Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

[C-Martin]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

Yes great point but give a dedicated player a PRS and you might get something like this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=f9imuLRcCEI

That guy has some mad chops! ...but i dont like his tone lol, his skills are great but put a strat in his hands and it would sound so much better IMO... could also be his amp settings.. but im strat biased so my opinion might not fit everyones taste :bigthumb:.. and yes in a blind fold test i could recognize a strat any day, done it before, couldnt make a difference between a warmoth vs a fender or whatever but but as long as its a ash/alder strat.. something as drastic as a prs or les paul or schecter vs that strat chances are 95% of the time i will most likely point out the strat as the one i prefer tone wise.. unless the strat was intensely modified to not sound like a strat then.. that depends on how good the mod where done lol

Try playing up on the 21st fret on a Les Paul studio vs a PRS. LOL!

btw im not sure i get what you mean by this... ive played prs and Les Pauls.. i have a Les Paul and i mess around the 18-20-22th frets all the time and without a problem..

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

The "diminishing returns" phrase is key.

I believe my 2001 R8 is my "best" guitar. It was also my most expensive guitar.

My second "best" guitar is my MIJ Tele. It was also my least expensive guitar.

My other guitars fall in between as far as price, ranging from 300-2500.


Ultimately, only you can make the decision if it's "worth it" to you. Just because it costs more than the GNP of most European countries doesn't mean it's going to work for you.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

I also don't see why I would spend $2000 on a guitar just because it's good.

If you know your way around the cool but unpopular older stuff you can get very good guitars much cheaper, and some modern offerings can also be great.

If I spend $2000, about 1/3rd goes to something emotional.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

There's a great PRS out there for everyone.

At this point, no offense, but I'd say you're wrong.

Some people will never get over "the image" of PRS. The same tools will recite the same garbage over and over again.


Here are the usual "intelligent" responses:

• "Doesn't Creed and Nickelback use those? Those guys suck - PRS sucks!"
• "All PRS is good for is **** nu-metal"
• Why won't it sound like my Les Paul? PRS sucks!
• Why won't it sound like my Strat? PRS sucks!
• "They're only for doctors or blues lawyers!"
• "Every single PRS is too fancy looking!"

PRS fans, just give it up already - we're never going to change anyones minds. PRS makes quite a few different models with completely different aesthetics/wood types/tones, but they'll always have that bad stigma that the vintage guitar crowd won't let go of. For most folks, if it's not a Gibson or a Fender, it's nothing, but that's ok - for the rest of us, we can play guitars that sustain ridiculously well, come out of the production line flawlessly assembled, come stock with decent electronics, play guitars that actually sound in tune all over the neck, doesn't need nuts replaced or fretwork done because they were done right from the factory and aren't finicky in different temperatures. We can enjoy PRS guitars for what they are, instruments, rather than "does it sound like x or y guitar???".

:kabong:

 

[Yngwiestein]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

That guy has some mad chops! ...but i dont like his tone lol, his skills are great but put a strat in his hands and it would sound so much better IMO... could also be his amp settings.. but im strat biased so my opinion might not fit everyones taste :bigthumb:.. and yes in a blind fold test i could recognize a strat any day, done it before, couldnt make a difference between a warmoth vs a fender or whatever but but as long as its a ash/alder strat.. something as drastic as a prs or les paul or schecter vs that strat chances are 95% of the time i will most likely point out the strat as the one i prefer tone wise.. unless the strat was intensely modified to not sound like a strat then.. that depends on how good the mod where done lol



btw im not sure i get what you mean by this... ive played prs and Les Pauls.. i have a Les Paul and i mess around the 18-20-22th frets all the time and without a problem..

You have amazing hearing because I can't hear anything wrong with his tone! Besides you don't even know what amp he's using. That could have a lot to do with it. What you're basically saying is that you prefer strat sounds. In the end it really doesn't have much to do with whether PRS guitars are worth their weight in gold does it?

From the sound of it, your PRS experience has been limited. PRS guitars are SO much easier for upper fret access. I should know because I have 4 PRS and 2 Les Paul Standards. I also have an Yngwie strat and a couple of Hohner guitars. Your preference probably has a lot to do with your physical makeup. Maybe you have long skinny fingers that fit well on a Les Paul. I don't know but you leave out a lot of actual explaining of things. Just kind of shooting from the hip.

At this point, no offense, but I'd say you're wrong.

Some people will never get over "the image" of PRS. The same tools will recite the same garbage over and over again.


Here are the usual "intelligent" responses:

• "Doesn't Creed and Nickelback use those? Those guys suck - PRS sucks!"
• "All PRS is good for is **** nu-metal"
• Why won't it sound like my Les Paul? PRS sucks!
• Why won't it sound like my Strat? PRS sucks!
• "They're only for doctors or blues lawyers!"
• "Every single PRS is too fancy looking!"

