My Unpopular Opinion on PRS Guitars
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- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- This is my unpopular opinion on PRS Guitars. Over the years I've tried lots of different Paul Reed Smith model guitars - and every single one has been a brilliant instrument. The build quality on PRS guitars is always excellent, which has given them an amazing reputation in the guitar community. As well as the quality, they also sound, feel and most perhaps most importantly - look fantastic. With all that being said I have a confession to make..
I don't like PRS guitars. I'm really not sure what it is about them that doesn't grab me, but I hope to continue the search and hopefully find one that changes that for me.
Rhett Shull made a great video recently talking about why he is also not a huge lover of PRS Guitars, despite the fact agreeing that they deserve their reputation for being great instruments.
If anything though - It just highlights to me that guitar players having different opinions and preferences is actually one of the best things about it. It breeds difference, excitement and a never ending sea of creativity which I for one wouldn't change.
I hope you enjoy my video,
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Rhett's Video:
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“You are great, you treat me like a prince, you are pretty, but I just don’t feel nothing.”
This is me with Strats. Blasphemy, I know, but every time I pick up a Strat, I'm always like "Yeah this things cool, sounds awesome, looks awesome and blah blah blah where's a PRS???" LOL, but funny enough, I LOVED the SE Silver Sky that was in my local Guitar Center and I played it literally every time I went there until someone bought it off the used wall.
But yeah, Strats are awesome but take what you and Rhett said and replace PRS with Strat. Meanwhile, PRS guitars are basically the only guitar that I can sit down with for 2-3 hours with and be like "Whoa, where the hell did the time go???" Lol
I own 3 strat and have owned 5 more over the years..... I mostly play my 1 tele.. I feel you.
Ditto!
I'm with you (and Rhett). PRS makes incredible guitars. Super tight tolerances, thoughtful design, excellent finishes, consistency and on and on. But as many as I've played they always left me feeling like I just couldn't connect with them. It's a personal thing for me and I just never felt like I bonded with them. I'm certainly in the minority and have nothing against them, but I'll take my Les Paul's over them every time.
I feel its psychological. They don't have the heritage of a Hendrix, Page,Slash, Gilmore ,A.Young,etc .
I feel that way about my Reverend contender, it's awesome but it's not gibson or fender, it's silly but those brands are so ingrained
I hated PRS Guitars, until I got a Paul's guitar, that has surprisingly become my number one instrument. I would not have believed it if you told me a few months ago.
Time to finally audition for that wedding band
@@friedsensei but maybe not for your one man show yet, you might want to work on your punchlines a little bit
408 pickups are magical.
@@friedsenseilol😂
I agree with all you said, the headstock turns me off ! Build quality A+. Finish. a+. Feel very sterile, headstock D- But to each their own.
Well my friend I did not like PRS until I found two that I really liked and those specific 2 made me appreciate the sound of the brand. But it is absolutely fair that each guitarist gets her or his sound via different gear, I totally agree on this and no one should be forced to play a guitar or amplifier that does not speak to them. Good video !
Very true, glad you found some that spoke to you!
I’m a huge PRS fan, have models from every range and models. I think it’s ridiculous to pay top money for a Gibson and then cant rely on any consistency. But we all like what we like, play a guitar you connect with and be happy)) 🎸
To be fair, PRS guitars cost much more than Gibson. Ive had several PRS core models, and a couple S2s. One of them had to be send back for the body seperating in the middle. They sent me another, but i had to pay nearly $1k in shipping fees. Ive had about 15 Gibsons, most made in the last 2years, and have never had a single flaw. People like to make themselves heard when there's a problem, but dont bother when things go well.
I watch that PRS Private Stock with Paul in it, and see all those amazing guitars with crazy dragon inlaid fretboards and insane finishes, but none of those guitars are even for sale. You have to pay tens of thousands of dollars for them to make you one, if they even agree to do it. I got a Gibson LP Classic two years ago for only a couple hundred bucks more than what Fender's made in mexico signature models go for now.
@@RByrne Actually, PRS guitars and Gibson's are pretty close in price. PRS is known much more for its quality control than Gibson, so must have gotten a rare lemon. I've never had a problem with any of my PRS guitars.
I feel the same way; and like you I haven't been able to understand it. The only person's of note that I've seen play them are Carlos Santana and John Mayer
I think some of us just prefer guitars that are consistent in tone and playability (you can call them boring), some are inconsistent and the more you fight with them, the more interesting result you get (you can call them lively or inspiring) :) Anyway, knowing what you need, you can make a choice for yourself.
I found on my journey, that PRS guitars need a different touch and settings, that the one you would apply to Teles, Strats or Les Pauls. That said though, if you learn how to play and set them (don't be shy of using the knobs or articulation!), they can be as dynamic, as anything out there.
The history of recorded music would disagree ,they have all the character of a really expensive midi guitar. The guitar of choice for dads who want to make sure their kids never think guitar is cool. Santana has the most iconic PRS tone and who the fuck listens to Santana by choice these days.
@@friedsensei re: "The guitar of choice for dads who want to make sure their kids never think guitar is cool", that was hilarious... but I listen to and love Santana, only the early / woodstock era though, which was with Gibson / P90's and hot-rodded Fender amps (forerunner of / became, Mesa Boogie)
@@FrankHarv haha I got drunk and went off on PRS I don't actually have a really strong opinion on them. But Santana is often mentioned as a PRS player with signature tone and I agree with you completely. That SG he was playing at woodstock is IMO a way sicker sound, compare that to the PRS/MESA era and it's a great example of the sterility PRS provides.
