The Kernel
New member
by high end I mean +2000$
Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
- Thread starter The Kernel
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Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
I'm assuming my CU22 Artist falls into that price bracket. For me yes, it's an incredibly well made and useable guitar. Without the disposable income to pay for them though, I have no doubt that there is better value to be had elsewhere in the market.
I'm assuming my CU22 Artist falls into that price bracket. For me yes, it's an incredibly well made and useable guitar. Without the disposable income to pay for them though, I have no doubt that there is better value to be had elsewhere in the market.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
for an old dude with disposable income? sure
for a young, working guitarist? fffffffffffffffffffffforget that. You'll get a comparable tone from a Schecter or a Les Paul Studio or something nad have about $1200 for a killer amp.
for an old dude with disposable income? sure
for a young, working guitarist? fffffffffffffffffffffforget that. You'll get a comparable tone from a Schecter or a Les Paul Studio or something nad have about $1200 for a killer amp.
Benjy_26
25's Nemesis
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
I like the way PRS guitars look, but the tone and feel have never blown me away like a good Gibson or Hamer (or strat for that matter) can.
The only way I'd buy a PRS is if I got a killer deal (sub $1k) on a clean used one. I'd probably end up flipping it anyway though.
I like the way PRS guitars look, but the tone and feel have never blown me away like a good Gibson or Hamer (or strat for that matter) can.
The only way I'd buy a PRS is if I got a killer deal (sub $1k) on a clean used one. I'd probably end up flipping it anyway though.
sosomething
Seymour Duncan Customer Support
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
Why set the "high end" bar at $2k+ ? That seems kind of arbitrary.
To me, PRS has three tiers.
Tier 1 is their custom shop "Private Stock" program where it is not uncommon to crack $10k on a single piece when it's all said and done.
Tier 2 is their US production line, comprising the bulk of their models, and ranging in price from around $1500 to $4000 or so.
Tier 3 would be the Korean SE line, which AFAIK dwells entirely in sub-$1k land.
"High end" as it equates to PRS could probably be placed at any of three distinct places... either at the made-in-the-USA tag, which starts at around $1.5k, or at the Private Stock program, or somewhere in between and deal with limited runs, special editions, 10-tops, Artist Packages, and the like.
As for it being worth the investment... You've got to deal with the law of diminishing returns like anything else. At some point you'll hit the ceiling for things like wood quality, electronics, hardware, and production quality/consistency and enter into the realm of solid rosewood necks, highly-figured maple tops, other exotic woods, etc. and that stuff is really only worth what the individual is willing to pay for it. The one exception might be the 513 model due to it's totally unique feature set and high price tag, but it's kind of a freak model anyway and might fall outside the scope of the question.
One thing to consider is the fact that 1.) PRS guitars exist in that upper echelon of production quality in mass-produced USA instruments along with Hamer, EBMM, Heritage, etc. Another thing to consider 2.) is the fact that in terms of retaining their value as an investment, PRS is head, shoulders, and elbows above any of those other companies who all take a hit in resale as soon as you open the case. If you're the type to buy guitars for investment value or tend to turn stuff over a lot for new stuff, it's definitely worth noting that PRS is one brand you can actually buy new and not end up taking it up the ass (with a twist!) when you want to sell.
I've owned two PRSi - one that retailed (and sold for) excess of $3k, and my Mira for which I paid sub $1.5k new - and I've played a great many others over the years. Personally, for my own uses, once you cross the line of utilitarian upgrades and into the more extravagant aesthetic elements, I stop feeling like spending my cash. I'm not moved much by crazy quilted maple these days. My first PRS was my first "nice" guitar. It was a 1-of-a-kind McCarty Rosewood with a 1-piece natural 10-top and a solid Indian rosewood neck and the bird inlays. It was an awesome, gorgeous, great-playing instrument, but I sold it because I felt that it was too much money tied up in a guitar I wouldn't want to gig with (for fear of damage). My Mira is (to me) every bit as good, cost me less than 1/2 what the McCarty did, and I'm not gonna freak out when a stray cymbal boom takes a chunk out of it.
