I've recently got back my 2004 PRS SE Soapbar and that is genuinely my best playing guitar. I used it for recorded recently and it was spot on. I've had a couple of the humbucker equipped ones in the past (245 etc) and they've all been consistently good.
Nice one, Dunsy! I became a PRS guy around four years ago, after playing vintage style guitars for decades. I find the PRS much easier on my aging hands, with the 10 inch neck radius and 25 inch scale. I have two S2 Standard 24s, and I absolutely love them. And the idea that PRS guitars have no soul is such nonsense. Tell that to John McLaughlin or Jimmy Herring!
A very easy to play guitar, I have to say. Stays perfectly in tune too. Have you kept the stock pickups in or have you tried anything else in there? I’m considering trying something different in the bridge position. But not 100% sure at the moment.
My S2s have the 85/15s, which is a very bright and clear, modern sounding HB. I like them a lot. The new version of my S2s have 58/15s, which are more PAF-like. If my S2s had those, I’d consider replacing them. But that’s just my individual preference.
I first played a PRS at West L.A. Music in the summer of '87. I had actually popped in the store with the idea of buying a Hamer Chapparal. But I was mesmerized by this white PRS Custom, one of those early models with three knobs and a sweet switch. I plugged it into the Jubilee and was swept away. What a wonderful guitar! It looked great, played great, sounded great, balanced great. It was a true work of art. But the price was out of my range and after playing the PRS I played the Hamer, and it just didn't feel as great as it did before. No guitar did. The PRS was the most comfortable instrument I'd ever played. But I didn't actually get one till a few years ago, and it was an SE. I absolutely love it and will probably be getting the Mira SE soon, if not the McCarty SE. I love the SE line. I find they are more well-made than Gibsons. I never cared where a guitar was made, but how it was made. I bought an original ESP Horizon in '87 when I was thinking of getting a Jackson Soloist. The Horizon blew it out of the water for half the price with a case. I also love Yamaha. Great guitars. I've owned many. I love the Pacifica line and the Revstars.
Yeah, I did a bit of research on earlier PRS guitars for this video. I remember at the time they were so expensive - especially for a brand that I really didn’t know anything about. But the tops looked spectacular and they played great. Back then it was way too much for me to drop on a guitar. Interestingly those pink ones from the 80’s seem to command a pretty good price these days - I should have bought it for investment purposes!
I love both the solid colors and the natural wood stains accentuating the maple tops. Gorgeous instruments. I'm one of those players who has mostly used bang around strats most of my career, going on forty years now. At this point, where I am now at half a century, I just want to play a guitar that plays like butter, sounds like caramel, and looks like chocolate. That's a PRS. And I am very happy with the SE line. They are god's gift to guitar players. I find them better in quality on average than most Gibsons and Jacksons. PRS have done a fine job in bringing the whole experience to a better price point. This is not to say I don't think core models are worth it. If I had the money, I'd buy one in a hot second. I've always wanted one. But I am happy and satisfied with the SEs I have owned. Some of the finest guitars I have ever owned or played. And the stock pickups are great. I only changed the pups in one PRS and that was because it was the Allender model, the one with the flying bats rather than birds, and a set of EMGs, which are not my thing. I ran through dozens of DiMarzio and Duncan sets I owned before setting on the JB/Jazz set which worked amazingly well. But if it came with the solid stock passives most SEs come loaded with I would have left them. Even the SEs have great stock pups. I've tried a McCarty Core like yours at a shop and was totaly blown away. What a fine instrument! The looks, the feel, the tone. It's all there. And those pickups are perfect. @@DunsysGuitarWorld
Nice one Dunsy, I never thought of a PRS either until I picked up a Bernie, the build quality was really good (they were made in Korea).it was my first step up price-wise in the guitar market. The neck felt nice, based on the 'beast' he says in an interview launch. And two runs of limited edition which appealed to me, there's not many second hand ones up for sale since his sad demise. Ok it's not a world beater but can be a good solid axe to modify with some decent pickups and maybe a Manmade branded bridge system. I think the first first launch of 50 limited were made in the states with better quality parts and specs. The Trampas Green or Spalted Maple are probably the one a collector would look out for. Have a good weekend everyone 👍
I did like the Bernie one I played - but, for whatever reason, it wasn’t saying “buy me”. I don’t think I bought anything that day, actually, other than a set of strings. Sometimes the new guitar buying is strong, sometimes it’s better left for another day. This guitar feels like a good all rounder for covering most of the stuff I do. And it plays great. I haven’t tried it at rehearsal volume as yet, so I’ll get a better idea of the pickups when I do.