I like that PRS is a brand that doesn't have to be "historically accurate", or doesn't want to be (they are a company since 1985) like Fender and specially Gibson have to be, because people want.
I love PRS guitars, and i love Fenders, i don't like Gibson as a company, but i love some of his models, is only a matter of taste, but i disagree with Rhett Shull when he said something about that he loves "founding the right one" or finding "mojo" in the inconsistency in the QC of some brands, instead of the amazing consistency of PRS. Inconsistency is not a good thing.
Ernie ball guitars is my PRS in your statement. I've owned about 8 of them all ball family reserve models. While they are gorgeous and sound amazing, I felt no connection what so ever. It pains me so lol
Curious as to why you had 8 if you weren’t keen? Was it just trying lots of different ones because you hoped there’d be one you clicked with?
I bought a PRS SE Tonare P20E Parlour Guitar earlier this year and I initially loved it. I haven't played it for months now, so I suppose I must prefer my other guitars. You are not alone. My HB SG custom with it's push pull coil split is my current fave as it feels so nice to play, even more than my Gibson SG.
Typically, if you grow up playing Fenders, that's what you feel comfortable with. Same goes for Gibsons. If Paul Reed Smith would have been born earlier and started making guitars in the 50s, I guarantee his guitars would be more widely accepted. I grew up playing Fenders, so I feel at home with them and I get the sound I'm used to and expect. I've spent some time on Gibsons but they've never felt natural or comfortable to me except for the SG, which has a "whippy" neck joint but sounds incredible. I have a couple Gretsch 6120s including a western dyna sonic and they can't be beat for specific applications. A PRS S2 custom 22 and an S2 Mira semi-hollow were in the line up for awhile but were sold later down the road. Just recently I got an older PRS SE custom 22 semi-hollow and it's a joy to play. Perfect ergonomics and it's so light. Yesterday I got an SE custom 22 semi-hollow with the vibrato bridge and I'm impressed with the build and feel, but the pickups have to go. They're getting replaced with Lollar Novel-Ts. If you've made it to the end of this I'll say that PRS is a good alternative to Gibson and Fender, so that you're not stuck playing the same guitar all the time. If younger people grew up playing PRS, that's the guitar from their good old days!
If he would have made the same guitars he makes now in the 50s - yes. But its a bit like saying if Elon was born 200 years ago he would have been considered god. Well, they're standing on the shoulders of those who came before and likely could not have produced what they produce today 70-100 years ago.
I recently played a prs for the first time. It looked amazing and the craftsmanship was impeccable, but I just didn’t connect with it. It was a custom 22. I was told some people call them dentists guitars as they are so perfect that they are almost sterile. Maybe a bit harsh, but I kind of see where they were coming from.
I totally get it. I think that’s my main issue with them
Yeah, i had the same thoughts. Just sterile and lifeless. I would much rsther a Gibson, Fender, EBMM, or Suhr.
PRS is either you love them or don't like them. I love em, but, you don't have to.
I connected with my s2 right away. I loved it. I've played Ibanez, Gibson, fender and many others. Easy to play and fun to create music with. Sorry that some people don't get it lol
The point of a guitar is not to look pretty or feel great, it’s to sound great … Do PRS guitars sound great, well that’s subjective, but few argue for how amazing they sound and that’s telling
The best clone of a PRS is what? A Harley Benton?
I played Gibson and Fender guitars for 30+ years and lean more towards the Les Paul than the Strat. However, recently, I began playing a SUHR guitar and it took about a year or two before I sold all my Gibsons. I still have an Ibanez because it’s my first guitar, but nothing compares to a suhr. From the people that I have heard that play PRS guitars they’re very thin sounding, and you usually have to depend on the amplifier to carry the guitar. I’m not a PRS guy. I got nothing against Paul read, but most of the woods that are used in the making of PRS or not from America do usually Brazilian rosewood and I’ve never connected with any PRS that I’ve ever played great video
Not sure what you are saying about non American woods and Brazilian rosewood. Could you elaborate?
I totally agree with you, Rob. Not about PRS guitars, but about the need for many, many different brands and styles of guitars. One man's Les Paul is another man's boat anchor. :) I like PRS and Fender guitars, primarily, but have yet to try out a Silver Sky. I'm a bit afraid they might change my mind about Strats, which I hope will never happen, but PRS trem systems are so spot on...
I love my Gibson SG Standard for a variety of reasons. At first it was because a lot of my influences have used one or other types of Gibson SGs. While all that is great, I feel something from it because I feel like I can truly express my own voice through guitar with the guitar I have. Is it perfect in every single way? Absolutely not. However, I can do a wide variety of things, including capturing tones of the past and trying out new sounds with different combinations of pedals, amps, and settings. Other guitars are great in their own ways, but they just don't give me the feeling that mine does.
I’m with you. It’s lacking something. Mine feels thin, has no balls.
This is why I always loved ESP. Any guitar that I played and own was amazing and did something that got me excited. I my first PRS CE22 2006 in Flame Maple Top and it's amazing, but not sure how it will hold against my ESP or even my vintage Charvels.
It such a non arguement.
