Why the hate for PRS?

[ymb]

I am new here but one thing that I have noticed is that there seems to be quite a bit of PRS hating going on.

Why is this? What is the problem?

peace

[Flogger59]

I don't hate them, but they aren't for me. The original 22's had the "pseudo strat" switch that did not sound good to me. However I remember a red McCarty in Saint John NB that had "it" in spades. I guess flukes happen.

[Reverend Cheese]

I don't hate PRS, but I DO think that they are an overpriced, hyped-up brand.

The other guitar player in my band has a McCarty, and my Reverend Buckshot plays every bit as well, and sounds as good for HALF THE PRICE.
Same for my Telecaster.

There's just not that much happening with a PRS for the price.

[Professor Tom]

I don't hate PRS, but I DO think that they are an overpriced, hyped-up brand.

The other guitar player in my band has a McCarty, and my Reverend Buckshot plays every bit as well, and sounds as good for HALF THE PRICE.
Same for my Telecaster.

There's just not that much happening with a PRS for the price.

They are very overpriced in England too and there always seems to be a lot of them for sale secondhand. I prefer plainer guitars and those birds inlays on the fingerboard are a total turnoff for me. However a friend of mine who is a session player has just bought a PRS 513 and he reckons apart from the gaudy looks it is without question the most versatile guitar he has ever owned and has cut down on the quantity of guitars he has to transport around as a result of this purchase.
Also I had a loan of an SC245 for a few weeks as a possible replacement for a Les Paul and was just too heavy and I didn't like the feel of the neck either.

[mrtokai]

I have owned/played hundreds of guitars, and my PRS I have now is the best out of them all.

[Frets99]

I don't hate PRS, but I DO think that they are an overpriced, hyped-up brand.

The other guitar player in my band has a McCarty, and my Reverend Buckshot plays every bit as well, and sounds as good for HALF THE PRICE.
Same for my Telecaster.

There's just not that much happening with a PRS for the price.

They are excellent guitars but I have to agree about the Reverend guitars which are also excellent.

If you can afford it, why not! Hell, get a PRS and a Reverend.

[Reverend Cheese]

When I bought the Reverend, I actually went out intending to buy a PRS.
I was so underwhelmed that I began looking at other guitars. found some G&L's for similar prices, but just couldn't get over the feeling that buying a guitar for over a grand was a mistake. Although I do think G&L makes a superior guitar to PRS, I still couldn't do it.

So I bought the Buckshot and used the money I saved to buy some Nick Greer pedals and an amp.

I could not be happier with the Reverend. Will be buying a second one in the future.

PRS makes a beautiful looking instrument, but like the Professor, I like a plainer instrument.

[prsisbest]

You can buy plain PRS guitars, or all out fancy beyond belief PRS guitars, it's your choice. My opinion is that PRS is the best guitars out there, at least for me. It's all about personal preference, although I have found that you get what you pay for.

I do agree that G&L makes some great guitars, as a G&L Legacy is the only non-PRS guitar that I own. If we want to talk about over priced (and poor quality), then we better point this conversation towards Gibson. Go try to buy a Les Paul (new or used), and you'll soon realize what overpriced means.

[Anderton]

PRS guitars have outstanding build quality, and that's part of the price. Lots of potential PRS bodies get sawed in half at the factory because of some blemish that many other manufacturers would let slide, and that does up the price.

Another issue is that some people just like to hate things. You'll find people dissing Gibsons, Fenders, etc. A lot of them simply don't realize that just because a guitar doesn't fit THEIR needs doesn't mean the guitars are bad.

When people ask me to recommend a guitar, I always give the same answer: It's like asking me to recommend a girlfriend. Do you like blondes or brunettes? Do you want a girlfriend who likes to sit by the fire at home or go clubbing? Reacting to guitars is just as subjective.

BTW I thought this was a very perceptive comment: "However a friend of mine who is a session player has just bought a PRS 513 and he reckons apart from the gaudy looks it is without question the most versatile guitar he has ever owned and has cut down on the quantity of guitars he has to transport around as a result of this purchase." I've also found them to be very versatile, sound-wise.