I've had two SE models. Solid guitars. Sounded good, looked cool, played and felt fine. Sold both within a couple of months after buying. Just didn't bond with 'em. I hope you fare better with yours. Btw, I actually like the finish on it.
Yeah, I think looking at maybe replacing the bridge pickup is in order for this one. I think if you were ever just going to own one guitar, than could be used for everything - except maybe extreme Metal - a PRS is a good call. For me, for live use, a brighter sounding bridge pickup is maybe required.
If you want a brighter bridge pup there is the Duncan Pearly Gates. Phenomenal hotter sounding PAF. Also, the Duncan Saturday Night Special. It's even hotter. But if you want someting that will bridge the gap beteen 70s classic rock tones like Michael Schenker and 80s hair metal than I'd recommend the Duncan Custom SH-5 ceramic. It's got brightness and power, and it also has tremendous clarity. Paul Reed Smith used to put these and other Duncans in his earlier models before he started to build his own pickups. I've watched concert footage of DiMeola playing in thelate 80s and if he wasn't using some DiMarzio I never tried he was using either a Duncan Custom or Paul's version of it in his guitars.@@DunsysGuitarWorld
Awesome stuff Dunsy! 😎👍 Loved the end Jam #Chops&Vibes 👌Bill Wthers-esque Use me BT (You always find the best BT's!) Also loved the neck pickup clean tone. It's got that Tim Pierce sound. Cheers 🍻
Awesome video and great playing as well amigo! But I have to agree with you I wasn’t crazy about the pickups either. Not as much bite as I would have liked
Not had an S2 but I have a PRS CE24 with the mahogany body, it plays really well, has a great neck, great pick ups (58/15s). Just a really good guitar. Sits along my collection of japanese guitars and is played often!
I'm enjoying this one for sitting jamming to anything at home - tons of different tones for any kinda style. Well built and a great player. The PRS, I mean, lol!
I play a Yamaha SG 2000 in my Santana tribute band. By far the best and most pleasantly playable guitar I've ever owned. So I always wondered why Carlos ditched his Yamaha and switched to PRS. So recently I was in a guitar shop that had plenty of PRS guitars for sale and kind of acted that I was thinking about buying one. I tried a few custom shop PRS guitars and the only think I could imagine be a reason to prefer them above my Yamaha would be the weight. But for the rest, the PRS' I played didnt even come close to my Yammie. I actually was a bit disappointed in the PRS guitars as I found the playability similar to my Fender Strat, which is good, but at prices that high I was expecting them to be waaaay better.
Great video. I've been fancying a S2 Mira for a while. Might get one one day. Only PRS I have at the moment is a 245 SE. Really nice guitar, big 50's style neck. Cool jam at the end Dunsy 👍. Was that the Kemper? Nice tone. What profile was it?
Cheers Steve. Yeah, for some reason I always thought of PRS neck profiles as being wide and thin. Turns out that’s not the case at all. I pretty much always use Michael Britts Kemper profiles. They really are good. For a bit of dirt on the end track here I was probably using a JTM45 with a boost in front. Although sometimes the Fender Champ, with overdrive in front, is really nice as well. Like most folks I ended up with hundreds of available sounds and use about 4 of them, lol 😂
I still own an S2 singlecut from when they first brought out a few years ago. The stock pickups were really dull but it played lovely. Mike put a set of Seth Lovers in it and that sweetened it up no end. I use it for recording as it’s so nice to play and its sound but it’s never been gigged. Mebbes a case for a cheeky upgrade?
I think changing out the bridge pickup is definitely on the cards for live. I rarely use the neck pickup in battle conditions. Playing wise though, absolutely zero complaints. They’re well made guitars for sure.
PRS guitars are certainly great in every respect. However, these guitars are not really my style and I will never buy one. PRS guitars seem to be very polite and composed guitars, and I am rather a guitar rebel 😉🤣🎸. Thanks Dunsy for great video! Great sound as always!👍🤘😊
Yeah, I totally get that - for some people these are guitars they would likely never own. I was surprised when I tried this one that I ended up liking it so much.
Not a problem - maybe “5 Easy Saxon Songs” in the one lesson? Yeah, that first one I tried way back when, I’m sure was in Les Paul Custom price territory. A lot to pay for a guitar that I really knew nothing about.