I played a strat and a les paul the other day.... and i felt nothing as i played them.
Kinda hard to have a conversation there.
No conversation needed! Your thoughts are enough & that’s absolutely fine 🤟
I fell in love with PRS guitars years ago, before I really played electrics. Once I did start down the electric path, I've bought and sold at least a dozen PRS guitars - 1 core, 1 S2, and the rest SEs. And I have to second what Rhett said. They're beautiful - probably my favorite look in the biz - play well, have top-notch QA and consistency, but never inspired me enough to keep them. I finally figured out that, for me, PRS works great under a decent amount of gain, where the clear, hi-fi sound and articulation allows the notes to shine through. But if I'm playing edge of breakup, or clean, the sound is too pristine and clinical. Unfortunately, I play more in the clean/eob territories. And while I could swap out the pickups, I've fallen in love with the smooth texture of nearly raw roasted maple and can't go back. But still, every time PRS announces a new model, or brings the DGT into the SE line, I get the itch lol.
When's the last time you heard a song of any kind and said wow, sick riff, sounds like a PRS? They are obviously a players guitar but the staggering lack of influence on the sound of music outside of Santana and John Mayer cannot be ignored. You guys love to play them but you have to admit no one really cares to listen to them, and no great riffs have ever been inspired by one. In my experience they are guitars for rich guys who just aren't getting the sound they want out of their reissue Les Paul and fender twin that's never been played above 2 in their condo. It's a signature guitar for people who are too tasteful to buy a signature guitar.
Amen! Rob, you did a great job with the production on this video. It looked really good.
Thanks man, Really appreciate it!
@@RobGalley you’re welcome Rob.
The opinion and feeling you have for PRS is more or less the same I have for Fender. 🤣
So far I never found a Strat or a Telly that made me fall in love with them. While whenever I can I grab and play my SE McCarty 594.
Yamaha guitars;
deserves a s/o
Exactly
Ive mainly been a strat guy, never really "got" the mass appeal of Les Paul's and I havent played all types of styles and brands of guitar but out of the few i have played one of my favorite guitars that I know from playing experience is the Gibson SG, ive had a cheap Dean ML which was ok, the fretboard and neck felt nice and surprisingly light feeling, i like Jacksons & Ibanez and B.C. Rich's....ive always wanted to try like a Kramer or Charvel super strat guitars. Coolest guitar ive ever seen in person was one of Eddie Van Halen's actual Frankenstrat with the red, white and Black lol it had the pick of destiny sitting in the strings....they were selling it for like $30,000 and at that time it just came out from the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. it was just soo cool to have laid eyes on apart of music/rock/metal history and for guitar players in general!
Was a PRS nut for years, even have the birds tattoo. Woke up one day and just decided to sell them all. I've had a DW CE, multiple Custom 24s, SC245 and noticed I just didn't really touch em. A freaking $500 Epiphone Les Paul on sale at Guitar Center gets more play time, I actually feel inspired to play something when I play it.
Same here minus the tattoo…. Owned a ton of s2 and a few cores and LOVED them, then one day, I completely disconnected without explanation….
I know what you mean. They have branched out with some different models, but for your basic two humbucker PRS models whether SE, S, CE or what have you, they only seem to have a handful of tones. I would definitely go for a PRS if a creamy Santana/Petrucci sort of lead tone was what I after the majority of time, but it seems hard to get a variety of distinct tones out of them.
I felt the same way about Mesa Boogie amps too. They seemed like the dream amp growing up, but they really were only good for a decent tube clean sound and that "Boogie" lead tone. Hard to get 'em close to a Marshall gritty crunch or a stinging Fender bite. If you love the sound they do easily, it's the amp for you.
I guess the older brands seem to respond and sound different more easily.
I've owned an early SE series PRS, which I absolutely loved. I've played many other PRS models, and soon will be getting one again. The one I've tried recently which I am planning to buy very soon feels perfect to *me*. That doesn't mean it's perfect for everyone. If you don't connect with a guitar, you're not going to want to play it, and if PRS guitars don't do it for you, that's cool. You can appreciate the workmanship, the finish, the design elements and the overall look of a guitar, but still not be a fan of them. I love the tone of Les Pauls, but I don't like the balance or the neck feel of them. As you say, we're all different and all have our own preferences, and when you have an instrument which you have to physically connect with to play it, your enjoyment of it comes down to far more than just statistics and figures about how they're designed and built.
Play what makes you love playing.
I must admit I never wanted a prs until the guy at a local shop recommended I try the se Santana. I ended up buying it. Six years later it's my main gigging guitar and I've never needed to adjust or change anything. Now when I record I mostly stick with Les Pauls and strats but playing live I really like my prs. I'm almost nervous if I don't bring it with me because it stays in tune and easy to play. I'm over fifty so all my life I only liked Gibson and Fender . I've had a custom 22 sold it after six months just didn't bond with it. I tried a custom 24 same thing didn't like it either but the Santana is not like them at all. I like the Starla Mira and Pauls guitar enough to buy all three but the flagship custom models just don't have that something that makes me want to play them. I can't put my finger on it. Kinda like loving Gibson but hating Les Pauls😂
PRS Guitars owners most agree that the pickups are the leak link in the guitar!