OTOH nothing sounds like a Tele, which I also have :)

[Dances w/carp]

Good post Mr. Anderton.

I suspect some folks get to hatin' on em cuz they can't afford them or can't justify the cost and don't want to say so. It happens with Gibsons and others too. Seems uh, immature don't it? There are many, many more guitars that I don't prefer to own than those I do, many that I can't afford or justify, many others that don't suit my playing style or preferred sound, and many more that don't appeal to me aestetically, too plain, too flashy, etc. but I don't hate a single guitar anywhere of any sort. Individual instruments or whole brands, I may not prefer them, but why bother to be bitter toward them?

[Lonz Live]

Nu-metal. Seeing that whole movement playing PRS guitars with beautiful tops, kind of turned me off. I never hated. But I finally bought my first PRS - a Mira in Sea Foam Green, standard neck. It hardly looks like the typical PRS, except for the headstock. The best playing guitar out of 20 I own. The musicality of the pickups has really grown on me.

IMO the "hate" comes from a dislike of nu-metal folks, plus maybe the haters can't afford them, so they are forced to "hate" them.

[tacdryver]

I play out with a PRS Custom SE, and strats, and others...but the SE is really a nice guitar...would a McCarty be better? or a CE24? I know that when I go to look at high end guitars, Suhr, Tom Andersons, ect, PRS is right up there..it's a horserace.

[zakky_osnai]

prs is a " u got what you pay for " kinda company ! i never owned one, but i tried it couple times. and hell yeah i was one of the finest guitar period, it feel great and sounds great ( i tried SC250, SC254, CE-22, Custom ), it makes my epiphone sound like rubbish( which the are) , one day im gonna get one...but too bad the price tag always make me cry ! LOL !!!!

[matterday]

I think the SE's are spectacular guitars.

[Kelster3000]

I don't hate them, I have a PRS McCarty, nothing fancy, no ten top, no birds (just half moons), just a humbucking, fix neck stop tail. I have had her for about 8 years, yes it was mega bucks but the build quality is unmactched to everything else I have played and in respects to sound there is a certain complexity and smoothness to it that I have never found with other guitars, even Les Paul. I have never been a fan of Les Paul, I found them awkward to play, for me the McCarty is the best alternative, it has been super reliable, hard working, with many scars from gigs ect. I am not a fan of the overly "fussy" PRS stuff that is designed for collectors and sits in glass cases. Its a bit too girly! The only other guitar that I hardly put down is my american standard telecaster. They are the two guitars that I take to gigs, They are so many reviews about Gibson and Fender's build quality, read through the PRS reviews and see if there are similar comments. They are beautifully made you do get what you pay for, I was lucky and now I could not afford another!

[ymb]

It's good to hear that it doesn't really seem like hate in regards to PRS.

As I said I am new to the site and only breaking into the intermediate catagory of playing.

But...

I did break down and buy a sweet PRS 513 a couple of weeks ago. I cannot put it down. The laundry is dirty, the dishes are all on the counter, the dog is starving, and the tree that fell across my driveway is still there, and I am barely able to pull myself out the door to work. I am really very happy with it.

I also just bought my son a Custom SE model for Christmas. He currently is sporting a Squire strat. I can't wait to see his face.

peace and happy holidays

[twangin6]

I have custom 22 it stands above my Strat, LesPaul and Dean...

[wiklund87]

I don't hate them... but all the prs guitars I've tried just feels wrong to me

[nwtsnma]

too dainty

[axepilot]

I don't hate PRS guitars. They are well made.


But I wouldn't be caught dead at a gig playing one. For years, every no talent, one finger power chord, "solos are wanking - it's all about the song" poser band played PRS guitars.

It's an image that's stuck in my mind, and I want no association with it. I'll just keep playing my Gibsons..................

[BoredGuitarist7]

Cost too much.

[Stonedtone]

Pretty to look at and built very well, but no soul or vibe

[aliensporebomb]

I call it "lawyertop backlash". Some feel they're too gaudy.

