I have a Paul Reed Smith S2 Standard 24 Vintage Cherry (Made in the US). It's a really comfortable guitar. The only problem is with the electronics ... it's noisy and doesn't sound half as good as any ESP LTD with Seymour Duncans. I have an import PRS SE ONE (1 P90 pickup) that I got second hand for dirt cheap (190€) ... it's an absolute BEAST, and plays and sounds like a dream. I still don't understand why the U.S S2 Std 24 has issues, and the import SE ONE is perfect. I'll swap the entire electronics for some reliable Seymour Duncan pickups with high end Bourns "82 series" pots and V-Cap capacitors ... refret with stainless steel when the frets are dead ... and the guitar will finally be perfect as it should have been out of the box.
I got an early Christmas present from my wife this year ... A Custom 24 and a PRS t-shirt that says "Maryland Made". It's an SE but I don't have the heart to tell her, I just gave her a big kiss and said "Thanks!". It's a beautiful guitar and it plays like a dream. She's a keeper!
The SEs are some of the best guitars out there, not "for the money", best period. I just often dont like the pups (the modern SE pups, the old HFS SE pups are good) so I just swap them out. After getting a USA prs with USA pups, I can say there is a great difference between there SE pups and there USA pups. Enjoy the guitar
Hey man, I gotta add to this. My fam just got me a custom 24 SE as well! I didn’t even ask for a guitar, or anything. I asked for a Q-Tron, which I got. But when they pulled a giant box out, I just freaked. We I got the brown gig bag out I asked,” does it say SE? Oh god it does, You didn’t!” It’s amazinng
My dad got me a SE single cut when I was sixteen for Christmas, because to him I was good enough to graduate from the first act I was playing since I was 9. I know it's not a real expensive PRS, and the joy I felt and still do, I don't think any other joy has come close in my life.
At age 16, I bought my first “nice” guitar, a PRS Custom 22 through Thoroughbred magazine. I worked so hard for years to finally come up with the cash for it, thinking I would receive it the next week after ordering it. Little did my naive mind think at the time. When the customer service guy said it would be at least 9 months, I begrudgingly ordered it anyway. And I couldn’t have been happier or more pleased with a guitar. Not a single flaw and it plays like a dream, even 25 years later. Kudos Keith for such a great in depth look at gear and kudos for Paul making remarkable instruments.
One thing you missed to mention,is that Ted McCarty played a big role in the early days of PRS Guitars. Yes,the legendary CEO of Gibson,who designed the SG,ES,Flying V, Explorer,Thunderbird,Firebird and co-designed the Les Paul. Paul Reed Smith seeked him out when he started making guitars and convinced him to come out of retirement. He was a ''special consultant'' and Smith credits the success of PRS Guitars to his collaboration with McCarty. Smith always mentions McCarty in interviews and how much he learned about guitar building and design from him. To honor him,Smith named the most expensive boutique model of PRS after McCarty,meanwhile Gibson has pretty much done nothing to honor the man.
Most recent word on the street was that McCarty was working with Gibson again in the Custom Shop, doing the aging on their top shelf Collector’s Series and R series LPs.
I say it every time. Best content on the internet. I have a wood library custom 24 that my wife bought me as a welcome home gift from a deployment to Afghanistan. It is the most amazing instrument I have ever held.
Paul Reed Smith might not be the easiest person to talk to, but his passion on guitars is undoubtedly huge and it represented well in his products. You can buy PRS guitars from any shop at anywhere in the world and you’ll find a flawless finish and set up from the get go, they have such a high standards on their qc compared to other major brands. Great videos by the way, I’m a fan!
In springtime 2022 I owned a SE Hollowbody II PIEZO, and since this time all my other E guitars are wallhangers. For me it´s all I need. And I´m absolute in love with it.
You sir are class act. This and the other Short History segments are a wonderful way to get even more emotionally attached to the instruments and their impact on all of us.