I have a reason why I dislike PRS…. The bridge location is similar to an old acoustic in the middle of the body instead of further back. This completely throws off the balance when using a strap, and also it’s a long reach to the headstock and as a result uses a C-neck with slanted hand and thumb overgrip. This also prevents the body cut for accessing high frets.
I think part of reason why some people don't like PRS's might be from some of the bands that became big while prominently using PRS's which were butt rock bands like Nickelback, Creed and Staind.
i totally agree! I might need to try some others but, I just dont get it??!!
PRS SE for the money are brilliant even if the pickups are a bit crap (first thing along with tuners that went). They always play nice and do look pretty sharp but deffinately get not really rating them.
if you want a truly awesome instrument though cant beat a local luthier.
My local's in Derbyshire and goes by RH Guitars, lovely fella and a true craftsman! (Will always promote him and his fabulous geetars).
Great vid sir as ever
Sounds awesome to have a local luthier creating great guitars - that’s something I could definitely feel some pride in. Thanks for watching!
I get not liking PRS SE's but crap pickups? I've never seen PRS release a video where the guitar sounded flat, harsh, lacking, or having too much midrange, treble, or bass. Check your fingers man, that sounds more like a PEBGAS issue (problem exists between guitar and strap) than a pickup issue.
@@cerebrix deffinately a bit crap on the pickup side, the ones in the 277 bloody awfull for the application and (since they're the same things) in the custom 24 nowhere near where they need to be, a set of duncans/dimarzio or bareknuckles and all of a sudden the things come to life, hell I'd even take the EMG over the stock ones (and I'm not a fan of them either).
As for never seeing them release a video never sounding bad essentially there is a little thing called editing and mixing that goes into it to make them sound way better, best bet is to go and play one in person through your own rig and pass judgement yourself.
Check your fingers did crack me up though, needed a laugh cheers.
And where did I say I dislike the SE models? I own 2 of them and love them, the lack of locking tuners on the custom 24 is a bit crap given they do help the trem and yes the pickups in them stock are awfull. Build quality and playability will rival much more expensive geetars.
Im possibly more hacked off at meself here for gracing this with a responce but hey ho it's Sunday funday is it not.
Take it easy
I'll just reply with "hey everyone, look at how that guy responded" and leave it at that. Yikes.
@@cerebrix gotta love a troll, as i stated im more hacked off with meself for gracing you with a responce.
Take it easy.
My friend has two or three PRS guitars, and loves them. I personally don't get it. Yes, the build is great, but at least with his, I find that they never stay in tune as well as I would like.
I’ve tried to like them. I wanted to like them. So far, I haven’t.
Did you figure out what it was that didn’t grab you?
@@RobGalley Of course, it’s difficult to describe, but I’ve always been a Fender player and the best I can describe is that my Fenders give me a little “sass”. I am a bit heavy handed and a Strat or Tele with 10’s just gives Me enough push back to feel like I’m “doing something” the PRS just didn’t give me that same feeling.
I’m not writing them off yet but so far I’ve not played one that spoke to me.
I feel the same way. One of my favorite guitarist is Santana, I cannot afford a Santana model (they didn’t have the SE when I was looking for a prs) but I ended up buying a PRS singlecut 10 top. It was a lot for me at the time, maybe close to $2k? I loved the look, but it was meh, uninspiring, it sounded sterile…I ended up playing a used beat up 62RI strat 99.9% of the time over it. It just sat so sold it. Years later, still wanting something that will do Santana a little more accurately than a strat, I get a prs se…it was worse!? It even felt cheap…not just plasticy, it felt cheap and plasticy? Love the looks, still wish I could find an inspiring guitar to do Santana but I kind of gave up, especially at the newer prices.
My friend you are not alone. I've been called a lots of things for saying the same. There isn't a single historically important song made with PRS (and they've been around 1983.). Look at Paul Reed Smith, the man himself. Dude looks, talks and acts like a businessman and marketing expert. The guy's got impressive bio, but doesn't understand the most important thing...THE TONE
Howard Leese played his PRS on every Heart song. I'm sure there are many more artists that used PRS's on some great tunes.
I'm glad I'm not alone in this feeling. Some of the best looking and well made guitars, but I just couldn't vibe with them. Also the necks and my hands didn't get along, I was always bumping into the neck with my fingers when I played them (an issue I have never had with ANY other guitar brand or model).
This is what I don’t understand… like, I can understand not “liking” particular guitars, but to say I don’t like an entire company of guitars is ridiculous and speaks to something else going on. Confirmation bias anyone? I’ve never heard anybody say, “I don’t like Gibson guitars, or Fenders entire lineup of guitars, or Suhr guitars.” That doesn’t make any sense to me. It is just me?
I don’t mind these videos voicing a dislike of PRS or at least a preference for other guitars..I just wish these vids did not all have the exact same consensus of “PRS are well made…just not my cup of tea” just feels like (ironically) these type of vids are now cookie cutter themselves.
In my ignorance I didn’t know there was a trend of these videos. I just didn’t want it to come across as an attack & more of a positive affirmation on their quality. But, I get how it could seem a bit of a stale statement. I appreciate the comment!
Have you noticed that in the video sample Carlin brings two "headless" guitars. But Keanu takes different one?
I'm not crazy about the tones of a PRS, but their tuning stability is second to none. So it depends on what is most important to you.
