Hello all! I'm considering buying a new PRS Custom 22. I've read a lot of good things about the 57/08 pickups and I'm really leaning towards those. I don't have a chance to play before hand so I need some good unbiased advice from all you wonderful people. I have a Les Paul that I like but it's not my favorite. The tone just seems to be really thick and really bassy. That has it's advantages but playing it clean doesn't all that great to me. I understand the PRS 57/08 pickups and supposed to be like a PAF style pickup. My LP is the only humbucker guitar I've spent some real time with. Should I expect these real thick tones and bassy tones from the PRS? What sort of tonal differences should I expect in the PRS? Thanks for any input!
Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
- Thread starter lmill999
- Start date
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
PRS are renown for their brightness and clarity. A C22 will most likely not have that problem but as for you liking the pups is up to your ears. Also you could replace the pups in your LP to solve your issue too.
PRS are renown for their brightness and clarity. A C22 will most likely not have that problem but as for you liking the pups is up to your ears. Also you could replace the pups in your LP to solve your issue too.
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
Thanks for your input. I kinda like the idea of the PRS being bright. I have a USA strat that in my #1. I really like brighter sounds I get from it. Ive been wanting something a little thicker sounding but my LP is just too thick for my tastes. The PRS really seems to fit that bill. I knew PRS were known for being a little brighter but I wasn't quite sure how the 57/08 fit into that. As far as pups in my LP go I've already put a SD Jazz in the neck and Pearly Gates in the bridge. I'm not sure if there is a better way to go. I'm starting to just think that a LP just has a certain tone regardless of the pickups. Unfortunately I'm not bonding with that tone too much.
Thanks for your input. I kinda like the idea of the PRS being bright. I have a USA strat that in my #1. I really like brighter sounds I get from it. Ive been wanting something a little thicker sounding but my LP is just too thick for my tastes. The PRS really seems to fit that bill. I knew PRS were known for being a little brighter but I wasn't quite sure how the 57/08 fit into that. As far as pups in my LP go I've already put a SD Jazz in the neck and Pearly Gates in the bridge. I'm not sure if there is a better way to go. I'm starting to just think that a LP just has a certain tone regardless of the pickups. Unfortunately I'm not bonding with that tone too much.
Chris of Arabia
Desert RATT
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
I've got a CU22 back int the UK, so can't offer a recent opinion on how it sounds - I think it pre-dates the introduction of the 57/08 anyway. But, if memory serves, it is a brighter sounding guitar than an LP, quite hifi in a way. I would say that if the standard pickups are no quite to your taste though, the guitar itself is a very good base for anything else you might choose. That guitar was also bought sight unseen from the US, and I was not disappointed at all.
I've got a CU22 back int the UK, so can't offer a recent opinion on how it sounds - I think it pre-dates the introduction of the 57/08 anyway. But, if memory serves, it is a brighter sounding guitar than an LP, quite hifi in a way. I would say that if the standard pickups are no quite to your taste though, the guitar itself is a very good base for anything else you might choose. That guitar was also bought sight unseen from the US, and I was not disappointed at all.
Rockstar216
New member
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
If you want to go Duncan you can try a Screamin Demon in the neck or a PATB-1n or Full shred neck.
Outside of duncan I would recommend a Bill Lawrence L90 in the neck.
Many of the guitarist I know love their PRS and everyone I've heard has a brightness to it and a bit of snap. Not single coil but still bright.
If you want to go Duncan you can try a Screamin Demon in the neck or a PATB-1n or Full shred neck.
Outside of duncan I would recommend a Bill Lawrence L90 in the neck.
Many of the guitarist I know love their PRS and everyone I've heard has a brightness to it and a bit of snap. Not single coil but still bright.
jmh151
Active member
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
If there's complaints of PRS being bright, just adjust your amp settings.
I would also try to go on PRS forums, such as the Birds and Moons forum. ]
Also, if you're spending the money on a new PRS, maybe, instead of the Custom 22, look at other models, try tracking down a used McCarty Trem or DGT model as they have thicker bodies and a thicker tone. The DGT Standard you might like as it's all mahogany, no maple cap. I prefer the solid Mahogany or solid Korina models, they seem to take away some of the brightness people complain about with the maple cap models
If there's complaints of PRS being bright, just adjust your amp settings.
