PRSs--Are they worth the High Prices?

[KH Guitar Freak]

I use whatever is good, hence I use all of them...

[MCChris]

If I could only have one of the five guitars I own, it would be the PRS CE22 that I got used from BCR for less than $900. It's a bolt-on, so I can toss it in a gig bag without worry, and the trem is perfection.

[ArtistOwner]

PRS and Hamer are both fabulous guitars. It's not that one is "better" than the other. It's a "feel" and "fit" issue. Some guitars just fit a player better than others. Heck, even two of the same model can feel, fit and sound different.

I've got a 3 year old Ibanzez SZ520QM that I tend to pick up and play often. It cost me $500 and is rock solid, fits me like a glove and the tones are killer. But my Artist is beautiful, tone is amazing (thanks to the Seth Lovers) and hey, it's a Hamer!

At the end of the day it's a preference issue. I feel more confident playing live when I'm holding a handmade USA Hamer than when I'm holding a guitar made in Korea by God only knows. There's something about knowing the heart and soul that goes into building a PRS or a Hamer.

[silentman]

I've played a lot of PRS's. I have a friend that has many CU24's. I like the 24s the best out of all of em. Nice trem as has been mentioned.

[cmatthes]

I am still a fan of PRS guitars. As mentioned above, they have the BEST production trem in the industry in my opinion - nothing else comes close. If I could get one of those (or one of John Mann's parts) put in a Hamer, I'd probably have my ideal trem guitar.

My '80s Custom is one of those guitars that I will probably never sell. I've had it for close to 20 years, and it has never disappointed. That being said, I don't feel that there is a "better" argument between PRS and Hamer. They are different beasts entirely. My personal preference is for Hamer for many reasons, but largely because I've been able to spend considerable time in both the Hamer shop and the PRS factory. PRS is certainly an impressive operation, but totally lacks the craftsman vibe and overall feel of what goes on in New Hartford. Much of this is relative to the size of the operations, but every time I've had the pleasure to visit Hamer, I've come away with a reinvigorated appreciation for the company, the instruments and the people. There have been times I've left Stevensville feeling like I've just been to a BestBuy or Costco - tough to explain, since I think they do great production overall, but it lacks the whole workshop thing for the most part. It's like you could simply reprogram the CNC machines and they could be churning out chairs (nice ones, of course) or something like that at a moment's notice.

Again, purely a personal observation on my part. I think Paul is a visionary and an industry leader, puts out great product and takes pride in PRS guitars. I have friends who work at the factory, and they really take things seriously over there. Two of the guitars I'd buy right now if I was in the market would be a DGT and a Custom 22/12. I just happen to have a Hamer or two that would be well in front of those purchases.

The quality and passion of ALL the people at Hamer putting out what I feel is a better-crafted guitar usually wins the day for me.

[Stevie C]

4) They have birds on the fretboards. To me that is new age. I am not a new age guy. I am not even religious. But I think that is a big reason I don't like them. Birds, makes me laugh. If an inlays should be anything else than a dot or a block it should be a Toni Iomi upside down cross, dragons, Homer Simpsons face, Poes ass.. anything but birds and dolphins. New age sucks!!!

Actually, the birds don't represent anything "new age" at all. Paul's mother is an avid bird watcher, and he got the bird inlay idea from a bird watching book his mom had. Once he started doing them, people liked them and kept asking for them, so they've become a standard and popular PRS option ever since. Personally, I like them.

And for the record, since he's left handed, the crosses on Iommi's fretboard are right-side up.

[serial]

Actually, the birds don't represent anything "new age" at all. Paul's mother is an avid bird watcher, and he got the bird inlay idea from a bird watching book his mom had. Once he started doing them, people liked them and kept asking for them, so they've become a standard and popular PRS option ever since. Personally, I like them.

And for the record, since he's left handed, the crosses on Iommi's fretboard are right-side up.

The birds probably have more to do with where the guitars are made. Seagulls and shore birds are a very deep characteristic of the Eastern Shore/Chesapeake region. He started in the Annapolis area and is now across the bridge on the Eastern Shore in Stevensville. It is hard to live there and not have birds on the brain (not bird brains).

[shredmeister]

You are best finding a PRS that is one of the older original ones.

One of the guys at the Jackson forum worked for PRS. He said the Private Stock models they have are the good ones - and they are really expensive.

He said the rest of the stuff has been downgraded - nice looking generic guitars with no mojo.

He recommended instead of spending $9K on a Private Stock model look for a very early model. All the early models are what the Private Stock models are today.

Personally I don't go by brand name when I buy a guitar. I try to find smaller builders and get customs made to my specs - which sometimes is also an expensive way to go. But at least I get what feels most comfortable to play.

[BillW]

I think most PRSs are awesome guitars.

But ....I have 13 Hamers, and the most I paid for any of them was I think like $650. Most were in the $300-400 range

...so ...I dunno... I think of the 13 Hamers, I'd say about 5 of them are at least as good any PRS I've ever tried. (trying to re think ...what is my point? ...)

