PRS Guitars

Hello everyone, well after about 6 years of serious guitar playing I have decided to take a massive step in my actual guitar equipment. I have roughly 6 guitars, but none worth more than $500. I have been saving (and will continue to save) a lot of money to get into the $2500 to $3500 price range, and hope to buy a PRS Guitar. As you all know, that is quite a bit of money (at least for me, a 19 year old college student). I am just asking for some advice on the matter, I am taking the process extremely slow and being very careful with it so I buy a guitar I am sure I will be satisfied with. I have tested a few high priced guitars, and for some reason I just love the PRS sound, tone, build, and look more than others--however I am still extremely open minded to other possibilities.

I am just asking the wide range of knowledge on this board for some of its advice on a high priced guitar. I am looking for serious tone, but extremely versatile for playing all kinds of styles (mainly rock, experimental, alternative, soloing, and a great clean tone and sound.) Please let me know if you recommend checking out any kind of specific guitar that you think I might be interested in. I know if I go through Fender that kind of price usually gets me a customized build.

Anyway, any thoughts on a PRS (opinion, advice, or suggestion) or any recommendations for a guitar build to check out, please let me know. Thank you all for your time and help! `Tim Anderson

I love PRS guitars! I have a PRS Custom 22 that is my baby. There's not too much I've found that I can't pull off with it, tone wise. It also fits me like a glove feel wise. Only advice I can give you is, let your ears and hands tell you if the guitar is right.

yeah guy, I am also a 19year old university student, but whilst living and working in London on a gap year last year, I managed to buy my dream guitar, a Prs Custom 22 Artist Package...I love it.

But that is not to say there arent other options, take a look at Terry Mcinturff guitars, Suhr guitars, Tom Anderson guitars, and maybe even Baker.

of those, Suhr and Anderson are more along the lines of Fenders in that they usually just make awesome S and T type guitars, as well as a few of their own models that are usually (but not exclusively) bolt on.

Terry Mcinturff makes the whole set neck vibe, kinda like Prs and Gibson, as does Baker...all of these "Custom Shops" make amazing guitars.

also, if you can, check out www.nathansheppardguitars.com look at gallery, then Nsg2...probably one of the nicest models in the world.

another brand to look out for is Nik Huber guitars...theyre also set neck/mahogs and play incredibly.

I have no complaints about my Prs...except that I used to accidently turn the volume down with my picking hand...but you learn not to....They're awesome guitars

Do you live by some small privately owned guitar shops? If so, take a look at their guitars. They will have guitar brands that have never heard of. The reason is cause their not MASS PRODUCED! Your price range will yeild and awesome guitar. If I were you, dont spend it on a big named guitar such as PRS. They make fine guitars, but 25 to 35 grand, its not worth it. Try some HAND-MADE guitars. They will be around 3000 but will kick any guitar's ass as far as tone and feel, and even looks. PRS guitars are now made by C&C machines like any other mass produced guitar company (Fender, Gibson, Jackson, Ibanez, ect...). They used to be hand made 30 years ago.

Not to say they they are bad, actually PRS is probably a better buy than any Gibson in its genra. But, anything over 3000 is a SERIOUS buy. Dont be too quick to find guitar company that you may already know of and is popular. Some of the best guitar companies are ones we have never heard of because they dont endorse, or because they produce 100 guitar in a year.

Good luck buddy, and I'm very jealous of you... :mad:

Dude, even most very small guitar luthiers use CNC to route out the body shapes, top contours, and neck profiles. This is a good thing though, because it means concistancy. The PRS private stock guitars however are all completely done by hand. Eventhough the rest of the PRS line is done by CNC, that is just the rough shape. After that they are hand sanded, and strictly inspected before they go any farther. The rest of the process is completely done by hand. This process is no different than most small company luthiers. Take guitars built by Ron Thorn for example. Amazing quality, and a very reasonable price for what you get. But, they are cut out on a CNC machine. Does this mean they are any less of a guitar? NO!

http://www.thornguitars.com/
http://www.heatleyguitars.com/
http://www.mykaguitars.com/
http://www.driskillguitars.com/

Those are some of my favorite small compay luthiers. They all build amazing guitars.

dont spend 3000 on a new prs- get a nice used one- there are plenty on ebay- for 1600-1700 and artist packaged for 22-2300. at 19 dont get it for looks, get it for how it plays and any prs is going to play awesome. check out brian moores as well, there is a reason they are called the working mans prs- the i1 is impressive and around 1300 brand new.

