Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

[jmcorey]

OK, I think I am going to get a PRS. The funds are there. The wife is OK with it. I've got pickups to put in it.

The problem is that I don't understand all the differences between the models. So many different ones with the same shape, essentially (I want to get the double cut, not the single). Anyone have the low down on the model differences and how they might sound differently?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[aleclee]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

Go to the Birds & Moons forum. They can tell you all you want to know about PRS guitars and then some.

 

[vinterland]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

I can't tell you the exact difference but with most theres different woods and pickups. I would buy a standard or a CE. I really don't see the justification in buying a custom.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

I can't tell you the exact difference but with most theres different woods and pickups. I would buy a standard or a CE. I really don't see the justification in buying a custom.

The Customs do sound different due to the maple top. Whether that's an improvement is, of course, a matter of taste.

 

[martinsixstringcustoms]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

I just got a McCarty with stock Duncan P-90's. It sounds and plays awesome.

Highly recommended.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

Anyone have the low down on the model differences and how they might sound differently?

Here's the quick & dirty:

• CE
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple top (solid mahogany version also available)
  • Bolt-on maple neck (22 or 24 frets)
  • rosewood fretboard
    
  • Since this is the low-end model, no birds or 10 tops available in new guitars.
• Swamp Ash Special
  • Swamp ash body
  • Bolt-on maple neck (22 frets)
  • maple or rosewood fretboard
  • The only US model with 3 pickups (HSH)
• Standard
  • Mahogany body
  • Set mahogany neck (22 or 24 frets)
  • rosewood fretboard
    
    
• Custom
  • Same as Standard but with maple cap on body
• McCarty
  • Similar to Custom but with thick body and different electronics
  • Top is Michigan maple, not West Coast maple (also comes in solid mahogany Standard variant)
  • 22 fret only
  • Solid Rosewood neck available

I'd go into the hollowbodies but I assume you're looking at solid body guitars.

I have three CEs and a Custom 24 with a solid rosewood neck (limited special order). The maple necked guitars are a bit snappier. Don't let the bolt-neck construction scare you away because they don't have a vile flange like on Strats and most other bolt-on guitars. IMO, the CEs have better articulation under high gain.

The McCarty was designed to have more of a LP vibe. That's the reason for the thicker body and different maple top.

The Custom and Standard are the original PRS models and have a tone that splits the difference between a LP and Strat.

That's about it in a nutshell.

 

[rombola]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

I just got a McCarty with stock Duncan P-90's. It sounds and plays awesome.

Highly recommended.

martinsixstringscustoms you got to be rich man first the les paul std now you got a custom prs DAMN im jelous

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

Here's the quick & dirty:....

I'd go into the hollowbodies but I assume you're looking at solid body guitars.

.....

That's about it in a nutshell.

Thanks, aleclee for the lowdown and thanks for the forum. I'll try that one, too. Guess I'll hve to try out the guitars out to see what they all sound like.

Joe

 

[Hoss]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

there you go man...that's what you gotta do when it all comes down to it!

you definitely have some good leads now to work on!

 

[Xeromus]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

Check this out too before you make up your mind on a PRS.

www.carvin.com. Check out the California carved top models. Their quality is top notch and you'll save a bunch of bucks in the process too. I ordered a CT3M for myself after looking at some PRS guitars I wasn't completely satisfied with.

check out this gallery of some finished customer guitars to get an idea of what they are like and different options you can get.

http://www.carvinmuseum.com/playersgallery/carvedtop.html

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

I can't tell you the exact difference but with most theres different woods and pickups. I would buy a standard or a CE. I really don't see the justification in buying a custom.

A standard is all mahogany, and a CE is Alder w/ maple neck and sometimes a Maple top..

The justification: The custom sounds VERY different from either model. brighter and deeper than the standard because of the maple top, darker and "more sluggish" because of the mahogany and set neck (compared to a CE), with a sizzle on top that the CE doesn´t have.

Want a MUCH better comparison? Play a custom 22 and A McCarty acoustically. If you still think it doesn´t make a difference (the only difference here is the McCarty has a thicker body), then I honestly don´t think you´d hear the difference between an Antiquity and a standard Fender Korea SC (I don´t mean to sound condescending, but the difference is MUCH greater than you may think)

*Edit* Alec, when did they start making th eCEs out of Mahogany??

 

[tone4days]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

be careful not to overinterpret the 'increased thickness' of the mccarty models as dramatic ... as i've been able to determine, the increased thickness is something like 1/8"

and i love my mccarty

i think a few of the 'nuts and bolts' things to consider in selecting a PRS is to determine a few things about your preferences with regard to (not in order):

- 22 vs 24 frets
- neck carve preference
- rotary switching vs toggle as a matter of taste / utility
- maple top / birds cosmetics

good luck and happy PRS Hunting

cheers
t4d

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

be careful not to overinterpret the 'increased thickness' of the mccarty models as dramatic ... as i've been able to determine, the increased thickness is something like 1/8"

and i love my mccarty

i think a few of the 'nuts and bolts' things to consider in selecting a PRS is to determine a few things about your preferences with regard to (not in order):

- 22 vs 24 frets
- neck carve preference
- rotary switching vs toggle as a matter of taste / utility
- maple top / birds cosmetics

good luck and happy PRS Hunting

cheers
t4d

another thing to consider is the tremolo bridge vs. the stoptail

 

[aleclee]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

A standard is all mahogany, and a CE is Alder w/ maple neck and sometimes a Maple top..

...

*Edit* Alec, when did they start making th eCEs out of Mahogany??

