PRS Lost its Cool??

[Jiffy_Jeff]

I was talking with a friend of mine that is on tour with a christian group and we were talking about Paul Reed Smith Guitars..

I was telling him that I am looking at trading one of my guitars for a PRS and asking him about his..

He said he got rid of his, cause he got tired of looking at it... Thats just Scotty.

But he told me that the general consesus is that PRS has lost its cool, and are now thought of as an equal to.......like an normal run of the mill Ibanez guitar.

I don't feel they have lost their cool.. Its all a matter of opinion.. Maybe these people are snobs.... And only want a Boutique hard to get guitar..

The general consesus does not affect my search for a PRS..


So whats the deal? Is his comment just BS?

[Sub City]

Yes; I've had 3 PRS guitars; all were pretty guitars, but unremarkable in tone & playability. I'll stick to my Fenders/Gibsons.

[hookakat1]

It sounds like the typical backlash against anything that gets too popular to me.

[buddastrat]

Who cares what's in or cool? I like old strats with vintage boards, but I like heavy, fast style playing which is not the in thing for that style, but they feel good to me.

I'm in the boat with Sub city, I think they look awesome, but I never dug their tone.

[smallbutmighty]

Alls I know is that I loves my Mira!! :AOK

ac

[RichieRich]

my tom anderson drops a large, steaming loaf on any prs ive ever played.

and it's different.

[twinrider1]

Were they ever cool?

:hide


Seriously though, his comment is just one opinion. If the answer is that they are no longer cool, is it going to affect your buying decision?

[mprvise]

Don't know, don't care. My DGT is one hella bad ass work of art great playing excellent tone producing guitar. What others think of it doesn't matter to me.

[Jahn]

The CE series vs. Ibanez, perhaps. But the USA PRS stuff? Let's see a JEM going against any of that!

[JoeB63]

At one time I had 4 PRSs, then I was down to one. Had 4 Andersons, 3 Suhrs and several other boutique guitars. Now I'm back up to 3 PRSs and they are the guitars I use the most.

Sold my Les Paul. Soon selling my last Fender.

I still have 1 Anderson and 2 Suhrs, but, the I play the PRSs 75% of the time now.

One man's opinion.

[edwarddavis]

I had a few a few years back , not my knda thing but lets be honest it all a matter of opinion. Theres lots of great guitars out there and some do it for you and some dont thats why we have a choice . Just like nice cars some you like some are just not your thing but they are well built quality guitars that obviouly a lot of people like.

[aeronius]

You mean the SE series...? The CE is USA...

[aeronius]

Ah, retracted... you beat me to my comment :\

[Jiffy_Jeff]

It is all a matter of taste. I have played a couple and I really liked them.

I also really like my friends Les Pauls.

I have a Tele, which I would never sell, it some kind of mojo that I have not heard in any other tele... even vintage ones...

I like my gretsch, but Im in the market to make a change. PRS or Les paul.. But I will need to sell, or trade the gretsch.

Like most Americans, extra cash is not going to be used for luxury stuff....

[boonhogganbeck]

my tom anderson drops a large, steaming loaf on any prs ive ever played.

and it's different.

Mine too.

I do like the David Grissom model, though.

[Lewkk]

Christian group guitarists wouldn't exactly be my measuring stick of cool.
I guess the more important question is why care about what's "cool"? Your not 15 right?

[?&!]

Nice guitars, not what I'm into. If you like 'em, play 'em. Don't worry about what other people think.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

like i said before

'The general consesus does not affect my search for a PRS..'

[JamminJeff]

First off, we are all very fortunate to have so many choices with guitars these days. I've been around awhile and back in the day there were less choices. Much less. It was either good or crap and not much inbetween. Now days, it seems like there too many guitars that fit in the "inbetween" category and PRS seems to fit that bill too.

Being a Les Paul guy from a young age and going through a Fender phase (and back) I've also started down the PRS road a few times.

I don't know what it is but PRS guitars in general don't seem to have that extra something, whatever it is. Guitar players know what that means. They seem closer to Parker-fake then slab of wood real. That works for some, just not me.

PRS guitars are finished nicely however, even the import line. What boggles my mind is that there is very little tonal difference betweent the import and US models. Maybe this is a good thing, if you like the PRS tone. I don't, plus they just seem to plastic coated and not enough wooden instrument if you follow me.

Stradovarius or CNC ?

To each his own. Just play what you have until you can afford something else. If it inspires you, then it's the right one.

An electric Cigar Box Guitar can move an audience more than a $3k flametop whoop-de-do axe. I've seen it done.

[strings]

PRS had cool? :confused:

[CharAznable]

If it sounds good and is well made then it's cool.

Whatever is not "cool" now will be in 10 years.

[Jahn]

Just to clarify... PRS CE's are American made. They just have a bolt in neck.

The SE's are asian made.

Ibanez makes a nice guitar... but it aint no PRS.

I think PRS is just going thru that transition phase that most of the companies that started out as boutique, and grew, and had success go thru.

Similar to Mesa Boogie. 20 years ago, Mesa was "ooohed, and aaaaahh'd" by pretty much everyone, but they've had enough success that they're common place now. Doesnt mean PRS isnt cool anymore, they're just not as scarce, so people don't freak out as much when they see one. Still an amazingly well built instrument.

BTW +1 on the MIRA... played one the other day.... I gotta have one.

Jade


Ah, SE yep that's what I meant.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

An electric Cigar Box Guitar can move an audience more than a $3k flametop whoop-de-do axe. I've seen it done.


Where can I check out the whoop-de-do axe?:roll

[jokerjkny]

I was talking with a friend of mine that is on tour with a christian group and we were talking about Paul Reed Smith Guitars..

I was telling him that I am looking at trading one of my guitars for a PRS and asking him about his..

He said he got rid of his, cause he got tired of looking at it... Thats just Scotty.

But he told me that the general consesus is that PRS has lost its cool, and are now thought of as an equal to.......like an normal run of the mill Ibanez guitar.

I don't feel they have lost their cool.. Its all a matter of opinion.. Maybe the people that think this are snobs.... And only want a Boutique hard to get guitar..

The general consesus does not affect my search for a PRS..


So whats the deal? Is his comment just BS?

and this guy's 15 yrs. old?

who cares? the guitars play good, stay in tune, and helps to pay my rent.

[ed84246]

It's funny, I never thought PRS had any "cool" to being with, at least by reputation. People always scoffed at PRS as for Investment Bankers and lawyers to hang on their walls.

Fine by me - I'm not an investment Banker or lawyer, and my PRS Custom 22 can do anything - from Zakk Wylde brutal metal, to 80's shred, to classic Rock, blues, funk, country and jazz. Try getting your unmodded Strat or Les Paul to do that!

I can even get great Van Halen tremelo dive bombs and the things stays in tune, and the PRS tremelo is floating, yet other notes don't bend the heck out of tune when I'm bending one with the bar...and I don't have to unclamp and cut the ball ends off a string when I break one. In fact, with the locking tuners, changing a string takes about 20 seconds.

It's incredibly easy to play and I happen to like my emerald green flamed maple top and gold hardware.

So too bad to the scoffers I say.

[crosse79]

Products will go through phases .... PRS is just one of them.

[movingpictures]

This was cool when i bought it in 1989, before all the nOObs/doctors/Santana wannabes needed one....haha Still is very cool, and has a unique voice.
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q98/movingpictures_photos/DSCF1413.jpg

[powermatt99]

A lot of other makers have caught up to PRS, some at drastically lower prices. Their guitars are very ordinary now. Just wait for the next boutique...turn mass production...start import line...etc. Bogner, Mesa, PRS, Fulltone have all experienced or are in the process of similar phases in business. The good ones adapt, the bad ones go away or get gobbled up by a major entity.

[TopDog]

Never cared for them...

but I LOVE my DGT.....

Still in love with my LP and Tele, if fact i love them all...

[mertzy]

"PRS makes really beautiful guitars........so what!"

[XKnight]

... he told me that the general consesus is that PRS has lost its cool, and are now thought of as an equal to.......like an normal run of the mill Ibanez guitar.



So whats the deal? Is his comment just BS?

I don't know about PRS being cool or not, but I definitely would not put PRS and Ibanez in the same league.

[larimar]

Never bonded with PRS guitars. Though I have yet to try any of their really high end stuff.

[Zeon45]

I love my PRS McCarty and Single Cut guitars. PRS quality never goes out of style IMHO.

[Brian D]

Were they ever cool?That is the first thing that came to my mind when I read the title of this thread, and I own one. I bought mine because it's a good guitar for me. I never knew they were considered "cool", and in fact I sort of assumed the opposite with all the "dentist" comments you usually hear about them.It sounds like the typical backlash against anything that gets too popular to me.I suspect this is most likely behind your friends comment.

[Mike Duncan]

I love mine.

[Bankston]

I still see a lot of players on Houston stages with PRS guitars, including myself.

Is PRS still No. 3 behind Fender and Gibson or have they fallen further behind? Anyone know?

[m@2]

Never bonded with PRS guitars

me too, but if they work for others, then rawk on.

guitars are such subjective and personal. Some people take a look at my esquire and think it's ugly as hell, or too simple, or whatever, others love it. some see my goldtop and drool, others think it's flashy, or even boring. no big deal

[aleclee]

Some guys like blonds. Some guys like brunettes. Some guys like redheads.

None of 'em is wrong.

[Luke]

PRSs are associated with lawyers (an entity everyone loves to hate), NuMetal (a phase that is dying out), Nickelback (group people refuse to admit they listen to), as well as Sanata (the guy your mom listens to).

Just like when Ibanez & Jackson had the hair metal scene locked up, they became uncool.

I had one, a 1987 and it was a nice guitar, good quaility, just never bonded with it.

[Andre357]

I've had and sold 4 PRs's over the last 3 - 4 years. Even had a stunning 513 with solid Brazilian Rosewood neck

Not sure why, but whenever I had reason to sell It was the PRS that was always expendable.

They were almost too pretty, and the finishes just dont age or relic as well as other famous brands. I was afraid to gig with the 513....

<<<<<FLAME RETARDANT SUITE IS KNOW BEING PUT ON>>>>

It seems even on the PRS forums many are hung up on the looks above and beyond the sound ( I got caught up in that as well a couple of years ago )...

The ooh's and ahh's over the maple flame and ornate trimmings are really something............

Maybe PRS realizes this hence the MIRA and some other recent offerings.

Hey if the guitar speaks to you , F*&ck what others think....

Also, it seems all the PRS guitars try to acheive this " endless sustain " paradigm.

Endless sustain is not everything it's cracked up to be......

I for one love a good hollow sounding, stringy guitar, where the decay of the note and wood shine through.

It's hard to get that quirky tone with many PRS models.........

[shallbe]

I think in some circles, PRS has lost its "cool" or people's interest in their products. I know guys that used to play McCarty's on stage that now don't own a PRS. I also have a buddy that never brings his CU24 to gigs anymore.

I don't think that is PRS fault, really. Guitar players are not monogamous, like bass players tend to be. We try things, like to experiment, and often change direction musically, and that is reflected in gear choices.

Here is what is not cool about PRS guitars, IMO. They don't get played enough, in general. People are too precious about them, possibly due to their looks. I have a CU22 Artist from 2003; the plating is wearing off the bridge, the PU covers are scratched up, and the guitar has gig marks on it. When I asked for pics of other well played PRS guitars on BAM, I got VERY FEW responses. It was somewhat dissappointing and stereotypical.

[GuitarDude]

I think one of the reasons PRSi have gotten a bad name in the past 7-8 years is because those stupid nu-metal bands plug them into mesa full stacks and it sounds terrible. So the PRS guitar has been typecasted to metal music.

That being said... my cu24 is my main guitar for worship and pop music. not metal at all, but it sounds killer!

[JoeB63]

Well, they can't be that uncool -- since PRS keeps growing its business. And I actually think that PRSs are a bargain these days.....

You can get a new Grissom model for just over $2,300 (and BTW, you can't tell me DG (the guy) isn't cool and doesn't have great tone). And quality and (IMO) tone-wise, the DGT is as good as any boutique guitar. I sold my Baker Robben Ford guitar because, while it was a very high-quality guitar it couldn't compare tonally to my PRS McCarty Trem. And I sold my Historic LP because I prefered the tone and feel of the Grissom over the Gibson.

Back to cost: $2,300 is less money than almost any Fender Custom Shop guitar; it's less than any Anderson and less than any custom Suhr. It's less than any Baker, less than any .... well, name almost any boutique or Custom Shop guitar.

Certainly not everyone is going to like the sound of every PRS, but there are too many gross generalization of the PRS line and PRS tones on this thread.

[VaughnC]

I've tried, many times, to bond with several PRSi but never could. Not quite Gibsony enough, not quite Fendery enough...to me, PRSi tonally sorta sat in the middle with a lack of tonal character of their own...which IMO lends itself to higher gain amp styles where tone isn't quite as important. No doubt though it was the eye candy effect at first...then I played a killer, well played, '64 Strat...saw the light, and sold my PRS Private Stock the next day and never looked back. I still ooo & ahhh at some of the PRSi I see around but they're just not a good tonal match for me...but YMMV ;).

[Frankee]

PRS had cool? :confused:

+1.....the Mira intrigues me, however.

[telecopter]

Love my McCarty. Who cares what's "cool"?

[JPenn]

Here is what is not cool about PRS guitars, IMO. They don't get played enough, in general. People are too precious about them, possibly due to their looks. I have a CU22 Artist from 2003; the plating is wearing off the bridge, the PU covers are scratched up, and the guitar has gig marks on it. When I asked for pics of other well played PRS guitars on BAM, I got VERY FEW responses. It was somewhat dissappointing and stereotypical.