Brain Moore guitars are damn nice! also take a look at Patrick Eggle guitars...Patricks Eggle no longer works for them, but was referred to as Englands Paul Reed Smith. Eggle guitars are awesome these days, and for some time Trevor Wilkinson played a big role at Eggle guitars...not sure if he does so anymore, think he's now at Maverick.

Either way...Paul Reed Smith is great...but its not the only good brand...there are many other worth a look...alot of them mentioned in my earlier post in this thread...

Originally Posted by: AkiraThe assumption being that all mass produced guitars play badly.

Damn, I guess i'll take my Jackson Soloist back to the shop, it was mass produced, therefore it obviously plays crap, and my perception of it being the best damn guitar i've ever played is obviously wrong.

*shakes fist at mass production tycoons*

Thats not where Im tryin to get at all. I never said mass produced guitars are bad. For 3000, Im sayin you might want to look at some more options than just the usual companies. Your jackson was around 1000-1500 rite? Well, try to find a jackson over 3000 thats not from the custom shop of previously owned by a celebrity. Its hard. Like I said, a price for about 3000 will get you an uberly good guitar. Mass produced guitars arent crap at all, I have an American Stratocaster build to the same quality as any American Jackson. Its just with such a high budget, there is a big chance of falling into the situation of "Buying a guitar that 1/3 of the money went on the headstock printing"

These privatly owned shops will have guitars that you cant find at your Guitar Center, or even eBay. Its a real treat if you have one close by. In alot of stituations, not trying to sound redundant, small companies have nothing to offer but tonally exelent guitars. No one knows them by mouth, so when you shell out grands of bills, your not spending alot of it on the name. There are alot of exelent guitar out there. Try to play some unknown quality guitars and you will soon find they will kill any guitar you've played in the past.

I know what you are getting at.
I love my Prs, but I played a few Nathan Sheppards, Nik Hubers and Black Machines before I settled on it.

I dunno why I went with the Prs over any of the others...it just felt the most right.
I still want a Nathan Sheppard...and a Nik Huber...and a Blackmachine...but another Prs wouldnt go amiss either...or two of each of the above.

Originally Posted by: alucard0941
These privatly owned shops will have guitars that you cant find at your Guitar Center, or even eBay. Its a real treat if you have one close by. In alot of stituations, not trying to sound redundant, small companies have nothing to offer but tonally exelent guitars. No one knows them by mouth, so when you shell out grands of bills, your not spending alot of it on the name. There are alot of exelent guitar out there. Try to play some unknown quality guitars and you will soon find they will kill any guitar you've played in the past.

I've played just as many poorly made privateer built guitars as I have mass produced guitars... I have a handfull of stores nearby that carry just about every little known brand out there... When you buy a guitar with a brand name... Fender, Gibson, Paul Reed Smith... etc... you're not just buying a (hopefully) great guitar... you're buying into the fraternity of players and owners of that same brand... and you're buying into the history of the instrument. I don't play the name game too often... But personally no one makes a better Strat than Fender, no one makes a better LP than Gibson (PRS actually does in my opinion, but for the sake of the argument), no one makes a versatile mix between the two of them like PRS... Straying away from certain brands, in my mind, is just as band as the people that only buy certain brands. I say get whatever guitar you want. It's your money... but I personally wouldn't spend more than 1500-2000 on any guitar... you can get much better guitars in that price range from all kinds of manufacturers...

lets not forget that you're also buying into the image and look of the actual guitar (granted that fender styles don't evolve much and Gibson is stuck in the past a bit) but nevertheless the recent upsurge in popularity of brands like Ibanez and the BC Rich guitars is based a lot on the way those guitars look. I'm kinda pissed at guitar manufacturers for not making guitar image evolve a little bit, i mean i don't want a guitar that looks like it's from a science fiction movie, but surely Line 6 with it's variax guitars could have modernised them more to represent the technological advancements in cased within the guitar. Personally I like my ESP F series, it's kinda stratty, kinda demonic, and it's real nice to play (which of course is the most important thing).

