Fancy a brand new American PRS for £700??

[dave_mc]

But guys, these are the PRS models for people who don't like PRS!  No maple tops, no birds, no bling!  The PRS equivalents of the Les Paul Jr and Les Paul Special!

Oh well, I like 'em anyway.  :lol:

that's the stuff I like about PRSes :lol:

How is the tone of the basswood?

EDIT: grandma hannon pink? WHAT THE $%&#?!?!?!?! :lol:

[nfe]

But guys, these are the PRS models for people who don't like PRS!  No maple tops, no birds, no bling!  The PRS equivalents of the Les Paul Jr and Les Paul Special!

But with scratchplates that are A - Rotten and B - Totally clashing with the vibe of the rest of the instrument.

I really don't get what they were thinking with these things. At least the ornamental ones have nice woods and colours and look like somebody thought about how they'd look for 13 seconds  :lol:

[Philly Q]

How is the tone of the basswood?

It's not really basswood, it's obeche.  They were originally calling it "African basswood" but it's not the same as the basswood usually used in guitars (although Wikipedia tells me they both belong to the Malvaceae, or Mallow family, for what it's worth  :lol: ).  I think Gordon Smith have made some obeche guitars in the past(?).

Anyway, it's extremely light (my Mira X is only a tiny fraction over 5 pounds) and very resonant.  Acoustically it doesn't sound fat like mahogany or snappy like ash, it's a loud, ringing but "dry" sort of sound (do I even know what I'm talking about here?  :? ).  I'd normally think of basswood as rather bland-sounding, acoustically, but TBH I haven't tried many basswood guitars.

As you know, I don't play through proper amps very much, but the Mira X seems to sound better (more "modern") with high gain than the regular mahogany Mira.  I love it to bits.

I really don't get what they were thinking with these things.

They were thinking of ME, obviously!  :lol:

 

[Afghan Dave]

But with scratchplates that are A - Rotten and B - Totally clashing with the vibe of the rest of the instrument.

100% spot on. Why do that it look so cheap?

[38thBeatle]

I quite like the look of the Mira X. I couldn't see me buying one but if I was in the market for a guitar, I wouldn't turn my nose up.I have never played one ( I have played quite a few PRS guitars though).

[MrBump]

I've always said I wouldn't get a PRS, but the Mira (not the "x") is the only guitar making my willy twitch at the moment.

Still don't like the "expensive" PRS's - way too showy for me.

But the Mira...  Hmmm...

[dave_mc]

It's not really basswood, it's obeche.  They were originally calling it "African basswood" but it's not the same as the basswood usually used in guitars (although Wikipedia tells me they both belong to the Malvaceae, or Mallow family, for what it's worth  :lol: ).  I think Gordon Smith have made some obeche guitars in the past(?).

Anyway, it's extremely light (my Mira X is only a tiny fraction over 5 pounds) and very resonant.  Acoustically it doesn't sound fat like mahogany or snappy like ash, it's a loud, ringing but "dry" sort of sound (do I even know what I'm talking about here?  :? ).  I'd normally think of basswood as rather bland-sounding, acoustically, but TBH I haven't tried many basswood guitars.

As you know, I don't play through proper amps very much, but the Mira X seems to sound better (more "modern") with high gain than the regular mahogany Mira.  I love it to bits.

Thanks :)

Yeah, I realise it's not "usual" basswood, that's kind of why I was wondering about the tone. Interesting that it copes better with high gain, as that's kinda what I'd be using it for (I've realised that I'd ideally want a hardtail guitar for E and drop D, Eb and drop Db and then D and drop C (that's 3 guitars, not 6, lol)). Though I'm not sure, with the short scale length, that it'd be much better than my Edwards LP (plus I'm not sure I like the looks, and having not tried one, wary that it's a PRS in name only, as often the cheaper models of a prestige brand can be- not saying it's the case, just I'm kinda paranoid and suspicious as a rule :lol: ).

I *think* I know what you mean about the "dryness", having an ibanez made out of "normal" basswood. :lol: I'm not entirely sure if I like that or not (not knowing if we even mean the same thing, :lol: ).

[Ian Price]

As you know, I don't play through proper amps very much

Philly, I feel like I should know this! What do you play through normally?

[Philly Q]

As you know, I don't play through proper amps very much

Philly, I feel like I should know this! What do you play through normally?

PODxt, one of those little Rat amps (upgraded Harley Benton GA5) and, if I'm feeling brave, Orange Tiny Terror. 

But I actually sit around playing unplugged a lot of the time.  I feel like I'm a good judge of the acoustic properties of an electric, even if I do know $%&# all about amps.  :lol:

[Philly Q]

I *think* I know what you mean about the "dryness", having an ibanez made out of "normal" basswood. :lol: I'm not entirely sure if I like that or not (not knowing if we even mean the same thing, :lol: ).