In case I missed the thread on BaM, here's some wear pics of my 91 CE

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/JPenn/100_4592.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/JPenn/100_4594.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/JPenn/100_4593.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/JPenn/100_4595.jpg

I can't fault people for falling out with PRS. I did it a few years ago, and kinda think I'm going thru it again. I have played their guitars pretty much exclusively since 1992 and I seem to keep coming back to them even though I don't really want to sometimes.http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon7.gif

[JoeNewbie]

I don't think PRS were ever "cool". They are trying hard right now to increase their appeal toward the younger crowd (e.g. the Mira and the new Starla).

That being said, I think PRS make the finest guitars out there. And no way will Ibanez ever be in the same league.

Gibson, Fender and PRS are probably the mainstream guitars that will hold their value best over time.

[johnzias]

I think a PRS is a guitar that is inherently a compromise. In general, they never had a distinctive sound IMO. Sort of like an compromised Gibson with some Fender qualities.

This is best illustrated to me by comparing Santana's rich Gibson tone in the early 70's to his buzzier tone in the 80's and later. JMO.

[mattmccloskey]

Well, they can't be that uncool -- since PRS keeps growing its business. And I actually think that PRSs are a bargain these days.....

You can get a new Grissom model for just over $2,300 (and BTW, you can't tell me DG (the guy) isn't cool and doesn't have great tone). And quality and (IMO) tone-wise, the DGT is as good as any boutique guitar. I sold my Baker Robben Ford guitar because, while it was a very high-quality guitar it couldn't compare tonally to my PRS McCarty Trem. And I sold my Historic LP because I prefered the tone and feel of the Grissom over the Gibson.

Back to cost: $2,300 is less money than almost any Fender Custom Shop guitar; it's less than any Anderson and less than any custom Suhr. It's less than any Baker, less than any .... well, name almost any boutique or Custom Shop guitar.

Certainly not everyone is going to like the sound of every PRS, but there are too many gross generalization of the PRS line and PRS tones on this thread.

fact check here- 2300 is NOT less than any anderson or suhr guitars, even custom orders.
I have had 5 or 6 of each and have not paid more than 2200 for any of them.
A new suhr classic starts at 3000 plus case (180)MSRP. If you don't add fancy top or chambering,etc. a 30 % off price is 2226. I am usually able to get a little better deal than that.

[The Last Rebel]

I've had and sold 4 PRs's over the last 3 - 4 years. Even had a stunning 513 with solid Brazilian Rosewood neck

Not sure why, but whenever I had reason to sell It was the PRS that was always expendable.

They were almost too pretty, and the finishes just dont age or relic as well as other famous brands. I was afraid to gig with the 513....

<<<<<FLAME RETARDANT SUITE IS KNOW BEING PUT ON>>>>

It seems even on the PRS forums many are hung up on the looks above and beyond the sound ( I got caught up in that as well a couple of years ago )...

The ooh's and ahh's over the maple flame and ornate trimmings are really something............

Maybe PRS realizes this hence the MIRA and some other recent offerings.

Hey if the guitar speaks to you , F*&ck what others think....

Also, it seems all the PRS guitars try to acheive this " endless sustain " paradigm.

Endless sustain is not everything it's cracked up to be......

I for one love a good hollow sounding, stringy guitar, where the decay of the note and wood shine through.

It's hard to get that quirky tone with many PRS models.........
Go to BaM right now see hoe many guys say that they bought their PRS based only off of looks. My guess on the number of people that tell you that? None, not a single one. I, and most of the guys at BaM, play PRS' because they are uncomprimising in quality, sound, and playability. Their customer service is some of the best in the buisness and all of the guys near the top love what they do. IMO, not all Gibsons are made to the same quality. The average Studio probably isn't made to the same quality as a Traditional or Supreme. Every single American PRS is made to the exact same level of quality. A $1500 Mira is every bit as good as a $4000 Custom or a $6000 ME. My Standard could be compared to any PRS on any shelf anywhere. PRS is making some of the absolute best guitars anyone is today. People often complain about the electronics and list that as a major reason that they are not well liked. I've seen plenty of threads and postsabout people doing a complete overhaul on their $3000-4000 Historic. If you don't like PRS, I've got no problem with that. I do have a problem with people just trying to fit in and bash PRS constantly.

[scuba200ft]

I own Charvels, Jacksons, Fender Masterbuilts,Les Paul historics, Schecter USA's, Ernie Balls, Waynes, etc....

If I dropped this in your hands, and let you listen to and play it, "is it cool" would be the last question out of your mouth, I assure you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scuba200ft/IMG_4312.jpg

[michaelscott]

I think one of the reasons PRSi have gotten a bad name in the past 7-8 years is because those stupid nu-metal bands plug them into mesa full stacks and it sounds terrible. So the PRS guitar has been typecasted to metal music.

i think this hits the nail on the head...

[rastus]

Just got home and started reading this thread, decided to comment. I have had a few PRS guitars. I remember seeing them the very first time in GP magazine. At that time Carlos had his, the others in the article were vaguely LP Jr DC shaped. and there was one pic of a model that was being put into production, a Custom 24. Believe me, in a sea of the old classics and even more "superstrats" those PRSi looked freakin' cool. I had some early ones, and fondly remember a ruby colored Standard 24 fret model with trem that was a really great consistent guitar that hung well with the others I used.

But, growing older, and playing with different people in different styles, sent me back to my vintage roots. Nu-metal came along and I dealt with feeling vaguely old-fartish for the first time. The PRS thru Triple Recto sound never bothered me though, I thought of it as a valid way to define a style and sound that was obviously in tune with the record buyer and radio audience at the time. Wasn't my cup o' tea, and neither were the PRS guitars, I realised. But not cool?
Just 2 weeks ago I spent an evening with a dear friend who thinks enough of my humble abilities on bass and as a producer to have me collaborate on some tracks. He is a quintessential musician and guitarist. His gear? 7 various PRSi, an Egnator, and some effects. The PRS tone, which I feel DOES NOT have any certain or strong defining characteristics works perfectly for him, FOR THAT VERY REASON! It allows him to shine with a completely original feel and tone. Not something that resembles some other player's legacy of tone, but his own.

To me, that is just the epitome of COOL.

[Brett Valentine]

An electric Cigar Box Guitar can move an audience more than a $3k flametop whoop-de-do axe. I've seen it done.

I WANTS me one of those!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWtHV5vGhJE&feature=related :AOK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_STczK_fkbw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYobvWHw7Po&feature=related

[devinb]

I kind of have to agree with what's been said about PRS being perceived as a 'cork-sniffer' guitar.

Maybe things will change down the road, from what I understand, the first Les Paul Bursts didn't go over very well at first...

That said, I don't think that the PRS 'look' is one that a lot of people want to be associated with...I don't see them often on tv, or on stages...

Look at how iconic the blackguard tele is these days...or the success of relics...

I suspect a lot of people feel like they've seen too many fads come and go to want to embrace something with so much less history than Fender or Gibson...

[phretbored]

All guitars are cool.
All guitars are uncool.

[wilerty]

What makes a guitar cool is your fingers.

I really like my PRS guitars, but I also like my Strat. The quality, feel, finish and sound of my PRS are exceptional.

One thing that always makes me smile is when someone refers to the "PRS sound", as if there is a generic similarity. Maybe 20 years ago, when they only had a few models that was the case. But not recently. The CU, SC245/250, SAS, McCarty, 513, MIRA, DGT, ME, HB etc, etc all are different and none of them have the "PRS sound". Many of their models I don't like the sound of. Some I do. That's as it should be.

[atomicmassunit]

If you're playing them to be cool, you're a poser. Play what you like and let other people worry about what's cool. Or you can follow the crowd, they'll let you know what the 'approved' instruments are, especially here on TGP.

[JoeNewbie]

If you're playing them to be cool, you're a poser. Play what you like and let other people worry about what's cool. Or you can follow the crowd, they'll let you know what the 'approved' instruments are, especially here on TGP.

I think most guitar players are in fact conservative posers.

Otherwise a lot of people would be playing Yamaha.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

Well I have never heard anyone refer to them of the cool one to have. So I when he toldme they lost their cool I thought he might have been talking about the quality going down hill fast without a brake...

The ones I have played I liked. I think the value of the trade is fair, and will be happy with it. If not, I can trade for something else. I will always have the Telecaster...

[Millo 3.1]

I think most guitar players are in fact conservative posers.

Otherwise a lot of people would be playing Yamaha.I think there might be some truth in that, LOL! Now let me run for cover!

[pageburst]

I bought a PRS SE Santana several years ago as a throw-a-way: an axe to keep on my buddies boat and not worry about it getting wrecked.

Have to say the fretwork and finsih were every bit as good as my Historic LPs and CS strats.

Now I'll never be a PRS guy. Frankly I can't even bring myself to buying a D'PERGO (a great sounding guitar) with that foot shaped headstock. To me there are 4 solid body electric guitars: An LP a Strat a Tele and an SG. Hey I just like the 50s early 60s guitars: that's my thing. Silly sure but I don't think I'm alone.

Point I'm trying to make here is that guitar fads come an go, Will this relic thing last forever? Will there be a return to 80s pointy super strat type guitars is any ones guess. What has been constant is that PRS makes finely crafted outstanding guitars. Like I said even the cheapo SE models (at least the couple I've played) appear well made.

Which leads to tone: the soul of any axe. Let me say this, While I alsways reach for my LP or Strat first, if you can't coax some killer tones out of a well setup PRS -get some lessons fast.

[AudionAnalog]

PRS guitars are awesome, but sure ... like everything that gets insanely popular, there is a moment where the formula gets '' old '' and people move on...

I studied a bit of marketing, and I saw this ( we all have ) happen with allot of brands ( clothing, drinks etc ... etc... )

There is a cycle to these things, and I think for PRS it happened when the '' uniqueness '' factor tapered down ...

[AudionAnalog]

I think there might be some truth in that, LOL! Now let me run for cover!

agreed ! I actually discussed this with someone at unversity who studies marketing, and apparently the guitar industry is allot like the '' watch '' industry.

[Jon Silberman]

Anything I play is cool.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/682310/3240939/70275940.jpg

[mertzy]

Jon I agree, anything under that mustache IS cool.

[jzucker]

guitars have cool?!? sheesh. I thought it was the players that have cool.

Oh yeah, my screwdriver got it's mojo and my hammer is cool.

[Jon Silberman]

Mae West put it best. When a reporter told her, "What you're wearing today doesn't seem sexy," she famously replied, "Anything I wear is sexy." Indeed, were Mae to have grabbed a hammer, it would've be sexy, too (which, obviously, is another way of saying "it's the 'players' that have cool" which is completely correct).

[atquinn]

Back to cost: $2,300 is less money than almost any Fender Custom Shop guitar; it's less than any Anderson and less than any custom Suhr. It's less than any Baker, less than any .... well, name almost any boutique or Custom Shop guitar.

PRS is not a boutique or Custom shop company; you can't compare their prices to Suhr, Anderson, or Fender Custom shops. Now, if you want to compare PRS Private Stock guitars (which you can actually spec out) to the places you mentioned, go ahead, in which case you will find the numbers much less favorable (understatement :D).

-Austin

[JoeB63]

PRS is not a boutique or Custom shop company; you can't compare their prices to Suhr, Anderson, or Fender Custom shops. Now, if you want to compare PRS Private Stock guitars (which you can actually spec out) to the places you mentioned, go ahead, in which case you will find the numbers much less favorable (understatement :D).

-Austin

Other than the tone (which is subjective), I guess what you really have to compare here is the quality of the instruments. I have or have had several (of each) Suhrs, and Andersons and Fender CS. In my experience, the PRSs were very slightly below the Suhrs and Andersons in quality (the only difference has been the nut work), and my PRSs were of a slightly higher qualiity than any of the 3 Fender CS guitars I've owned.

Your point is that with Suhr and Anderson you have more choices (though still not unlimited) in the specs, so the guitar should cost more? Regardless of the quality of the outcome? Hey, I can build you a Fender-style guitar (using available parts) with any specs you like --- does that make me the ultimate custom shop? So I can charge you $5,000 for it -- because of how many options I can offer to you? Wouldn't you care more about the resulting quality of the guitar a lot more than how many options I offer to you?

Enough defending PRS. I have no dog in this hunt.

[JoeB63]

fact check here- 2300 is NOT less than any anderson or suhr guitars, even custom orders.
I have had 5 or 6 of each and have not paid more than 2200 for any of them.
A new suhr classic starts at 3000 plus case (180)MSRP. If you don't add fancy top or chambering,etc. a 30 % off price is 2226. I am usually able to get a little better deal than that.

I thought current max discounts on Suhrs were 20%.

[atquinn]

Other than the tone (which is subjective), I guess what you really have to compare here is the quality of the instruments. I have or have had several (of each) Suhrs, and Andersons and Fender CS. In my experience, the PRSs were very slightly below the Suhrs and Andersons in quality (the only difference has been the nut work), and my PRSs were of a slightly higher qualiity than any of the 3 Fender CS guitars I've owned.

Your point is that with Suhr and Anderson you have more choices (though still not unlimited) in the specs, so the guitar should cost more? Regardless of the quality of the outcome? Hey, I can build you a Fender-style guitar (using available parts) with any specs you like --- does that make me the ultimate custom shop? So I can charge you $5,000 for it -- because of how many options I can offer to you? Wouldn't you care more about the resulting quality of the guitar a lot more than how many options I offer to you?

Enough defending PRS. I have no dog in this hunt.

I don't have any beef with PRS guitars, have owned a few and will no doubt own more. My point has to deal with production instruments vs. boutique/custom ones. In terms of production, yes, if more choices are offered, the instrument will cost more because customization make the guitar more expensive to produce. This is part of the reason a Suhr S series guitar costs less than a Suhr custom guitar. They are able to produce the in batches and not worry about having to keep track of differing specs during production. Compare a PRS CE22 to a Fender US series Strat or Suhr S-series guitar would be a more valid comparison IMO, in which case PRS may or may not end up looking like as much of a value.