Ok check it out... I'm 47 and let me tell you 2000-$3500 is hard cash for anybody.. Unless your rich... anyway.... Goto a reputable shop and Handle the guitar .. play them find the one that FITS you.. Sound, feel, tone.. I know How important it seem to own a PRIZE guitar. I own 2 PRS one really nice the other low end... I pick it over a Ibenez... so lets look it over PRS Santana III .. Hot as hell... Pricey... PRS Custom SE Cheap $500. sound great action .. intense.. but you know. I sat in Sam Ash for 4 hr tring to decide.. so to get back to the point Play them all.. DON'T RUSH... I hit so many Guitar shop you wouldn't believe. Now As for the Ebay thing... Well there is something to be said here. I don't know what but there is something. If I can't hold and play it.. I'm not confortable. But some are.... and its true .. a PRS is a PRS.. A Gibson is still a Gibson.. But when you buy from a shop they'll set it up for you... how do you handle a purchase through ebay.. Well I hope I didn't depress you.... if it were a car you'd want to kick the tires right??? Best of luck man.. keep jammin!

Originally Posted by: 0toleranceif it were a car you'd want to kick the tires right???

this is a good example, and seeing as you could actually buy a (very) used car for that amount of money, I think you should definately play it before you buy it! I may feel comfortable buying a $600-700 guitar off the internet, but $3,000??? no way. when and if (doubt it) I ever have that kind of money to spend on a guitar, I'd try EVERYTHING out! including custom built and not well-known brands. go to your nearest guitar center, and try damn near every PRS, Gibson, Fender, Jackson, etc. guitar that they have, piss off the employees, who cares. but don't make a decision right then! look around and try to find some small time brands and custom built axes, THEN you can make an informed decision for yourself. there have been plenty of links on this thread to some great luthiers, check their stuff out as well.

good luck, happy hunting, and let us know what you decide on!

Originally Posted by: suicidalmooselets not forget that you're also buying into the image and look of the actual guitar (granted that fender styles don't evolve much and Gibson is stuck in the past a bit) but nevertheless the recent upsurge in popularity of brands like Ibanez and the BC Rich guitars is based a lot on the way those guitars look. I'm kinda pissed at guitar manufacturers for not making guitar image evolve a little bit, i mean i don't want a guitar that looks like it's from a science fiction movie, but surely Line 6 with it's variax guitars could have modernised them more to represent the technological advancements in cased within the guitar. Personally I like my ESP F series, it's kinda stratty, kinda demonic, and it's real nice to play (which of course is the most important thing).

I suggest Ibanez, js-1200's play like a dream :eek:
Ibanez are definatly not bought for looks but playablity, bc. rich i would agree with people only buying for apperance.
But there are small brands that are very very nice www.belmaguitars.com *i think thats it*

if you're in the US or Germany by all means just walk straight into a huge warehouse full of musical instruments, but it's hard finding guitars even hear in london and especially in aus, so many just get there's ordered from overseas, plus it's usually cheaper in the US anyways, and by cheaper i mean easily half the price. If you're german go to Thomann - they're like the biggest musical instrument warehouse in Europe. I had a particular guitar i wanted, looked everywhere for it and nobody had it (sure it was limited edition but it was a large production run) every single US musical retailer had it, but all the european ones either didn't have it or charged 800 pounds for it (when the guitar in the US cost $700US - so that's what 1600 us$ vs 700us$ - which one you gonna choose?)

But if you're spending 3 grand on a guitar i guess a plane ticket to the nearest musical mega warehouse might be a good idea.

if you are in London, there are not many shops that have too many really high end guitars other than Soho Sound house and Sound Control, both of which stock several PRS's but thats about it (apart from the Gibsons and Fenders you find in every guitar store there). Try Vintage and rare on Denmark Street (near Soho Soundhouse and Soundcontrol...Tottenham Court Road tube station.) They stock some really nice vintage axes, as do Wunjo guitars, which is just around the corner...

If you head out to Leytonstone (east London, zone 3 on the Eastbound Central line) you can go to Holliday music, that stocks a fair amount of Nik Huber guitars, as well, as some nice amps...Koch!

also, on the extreme west side of the city, you can find Peter Cooks guitar store in Hanwell, on station Road.

other than that, you have top head out of London...there is a place up in Ashbourne Derbyshire, which I strongly recommend...It is where I bought my Prs...its called Guitars4you look at wwww.guitars4you.com to see their stock..it might be .co.uk come to think about it.