In my case I've tried some and liked them but haven't found "the one".

I like that 513 though. And the Santana's look nice too.

[Crownman]

I always wanted a PRS. Finally got one, it was fucked up, was told to live with it or sell it. Talk about a spirit crusher. Sold it at quite a loss. It sux but after that I don't know if I'll ever own anything by them again.

[toomuchgeardave]

I've owned a few, they are very nice insruments. I do believe that many hate on them due to their association with "Nu-Metal". And I have to admit, that was a turnoff to me as well. Someday when I'm back in the market for a high-end guitar, I'll definately be looking for a used McCarty.

[guitarheroal]

I don't hate PRS guitars. They are well made.


But I wouldn't be caught dead at a gig playing one. For years, every no talent, one finger power chord, "solos are wanking - it's all about the song" poser band played PRS guitars.

It's an image that's stuck in my mind, and I want no association with it. I'll just keep playing my Gibsons..................

Ive been playing guitar for 30 odd years,as a gigging musician,teacher,and for fun...I finally gave up on gibson a few years ago,because of poor build quality issues,and tell me why can you never keep a les paul in tune?...,after being one of theyre biggest fans I just gave up and bought a singlecut,i,v never looked back.....al

[Jon Chappell]

I always wanted a PRS. Finally got one, it was fucked up, was told to live with it or sell it. Talk about a spirit crusher. Sold it at quite a loss. It sux but after that I don't know if I'll ever own anything by them again.

I find this difficult to believe. PRS devotes a huge effort in both quality control as well as back-end customer satisfaction. Can you elaborate?

[Johnny_1Nut]

I find this difficult to believe. PRS devotes a huge effort in both quality control as well as back-end customer satisfaction. Can you elaborate?

I agree, I can't imagine this taking place. Was it the store or manufacturer and what terms was the transaction done under?

[sh944]

I've got a '98 CU22 that is a phenomenal guitar. The only "complaint" I could see anyone making about any PRS I have played is that they play so easy, its like they play themselves. I love 'em!

Regards,

[bgroup]

I used to hate them... I was a Fender/Gibson guy, every PRS I'd heard had a plasticky/vibeless/hi-fi sound to me, totally wasn't into the flashy PRS aesthetic, and didn't like the public perception of these instruments. I even hated the headstock!!

Then I heard the Mira. They totally got this one RIGHT. An amazing, soulful guitar. And since falling in love with Mira, I've started to "get" the rest of the PRS line as well...

A big key for me was to stop comparing to Fender/Gibson. They're nothing alike. PRS has its own cool thing going on that IMO isn't "somewhere between" a Fender and a Gibson, and has NOTHING to do with a Les Paul or anything else. Evaluated on their own criteria, I think PRS guitars are INCREDIBLE... :)

And for anyone keeping score, I used to hate Mesa Boogie amps too... now I have 4! Sometimes it just takes a while... ;) LOL!

Brent
www.bgroupmusic.com

[prsisbest]

I don't hate PRS guitars. They are well made.


But I wouldn't be caught dead at a gig playing one. For years, every no talent, one finger power chord, "solos are wanking - it's all about the song" poser band played PRS guitars.

It's an image that's stuck in my mind, and I want no association with it. I'll just keep playing my Gibsons..................


Yep, cuz you never saw any of "those guys" playing Les Pauls. :confused:

[MikeStatic]

I love PRS guitars - I have several. Some people that hate them have never held one in their hands.

They say they are too 'pretty' - but they also worship a flame top Les Paul reissue based on a 50 year old guitar.

They say they are too expensive, yet they will pay $4,000 for the Les Paul reissue - despite it being a regular guitar made to old specs.

The cost of a PRS is comparable to a similarly appointed Gibson. The problem is, the PRS quality is outstanding, and Gibson is spotty.

So I guess I'm not sure why so many people hate them. Ignorance is one likely culprit.

[MikeStatic]

I always wanted a PRS. Finally got one, it was fucked up, was told to live with it or sell it. Talk about a spirit crusher. Sold it at quite a loss. It sux but after that I don't know if I'll ever own anything by them again.