It seems a bit of a ridiculous comparison to me anyway. If you want a Strat, Tele, or Gibson, why the hell would you pay any attention to a PRS? On the other hand, if you want, say, a CU24, do Fender or Gibson produce anything that is comparable (I would say no)? One reason PRS has stayed around so long is that they produce guitars that are unique. People that are wedded to sounds of yester-years might have a problem with that because they only see value in a guitar insofar as it can sound like exactly like a Tele, Strat, LP, etc... PRS doesn't have and will never have that sort of cultural mindshare, so they'll never be "cool" in that sense, but they're still fine guitars if they have the sounds you're looking for.

-Austin

[mattmccloskey]

I thought current max discounts on Suhrs were 20%.

no, definitely not, 30 % is standard. look at the alpha music site for example- the list price and the sale price are 30 percent exactly. same at tone merchants,etc.

[shredtrash]

I bought my '95 Standard 22 Goldtop new in '96. That guitar has been through the wars with me. I'll never get rid of it even though my LP Standard is my current #1. Great guitars IMO.

[Disco Scottie]

One thing that always makes me smile is when someone refers to the "PRS sound", as if there is a generic similarity. Maybe 20 years ago, when they only had a few models that was the case. But not recently. The CU, SC245/250, SAS, McCarty, 513, MIRA, DGT, ME, HB etc, etc all are different and none of them have the "PRS sound".

+1

My '97 CU22 doesn't sound like my '03 Standard, which doesn't sound like my '86 Pre-Standard, which doesn't sound like my '07 Mira, which doesn't sound like my '90 EG, which doesn't sound like my '91 CE24, which doesn't sound like my '07 Modern Eagle... you get the idea.

[Barefoot]

What do you think Leo would have had to say about $2,000 to $8000 S and T types.

Or LP about $3,000 to $6000 LP's.

Careful who's calling who a cork sniffer. :knitting

Whatever turns your crank..........all good.

[duckbunny]

I wonder how many of the posters who agree with the " PRSs are a compromise between Fender and Gibson, with a compromise sound as well" argument, subscribe to (or have posted comments to the effect of) "tone is truly in the hands?"
Just a thought.



-db




P.S. I don't own any PRSs, but have played quite a few.

[JPF]

I question whether PRS guitars ever really had a high "coolness" factor. I always thought of them as being beautifully made and designed, with a distinct vibe, and bought into them for that reason. Oh, and they can be very, very gorgeous-looking as well.

Somehow, that combination doesn't suggest "cool" as someone raised on '60 and '70s rock and roll, but maybe I'm looking at it from an old fart's perspective...

[JoeNewbie]

I wonder how many of the posters who agree with the " PRSs are a compromise between Fender and Gibson, with a compromise sound as well" argument, subscribe to (or have posted comments to the effect of) "tone is truly in the hands?"
Just a thought.

I think that comment mainly derives from the old days when the PRS Custom was essentially THE PRS to have. The Custom shape basically incorporates many elements from the Les Paul and the Strat - and incidentally its sound is somewhere in between as well.

That being said, I wouldn't call it a "compromise". The PRS Custom is one of very few modern shapes that can now be considered a classic. I own all three and they are very different instruments.

[trap]

I think that comment mainly derives from the old days when the PRS Custom was essentially THE PRS to have. The Custom shape basically incorporates many elements from the Les Paul and the Strat - and incidentally its sound is somewhere in between as well.

That being said, I wouldn't call it a "compromise". The PRS Custom is one of very few modern shapes that can now be considered a classic. I own all three and they are very different instruments.

right, thats exactly why i bought my cu24 in 89'. i didn't have to change guitars to get a strat type or a paul type of sound. nobody in the audience could tell the difference anyway, or cared. and the females loved the look of it so in my book, that made it cool!

[jcoggins7]

I seriously doubt that PRS and Ibanez could even be mentioned in a sentence together like that. Completely ridiculous, unless you're talking about the SEs. All I know is that I don't care about these silly rumors...I play my PRS exclusively live and get compliments on my tone all the time. It doesn't matter if I'm using it to play country, pop, rock, or metal.

[stratlad]

I used to be somewhat anti-PRS but they are solid. Cool is in the eye of the beholder. I'm more of a traditional Gibson / Fender player but own 1 PRS - a McCarty Soapbar. I may change the pickups to something less hot than the stock ones but I've been VERY impressed with the guitar. For a price less than an US (non-historic) LP Standard I got a guitar that did not need neck/ nut / bridge tweaking, looks great (I'm not that into flame but its flamy and would cost me a bundle more if I got say an LP with that quality top), ergonomically is superb and has great tone (kinda like a beefy strat). The tone is not "cold" it's very warm and unique. PRS did its own thing and deserves its success. it's pretty darn hard to compete successfully as a major elec. guitar manufacturer (non-boutique) and they do so. I feel PRS provides a higher ratio of quality to the dollar.

[Michael T]

I kinda think of players as cool or not cool....the guitars are just the tool of the trade

[tim gueguen]

Threads like this aren't as common as the "Waaah, relics are EBIIIIL!!" ones, but too common nonetheless.

[tone slave]

I have a '94 CE22 maple top that I've modified quite a bit over the years-- to the point of it being almost a totally different guitar now-- maple fretboard, Harmonic Design Z90's, heavy Snake Oil strings, no finish. I've worked in music stores for over 10 years and I've had the pleasure of playing many nice guitars, both new and vintage, and my PRS, in its current incarnation, compares favorably to any of them. It doesn't sound like any other guitar that I've played, but has a fantastic sound that's all its own, and there's not a guitar out there that could beat it at its own game.

A great guitar is one that does its own thing better than any other guitar can, one that has a great voice that cannot be matched by any other.

My $.02

[Shark Diver]

I own Charvels, Jacksons, Fender Masterbuilts,Les Paul historics, Schecter USA's, Ernie Balls, Waynes, etc....

If I dropped this in your hands, and let you listen to and play it, "is it cool" would be the last question out of your mouth, I assure you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/scuba200ft/IMG_4312.jpg

The only PRS I think I would ever want. (And remember I have dibs!:AOK)


Their customer service is some of the best in the buisness

Um, no. Shouldn't take 3 years to build a guitar that was promised in 6-8 months - and made wrong.


A $1500 Mira is every bit as good as a $4000 Custom or a $6000 ME. .

Not knocking a Mira, but the ME is in a whole other league.


But, guitarist are what make guitars cool. Just play it like sex, you're cool.

[groovadelic]

I think an arm full of tattoos go much "cooler" with PRS than cowboy hats... =)

[Sleepy]

I have to agree with the compromise between gibson and fender,
I had a 1990 custom 24 10 top for many years.

It just never quite sounded as good as a single coil or humbucker.
I know have a epiphone sheraton II and a 56 strat relic.

now I get the sounds.
It just takes two guitars

btw,
for $600.00 the epiphone sheraton II is a steal!
if you don't believe me go to your local guitar store and play one against a high end gibson es335 or what ever.
you will see what I'm talking about.

[Speed_Racer71]

so does this mean i can print the op and take it with me when i go to buy my next PRS and use it as a bargaining chip so they will come down on the price ?? :D

[Tommy Tourbus]

There's not a lot out there that's cooler than my mccarty rosewood neck soapbar goldtop ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/cyberlip/goldy1.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12/cyberlip/eva_longoria-tongue.gif

[Michael T]

I bought a beaten 1990 Custom 24 yesterday. It is pretty freakin' cool in my opinion.

[Jon Silberman]

I played a Mira yesterday that, well, I wouldn't say it's better, worse, or as good as an ME but all other things being equal, I'd rather be playing the Mira. Seriously, PRS knocked that one out of the park.

[trap]

I played a Mira yesterday that, well, I wouldn't say it's better, worse, or as good as an ME but all other things being equal, I'd rather be playing the Mira. Seriously, PRS knocked that one out of the park.

yeah jon, played one today. nice guitar! especially at 1,400 brand new.

[southpawmax]

I've always thought PRS Guitars were certainly very pretty to look at, but being a lefty I have only ever played a few. Of those few, one was a Custom 22 that I thought played beautifully. The other was a prototype I played in Paul's office and he had me play it versus his 1953 Les Paul. Absolutely everything about that guitar shocked me. It out sustained the LP, the guitar was noticeably more resonant, it weighed much less than the LP and of course it had style like you wouldn't believe! Anyone who thinks PRS aren't cool anymore isn't playing the right model or is looking for something totally different.

[Knuckles]

This thread strikes me as yet another "PRS aren't cool, let's bash them, tee hee hee." troll thread.

No single brand has more "soul" than any other.

Guitars don't have "soul" or "vibe" or "mojo" in and of themselves. If you find an attachment to an instrument, and it speaks to you...you create your own "mojo" by loving it and playing it. It can only bring out wht you have in yourself.

[noctilux1]

I don't know about this thread but.....PRS's don't seem to have any Mojo....but quite a few of the ones I've held played really, really well. My friend has one that has a solid rosewood neck and plays like a dream. I have an old deep-body archtop with no finish that I would never trade. I've played a few Santana's that were amazing. I don't really care about the lack of Mojo. Those guitars just played very well. Does Mojo = Value/Playability? I don't think so...

[Kelly]

I don't know about this thread but.....PRS's don't seem to have any Mojo....but quite a few of the ones I've held played really, really well. My friend has one that has a solid rosewood neck and plays like a dream. I have an old deep-body archtop with no finish that I would never trade. I've played a few Santana's that were amazing. I don't really care about the lack of Mojo. Those guitars just played very well. Does Mojo = Value/Playability? I don't think so...I feel so privileged to be in the company of someone who is an expert on mojo.

[noctilux1]

You should be

[Michael T]

I think 'mojo' is b/s

[Jiffy_Jeff]

This thread strikes me as yet another "PRS aren't cool, let's bash them, tee hee hee." troll thread.

No single brand has more "soul" than any other.

Guitars don't have "soul" or "vibe" or "mojo" in and of themselves. If you find an attachment to an instrument, and it speaks to you...you create your own "mojo" by loving it and playing it. It can only bring out wht you have in yourself.

This thread was in no way intended to be a PRS aint cool rant session. I was merely looking for opinions to a comment that was made
I don't think the prs has lost its cool or popularity. Everyone has their own opinion of what is the best. I have liked every LP I have played but don't want to own one. I am in the process of getting a PRS CU24. And if i don't fall in love with it. Well I will trade it off for a LP and give that a shot.

But again I never intended for this to turn into a PRS bashing marathon! But most of the comments have been interesting.

I would like to see a show us you PRS thread if there is not one already.

[aleclee]

I think 'mojo' is b/sNah. It's just code for liking a piece of gear for no explicable reason.

[Disco Scottie]

I used bottled mojo. Just sprinkle to taste. Makes even the lamest guitar sound/feel/play great!

[Ken]

If anything, I think PRS is becoming more mainstream and maybe some think that it's not cool.

As far as I'm concerned, after getting the DGT and playing quite a few guitars in the process, PRS is getting better with age!

[Dave Orban]

It sounds like the typical backlash against anything that gets too popular to me.Really. Gibson just WISHES that they had the consistency of tone and playability that PRS has.

[deluxemeat]

http://www.melbay.com/bigcovers/21610DVD.jpg
he's cool.
and has got soul.
and is super bad.

[GAT]

I'm a new fan. I've had several PRS guitars and sold them all. But the DGT I own is a great guitar! Also, I'm a Sewell amp fan and the new PRS amps are basically Sewells.

[Shark Diver]

It just turns into a bashing thread because of the nature of this forum. A big majority of TGPers are into the vintage vibe deal. So, they never took to PRS - rightly or wrongly. PRS puts out a great instrument, and I haven't seen anyone here say they don't. Whether it speaks to you or not is a personal thing. There are a lot of great guitar companies out there right now big and small. And what's cool to one person may not be what's cool to another.

Brian May and EVH played home built guitars that were extremely cool. Give me those 2 guitars and they lose a LOT of cool. :bow

I don't think you're trolling, but you might as well have asked, "Has John Mayer lost his cool"? Take most of the answers previous and substitute JM for PRS and I don't think you'd skip a beat. :D

[wilerty]

I think an arm full of tattoos go much "cooler" with PRS than cowboy hats... =)

Johnny Hiland + PRS + cowboy hat = pretty damn cool ;)

[zenotal]

In case I missed the thread on BaM, here's some wear pics of my 91 CE





I can't fault people for falling out with PRS. I did it a few years ago, and kinda think I'm going thru it again. I have played their guitars pretty much exclusively since 1992 and I seem to keep coming back to them even though I don't really want to sometimes.http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon7.gif




I got my Studio new in '91 or '92, just after I saw after George Lynch and Alex Lifeson started playing them. I was living in Baltimore at the time, and with PRS being in Annapolis, he was kind of a local hero. I'd say they were cool then. But as the years rolled by, it seemed every up-and-coming band was playing them. Maybe now people are looking for something new (or, more likely, something old). Lynch and Lifeson don't play them anymore.

All that being said, I've fallen in love with mine again. Never considered selling it. I have a '74 tele, '74 LP Signature, and '90 LP Custom, and love them as well.

If PRS's arn't as cool as they used to be, I'm sure the circle will come around again, and people will exclaim when they see you onstage with one.

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/zenotal/CIMG5121.jpghttp://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/zenotal/CIMG5130.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/zenotal/CIMG5123.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/zenotal/CIMG5128.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp37/zenotal/CIMG5126.jpg

[CharAznable]

I take issue with the people that say that the David Grissom PRS is the first PRS that sounds good.
David Grissom has ALWAYS sounded good, even before he had a signature guitar.
David Grissom, as a matter of fact, is an expert in the subjets of "mojo" and "cool"

If you pick up a PRS and it has no "mojo", well, maybe it's because you aren't David Grissom.