PRS fans, just give it up already - we're never going to change anyones minds. PRS makes quite a few different models with completely different aesthetics, but they'll always have that bad stigma that the vintage guitar crowd won't let go of. For most folks, if it's not a Gibson or a Fender, it's nothing, but that's ok - for the rest of us, we can play guitars that sustain ridiculously well, come out of the production line flawlessly assembled, come stock with decent electronics, play guitars that actually sound in tune all over the neck, doesn't need nuts replaced or fretwork done because they were done right from the factory and aren't finicky in different temperatures. We can enjoy PRS guitars for what they are, instruments, rather than "does it sound like x or y guitar???".

:kabong:

This is one instance of being wrong I might agree with! Truth be told I never liked Fender guitars much even thought I thought strats and teles were very pretty to look at. It took me a long time to come around to finally buy one but I'm open minded about gear most of the time. Crate & Peavey amps and most Mexican, Chinese or Korean made guitars really turn me off but I wouldn't be stuck so far in my opinion that I would never consider owning one that gave me what I wanted. You make some good points there.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

At this point, no offense, but I'd say you're wrong.

Some people will never get over "the image" of PRS. The same tools will recite the same garbage over and over again.


Here are the usual "intelligent" responses:

• "Doesn't Creed and Nickelback use those? Those guys suck - PRS sucks!"
• "All PRS is good for is **** nu-metal"
• Why won't it sound like my Les Paul? PRS sucks!
• Why won't it sound like my Strat? PRS sucks!
• "They're only for doctors or blues lawyers!"
• "Every single PRS is too fancy looking!"

PRS fans, just give it up already - we're never going to change anyones minds. PRS makes quite a few different models with completely different aesthetics/wood types/tones, but they'll always have that bad stigma that the vintage guitar crowd won't let go of. For most folks, if it's not a Gibson or a Fender, it's nothing, but that's ok - for the rest of us, we can play guitars that sustain ridiculously well, come out of the production line flawlessly assembled, come stock with decent electronics, play guitars that actually sound in tune all over the neck, doesn't need nuts replaced or fretwork done because they were done right from the factory and aren't finicky in different temperatures. We can enjoy PRS guitars for what they are, instruments, rather than "does it sound like x or y guitar???".

:kabong:

More to choose from for us I guess!

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

I'm really loving this thread! It's spawned a cool conversation about spending money on guitars in general.

JIMMY: You said $2000 is too much to spend on a guitar? Don't you have an SG Supreme (MF priced at $2000) and a 79 Les Paul Custom? I guess it doesn't really pay to call attention to this lapse in logic cuz nobody takes your posts seriously anyway but i mean...save yourself some energy next time, hah

PRS dudes: My good buddy actually is a big fan of his PRS, i think it's the CU24 model? I've played it on several occasions and i don't like a single thing about it. I don't like the shape or feel of the neck, I don't like the knob to change pickups, i don't like how it looks when i'm playing it...i mean, i don't feel like i'm a bad person for not liking onions on pizza, and for prefering tighter jeans to baggy ones, so i don't really feel like a bad person for not liking PRS guitars either And he doesn't like anything about my SG except the color, and thinks I'm crazy for trying to play rock music on a Fender Strat.

Oh and you're all a bunch of fancy-looking nu-metal-playing blues lawyers who rock like Altar Bridge. :smokin:

The "more expensive guitars are always better than cheaper guitars" crowd: I agree to a point, but I bet nobody on this entire forum could tell if somebody was using a Mexican Strat or a vintage 61 Strat in a band setting. I mean sitting down and closely analyzing and comparing the two would obviously unearth lots of small differences and probably prove the 61 to a be much better guitar, but when competing with crowd noise, the drums, the bass, the other guitarist, maybe a horn section...it's gonna sound like "an electric guitar," and in that respect, I say my $600 SG-X is as good or better than a custom shop Les Paul or a sweet-topped PRS because it feels good, does the Gibson sound superbly, and looks awesome, but most importantly, it matches ME! it may not be one solid piece of some special fancy wood, but it's a well-built, good-sounding, professional-grade electric guitar that suites me and my needs to a tee.

So that's what it comes down to in the end, personal preference and choice. I guess that's why finding a good guitar can be so hard for some people...not everybody's as individualistic as One Dread Xee :smokin:

 

[jimmy]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

JIMMY: You said $2000 is too much to spend on a guitar? Don't you have an SG Supreme (MF priced at $2000) and a 79 Les Paul Custom? I guess it doesn't really pay to call attention to this lapse in logic cuz nobody takes your posts seriously anyway but i mean...save yourself some energy next time, hah

I paid less than 2K for each, thankyouverymuch, LL, L:bling:L.

