PRS 305, their version of the strat

Gearjoneser

Gearjoneser

Gear Ho
I played a couple of these 305's tonight, and man are they sweet!

I'm normally turned off by proprietary pickup routes that don't fit aftermarket, but this overall guitar is killer as is.

First of all, the PRS maple fretboard/neck is amazing. The neck has the thickness that the Charvel and Musicman don't have. And the light alder body gives it more Fender vibe than other PRS's.

At the $2000 price point for a dot neck, it's not out of the stratosphere pricewise, considering that it's not a cheap feeling guitar.

I'm also really interested in their NF3 with Narrowfield pickups, and need to spend some time with those as well.
I miss playing PRS's that have trems.

If GAS sets in really hard, I may let go of one of my McCartys for one. As it is, I find myself playing my Gibsons and Fenders more. I sort of burned out on PRS for awhile, until I got re-interested in these new ones. :cool2:

http://prsguitars.com/305/index.php
http://prsguitars.com/nf3/

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dc3_and_nf3.jpg
 
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Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

I played a 513 once and it was the first PRS I had a real go at; really a fantastic instrument. There's not a sound I couldn't get out of it. The pickups are brilliant.

I was worried it'd feel 'too' easy to play (I'm used to Strat and all my guitars fight back a little) but even that didn't deter from the fact that it simply was an incredible instrument.

WAY out of any potential price range however, and the 305 can do a lot already and is better priced.

Joe, let us know how you like the DC3 and similar models. I'd love one of these as well http://www.thomann.de/lu/prs_dc3_mn_charcoal.htm. Now of course I've never seen one in any shops given where I live, so you'll have to feel them for me :drill: :werd:

By the way 2,000 dollars? Really? They're 2,500 euros here, which puts you right at the beginning of Fender Custom shop price ranges...
 
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Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

I dont like those with the pickguards, but the first two look awesome.
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

I played a 513 before too. Sweet guitars. Those humbuckers in them sound fantastic split. Lots of cool sounds. I haven't tried the 305's yet but wouldn't mind sitting down with one to take through the paces.
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

I'd take an NF3 in a heartbeat

Now, if we can get Diego to demo one through that Lionheart he was so taken with, I'd love to see it.
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

Love the NF3 - a Stratty type thing that's just a tiny bit fatter and warmer in every way - pickups, neck joint, etc.

Even better, still, in my opinion, is the PRS Studio:

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Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

I`m sure they`re nice but anytime i see a Strat-like design from another company i think to myself "just give me a Fender!"
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

Chris of Arabia said:
I'd take an NF3 in a heartbeat

Now, if we can get Diego to demo one through that Lionheart he was so taken with, I'd love to see it.
Click to expand...

Sadly my friend, the local PRS dealer doesn't bring that one yet.

...Not to mention that the Lionheart is in a different store, in the same block though.
That would be fun to try and explain. :D
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

Moonsorrow said:
I`m sure they`re nice but anytime i see a Strat-like design from another company i think to myself "just give me a Fender!"
Click to expand...

I'm the same way. If it's a strat, it's gotta be a nice Fender.

I think people have to stop comparing PRS to Gibson and Fender, or some type of middle ground between them. PRS guitars are their own thing...they always have been.

My goal with any PRS I own is to use pickups that don't sound like my Gibsons and Fenders, so it's definitely it's own thing. I may even be more inclined to go for a humbucker and two Narrowfields, or 3 Narrowfields.

I'm not prepared to lay out cash right now for anything, and it's increasingly harder to sell anything for a fair price. So, the only way I'd get one is if I sacrificed something else for it. I'd definitely get the maple fretboard version this time.
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

I like it ... but what's the deal with that neck joint? It sort of looks like a bolt-on with two discrete hunks of wood, but there's no bolts.
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

ratherdashing said:
I like it ... but what's the deal with that neck joint? It sort of looks like a bolt-on with two discrete hunks of wood, but there's no bolts.
Click to expand...

They are glued in like you'd expect with a CU22 or McCarty, it's just unusual to see it done with a maple neck that's all.
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

Chris of Arabia said:
They are glued in like you'd expect with a CU22 or McCarty, it's just unusual to see it done with a maple neck that's all.
Click to expand...

I guess I'd have to see one in person, but it kind of looks like the finish "ends" where the neck begins, like the neck and body are distinct pieces of wood. Or maybe I have no idea what I'm talking about. There's a good chance of that.
 
Re: PRS 305, their version of the strat

ratherdashing said:
I like it ... but what's the deal with that neck joint? It sort of looks like a bolt-on with two discrete hunks of wood, but there's no bolts.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was going to mention that but didn't want to use the wrong terminology.
It appears to be a bolt on design that's glued in.
 
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