I guess I think most Hamers are just as good (or real close, and in some cases better) than PRSs and I've typically piad about half for them.

- Bill

[cmatthes]

You are best finding a PRS that is one of the older original ones.

He recommended instead of spending $9K on a Private Stock model look for a very early model. All the early models are what the Private Stock models are today.

Believe it or not, many of the early models are now selling well north of $10k. The pre-'87 stuff seems to be the highest priced, followed by the pre-'90 guitars and older limited editions and Signatures. Private Stock guitars are all works of art, and beyond fabulous guitars, but they've almost become a commonplace thing lately - there are just a TON of them out there.

The models post '90 take a big drop in value, and most mid-90s are priced lower than many Les Pauls.

[SteveB]

He said the rest of the stuff has been downgraded - nice looking generic guitars with no mojo.

So, the Mojo machine broke down and PRS never repaired it?

[DavidE]

You are best finding a PRS that is one of the older original ones.

One of the guys at the Jackson forum worked for PRS. He said the Private Stock models they have are the good ones - and they are really expensive.

He said the rest of the stuff has been downgraded - nice looking generic guitars with no mojo.

He recommended instead of spending $9K on a Private Stock model look for a very early model. All the early models are what the Private Stock models are today.

Personally I don't go by brand name when I buy a guitar. I try to find smaller builders and get customs made to my specs - which sometimes is also an expensive way to go. But at least I get what feels most comfortable to play.

LOL!!! Right.... whatever.

I think most PRSs are awesome guitars.

But ....I have 13 Hamers, and the most I paid for any of them was I think like $650. Most were in the $300-400 range

...so ...I dunno... I think of the 13 Hamers, I'd say about 5 of them are at least as good any PRS I've ever tried. (trying to re think ...what is my point? ...)

I guess I think most Hamers are just as good (or real close, and in some cases better) than PRSs and I've typically piad about half for them.

- Bill

Bill, apples and oranges. And I'm talking Hamers to Hamers. The days of the $300-400 Hamers are over unless you want a simple shredder. I'll never find another Artist Custom for $650, but I did several years ago etc....

[BillW]

Bill, apples and oranges. And I'm talking Hamers to Hamers. The days of the $300-400 Hamers are over unless you want a simple shredder. I'll never find another Artist Custom for $650, but I did several years ago etc....

I see your point. (and yes all my Hamers are pretty much...'shredders'). But still ...

And to clarify, my answer to the original question is:

I think PRSs are awesome guitars

[SteveB]

a guitar is worth whatever a particular player finds it to be worth. A musician binds to a particular guitar, then to him that guitar is worth much more than it might be to someone else. Its kinda like Harry Potter... the wand and the magician have to be matched to each other or neither works as it should.

A guitar has exactly as much mojo as a player puts into it.

We should all be glad we have so many choices at "reasonable" prices. Priced any good quality cellos lately? Or saxaphones?

[Bloozguy]

We should all be glad we have so many choices at "reasonable" prices. Priced any good quality cellos lately? Or saxaphones?

+1 on that...my daughter is in her fifth year of playing violin and I just upgraded her to a better grade, but still "student", instrument that I got at a great price from her orchestra teacher...and it was only $1800!! When I expressed shock at the price, she just pointed to the rack of Hamers and said "how much were those?" She didn't realize that she had already won the battle, but that did me in.

Best thing to do is find a PRS player who tries a high-end Hamer and doesn't bond with it...that's how I ended up with a virtually new Monaco III for $1400.

[HamerHokie]

I've only played a few high end PRSs and they were nice, but I didn't think in any way better than the Hamers I've played.

Obviously they have more finish options, but I was interested to see what Yall felt about them in general.

Ted

I think you'll find quite a few here that prefer PRS to Hamer.

Why do you prefer The PRSs?

I never said I did. I said there are 'quite a few here that do.' There are also quite a few who prefer Gibson. We discovered this in another thread.

[alantig]

I've got a couple Hamers, and a few more PRSi. Both excellent companies, but the PRSi just seem to fit me better. The high D on the first string is a bit of a struggle on my DuoTone, although much easier on the Eclipse, but on the PRSi, that high neck access is wide open.

That said, Hamer and PRS are about the only guitars I'd buy sight-unseen. I've done that with one of each and haven't regretted it. That said, I prefer to see the instruments (or at least the same model) in person (thus a day trip to Greg's Emporium). But I'm comfortable enough, especially w/PRS, that I'm going to get a good one.

I have to say, I like what the companies do. I've never had any interaction w/Jol, but the free sub to Premier Guitar was a very cool move, along with the blog, the DVDs, etc. I never got to one of the Hamer gatherings or the factory. But ExperiencePRS just blew me away - everything was done top-notch, and Paul's enthusiasm for what he does absolutely blew me away.