Yeah they really fixed the 3 by 3 headstock design let’s be honest. Can’t deny that
I don’t understand why so many shredders play them like what is it that makes them gravitate towards them
I had a new PRS American Satana. Beautiful guitar. I wanted to love that guitar. I could not. PRS is like the Lexus of guitars: reliable , solid, even beautiful, but ultimately soulless.
Taking makers name (insert name here) out of the equation for a moment.. all these brands have a build formula that is pretty close to what Fender, Gibson & Gretsch were doing in the 50s & other than a twist or two of refinement over the decades, much is still identical now as what most of us loved about electric guitars back them.. I'm talking mainly solid bodies here.!
As for the wood, that part is mother nature & for whatever reason, one guitar built by the very same hands, using the exact same construction methods, will blow our minds with tone, feel, weight, aesthetics etc.. Yet the 5 built before or after don't seem in the same league for some reason..
I feel the same with a lot of what is said in this & Rhett's video in my own experience too..
I work on guitars everyday (many of which are PRS from all levels including custom shop & private stock) & to this day have never found one single PRS that I've been able to connect with musically or emotionally.. Yes, the build quality is superb & consistency among the very best out there.. However, to my own experience that has equalled a consistency of me feeling the same every time 'so far' when playing one -beautifully made, looks gorgeous, sounds & plays great... but, does nothing for me as a musician..
That being said, I have had the exact opposite experience with every single Novo guitar I've ever played 'so far'..
For whatever reason, every one of them seems to have been a winner & I instantly don't want to put it down as felt a connection with it..!
There should be no rhyme or reason to this as mentioned above, regardless of builder/brand.. Most guitars are made from a slice of mother nature (wood) with a set of pickups & strings attached..
So why does one guitar make us feel overjoyed & another doesn't.. Especially when made so beautifully as PRS can/do..
There's seemingly no real definitive conclusion but I am so glad that we all love different guitars, music & that we are lucky enough to live in a world with such a vast array of choice at our fingertips..
Music is a feeling after all to both enjoy & create..
We all have influences from different artists or genres that inspire us & that definitely includes everything from the type of instrument/s we gravitate towards as well as allowing our hearts to decide which kind (guitar in this case) makes us feel weak at the knees to be creative with.. Everything counts from looks, feel, tone, playability & emotional/tangible connections that can't be known prior to actually physically playing, feeling & hearing that instrument..
That's the bit when we know it's game on..!
A bit like test driving a cat in way, be it vintage, rare, new, second-hand etc.. We an read specs & reviews, see & hear videos but when you get behind the wheel yourself.. that's when 'you know' if it's 'the one you connect with'
It's a little cliche to say in some ways, but very true words in the saying that 'it's the one that you can't put down that you should take home' when trying out a new perspective instrument..
It's also true to note that although for many reasons most of us will lust over some of the most expensive or finest a brand has to offer, sometimes extending into vintage guitars too..
Whatever your lust/love is, I've found it amazing how often it is that an instrument that you may not even glance twice at, ends up being the one that swept you off your feet for whatever reason & the one that you thought was going to be 'the one' hadn't actually been what you thought it would be & didn't end up truly gelling with it..
More trying to convince yourself in a placebo kind of way that this is the one that you should be blown away by as that's the build up you've given yourself about it until you actually try it yourself..
That's the part where it's good to be honest with yourself or take a good mate along to help keep you in check that had your best interests at heart..
As long as you find one that makes you smile & allows you to be the best version of 'you' when playing.. you've already found something special..
However, there's always room for 'one more' right..!ny different instruments can help bring out the best of a particular thing we're trying to achieve..
Slide, whammy, shred, Travis picking.. the list goes on..!
It sure is fun trying every guitar possible that you can..
We never know exactly might inspire us.. So play everything..!
The hardest one is when it's a mates guitar you've fallen in love with it & it's not even their number one but they're not quite ready to part with it no matter how badly you drop the hint..
This all extends toanybit of gear.. If it makes you passionate or even passionate to chase something musically, it's all good 🎶
Imagine me not liking Gibson or Fender. Even less popular
Lol.
That's me. Don't like Gibson, Fender or PRS.
Like Ibanez, Peavey and Kiesel.
I don't like them either I cannot get on with the feel of them I don't know why either .
They feel great, I think it's just a bit of an uninspiring vibe I get from them personally. I hope it changes in future!
I have four PRS guitars (three electrics and one SE acoustic) and each one has its own special mojo and a lot of it. A guitar is what you make it.
I've never played a single PRS that didn't play like an absolute dream, and easy to play.
The strange thing is, neither have I 😂
I totally agree with you !
I have a Lefty PRS SE Custom 24 guitar, and it is a really nice guitar. I would have purchased a PRS Silver Sky, PRS SE DGT, and/or a PRS SE 594 McCarty...but they refuse to make them in Left handed versions. Because of this, I have branched out to other guitars brands, and I have found that I prefer my non-PRS guitars. My PRS is a solid guitar and I plan to keep it. However, it isn't my go-to guitar.
Wait they don’t make left handed Silver Skys?
@@RobGalley They do not. If you a Lefty, your only options are a super high-end PRS guitar (Private Stock)....which really does not seem worth it.
Anyone else wondering why some people still swear by Tube Screamers when there are so many better sounding options? I know, it’s probably just me…
Guitars are tools to make music. Few guitar owners actually make music. Most just dream, talk and watch videos.
Every minute you aren't playing and actually getting better, there is someone who is.