The moral of the story here is that you really can't lose with PRS because you're going to be able to get most (if not all) of your money back out of it if and when you sell. Out of your non-Gibson/Fender USA-made options, it's probably your best bet for a brand new guitar due to it's tendency to resist depreciation. However it makes sense that, when buying used, you're going to get just as much guitar (or more) for less bread by buying a Hamer or Carvin or Heritage or G&L or EBMM because someone else took the resale hit for you.
So I guess you can draw your own conclusions from that. Sorry for the long post - this comes up from time to time and I've had some time to consider it.
Why set the "high end" bar at $2k+ ? That seems kind of arbitrary.
To me, PRS has three tiers.
Tier 1 is their custom shop "Private Stock" program where it is not uncommon to crack $10k on a single piece when it's all said and done.
Tier 2 is their US production line, comprising the bulk of their models, and ranging in price from around $1500 to $4000 or so.
Tier 3 would be the Korean SE line, which AFAIK dwells entirely in sub-$1k land.
"High end" as it equates to PRS could probably be placed at any of three distinct places... either at the made-in-the-USA tag, which starts at around $1.5k, or at the Private Stock program, or somewhere in between and deal with limited runs, special editions, 10-tops, Artist Packages, and the like.
As for it being worth the investment... You've got to deal with the law of diminishing returns like anything else. At some point you'll hit the ceiling for things like wood quality, electronics, hardware, and production quality/consistency and enter into the realm of solid rosewood necks, highly-figured maple tops, other exotic woods, etc. and that stuff is really only worth what the individual is willing to pay for it. The one exception might be the 513 model due to it's totally unique feature set and high price tag, but it's kind of a freak model anyway and might fall outside the scope of the question.
One thing to consider is the fact that 1.) PRS guitars exist in that upper echelon of production quality in mass-produced USA instruments along with Hamer, EBMM, Heritage, etc. Another thing to consider 2.) is the fact that in terms of retaining their value as an investment, PRS is head, shoulders, and elbows above any of those other companies who all take a hit in resale as soon as you open the case. If you're the type to buy guitars for investment value or tend to turn stuff over a lot for new stuff, it's definitely worth noting that PRS is one brand you can actually buy new and not end up taking it up the ass (with a twist!) when you want to sell.
I've owned two PRSi - one that retailed (and sold for) excess of $3k, and my Mira for which I paid sub $1.5k new - and I've played a great many others over the years. Personally, for my own uses, once you cross the line of utilitarian upgrades and into the more extravagant aesthetic elements, I stop feeling like spending my cash. I'm not moved much by crazy quilted maple these days. My first PRS was my first "nice" guitar. It was a 1-of-a-kind McCarty Rosewood with a 1-piece natural 10-top and a solid Indian rosewood neck and the bird inlays. It was an awesome, gorgeous, great-playing instrument, but I sold it because I felt that it was too much money tied up in a guitar I wouldn't want to gig with (for fear of damage). My Mira is (to me) every bit as good, cost me less than 1/2 what the McCarty did, and I'm not gonna freak out when a stray cymbal boom takes a chunk out of it.
The moral of the story here is that you really can't lose with PRS because you're going to be able to get most (if not all) of your money back out of it if and when you sell. Out of your non-Gibson/Fender USA-made options, it's probably your best bet for a brand new guitar due to it's tendency to resist depreciation. However it makes sense that, when buying used, you're going to get just as much guitar (or more) for less bread by buying a Hamer or Carvin or Heritage or G&L or EBMM because someone else took the resale hit for you.
So I guess you can draw your own conclusions from that. Sorry for the long post - this comes up from time to time and I've had some time to consider it.
