Whats a good PRS Substitute

Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

mwalluk, I think you are barking up the wrong tree here.

How can you not like the other PRS SE shapes? It's not like PRS makes a whole ton of shapes.

they have the classic PRS double cutaway, the singlecut, and the LP doublecut style with the Mira. That's IT

Seriously go to your local PRS dealer and play a PRS SE Custom 24. They're tits mcgee.

If you don't like it, maybe PRS isn't for you.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

I don't get the dislike for the SE model when the OP is looking at PRS to begin with. The SE models, most of the ones I have played anyway, have specs that are either very close to or spot on the same as their USA counterparts. Sure, the lack of bling bling and limited colors and options is one thing, but what's important is the playability.

IME(lately) and IMO, the SE models are at or near the top of import guitars right now. I would get another one in a heartbeat of I was in the market for something like that but I have a SE Singlecut Korina already and love it. The price is right and the quality/playability is top notch in its class.

Between a LTD and a PRS SE, I'll take the SE.

Now, a Carvin....yeah, horrible resale value but good value for the buyer on the used market.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

mwalluk, I think you are barking up the wrong tree here.

How can you not like the other PRS SE shapes? It's not like PRS makes a whole ton of shapes.

they have the classic PRS double cutaway, the singlecut, and the LP doublecut style with the Mira. That's IT

Seriously go to your local PRS dealer and play a PRS SE Custom 24. They're tits mcgee.

If you don't like it, maybe PRS isn't for you.



It's more to do with aesthetics, than shape. The SE line looks cheap to me. I would rather rock out a Faded Les Paul. I need more gloss/look to it than the finishes they offer. Except for a select few (which are LP style) I don't dig the look.

Shapewise, the basic shape is similiar but the cut, curve, binding, etc is off.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

I like PRS, I'm just not a fan of the SE line and that's just me. Like I stated, I find more value in an LTD than I do with a SE.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

Also, there are about 300 Ibanez guitars that have humbuckers and a semi Strat shape.

Just google RGFDX2470QMHDFX and I'm sure some sort of Ibanez will turn up :laughing:
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

I just priced out a couple of CT3s (no maple top), TOM and Wilky, to what I like, with tweed case, and they came out to $1200 and $1300.
There's a $100 discount going on right now, FWIW.

I currently own 2 x 80's Carvins, one I've had since '88, and I wouldn't hesitate to get another one. Especially if I was looking for a 25" scale guitar.

But yea, there are used Hamers and Schecters that will fit the bill as well.

edit:
Minimal CT3:
construction - set neck
scale length - 25"
body - Honduras mahogany
neck - Honduras mahogany w/ 24K gold headstock logo
fingerboard - ebony, 12" radius
inlays - abalone dots
neck width - 1.69" wide @ nut, 2.23" wide @ 22nd fret
hardware - chrome
bridge - M bridge - tune-o-matic bridge set in body with strings fed through
tuners - Sperzel™ locking tuners
frets - 22 medium-jumbo, .103 wide X .048 tall
pickups - C22J & C22B humbuckers
electronics - master volume, push/pull tone/coil splitter, 3-way pickup selector
dimensions - 37.8" long, 12.7" wide body, 2.1" thick at center of body, 1.5" thick at edge
weight - 8.25 lbs