Interesting. How about some details? Fucked up is pretty vague, and reeks of fiction.

Unlikely.

[MikeStatic]

I don't hate PRS, but I DO think that they are an overpriced, hyped-up brand.

The other guitar player in my band has a McCarty, and my Reverend Buckshot plays every bit as well, and sounds as good for HALF THE PRICE.
Same for my Telecaster.

There's just not that much happening with a PRS for the price.

And I think Reverends are junk. The difference is, my opinion is based on my actually owning a Reverend.

[MikeStatic]

I don't hate PRS guitars. They are well made.


But I wouldn't be caught dead at a gig playing one. For years, every no talent, one finger power chord, "solos are wanking - it's all about the song" poser band played PRS guitars.

It's an image that's stuck in my mind, and I want no association with it. I'll just keep playing my Gibsons..................

Which is more pathetic - not playing a great guitar because your self-esteem isn't up to par, or playing a guitar which is pretty much stuck in the 1950's because other people might think it is cool?

It is pathetic x 2. :facepalm:

[StratsRule07]

I've probably seen more 'wankers' playing Gibsons than PRS guitars. Its all about opinion, and the whole 'which guitar is better' argument is all relative anyways. I'll be the first to admit that 1) I can't afford one 2) Give me either of them and I could name a buttload of people off the top of my head that could outplay me on any guitar you put in their hands.

[lookslikemeband]

Remember, it's all about opinions and personal preference. I used to be a Lester guy all the way, but over the past 10 yrs, it's been almost exclusively PRSi.

[Crownman]

Interesting. How about some details? Fucked up is pretty vague, and reeks of fiction.

Unlikely.

Yea, it was kinda vague but I just didn't feel like typing it all out at the time. It was several years ago so hopefully I won't leave out any details.

Around 200 or 2001 I bought a CE24 Maple Top from a local music store. I played it in the store and it had a good tone and feel but the strings were pretty jacked. If I remember correctly I payed right around $1400 for it. Took it to the guy that does my setups for me whenever I have a new purchase. He gave it the full once and twice over, did a full setup, and switched the tuners to some new Sperzels I had.

Next day I head over to band practice. I notice that when I chord a D the high E sounds sharp as hell, however on every other chord it sounds fine. If I detuned it so that it sounded fine on the open D it would be flat as hell on all other chords. Took it back over to my guy and we checked the strobe. It reads that the intonation is perfect. Pull out the second strobe an it says the same thing. He gopes over everything again it all checks out as good, but the problem is still there. Also, I completely trusty this guy as he has been building and repairing guitars for probably 50 years. HOWEVER, I let him know that I wanted to have a few other people check it out just to get some other opinions. 3 other guys tell me it's perfect. The Problem is still there.

I try playing different to make sure it's not me pulling on anything. It wasn't me doing it.

I call the store I got it from and they tell me to call PRS.

I call PRS and they tell me to send it to them to checkout. I pay to send it back. At this point I'm thinking a fret is outta wack. About 3 weeks later they call me and tell me it all checked out and it's on it's way back. I get it, tune it up, and the problem is still there. Take it to check the strobe again, strobe reads perfect, as does everything else.

Call PRS back again. They tell me to send it back again, which I do again with my cash. 5 weeks later I get a call telling me it's on it's way back and is good to go this time. NOPE, still jacked up.

I then call back and tell them there has to be something wrong with the neck or the frets. I also give them my phone number so that whoever is checking it out can call me directly. I send it back AGAIN on my dime. They give it back to the guy that put it together in the first place. He calls me and I tell him everything I've done, had checked, everything. He takes it apart, puts it all back together with the same parts. Checks and double checks. I get a call telling me it's done and good to go.

I get it back and it's still fucked up. I've been patient, nice, and completely understanding up to this point. I call PRS back and tell them it still has the problem. I ask if there's any way they would exchange it for another one.

They inform me that they won't exchange it. I get another call telling me to meet up with the rep for this area at the place where I bought it. Ok cool, we're making some headway.