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C-Martin
New member
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
lets say im that "old dude with disposable income"
out of all the PRS ive tried there was only one that i would've brought home... and they dont make it anymore
out of all the Fender ive tried.. id probably have to buy a new home to have more rooms to put em in... lol
same with Gibson... i would probably grab a customized Carvin CT4 over a PRS even if i was stinking rich because i could get the features i want
theres just something about PRS that doesnt impress me for some reason... same with G&L.. dont get me wrong they are superb instruments and i admire the craftsmanship but every time i play with one i im left unimpressed.. but thats just me
lets say im that "old dude with disposable income"
out of all the PRS ive tried there was only one that i would've brought home... and they dont make it anymore
out of all the Fender ive tried.. id probably have to buy a new home to have more rooms to put em in... lol
same with Gibson... i would probably grab a customized Carvin CT4 over a PRS even if i was stinking rich because i could get the features i want
theres just something about PRS that doesnt impress me for some reason... same with G&L.. dont get me wrong they are superb instruments and i admire the craftsmanship but every time i play with one i im left unimpressed.. but thats just me
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
I'm a young dude that works hard for average pay, pays for school and is tight on cash. I saved a crapload of money to get my prs CE24, and it is worth every penny.
It's simple. I wanted a well made guitar, with great tone, and feel I loved, all in a guitar that would stand the test of time and look great. I didn't know anything about prs when I was guitar shopping, as a matter of fact, my intention was to pick up a gibson custom shop goldtop.
PRS are expensive, but like in any field, you gotta pay the cost of quality. Some people don't like them, and that's a question of taste, but for someone who digs the instrument, they are as worth it as any other guitar in that price range.
I'm a young dude that works hard for average pay, pays for school and is tight on cash. I saved a crapload of money to get my prs CE24, and it is worth every penny.
It's simple. I wanted a well made guitar, with great tone, and feel I loved, all in a guitar that would stand the test of time and look great. I didn't know anything about prs when I was guitar shopping, as a matter of fact, my intention was to pick up a gibson custom shop goldtop.
PRS are expensive, but like in any field, you gotta pay the cost of quality. Some people don't like them, and that's a question of taste, but for someone who digs the instrument, they are as worth it as any other guitar in that price range.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
I dunno man, my lp studio doesn't come close to standing up to my prs in terms of reliability and sound. The les paul is good, but the prs is many steps above.
I dunno man, my lp studio doesn't come close to standing up to my prs in terms of reliability and sound. The les paul is good, but the prs is many steps above.
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
I've also had a LPS and I'd have been hard pushed to p*ss on it if it was alight...
I've also had a LPS and I'd have been hard pushed to p*ss on it if it was alight...
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
Lol! Don't get me wrong, I found a good LPS and it gets me those LP sounds perfectly. Still, it won't compare to a guitar in the 2k+ range.
Lol! Don't get me wrong, I found a good LPS and it gets me those LP sounds perfectly. Still, it won't compare to a guitar in the 2k+ range.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
+1. If you get a warm, fuzzy feeling from a high-end name on the headstock, and are embarrassed to be seen with any affordable guitar, then a PRS is certainly worth it.
If you want good quality tones & know something about PU's and electronics, you can get an equally nice-sounding guitar for a lot less. I've have a feeling that in this economy, many more players will be looking at the latter solution and not put as much emphasis on status. Just a theory.
+1. If you get a warm, fuzzy feeling from a high-end name on the headstock, and are embarrassed to be seen with any affordable guitar, then a PRS is certainly worth it.
If you want good quality tones & know something about PU's and electronics, you can get an equally nice-sounding guitar for a lot less. I've have a feeling that in this economy, many more players will be looking at the latter solution and not put as much emphasis on status. Just a theory.
ksmith63
New member
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
my guitars get 'heavy use' and i view guitars as tools that make music. to me high high $$$ guitars are mainly just for looks. the playability of my music man petrucci blows any prs out of the water. i'd rather have another high dollar amp then a flamed piece of wood.
my guitars get 'heavy use' and i view guitars as tools that make music. to me high high $$$ guitars are mainly just for looks. the playability of my music man petrucci blows any prs out of the water. i'd rather have another high dollar amp then a flamed piece of wood.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
I think that is an over simplification. It's not always a simple question of changing the pups or mods to get a good guitar. Sometimes it's better to just get something great of the shelf and let it be as is. The overall feel of the guitar comes from the actual body and neck of it, things that if change make it a very different guitar.