CT3M
Right Handed
Tune-O-Matic Bridge 1 $1,069.00
-NMAH - Mahogany Neck & Body (Standard) $0.00
-CG - Clear Gloss Finish (Standard) $0.00
-CST - Cherryburst Edges $30.00
-GNB - Clear Gloss Finish Back Of Neck (Standard) $0.00
-CTH - Carved Top Headstock (Standard) $0.00
-PH - Headstock To Match Plain Wood Body Color (Standard) $0.00
-EB - Ebony Fingerboard (Standard) $0.00
-ABD - Abalone Dot Inlays (Standard) $0.00
-STJF - Stainless Jumbo Frets .055" H .110" W $40.00
-R12 - 12in Fretboard Radius (Standard) $0.00
-C22B - C22B Bridge Pickup (Standard) $0.00
-C22J - C22J Neck Pickup (Standard) $0.00
-400 - Black Coils w/ Black Bezels (Standard) $0.00
-CH - Chrome Hardware (Standard) $0.00
-46 - Elixir 1046E Light Gauge .010 - .046 (Standard) $0.00
-WL - White Logo $0.00
-SL - Dunlop Straplocks $10.00
-IVN - Ivory Graph Tech TUSQ Nut $5.00
-HC11S - Form-Fitted ABS Hardshell Case FREE $0.00
Custom Shop Total: $1,154.00
Options Discount: $-80.00
Sub-Total $1,074.00

MM
 
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Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

Also, there are about 300 Ibanez guitars that have humbuckers and a semi Strat shape.

Just google RGFDX2470QMHDFX and I'm sure some sort of Ibanez will turn up :laughing:

The S series might be closer. RG's are pointy super strat types. The S strat isn't that far away, but has the rounder, smoother contours, and are ridiculously thin (like an ESP Horizon). Likewise, the SV and SA. Still ain't got the PRS style body though...
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

If you're ever asking yourself, "What's a good substitute for...", then just stop. You don't want the substitute. You want the real thing.

In your case, it's particularly inexcusable, because you're looking for a backup. You're going to set aside your real deal Les Paul for a PRS knockoff? Maybe for the thirty minutes (seconds?) until the novelty wears off. Then you'll ask yourself, "What was I thinking, exactly?" And you'll sell it (probably at a loss) or set it aside figuring you'll use it at some point. You won't.

Do yourself a favor and don't waste the money on a half step down. Wait until you can get something that satisfies whatever craving you still have and for God's sake, man, don't bring up trading that Fryette ever again.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

I think the carvin is a perfect solution. You can build a custom for $1400 or so, or find a used one for under a grand.

Also, someone mentioned the PRS Mira, which can be had for $1000.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

Yeah, the problem is that you want a PRS, but don't want to shell out for one.

Well, let me tell you, and I know that nobody agrees with me on this, but PRS IS THE BEST VALUE FOR THE DOLLAR MIA GUITAR. You get more guitar per dollar with a Maryland made PRS than anything else.

Of course that's my opinion; I'm writing it.

Anyways, you can get a used PRS of any variety for $1200 any day of the week. Go look at eBay right now. The great thing about PRS is that they're all good, you know it, and you can trust in that. So shop used. If you are going to spend $799 for a high end LTD or a Shecter or something, save for another 30 days and get into a PRS that will take you to your grave.

I bought a pawn shop epiphone yesterday, and I approve this message,
I6
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

just be patient...wait for six months or a year. save 50 bucks a week and youll have a killer real deal PRS in a year or less. Youll have the guitar you really want, and you wont ever need to resell it.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

The Carvin will be awesome guitar. The carved top and single cut carved tops are awesome and you get a lot of guitar for the money.
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

none of the cheap substitutes will really match up even for shape. A Dean Hardtail is very close. A MIA PRS guitar is absolutely one the best built most consistent instruments you can find. And of course very few other companies make a 25" scale if that is your thing (I think Carvin is the only one, though Ibbby did a few years back on the SZ series).

Then again is shape is the ONLY concern...I'm not sure you are actually looking for a PRS substitute so much as a PRS look-alike.

Have you seen an Edwards/ESP Potbelly? Being that you already like LTD brand...

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You can still find some good deals on MIK Dean Hardtails on Ebay like THIS ONE

You can usually find the USA models for pretty good prices used too
 
Re: Whats a good PRS Substitute

Can you not get a used MIA PRS for less than $1000?

A serious question as I'm from the UK where most USA made gear is more expensive but I managed to get my CU22 used for £650, so id've thought they'd be quite common in the states.
 
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