[GibbyFan]

Still cool. Still cost you. Still worth every penny.

[jads57]

They seem very consistent, from all of the PRS guitars I`ve played. I think if you pick up whichever PRS model and it speaks to you, then you won`t have much trouble finding amother similar one to it.That can be a good thing,but tends to become to predictable. Other companies like this are Tom Andersen, Carvin, Music Man, just too name a few seem to be equal in this regard. Part of it is CNC machinery,and the other part is good wood and oversight at the factory(shop).

[atomicmassunit]

Nah. It's just code for liking a piece of gear for no explicable reason.

Right on!

It's a term with no real meaning or definition that people here constantly use to bash the instruments I pour my heart and soul into, just like the workers who make them do.



But again I never intended for this to turn into a PRS bashing marathon!

Seriously? Here on the PRS bashing capitol of the internet? I dunno if you're new to TGP, but here cool=Gibson, Relics, Robben Ford, Expensive Strat Copies, Uncool=PRS (no mojo, see above), John Mayer, Dumble, Guitar Center. ;)

[Samba]

Seriously? Here on the PRS bashing capitol of the internet? I dunno if you're new to TGP, but here cool=Gibson, Relics, Robben Ford, Expensive Strat Copies. Don't forget the pine teles - full of mojo I hear.:stir

[Jiffy_Jeff]

Seriously? Here on the PRS bashing capitol of the internet? I dunno if you're new to TGP, but here cool=Gibson, Relics, Robben Ford, Expensive Strat Copies, Uncool=PRS (no mojo, see above), John Mayer, Dumble, Guitar Center. ;)


Im not new, nor do I care if I get bashed for not being a drone like a lot of people here.
Regardless of what equals cool here on TGP... No I did not intend for this to be a PRS bashing thread.....

And for those die hard Gibson, Fender, and Boutique snobs....... Well, your opinion is your own. As well as all the others..

I have owned a lot of guitars. I am at the point of settling on a couple of guitars to do what I need.. And if in the future I need to get something else to fill a need I will..

I have always played Fender due to the fact of not being able to afford boutique high dollar stuff. I have one Tele that is incredible. Its a keeper.

Now I am getting a PRS. We will see how that does. I have wanted one since high school. So Hopefully it will work out..

As far as this being the PRS bashing headquarters. Well, if the folks here don't believe in "to each his own" and "respecting ones choice" then they can go jump in a lake....

Other than that, have a nice day!

[majordelt]

I've been playin for 43 years.. I'm 47 now.. Prs is in my opinion the best production guitar out there in terms of consistency and build quality..Trust me, I'm no investment banker.. I play them for a living.

[MartinC]

All that matters is tone, build quality and playability.

Make mine a Mira.

[GibbyFan]

My McCarty will ship today, should be here on Thu. Can't wait!

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn29/jnapruitt_photos/IMG_0947.jpg

[el greco]

Anything but lost their cool. Thanks to guitar builders like PRS and others too, we've seen new things happen to the electric guitar. And that's a good thing.

[swimrunner]

In case I missed the thread on BaM, here's some wear pics of my 91 CE

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v69/JPenn/100_4592.jpg
What's with that bridge man? Looks like it had an argument with a belt sander or something.

[jackaroo]

Sorry PRS fans- they had no cool to begin with. Pretty yes, well built yes- I like the occasional McCarty even- but cool...nope.

Flame on-

[slippyknees]

I haven't read this entire thread (too long) so sorry if this has been mentioned already.

In terms of "coolness" I think that PRS guitars have been off the map for a long, long time now in certain circles. This is due in part to all the crap nu metal bands from the late 90's/early 2000's that adopted them and the fact that Guitar Center started selling them - they kinda became synonymous with the quality of that store's "brand" and of crappy nu metal bands (Nickelback anyone?). To further prove my point, of all the guitarists on the face of the planet, Mark Tremonti has a signature model? Seriously?

All that said, I think the PRS guitars made from the late 80's through the early 90s are really great guitars. I own a '89 CE that I'll never sell and it's a killer guitar - totally different than the ones being made today (and for the last 10 years for that matter). It sounds unbelievable - better than a lot of Les Pauls I've played. Seriously.

Anything beyond those years I'm not a fan of at all - except the new DGT's look cool, I'll admit that.

For whatever that's worth.....

[AndrewSimon]

It's hard to be cool when you are so pretty....

They need to make the neck narrow, get rid of that ridiculous heel and
make a relic version to get my attention....

:stir

[JPF]

Ed Roman drove a wooden stake through the beating heart of PRS coolness when he delivered his infamous "heel from Hell" proclamation from the lofty height of 4'11" (he was standing on a couple of stray Quicksilver guitar cases at the time).

[Tommy Tourbus]

Ed Roman drove a wooden stake through the beating heart of PRS coolness when he delivered his infamous "heel from Hell" proclamation from the lofty height of 4'11" (he was standing on a couple of stray Quicksilver guitar cases at the time).

yes, I have always maintained that ER is the barometer of cool and hipness :AOK

[mojoslide]

Were they ever cool? This comes from a McCarty lover. My main axes are two McCartys and I think they're great instruments. Honestly, I could careless about what's cool or not, and most audiences don't either. After dealing with lemons from other manufacturers like Fender and Gibson, I wanted something with spectacular construction, tone, and playability. The PRS McCarty fit the bill for me. So am I not cool because I love my McCartys? Who the hell cares if I'm happy.

[cander328]

Just received a 2001 CU22 that is just gorgeous and it plays well. "Cool" depends on how one defines it.

From Wikipedia:
"Cool is an aesthetic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetic) of attitude, behavior, comportment, appearance, style and Zeitgeist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist). Because of the varied and changing connotations of cool, as well its subjective nature, the word has no single meaning. It has associations of composure and self-control (cf. the OED (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_English_Dictionary) definition) and often is used as an expression of admiration or approval".

I admire the look of my CU22 and I approve of the way it plays so I guess I would classify it as cool. Is it cooler than my Old World Tele, 60's Relic CS Tele, 25/50 Anniversary Les Paul, or Masterbuilt '54 Strat? I would not say so, but still cool!

[fullerplast]

What is "cool" in a guitar?

If paying some company extra to beat up some 50 year old designs to look like you wore it out really playing it is "cool", I question the value of coolness. If the 1000th variation of what is really just a tele, strat, or LP design is "cool", I question the value of coolness.

You can count the number of companies that had any real success deviating from the Gibson/Fender formula on one hand. Paul came in as a gigging guitarist and within one decade built the number 3 electric guitar company in the world with new great sounding and playing designs....along with unsurpassed consistency and quality control at that production level. Now with even more new designs, acoustic guitars, and amps coming down the line, the evolution continues.

That's pretty cool in my book, at least as cool as what are basically "tools" can get. True cool however, doesn't come from the tools...it comes from the artist using the tools.:JAM

[clothwiring]

I've played exactly one PRS that I liked, never owned one. I would buy an old one, but only for investment purpose.

[AudionAnalog]

PRS McCarthy

In a heartbeat over a Gibson SG

[slippyknees]

I think "cool" has everything to do with who/what is associated with a particular guitar/piece of gear.

Don't believe me? Then why is a '59 Les Paul the Holy Grail? Is it really any better than a '57 or say a '61? Or does it have to do with who played one and the records they made with it?

PRS guitars have unfortunately been associated with less than "cool" musicians and stores (Guitar Center). I know there are exceptions here, I'm just talking in general terms. And remember, I own one of these guitars (and really like it) and have had it for almost 20 years.

Would I buy one now, no, namely because I've never played a newer one that I like.

[ant_riv]

Interesting discussion.

My point of view (worth exactly what you paid for it) is that most guitars that show evidence of playing time (wear, 'relicing', whatever) become "cool".

Extreme examples are SRV's #1, Rory Gallagher's strat, Eddie Van Halen's red special, Jimmy Page's 'burst, etc. Part of the cool factor is the hours and hours of single-minded devotion that is visibly present in the guitar.

As we all know, Strats and LPs have been around "forever" and so there are plenty of great examples of well-played guitars available.

Why are Sears Silvertones (and many other brands) not as accepted as cool, even though they've been around nearly as long? The inherent lack of quality kept them from being popular with musicians who needed dependability to excel.

The many well-regarded custom builders are cool to guitarists in the know, but not to the general public.

So as many have stated, popularity plays a part in the cool factor.

Enter PRS. No one doubts the quality. A significant part of improving quality from a manufacturing perspective is reducing the variation in the product. PRS has achieved that which most agree is a good thing.

PRS guitars are often cited as being popular due to the quality.

However, due to the quality of the manufacturing process, PRS guitars do not age the same as the Strats, LPs, etc. that have been kicking around for the same period of time, or longer. Other than a few specific examples, most PRSi are still in like new condition. The lack of distinctive wear keeps PRS from having that worn-in reliced feel, and so they lack "warmth".

If you play a Strat, Tele, LP, SG, etc. for a few dozen hours the guitar starts to wear in, and becomes personal. Most PRSi after playing for the same length of time, remain near pristine due to the quality of the manufacturing processes.

How many of us have the amount of time available to create a "Casper" from a PRS, simply by playing? Everyone who has seen Casper agrees that guitar is different from most PRS. I think everyone agrees Casper is cool, just like SRV's #1, Rory Gallagher's strat, Eddie Van Halen's red special, Jimmy Page's 'burst, etc.

How many PRSi do you think have the playing time of Casper?

This makes sense to me. I hope it makes sense to others as well.

Just my 0.02. And I apologize for the long post. Remember, my opinion is worth what you paid for it. YMMV.

[CharAznable]

Someone makes a guitar of consistent quality that sounds good, plays great and doesn't look like it was dragged from the back of a truck after 10 years. Moreover, the guitar is wildly successful, and is adopted by a number of highly regarded players.

But since it doesn't look like Jimi set fire to it it's not "cool"

What a load of garbage.

This "relic" fetish has to die.

[JoeNewbie]

I haven't read this entire thread (too long) so sorry if this has been mentioned already.

In terms of "coolness" I think that PRS guitars have been off the map for a long, long time now in certain circles. This is due in part to all the crap nu metal bands from the late 90's/early 2000's that adopted them and the fact that Guitar Center started selling them - they kinda became synonymous with the quality of that store's "brand" and of crappy nu metal bands (Nickelback anyone?). To further prove my point, of all the guitarists on the face of the planet, Mark Tremonti has a signature model? Seriously?

All that said, I think the PRS guitars made from the late 80's through the early 90s are really great guitars. I own a '89 CE that I'll never sell and it's a killer guitar - totally different than the ones being made today (and for the last 10 years for that matter). It sounds unbelievable - better than a lot of Les Pauls I've played. Seriously.

Anything beyond those years I'm not a fan of at all - except the new DGT's look cool, I'll admit that.

For whatever that's worth.....

Sorry but I had to react to this. First, I didn't know Nickelback qualifies as Nu Metal.

As for a PRS CE sounding "better than a lot of Les Pauls", how can these two instruments even be compared? They sound different, period.

Finally, the DGT, from an aesthetic standpoint, looks very similar to a Custom 22.

And for what it's worth, Guitar Center sell plenty of Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Specials and Juniors. And a few Fenders as well. Are they all uncool as well?

The only part I agree with is that PRS should be more selective with their signature models than releasing a Mark Tremonti guitar.

[TNJ]

I was talking with a friend of mine that is on tour with a christian group and we were talking about Paul Reed Smith Guitars..

I was telling him that I am looking at trading one of my guitars for a PRS and asking him about his..

He said he got rid of his, cause he got tired of looking at it... Thats just Scotty.

But he told me that the general consesus is that PRS has lost its cool, and are now thought of as an equal to.......like an normal run of the mill Ibanez guitar.

I don't feel they have lost their cool.. Its all a matter of opinion.. Maybe the people that think this are snobs.... And only want a Boutique hard to get guitar..

The general consesus does not affect my search for a PRS..


So whats the deal? Is his comment just BS?

PURE BS.
Tell me...how you gonna believe a guy who gets rid of a perfectly good guitar because he gets 'tired of looking at it'? And then makes a goofy blanket statement dissing an entire company??? :messedup
General consensus???? ...I know he's a friend of yours, but man...that dood needs to use his head before spreading crap like that around.
It does no one a service, and is founded on nothing but thin air.
I've owned many PRSi through the years. The first "Boutique" guitar I bought was a '90 Custom 24 in Whale Blue. I played the bejeezus out of that guitar, and had NOT ONE ISSUE. My lead tones were fabulous, and that thing played and stayed in tune perfectly well.
I have a Suhr Strat, a Hamer Monaco, a Gibby '57 Les Paul Goldie reissue, and a Fender Tele...all of which are outstanding, toneful guitars.
My #1 go to for gigs...'07 PRS Custom 22, stock w/trem.
It does everything I require, and then some.
If you've watched the PRS '08 vid on their website, a few impressive players own them and play them regularly...old and young, metal to jazz to country to rock and roll.

I'm a proud PRS owner...an American based company committed to quality, and staffed with a workforce who care about putting out great guitars. I know...I've been there a few times, and met and talked with these people. Including the main man himself. He cares about what comes out of Stevensville, believe me.

My .02,
S.
j

[aleclee]

The only part I agree with is that PRS should be more selective with their signature models than releasing a Mark Tremonti guitar.Is Tremonti so much less deserving of a sig model than Kiefer Sutherland (http://www.gibsoncustom.com/kiefer.html) (Gibson) or Billy Corgan (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0115002805) (Fender)?

In that light, it's pretty clear that guitar companies release sig models to make money, not to honor "deserving" artists. The only criteria any guitar company uses to determine who deserves to have a sig model is sales. Anyone who tells you otherwise is likely trying to sell something.

[JoeNewbie]

Is Tremonti so much less deserving of a sig model than Kiefer Sutherland (http://www.gibsoncustom.com/kiefer.html) (Gibson) or Billy Corgan (http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0115002805) (Fender)?

