NGD: PRS Collection V. That's it, game over.

[38thBeatle]

Seeing them all together like that is pretty impressive Dave. 

[Twinfan]

Uh oh.... holy cr@p!!! What the F is the one on the far right? Have I missed one of your NGD's or something? Wow... just WOW!  8)

I never announced it here on the forum, I don't tell you guys everything  ;)  It's a Signature Limited from the run of 400 released earlier this year in the colour Eriza Verde.

I use Nori (PS with trem) and Kermit (Sig Ltd) (#1 and #2 respectively) as my main gigging guitars. The Green Manalishi (Rainforest PS Sig) and Sir Charles (Collection V) are my go-tos at home. I'd like to try one of the new 408 Standard Rosewoods with a stoptail at some point, but with the non-Sig switching I'm not convinced I'd bond with it. A Modern Eagle 408 with trem will be worth me trying when one comes out too.

Tonally, I'm finding:

* Kermit - very strong in the midrange, with a slight "honk". A little harshness on the highs and it misses the lowest lows of the PS models. Great for Drop D, which is how I mainly use it.

* Nori - bright yet dark and thick, more lower midrange than the others. Works really well live with my Bogner XTC Classic quarter stack with V30s and used for 90-95% of my gig tracks. The workhorse.

* Green Manalishi - Open and clear, with the best qualities of Nori and Kermit. 'Clean' sounding with gain, open and pretty balanced with a slight upper midrange cut. Very balanced between neck/bridge tone too.

* Sir Charles - as per The Green Manalishi but with more of everything. More sustain, more clarity, more harmonic richness and a big roundness to the tone. Amazing touch sensitivity and real singing vocal quality to every note. Up the high end, and to quote my wife, "it sounds like the strings are 'O' thick!". The neck pickup has a real purring warmth and the bridge has bite and snarl, without ever sounding flabby or harsh. Such a "musical" sounding guitar - what an instrument.

I really hope Paul doesn't come up with anything to "better" 408s and/or pernambuco - I don't think my finances could stand it. As it is, I'm going to enjoy these guys as much as I possibly can  :D

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Family picture is too cool. You rock!

[Twinfan]

Ha ha!  Cheers!  I just love these 408 Signature models, they're "home" to me.

[PhilKing]

I like the Eriza Verde colour, but I'm still not sure on the pickups, though it looks like you really like them!   It is a stunning collection. 

[Twinfan]

Have you tried any 408s Phil?  I guess they're a bit like relics - you can either get past the looks or you can't, and for some that's a deal breaker.

[PhilKing]

Hi Dave, I haven't tried them, and I know I should, but it's always hard to tell the sound in a shop.  I was looking at an Artist V in Eriza Verde, which I was seriously thinking of getting, but decided on the Anniversary Lion for  now.  I was also very tempted to get your private stock when you had it up for sale, but I've just spent a lot of money on the house, so will have to wait to see what next year brings (or sell some guitars, since I really do have too many!).

[Twinfan]

It's a shame you're not local, you would have been very welcome to try my guitars out for size.  If you're in the UK sometime and fancy a visit just drop me a PM.

I think I'm going to try selling my PRS Henderson again, which will drop me down to 9 guitars.  I'm happy when I'm in single figures!

[PhilKing]

Thanks for the very generous offer.  I'll be over there next week, but have booked up all my time already!  Perhaps if you've some time around Christmas, as I have a couple of weeks there.  It would be really nice to hear them in a more relaxed setting (and I'd love to hear your 65 amps too!).

[Twinfan]

Give me a shout nearer the time Phil, I'm sure we can sort something out  :)

[Tellboy]

A lovely quartet! My favourite colours run left to right - love the blue quilt but have to differ from PhilKing... Eriza Verde is a fingers down your throat colour to me.:bio:

[Twinfan]

I have to be honest - I think Eriza Verde is an awful colour.  I got the guitar at a cracking price though, so I won't complain!

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Gotta say, even though I'm sure Chuck is the better player by miles, Manalishi is definitely my favorite to look at. Sounds like Kermit is your most "Les Paul" type of the 4.

[Twinfan]

I agree - Manalishi is the best looker for me too.  Chuck has cleanliness of playability by a nose, but it's very close across all of them.  None of them are Les Paul-ish to be honest, they're all very PRS  :)

[Philly Q]

I know I'm like a stuck record here, but loving those colours (including the Eriza Verde!  :P )