looking for a guitar inbetween a fender and a prs

[imbwang]

is there even such a thing?

I currently play a PRS Custom 22 20th Anniversary Model w/Dragon II pickups through a VOX AC15CC1x. I recently picked up the VOX after playing through a Blues Jr for several years and it turned out be a bigger change in sound than I had imagined. It sounds a lot more natural, transparent, and can get gritty at higher volumes. The Custom 22 sounds full, warm, smooth, but one problem...it's been only more difficult to get a clearer sound through the VOX (yeah go figure...I should've saw that one coming)...

Another [stupid] reason why I kind of want to have something else other than my PRS is that I never was able to get comfortable in playing it. It's a gorgeous guitar (gray black flame maple top w/the 20th anniv. edition bird inlays)...I felt like I had to be cautious most of the times...felt like I was taking care of a baby rather than playing it for what it was...a guitar!...but that's just my problem :cry:

I recently decided to go back to learning more blues stuff and wanted a guitar that could give me that sound without losing too much of the warmth and fullness of my PRS. I love the strat sound but it's a bit too twangy for my taste (I'd probably hang around the middle and bass pickup setting for the most part). I received a few suggestions from a friend...to check out G&L's, Tom Anderson Classics and Drop Tops, and possibly even a Fender (I'm a little more uneasy with Fender since they mass-produce their guitars leaving room for inconsistency in the craftsmanship of their guitars...so maybe a [used] custom shop strat somewhere in the 1500-2000 price range?)

any suggestions?

[toddinjax@yahoo]

Carvin Contour 66?

[waini001]

I'd recommend an Anderson Drop Top (if you prefer a 25.5" scale) or an Anderson Cobra S (if you prefer a 24.75" scale). The Cobra S should be able to be had used for around 1900-2000, while the Drop Top may be slightly less. For the money I think used Andersons are tough to beat.

The Cobra S may be more up your alley...two hums with a five way switch...and a push-pull pot splits the middle pickup selection.

I know what you mean about being cautious with the PRS...I felt the same way with my old LP. While the Andersons are georgeous, I feel like they beg to be played hard.

[webe123]

Sounds like you want a P-90 equipped guitar. The sound is sort of a cross between a strat and paul.

[Bhodie]

Sounds like you want a P-90 equipped guitar. The sound is sort of a cross between a strat and paul.

Exactly what I was thinking.. and this fits the bill (at least for me)

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk273/Bhodie1/IMG_0286.jpg

Fat 59 neck, nitro finish, ballsy blues tone, wrap tail, you can find them used for $1,500 or less.. the LP Special VOS is one hell of a guitar! (and I have a PRS and a Fender)

[webe123]

Also, if you want to have a PRS guitar with P-90's in it , you can try a PRS Mcarty soapbar...I had one..... GREAT GUITARS.

Here is a korina Mcsoap on ebay.

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=[CacheBuster]&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=4&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FPRS-McCarty-Korina-Soapbar-Paul-Reed-Smith-%2F200436106066%3Fpt%3DGuitar%26hash%3Ditem2eaaec4 352http://cgi.ebay.com/PRS-McCarty-Korina-Soapbar-Paul-Reed-Smith-/200436106066?pt=Guitar&hash=item2eaaec4352 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FPRS-McCarty-Korina-Soapbar-Paul-Reed-Smith-%2F200436106066%3Fpt%3DGuitar%26hash%3Ditem2eaaec4 352)

[frankencat]

Have you tried a Mira?

[webe123]

Have you tried a Mira?

A mira has it's own sound, but it's pickups are not a cross between a single coil and humbucker.

The OP asked for something in between a fender (Single coil) and a PRS (Humbucker) guitar.

[frankencat]

Yeah, so have you ever played a Mira?

[purplecu22]

Try adjusting those pickups. Lower them. If you have dragon II' s. Those are very hot

[Jon Silberman]

Another [stupid] reason why I kind of want to have something else other than my PRS is that I never was able to get comfortable in playing it. It's a gorgeous guitar (gray black flame maple top w/the 20th anniv. edition bird inlays)...I felt like I had to be cautious most of the times...felt like I was taking care of a baby rather than playing it for what it was...a guitar!...but that's just my problem :cry:

any suggestions?
Free your mind instead! ;)

[imbwang]

thanks for all the feedback.

i haven't played a mira but they do look nice. however, i think i'm trying to get out of the PRS scene for now.

p90s huh. i heard about them but don't know a whole lot. i thought they were considered as hot pickups...maybe i'm getting them confused for something else. i'm looking for something warm and clear as a bell...and maybe something that can get a little twangy/marbly like a strat.

yeah i have dragon II's in my custom 22. the cleans are nice but you're right...they are a little too hot for my liking.

free my mind. that's actually a nice piece of advice but i think it would be short-lived. haha. in the end, that feeling will always be there.

[baimun]

is there even such a thing?