I wonder if the lack of interest in the old PRS guitars is cos none of our heroes played them? I have a laundry list of guitars Id love to own and none of them are PRS guitars , never tried one , I have wondered how they played but not to the extent that I would go out my way to try one . Also PRS himself seems like a bit of a dick so there is that aspect for me anyway. I had the same Reaction to Gibson when they started all the "play Authentic" stuff too. I know Fender are Probably no better but they have the sense to keep their mouth shut.
I think that's totally it. Never saw many players I liked much playing them - must have been a good while ago I tried that one in Sound Control. But I remember thinking "how much?!".
I have a PRS MIKSCJR it has only one volume control. I had a MIKDC that didn’t last. I can’t get into the bird inlays, which is the main dealbreaker for not buying a US model.
You have a beautiful new guitar Dunsy!!!
I've recently got back my 2004 PRS SE Soapbar and that is genuinely my best playing guitar. I used it for recorded recently and it was spot on. I've had a couple of the humbucker equipped ones in the past (245 etc) and they've all been consistently good.
Really well made guitars and the tuning stability is perfect. I'm swithering on changing out the bridge pickup though.
@@DunsysGuitarWorld On the 245 I had several year ago, I found some US PRS humbuckers fairly cheap on EBay and put them in. Made a big difference
Nice one, Dunsy! I became a PRS guy around four years ago, after playing vintage style guitars for decades. I find the PRS much easier on my aging hands, with the 10 inch neck radius and 25 inch scale. I have two S2 Standard 24s, and I absolutely love them. And the idea that PRS guitars have no soul is such nonsense. Tell that to John McLaughlin or Jimmy Herring!
Agreed 👍
A very easy to play guitar, I have to say. Stays perfectly in tune too. Have you kept the stock pickups in or have you tried anything else in there? I’m considering trying something different in the bridge position. But not 100% sure at the moment.
My S2s have the 85/15s, which is a very bright and clear, modern sounding HB. I like them a lot. The new version of my S2s have 58/15s, which are more PAF-like. If my S2s had those, I’d consider replacing them. But that’s just my individual preference.
I first played a PRS at West L.A. Music in the summer of '87. I had actually popped in the store with the idea of buying a Hamer Chapparal. But I was mesmerized by this white PRS Custom, one of those early models with three knobs and a sweet switch. I plugged it into the Jubilee and was swept away. What a wonderful guitar! It looked great, played great, sounded great, balanced great. It was a true work of art. But the price was out of my range and after playing the PRS I played the Hamer, and it just didn't feel as great as it did before. No guitar did. The PRS was the most comfortable instrument I'd ever played. But I didn't actually get one till a few years ago, and it was an SE. I absolutely love it and will probably be getting the Mira SE soon, if not the McCarty SE. I love the SE line. I find they are more well-made than Gibsons. I never cared where a guitar was made, but how it was made. I bought an original ESP Horizon in '87 when I was thinking of getting a Jackson Soloist. The Horizon blew it out of the water for half the price with a case. I also love Yamaha. Great guitars. I've owned many. I love the Pacifica line and the Revstars.
Yeah, I did a bit of research on earlier PRS guitars for this video. I remember at the time they were so expensive - especially for a brand that I really didn’t know anything about. But the tops looked spectacular and they played great. Back then it was way too much for me to drop on a guitar. Interestingly those pink ones from the 80’s seem to command a pretty good price these days - I should have bought it for investment purposes!
I love both the solid colors and the natural wood stains accentuating the maple tops. Gorgeous instruments. I'm one of those players who has mostly used bang around strats most of my career, going on forty years now. At this point, where I am now at half a century, I just want to play a guitar that plays like butter, sounds like caramel, and looks like chocolate. That's a PRS. And I am very happy with the SE line. They are god's gift to guitar players. I find them better in quality on average than most Gibsons and Jacksons. PRS have done a fine job in bringing the whole experience to a better price point. This is not to say I don't think core models are worth it. If I had the money, I'd buy one in a hot second. I've always wanted one. But I am happy and satisfied with the SEs I have owned. Some of the finest guitars I have ever owned or played. And the stock pickups are great. I only changed the pups in one PRS and that was because it was the Allender model, the one with the flying bats rather than birds, and a set of EMGs, which are not my thing. I ran through dozens of DiMarzio and Duncan sets I owned before setting on the JB/Jazz set which worked amazingly well. But if it came with the solid stock passives most SEs come loaded with I would have left them. Even the SEs have great stock pups. I've tried a McCarty Core like yours at a shop and was totaly blown away. What a fine instrument! The looks, the feel, the tone. It's all there. And those pickups are perfect. @@DunsysGuitarWorld
Gorgeous guitar Dunsy, all the luck with it!
Thank ya!