In that light, it's pretty clear that guitar companies release sig models to make money, not to honor "deserving" artists. The only criteria any guitar company uses to determine who deserves to have a sig model is sales. Anyone who tells you otherwise is likely trying to sell something.

You are right.

And I purchased the latest from the Bacon Brothers... :)

[trap]

Interesting discussion.

My point of view (worth exactly what you paid for it) is that most guitars that show evidence of playing time (wear, 'relicing', whatever) become "cool".

Extreme examples are SRV's #1, Rory Gallagher's strat, Eddie Van Halen's red special, Jimmy Page's 'burst, etc. Part of the cool factor is the hours and hours of single-minded devotion that is visibly present in the guitar.

As we all know, Strats and LPs have been around "forever" and so there are plenty of great examples of well-played guitars available.

Why are Sears Silvertones (and many other brands) not as accepted as cool, even though they've been around nearly as long? The inherent lack of quality kept them from being popular with musicians who needed dependability to excel.

The many well-regarded custom builders are cool to guitarists in the know, but not to the general public.

So as many have stated, popularity plays a part in the cool factor.

Enter PRS. No one doubts the quality. A significant part of improving quality from a manufacturing perspective is reducing the variation in the product. PRS has achieved that which most agree is a good thing.

PRS guitars are often cited as being popular due to the quality.

However, due to the quality of the manufacturing process, PRS guitars do not age the same as the Strats, LPs, etc. that have been kicking around for the same period of time, or longer. Other than a few specific examples, most PRSi are still in like new condition. The lack of distinctive wear keeps PRS from having that worn-in reliced feel, and so they lack "warmth".

If you play a Strat, Tele, LP, SG, etc. for a few dozen hours the guitar starts to wear in, and becomes personal. Most PRSi after playing for the same length of time, remain near pristine due to the quality of the manufacturing processes.

How many of us have the amount of time available to create a "Casper" from a PRS, simply by playing? Everyone who has seen Casper agrees that guitar is different from most PRS. I think everyone agrees Casper is cool, just like SRV's #1, Rory Gallagher's strat, Eddie Van Halen's red special, Jimmy Page's 'burst, etc.

How many PRSi do you think have the playing time of Casper?

This makes sense to me. I hope it makes sense to others as well.

Just my 0.02. And I apologize for the long post. Remember, my opinion is worth what you paid for it. YMMV.

now i feel better about that ding i just put on my 89 last week.:D NOW my prs has mojo!!!

[AlligatorMtn]

The last year has really ruined my appreciation for PRS.

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.

I'll never gives PRS another DIME of my money, and the guitar has lost over 1/2 of its value due to the damage, however it does give it some character.

[fullerplast]

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.

I'll never gives PRS another DIME of my money, and the guitar has lost over 1/2 of its value due to the damage, however it does give it some character.

Your story is somewhat hard to follow, but from what I can gather the problem is not a warranty issue and PRS does not generally handle non-warranty damage repairs. It sounds like maybe the dealer tried to circumvent that PRS policy in a less than upfront fashion through artist relations? Not cool. :nono Your dealer really should be helping you find a luthier for your repair.

PRS Guitars currently performs warranty (http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/warranty.html) related repairs for authorized PRS dealers (http://www.prsguitars.com/dealer.asp). If you are experiencing problems with your PRS Guitar that are warranty (http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/warranty.html) related you should contact your local authorized PRS dealer (http://www.prsguitars.com/dealer.asp) immediately. Other repairs that address wear and tear or routine maintenance should be referred to a qualified local guitar repair facility.

[wilerty]

The last year has really ruined my appreciation for PRS.

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.

I'll never gives PRS another DIME of my money, and the guitar has lost over 1/2 of its value due to the damage, however it does give it some character.

Sorry for the problem you've had with your guitar. I obviously don't know any of the details, but to my knowledge PRS does not do any repairs to their guitars except those covered by warranty. If I want my PRS repainted, a ding fixed, a pickup changed, a new nut, etc, etc PRS will not do it. There are many very good luthiers out there who could repair your guitar.

[fazen]

The last year has really ruined my appreciation for PRS.

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.


They don't do repairs. That's not their business. They build guitars.
The warranty is for defects. Not damage you do.
Pick up a phone and call a guitar repair shop. If it's just cosmetic, there are a lot of places that can fix it.

[Barefoot]

Simmer down...........go here....

http://orkiespoil.com

It will be OK....




The last year has really ruined my appreciation for PRS.

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.

I'll never gives PRS another DIME of my money, and the guitar has lost over 1/2 of its value due to the damage, however it does give it some character.

[mattmccloskey]

"cool" is more or less just another way of expressing approval or appreciation of something. It has a little bit of a 'hip' connotation as well, which is related to 'fashionable', often related to youth culture.

PRS never had those qualities for me, but that's not really an issue for every instrument I buy. I mean, my speck mic pre or sony headphones are not 'cool' but they are nice tools that do what I need.

On the other hand, I don't like PRS guitars much at all. They just seem overpriced to me. I can't see the value in them. To me they are sort of high quality production guitars at boutique prices.
For set-neck instruments, the USA Hamers are every bit as nice as PRS, have better pickups and hardware, and cost less money.

[retrokid]

First of all, why do you have to care about what others think?
Do you do things just because they are "cool"?

I don't.

Second of all, I think PRS is the best guitar production company now (besides custom guitars). Fender and Gibson's decline is evident and they just keep on coming out with endless re-issues.

I prefer PRS over Fender and Gibson, but I can tolerate people who think otherwise.

Just do thing because you want to do so, not because of other people. :AOK

Plus, guitars are made to be PLAYED. However, I don't ever get tired looking at/playing my PRS Modern Eagle...

[Chuck King]

To those of you who own and love your PRSi: whether it's a good guitar and whether it's cool or not are utterly unrelated questions. Similarly, whether it's better made than any given Ibanez is irrelevant to the question of whether the two brands are equally cool.

I think that coolness has to do with style, not how good a guitar is. When a guitar becomes ubiquitous, it almost by definition can't be cool. PRSi are in that category, in some genres anyway---and in that regard, they are much like pointy Ibanez shredders, btw. It's a well-established pattern: guitar is cool, everybody buys guitar, guitar ceases to be cool. (It doesn't help if lots of the people playing said guitar are in a love-it-or-hate-it genre like, say, nu metal.)

It is nearly impossible to really discuss the "coolness" of any given guitar since it's so relative and depends a lot on who you talk to---for instance, I think PRSi are considered very cool in certain circles, but not so cool in others. Even if there is some overall "average coolness quotient", how would it be calculated, and would two people ever agree?

But back to my original point---it's even tougher to discuss the coolness issue when one must wade through pages of posts of people arguing over quality or sound, which were not part of the original issues.

[fazen]

They just seem overpriced to me. I can't see the value in them. To me they are sort of high quality production guitars at boutique prices.
For set-neck instruments, the USA Hamers are every bit as nice as PRS, have better pickups and hardware, and cost less money.

They're the same price as Gibsons and the recent Hamers (Taladega) cost a bit more.
The SC245 is $2200 about the same as a Les Paul standard.
The Mira is 1400-1500. About the same as an SG standard.

[02Singlecut]

Nope....Nadda...Not Cool at all!!!!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r312/Teasme4764/Family2007.jpg

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r312/Teasme4764/McCartyAlabaster2001.jpg

[phretbored]

Nice harem shot there!:AOK


Actually I think PRS guitars have gotten cooler over the years.
They started off in the mid 80s with some really great designs and they have consistently developed some fantastic new designs as the years have progressed.
I am anticipating more amazing guitars and ideas from PRS going forward.

[franksguitar]

I own Fenders, Gibsons & PRS and yes I have a 20th anniversary bookmatched Maple Top CE (yes American made) not to confuse with an "SE Korean" and I did have a Tom Anderson. Soul is in the hands of the player regardless of manufacturer of the instrument. Each have their own characteristics and tone, but soul is in the players hands and certainly a PRS is hardly lifeless.

[mattmccloskey]

They're the same price as Gibsons and the recent Hamers (Taladega) cost a bit more.
The SC245 is $2200 about the same as a Les Paul standard.
The Mira is 1400-1500. About the same as an SG standard.

well for one thing, Gibsons are extremely overpriced, so no argument there.
But in regard to hamers compare apples to apples- the talladega pro is a chambered top of the line model with victory inlays, tone pros hardware, real Ivory nut, figured maple top, ebony headstock overlay,etc. the list price is 4900.
The closest thing to that from PRS would be a hollow body 1 single cut that retails for over 5K and doesn't have all the features of the hamer.
A custom 22 with a 10 top retails for over 5K as well. A hamer studio custom has a list of 4200.

[theraygun]

I'll be honest, I've just never got PRS's. They just don't do anything for me, especially the double cuts. I don't know what it is, just no appeal.

[PinoyBoy]

The last year has really ruined my appreciation for PRS.

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.

I'll never gives PRS another DIME of my money, and the guitar has lost over 1/2 of its value due to the damage, however it does give it some character.

You dropped your guitar, it gets damaged, and you expect it to be covered by warranty???

Wow. PRS, and probably all other builders, will probably thank you for not giving them your money if that's what you feel is your right as a customer.

[Kyle vs. Guitar]

PRS makes some very pretty looking guitars, and I think they sound just fine, from my playing experience. The problem is the people who play them - I know it sounds stupid but I'm just not very inclined to play the guitar used by guys from new metal bands and mainstream junk like Three Doors Down and Nickelback. The only PRS players I really like are Alex Lifeson and Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree. I play indie rock, and I don't know of any such musicians who use PRSi. I think the reason why Fender and Gibson possess such broad appeal is because they've been used in so many different genres. PRS has yet to really break through to broader ranges of music.

I have pretty modest taste in guitars. I have no interest in fancy inlays or woods, and PRS and Gibson, among many other types, feel too fancy for me. I've always preferred Fenders because they feel more down to earth to me. Although to their credit, PRS guitars are generally much more tasteful in their appointments than many others.

I'd certainly consider getting a PRS if I were in the market for a twin humbucker or P-90 equipped mahogany guitar, but given their exorbitant prices when I would prefer something a little less flashy it's not terribly likely.

[bluesyjacuzzi]

you know I never paid attention to them either cause Im a jazz blues type and no one I respect or know really plays them so I never had any experience with them. but then I played a mcrosie and all bets were off. Now I have 4 of them and have never looked back. Ive surprised a few guys in my world too when I showed up to play with a prs on some blues and jazz gigs. Changed some minds along the way. They are great guitars for stuff other than metal and shredding.




PRS makes some very pretty looking guitars, and I think they sound just fine, from my playing experience. The problem is the people who play them - I know it sounds stupid but I'm just not very inclined to play the guitar used by guys from new metal bands and mainstream junk like Three Doors Down and Nickelback. The only PRS players I really like are Alex Lifeson and Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree. I play indie rock, and I don't know of any such musicians who use PRSi. I think the reason why Fender and Gibson possess such broad appeal is because they've been used in so many different genres. PRS has yet to really break through to broader ranges of music.

I have pretty modest taste in guitars. I have no interest in fancy inlays or woods, and PRS and Gibson, among many other types, feel too fancy for me. I've always preferred Fenders because they feel more down to earth to me. Although to their credit, PRS guitars are generally much more tasteful in their appointments than many others.

I'd certainly consider getting a PRS if I were in the market for a twin humbucker or P-90 equipped mahogany guitar, but given their exorbitant prices when I would prefer something a little less flashy it's not terribly likely.

[Bankston]

PRS makes some very pretty looking guitars, and I think they sound just fine, from my playing experience. The problem is the people who play them - I know it sounds stupid but I'm just not very inclined to play the guitar used by guys from new metal bands and mainstream junk like Three Doors Down and Nickelback. The only PRS players I really like are Alex Lifeson and Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree. I play indie rock, and I don't know of any such musicians who use PRSi. I think the reason why Fender and Gibson possess such broad appeal is because they've been used in so many different genres. PRS has yet to really break through to broader ranges of music.

I have pretty modest taste in guitars. I have no interest in fancy inlays or woods, and PRS and Gibson, among many other types, feel too fancy for me. I've always preferred Fenders because they feel more down to earth to me. Although to their credit, PRS guitars are generally much more tasteful in their appointments than many others.

I'd certainly consider getting a PRS if I were in the market for a twin humbucker or P-90 equipped mahogany guitar, but given their exorbitant prices when I would prefer something a little less flashy it's not terribly likely.

Plenty of douchebags have played Fenders and Gibsons in addition to all the icons everyone loves.

There are a LOT of cool PRS guys. Dave Grissom, Johnny Hiland, just to name a couple.

Reading some of the comments on this thread helped me decide to keep my Custom 22. I was going to sell it to buy an LP Axcess, but I think I'll just save my pennies and wait for a good deal.

[swimrunner]

The only part I agree with is that PRS should be more selective with their signature models than releasing a Mark Tremonti guitar.Tremonti's actually a damn good guitarist, he never showed it in Creed but Alter Bridge is a pretty good band IMO.

[Bankston]

Tremonti's actually a damn good guitarist, he never showed it in Creed but Alter Bridge is a pretty good band IMO.

Agreed. Tremonti has sold $30 million+ worth of records. He could've gotten complacent and just rode Creed into the retirement home but instead he started working on his chops and trying to become a great player.

And I respect that kind of devotion to playing.

And while others have abandoned PRS (like Dan Donegan, Mike Einzinger, etc.), Tremonti has remained loyal.

If that doesn't earn you a signature model, I don't know what does.

[The Last Rebel]

Agreed. Tremonti has sold $30 million+ worth of records. He could've gotten complacent and just rode Creed into the retirement home but instead he started working on his chops and trying to become a great player.

And I respect that kind of devotion to playing.