So, a month or two goes by and I hear nothing. I call PRS back and tell them to give the rep my # so he can let me know when he'll be in town. A few weeks go by. Then I get a call one day from him telling me that he'll be there in a few hours. Thanks for the notice, LOL. So I take off early from work and go meet him.

With me I have the guitar with fairly fresh strings. They weren't new but they weren't stretching anymore and were plenty stable. I also have MY tuner, MY cable, and the picks I use. I mmet up with him and tell him everything but he doesn't seem too concerned.

I then pull 3 other CE24's off the shelf. Tune them all up, including mine, with my tuner while he sits right in front of me and watches. I play all 4 guitars through the same amp on the same settings and play the same chords in the same order the same way. The three off the shelf sound great. Mine sounds like ass. Even the three guys that worked there(actual knowledged players, not your garden variety music store idiot) agreed that it sounded horrible.

Then comes the kicker. The rep looks at me looking like he's in deep thought. Then says......... " That's a tone of the wood. Live with it or sell it. I'm not going to authorize an exchange for another one" HOLY FUCKING SHIT... You gotta be kidding me. After all of the crap and extra money I had to spend shipping the damn thing back and having it checked out over and over again by people here... that's what he says. I go to the store manager and he tells me that whatever the rep says goes. SO I'M FUCKED>

I call PRS and tell them what happened and they tell me someone will calll me. No one called. This happened two more times. At this point I'm completely fucking disgusted with the whole ordeal that's gone on well over a year by this time.




So now I stick it on Ebay and manage to get 1k for it from a guy in New York. I ship it out and within a few ours of UPS's drop off time I have an email from the guy that bought it. He gives me his # and asks me to call him. So I call the guy and he asks if he can have his money back because the neck or something is fucked. Mind you this is his 25th PRS so he knew pretty much what he should expect from it. I give the guy his money back. He lets me keep the costs I incured for the listing, paypal fees, stuff like that.

So it goes on Ebay again. Nothing. Again, Nothing. Again, nothing.

Finally I list it for $900 shipped anywhere in the lower 48.. Finally this guy buys it. I ship it to him in Nevada. The day after UPS showed it as delivered I have an email from the guy. OH SHIT, I don't wanna open it. I do however, and the guy is happy with it and thanks me. I think him for the purchase and promptly change my email address. I never wanted to hear another thing about that guitar.


So there ya go. The long version. I feel like I got sompletely shafted by PRS because of the rep & then the no call backs because I wasn't a happy customer.

[slavemaster]

Good instruments. Too expensive for the efforts put in, and overused in groups (no sound originality anymore).

[lookslikemeband]

Good instruments. Too expensive for the efforts put in, and overused in groups (no sound originality anymore).

Pretty to look at and built very well, but no soul or vibe


When I hear statements like this about ANY gear... I have to point out that IMO, the sound, soul and vibe comes from the PLAYER, not the guitar (an old argument, I know)

Come on. Hendrix could pick up a Mexican made Tele and sound better than most of us with tons of soul and vibe.

[lookslikemeband]

Good instruments. Too expensive for the efforts put in, and overused in groups (no sound originality anymore).

Pretty to look at and built very well, but no soul or vibe


When I hear statements like this about ANY gear... I have to point out that IMO, the sound, soul and vibe comes from the PLAYER, not the guitar (an old argument, I know)

Come on. Hendrix could pick up a Mexican made Tele and sound better than most of us with tons of soul and vibe.

[ryanwekwert]

Id pay the money for a prs. Why buy a make shift guitar when you can have something that is art work along with being a tone machine!

[slavemaster]

But the prs have a strong color/caracter. You can't eliminate it, he sticks on this instrument (like every instruments in a certain way).

And yes, fingers and soul of the player could make the last difference.

[dooshbag]

Yea, it was kinda vague but I just didn't feel like typing it all out at the time. It was several years ago so hopefully I won't leave out any details.