CEs haven't been made from alder since late '94. Of my 3 CEs, one is solid alder ('89), one is alder/maple ('94) and the other is mahogany/maple ('01). The Alder ones are 24s while the '01 is a CE22.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

another thing to consider is the tremolo bridge vs. the stoptail

:smack: of course, thanks for pickin' me up

t4d

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

Thanks again guys! And those Carvin's are really sweet, also!

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with a PRS. Keep in mind, this is my opnion and my experience and results may vary.

I went through a lot of guitars whe nI got back into playing. Some included Hamers, Carvins, Schecters, Deans, and I finally settled on Gibson and PRS for my go-to brands and that is because I have yet to find anything I like as much as my 2003 LP Standard and 2001 McCarty. The Mccarty as well as the CU22 are dynamite playing and sounding guitars and this is in stock form! I installed Dragon IIs in my McCarty and she is an amazing sounding instrument now! Great punch, clarity, warmth, clean to heavy. I couldn't be happier. I love the wide fat neck although it took about a day or two of adjustment - but now feels great. I have no problem flying on this thing. I was never into thin necks so I always go for beef. For this reason I prefer the ibson beefier neck designs over something like the Classic or 60s style neck. Same with PRS as I do not feel comfortable on the wide/thin - whether or not you hear a tonal difference in a band situation is hard to say, but I like the feel.

Mabye if I want a shredder, I'll buy an LP Classic or PRS with a wide/thin.

In the mean time, I am thinking of buying a PRS Swamp Ash Special for variety. The older I get, the more I realize I want my guitars to do different things. I already have a Dean Evo Premium which feels and plays similar to an LP but with a slimmer neck (Shredder?) . I also have the LP Standard with Burstbucker Pros -this guitar plays amazingly well and one of the fastest necks I have. I am much more comfortable with the upper fret access now that i have had it a year. The pickups in an LP can't be too hot forme because LPs have so much natural punch and compression that more vintage and open pickups seem to serve them well. I can nail clean to classic rock to slamming metal with this one.
My McCarty which is a joy as well, is a bit thinner in the low mids and bass next to the LP but sound great in its own way - very big sounding guitar with a refined and smooth tone. I really love PRS pickups. The Dragon IIs put this guitar over the top!
I think my next buy will be a PRS Swamp Ash Special for variety - Swamp Ash body thinner than the Mccarty, more vintage Mccarty pickups, bolt on maple neck, and termola!
I was really leaning toward another Mccarty, a Custom 22, or another LP Standard as I LOVE Les Pauls. I am sure I will buy another LP eventually, but it may have to wait in the face of some aditional variety to my collection.

Are there certain tones you are after with a PRS? Maybe I can help steer you in the right direction.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with a PRS. Keep in mind, this is my opinion and my experience so results may vary.

I went through a lot of guitars whe nI got back into playing. Some included Hamers, Carvins, Schecters, Deans, and I finally settled on Gibson and PRS for my go-to brands and that is because I have yet to find anything I like as much as my 2003 LP Standard and 2001 McCarty. The Mccarty as well as the CU22 are dynamite playing and sounding guitars and this is in stock form! I installed Dragon IIs in my McCarty and she is an amazing sounding instrument now! Great punch, clarity, warmth, clean to heavy. I couldn't be happier. I love the wide fat neck although it took about a day or two of adjustment - but now feels great. I have no problem flying on this thing. I was never into thin necks so I always go for beef. For this reason I prefer the ibson beefier neck designs over something like the Classic or 60s style neck. Same with PRS as I do not feel comfortable on the wide/thin - whether or not you hear a tonal difference in a band situation is hard to say, but I like the feel.

Mabye if I want a shredder, I'll buy an LP Classic or PRS with a wide/thin.

In the mean time, I am thinking of buying a PRS Swamp Ash Special for variety. The older I get, the more I realize I want my guitars to do different things. I already have a Dean Evo Premium which feels and plays similar to an LP but with a slimmer neck (Shredder?) . I also have the LP Standard with Burstbucker Pros -this guitar plays amazingly well and one of the fastest necks I have. I am much more comfortable with the upper fret access now that i have had it a year. The pickups in an LP can't be too hot forme because LPs have so much natural punch and compression that more vintage and open pickups seem to serve them well. I can nail clean to classic rock to slamming metal with this one.
My McCarty which is a joy as well, is a bit thinner in the low mids and bass next to the LP but sound great in its own way - very big sounding guitar with a refined and smooth tone. I really love PRS pickups. The Dragon IIs put this guitar over the top!
I think my next buy will be a PRS Swamp Ash Special for variety - Swamp Ash body thinner than the Mccarty, more vintage Mccarty pickups, bolt on maple neck, and tremola!
I was really leaning toward another Mccarty, a Custom 22, or another LP Standard as I LOVE Les Pauls. I am sure I will buy another LP eventually, but it may have to wait in the face of some aditional variety to my collection.

Are there certain tones you are after with a PRS? Maybe I can help steer you in the right direction.

 

[Sozos]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

I was in a dilemma having to choose between a PRS custom and a USA Jackson warrior. I finally got the warrior but I tried the specific PRS and sounded great. The maple top was awesome and gave a full brilliance to every note in a chord even in heavy distortion. So I think all maple top hi-end PRS guitars are really worth the funds. The differences are the pickups, the hardware,the overall wiring pattern and most important the neck width. If you have a dealer close to you just go and try a few hi-end PRS guitars, see which feels more comfortable and nail it.

 

[Marty Horne]

Re: Which PRS to buy? Differences between models?

Before you swap pickups, play it awhile stock. Tone is subjective and some don't like PRS pickups but having had 4 PRS guitars I loved the sound of all of them with the stock pickups. I've heard PRS guitars with other pickups and it didn't sound like a PRS to me.