New PRS Series - Itīs USA and mid priced!

[WezV]

I'm a PRS fan as everyone knows, but I think they've dropped the ball here.  I've heard the necks are made from multiple pieces - scarf jointed headstocks and built up heels.  Based on that, I think bodies will be multi-piece too.  The Bigsby on the Starla is a licensed version, not the real McCoy.  Fingerboards are fitted to the neck with frets pre-installed for speed of assembly.

I don't see the problem with going for a less wasteful use of wood to be able to offer a cheaper guitar.    There is nothing wrong with a scarf jointed headstock or a stacked heel if they are done well, and i would trust PRS to do this better than any other factory. although personally i would rather see a laminated 3-piece than stacked heel and scarf

also, going licensed bigsby makes some sense too.   the main difference is whether its sand cast (original) or die cast (licensed) . the licensed ones actually look a fair bit neater than the proper bigsbys and perform almost exactly the same.  there is a slight weight difference with licensed being lighter and they do use different bearings so you may feel a difference played side by side, but both perform just as well really.   I can't deny that i like the fact real Bigsbys still use the same old patterns made by Paul Bigsby

[Twinfan]

All good points from everyone, we all have our opinions though right?

Just another thing to add is that the S2s will be using the SE trem/hardware and I believe pickups too.  Basically, they're an SE Plus rather than a USA Minus (if that makes sense).

Personally, at Ģ1000-Ģ1100, I'd buy a mint used USA model.  I saw that Andrew W's gorgeous McCarty that he was selling on here sold for Ģ950 on eBay.  At that kind of resale, buying what I perceive as a lesser model new for the same money makes no sense at all...

[Philly Q]

Ģ950 for a McCarty?  Ouch.  :(

It does seem that PRS resale value is low at the moment, and has been for a while.  I'm sure they will go up eventually.

Glad I'm not looking to buy or sell any PRS guitars at the moment, I'm hanging on to the ones I've got.

[dvorak]

Ģ950 for a McCarty?  Ouch.  :(

It does seem that PRS resale value is low at the moment, and has been for a while.  I'm sure they will go up eventually.

Glad I'm not looking to buy or sell any PRS guitars at the moment, I'm hanging on to the ones I've got.

I bet the S2 models aren't going to help things further regarding resale value.

My Ģ600 Mira with just a few small dings is staying put though. Many 2nd hand PRSes are quite the deal.

Twinfan: Of course we are all having out opinions, but I'm not as negative. I feel the S2s can bridge a nice gap.

I know the SEs and even CEs got a lot of stick back in the day, and now everyone takes them for granted (SEs). That might happen to the S2 series as well.

[Twinfan]

It may do dvorak, and I know I'm being very negative.

I personally think PRS are too large a company for the market to stand (certainly here in the UK) and they're trying to create demand where it doesn't exist.  I feel they should have stayed as a smaller company, with nice higher end products and good resale.  Flooding the market with SE amps and cost-cut guitars like the Mira/Starla X that no-one buys does not help brand image.  They get massively discounted and then everyone excepts all PRS products to be heavily discounted....

[Philly Q]

I bet the S2 models aren't going to help things further regarding resale value.

Yeah, I think you could be right.  :|

But it might help create a myth about, and a demand for, "pre-S2" models.  :lol:

I'm going to stop all this grumbling soon ( :roll: ), but presumably these new S2 guitars don't comply with Paul Reed Smith's mystical "21 Rules of Tone" that he keeps going on about.

[Philly Q]

Flooding the market with SE amps and cost-cut guitars like the Mira/Starla X that no-one buys does not help brand image.  They get massively discounted and then everyone excepts all PRS products to be heavily discounted....

I bought a Mira X and a Starla X!   :oops:  :lol:


But you're dead right, they didn't seem to find an audience.  I could've bought 20 of 'em for Ģ599 or Ģ699 each from DV247 a couple of years ago, if only I'd known.....
and now I'd be selling them for Ģ399 on eBay.  :?

[dvorak]

It may do dvorak, and I know I'm being very negative.

I personally think PRS are too large a company for the market to stand (certainly here in the UK) and they're trying to create demand where it doesn't exist.  I feel they should have stayed as a smaller company, with nice higher end products and good resale.  Flooding the market with SE amps and cost-cut guitars like the Mira/Starla X that no-one buys does not help brand image.  They get massively discounted and then everyone excepts all PRS products to be heavily discounted....

It's normal human behavior being negative to change at first ;) That's why there are so many old people complaining that it was better in the old days  :D

Joke aside, it would be interesting to see how big part of Gibsons sales are in the Studio range. Just to see how big part of the market that segment is. My thoughts are that PRS don't want to create extra demand, but to steal Gibson studio customers (and other competing companies customers). It's a daring prospect, but it might work.

I do agree with you regarding the discounted models in some ways although I do still think the "core" models are on the outside, and that people are going to hopefully know it.

My first PRS was an SE, and it got me into the brand. It sort of confirmed that the specs like 25" scale and neck profiles were for me. That made me dare to take the plunge on an US CU24. And I didn't expect those kind of discounts because I know they were the real deal.

