J
Jessie's ghost
Guest
I don't think it needs to be 10 times better. It just has to be better by enough to make it worth the extra money to the prospective buyer. Besides, how do you even quantify such a thing?
Why PRS guitars cost so much
- Thread starter firebirdV
- Start date
jmh151
Active member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
10 times as much means you're usually getting Private Stock. That's like comparing the price of an Epiphone to not a Gibson Custom Shop, but a custom made Gibson.
And yes, the law of diminishing returns applies.
I agree that the up charges on options like rosewood neck, 10 top, gold hardware or artist package is overpriced, but that's the price of pimping out your guitar
10 times as much means you're usually getting Private Stock. That's like comparing the price of an Epiphone to not a Gibson Custom Shop, but a custom made Gibson.
And yes, the law of diminishing returns applies.
I agree that the up charges on options like rosewood neck, 10 top, gold hardware or artist package is overpriced, but that's the price of pimping out your guitar
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
Lowest price SE:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Paul-Reed-Smith-SE-Custom-22-Electric-6-String-RH-Sunburst-Guitar-/160833076037?pt=Guitar&hash=item257265fb45
Lowest price Private stock:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-PRS-Paul-Reed-Smith-Private-Stock-658-Copperhead-/130719524507?pt=Guitar&hash=item1e6f7da69b
If any of you firearms nuts follow youtube's Nutnfancy, you'll agree with the factor of "second kind of cool." And yes I suppose you could argue that if it's worth it to the buyer, that moneybags ****** who spends an extra 5k on fame can do whatever makes him happy. However, just like the mid-life crisis hack who buys a ZR1 Corvette without actually knowing how to drive stick, you can pony up as much as you want, it doesn't make you any less of a fraking poser.
Lowest price SE:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Paul-Reed-Smith-SE-Custom-22-Electric-6-String-RH-Sunburst-Guitar-/160833076037?pt=Guitar&hash=item257265fb45
Lowest price Private stock:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-PRS-Paul-Reed-Smith-Private-Stock-658-Copperhead-/130719524507?pt=Guitar&hash=item1e6f7da69b
If any of you firearms nuts follow youtube's Nutnfancy, you'll agree with the factor of "second kind of cool." And yes I suppose you could argue that if it's worth it to the buyer, that moneybags ****** who spends an extra 5k on fame can do whatever makes him happy. However, just like the mid-life crisis hack who buys a ZR1 Corvette without actually knowing how to drive stick, you can pony up as much as you want, it doesn't make you any less of a fraking poser.
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Filipe Marquez
New member
3'scompany
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
While I realize that I don't have a dog in this fight, you are aware that, amongst other issues, you're comparing a guitar that hasn't hit its reserve price with a guitar that has a "buy it now" price, right?
While I realize that I don't have a dog in this fight, you are aware that, amongst other issues, you're comparing a guitar that hasn't hit its reserve price with a guitar that has a "buy it now" price, right?
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
Not sure why you would use the variable and volatile prices of ebay to compare anyways. Too many factors at work. Would be better to compare retail prices I would think.
Not sure why you would use the variable and volatile prices of ebay to compare anyways. Too many factors at work. Would be better to compare retail prices I would think.
jmh151
Active member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
Go into a music store and side to side compare a PRS SE 245 or Bernie Marsden model with an american Les Paul Studio
Go into a music store and side to side compare a PRS SE 245 or Bernie Marsden model with an american Les Paul Studio
J
Jessie's ghost
Guest
My, my, we sure do get emotional and defensive about the thought of someone else buying an expensive guitar, don't we?
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
Please. I've purchased over a dozen Les Paul standards and 50's reissues, and double that in high-end amplification.
I don't even care if someone blows 13 large on a Fender masterbuild or one of those EVH/Jimmy Page replica guitars.
When it comes to USA PRS though, it's blatant - NOT WORTH THE DOUGH. It's all marketing and aesthetics. And the resale value on them is ****.
I'll totally agree that an SE trumps a lot of USA Gibson Studio models, especially that SE 245 line. You get so much bang for your buck with those Korean models.
Also, don't compare with eBay? Even though everyone including major retailers do? Fine.
Sweetwater lowest SE:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SEBM/
Sweetwater lowest Private Stock:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PS3395/
Please. I've purchased over a dozen Les Paul standards and 50's reissues, and double that in high-end amplification.
I don't even care if someone blows 13 large on a Fender masterbuild or one of those EVH/Jimmy Page replica guitars.
When it comes to USA PRS though, it's blatant - NOT WORTH THE DOUGH. It's all marketing and aesthetics. And the resale value on them is ****.
I'll totally agree that an SE trumps a lot of USA Gibson Studio models, especially that SE 245 line. You get so much bang for your buck with those Korean models.
Also, don't compare with eBay? Even though everyone including major retailers do? Fine.