And while others have abandoned PRS (like Dan Donegan, Mike Einzinger, etc.), Tremonti has remained loyal.

If that doesn't earn you a signature model, I don't know what does.
Most of the PRS signature artists have been playing them for years. David Grissom, Carlos Santana, Al Di Meola, Dave Navarro, Mark Tremonti, Gary Grainger, and although Johnny Hiland is new he seems pretty loyal to the name. Hell, half of those guys have been playing PRS' almost as long as Paul has been making them.

[slippyknees]

"And while others have abandoned PRS (like Dan Donegan, Mike Einzinger, etc.), Tremonti has remained loyal.

If that doesn't earn you a signature model, I don't know what does."


Dude,
He gets them for free. I'd be pretty loyal to that too especially if they made them to my specs. I hear ya, but come on...free!

[Pete Faragher]

Still deadly playing, better sounding and most definitely COOOOOOOL :cool:

At least to me. When I discovered PRS (in 1990) I only played vintage Fenders and Gibsons. PRS changed all that for me and a large amount of other players.

Pete

[Frankee]

I hearby decree this as cool.....

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg298/pacbastard/main1.jpg

[Zilmo]

The last year has really ruined my appreciation for PRS.

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.

I'll never gives PRS another DIME of my money, and the guitar has lost over 1/2 of its value due to the damage, however it does give it some character.


Wow. I suppose GMC needs to fix that Chevelle you wrecked too? :NUTS

[JoeNewbie]

The last year has really ruined my appreciation for PRS.

Situation: PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell and was severely damaged. All cosmetic issues, still 100% playable, but I wanted it fixed. This happened on August 10th, 2007.

Dealer: They have a great relationship with PRS, as a matter of fact, a former employee is now fully endorsed by PRS and has numerous Custom axes.

What PRS said: We don't care. They would not take the guitar in for repair. They said they would fix it and sent us over to Artist Relations. The endorsed artist contacted a guy, and the dealership and the 'finishing' department contacted each other. Finally they stopped returning emails and phone calls. I called to register a serious complaint and couldn't even do that!!! Finally on August 2nd, 2008 I locked up my guitar and gave up hope that PRS would ever fix it.

Bottom line: For someone like myself who saved up for a year (teenager at the time) to buy my 'dream guitar' I was left with a very sour taste in my mouth. PRS made no effort to even suggest a luthier who could fix my guitar, nor did they show any interest in trying to fix one of their products. The guitar is also under warranty, but they didn't care.

I'll never gives PRS another DIME of my money, and the guitar has lost over 1/2 of its value due to the damage, however it does give it some character.

If you accidentally smash your guitar, it is up to you and no one else to find a good luthier to fix it. And frankly, if you're serious enough about your playing to buy a top notch guitar like a PRS Hollowbody, I would think you're resourceful enough to find a good luthier.

[Bankston]

"And while others have abandoned PRS (like Dan Donegan, Mike Einzinger, etc.), Tremonti has remained loyal.

If that doesn't earn you a signature model, I don't know what does."


Dude,
He gets them for free. I'd be pretty loyal to that too especially if they made them to my specs. I hear ya, but come on...free!

Dude, he could get them for free from other manufacturers as well. Lots of name guys are gear whores who switch endorsements every couple of years.

Dan Donegan was getting his Singlecuts for free, but that didn't stop him from moving over to Washburn.

[Jack]

Fender and Gibson have had a decades-long head start on PRS. People have this conservatism about what's cool with anything and people are often more followers than leaders.

There's a big "vintage" trend that's been going on and PRS cannot, by definition, be a part of that.

I honestly feel that PRS's are less cool than Gibsons and Fenders-but I think that comes from a lame place in my head.

Give a good player a PRS and he will kick butt. I've definitely seen that plenty of times.

I think they play well, look pretty, and do have a somewhat distinct sound.

[Shark Diver]

Nope....Nadda...Not Cool at all!!!!

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r312/Teasme4764/Family2007.jpg


Well, I see one cool one for sure. At least it was cool when I was playing it.:)

[MichaelK]

PRS Hollowbody Spruce fell

Did it jump or was it pushed?

[JPF]

O.J. did it.

Back to the OP - my first PRS, a cherryburst CU22AP, was and will always be a very cool guitar to me. I've have plenty of comments here in Spain when gigging with it about it being "pijo" - making me a cad, I guess. Tough mierda. It's a beautifully-made, cool guitar to me, but the coolness came with familiarity and experience, playing it, neither of which I had when I originally bought it.

[Shovelhead]

Whether or not a guitar is 'cool' completely depends on the hands that are playing it and the music that it is being used to create.

[Andre357]

Go to BaM right now see hoe many guys say that they bought their PRS based only off of looks. My guess on the number of people that tell you that? None, not a single one. I, and most of the guys at BaM, play PRS' because they are uncomprimising in quality, sound, and playability. Their customer service is some of the best in the buisness and all of the guys near the top love what they do. IMO, not all Gibsons are made to the same quality. The average Studio probably isn't made to the same quality as a Traditional or Supreme. Every single American PRS is made to the exact same level of quality. A $1500 Mira is every bit as good as a $4000 Custom or a $6000 ME. My Standard could be compared to any PRS on any shelf anywhere. PRS is making some of the absolute best guitars anyone is today. People often complain about the electronics and list that as a major reason that they are not well liked. I've seen plenty of threads and postsabout people doing a complete overhaul on their $3000-4000 Historic. If you don't like PRS, I've got no problem with that. I do have a problem with people just trying to fit in and bash PRS constantly.


Good thing I had my flame suit on :D

I stand by my statement - Many a thread on PRS forums results in ooohh's and aaaah's over the depth and 3d quality of the flame or whether a rosewood neck has a knot in it or not. Of course sound comes into the discussion as well, but it seems cosmetics take priority over the sound sometimes with SOME USERS ( of course not all ).

And I do like PRS's - as mentioned i've bought and sold about 4 of them, Including a 4K Brazilian necked 513.

One of the best PRS's I owned I wish I still owned - a black burst Single cut trem - great, woody sounding guitar with a sweet top end. Never should have sold that one.

Also , the Grisson model definately interests me. Something tells me that will be a great sounding guitar. He's a great player man. Just the fact he endorses it/ has his name on it makes me very , very interested.

[Fred McMurray]

When PRS cranks out cutting-edge and phenomenally cool axes like the DGT (Dave Grissom model), they have my cool vote. Big GAS for that guitar ovah heeyah!

Fred

[wolfpack]

PRS Lost its Cool??

IMO, they NEVER were :hide

[Jon Silberman]

Why are we so small that we need to keep putting down stuff as uncool because we ourselves don't prefer it? Will it ever stop? :eek:

[DavidE]

What a stupid thread. Who the eff cares if somebody considers a particular brand cool or not cool? What's is this, junior high school? Puhleeze!!!

Play what you like and what works for you. Maybe it's a Silvertone or a Dan Electro or a Grosh or a Gibson, Fender, Hamer, Warmouth, Zion, ESP, Ibeenhad, PRS or whatever.....

I own a crapload of guitars. Gibsons, Fenders, custom parts o casters, Hamers galore, Parker, etc.... I gig 99% of the time with my PRSs. They work and they work great. Best trem ever. Wide variety of sounds. Adjust amp to taste. Change a pickup or two if you must. Feel great in my hands and hanging off my shoulder. Sure, I've tried some that did nothing for me, but I have a bunch that sound great with a variety of amps and pedals. They work and they look killer at the same time.

That's cool enough for me.

[phretbored]

PRS makes some very pretty looking guitars, and I think they sound just fine, from my playing experience. The problem is the people who play them - I know it sounds stupid but I'm just not very inclined to play the guitar used by guys from new metal bands and mainstream junk like Three Doors Down and Nickelback. The only PRS players I really like are Alex Lifeson and Steven Wilson from Porcupine Tree. I play indie rock, and I don't know of any such musicians who use PRSi. I think the reason why Fender and Gibson possess such broad appeal is because they've been used in so many different genres. PRS has yet to really break through to broader ranges of music.

I have pretty modest taste in guitars. I have no interest in fancy inlays or woods, and PRS and Gibson, among many other types, feel too fancy for me. I've always preferred Fenders because they feel more down to earth to me. Although to their credit, PRS guitars are generally much more tasteful in their appointments than many others.

I'd certainly consider getting a PRS if I were in the market for a twin humbucker or P-90 equipped mahogany guitar, but given their exorbitant prices when I would prefer something a little less flashy it's not terribly likely.

Check out Jimmy Herring doing all manner of very naughty things to this PRS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzxfyLfhwwQ

[jtwang]

Check out Jimmy Herring doing all manner of very naughty things to this PRS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzxfyLfhwwQ

Omg, why have I never heard this guy before? Amazing.

[Jon Silberman]

What a stupid thread. Who the eff cares if somebody considers a particular brand cool or not cool? What's is this, junior high school? Puhleeze!!!
This is insulting and un-called-for. My daughter is in junior high and she and her friends certainly do NOT act like us this thread.

:p

[Shovelhead]

Check out Jimmy Herring doing all manner of very naughty things to this PRS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzxfyLfhwwQ

I love his stuff in Aquarium Rescue Unit too. I've never been a big fan of his choice of tone, but he's an astounding player!

[TNJ]

Tone is subjective...but I'd take Herring's tone in a flat out heartbeat.
AND his chops.
I've already got his looks. :D

S.
j

[JPenn]

What's with that bridge man? Looks like it had an argument with a belt sander or something.

I was thinkin "hey all of the Strat guys do it...why not me?"http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon7.gif

Just kidding, this was basically my only guitar for 5 years. During that time I gigged at least 2 nights a week, most of the time it was 3-5. It is kind of amazing how wore down it got. It's kind of hard to tell from the pics but the finish is wore down on the treble side of the neck, probably from my wedding band.

I guess I was fortunate at the time I got my first PRS. I had no internet, lived in a small town/very small musical community, and didn't really know anything about PRS. They were still pretty much unknown. I was looking for a guitar that felt and played the way I thought a guitar should, and I found it. I didn't have any pre-conceived ideas about the guitars. I also didn't know that I wasn't supposed to actually use the guitar.

[Shovelhead]

Tone is subjective...but I'd take Herring's tone in a flat out heartbeat.
AND his chops.
I've already got his looks. :D

S.
j

Tone really is subjective. His tone on that vid is pretty damn good, but his tone with ARU hurts my ears (emphasis on 'my'!). But his chops just make me smile from ear to ear.

I definitely don't have his (or your) looks! :D

[CharAznable]

I think what PRS has done is absolutely awesome. For the first time, a guitar builder has truly challenged the Gibson/Fender duopoly.

I mean, Gibsons are "cool" and all, but they are basically 50 year old designs that have barely changed since then. And no, they haven't changed because they're already "perfect", they haven't changed because people, especially older people who were around in the 60's and 70's, tend to be overly conservative and resistant to change. Maybe the attitude will die out with time. When I was a kid, I saw Santana on TV with his PRS, and I remember seeing pictures of David Grissom on GP with his goldtop PRS, as well as Alex Lifeson. To my 13 year old mind, those guys just looked cool and badass.

The Les Paul is a great design, and obviously is still musically viable, but if someone came out with that design today, it would be completely backwards and reactionary, because we've learned so much since then, and also music has evolved a lot since then. Even Gibson realized this in the 50's. They did put out the V, Explorer ,etc and also later made the SG, which I still believe is a thoroughly modern design.

PRS has been awesome, if only to prove that you can be commercially successful without having to keep making Strat and Les Paul copies.

[daddyo]

My heart still skips a beat when I see one of the original orange Santana custom ones from around 1985.

[ib2010]

I know that my cool quotiant is miniscule, but i'm sure my 513 is plenty cool.

[studiodunn]

when were PRS's cool?

Not knocking them, but they have always had a sort of Elitist, Nice guy vibe to them.
I mean what dirty rocker played a PRS?

[JPF]

Madonna?:messedup

[DavidE]

This is insulting and un-called-for. My daughter is in junior high and she and her friends certainly do NOT act like us this thread.

:p


Ha! LOL....

[DavidE]

when were PRS's cool?

Not knocking them, but they have always had a sort of Elitist, Nice guy vibe to them.
I mean what dirty rocker played a PRS?

Anyone got a photo of Dave Navarro with his white PRS?

[Dirk Diggler]

I think what PRS has done is absolutely awesome. For the first time, a guitar builder has truly challenged the Gibson/Fender duopoly.

I mean, Gibsons are "cool" and all, but they are basically 50 year old designs that have barely changed since then. And no, they haven't changed because they're already "perfect", they haven't changed because people, especially older people who were around in the 60's and 70's, tend to be overly conservative and resistant to change. Maybe the attitude will die out with time. When I was a kid, I saw Santana on TV with his PRS, and I remember seeing pictures of David Grissom on GP with his goldtop PRS, as well as Alex Lifeson. To my 13 year old mind, those guys just looked cool and badass.

The Les Paul is a great design, and obviously is still musically viable, but if someone came out with that design today, it would be completely backwards and reactionary, because we've learned so much since then, and also music has evolved a lot since then. Even Gibson realized this in the 50's. They did put out the V, Explorer ,etc and also later made the SG, which I still believe is a thoroughly modern design.

PRS has been awesome, if only to prove that you can be commercially successful without having to keep making Strat and Les Paul copies.

I don't think of myself as a conservative guitar-wise and I am not that old, I was still a teen during the grunge era.
I don't like PRS because of the TONE, or the lack of it. I prefer Les Paul when I wan't humbucker tone and strats when I wan't SC tone. It's simple as that. I think PRS's sound "bland" and "undefined". If they wan't to challenge the Gibson - Fender "duopoly" good for them, other producers have tried before...when someone comes up with a design that feels as good and sounds as good as a LP or a strat I might pick it up, PRS have not.
Apart from that, I hate the abalone bird inlays on some PRS's and I also hate AAAAAAAA flame tops. I'm not saying that they are "bad" guitars but they are just not for everyone...especially not for rockers.