If most guitar buyers rode a bike like they play guitar, they'd crash and kill themselves in the bike store parking lot.
Ive owned 2 SE's, a s2 McCarty and a CE24 and I've ended always trading them back in for something else, I've always wanted to love PRS's but I can never connect with them either. They're objectively great guitars, but to me anyway they feel like they don't have much soul to them
‘I’m your fooooool’. Ya see, I just think they’re overly expensive and they copy Gibson and Fender. I’ve decided not to buy any more guitars anyway, clearly I’m not going to love anything more than my 2002 Ibanez RG550. Ha. As beat up as it is.
It’s great that you found that Ibanez though! All other guitars have some tough competition
ive seen alot of people say the same thing about prs guitars they are great guitars objectivley but its hard to get attatched to them to me they seem too modern for me and i prefer vintage style guitars
No you are not alone in your opinion on PRS guitars,I have a singlecut PRS that I just cant get on with !!! Theres a smug politeness about them & I really dislike the doublecut & headstock design !!! Great guitars should be eye candy first to act like a magnet to us !! Like my reliced black guard Teles that I cant put down !!! The thought of reliced PRS sounds like the paranoia of scratching the new coffee table !!!!
Same here, I've owned a Custom 24 and a Hollowbody II Core model (yes the super expensive ones) and sold them both. I was drawn to how they look aesthetically, but did not inspire me to create music, something sterile about them imho.
as in plain? Flat frequency range?
I think a lot of that has to do with people constantly chasing tones from the past, which were established by gibson/fender in the 50-70s, and then ibanez/jackson etc in the 80s-90s. If sounding like your idols inspires you, I think sticking to the Gibsons and fenders is the way to go, but if youre looking to create something new and are looking for your own print, there are so many other brands doing some really great stuff in the guitar world, including PRS. Having said that, once I played a proper Les Paul, the Gibson stuff no longer cuts it, unless its super high end.
There could definitely be elements of that subconsciously - I feel for me it’s a visual aesthetic which I’m not fond of, despite the fact there’s models that look so striking & nice. Perhaps my influence on the instrument is so deep rooted with my favourite artists being very much Gibson/Fender advocates that I can’t subconsciously connect with PRS because they don’t tie into that initial influence…
@@RobGalley yea theres definitely a lot of that with me too. Fortunately, because I also ended up liking a lot of 80s and modern rock/and metal, I opened up to other brands too. Ibanez, Charvel, Godin, PRS and ESP are doing some great stuff. Still, only a good Les paul/strat/tele can do what they are designed for. Its the reason I have at least one of each! But I do think artists like John Mayer will start to change that for PRS as we are starting to see with the silver sky.
Agreed - they are just uninspiring - no mojo. Not keen on the shape, headstocks, the tuner layout on their S Type and the bird inlays.
The Strats with the 3 by 3? I guess it's good to have that difference between actual Fenders with the tuners all in line.
Its an objectively better headstock shape and break angle, from a design and practicality standpoint. They stay in tune and intonate better than a Gibson 3 and 3 or Fender 6 inline, and I own multiple guitars of each. They also have superior bridges, factory nuts, and setups, out of the box, in addition to unquestionably better frets. As far as the "mojo" that's the same absurd argument Rhett makes, in a bizarro world where Fender and Gibson's poor QC and the wild variability between different instruments of the same brand, model, and year, play completely different. You can't find a core model PRS that doesn't ship as an excellent instrument. You can routinely find US made Gibson and Fender guitars with significant functional and cosmetic issues that effect playability. The list of wildly talented players who use those "uninspiring" instruments dwarfs the guys on youtube who seemingly believe disliking the best American guitar brand is somehow cool or counterculture.
I just baught my first prs and it shows up with a nasty ding in the body and unpolished frets. Sent it back...
Being a Gibson player for more years than I care to remember, I can honestly say that much like Mr. Schull I have yet to play a PRS guitar that makes me feel anything as well. It's almost as if they're too "perfect". They all tend to sound rather empty and hollow to my ears. And there was an incident with an overly aggressive salesman that really turned me off. I know that shouldn't have anything to do with the actual instrument, however this was the early 90's when PRS was trying to make more inroads, and they had saturated the market. So stores were stuck with them.
when it comes down to guitar preferance a lot of it has to do with the x factor a guitar has for someone, i try not to dwell on that too much and think of versatility and what am i getting for my money, i used to have a PRS hollowbody 1 with piezo which i recently sold, and it was very good, like a nice les paul but without the weight and a more comfortable body, but it didnt suit my gigging style,
recently i sold 2 parker flys and the hollowbody 1, with that kind of money i could get just about anything, my current gigging guitar is an ibanez AZ prestige twin humbucker model which does it all, i ended up buying a PRS custom 24 08 model with 8 different tones,
initial thoughts i didnt like it, but that was with the factory setup which is pretty awful, after lowering the action and raising the neck pickup the guitar is now playing and sounding as it should, it is better than the ibanez? in some ways, it doesnt have as much grunt but its more articulate, the trem is way better it actually stays in tune,
it certainly looks a lot nicer which makes me more reluctant to gig it as it is a thief magnet, another plus for the AZ is that is has stainless steel frets, the CU24 doesnt sound twice as good as the ibanez because its twice as expensive, however i think the money is in the construction the feel and the looks, it just feels expensive and it is literally effortless to play, it doesnt feel workman like, it feels luxurious, and with luxury items they are never value for money, but in this case i thought fuck it, it was an s2 standard i wanted in satin black, which was the guitar Rhett recommended, but there were none available, no CE available either, but i have no regrets, this thing is a hell of a guitar that you can get just about any sound out of in a thin body with a non locking trem that stays in tune with looks and playability to die for.