I would also try to go on PRS forums, such as the Birds and Moons forum. ]
Also, if you're spending the money on a new PRS, maybe, instead of the Custom 22, look at other models, try tracking down a used McCarty Trem or DGT model as they have thicker bodies and a thicker tone. The DGT Standard you might like as it's all mahogany, no maple cap. I prefer the solid Mahogany or solid Korina models, they seem to take away some of the brightness people complain about with the maple cap models
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
I'm actually looking for a brighter guitar. Just not single coil bright. I love my strat but want something a little different for different sounds. My LP is all mahogany so I think the maple top on the PRS would help a lot. Thanks for all the help.
I'm actually looking for a brighter guitar. Just not single coil bright. I love my strat but want something a little different for different sounds. My LP is all mahogany so I think the maple top on the PRS would help a lot. Thanks for all the help.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
I have a 1993 Custom (24-fret, natch!) and a beaten-up pre-lawsuit Singlecut. Unsurprisingly, the latter sounds far more like a Les Paul than the former. If I had to compare the the PRS Custom to a Gibson, I would suggest the SG Supreme.
My Singlecut has the #7 humbuckers. Back in the day, these were supposed to sound like Gibson PAFs. In my opinion, they do not.
In conclusion, if you expect a PRS to sound close to classic Gibson tones, it really needs to have the Gibson scale length.
I have a 1993 Custom (24-fret, natch!) and a beaten-up pre-lawsuit Singlecut. Unsurprisingly, the latter sounds far more like a Les Paul than the former. If I had to compare the the PRS Custom to a Gibson, I would suggest the SG Supreme.
My Singlecut has the #7 humbuckers. Back in the day, these were supposed to sound like Gibson PAFs. In my opinion, they do not.
In conclusion, if you expect a PRS to sound close to classic Gibson tones, it really needs to have the Gibson scale length.
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
Good to hear. I don't want it to sound like a classic Gibson.
Good to hear. I don't want it to sound like a classic Gibson.
Sloanthebone
New member
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
The problem with PRS is that there are so many great choices from them. The Custom 22 with 57/08 is a fantastic guitar and great place to start with them. I have 57/08s in my Custom 24 and SC58 and they rock for everything! The DGT is also a great choice, little more vintage vibe and the body is a little bit thicker. Looking for a little more? Try the P22. It is sort of like a cross between a Custom 22 and a DGT plus it has a piezo system in it for some really sweet acoustic sounds. There is a nice one on the gear page for under $2200.
Only other advice is try buying used. I just sold a practically brand new 1 month old P22 10 top for $2150. They are $3200 new. If you are buying new I assume you are looking in the $2700 range since that is about what they go for, there is a PRS Artist Custom 22 on the gear page for under $3k. It is a beauty. 2k can get you a lot in the used market.
PRS has a few neck sizes to consider also.
Also Birds and moons is gone, we are all over at vintagerocker.com. Lots of PRS for sale there also.
PM me with any questions. Good luck in your search.
The problem with PRS is that there are so many great choices from them. The Custom 22 with 57/08 is a fantastic guitar and great place to start with them. I have 57/08s in my Custom 24 and SC58 and they rock for everything! The DGT is also a great choice, little more vintage vibe and the body is a little bit thicker. Looking for a little more? Try the P22. It is sort of like a cross between a Custom 22 and a DGT plus it has a piezo system in it for some really sweet acoustic sounds. There is a nice one on the gear page for under $2200.
Only other advice is try buying used. I just sold a practically brand new 1 month old P22 10 top for $2150. They are $3200 new. If you are buying new I assume you are looking in the $2700 range since that is about what they go for, there is a PRS Artist Custom 22 on the gear page for under $3k. It is a beauty. 2k can get you a lot in the used market.
PRS has a few neck sizes to consider also.
Also Birds and moons is gone, we are all over at vintagerocker.com. Lots of PRS for sale there also.
PM me with any questions. Good luck in your search.
Last edited:
Jethro_Dull
New member
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
Don't buy a Billy Martin SE.
Don't buy a Billy Martin SE.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
My PRS is a Standard, or without a maple cap. Even so it is more articulate and less bassy than my Les Paul or typical Les Paul. I have boutique PAF clones in the PRS and they work fine.
My PRS is a Standard, or without a maple cap. Even so it is more articulate and less bassy than my Les Paul or typical Les Paul. I have boutique PAF clones in the PRS and they work fine.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: Need Help On A New PRS Guitar
If you're looking for some of the traits of a LP with more brightness and clarity then you may want to check out a McCarty. The Custom series is more like an SG to me. You lose some of those low mids and depending on what you're looking for that may be a good thing.
If you're looking for some of the traits of a LP with more brightness and clarity then you may want to check out a McCarty. The Custom series is more like an SG to me. You lose some of those low mids and depending on what you're looking for that may be a good thing.