[Knuckles]

Anyone got a photo of Dave Navarro with his white PRS?

Real cool player, but wouldn't exactly call him a dirty rocker. A little to precious about his appearance - perfect hair and makeup, etc.

But what do I know. He got Carmen Electra and I sure didn't.

[Shovelhead]

when were PRS's cool?

Not knocking them, but they have always had a sort of Elitist, Nice guy vibe to them.
I mean what dirty rocker played a PRS?

It depends on what you mean by 'dirty rocker'. Lots of people have played them, from the traditionalists like Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes and Alex Lifeson to new rockers like Chevelle, Nickelback, Linkin Park, Sevendust, etc. There's plenty of diversity in the music PRS guitars have made.

[Betos]

Gee Fonzy, which guitars do you think are cool? Ayyyyyy....

[Betos]

Madonna?:messedup

Nope. She plays a Les Paul

[studiodunn]

It depends on what you mean by 'dirty rocker'. Lots of people have played them, from the traditionalists like Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes and Alex Lifeson to new rockers like Chevelle, Nickelback, Linkin Park, Sevendust, etc. There's plenty of diversity in the music PRS guitars have made.

No argument there, but the question was about their cool. I'm sure every artist has played ___________at some point.

If we are talking cool, I would say a Les Paul is. A beat up tele is cool, a 6120 is cool. PRS's have always seemed very polished and fancy to me. Keith Richards never beat down a dude with a 10 top. I've never seen a PRS lit on fire in a psychedelic frenzy....ect.

Again not knocking them, but at 40 I have never put a fancy PRS in the cool category with the standards.

[jtw]

He said he got rid of his, cause he got tired of looking at it...

But he told me that the general consesus is that PRS has lost its cool, and are now thought of as an equal to.......like an normal run of the mill Ibanez guitar.

since how guitars look affect how they sound, i can see why this is important...

[Shovelhead]

No argument there, but the question was about their cool. I'm sure every artist has played ___________at some point.

If we are talking cool, I would say a Les Paul is. A beat up tele is cool, a 6120 is cool. PRS's have always seemed very polished and fancy to me. Keith Richards never beat down a dude with a 10 top. I've never seen a PRS lit on fire in a psychedelic frenzy....ect.

Again not knocking them, but at 40 I have never put a fancy PRS in the cool category with the standards.

I agree. Nothing is cooler than a well-used Les Paul, Strat or Tele.

[Bankston]

Setting an expensive guitar on fire makes someone a buffoon . . . not cool.

Mike McCready destroyed an LP Standard recently at the Who tribute show on VH-1 by tossing it up in the air and letting it land on stage. I cringed.

I guess other guys must baby their PRSii because my Custom 22 and Singlecut are beat to hell.

[shallbe]

Setting an expensive guitar on fire makes someone a buffoon . . . not cool.

Mike McCready destroyed an LP Standard recently at the Who tribute show on VH-1 by tossing it up in the air and letting it land on stage. I cringed.

I guess other guys must baby their PRSii because my Custom 22 and Singlecut are beat to hell.

Using that line of thinking, that would make Mike McCready a buffoon.

:hide

[jtwang]

Blame the shiny 10-tops.

When it comes to electric guitars in rock "cool" has always, and with no exceptions that I can can think of, been about the tool aspect of the instrument. Something that can take a beating and some rough times and still keep doing what it is supposed to. It's the Humphrey Bogart, Frank Sinatra, Steve McQueen, Bruce Willis etc kind of cool. Now, a guitar with a 10-top and a dipped-in-glass paint job with birds on the fretboard does a pretty crappy job projecting that image.

When it comes the the actual shape of the body/headstock I think PRS has created a unique and - dare I say this - cool looking design. Obviously the beautiful tops and birds has proven to be a very successful way to go, but I can't help but wonder what would happen if PRS would emphasize solid colors, plain tops and dots in their marketing for a year or two.

Yeah, my personal favorite PRS look is the 22 fret goldtop. :)

[Bankston]

Using that line of thinking, that would make Mike McCready a buffoon.

:hide

Nah, McCready gets a pass because it was a Who tribute show. He was just paying homage to Townsend. I still cringed when that LP hit the stage, though.

[Droptop]

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/charlesbuster/AL4.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/charlesbuster/PatTravers.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/charlesbuster/tremonti2.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l273/charlesbuster/DGT.jpg

Yeah, no one cool would be caught dead playing a PRS. Good thing we're all such famous rock stars.

[studiodunn]

Yeah, no one cool would be caught dead playing a PRS. Good thing we're all such famous rock stars.


No comment needed on the Rasta stained one, but the single cut is nothing more than a LP knock off in an attempt to be cool.

[90wreck]

No comment needed on the Rasta stained one, but the single cut is nothing more than a LP knock off in an attempt to be cool.
Yeah....So?
LP's aren't "cool"?:NUTS
I forgot...It has to say "Gibson" on it.:argue

[Betos]

So, when you hear music on your radio (or ipod, or whatever) can you tell how many scratches the guitar has?

[studiodunn]

So, when you hear music on your radio (or ipod, or whatever) can you tell how many scratches the guitar has?

" He said he got rid of his, cause he got tired of looking at it" - from post #1.

Please try and stay on track here. Cool is a socially relevant term that applies to every individuals personal taste. Your cool is yours. Great, I have no issues with what you like, no need to defend your cool.

The OP asked a question on a public forum and I gave my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less, just an opinion.
I have been in the punk/rock industry for 15 years now and can tell you without a doubt if a band want to look "cool" they buy Gibsons and Fenders. If they don't give a rats ass about "cool" they play what they want, which is actually cooler than "cool". You see, today "not cool" is indeed very cool and what a 50yo thinks is never cool unless he is talking to his buddies about old cars and lawn mowers.

Don't hate the messenger.

[trap]

i think an argument could be made for a les paul being a cliche',and unbecoming on an aging player who lost his hair a long time ago. a strat redundant, like, the crossroads fest should have been renamed the strat fest. i think an argument could be made for any point of view. i think we need to grow up, we are not ( in most cases ) 14 any more. play what you like , and what inspires you. i would bet dollars to doughnuts that any top player would never criticize anyone in a one on one conversation over which guitar they like to play. i would probably be more like " hey, nice guitar, you like it".

[Drowned Rabbit]

Gee Fonzy, which guitars do you think are cool? Ayyyyyy....

Best post in 15 pages.

[Betos]

" if a band wants to look "cool" they buy Gibsons and Fenders. If they don't give a rats ass about "cool" they play what they want, which is actually cooler than "cool". You see, today "not cool" is indeed very cool and what a 50yo thinks is never cool unless he is talking to his buddies about old cars and lawn mowers.

Don't hate the messenger.

Game, set and match.


This should be a sticky thread title on the top of every page of this forum!



~Betos

[Droptop]

So cool is what you make of it.

[CharAznable]

I don't think of myself as a conservative guitar-wise and I am not that old, I was still a teen during the grunge era.
I don't like PRS because of the TONE, or the lack of it. I prefer Les Paul when I wan't humbucker tone and strats when I wan't SC tone. It's simple as that. I think PRS's sound "bland" and "undefined". If they wan't to challenge the Gibson - Fender "duopoly" good for them, other producers have tried before...when someone comes up with a design that feels as good and sounds as good as a LP or a strat I might pick it up, PRS have not.
Apart from that, I hate the abalone bird inlays on some PRS's and I also hate AAAAAAAA flame tops. I'm not saying that they are "bad" guitars but they are just not for everyone...especially not for rockers.


I was right there with you until the "especially not for rockers" bit. That's just hogwash.

[phretbored]

I don't think of myself as a conservative guitar-wise and I am not that old, I was still a teen during the grunge era.
I don't like PRS because of the TONE, or the lack of it. I prefer Les Paul when I wan't humbucker tone and strats when I wan't SC tone. It's simple as that. I think PRS's sound "bland" and "undefined". If they wan't to challenge the Gibson - Fender "duopoly" good for them, other producers have tried before...when someone comes up with a design that feels as good and sounds as good as a LP or a strat I might pick it up, PRS have not.
Apart from that, I hate the abalone bird inlays on some PRS's and I also hate AAAAAAAA flame tops. I'm not saying that they are "bad" guitars but they are just not for everyone...especially not for rockers.


Thankfully Gibson never puts fancy flametops on their Les Pauls and players and collectors never chase after and then use the fancy flame top as a primary selling point for asking a higher price. :rolleyes:

Thankfully Fender never makes any premuim Custom Shop guitars with fancy relic treatments and players and collectors never chase after them to have as a trophy.:rolleyes:

Thankfully Gibson and Fender only stick to making the the pure rock and roll machines.:rolleyes:

Thankfully they are the only companies capable of making guitars that have great tone.:rolleyes:

FWIW it's totally cool to play the guitars you dig the most...regardless of the name on the headstock.
That is how it should be!

Me personally...I think the days of only a few great guitar tones being available are long gone.
There is an amazing selection of fantastic sounding, playing, and looking instruments available these days from the low end to the high end.
There is something for everybody.
I gave up being limited only to the Gibson and Fender choices a long time ago but I still dig their guitars and I think they have produced some of their best instruments ever in the last 10 years or so.
However, since exploring the world of great choices beyond Gibson and Fender I have never been happier.

[Drowned Rabbit]

Thankfully Gibson never puts fancy flametops on their Les Pauls and players and collectors never chase after and then use the fancy flame top as a primary selling point for asking a higher price. :rolleyes:

Thankfully Fender never makes any premuim Custom Shop guitars with fancy relic treatments and players and collectors never chase after them to have as a trophy.:rolleyes:

Thankfully Gibson and Fender only stick to making the the pure rock and roll machines.:rolleyes:

Thankfully they are the only companies capable of making guitars that have great tone.:rolleyes:

FWIW it's totally cool to play the guitars you dig the most...regardless of the name on the headstock.
That is how it should be!

Me personally...I think the days of only a few great guitar tones being available are long gone.
There is an amazing selection of fantastic sounding, playing, and looking instruments available these days from the low end to the high end.
There is something for everybody.
I gave up being limited only to the Gibson and Fender choices a long time ago but I still dig their guitars and I think they have produced some of their best instruments ever in the last 10 years or so.
However, since exploring the world of great choices beyond Gibson and Fender I have never been happier.

As well written and thoughtful as your response was,
I think you are missing the point. As the OP clearly
stated... I was talking
with a friend of mine that is on tour with a christian
group and we were talking about Paul Reed Smith
Guitars.. He said he got rid of his, cause he got
tired of looking at it... Thats just Scotty.

But he told me that the general consesus is that PRS
has lost its cool, and are now thought of as an equal
to.......like an normal run of the mill Ibanez guitar.

Scotty has spoken.
Discussion over.

Oh, and by the way, regarding your sig line,
until "A Love Supreme" is transcribed and
played on a Gibson and/or Fender by a "Dirty
Rocker", it will not achieve coolness and
therefore not be worth listening to.

[Disco Scottie]

Scotty has spoken.
Discussion over.

Here, here! All hail Scotty!

(that's with a "y", not an "ie")

[stvnscott]

I think I'm plenty cool and I'm quite proud of my 2 PRS guitars and my Carvin copy of the same. Then again, I own 7 Strats and happen to have never gotten along with a Les Paul. I do have my 1st shiny new Tele on the way though. Go figure.

[XKnight]

I'm cool, with or without a PRS. BTW, Joe Walsh did play a PRS Mira in concert recently.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e308/XKnight/JoeWalsh.jpg

[DavidE]

Real cool player, but wouldn't exactly call him a dirty rocker. A little to precious about his appearance - perfect hair and makeup, etc.

But what do I know. He got Carmen Electra and I sure didn't.

He got Carmen after Dennis Rodman. Therefore, he is filthy. :-)

[MichaelK]

...and I gave my opinion.

So did anyone who responded to you.

I have been in the punk/rock industry for 15 years now and can tell you without a doubt if a band want to look "cool" they buy Gibsons and Fenders...

Wow, with those creds, you must really know your shit about "cool." So since you're here, do tell us please... who really is the best guitar player in the whole world??

[Steve73]

Just to clarify.... our guitars are for still playing music and not fashion accessories?

[Knuckles]

I have been in the punk/rock industry for 15 years now and can tell you without a doubt if a band want to look "cool" they buy Gibsons and Fenders.

Kinda true. There is a real anti-PRS bias in punk, pop/punk and a few other non-metal hard rock circles. They're viewed as guitars for doctors/lawyers/dentists playing sleepy blooze rock or spoiled brats blasting nu-metal in their parent's basement with new stacks Mommy and Daddy bought them at GC.

Whatever. I play them because I like them. Gig with them every weekend playing pop/punk/hard rock.

[re-animator]

Kinda true. There is a real anti-PRS bias in punk, pop/punk and a few other non-metal hard rock circles. They're viewed as guitars for doctors/lawyers/dentists playing sleepy blooze rock or spoiled brats blasting nu-metal in their parent's basement with new stacks Mommy and Daddy bought them at GC.

Whatever. I play them because I like them. Gig with them every weekend playing pop/punk/hard rock.

wow. you hit the nail on the head.


in my experience that's exactly what most people look at them as. Would I play one? probably not. most of my favorite guitar tones ever recorded were done on strats.

[JPF]

I'm cool, with or without a PRS. BTW, Joe Walsh did play a PRS Mira in concert recently.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e308/XKnight/JoeWalsh.jpg
Is Joe pinching a harmonic or containing a fart?

[Droptop]

I'm cool, with or without a PRS. BTW, Joe Walsh did play a PRS Mira in concert recently.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e308/XKnight/JoeWalsh.jpg

Looks a little like Carrot Top

[bluesmain]

Funny Thread...