Having met Paul Reed Smith himself, I can say that he is a brilliant man who BLEEDS passion, and you are correct, we have all benefited from Paul's brilliance/obsession. I love my PRSi
I'm watching this again, it's that good! I'm a manufacturing engineer so I do many experiments on raw materials, machines, setups, etc. When I heard that Paul at PRS did extensive testing to determine what total thickness of paint and clear coat is optimum for sound, it made me smile! How many other people would've even thought of that, and how many less would've acted on it? But it's something that matters, I'm not sure how much, but that kind of mindset is what it takes to come into the ultra mature guitar industry with these almost 100 year old guitar companies...and eat their lunch. PRS has done an incredible job eating away at the market share of middle and high prices guitars..which is the sweet spot of profit in the industry. They've eclipsed Ibanez (one of my personal favorites!) among others, and their guitars are known across the globe as super high end..you get what you pay for with a PRS.
Outstanding insight to a phenomenal guitar maker. I play nothing but SE's they are fantastic. I hear people saying the SE isn't a PRS, I say BS to that, not everyone can afford $2,500 + guitar. Keep the great info coming 5 watt world you rock!
I prefer the SE Custom 24 to PRS Core line of 24's. Still don't care for the pickups. Maybe some PRS PAF knock offs would be much better. I do love the trem system on PRS , great improvement over Leo's Strat Trem & the adjustment screws don't dig into yer hand like a Fender type trem & love the bar w/set screw.
I agree, the SE's are great guitars. I worked hard for years until I wascclose to retirement, the bought two PRS's for myself to go along with the Santana SE I had bought years before. One is an actual older hand carved blue 22, with the moon inlays, and the other is a custom Santana built for the 1999 NAMM show that was purchased by a collector and never played. The PRS's are just magical, and I have 16 total electrics. The SE has the most buttery feel of all my guitars, bar none.
I own SE's and Core models ... Many of my SE's have the same feel as the 1987, 89, 90 Core Custom 24's I own... The SE line is no Squire or Epiphone , which both respectfully are good brands... I would put an SE against a Fender Stratocaster or a Gibson Les Paul any day
There's a difference but a very small one, not a 4 to 5 fold difference from SE to core. I've played most of the models and own both SE and S2. There really isn't much difference at all between the two. The cores look nicer of course, but the feel of the guitar is pretty close.
Another stellar addition to your "A Short History" series, Keith! I can't like these videos enough. They satisfy my love of guitars and love of history in equal measure. Can't wait for the next installment.
Riley McTaggart A big reason why I purchased the SE was price and also everyone of them get inspected at the Maryland factory before going out to the dealers. FYI: I think you know this, but anyway, PRS now sells and SE locking tuner, if you don’t want to purchase from them then John Mann at Guitar Vault USA which is based in New Hampshire I believe also sells them which he makes (non branded). John Mann can also convert your tuners that came with your guitar to PRS style locking tuners, but you may be without for a how ever long it takes. I did go get a trade in quote just because and was offered $200.00 for a guitar that was only 2 years old and was still in new condition, but I do love the guitar!!! Just FYI stuff.
I recently bought my first PRS - a new Yellow Tiger Custom 24 with a lovely, tawny color. I can't put it down. Thanks for this fantastically informative video.
Great history lesson Keith. I have followed PRS since the beginning, and they are my "someday, when I can play up to the potential of the instrument" guitar. As others have mentioned, if you're not doing other voice over work, you are missing out on some serious income potential. Your voice on these videos is so warm and calming. My favorite series on TH-cam by far, keep up the great work!
Carey Cummings , the guitar will bring you up, they are that good. I have the Zebrawood with 85/15’s. My playing transformed over night, I have been playing 40+ yrs. The guitar has unlocked/opened doors in me I never knew were there. Mine is the SE Custom 24 Zebrawood, it’s beautiful, and fits my hand like an old tshirt fits your body, comfortable.
Thanks for the Short History. I have a 20th Anniversary and a 35th Anniversary, those 2 are my favorites! A couple of SEs round out my love affair of the PRS lineup. Everything PRS is top notch! They really have pushed the industry in a good direction.
Great as usual. I actually got a chance to try some early PRS guitars at a vintage guitar shop near where I was in school in 1986. They had sent them to the shop, where my friend was working, for him to check them out. I remember thinking at the time that they were some of the prettiest guitars I'd ever seen, and very, very well made, though I wasn't a huge fan of the original pickups.
I have a left-handed Custom 24 with the Black Gold Sunburst finish and the computerized fretboard installation. Plays like butter and sounds like a million dollars. Didn’t have to take out a second mortgage on the house to afford it, either. With the coil split, it’s truly the best of both worlds. I can switch between sounding like a Les Paul or a Strat with just a pull of a knob. Of course, there’s some tonal differences due to the wood and fretboard, but it’s surprising how close the sound can come. Bravo, PRS!