Why wouldn't you take me seriously? Because I don't catch feelings? Because I don't use "IMO" or start posts off saying "No Offense"?

Yeah, seriously, stop catching feelings, dude.

I mean, come on. COME ON.

That goes for all of you guys. Grow a set. Why do you have to start off with "I have to disagree" or "The way I see it. . ." who cares?

It's just the internet and guitars are just overpriced pieces of wood that make noises. :rollseyes:

 

[C-Martin]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

You have amazing hearing because I can't hear anything wrong with his tone! Besides you don't even know what amp he's using. That could have a lot to do with it. What you're basically saying is that you prefer strat sounds. In the end it really doesn't have much to do with whether PRS guitars are worth their weight in gold does it?

From the sound of it, your PRS experience has been limited. PRS guitars are SO much easier for upper fret access. I should know because I have 4 PRS and 2 Les Paul Standards. I also have an Yngwie strat and a couple of Hohner guitars. Your preference probably has a lot to do with your physical makeup. Maybe you have long skinny fingers that fit well on a Les Paul. I don't know but you leave out a lot of actual explaining of things. Just kind of shooting from the hip.

Why you being so defensive i NEVER said "PRS suck!".. i just said i didnt like em much. I was just making a comment on the video you posted. I mentioned i admire their craftsmanship but i never played a PRS that made me go "WOW i want it!" and ive played allot of em.. ALLOT, not gonna go into detail because this conversation is getting pointless lol to me it just aint worth paying over 2-3k for one. I payed over 2k for my strat and over 3k for my les paul, i couldve gotten a PRS but i didnt. You are just repeating what i said.. i already said im biased twards strats. And my "amazing hearing" has nothing to do with the fact i dont like his tone.. its a matter of personal taste, i just dont like it lol some people wont like van halens tone, or claptons, or santanas go figure lol, his clean tone is alright some of em were pretty cool, his distorted/overdrive tone.. i really dont like, AND i also already mentioned i dont know his amp setup wich does a major part in it all. More than the guitar in most cases.

for the uper fret thing it was just because the way you said "Try playing up on the 21st fret on a Les Paul studio. LOL!" seemed like an arrogant way of saying its hard to play upper frets on a les paul and i dont see a problem with it, heel contour is nice yea but just because a guitar doesnt have it doesnt mean you cant reach those places.

 

[C-Martin]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

guitars are just overpriced pieces of wood that make noises. :rollseyes:

lol its funny when you look at it that way. What your paying for is usualy the labor and parts added to that "piece of wood" but then theres the huge amount of marketing involved... this poll could be done with Gibson guitars too and probably the same or similar results would come out of it

 

[jimmy]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

Hahaha, yuh yuh yuh.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

Not much to add, but I've had 5 very good PRS's, so my answer is....

New - Maybe, but most likely.
Used, at a great price - always.

Don't ever forget that PRS are THE modern classic. It's one of the only brands that will last the test of time, crossing over into timelessness.....them, and Taylor. When everyone is selling their $2500 Hamers, Andersons, Tylers, Suhr's, McInturffs, Grosh's in 10 years for half what they paid, PRS owners will be selling theirs for face value or more. The most desireable models of PRS are the modern equivalent of the 54 strat and 59 LP.
I'm just talking about resale value here, not quality, because those others are great too.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

So just to conclude then and wrap the discussion up, I think it safe to say that to some, high end PRS's are worth the money and to others they are not. To think that the human race could be so fickle...

 

[blueman335]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

When everyone is selling their $2500 Hamers, Andersons, Tylers, Suhr's, McInturffs, Grosh's in 10 years for half what they paid, PRS owners will be selling theirs for face value or more. The most desireable models of PRS are the modern equivalent of the 54 strat and 59 LP. I'm just talking about resale value here, not quality, because those others are great too.

But then, is that nice PRS, which you invested some much cash in, the kind of guitar you want to take to a gig in a smokey bar in a questionable part of town, so that you can stand on a crowded stage until 1:00 in the morning playing for a bunch of drunks so that you can make $100 for the night? Probably not if you're wanting to preserve the resale value. Why risk getting some dents and damage on the guitar or even have it stolen, for the little you make, and for a crowd that's hardly sober enough to notice if you were playing a banjo. That's where the mid-price guitars make sense to me, especially imports (with upgraded PU's). The average bar gig doesn't seem like the place to take $5,000 worth of guitar and amp. Who'll notice besides you? And what if your guitar gets knocked over & the neck breaks, or a beer gets dumped on your amp?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

But then, is that nice PRS, which you invested some much cash in, the kind of guitar you want to take to a gig in a smokey bar in a questionable part of town, so that you can stand on a crowded stage until 1:00 in the morning playing for a bunch of drunks so that you can make $100 for the night? Probably not if you're wanting to preserve the resale value. Why risk getting some dents and damage on the guitar or even have it stolen, for the little you make, and for a crowd that's hardly sober enough to notice if you were playing a banjo. That's where the mid-price guitars make sense to me, especially imports (with upgraded PU's). The average bar gig doesn't seem like the place to take $5,000 worth of guitar and amp. Who'll notice besides you? And what if your guitar gets knocked over & the neck breaks, or a beer gets dumped on your amp?

