Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

[Lewguitar]

Just a head's up. Guitar Player has come out with a special issue in what they call thier IKON SERIES and the whole issue is dedicated to PRS and PRS guitars. It's excellant. Great in depth history and interviews with PRS, Santana and others. Recommended Reading! Keep your eye out for it...

PRS also talks openly about the Gibson lawsuit that barred PRS from making the single cut PRS because, in Gibson's argument, a player might think he was buying a Les Paul! :saeek:

 

[Butch Snyder]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

in Gibson's argument, a player might think he was buying a Les Paul! :saeek:

Oh come one.... Just how stupid does Gibson think a person can be?

 

[Skullkrusher]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

I've been looking for that magazine for a week now, but I can't find it anywhere yet. I've got one on it's way in the mail though.

 

[Curly]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

I remember an article years ago about PRS. He said that Yamaha wined and dined him, and they talked about a partnership, but in the end, he felt a big company would use him long enough to steal his secrets, then dump him.

I give him credit for going it on his own, and having such great quality.

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

i'm gonna have to find that mag

 

[aleclee]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

Oh come one.... Just how stupid does Gibson think a person can be?

Given Gibson's recent policy changes and quality issues, I'd assume that's a rhetorical question.

Not only does Gibson believe that folks are that stupid, they convinced a Federal judge of it, too.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

I remember an article years ago about PRS. He said that Yamaha wined and dined him, and they talked about a partnership, but in the end, he felt a big company would use him long enough to steal his secrets, then dump him.

I give him credit for going it on his own, and having such great quality.

The story I read indicated that they weren't going to give him much money for the design so he decided to build 'em himself.

 

[Skullkrusher]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

I remember an article years ago about PRS. He said that Yamaha wined and dined him, and they talked about a partnership, but in the end, he felt a big company would use him long enough to steal his secrets, then dump him.

Man am I glad that didnt happen.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

what's up with the weird spelling? "IKON"? Why can't they just call it "ICON"...geez...

But yeah, I'll have to pick it up. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

Oh come one.... Just how stupid does Gibson think a person can be?

They're still bitter that DiMarzio got the double cream patent, and they had to take it out on somebody

 

[Ez74]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

i was going to start a thread about this mag... it has a lot of great info and pics for the PRS fans.... and non fans

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

PRS talks about people and companies in the industry he admires. He cites HAMER. Isn't that interesting?

If you look a Hamers designs and PRS designs they both clearly copied the Gibson double cut Les Paul Jr. body shape and then added the flame maple top of a Les Paul.

When you see Pauls earliest guitars, the body shape is identical to the DC Les Paul Jr.

He kind of elongated it like a Strat body shape to create the final PRS body shape, IMO.

Lew

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

If you look a Hamers designs and PRS designs they both clearly copied the Gibson double cut Les Paul Jr. body shape and then added the flame maple top of a Les Paul.

How come Gibson hasn't sued Yamaha yet? I mean, have you seen the AES620? It looks like a Les Paul to me.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

Because Yamaha is way bigger than Gibson

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

In 86, I had my first job, working at Guitar Center, Lawndale, Ca.
That was when the unknown builder Paul was going around to stores to educate the employees. We had just gotten the first batch of PRS Customs (Man, I wish I'd had the money then....FIRST batch). I remember talking to Paul and his Westcoast rep, Tim Edwards, and distinctly remember how they seemed to have blinders on, in regards to how PRS should be made and presented. I asked them why they didn't use aftermarket parts like Duncan pickups and Floyd Rose trems, instead of their pickups and trems. Paul said "my design is meant to be timeless and original."
I'll always remember that level of integrity he had, and confidence that his guitars would someday be held in the same regard as Fender and Gibson. In retrospect, everything he said was right, and my suggestion would have not been in his best interest. I've had about 5 PRS guitars and I've come to realize that his McCarty design is the best thing since the LP, strat, and tele. Paul was 80% there, but ex-Gibson Pres, Ted McCarty took the PRS design and brought it to 100%. A perfect design, tonally, ergonomically, and functionally. I think of the McCarty as being the last good Gibson.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

Because Yamaha is way bigger than Gibson

That's true. I was reading that Yamaha is #1 followed by Gibson (at #2). Apparenatly this is getting Gibson's owner a bit of a case of twisted panties.

 

[Old Ghost]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

I think of the McCarty as being the last good Gibson.

Very well said. I couldn't agree more.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

Very well said. I couldn't agree more.

That is SO pretty! I really do think the PRS guitar is the first classic since the great electric guitars of the 50's: Tele, Strat, Les Paul, ES-335....and now PRS.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

The refinements that McCarty made are the reason why the McCarty is PRS's best seller.

Thicker body.
Wide fat neck with a soft V
Kluson tuners which allow the headstock to resonate better.
More dramatic headstock angle, which made the notes bolder.
Ditched the rotary switch for a more stage friendly 3 way + coil splitting.
Created a bridge that transfers energy more efficiently than Gibson or Fender.
(Some would argue that it should have had adjustable saddles, tho.)
And also, the longer body/neck heel added more mass for better sustain.

Those are the differences between the McCarty and the Custom 22.

 

[FireBros.]

Re: Guitar Player Mag: Paul Reed Smith!

I got to go to NAMM this year for the first time, got a pass through a friends company. The main reason, that I've always wanted to go, was to get a chance to meet the designers, and makers of all my favorite gear. It was just about as cool as it could be. The real highlight, however, was getting to meet and talk to Paul Reed Smith. It was clearly stated on my name badge that I was a VISITOR, not a buyer or rep from company or anything. Even given that info, he was very patient and talked to me like just like another guy that loves guitars. I always thought PRS were cool guitars, but that meeting made me want tell everyone, that they are not just another guitar company. He truly seemed to be in awe that his company and designs have been such a success. He is genuinely grateful for every person who buys one of his guitars.

I know that this is a long post, but all the negative stuff being said about the big companies (especially Gibson), makes me want to get the word out about a breath of fresh air in the guitar community.