I've not had a chance to really play a PRS, but I have always, and I'm old enough to remember when they were brand new to the world, thought PRS makes the most beautiful guitar tops in the world. They let the wood speak for its self and the finish has always been amazing.... though there are a few colors I could live without seeing again..... Thank you for the history lesson.
The players that come to mind when PRS is mentioned are Mike Einziger, Santana, Kanami Tōno and Mark Tremonti. Mike and Kanami are my personal favorites.
Yes, Mike Einziger is who immediately came to mind for me with that hollow body model he used with the Mesa Boogies. He had such a great sound and style. One of my all time favorites.
Very well done! I have been playing PRS guitars since 1991. I currently own three one of which is my original 2000 singlecut(pre-lawsuit) 10 top w/birds that from the moment I picked it up has been my #1 guitar! Guitarists search decades trying to find "The One" and I have been so blessed to have my "one" for 20 years now! The craftsmanship and quality control of PRS guitars is second to none!
I'm lucky enough to own quite a few guitars. I was always a Gibson guy. Hated Fender anything. I got aggravated with the quality of Gibson a few years back and just started buying top end Epiphones like the Custom Pro and Tribute Plus. Great guitars. Then as a joke I picked up a Fender Telecaster at the guitar store, my wife thought it was funny as she knows I hate Fender. I instantly fell in love and bought it right there. I couldn't put it down for weeks, until I tried a PRS Custom 24 SE. I wanted something different than all my Les Paul's and SG's and semi hollow bodies like my ES339 and of course the Tele. I wish I would have tried the PRS sooner. I feel sorry for all those guitars that are now locked away in their cases now that I have a PRS. I absolutely love it. Feels like butter in my hands. Sounds warm and clean when I want it to and really chugs when i crank up some gain. The neck and fretwork are amazing right out of the box. You can tell right away that they put a lot of care into each guitar whether it's made in Maryland or Indonesia. Its my new favorite! The Standard SE line is a steal at $500! Just don't tell Paul!!!!
Great episode - makes me love my two PRS guitars even more! My 1996 Custom 24 was signed by Paul on one of his "retail" tours with his band The Dragons. They came through Atlanta shortly after I had bought mine and he signed it for me - made it even more special! Keep up the great work!
Me: "Well its time to start learning about the important things in life!" *Clicks* Keith: "Hi, and welcome to the 5 watt world..." Me: *stares in amusement*
As someone who loves music but doesn't play guitar but does enjoy detailed and well presented history lessons, these videos flipped a switch on me and now i have a new found love for guitars/details of them.
My dream of owning a PRS guitar came true when I found a previously owned PRS SE Standard 22 at guitar center with a stoptail bridge, solid mahogany body and neck, 3-way selector switch, black knobs, jumbo frets, fat neck, burgundy paint job, rosewood board with bird inlays. It plays like a dream and has all the Santana/rock/country/ folk/latin tones you could ever want and is harmonically articulate, easy to play with dream pick-ups and accurate tuning machines. A work of art and craftsmanship rarely found in contemporary music. Thanks PRS
Awesome job, love these videos! I grew up near Annapolis and was playing saxophone in my high school jazz band in the early 90's. I lusted after the Custom 24s on display in the music shops around town but couldn't come close to affording one. When I got my first real job out of college and bonus that's where the money went and I've been playing now for almost 20 years. When you can develop a product that actually influences the direction of people's lives that's an amazing thing. I'd like to say thanks to Paul and everyone at PRS for continuing to demonstrate that passion.
Kanami Tono, lead guitarist for Band Maid, an all female rock band from Japan most often plays a PRS Custom 24 with incredible results. I also have a Custom 24 and wish I was half as good with it.
Another stellar video Kieth. In my humble opinion PRS guitars are among the most beautiful out there. Wish I could own one. But I’m grateful for my 14yr old Strat. And my wife who bought it for me.
I'm a fan of PRS as much for the interviews I have seen with the man himself, as I am for the phenomenal build quality and melt in your hands playability. After seeing Paul's TED talk, I realized "hey, this guy is weird and obsessive JUST LIKE ME!" and I have always been impressed by the company ethos around function first, then beauty, THEN profit. I only have SE's thus far, but I am a fan for life.