I currently play a PRS Custom 22 20th Anniversary Model w/Dragon II pickups.....


Let me stop you right there.

I've owned several different PRS guitars and after playing a McCarty with a Rosewood neck and a Modern Eagle, I was really geeked to get my hands on a Custom 22 with a solid rosewood neck...

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/cu2204.jpg

... but I was disappointed by the Dragon II pickups. Gritty.. murky... fine if you're playing chugga metal or such but was lacking any of that "singing" clarity I was looking for.

Tried various pickups... some different Duncans... some McCarty's...

...then I discovered the PRS 57/08's

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/cu2212.jpg

They're just PERFECT for this guitar.... they can growl like a hot, overwound PAF, but their clarity is amazing. They even have some of the best split tones I've heard from a humbucker (and I normally hate split humbucker tones)

http://baimun.home.comcast.net/~baimun/cu2210.jpg

The 59/09's are the same formula but wound a little hotter and darker, so you've got some options there as well. They're not the cheapest pickups out there, but it may save you from having to buy a whole new guitar when you've already got a great player. Quit looking at the finish and PLAY THE $#*% out of it. :D

[Help!I'maRock!]

any double humbucker strat will do. you may decide to replace the pickups down the road, and there are plenty of options out there.

[dspellman]

p90s huh. i heard about them but don't know a whole lot. i thought they were considered as hot pickups...maybe i'm getting them confused for something else. i'm looking for something warm and clear as a bell...and maybe something that can get a little twangy/marbly like a strat.

P90's are currently going through a whole bunch of boutique attention, but P90's as originally constituted (Gibson's) weren't "hot." In fact, they're the jazz pickup of the day (my '49 ES-175 is a case in point, with a single P90 in the neck position). But some of the various manufacturers (largely in order to have something "else" to offer) are screwing with them, with some making them less noisy by reducing their power, some feeling they need to duplicate humbucker power with them, and several versions in noiseless.

worth a look.

[Flyin' Brian]

Get a strat and put a pair of Fralin P-92s in it.

[imbwang]

baimun - i just skimmed through some reviews and videos of 57 08s and they're still too hot for my taste. i know the best would be to just go into a store and play a prs that has the same pickups.

they have a newer version of the 57 08s called the 57 08 narrowfield pups. it's supposed to sound like a mccarty with soapbars with a mix of that single coil flavor giving out an "exceptional clarity" sound. however...i listened to the sample sound clips for those and their "clean" sound still sounds very gritty. i'm looking for cleans that are as clean as a fender strat while having that warmth and fullness of a prs.

could you recommend me any cleaner pickups than the 57 08s?

flyin' brian - thanks so much for reminding me about fralin's. i'll be sure to check out the 92s along with the p90s and even the pure pafs. this might be a dumb question...but what guitars can these pickups fit into?

just found out Lindy Fralin is located 10-20 minutes from where I live...talk about a small world.

[mojoslide]

The new PRS Swamp Ash Special with Narrowfield pickups might be exactly what you're looking for. A really nice blend of Fendery tones with some P90 and humbuckerish bits thrown in.

[JCHarperLuthier]

A custom from a couple years ago.....

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs482.ash1/26409_337779103106_323994653106_3769884_4057576_n. jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs130.snc1/5570_101847109828698_100000102293678_54809_29734_n .jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs017.snc3/12454_105919222754820_100000102293678_157285_49076 89_n.jpg

[imbwang]

The new PRS Swamp Ash Special with Narrowfield pickups might be exactly what you're looking for. A really nice blend of Fendery tones with some P90 and humbuckerish bits thrown in.

yeah i just saw those on the prs website. the samples of the clean sound they have actually sound really gritty still...i'll give it the benefit of the doubt that they have a much different EQ setup as opposed to how I would have it. regardless, i'm going to check it out in person the next time I make my round trip to the guitar stores around my area.

[treedroppings]

a fender lite ash strat and put some voodoo pafs in them nice maple neck

or a japanese 80s strat with dimarzio sds' hums in the bridge

[Whiskey N Beans]

Music man Ernie ball axis or other P90 MMEB. Great fat necks big P90 tone. $600 migh get you one used.

[Chicago Slim]

I found that I like the plain PRSi and SE's, with Filtertron type pickups. Here's my Standard 22.

http://pic70.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1887/11966943/21271517/388678853.jpg

And SE 24, 25th Anniversary.

http://pic70.picturetrail.com:80/VOL1887/11966943/21271517/388878691.jpg

[torquil]

Free your mind instead! ;)

Well put!

[Bhodie]

For a lower cost alternative, you could always put the Seymour Duncan Phatcats (P90's in a humbucker shape) in and try them out... or, I put Gibson Burstbucker 1 and 2 in my McKorina and the sound great..

