Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: carlaz on November 21, 2005, 10:10:08 AM
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I've got a Korean made "PRS" and its a pretty decent guitar - the stock pickups weren't great but that doesn't mean its not a good guitar.
How is it branded? I ask because I've long hoped that -- someday -- I'd pick up a Tele-style guitar and a PRS-style guitar (since after the LP-style, which I've got, I like those kinds of guitars). I've played some of the Mexican Teles, and thought they were pretty decent (though they'd need new pickups, obviously! :)), but I haven't explored PRSland very much.
I'm sure that one can get a tasty high-end PRS, but I've heard the stories of their quality control going south like Gibson's, and I remember the endless shopping around for a solid used Gibson I did! I suppose the PRS SE ranges would at least be cheaper, and perhaps quite nice once the pickups and perhaps other electronics were changed out, though maybe one has to shop around the SEs to find one that feels good, too.
Does PRS have one of these "under another name" things going on with the Asian market (like Gibson and Orville), or are there other manufacturers making good quality but less bank-breaking PRS-styled guitars?
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I'm sure that one can get a tasty high-end PRS, but I've heard the stories of their quality control going south like Gibson's
I disagree with this - I bought a Singlecut Trem last year and it's flawless. Unless something has happened since then, I'd say the American PRSes are some of the best-made production guitars you can buy.
I don't think PRS build guitars for anyone else, but the Korean SE series seem ripe for BKPing to me. They vary a bit in quality (I tried several and one seemed to "feel" more solid - might be something to do with the neck joint) but are generally pretty good. I seem to remember that the Volume pot was a bit "all or nothing", so that could probably do with a change too.
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I've also observed what I ought to have guessed: namely, that the low-end PRS seem to be 22-fret beasts. Already having a LP, part of the attraction of a PRS vibe is a 24-fret neck (also the groovy-curvy PRS body shape and decent construction). Anyone tried the Dean Hardtails? Any 24-fret models there that wouldn't brutalize the bank?
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Mine is the Tremonti SE (singlecut pre-lawsuit) model. It's got Nailbombs in it, and I had decent pots and jacks put in as well. In terms of branding it has "PRS SE" down the middle of the headstock, so its quite obvious its not the real thing! Oh yeah and I had the PRS Phase 2 tuners and the graphtech nut put on it. It is quite nice to play, and the company who makes them for PRS in Korea does have a good reputation for build quality. The original nut wasn't very well cut which is my only criticism of what is a lot of guitar for the money.
The PRS Custom SE does look very nice. I'm not sure how many frets it has, but the flaming looks good in the pictures I have seen.
I'm not sure how good the cheaper Dean hardtails are, but the US versions aren't a cheaper copy of the PRS as they are still pretty expensive.
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I played a Santana SE that I loved, it was so easy to play, wish I'd tried some out before I got my Epi really.
The brand Vintage do cheap PRS copies that might be worth a look?
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I've also observed what I ought to have guessed: namely, that the low-end PRS seem to be 22-fret beasts. Already having a LP, part of the attraction of a PRS vibe is a 24-fret neck (also the groovy-curvy PRS body shape and decent construction).
Yeah, you can't get a Korean PRS with 24 frets or curvy body. For that, the "cheapest" option is the American made CE 24 which has a bolt-on neck. Prices in UK are about £1200. God, I sound like a PRS salesman, don't I?
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Yeah, I looked at the CE24s. Very pretty, though once I had that cash, the temptation would be to save a bit more for a Standard 24. But since I don't have any of that cash ;) I think my PRS-style dreams will have to stay on hold a while longer!
Pickups for my current guitar are more realistic :)
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I tried a Korean PRS and really didn't like it. It felt very plasticy. Don't know what they use to finish those guitars but it didn't agree with me. No idea what it sounded like. I picked it up and put it straight back down again.
I borrowed a PRS Custom 22 once. Best guitar I've ever played.
And talking of PRS. If any of you have old PRS catalogues they're worth a mint. I recently eBayed a 1985 (or was it 1986) PRS catalogue for £120. The one I sold was from the 1st year they published a catalogue.
Just so you know, a Fender catalogue from the same year got £17 and a Yamaha £36.
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You could try Warmoth for a PRS-style guitar and assemble it yourself with whatever bits and pieces take your fancy at much less than you'd pay for a good PRS.
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Yeah, you can't get a Korean PRS with 24 frets or curvy body. For that, the "cheapest" option is the American made CE 24 which has a bolt-on neck. Prices in UK are about £1200. God, I sound like a PRS salesman, don't I?
Where are you finding them for that money over here? I tried some internet stuff today but had no luck :(
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ebay.co.uk, it's not uncommon for ce22s and ce24s to go for under £1000. go for a pre95 if you can, they don't have the nasty huge neck heel that the newer PRSs have.
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You could try Warmoth for a PRS-style guitar and assemble it yourself with whatever bits and pieces take your fancy at much less than you'd pay for a good PRS.
I thought about it! I'd love to build my own guitar, though I don't have the space for a little workshop area (or anything!).
Someday, when I've got the space, I'll probably give it a go. At least then I'd only have myself to blame for the sloppy gluing. ;)
That said .... can anyone recommend any good books on guitar building? :)
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The old CE s sound much better - they have more edge and a better rock tone, also they're more responsive. Old ones were a 2/3 piece alder body with a maple cap...mad with poor looking but good sounding timber. Mine has a three piece body and gives my friends '89 custom a good run for its money! New ones have a mahogany body which i don't think works too well wit the neck joint, it's not as juicy as a custom or as versatile as the old CE imho.
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That said .... can anyone recommend any good books on guitar building? :)
I've got Melvyn Hisc--k's "Make Your Own Electric Guitar" - very interesting and informative (and funny!), but I've never used it in anger (i.e. to actually build something).
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Melvyn Hisc--k
that guy's name makes me laught every time I heard it. :)
Good book though.
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:D i`m playing a Tradition PRS copy. Check out HC for reviews, then check out Ebay. I`ve had mine for about 18 months it cost £400 inc of postage etc. [ no case ] Obviously you need to upgrade the Electrics, P/U`s etc. 24 frets & glued neck, fixed bridge, Once it was set up it`s played realy well. Highly recommeded if you want a cheap PRS style [ body shape ] guitar.
:D 8)
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I'm lucky enough to live about 45 minutes from the largest PRS dealer in something like 3 states. They're the coolest people in the world, too, and don't mind at all when I go in about once a month, and play 10 or 12 guitars I have no chance of affording right now :)
Last time I was there, the owner said their stock was kinda low at the moment, as they only had 83 of them!
Oh yeah, I A/B'd a Santana SE and a Standard 22, and while the Standard was obviously nicer, the Santana wasn't nearly as far behind it as you'd think. The tremelo operation felt almost identical, and the necks felt very similar (both had the wide/fat profile).
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Anyone played any LAG guitars? Made in Korea and "finished" in France, I believe, and quite reasonably priced (in Europe). They've got some pretty stuff, and I've heard good things about their quality, though I think perhaps their vaguely PRS-ish models might only have 22 frets .....
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Anyone played any LAG guitars? Made in Korea and "finished" in France, I believe, and quite reasonably priced (in Europe). They've got some pretty stuff, and I've heard good things about their quality, though I think perhaps their vaguely PRS-ish models might only have 22 frets .....
they are the cheaper ones aren't they, the ones made in Korea? I'm sure the top ones they produce that go for £1000+ are made in France. Anyway, I really like the look of some of their stuff, a local guitar shop to me has started stocking the cheaper LAG's and promises to increase their range soon - I think I want to check them out!