It was 1986, I was on leave from the Marine Corps. I walked into a guitar store in Vegas on Charleston Blvd. I saw an amazing looking guitar on the wall, it had a magnificent Dragon inlay on the body and neck. As I plugged it into a Sovtek MIG 50. It felt like my 60’s Tele and old friend feel. The tones I heard with just a turn of the sweet switch was beyond amazing. The owner of the store was giving me a short history of Paul Reed Smith, I never heard of the brand or the name before but, I’ll never forget the first time my fingers danced on the neck of that killer guitar. I couldn’t afford to buy it at that time in my life. I just know that PRS would turn the guitar industry upside down, and he did it with class and never let the quality of his namesake drop.
I never considered a PRS guitar. 2 years ago, via TH-cam, I bumped into a video from Michael, “Guitargate”, holding a metal blue semi-hollow PRS S2 model. This guitar (shape and tones) intrigued me. Went to my local shop, and tried the only PRS they had: American customs 22 and 24 at > £1900. I thought “meh”. Didn’t like the feel of the necks, frets, and the tones, too bright. So went back home disappointed. May have been just an unusual bad experience with just these guitars. So left it at that. Later on I bumped online on the PRS SE Custom 22 semi hollow models (£690-£750). I gambled and ordered online without having tried the guitar. Loved the guitar straight away. Great neck, great tones, played the whole day. Since, I have tried a number of expensive guitars from friends and shops (e.g Gibson USA Lespaul, Clapton Fender Strat), to me none of them have the comfort of the neck and fretboard of my PRS SE. I have considered replacing the pickups a few times to try other things, I have discarded the idea. I just love the sounds of those pickups. The neck in particular. The only thing I have changed is switch to Ernie Balls 54-11 beefy and I just can’t put it down.
In my experience you can never trust a guitar store test play. Maybe it's just my local GC that doesn't know how to set them up, or the fact that every teenager has tried to tune it to drop D. They just never feel right. Then, the sound is never the same as your own rig. Even when its the same crap. How or why this is, I don't know. If I had to rely on my experience with equipment in the store, I wouldn't have any. The only thing I ever played in the store and brought home to still love was the Hoof fuzz. I went to try something else and they didn't have it, so I started messing with the Hoof. It was good in the store, and glorious at home.
@@michaelwallace1189 Very spot on, especially electric. I've bought acoustics and one electric from the store but 2 of those where the local family owned. Every electric I have ever tried while in GC pretty much disappointed but have had several shipped from there that were good to great out of the box.
Great timing for this video, I only just got my custom 24 back from getting some custom work. My story with the guitar dates back to me being born in 1985, same year as the guitar. For my 21st I saved all my money, and bought a custom 24. I played the hell out of that guitar, but eventually sold it due to some harder times. Fast forward to earlier this year and I managed to get a custom 24 30th anniversary model, November build, same month I turned 30, for a decent price. Wasn't the color I would normally go for, and it had some decent wear on the frets. So I put it in at an amazing local luthier place, and they stripped it back, re-stained it in a pink to purple fade, re leveled and crown the frets, and got it back to being new feeling. Amazing sounding and playing guitars, and they really do have a special feel to them. Fantastic video!
I just got an S2 Custom 24 35th Anniversary Edition and all I have to say is wow.. it’s simply spectacular! I did try out and play a core 10 top version of it and I see why it’s price pint reflects the way it does but for playability the S2 at 1/2 the cost is equal I terms of playability. Now do I want that 10 top with the upgraded bridge and tuning machines hell yes! But I absolutely love my S2. Wonderful video! I really enjoyed it!
Over the years as a finisher, I've done a number of guitars including Gibson, Gretsch and Fender. I can't play but love the art of guitars. The variety of colors, visual depth and polish can be as hard to accomplish as playing. I'm here to drool with the rest of you, but through different eyes. Outstanding site with commentary matching the quality of the instruments.
You're welcome. You mentioned you should (maybe) do one on colors and finishes of the different companies. All I can say is Yes Please! Hell, I now know how to date something by the insulation used on wires :) One on finishes would, I hope, open a few eyes on what goes into producing the visual aspect.