Go out to nightclubs, and you'll see most good players in good bands using pro quality instruments, which range from $1100 - $2800 usually. Those players made the choice to use their PRS or whatever as their gigging guitar, knowing it might get a ding or two. During times when I used a PRS nightly, I used one that I designated as a "player." One of my PRS's doesn't leave the house, just because it's too pristine and I'd like to keep it that way.

So the bottom line is you've got to decide the purpose for a $2000 + guitar.
If it's going to be your main axe, which you're proud to play in public, treat it carefully, and expect a ding here and there. If you bought it as a collectible to be played sparingly, polished, and put back in the case, that's your call.

Nowadays, I really only use Gibson and Fender, and I'm extremely careful with my $3000 ES-335.
I don't care how much it cost, I love that thing so much that it's designated as a 'player' for the rest of my life. I just hope it doesn't get damaged beyond a ding or two. It's one guitar that stays in the case when it's not strapped on, and nobody is welcome to play it.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

Go out to nightclubs, and you'll see most good players in good bands using pro quality instruments, which range from $1100 - $2800 usually. Those players made the choice to use their PRS or whatever as their gigging guitar, knowing it might get a ding or two. During times when I used a PRS nightly, I used one that I designated as a "player." One of my PRS's doesn't leave the house, just because it's too pristine and I'd like to keep it that way.

So the bottom line is you've got to decide the purpose for a $2000 + guitar.
If it's going to be your main axe, which you're proud to play in public, treat it carefully, and expect a ding here and there. If you bought it as a collectible to be played sparingly, polished, and put back in the case, that's your call.

Exactly! I bring my prs everywhere with me, and I will keep bringing it with me. It will get some dings and scatches, but why would I not play my best instrument, the one I like playing the most, at gigs?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

People drive their $20,000 to $60,000 cars around, even here in Messychusetts, for no good reason. I don't see a problem gigging a $2000 guitar if it makes you play better, sound better or makes you think you do. Who cares what the audience notices?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

People drive their $20,000 to $60,000 cars around, even here in Messychusetts, for no good reason. I don't see a problem gigging a $2000 guitar if it makes you play better, sound better or makes you think you do. Who cares what the audience notices?

In an upscale gig, an expensive guitar is fine; goes with the nice surroundings. But the average gig a lot of us play at doesn't fit that category. Conditions are often "spartan" at best. Those expensive cars on the street are insured and have alarms & locator systems; what about the high-end guitars at a bar? Risk vs reward, we all have to decide for ourselves when we take a guitar in public.

My original point about maintaining resale value was that regular gigging guitars usually look it, and sell for less. That day-to-day depreciation takes its toll. Might apply to PRS' too. If you want to sell your guitar for anywhere near what you paid for it, it's got to look like it did when you bought it. If I can justify buying a high-end guitar, of any make, because of the higher resale value, making it my daily gigging guitar throws that argument out the window.

 

[phil_104]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

In an upscale gig, an expensive guitar is fine; goes with the nice surroundings. But the average gig a lot of us play at doesn't fit that category. Conditions are often "spartan" at best. Those expensive cars on the street are insured and have alarms & locator systems; what about the high-end guitars at a bar? Risk vs reward, we all have to decide for ourselves when we take a guitar in public.

My original point about maintaining resale value was that regular gigging guitars usually look it, and sell for less. That day-to-day depreciation takes its toll. Might apply to PRS' too. If you want to sell your guitar for anywhere near what you paid for it, it's got to look like it did when you bought it. If I can justify buying a high-end guitar, of any make, because of the higher resale value, making it my daily gigging guitar throws that argument out the window.

To me when we talk about if the guitar is worth the money, resale is not even in the question. To me, worth of an instrument is what you get from it when you play it, not by collecting and reselling.

If someone buys a guitar knowing for sure they will never sell it and enjoy playing it every time they can, then a 3k+ guitar is worth it.

 

[VHTJay]

Re: Are High end prs guitars worth the money?

I used to be a gibson guy. Now i play PRS exclusively. They play better, are built (WAYYYY) better, stay in tune better, look better, and most importantly sound better than any other guitars i own/owned. That includes the Gibson CS stuff.

Right now i own 4. A rosewood necked mccarty, 2 singlecuts and a private stock.

They also have the USA made mira out which is reasonably priced and is killer!

To me; worth every penny!