Author Topic: PRSs and PRS-styled guitars? (Read 8014 times)

carlaz · « **on:** November 21, 2005, 10:10:08 AM »

Quote from: tewboss

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?

froglord · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2005, 11:17:31 AM »

Quote from: carlaz

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.

carlaz · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2005, 05:19:45 PM »

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?

tewboss · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2005, 05:40:50 PM »

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.

_tom_ · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2005, 09:13:06 PM »

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?

froglord · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2005, 09:29:44 AM »

Quote from: carlaz

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?

carlaz · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2005, 10:50:02 AM »

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 :)

Floyd Pepper · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2005, 11:15:17 AM »

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.

Searcher · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2005, 06:08:13 PM »

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.

willo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2005, 07:27:26 PM »

Quote from: froglord

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 :(

big steve · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2005, 08:53:21 PM »

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.

carlaz · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2005, 11:57:47 AM »

Quote from: Searcher

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? :)

HJM · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2005, 12:07:30 PM »

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.

froglord · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2005, 01:01:09 PM »

Quote from: carlaz

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).

Floyd Pepper · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2005, 03:06:14 PM »

Quote

Melvyn Hisc--k

that guy's name makes me laught every time I heard it. :)

Good book though.