Sweetwater lowest SE:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SEBM/
Sweetwater lowest Private Stock:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PS3395/
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9unslin9er
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
^^I mean...$8999 "On sale" price???!!! $12200 MSRP? Am I the only one who thinks that's ridiculous?
I can just see it at a rock venue.
"Hey look Marybeth, that chump on the left is playing a PRS SE line and that hunk on the right is playing a PRIVATE STOCK! It costs 20 times as much money! He must be 20 times richer and 20 times more talented!"
^^I mean...$8999 "On sale" price???!!! $12200 MSRP? Am I the only one who thinks that's ridiculous?
I can just see it at a rock venue.
"Hey look Marybeth, that chump on the left is playing a PRS SE line and that hunk on the right is playing a PRIVATE STOCK! It costs 20 times as much money! He must be 20 times richer and 20 times more talented!"
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
Haha. Nah PRS makes a fine instrument.
I just laugh when the guy with a Custom 24 comes here and says...you know...I paid like $2500 for this guitar, but I'm thinking of swapping in some Duncans. What do you guys recommend?
Haha. Nah PRS makes a fine instrument.
I just laugh when the guy with a Custom 24 comes here and says...you know...I paid like $2500 for this guitar, but I'm thinking of swapping in some Duncans. What do you guys recommend?
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
And you apparently spend a lot of effort concerning yourself with how other people spend their money
T
TheProphet
Guest
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
TBH ... all my instruments get pickups swapped (or are scheduled to receive swaps). I haven't found a single high end manufacturer who makes great pickups in house with the exception of Anderson (haven't played a Suhr so I can't comment on them).
And comparing an SE to a Private Stock is rediculous. You're better off comparing a run of the mill USA PRS to an SE. Having played both I would say you're getting a guitar that is 3 times better.
But here's a novel idea ... if you're buying a US made guitar ... buy it used! Let someone else take the hit on the resell value.
TBH ... all my instruments get pickups swapped (or are scheduled to receive swaps). I haven't found a single high end manufacturer who makes great pickups in house with the exception of Anderson (haven't played a Suhr so I can't comment on them).
And comparing an SE to a Private Stock is rediculous. You're better off comparing a run of the mill USA PRS to an SE. Having played both I would say you're getting a guitar that is 3 times better.
But here's a novel idea ... if you're buying a US made guitar ... buy it used! Let someone else take the hit on the resell value.
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
I have to disagree, based on my own guitars alone. Also, what do you mean by recent? I have a 2005 Gibson Les Paul Studio and 2007 PRS SE Custom 22. Does seven years count as recent?
Anyways, the Gibson has plenty of bite and sustain, and great punch in the upper mids. The initial attack decays into lower end sustain, and that will go on forever. The PRS has more of a high-end presence, but it's softer in that it hangs on longer after the attack. The low-end is quite a bit more spread-out sounding, if that makes any sense. With the Gibson, I feel a lot more punch in the lows.
I don't know if the tuners are stock on the PRS, but I really dislike them. First of all, they're locking on the top, and changing strings is a royal pain. It's very difficult to get them into the proper position so they'll screw down and lock. I'd rather wrap it a few more times and just be done with it than to have to worry about the hassle of getting it started. Also, it takes a lot more rotation to get them to change the same amount as the Gibson. This could be a function of the bridge, but either way, it's more hassle.
The last gripe I have is the nut. It's some kind of black plastic, and it binds a little bit. When you tune a guitar and hear a jump in the pitch, that's a problem. Maybe I've just been too lazy to slide sandpaper through the notch, but it's still one of those things that's just not right.
Now they both sound great, and they're different, but the Gibson is a better guitar.
I have to disagree, based on my own guitars alone. Also, what do you mean by recent? I have a 2005 Gibson Les Paul Studio and 2007 PRS SE Custom 22. Does seven years count as recent?
Anyways, the Gibson has plenty of bite and sustain, and great punch in the upper mids. The initial attack decays into lower end sustain, and that will go on forever. The PRS has more of a high-end presence, but it's softer in that it hangs on longer after the attack. The low-end is quite a bit more spread-out sounding, if that makes any sense. With the Gibson, I feel a lot more punch in the lows.
I don't know if the tuners are stock on the PRS, but I really dislike them. First of all, they're locking on the top, and changing strings is a royal pain. It's very difficult to get them into the proper position so they'll screw down and lock. I'd rather wrap it a few more times and just be done with it than to have to worry about the hassle of getting it started. Also, it takes a lot more rotation to get them to change the same amount as the Gibson. This could be a function of the bridge, but either way, it's more hassle.
The last gripe I have is the nut. It's some kind of black plastic, and it binds a little bit. When you tune a guitar and hear a jump in the pitch, that's a problem. Maybe I've just been too lazy to slide sandpaper through the notch, but it's still one of those things that's just not right.