This is shaping up to be a really good series! My hat's off to you. Looking forward to seeing other, slightly more obscure but also storied guitars covered too, such as the Music Man Cutlass / Stingray guitar and bass, Gretsch Streamliners, Rickenbacker, etc.
I bought a PRS McCarty in the early 2000's for around $3000. It was by far the best guitar I ever played and absolutely worth every penny. Paul and the crew were making amazing instruments and still are to their credit. I recently bought a Silver Sky SE and it is now one of my favorite guitars. I love it. I appreciate the quality without the excessive price. Thanks for sharing this video!
Fun fact, in the DC Metro and Baltimore , MD areas, “HFS” was also how people referred to alternative/college radio station WHFS. They were known for their annual summer concert HFStival and later the HFSmas winter concert.
@@tball5677 Never heard 97 Underground. But I do miss the days when I had presets in my car for HFS, 98 Rock, DC101, and the Classic Rock Station (94.7?) and they were all different and good in the mid-90s.
Loved HFS!!! I also remember the Greaseman (DC 101) in the mornings at work. I got my '92 custom 24 at Master Musician's in Glen Burnie. They didn't have a wide-thin with tone knob (instead of the sweet switch), so they called the factory in Annapolis, who had one sitting on the dock. The salesguy drove down and picked it up for me (he said he used to work there, so it was cool to say hi to everyone)! It's easily the most comfortable guitar i've ever played. Unfortunately, a decade and a half later, i ended up having to sell it. That was heartbreaking, but since i'm turning 50 this summer, I'm gonna splurge and get another one. Loved that thing...there's just nothing like a PRS.
When are you going to do a Special on De Angelico Guitars. Not just just the early models done by deAqisto and De Angelico but reissue by Heritage USA and the current ones made here and Inchon South Korea? Paul deTimofeev
Thank you for this concise and enjoyable video! I received a Custom 24 from my wife for our 20th Anniversary last year. I love it more and more all the time. God bless.
@@fivewattworld Took me a second aswell..You said "Fast" - which did make me scratch my head, actually. Might make sense describing a neck..but not so much a p'up. Fat makes a whole lot more sense 😎👍 (Funny, Fat n fast doesn't even rhyme. I could understand a typo...! Ok, I see...I'll bet you misread your notes as you were reading it out) -There you go. That's my Way-too-detailed-breakdown-of-how-you-made-a-minute-tiny-error! ...the *minutia* of errors...😏 OK, Peace, Out! 🤙 👇
Great (fantastic) job on all these videos. I had an '85 custom right when they came out and obviously wish I still had it. That was a FORTUNE back then for a guitar and my income at the time. Played/enjoyed it for 7 years and when sold, it truly looked and played as good as when new. Serial something 0331 if someone has that now (yes, that stuck in my head for 35 years).
Another simply excellent video on the history of the "upstart's" signature model. Critics will call them guitars for lawyers and doctors, but I have yet to see the consistent 'fit and finish' in other high volume American electric guitar manufacturers. Paul Reed Smith just gets it.
@@mmpatriot2170 - oh I agree, that was more a commentary on those decrying the price. There has arisen a segment within the guitar community that any American made guitar costing over $1,000 is a rip-off and is made for the top 1%.
@@sassycat I have an S2 that plays just fine for a fraction of the Core price. Bought new as a floor model for $850 vs. its original $1250 price. The prices actually scale back in time if you consider inflation on the old Les Paul and Strat prices.
@@fivewattworld : I would have liked to but in both cases, I found what I wanted online at other shops, the SE from Moore Music in Indiana, the S2 from Metronome in Ohio. There was one S2 that i was looking at that was at the store that I saw at Mann's event with Paul in September, but I didn't have the money at the time and didn't know they would be having a sale at the event. I will be saving more this year and you never know, maybe I will buy one from Mann's at some point. They are the local shop and if I'm going to buy PRS locally, it should be there and not Guitar Center. He was very nice when I got to meet him at the event and seeing and talking to Paul in person was very cool.
I've been watching videos for several months now and I have been teetering on getting a PRS The SE's are incredible value for the money more so you're accuracy concerning the history of all of these items is astounding. Let me hit that subscribe button right now it's been long overdue.