Around 200 or 2001 I bought a CE24 Maple Top from a local music store. I played it in the store and it had a good tone and feel but the strings were pretty jacked. If I remember correctly I payed right around $1400 for it. Took it to the guy that does my setups for me whenever I have a new purchase. He gave it the full once and twice over, did a full setup, and switched the tuners to some new Sperzels I had.

Next day I head over to band practice. I notice that when I chord a D the high E sounds sharp as hell, however on every other chord it sounds fine. If I detuned it so that it sounded fine on the open D it would be flat as hell on all other chords. Took it back over to my guy and we checked the strobe. It reads that the intonation is perfect. Pull out the second strobe an it says the same thing. He gopes over everything again it all checks out as good, but the problem is still there. Also, I completely trusty this guy as he has been building and repairing guitars for probably 50 years. HOWEVER, I let him know that I wanted to have a few other people check it out just to get some other opinions. 3 other guys tell me it's perfect. The Problem is still there.

I try playing different to make sure it's not me pulling on anything. It wasn't me doing it.

I call the store I got it from and they tell me to call PRS.

I call PRS and they tell me to send it to them to checkout. I pay to send it back. At this point I'm thinking a fret is outta wack. About 3 weeks later they call me and tell me it all checked out and it's on it's way back. I get it, tune it up, and the problem is still there. Take it to check the strobe again, strobe reads perfect, as does everything else.

Call PRS back again. They tell me to send it back again, which I do again with my cash. 5 weeks later I get a call telling me it's on it's way back and is good to go this time. NOPE, still jacked up.

I then call back and tell them there has to be something wrong with the neck or the frets. I also give them my phone number so that whoever is checking it out can call me directly. I send it back AGAIN on my dime. They give it back to the guy that put it together in the first place. He calls me and I tell him everything I've done, had checked, everything. He takes it apart, puts it all back together with the same parts. Checks and double checks. I get a call telling me it's done and good to go.

I get it back and it's still fucked up. I've been patient, nice, and completely understanding up to this point. I call PRS back and tell them it still has the problem. I ask if there's any way they would exchange it for another one.

They inform me that they won't exchange it. I get another call telling me to meet up with the rep for this area at the place where I bought it. Ok cool, we're making some headway.

So, a month or two goes by and I hear nothing. I call PRS back and tell them to give the rep my # so he can let me know when he'll be in town. A few weeks go by. Then I get a call one day from him telling me that he'll be there in a few hours. Thanks for the notice, LOL. So I take off early from work and go meet him.

With me I have the guitar with fairly fresh strings. They weren't new but they weren't stretching anymore and were plenty stable. I also have MY tuner, MY cable, and the picks I use. I mmet up with him and tell him everything but he doesn't seem too concerned.

I then pull 3 other CE24's off the shelf. Tune them all up, including mine, with my tuner while he sits right in front of me and watches. I play all 4 guitars through the same amp on the same settings and play the same chords in the same order the same way. The three off the shelf sound great. Mine sounds like ass. Even the three guys that worked there(actual knowledged players, not your garden variety music store idiot) agreed that it sounded horrible.

Then comes the kicker. The rep looks at me looking like he's in deep thought. Then says......... " That's a tone of the wood. Live with it or sell it. I'm not going to authorize an exchange for another one" HOLY FUCKING SHIT... You gotta be kidding me. After all of the crap and extra money I had to spend shipping the damn thing back and having it checked out over and over again by people here... that's what he says. I go to the store manager and he tells me that whatever the rep says goes. SO I'M FUCKED>

I call PRS and tell them what happened and they tell me someone will calll me. No one called. This happened two more times. At this point I'm completely fucking disgusted with the whole ordeal that's gone on well over a year by this time.




So now I stick it on Ebay and manage to get 1k for it from a guy in New York. I ship it out and within a few ours of UPS's drop off time I have an email from the guy that bought it. He gives me his # and asks me to call him. So I call the guy and he asks if he can have his money back because the neck or something is fucked. Mind you this is his 25th PRS so he knew pretty much what he should expect from it. I give the guy his money back. He lets me keep the costs I incured for the listing, paypal fees, stuff like that.