I think when you find a guitar that you can pick up and feels right, right away, that's when you know you got a good instrument.
If you sit down with it and go " with new pups, tuners, pots and a better bridge, this guitar could rock!", I wouldn't be 100% sure the guitar is for you.
I think that is an over simplification. It's not always a simple question of changing the pups or mods to get a good guitar. Sometimes it's better to just get something great of the shelf and let it be as is. The overall feel of the guitar comes from the actual body and neck of it, things that if change make it a very different guitar.
I think when you find a guitar that you can pick up and feels right, right away, that's when you know you got a good instrument.
If you sit down with it and go " with new pups, tuners, pots and a better bridge, this guitar could rock!", I wouldn't be 100% sure the guitar is for you.
JeffB
Let it B
Stringer
New member
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
I've had mine since '91, when I most certainly was not an old dude with disposable income. Worked after school at a local music store and applied everything to the guitar, which they gave me at cost. Anyway, 17 years later, that guitar still cracks my "5 things you would grab if the house were on fire" list. So, for me, I think they are as worth the money as a guitar can be.
I've had mine since '91, when I most certainly was not an old dude with disposable income. Worked after school at a local music store and applied everything to the guitar, which they gave me at cost. Anyway, 17 years later, that guitar still cracks my "5 things you would grab if the house were on fire" list. So, for me, I think they are as worth the money as a guitar can be.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
For me it's quite the opposite. Since I got it about a month ago it's all I use for gigs. Like I said, I didn't pick a 10 top, and the model I got doesn't offer bird inlays since its a bolt on maple neck (wich was the selling feature for me), so I concider it a player.
The guitar is going to get scratched and played. It wouldn't be worth the money to get a quality instrument if I wasn't going to play it, now would it.
For me it's quite the opposite. Since I got it about a month ago it's all I use for gigs. Like I said, I didn't pick a 10 top, and the model I got doesn't offer bird inlays since its a bolt on maple neck (wich was the selling feature for me), so I concider it a player.
The guitar is going to get scratched and played. It wouldn't be worth the money to get a quality instrument if I wasn't going to play it, now would it.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
phil -- i like your perspective because you struck a compromise between an expensive nice guitar that's still utilitarian, which is the 'gray' area my posts were failing to address. You seem like you're on about the same page I'm on -- why have a bunch of cheap guitars when you could have a couple nicer ones?
I still think my point is valid tho -- if you save up $2000 to improve your guitar rig, you've got a lot of options in front of you. The first impulse is to by the sweetest, most stylish, best-feeling and -sounding guitar you can find in the store, and a lot of people do just that. The thing that irks me is, what good is a $2000 axe plugged into your same old crappy amp? I knew a kid back in high school who had a USA Fender Strat and a Les Paul Standard and was saving up for his PRS...dude's amp rig was a Digitech multi-FX and a 10-watt Marshall MG, and those sweet sweet guitars sounded like absolute garbage through that rig.
Personally, with two grand, I'd spend about a grand on a sweet half stack ($600 or $700 is more than enough to get an old Fender tube head or Laney AOR...4x12s can be had as low as $150) get a 'good enough' guitar, like a faded Gibson or a highway 1 Strat (save some cash to put the pickups I want in them) and like a Big Muff and a Wah pedal.
I mean I know I probably have a reputation as a PRS hater around this forum but I wouldn't spend two grand on a Gibson or a Fender either. That's just silly. It's like sosomething said, eventually all you're paying for is a brand name and some fancy wood. When the amps are turned up and the bassline is pumpin and the drummer's hittin the skins, nobody's gonna pick up the subtle sonic nuances of that sweet fancy guitar.
in fact some of the best live tones i've heard were pulled out of Squiers and Epiphones...cheap 70's Mustangs resurrected with Hot Rails and old Gibson Melody Makers just played thru cranked amps...contrarily, those rich famous bands like Creed and Sum 41 who all rock PRS Artist guitars into sweet Mesa / Boogie rigs all sound really bland and 'vanilla' to me...