Nice one Dunsy, I never thought of a PRS either until I picked up a Bernie, the build quality was really good (they were made in Korea).it was my first step up price-wise in the guitar market. The neck felt nice, based on the 'beast' he says in an interview launch. And two runs of limited edition which appealed to me, there's not many second hand ones up for sale since his sad demise. Ok it's not a world beater but can be a good solid axe to modify with some decent pickups and maybe a Manmade branded bridge system. I think the first first launch of 50 limited were made in the states with better quality parts and specs. The Trampas Green or Spalted Maple are probably the one a collector would look out for. Have a good weekend everyone 👍
I did like the Bernie one I played - but, for whatever reason, it wasn’t saying “buy me”. I don’t think I bought anything that day, actually, other than a set of strings. Sometimes the new guitar buying is strong, sometimes it’s better left for another day. This guitar feels like a good all rounder for covering most of the stuff I do. And it plays great. I haven’t tried it at rehearsal volume as yet, so I’ll get a better idea of the pickups when I do.
Awesome guitar. My brother has a prs .. he love's it
Nice guitars, for sure.
I have 7 of them. Totally love em.
Found your channel through Steve Cassidy !
Really like your presentation style. New subscriber !
Thank ya, buddy! Steve’s a good guy, talks funny though, lol 😂. Appreciate you subscribing, 🍺👈
I've had two SE models. Solid guitars. Sounded good, looked cool, played and felt fine. Sold both within a couple of months after buying. Just didn't bond with 'em. I hope you fare better with yours. Btw, I actually like the finish on it.
Yeah, I think looking at maybe replacing the bridge pickup is in order for this one. I think if you were ever just going to own one guitar, than could be used for everything - except maybe extreme Metal - a PRS is a good call. For me, for live use, a brighter sounding bridge pickup is maybe required.
Solder on, sir!
If you want a brighter bridge pup there is the Duncan Pearly Gates. Phenomenal hotter sounding PAF. Also, the Duncan Saturday Night Special. It's even hotter. But if you want someting that will bridge the gap beteen 70s classic rock tones like Michael Schenker and 80s hair metal than I'd recommend the Duncan Custom SH-5 ceramic. It's got brightness and power, and it also has tremendous clarity. Paul Reed Smith used to put these and other Duncans in his earlier models before he started to build his own pickups. I've watched concert footage of DiMeola playing in thelate 80s and if he wasn't using some DiMarzio I never tried he was using either a Duncan Custom or Paul's version of it in his guitars.@@DunsysGuitarWorld
@@DunsysGuitarWorld Now you spend that kinda money for a guitar, then you shouldn't have to be putting in pickups and a saddle Dunsy.
Awesome stuff Dunsy! 😎👍
Loved the end Jam #Chops&Vibes 👌Bill Wthers-esque Use me BT (You always find the best BT's!)
Also loved the neck pickup clean tone. It's got that Tim Pierce sound.
Cheers 🍻
Thank ya, Sir! I was stretching a bit to keep this going for 7 minutes and consistently hit the non-jazz notes, lol!
Awesome video and great playing as well amigo! But I have to agree with you I wasn’t crazy about the pickups either. Not as much bite as I would have liked
Yeah, there's something a bit off with them for my style.
Not had an S2 but I have a PRS CE24 with the mahogany body, it plays really well, has a great neck, great pick ups (58/15s). Just a really good guitar.
Sits along my collection of japanese guitars and is played often!
I'm enjoying this one for sitting jamming to anything at home - tons of different tones for any kinda style. Well built and a great player. The PRS, I mean, lol!
Best tuning stability of any brand!
No slipping G string here. As they say…😆
@@DunsysGuitarWorldAmen!! Lol
I play a Yamaha SG 2000 in my Santana tribute band. By far the best and most pleasantly playable guitar I've ever owned. So I always wondered why Carlos ditched his Yamaha and switched to PRS. So recently I was in a guitar shop that had plenty of PRS guitars for sale and kind of acted that I was thinking about buying one. I tried a few custom shop PRS guitars and the only think I could imagine be a reason to prefer them above my Yamaha would be the weight.
But for the rest, the PRS' I played didnt even come close to my Yammie. I actually was a bit disappointed in the PRS guitars as I found the playability similar to my Fender Strat, which is good, but at prices that high I was expecting them to be waaaay better.
I just bought a Yamaha Revstar element and for the price it plays like a more expensive guitar.
I’m definitely loving my SG1000. Such a great guitar. Better than the PRS, I would say too.