It's like the note "blooms" very quickly (and loudly) but you don't quite get the complex undertones of mahogany or korina.  It seems like the note drops off a little quicker, but that may be an aural illusion as sustain is very good when amplified.

I'm not sure I like the looks, and having not tried one, wary that it's a PRS in name only, as often the cheaper models of a prestige brand can be- not saying it's the case, just I'm kinda paranoid and suspicious as a rule :lol: ).

In the last few years I've had 3 "proper" PRS models, as it were - no maple tops, mind! - and the Mira X.  It's definitely not a PRS in name only!  Hardware, pickups and electronics are identical to the pricier models, the finishing, fretting etc are every bit as good.  The cost-cutting is in the timber (which may be cheaper but it sounds great!), the simpler body styling and the PRS logo on the headstock is a decal rather than the usual metallic lettering.  That's it.

Only thing I don't know is if the obeche bodies are one-piece like the mahogany ones - I would assume, just going by the cost, that they're probably 2 or 3 piece but I really can't see any joins on mine.   Then again, I have no idea how big obeche trees are!

It's worth trying one, Dave, if you can.  I was very wary because of the unusual timbers, I'm so used to mahogany, but whenever I pick up the Mira X it just feels and sounds right, it always makes me smile.  Who knows, maybe I was lucky and got the only good one!   :lol:

[Ian Price]

Cheers for that info Philly - maybe I'll try a Mira X out when I have bit more cash. Not likely to be any time soon though  :(

[AndyR]

Cheers for that info Philly - maybe I'll try a Mira X out when I have bit more cash. Not likely to be any time soon though  :(

[GasCouncellingWhisper]
It's not a strat, Ian...
It's not a strat...
It's RW strat money...
But it's not a strat...
...and you want a strat...
And, anyway, how can it possibly sound as good as your BG'd Baja...
[/GasCouncellingWhisper]

:D

EDIT: But, that is cool info there Philly - almost convinces me as well... Mebbe you should've brought that one to the last meet :lol:

[Philly Q]

EDIT: But, that is cool info there Philly - almost convinces me as well... Mebbe you should've brought that one to the last meet :lol:

What did I bring?  :?

Oh yeah, the Road Worn Tele Deluxe!  I probably would've brought the Mira X otherwise, although I didn't think there'd be much interest.

[dave_mc]

It's like the note "blooms" very quickly (and loudly) but you don't quite get the complex undertones of mahogany or korina.  It seems like the note drops off a little quicker, but that may be an aural illusion as sustain is very good when amplified.

In the last few years I've had 3 "proper" PRS models, as it were - no maple tops, mind! - and the Mira X.  It's definitely not a PRS in name only!  Hardware, pickups and electronics are identical to the pricier models, the finishing, fretting etc are every bit as good.  The cost-cutting is in the timber (which may be cheaper but it sounds great!), the simpler body styling and the PRS logo on the headstock is a decal rather than the usual metallic lettering.  That's it.

Only thing I don't know is if the obeche bodies are one-piece like the mahogany ones - I would assume, just going by the cost, that they're probably 2 or 3 piece but I really can't see any joins on mine.   Then again, I have no idea how big obeche trees are!

It's worth trying one, Dave, if you can.  I was very wary because of the unusual timbers, I'm so used to mahogany, but whenever I pick up the Mira X it just feels and sounds right, it always makes me smile.  Who knows, maybe I was lucky and got the only good one!   :lol:

Thanks Philly. I really doubt I'd be able to try one, I don't think there are any PRS dealers in Northern Ireland at all, there might be one in Dublin (but whether or not it'll have the Mira X, I have no idea... plus the train ticket would likely cost more than it'd cost me to buy one and send it back if I didn't like it :lol: ).

That's good to hear that it's the same quality of hardware, fretting etc. as the dearer ones.

I really dunno. It's so long since I've tried a PRS too, I can barely even remember what they're like :lol: I suspect I'll do the sensible thing and pass, I love getting a bargain but sometimes it feels like I'm buying stuff only because it's a bargain :lol:

I'll probably change my mind in about half and hour :roll:

[Philly Q]

I suspect I'll do the sensible thing and pass, I love getting a bargain but sometimes it feels like I'm buying stuff only because it's a bargain :lol:

I'll probably change my mind in about half and hour :roll:

I'm almost the opposite - I hardly ever buy anything that's a bargain!  I want something so badly I pay over the odds for it, then two months later every shop in the country has them, and £200 cheaper.  :roll:

This PRS offer is one of the few good deals I've ever spotted!