I actually dont like all their guitars, or some of the ones others consider their best, but then theres the s2 standard 22, which I love, as well as the 594 in singlecut only, and the silversky. I always have hated playing the pauls guitar.
"There's "something" about PRS guitars you don't like, but you just don't know what it is?" That doesn't seem to make much sense. I did see a guy cut open one of their acoustic models (the P20 parlor), and I thought the underside was haphazardly glued constructed, and I've seen several people on RUclips complain of broken tuning knobs on this model, etc. May be the electric options are of much better quality.
"Feel nothing when I play them" - Rhett. Ok. That reflects an irrational bias, but ok. :)
I hear you. I’m a weirdo that only likes Yamaha guitars.
This is very true and even more pronounced with acoustics. Try cheap vs nice acoustic guitars and you will notice how dead the cheap chinese/indonesian ones sound and feel. I think with electric guitars it is more about prestige /persona. PRS, Ibanez, etx are far more niche and rarely played among legendary artists. Whereas if you idolize Jimi, Clapton, etc anytime you pick up a strat you will feel a tiny bit like you could be them. PRS just lacks that same gravitas; however, their instruments are undeniably more premium.
I hated Gibson SGs until I played one, and now I swear by mine. I have yet to have that experience with PRS. They do nothing for me, but I also seem to be alone in my indifference to them.
PRS have great tone, build, and feel great, I give them that.
But I absolutely LOATHE the SE silhouette shape. I just see nothing appealing in the design. Their strat and les Paul models look great! But the signature prs SE model guitars are so unaesthetic. Perhaps its the cutaway horns that look way too out of place and the body being too big proportionally? I can't explain it but the shape in itself is a big turnoff for me unfortunately.
I felt the same way when I bought one based on playability and tone but it strangely grew on me. Now I prefer that style
@ggreloaded5269 yeah I also felt the same towards telecasters at first but now I think they're pretty cool. Still not a fan of the SE but who knows that could change later on
@@Tayy_B I second that, Telecaster is also one for me. Grew up disliking the look and now I prefer it over the Strat. Taste change, we change with time.
I'll play my Godin first. Prefer my charvel and my Washburn has a better feel and playability.
I HATE how PRS guitars look. Always have. Very well made but, I hate the headstock design. Not a fan of the body either. I’d gladly take an LP Studio over the most expensive PRS any day.
PRS lacks that legacy of brands like Gibson and Fender and I think ultimately that's why people feel like they "lack character." They iterate and improve rather than embrace the well known issues that companies like Gibson are tied down to. Every time Gibson tries to "improve" the Les Paul it seems like it's always met with backlash. PRS' guitars are constantly evolving and improving, but don't have the souls of the past guitar gods embedded in them.
I don't own a Les Paul, but if I were to go out and buy one I think it'd have to be some sort of Gibson Les Paul Standard (or custom) with the binding around the neck and body. Maybe after owning the first one I'd be more willing to venture away from that; I know Epiphone makes brilliant guitars for a lot less money, and brands like Heritage perhaps make them better than Gibson does, but it really does come down to seeing that "Gibson" on the headstock. It makes me feel in some way connected to the countless amazing guitarists that played one before me.
I DO own some MiA and MiM Fenders and after getting the "real deal" it's kind of unlocked the ability to appreciate the squiers more because it's not just me rationalizing that while not knowing what I'm missing out on, but really understanding how good they are.
I'm certain that my feelings about this are rather shallow but I'm also certain that a lot of other guitarists feel the same way, even if they won't admit it to anyone else or perhaps even themselves. I want to play the guitars my heroes played and in turn having those guitars inspires me to play more.
I think that has a lot to do with it
So Gibson and Fender are better brands because they offer lower quality instruments? Lmao
@@elivanluiz5527 They're "better" brands because they're recognizable and have been played on countless records by guitarists that guitarists admire.
So yeah, they're kind of forced to keep making the same guitar even if some parts of their design are certainly flawed. The headstock on a Gibson is a well known weak point, but if you fix that issue (like PRS has), it kind of betrays the identity of the Les Paul and stops being that same guitar that your heroes used. It's a fine line trying to maintain the identity of the instrument while updating it to be a better guitar.
The reality is that people's enjoyment of their guitars isn't based purely on the specifications, but also on how it makes them feel playing it.
@@brddork I do get your point but I personally don't see it that way, I don't think fixing mistakes that make an instrument play better while keeping it 99% identical makes lose its' own identity. I would personally rather own a guitar that has better tuning stability, for example. I think I would still be able to get close to the sound and feel of, let's say, Frusciante, with a Silver Sky, while getting more value for money than with a Fender.
Of course that's just me, I understand that not everyone sees it the same way and that's fine.
To be clear, I haven't ever owned or played a PRS so I can't tell for myself if they're better of if I like them better. I'm just going of the basis that they're better quality instruments (and better looking, in my opinion) from what I've heard and seen.