I would have the same view on a Gibson Les Paul standard, I wouldn't expect big discounts on one, but I would on a Studio.

Lets see what happens, but as long as these S2 models are good instruments, I'm not so worried.

[Lew]

Doesn't stop your current PRS from being the guitars that they are now :) it just gives the average Joe and you dentists something to chat about in queues  :lol:

[Twinfan]

I've no issues with my stuff, none at all!  I've just got issues with the company and the way it's currently expanding/heading.

I agree that the Gibson Studio range is what PRS are aiming at - but they're cheaper than the S2s and don't have the multi piece necks.  Mind you, "baked maple"  :roll:

[dave_mc]

I think I read that they had non-USA hardware (and maybe pickups? not sure on the pickups), too.

I'm with twinfan and philly, I'm not sure it's sensible for a company which is known for not cutting corners to start cutting corners. Don't get me wrong- I'm totally in favour of cutting costs where it doesn't affect the quality of the instrument (gibson les paul juniors and specials etc. are probably the obvious example of that). Just it's a fine line between doing that and actually decreasing the quality (which is a bad thing).

[Brow]

It may do dvorak, and I know I'm being very negative.

I personally think PRS are too large a company for the market to stand (certainly here in the UK) and they're trying to create demand where it doesn't exist.  I feel they should have stayed as a smaller company, with nice higher end products and good resale.  Flooding the market with SE amps and cost-cut guitars like the Mira/Starla X that no-one buys does not help brand image.  They get massively discounted and then everyone excepts all PRS products to be heavily discounted....

I for 1 am glad they DIDN'T, otherwise I never would've been able to have afforded my 3rd or 4th hand, dinged CU22 with changed odd machineheads and lacquer on headstock logo peeling off.

I can't think of a way to say this without sounding like a d1ck, that's not my intention at all, but not everybody is in a financial position where they can afford to drop many thousands of Ģs/$s on something as non life important as a guitar. If these guitars put people in a position where they're able to afford something nicer than what they currently play, and want to upgrade, I see no issue with this.

There is always the argument of "For a similar price buy a 2nd hand USA model" and I agree with you on this, but there are some people around who just won't buy 2nd hand guitars. I find it odd myself, but these people do exist, I know several!  :lol:

As said above, PRS are out to try and steal some of the 'Studio' customers from Gibson, they are a business after all and essentially exist to make money for their owners etc.

[dvorak]

I agree that the Gibson Studio range is what PRS are aiming at - but they're cheaper than the S2s and don't have the multi piece necks.  Mind you, "baked maple"

Who said anything about issues?  :D

Does the MSRP prices differ much? The street prices, at least in the US, are not going to be so bad after a while I bet. But we here in Europe are probably not as lucky, as always.

I thought Gibson glued their headstocks the same way as the S2s on all Les Pauls?

I think I read that they had non-USA hardware (and maybe pickups? not sure on the pickups), too.

I'm with twinfan and philly, I'm not sure it's sensible for a company which is known for not cutting corners to start cutting corners. Don't get me wrong- I'm totally in favour of cutting costs where it doesn't affect the quality of the instrument (gibson les paul juniors and specials etc. are probably the obvious example of that). Just it's a fine line between doing that and actually decreasing the quality (which is a bad thing).

Problem is that quality costs, so if you don't want to take the money out of an instrument anywhere you'd end up with the US prices in the end, and the same instrument too.

I find it quite cool that they are launching a more affordable guitar that can be enjoyed by a group that can't normally, or don't want to put down Ģ2000-3000 for a guitar.

It's going to be very interesting to try one of these out.

[Twinfan]

I thought Gibson glued their headstocks the same way as the S2s on all Les Pauls?

Nope, I believe all Les Pauls and SGs from the bottom to the top have one-piece necks and heels (with the exception of the headstock 'wings').

Brow - don't get me wrong, I see what they're aiming at and what they see the S2 series as, I just don't think enough customers are shouting for it or that they're much of an upgrade from an SE.  The 'X' series failed a few years ago and I don't see the S2s as an improvement in looks/design/quality over what they were for similar money.  I believe PRS UK think these models are going to be "massive" - I on the other hand very much doubt it.

[dvorak]

I thought Gibson glued their headstocks the same way as the S2s on all Les Pauls?

Nope, I believe all Les Pauls and SGs from the bottom to the top have one-piece necks and heels (with the exception of the headstock 'wings').

Brow - don't get me wrong, I see what they're aiming at and what they see the S2 series as, I just don't think enough customers are shouting for it or that they're much of an upgrade from an SE.  The 'X' series failed a few years ago and I don't see the S2s as an improvement in looks/design/quality over what they were for similar money.  I believe PRS UK think these models are going to be "massive" - I on the other hand very much doubt it.

Somehow the X series didn't give me any GAS, but these do. Although it would compete with a 2nd hand one in my book for sure. I'm going to the US in November, I might pick one up then if the street prices are ok as a replacement to my SE CU24

I also doubt these will be massive over here, but hopefully they'll sell a few.