There is also Machinehead which is in Hertfordshire, and a few others around...Wembley Guitar centre in NOrth London also stocks some nice high end guitars...

Sounds Great near Manchester stocks some Suhr, Anderson, Prs, and James Tylers that are very nice, they also get Terru Mcinturffs, and those are amazing.

Otherwise, look at www.exoticguitars.com (again, might be .co.uk) this guy sells alot of Prs, Anderson etc guitars...and is a great guy too.

Engalnd is also full of great custom shops...
Nathan Sheappard guitars is based in Somerset and has some amazing stuff www.nathansheappardguitars.com

Black Machine guitars, based in North London has some really killer guitars, including a new 8string, fan fretted model that looks like it is beautiful to play...www.blackmachine.net

also companys such as Pendells, and Organic guitars are English made and very nice.

When it comes to Englsih custom shops tho, you cant mention a list without including Patrick Eggle guitars, in Birmingham, or Hugh Manson guitars in Exeter...both are world reknowned luthiers...both make awesome guitars.

Moose, where are you originally from?

i'm originally from perth, western australia :P I'm a big shopper on Denmark St but Vintage and Rare is the shop, i think, with the old crabby dudes that run it. nothing against them but i think if they want me to buy something they should at least be nice to me if i ask questions instead of acting like rockstars and being all arrogant. I usually go to rockers because they are awesome at customer service and will talk to you for ages about metallica if u get into a discussion with em :P they also have a huge and i mean HUGE ammount of Gibson and ESP guitars, more than anything they kinda stock a lot of epi's and LTD's for us bottom feeders.

i'm happy with my guitar right now but u've given me some awesome places to check out to buy my amp and some gear.

cheers

Originally Posted by: Andrew Saif you are in London, there are not many shops that have too many really high end guitars other than Soho Sound house and Sound Control, both of which stock several PRS's but thats about it (apart from the Gibsons and Fenders you find in every guitar store there). Try Vintage and rare on Denmark Street (near Soho Soundhouse and Soundcontrol...Tottenham Court Road tube station.) They stock some really nice vintage axes, as do Wunjo guitars, which is just around the corner...

If you head out to Leytonstone (east London, zone 3 on the Eastbound Central line) you can go to Holliday music, that stocks a fair amount of Nik Huber guitars, as well, as some nice amps...Koch!

also, on the extreme west side of the city, you can find Peter Cooks guitar store in Hanwell, on station Road.

other than that, you have top head out of London...there is a place up in Ashbourne Derbyshire, which I strongly recommend...It is where I bought my Prs...its called Guitars4you look at wwww.guitars4you.com to see their stock..it might be .co.uk come to think about it.

There is also Machinehead which is in Hertfordshire, and a few others around...Wembley Guitar centre in NOrth London also stocks some nice high end guitars...

Sounds Great near Manchester stocks some Suhr, Anderson, Prs, and James Tylers that are very nice, they also get Terru Mcinturffs, and those are amazing.

Otherwise, look at www.exoticguitars.com (again, might be .co.uk) this guy sells alot of Prs, Anderson etc guitars...and is a great guy too.

Engalnd is also full of great custom shops...
Nathan Sheappard guitars is based in Somerset and has some amazing stuff www.nathansheappardguitars.com

Black Machine guitars, based in North London has some really killer guitars, including a new 8string, fan fretted model that looks like it is beautiful to play...www.blackmachine.net

also companys such as Pendells, and Organic guitars are English made and very nice.

When it comes to Englsih custom shops tho, you cant mention a list without including Patrick Eggle guitars, in Birmingham, or Hugh Manson guitars in Exeter...both are world reknowned luthiers...both make awesome guitars.

Moose, where are you originally from?

dude, the guys at vintage and rare are awesome...and at regent sound (theyre next door to eachother)...also Maurecio at soho soundhouse gives great customer service...i liked that shop, despite its large size.

cool maybe they were just havin a bad day or something, as long as they're not music snobbs (the one personality i really can't stand). That wanjo guitars place looks pertty awesome. I get most of my electronic equipment online either on ebay or through thomann in Germany though, cause London has rip off prices.