Then again, if you like Gibsons and Fenders better then by all means go for it mate. I'm not tryna force my views on anybody. Cheers!
@@elivanluiz5527 I agree with you, but people are very adamant about getting something as close as possible to the guitars that others have played before them even if it means they get a technically inferior guitar.
I think most people would benefit from shedding their brand biases, but that's harder for some than for others. You can definitely get more guitar for your money in pretty much every price segment if you're not particular about brand or a specific look.
American PRS guitars feel cold, formal and dead. Well built for sure, maybe to well built? Not sure what it is, but I hate playing them.
I’m the same with single coils and el34 amps
Ive picked up a few silver skys and they sucked lol the les paul copy is pretty good but i just felt like i needed tl cut my hair to play it
I am done with PRS myself actually after owning 4 there won’t be a 5th 😐 have you ever noticed that on a core PRS they intentionally use a unattractive top in order to force you to buy a 10 top with the upgrade costing as much as other guitars 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️ Paul has always said about his outrageous pricing that his prices are not high it’s just that you don’t want it bad enough 😳 well congratulations Paul I don’t want it bad enough 🥂
I didn’t know that! But I agree, I don’t want it bad enough either
@@RobGalley , Yes!
Cognitive bias is a hell of a thing. Haven’t seen an ugly core yet. You ok?
@@StupidGuitar OPEN YOUR EYES 🤦🏻♂️ if they were amazing I would say that they are amazing (ITS AN OPTION)
@@scottanderson4175 lol the all caps. It’s okay to take the feedback like an adult and not a child
gibson and prs are like harley davidson to me.
its not for me or advertised to me haha
PRS and Yamaha guitars are the same , Well made but no mojo !
Unpolular opinion? Where? I believe I would enjoy the feel of a PRS more than anything, but the sound feels dead to me, also the big bodies and spaced-out controls look ugly. Maybe a pickup change?
Agreed, seem like great guitars with great reputation...but they do absolutely nothing for me. If you like PRS, that's awesome and I'm happy for you. I personally dont.
I have a PRS custom SE Zebrawood, just like the one @0:17. I bought it from Sweetwater new for $700, and had them Plek the frets and it's a great guitar. I also have a Kramer Baretta Special that cost $199. It wasn't Plek'd, and I changed the trem and tuners. I bond way more with the Kramer than the PRS, even tho the PRS is great. Some guitars have "mojo", and some don't.
I guess mojo & what defines mojo is simply down to each player’s own individual tastes!
It's the typical "I have this and I have that" comment. My goodness 😂
They are cheezy AF.
I have never understood the appeal of these guitars. They are so ugly. I remember seeing them 20 years ago when I was a kid and found them ugly back then. They are overdetailed. They try to be more fancy than Gibson and it just looks so kitsch. So many of the bursts are overdone with flame tops. The bird inlays have always looked dumb. If I had to pick a fancy guitar, an ES-335 in any of it's standard finishes (blonde, red, sunburst) with a dot neck looks way better than anything PRS has to offer.
Every one I have played does not have a distinctive sound. They either sound flat like modern metal guitars, or they sound vintage trying to copy a Fender or Gibson style tone. I tried the Silver Sky in a store, and it just sounds like other Strats I tried that day... except it had the stupid bird inlays and split tuners on the headstock. If I want a Strat sound, I'll just buy a Fender or Squier. If I want that Les Paul sound, I can get it from a real Gibson.
Rhett is exactly right. The tone is very generic, no life. There is nothing that separates it from the crowd tone wise :/. Nothing about the tone screams inspiration.
You don't have to like them, plain and simple....I don't either, and i also don't like martins, taylors, or gibsons....none of them do anything for me.
I don't like PRS's and will never own one, even if it's given to me.
Or I'll sell it to buy something else.
I've had three PRS's..hated all three and still hate them.They seem to have a very harsh high end and muddy low end. I've believed that was due to the 25" scale length, but recently read that they put bright caps on the volume pots to remedy their dull sounding pickups. Your not alone.
I hate them because they are cheesy copies of classic guitars, and the fact that they are being pushed by Mayer. However the 25" scale is just a compromise between the Gibson's and Fender's; that's not why they sound crappy. It's in the pickups and/or other wiring.
I’m in agreement with you.
I just can't. I bought a Custom 24 with a really gorgeous finish. I was amazed with the fret ends and how it seemed technically perfect. However, once I got it home and plugged it in it just sounded wrong. It didn't sound F or G just like some kind of "wrong" version of both. Something in the middle with no real sound that you'd associate with anything.
Now, it's been sitting in its case for a few weeks untouched. I guess I'll get around to selling it at some point. It's very sterile and generic. It has no soul. I don't like to pick it up or play it.
I DO like guitars that have their own sound. I was totally smitten with a Gretsch that I bought and will never give up. But this PRS is....not for me.
Opinions are like butt holes..everyone has one, you , me , Shultz Everyone.
For me, it's Gibson. Great instrument, but not for me.
PRS guitars are the ultimate lawyer/dad guitars, because you're either an old man or rich or both to be able to afford a USA-made one.
Or you know how to save money… I am neither rich nor old but able to buy expensive guitars… People should stop thinking in clichees
Gibson is just as expensive or more even than the S2 line which is American made in the same factory than the core line.
*BOOP* People who buy PRS also buy Porsche and Rolex coz imagination is for other people:)