[Blue Light]

Another [stupid] reason why I kind of want to have something else other than my PRS is that I never was able to get comfortable in playing it. It's a gorgeous guitar (gray black flame maple top w/the 20th anniv. edition bird inlays)...I felt like I had to be cautious most of the times...felt like I was taking care of a baby rather than playing it for what it was...a guitar!..

That's why he suggested the Mira. The natural finish Miras feel like workhorse guitars.
I dunno. I don't own one. I saw one recently that drove me crazy.
But then I tried some of the glossy finish Miras and they didn't move me near as much. Still, worth looking at.

[Buckeyedog]

Music man Ernie ball axis or other P90 MMEB. Great fat necks big P90 tone. $600 migh get you one used.

A guy on RigTalk.com is selling one of these for $650 shipped! Sounds like a good deal to me.

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=69939

[HHB]

Hamer Mirage

[randombastage]

Gibson SG...
It's like a Les Paul and a Telecaster had a love child and the kid inherited all the best qualities of both.

[lamenlovinit]

is there even such a thing?



Yes there is. G&L ASAT Special. Not the classic, but the one with the big ol' G&L MFD pickups. But, I would suggest instead an amp. If it's for around the house a black or silverface Fender champ. Vibro-champ if you can afford the extra $100 or so. If you gig, I'd recommend a blackface bandmaster, and yes you will need a cab for it. Usually significantly cheaper than a same year bassman. Again these are both budget suggestions. Very reasonable for "vintage" gear, with the Champ being under $500, and the Bandy being there too (minus the cab).

Your Blues Jr. has nothing in common with a 60's or 70's Fender amp. I like the Jr., but if you've never played through an old Fender amp turned up to at least 6, you're really missing something.

[JPF]

If you're open to a non-purist approach to getting the best of both worlds, you might look into installing an active EMG DG-20 rig into a strat that feels perfect to your hands.

Active pickups aren't for everyone, but if you like them, the DG-20 electronics let you dial in stratty quack to humbucker sounds and everything in-between. They're amazingly versatile, and allow me to cover a wide range of tones in one instrument.

Just a thought outside of the box...

[wilerty]

Try the last generation PRS SAS with a 5-way. It will give you positions 2 and 4 and the humbuckers split. Used it will comfortably be in your price range.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/wilerty/SAS/sas5708003.jpg

[Whiskey N Beans]

A guy on RigTalk.com is selling one of these for $650 shipped! Sounds like a good deal to me.

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=69939

That's what I'm talking about. Big warm tone from a work horse you can beat the crap out of. The OP should really consider this. Nice big neck, fender-esque body, P90's, super build quality. If I hadn't just bought a P90 LP studio, I'd be all over this player's guitar. Not to mention, P90's sound GREAT through a Vox. At least in my experience. My LP lights up the room through my little AC4. This seems like a good match to me. YMMV. ~WNB

[stormin1155]

Fender Showmaster would come pretty close. Set neck, humbuckers, 2-point trem. I have two of the Korean ones... excellent quality. They also came in US Custom Shop for quite a bit more. One of my favorite guitars, and one of Fender's best kept secretes IMO. Too bad they no longer make them... you can still find them on Ebay.
http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/stormin1155/101_3830.jpg

[HoboMan]

Carvin Contour 66?

Yeah, I was thinking the same. Carvin should have something that will fit the bill.

(Fit the Bill, where the heck did that saying come from)?

[9fingers]

Check out some of the Reverends!

[Dancing Frog]

All I can say is either one of these(513 Maple),
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o13/theboarsrock/DSC_00030044.jpghttp://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o13/theboarsrock/DSC_00180059.jpg
One of these(513 Swamp Ash),
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o13/theboarsrock/DSC_0002-4.jpghttp://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o13/theboarsrock/DSC_0011-3.jpg
or one of these(SAS NF).
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o13/theboarsrock/DSC_00170120.jpghttp://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o13/theboarsrock/DSC_00200123.jpg

[corbs]

Check out some of the Reverends!

We have a winner !


Seriously though, check 'em out.

The bolt-on's are F scale and the set necks are G scale guitars. Both have many pup options (P-90, HB, Rev-tron) in different configurations. Very reasonably priced with fantastic quality control and customer service.

yay !

[cbguy]

OK. Here's a suggestion out of the blue. Based on the sounds requested, but obviously not on the design, my suggestion is...

A Gretsch hollowbody.

And, no, I'm not kidding. :hide2

I think if the OP tried one with an open mind, he'd be pretty surprised (sound-wise) and understand why I suggested it.

[bluesjuke]

Free your mind instead! ;)


I agree, it's your best bet.
I've been there before with guitars that I was that way with.
Examples of guitars that were outstanding in every way & department but I acted like I was saving them for some non existent reason apprehensive to put any wear and tear on them, that in spite of me being easy on guitars.

When I told myself this was ridiculus and forced myself to get over it the rewards were very great indeed.

It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of us do this with that special guitar and deny ourselves the joy of why we got it in the first place.