[TNJ]

No argument there, but the question was about their cool. I'm sure every artist has played ___________at some point.

If we are talking cool, I would say a Les Paul is. A beat up tele is cool, a 6120 is cool. PRS's have always seemed very polished and fancy to me. Keith Richards never beat down a dude with a 10 top. I've never seen a PRS lit on fire in a psychedelic frenzy....ect.

Again not knocking them, but at 40 I have never put a fancy PRS in the cool category with the standards.

Ted Nugent as a dirty rocker?
I think so...he was one of the first PRS players.
And always remember what the great Coach Bill Parsells said: "You are what your record says you are.".
PRS has as much cool as Gibson or Fender to me...just a different kind of cool.
I'll also say that there are quite a few Fenderphiles out there who diss Gibson on a daily basis.
Same for the Gibbyphiles who trash Strats and Teles.
For the record, I play a Gibby R7 and a Fender Telecaster Custom, among others.



:dude

S.
j

[TNJ]

" He said he got rid of his, cause he got tired of looking at it" - from post #1.

Please try and stay on track here. Cool is a socially relevant term that applies to every individuals personal taste. Your cool is yours. Great, I have no issues with what you like, no need to defend your cool.

The OP asked a question on a public forum and I gave my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less, just an opinion.
I have been in the punk/rock industry for 15 years now and can tell you without a doubt if a band want to look "cool" they buy Gibsons and Fenders. If they don't give a rats ass about "cool" they play what they want, which is actually cooler than "cool". You see, today "not cool" is indeed very cool and what a 50yo thinks is never cool unless he is talking to his buddies about old cars and lawn mowers.

Don't hate the messenger.

Do any of your guitar heroes play/played PRS?
To me, when a hero of mine plays a certain guitar...the 'cool' factor of that guitar automatically goes way up in my book. No hate for the messenger, just tryin' to school ya, son. If you're a punk anti-PRS type...well your message should only ring true with your crew. Universally speakin'...you're not a majority perspective here.
But, in the final analysis, neither of us probably give a sh*t about that anyway. :)
It's all good...have a nice day.



S.
j

[Droptop]

Do any of your guitar heroes play/played PRS?
To me, when a hero of mine plays a certain guitar...the 'cool' factor of that guitar automatically goes way up in my book. No hate for the messenger, just tryin' to school ya, son. If you're a punk anti-PRS type...well your message should only ring true with your crew. Universally speakin'...you're not a majority perspective here.
But, in the final analysis, neither of us probably give a sh*t about that anyway. :)
It's all good...have a nice day.



S.
j

+1 if it inspires you is all that matters.

[fullerplast]

So rather than watching the debate last night, I chose to go see Crosby and Nash. (Always a fun thing to do during political turmoil.;))

The backup band was great, as you would expect. More to the point, the guitar player playing all the lead guitar for 40 years worth of material covering tones recorded with vintage holy grail Fender, Gibson, and Gretsch guitars was using a PRS guitar almost exclusively the entire night. I thought that was pretty cool.

When Nash introduced the band, not only did he introduce the guitar player, but he added "playing his Paul Reed Smith guitar". Considering what vintage gear and tone hounds those guys are, I also thought that was pretty cool.:AOK

[kingsleyd]

When Nash introduced the band, not only did he introduce the guitar player, but he added "playing his Paul Reed Smith guitar". Considering what vintage gear and tone hounds those guys are, I also thought that was pretty cool.:AOK

One day in 1997 I arrived at Cleveland Hopkins airport with my just-delivered Klein Electric slung over my shoulder. [gratuitous guitar porn below] Walking past one of the gate/waiting areas I noticed a small group of people that included Stephen Stills and David Crosby, who were arriving in town to get inducted into the RRHoF. My favorite place. :stir

Anyway, shy guy that I am, I marched right up to the two of them, introduced myself, and whipped out the Klein.

Crosby kind of drooled on himself, more of a senile-old-man drool than a GAS drool, and Stills informed me that it looked cool but he wouldn't ever play anything made after 1965. Stills did however tell me, "too bad Graham isn't here. He'd love that. He's really into the new stuff."


http://images.lilypix.com/albums/olddata/6ea2ef7311b482724a9b7b0bc0dd85c6/normal_3501_p46041.jpg

[kingsleyd]

As for the OP's question/observation, THIS is cool, and if someone doesn't get that, that's his/her problem. :knitting

http://images.lilypix.com/albums/olddata/6ea2ef7311b482724a9b7b0bc0dd85c6/normal_3501_p46044.jpg

[franksguitar]

Ted Nugent as a dirty rocker?
I think so...he was one of the first PRS players.
And always remember what the great Coach Bill Parsells said: "You are what your record says you are.".
PRS has as much cool as Gibson or Fender to me...just a different kind of cool.
I'll also say that there are quite a few Fenderphiles out there who diss Gibson on a daily basis.
Same for the Gibbyphiles who trash Strats and Teles.
For the record, I play a Gibby R7 and a Fender Telecaster Custom, among others.



:dude

S.
j

First PRS user was Derek St Holmes meeting a young Paul Reed Smith. Derek played it backstage and Paul asked him to play it onstage and he did and Paul freaked when he saw it on the jumbotron monitors 20 feet tall!.. When Ted heard it he ordered one. The story was told by Derek & PRS at the 2008 PRS Experience I heard firsthand. That guitar wound up eventually also with Howard Leese then Santana heard it and borrowed it and went back & forth, it's now back in the PRS archives which resembles a Les Paul Junior and they brought it out. Really cool story.

[MichaelK]

Stills informed me that it looked cool but he wouldn't ever play anything made after 1965

And there ya go - he has the experience, track record, and income from record sales to say that intelligently.

There's a big difference between Stephen Stills saying he doesn't play X, Y or Z, and some bozo educated by the internet saying X, Y or Z "isn't cool any more" as though they know what the f*** they're talking about.

Just because internet postings all look the same on your monitor screen – same font, same background colors, signature in the same place etc. – all opinions are not equally valid.

[fullerplast]

There's a big difference between Stephen Stills saying he doesn't play X, Y or Z, and some bozo educated by the internet saying X, Y or Z "isn't cool any more" as though they know what the f*** they're talking about.

Yet with Crosby and Nash, virtually all of Still's solos from the last 40 years were covered last night using one PRS....pretty cool, huh?:D

[kingsleyd]

And there ya go - he has the experience, track record, and income from record sales to say that intelligently.

There's a big difference between Stephen Stills saying he doesn't play X, Y or Z, and some bozo educated by the internet saying X, Y or Z "isn't cool any more" as though they know what the f*** they're talking about.

Just because internet postings all look the same on your monitor screen – same font, same background colors, signature in the same place etc. – all opinions are not equally valid.

Actually I thought Stills was an arrogant SOB whose attitude precluded learning anything new. I'd take his opinion on anything built after 1965 with a huge grain of salt because he's predisposed to think it's crap. Do you think he's ever played a D'Pergo? A Gustavsson? He looked at my Klein but didn't dare touch it. :rotflmao

I'd value the opinion of someone like Matte or Charlie Daughtry over Stills because I know both of those guys play old guitars AND new guitars. Of course, I value most of all doing my OWN homework in terms of deciding what's cool. (the definition of "cool" around my house being "what works for ME") That seems to be a lost art around these parts.

[Drowned Rabbit]

First PRS user was Derek St Holmes meeting a young Paul Reed Smith. Derek played it backstage and Paul asked him to play it onstage and he did and Paul freaked when he saw it on the jumbotron monitors 20 feet tall!.. When Ted heard it he ordered one. The story was told by Derek & PRS at the 2008 PRS Experience I heard firsthand. That guitar wound up eventually also with Howard Leese then Santana heard it and borrowed it and went back & forth, it's now back in the PRS archives which resembles a Les Paul Junior and they brought it out. Really cool story.

Dammit! You can relate all the interesting stories
you want and it won't make any difference. Scotty
said that PRS's are no longer cool. The punk-o-philes
on this forum have chosen to stand behind Scotty.
Who are YOU to question them!?!

I just dread giving the news to my friend who shares
my practice-space. He's been on Alternative Tentacles
since the '80s and just played The Great American
Music Hall with Jello Biafra and, through it all, he's been
using two 1986 PRSi. He'll be crushed to learn that some
no name "punks" on this cheesy thread have declared
his guitars "uncool".

[MichaelK]

Actually I thought Stills was an arrogant SOB whose attitude precluded learning anything new.

I don't blame you. I never met the guy, but your impression is not inconsistent with other stories I've heard. It sounds like a pretty arrogant statement.

But dig it... he still has the juice to say it.

I respect Matte's opinion, too. He knows what he's talking about.

[Tuberoast]

I am a die-hard Tele and Esquire player, having said that, I have had Telecasters that I couldn't bond with.
The guitar player on American Idol certainly makes a case for PRS. The Single Cut sounded great and looked good as well.
However, I personally don't care for Birds or Dragons.

[MartinC]

Just to clarify.... our guitars are for still playing music and not fashion accessories?

Exactly!

Funny Thread...

Yep!

[Jiffy_Jeff]

This has turned in to quite a thread......

Again, to those who think this was to bash a brand, or think that I was concerned with what the cool kids are doing, ya got it all wrong.... Cause I really don't give a S%*!.

That said, I recently got a PRS and if they have lost appeal, coolness, value, insanity, hair, virginity, or whatever, I'll still be playin mine. Along with my Telecaster.

[vds5000]

Admittedly, I haven't read this entire thread, but my take is that the market is a bit saturated now, as far as PRS goes. I remember I sold my mint condition 1993 PRS Custom (birds, gold hardwear, non-10-top) for $2200 back in 2001. Even though that piece is from before they started mass-producing, it's still only worth about $2200 currently, if that.

Here's one misconception that bugs me - many think the post-1995 PRS guitars are inferrior to the ones made between 1985-1994. I've owned a 1987 Standard, a 1992 EG bolt-on, a 1993 Custom 24, a 2002 Custom 24, a 2004 McCarty, and quite frankly, I'd say the overall quality was pretty much the same with all of them. They all had excellent playability, and all sounded great. All that being said, I don't have any of them anymore, and much prefer the overall tone/playability of the Custom Shop Fender Strat.

Just my 3 cents.

[XKnight]

Is Joe pinching a harmonic or containing a fart?

Probably pinching a loaf.:worried

[Knuckles]

The punk-o-philes
on this forum have chosen to stand behind Scotty.
Who are YOU to question them!?!

I just dread giving the news to my friend who shares
my practice-space. He's been on Alternative Tentacles
since the '80s and just played The Great American
Music Hall with Jello Biafra and, through it all, he's been
using two 1986 PRSi. He'll be crushed to learn that some
no name "punks" on this cheesy thread have declared
his guitars "uncool".


Wow. Harsh....just for stating the truth that a lot of rockers see PRS as trophy pieces.

[Disco Scottie]

Wow. Harsh....just for stating the truth that a lot of rockers see PRS as trophy pieces.

Uh... you might want to back up and read a bit more of the thread. He was making a funny reference to the very first post, and the wisdom of Scotty contained therein.

[MartinC]

I'm cool, with or without a PRS. BTW, Joe Walsh did play a PRS Mira in concert recently.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e308/XKnight/JoeWalsh.jpg

Probably pinching a loaf.:worried

:roll

[Jiffy_Jeff]

Dammit! You can relate all the interesting stories
you want and it won't make any difference. Scotty
said that PRS's are no longer cool. The punk-o-philes
on this forum have chosen to stand behind Scotty.
Who are YOU to question them!?!

I just dread giving the news to my friend who shares
my practice-space. He's been on Alternative Tentacles
since the '80s and just played The Great American
Music Hall with Jello Biafra and, through it all, he's been
using two 1986 PRSi. He'll be crushed to learn that some
no name "punks" on this cheesy thread have declared
his guitars "uncool".

Thats funny!:AOK

[Frankee]

Everyone knows that drummers are cooler than guitar players, right? :stir

[Knuckles]

Uh... you might want to back up and read a bit more of the thread. He was making a funny reference to the very first post, and the wisdom of Scotty contained therein.

OK. Gotcha.

Sorry to be defensive, but I've kinda got a stake in this as I play punk (have since discovering hardcore around 1983) and love PRS guitars and actually get crap from other players because I play "doctor's guitars". It's a little vexing that a quality instrument gets trashed in the court of public opinion for fairly superficial reasons. If you don't like the sound or playability, that's fine, but disliking them for being "uncool" is well, kinda dumb IMO.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

OK. Gotcha.

Sorry to be defensive, but I've kinda got a stake in this as I play punk (have since discovering hardcore around 1983) and love PRS guitars and actually get crap from other players because I play "doctor's guitars". It's a little vexing that a quality instrument gets trashed in the court of public opinion for fairly superficial reasons. If you don't like the sound or playability, that's fine, but disliking them for being "uncool" is well, kinda dumb IMO.


all the doctors i know that play guitar have Historic LPs or original 50s/60s LPs.
They turn their noses up at fender or anything non-LP:huh

[kingsleyd]

all the doctors i know that play guitar have Historic LPs or original 50s/60s LPs.
They turn their noses up at fender or anything non-LP:huh

One of the mods here is a doctor and he has a pretty impressive collection of PRSi.

A good friend when I lived in Cleveland (10 years ago) was an optometrist. He had a killer green PRS Custom 22. One of the best guitars I've ever played, and I don't even like CU22s. I hope he still has it! (hmm... wonder if he's a TGP member... hey, Scott from Avon Lake, you here?!?)

I'm a doctor too (PhD though, not MD) and I have 7 pretty nice PRSi myself, as well as original 50s/60s LPs (and other Gibsons) as well as the occasional nice old (or relic) Fender. To say nothing of lots of other lovely boutique type guitars.

So what's yer point? :boxer :rotflmao