Now they both sound great, and they're different, but the Gibson is a better guitar.
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
C'mon now...I was under the impression this thread was called:
"Why PRS guitars cost so much."
Perhaps I should have responded,
"If you're making this statement, PRS is just too good and too much guitar for you. Stand down mortal!"
Regarding the exaggerated comparison, I was simply trying to point out the ludicrous almost exponential difference in price between the trim levels. For the price of a Private Stock, you can buy a decent used car. It should be able to play itself.
Regarding the pickup swap, you have to take into consideration how important pickups are to an electric guitar. They are at least 75% of what makes it what it is. That said, with the $2500 you pay for an American PRS, it would mean the pickup set should be high grade and extremely valuable.
That's what makes companies like Duncan and DiMarzio so endearing, in that they have the ability to make really mediocre often-times sub-$300 guitars sound extraordinary. Having to buy a PRS valued at 10 times that, and being unsatisfied is just wrong.
C'mon now...I was under the impression this thread was called:
"Why PRS guitars cost so much."
Perhaps I should have responded,
"If you're making this statement, PRS is just too good and too much guitar for you. Stand down mortal!"
Regarding the exaggerated comparison, I was simply trying to point out the ludicrous almost exponential difference in price between the trim levels. For the price of a Private Stock, you can buy a decent used car. It should be able to play itself.
Regarding the pickup swap, you have to take into consideration how important pickups are to an electric guitar. They are at least 75% of what makes it what it is. That said, with the $2500 you pay for an American PRS, it would mean the pickup set should be high grade and extremely valuable.
That's what makes companies like Duncan and DiMarzio so endearing, in that they have the ability to make really mediocre often-times sub-$300 guitars sound extraordinary. Having to buy a PRS valued at 10 times that, and being unsatisfied is just wrong.
aleclee
Major General GAS
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
Why do you post that stuff? Do you somehow think people are going to suddenly see things your way and thank you for opening their eyes to the overpriced guitars on the market?
What works for you, works for you. What's worth it to you is worth it to you. Live and let live, dude. If someone wants have a guitar rig that's worth more than their car, why do you give a ****?
Why do you post that stuff? Do you somehow think people are going to suddenly see things your way and thank you for opening their eyes to the overpriced guitars on the market?
What works for you, works for you. What's worth it to you is worth it to you. Live and let live, dude. If someone wants have a guitar rig that's worth more than their car, why do you give a ****?
9unslin9er
New member
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
Why do I post that stuff? Because we have something called the 1st amendment.
You might not agree with me and I respect your ability to do so.
However, somebody on this forum may nod their head and think,
"Huh...you know it's pretty cool that there are third party manufacturers who can make a cheap guitar sound like a million bucks. Maybe I don't need to take out a loan. Maybe I don't need to piss off my spouse. Maybe I can donate some of this money to a good cause, like helping young musicians."
Nobody's holding a gun up to your head and saying, "You SHALL hate on USA PRS guitars! Or else!"
Why do I post that stuff? Because we have something called the 1st amendment.
You might not agree with me and I respect your ability to do so.
However, somebody on this forum may nod their head and think,
"Huh...you know it's pretty cool that there are third party manufacturers who can make a cheap guitar sound like a million bucks. Maybe I don't need to take out a loan. Maybe I don't need to piss off my spouse. Maybe I can donate some of this money to a good cause, like helping young musicians."
Nobody's holding a gun up to your head and saying, "You SHALL hate on USA PRS guitars! Or else!"
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
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<--- My 1990 PRS Custom 24
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<--- My 1990 PRS Custom 24
Re: Why PRS guitars cost so much
It all comes down to what's important to you. Can a PRS SE sound decent with some upgrades? Of course. But you have to realize that besides lower labor cost and cheap hardware and electronics, they HAVE to make some concessions with regards to wood and other construction related factors that you just cannot change. Otherwise there's no way they'd be able to get to that price point. It all depends on how much that matters to you, your ears and your taste. Also, the used market for instruments has never been better and you can get a great PRS (whether it be a SC, Custom 22/24, etc.) in the $1500 to $2000 range. I realize that's still way out of some people's price range, and that's okay. That's what SEs are for. The point is you don't have to pay $4000 or $8000 for an american made PRS.
It all comes down to what's important to you. Can a PRS SE sound decent with some upgrades? Of course. But you have to realize that besides lower labor cost and cheap hardware and electronics, they HAVE to make some concessions with regards to wood and other construction related factors that you just cannot change. Otherwise there's no way they'd be able to get to that price point. It all depends on how much that matters to you, your ears and your taste. Also, the used market for instruments has never been better and you can get a great PRS (whether it be a SC, Custom 22/24, etc.) in the $1500 to $2000 range. I realize that's still way out of some people's price range, and that's okay. That's what SEs are for. The point is you don't have to pay $4000 or $8000 for an american made PRS.
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