So it goes on Ebay again. Nothing. Again, Nothing. Again, nothing.

Finally I list it for $900 shipped anywhere in the lower 48.. Finally this guy buys it. I ship it to him in Nevada. The day after UPS showed it as delivered I have an email from the guy. OH SHIT, I don't wanna open it. I do however, and the guy is happy with it and thanks me. I think him for the purchase and promptly change my email address. I never wanted to hear another thing about that guitar.


So there ya go. The long version. I feel like I got sompletely shafted by PRS because of the rep & then the no call backs because I wasn't a happy customer.

It is cool that you were able to find someone to buy your broken guitar.
One more really great reason to avoid eBay.:poke:

[Crownman]

It is cool that you were able to find someone to buy your broken guitar.
One more really great reason to avoid eBay.:poke:

What the fuck was I supposed to do with it? Keep the thing forever sitting in a case. Or spend a bunch more money fixing a guitar that could never be used if I didn't. Hell, PRS didn't seem to give a shit about selling me a fucked guitar. I sold a $2k guitar for $900. I don't think that I was trying to get over on anyone. The guy that bought it went and did a gig with the guitar the night he received it. He sent me an email to let me know he was very happy with it. If he would have asked for his money back I would have given it to him just like the first guy.

[tmdguitar]

PRS guitars have outstanding build quality, and that's part of the price. Lots of potential PRS bodies get sawed in half at the factory because of some blemish that many other manufacturers would let slide, and that does up the price.

Another issue is that some people just like to hate things. You'll find people dissing Gibsons, Fenders, etc. A lot of them simply don't realize that just because a guitar doesn't fit THEIR needs doesn't mean the guitars are bad.

When people ask me to recommend a guitar, I always give the same answer: It's like asking me to recommend a girlfriend. Do you like blondes or brunettes? Do you want a girlfriend who likes to sit by the fire at home or go clubbing? Reacting to guitars is just as subjective.

BTW I thought this was a very perceptive comment: "However a friend of mine who is a session player has just bought a PRS 513 and he reckons apart from the gaudy looks it is without question the most versatile guitar he has ever owned and has cut down on the quantity of guitars he has to transport around as a result of this purchase." I've also found them to be very versatile, sound-wise.

OTOH nothing sounds like a Tele, which I also have :)

well said, plus there are a good amount of options for each model you choose (if ordering and not buying off the shelf at the local GC). Neck carve, electronics, wood grade/grain, hardware color, etc. Tho there could be more options, the ones they offer help suit most needs of a guitar player.

[Okieslims]

When I hear statements like this about ANY gear... I have to point out that IMO, the sound, soul and vibe comes from the PLAYER, not the guitar (an old argument, I know)

Come on. Hendrix could pick up a Mexican made Tele and sound better than most of us with tons of soul and vibe.

Mexican Tele's are better sounding than most more expensive guitars imo.

You are right though. A good guitar player is going to sound good on just about any properly set up guitar.


Why I dislike PRS

Because 90% of the guys that play them have a nickelback esque glassy tone that annoys me.. The price.

Why I love PRS
Santana has wonderful tone.
One of the best feeling necks of any guitar.
They are works of art.

[Lionslicer]

I "hate" PRS because my 80's bolt on, tobacco burst, birdfree CE24 has spoiled me against many other guitars. Although I love the way it plays and sounds and "feels," I have to find a replacement because it weighs too much for my oldster back (I know that 8lbs isn't heavy to you youngsters, but it is fricking killing me) and because I have grown to despise tremelo.

I recognize that these two problems are "features" to others, but they basically are keeping me from buying another PRS since 90% of their guitars are heavy and have trems (funny that the only time I actually hear a trem in music is when I get nostalgic and listen to guitar gods of the 80's).

The problem is, I like my PRS way better than any Fender or Gibson I have ever owned/played and it is pretty difficult to find a mid-range lightweight guitar because so many consumers associate a heavy weight with quality.

And to the "they've got no soul" guys, my PRS has fuckin' mojo voodoo magic that could only be touched by a Hendrix-owned strat.:rawk: