, but that's a whole other rant) if not priced reasonably. I'll not sleep on another. They seem super well loved by anyone that has one.

 

[TheCraftsman]

Damn those are selling €1000 used this side of the pond!

 

[11top]

For less that $700 this thing eats Les Pauls for lunch! I know, because I've owned over 20 LP's in my life. I now have 0.

Great guitars, and certainly a bargain. However, while there is a large disparity in cost, custom shop R9 Les Pauls are incredible instruments.

 

[Mark Ray]

Great guitars, and certainly a bargain. However, while there is a large disparity in cost, custom shop R9 Les Pauls are incredible instruments.

No argument here on that. I believe for me it's the small tweaks on the Bernie that make it more comfortable that really push me toward it. Some of my Pauls sounded incredible, but the comfort level was a tradeoff.

 

[bodia]

Gotta love a Bernie. They punch so far ahead of their price point.

 

[Abe]

Congrats on the score.

My Gibson Les Paul was my main axe for almost 20 years. And though none of my PRS's are singlecut LP-ish style guitars, I no longer use Gibson.

Something about buying into the lowest tier and being happy enough to look forward to possible higher purchases. Gonna need that rockstar money.

 

[jkornel]

I would love to add a Bernie to my tool kit. Seems that that those deals are far between as most I see now are north of $1k locally and on Reverb. Hoping one of those sub 1k deals comes along.

 

[dmatthews]

Excellent!

 

[Russ73]

There was one at my local GC recently cheap...carle place ny...not sure if someone snagged it yet!

 

[11top]

No argument here on that. I believe for me it's the small tweaks on the Bernie that make it more comfortable that really push me toward it. Some of my Pauls sounded incredible, but the comfort level was a tradeoff.

I find the LP neck angle, the ‘59 carve, and the action to be unbeatable for comfort for me. Plus, my M2M LPs all weigh in at closer to 8 than 9 lbs. (unchambered). That said, in the “core” lineups, nobody builds better or more consistently than PRS, IMO.

 

[AP515]

I put Antiquities in my Bernie. Amazing guitar.

 

[Tonart]

Yup they are so good I had to have two.

I even considered bidding for one at the Bernie Marsden estate auction. That would have been a Bernie’s Bernie.