I'd been looking for a solidbody 594 for several years, and then PRS came out with this semi-hollow version in 2018 or -19. I wanted less weight and more air.
I've had PRS guitars for 20 years but no models newer than about 2010 or so. This 594 has, as you know, a number of new features for PRS in the last few years that I was looking forward to trying:
- The Pattern Vintage neck: Whoa - this is bigger than any PRS wide-fat, or Gibson 50s neck I've owned. Reminds me of the big neck on my long-gone Fender Eric Johnson Strat. This Shrek-sized neck lends it sustain for days. The asymmetrical carve makes it manageable. The frets seem a little taller than my other PRS guitars (HB-IIs, McCartys).
- 58/15 LT humbuckers. Hadn't played them before, but I really like PRS's pickups from the last 10 years or so. I'm a huge fan of the 57/08s and of course the unobtainium 53/10s. I tell everyone that PRS has long since fixed the last legitimate gripe about PRS, that their pickups were meh.
Still settling in with the 58/15s but early impression is very good, maybe a bit bright. Seller has strung it with fresh Elixir NanoWeb 10s, which I'd not ever played before. I usually play pure nickel wound 10s, which are generally less bright. [EDIT UPDATE: Yes, re-stringing with DR Pure Blues solid nickel strings toned it down to normal brightness.]
- PRS's version of a Tune O Matic and a stop tail, instead of the classic PRS one-piece wrap tail. Wondering if this is part of the crazy sustain equation? Both are bolted into the center block, so the vibrations aren't going anywhere else.
- I was curious what a 24.594" scale is like compared to standard PRS 25". Short answer: Stupid easy to play and still has the silvery chime of a PRS. I get the sense PRS is taking square aim at peeling off some Les Paul buyers from Gibson, but they don't sound the same and never will. Vive la difference.
- At long last: Separate V and T controls for the two pickups!!! Finally, blending in those perfect mid-position tOaNz!!! Can I retrofit my five other core PRS guitars like this??
=K