I mean i dunno, i'm rambling at this point. if you've got a sweet pro rig and you just need a sweet pro guitar to ice the cake with, and you've got an extra two grand hangin out, by all means, get that guitar. I just think I would do a lot more with two grand than buy ONE guitar, heh.
phil -- i like your perspective because you struck a compromise between an expensive nice guitar that's still utilitarian, which is the 'gray' area my posts were failing to address. You seem like you're on about the same page I'm on -- why have a bunch of cheap guitars when you could have a couple nicer ones?
I still think my point is valid tho -- if you save up $2000 to improve your guitar rig, you've got a lot of options in front of you. The first impulse is to by the sweetest, most stylish, best-feeling and -sounding guitar you can find in the store, and a lot of people do just that. The thing that irks me is, what good is a $2000 axe plugged into your same old crappy amp? I knew a kid back in high school who had a USA Fender Strat and a Les Paul Standard and was saving up for his PRS...dude's amp rig was a Digitech multi-FX and a 10-watt Marshall MG, and those sweet sweet guitars sounded like absolute garbage through that rig.
Personally, with two grand, I'd spend about a grand on a sweet half stack ($600 or $700 is more than enough to get an old Fender tube head or Laney AOR...4x12s can be had as low as $150) get a 'good enough' guitar, like a faded Gibson or a highway 1 Strat (save some cash to put the pickups I want in them) and like a Big Muff and a Wah pedal.
I mean I know I probably have a reputation as a PRS hater around this forum but I wouldn't spend two grand on a Gibson or a Fender either. That's just silly. It's like sosomething said, eventually all you're paying for is a brand name and some fancy wood. When the amps are turned up and the bassline is pumpin and the drummer's hittin the skins, nobody's gonna pick up the subtle sonic nuances of that sweet fancy guitar.
in fact some of the best live tones i've heard were pulled out of Squiers and Epiphones...cheap 70's Mustangs resurrected with Hot Rails and old Gibson Melody Makers just played thru cranked amps...contrarily, those rich famous bands like Creed and Sum 41 who all rock PRS Artist guitars into sweet Mesa / Boogie rigs all sound really bland and 'vanilla' to me...
I mean i dunno, i'm rambling at this point. if you've got a sweet pro rig and you just need a sweet pro guitar to ice the cake with, and you've got an extra two grand hangin out, by all means, get that guitar. I just think I would do a lot more with two grand than buy ONE guitar, heh.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?
You know Empty, you have a very valid point on the whole "Complete Rig" thing. Your rig is only as good as your weakest link, and I wouldn't have got a PRS if I was not 100% happy with my amp.
I also agree that some bands do sound very bland with those guitars, but I think it is because they pick prs for looks and prestige, and that they would sound the same with any guitar in the end, since a lot of mucis like sum41 is pre-fab imo. Some others, like Santana, make them sounds awesome.
I also respect that you would get more than a single instrument with 2k, but we all have different ways of viewing our setups. I, personally, but the guitar in front of everything else because I want something I connect with. It's all opinion I suppose, and I think you have very valid points.
You know Empty, you have a very valid point on the whole "Complete Rig" thing. Your rig is only as good as your weakest link, and I wouldn't have got a PRS if I was not 100% happy with my amp.
I also agree that some bands do sound very bland with those guitars, but I think it is because they pick prs for looks and prestige, and that they would sound the same with any guitar in the end, since a lot of mucis like sum41 is pre-fab imo. Some others, like Santana, make them sounds awesome.
I also respect that you would get more than a single instrument with 2k, but we all have different ways of viewing our setups. I, personally, but the guitar in front of everything else because I want something I connect with. It's all opinion I suppose, and I think you have very valid points.
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