Awesome 3😊❤
Thanks buddy 👍
Great video. I've been fancying a S2 Mira for a while. Might get one one day. Only PRS I have at the moment is a 245 SE. Really nice guitar, big 50's style neck. Cool jam at the end Dunsy 👍. Was that the Kemper? Nice tone. What profile was it?
Cheers Steve. Yeah, for some reason I always thought of PRS neck profiles as being wide and thin. Turns out that’s not the case at all. I pretty much always use Michael Britts Kemper profiles. They really are good. For a bit of dirt on the end track here I was probably using a JTM45 with a boost in front. Although sometimes the Fender Champ, with overdrive in front, is really nice as well. Like most folks I ended up with hundreds of available sounds and use about 4 of them, lol 😂
@@DunsysGuitarWorld Thanks for the info 👍
Awesome video six months in how are you feeling about it?
I still own an S2 singlecut from when they first brought out a few years ago. The stock pickups were really dull but it played lovely. Mike put a set of Seth Lovers in it and that sweetened it up no end. I use it for recording as it’s so nice to play and its sound but it’s never been gigged. Mebbes a case for a cheeky upgrade?
I think changing out the bridge pickup is definitely on the cards for live. I rarely use the neck pickup in battle conditions. Playing wise though, absolutely zero complaints. They’re well made guitars for sure.
I agree. The S2 pickups are duds although in every RUclips video they sound amazing. Go figure.
👍🏻👍🏻
On the neck pup your ears refuse to let you not think of Santana, bridge pup was Moore/ Gilmour vibes. I wonder what Ted Nugent had in his Zebra PRS?.
Only thing I read about his original ones were that Paul custom made the pickups.
@@DunsysGuitarWorld Yes I thought they would have been custom made.Thanks.
PRS guitars are certainly great in every respect. However, these guitars are not really my style and I will never buy one. PRS guitars seem to be very polite and composed guitars, and I am rather a guitar rebel 😉🤣🎸. Thanks Dunsy for great video! Great sound as always!👍🤘😊
Yeah, I totally get that - for some people these are guitars they would likely never own. I was surprised when I tried this one that I ended up liking it so much.
Looks good.
Not sure it would be great to play some fast metal.
Yeah, I’m not sure that these pickups would do high powered Metal very well.
This or an LP? Hard choice
For me, it would still be a Les Paul - not to say that this is any slouch, but I’m just more used to a LP after nearly 40 years.
@@DunsysGuitarWorld many thanks!!!
I always thought they were very expensive, which they were at the time.
Oh and you can do a tutorial of 747, please.
Not a problem - maybe “5 Easy Saxon Songs” in the one lesson? Yeah, that first one I tried way back when, I’m sure was in Les Paul Custom price territory. A lot to pay for a guitar that I really knew nothing about.
I hate the bird inlays on PRS
Having used Les Pauls for decades, I do find it a bit strange looking down at the fingerboard and seeing birds.
@@DunsysGuitarWorld I honestly detest them. Total put-off for me.
Pick up a DGT then try to put it down...
I wonder if the lack of interest in the old PRS guitars is cos none of our heroes played them? I have a laundry list of guitars Id love to own and none of them are PRS guitars , never tried one , I have wondered how they played but not to the extent that I would go out my way to try one . Also PRS himself seems like a bit of a dick so there is that aspect for me anyway. I had the same Reaction to Gibson when they started all the "play Authentic" stuff too. I know Fender are Probably no better but they have the sense to keep their mouth shut.
I think that's totally it. Never saw many players I liked much playing them - must have been a good while ago I tried that one in Sound Control. But I remember thinking "how much?!".
No more PRS guitars for me 🤦🏻♂️
Have you had a nightmare with one?
They still are expensive Dunsy. Your just making so much extra money from your guitar videos you could finally afford it lol.
I send my butler round in the helicopter to pick them up 😄
@@DunsysGuitarWorldCongratulations for having more guitars than the average bloke like me, I'm just jealous I wouldn't know how to play it, lol.
@@douglaschristine8387I’m not sure I play it any better! 😂
@@DunsysGuitarWorld sure you do, I've never played in a band.
@@douglaschristine8387I’m just really fortunate that I’ve always been able to keep playing, that’s all it is. Just keeping the chops up a bit.
PRS just doesn't do it for me at all
Guitars for dentists and lawyers!
I’m a man of all professions 😂. My career choice was on a much lower pay scale, that’s for sure!
I have a PRS MIKSCJR it has only one volume control. I had a MIKDC that didn’t last. I can’t get into the bird inlays, which is the main dealbreaker for not buying a US model.