So, get a used PRS. One with.......a ding.

What? I thought you had to return all the dinged ones back to the factory to be destroyed? In fact, a guy on Birds and Moons offered to take my dinged ones down for me when he was taking his. Was I scammed????

Alan

[DavidE]

a guitar is worth whatever a particular player finds it to be worth. A musician binds to a particular guitar, then to him that guitar is worth much more than it might be to someone else. Its kinda like Harry Potter... the wand and the magician have to be matched to each other or neither works as it should.

A guitar has exactly as much mojo as a player puts into it.

We should all be glad we have so many choices at "reasonable" prices. Priced any good quality cellos lately? Or saxaphones?

Actually, saxes aren't too terribly bad. My son just got a vintage Selmer Mark VI Alto for $5500 from a reputable shop.

[tomteriffic]

a guitar is worth whatever a particular player finds it to be worth. A musician binds to a particular guitar, then to him that guitar is worth much more than it might be to someone else. Its kinda like Harry Potter... the wand and the magician have to be matched to each other or neither works as it should.

A guitar has exactly as much mojo as a player puts into it.

We should all be glad we have so many choices at "reasonable" prices. Priced any good quality cellos lately? Or saxaphones?

Actually, saxes aren't too terribly bad. My son just got a vintage Selmer Mark VI Alto for $5500 from a reputable shop.

True, dat, but when I started on tenor in 1966, a Selmer Mark 6 was about $800.

The last I checked with some symphony players I know, a "so-what" 18th century Italian cello was in the vicinity of $30,000

[polara]

My brother has a pair of '37 Buescher altos... I think they are "Ambassador" models that I'll bet are worth some scratch now. But back to PRSs... All the ones I've played have just been a bit too wide-n-flat in the neck for me. They look great and balance well and I applaud Smith for actually thinking about electric guitars creatively, but are they ALL that much like a classical neck? I prefer a more Gibsony feel.

[BubbaVO]

...

Yeah, I like PRS obviously, they are "my" guitar brand as much as Mesa is "my" amp brand. In both cases it's because the companies produce what works and feels good for me. ...

Hey SB - That was a well written post.

[DavidE]

My brother has a pair of '37 Buescher altos... I think they are "Ambassador" models that I'll bet are worth some scratch now. But back to PRSs... All the ones I've played have just been a bit too wide-n-flat in the neck for me. They look great and balance well and I applaud Smith for actually thinking about electric guitars creatively, but are they ALL that much like a classical neck? I prefer a more Gibsony feel.

Ah, you must have only tried the wide/thin neck. I hate that neck. On the other hand, the wide/fat neck is perfect for me. I can even handle the regular neck which is a bit slimmer.

[atquinn]

My brother has a pair of '37 Buescher altos... I think they are "Ambassador" models that I'll bet are worth some scratch now. But back to PRSs... All the ones I've played have just been a bit too wide-n-flat in the neck for me. They look great and balance well and I applaud Smith for actually thinking about electric guitars creatively, but are they ALL that much like a classical neck? I prefer a more Gibsony feel.

Try one with a wide-fat neck (which isn't as wide or fat as the name would suggest, but still beefier than the wide-thin necks it sounds like you've tried). I actually like both carves.

-Austin

[SteveB]

My brother has a pair of '37 Buescher altos... I think they are "Ambassador" models that I'll bet are worth some scratch now. But back to PRSs... All the ones I've played have just been a bit too wide-n-flat in the neck for me. They look great and balance well and I applaud Smith for actually thinking about electric guitars creatively, but are they ALL that much like a classical neck? I prefer a more Gibsony feel.

Nearly every PRS neck has a 10" radius... I wouldn't call that exactly flat. I like the width of the wide/thin wide/fat though. Hamers are generally 14" radius, so they are actually flatter.

[shredmeister]

You are best finding a PRS that is one of the older original ones.

One of the guys at the Jackson forum worked for PRS. He said the Private Stock models they have are the good ones - and they are really expensive.

He said the rest of the stuff has been downgraded - nice looking generic guitars with no mojo.

He recommended instead of spending $9K on a Private Stock model look for a very early model. All the early models are what the Private Stock models are today.

Personally I don't go by brand name when I buy a guitar. I try to find smaller builders and get customs made to my specs - which sometimes is also an expensive way to go. But at least I get what feels most comfortable to play.

LOL!!! Right.... whatever.

Oh so you worked there too then?

I had one and did not like it at all. There was nothing special about the one I had. I like Hamers much better.

In fact here is the exact thread........

"As a previous PRS employee, I can tell you first-hand that the "Private Stock" guitars are what the "old skool, every day" PRS guitars USED to be. Now, they're totally hit-and-miss, and when a few good ones come out of the batch of gunk, they're immediately pegged as "Private Stock" and marked up accordingly.

That said, if you get a good PRS, be it an old nice one, or a "Private Stock", you'll love it forever."