I am the original owner of a 1991 Custom 24, and I agree wholeheartedly with this comment! My beautiful #1 was made in the first half of 1991, which means it still has the BRW fingerboard, sweet switch and original one-piece bridge. I have played many beautiful guitars since I bought this amazing guitar brand new on January 20, 1992, but none that played or sounded any sweeter. You have to own one to truly understand.
I don’t own a PRS and the only one I’ve ever played was an SE McCarty Hollowbody. If that guitar is any indication of how good the American made ones are, I completely get it.
40yrs a player,local shows in early 80s,now just for pleasure.I have always played guitars by the big 2,but listed after but have never been in the position to afford a PRS.So thank you for posting this Keith.Iits the nearest I'll get to those beautiful instruments.Cheers J
I have been a PRS nut for probably ten years now. Ever since I first saw one, and heard it being played, I knew that an American PRS Custom 24 was going to be my dream guitar. I’m an instrument repair tech and luthier. I’ve worked on hundreds of guitars and basses, and I can say, that PRS produces some of the most high quality production guitars in existence. And I’m also so proud to say that the music company I work for finally became a PRS dealer just a couple months ago! I ended up buying one of the exotic SE models that we received in our first batch of guitars that arrived and I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to get my dream American Custom 24 when we upgrade to a US dealer.
It seems like PRS is the only bigger guitar company that doesn't have a dark or jaded period in their history where they throw their customers wind. They just start at the bottom and keep rising. That may be a defining characteristic of PRS, they never forgot why they were making incredible instruments and who they were making them for.
I've been playing guitar non-stop since 1965. I bought my first PRS in 2001 when I was at the House of Guitars in Rochester, NY looking to buy a Parker Fly when a friend who was with me asked if I ever tried a PRS. I never heard of PRS but I gave it a try and WOW, I had to get one. I ordered a Custom 24 the way I wanted it. That guitar needs to be refretted which I will get done at PRS. The other day I sold my fishing boat and took the money and bought a Custom 24 P in Yellow Tiger from Sweetwater. The first time I mail ordered a guitar I was anxious about playability and sound. The guitar arrived last week and it played, looked, and sounded awesome right out of the box. I pulled it out during band practice and it blew the guys away. Being a strat guy since the 70's I use my PRS for all the double coil songs we play which turns out to be about 75% of our tunes. I'm looking forward to my trip to the factory when I bring the 2001 Cu24 for it's refret.
You forgot to mention Mark Holcomb of Periphery representing PRS in the metal world! He specifically asked for .5 in more in the scale length since he need to down-tune and it’s also (to my knowledge) the only PRS that comes with aftermarket pickups out of the factory. It comes with Mark’s signature Seymour Duncan Alpha Omega set Thank you for these amazing videos!
Great background information on PRS. I met Paul Reed Smith thru my connection with Joe Knaggs who worked in a wood refinishing shop outside of D.C. in the early 80's. I sold automotive refinish materials and Joe was experimenting with them at this shop. Joe soon went to work for Paul in his shop on Virginia avenue in Annapolis. This was the very beginning of PRS. Paul was interested in the quality and durability of the new "urethane" finishes that had virtually taken over the automotive industry, replacing lacquer and enamels. Paul settled on a brand made by BASF...pre-dating his use of Dupont. The BASF clearcoats were the best money could buy at the time. I can tell you that most PRS guitars after 1985 and thru 1995 had BASF clearcoats on them and were virtually indestructible. I can say that now, but at the time Paul made it very clear to me that I could not disclose to anyone the finishes he was using. I got to know Paul and I can tell you that while a bit of a "nerd", his dedication to quality and his craft were evident to me from the first day I met him.
I suppose my Gibson Les Paul will always be my favorite, mostly because Jimmy Page is by far, my greatest influence and when I think of Jimmy, he is playing a Les Paul. I own a customized American Deluxe Strat mostly to imitate Jake E Lee's Badlands sounds with the JB bridge pickup. I enjoy owning a EBMM John Petrucci Ball Family Reserve because the quilted maple top is stunning, the ergonomics are so different from my others and I enjoy the piezo pups. BUT the PRS Custom 22 is the one I play the most BY FAR. And it's the 1 I play the best. The 25" scale, for me, is perfect. The tones are all very good. Neck shape is excellent and everything about this instrument shows highest quality in every detail. That's my PRS story. Thank you for the incredible research you put into this video.
I was wandering around in the shipping department at PRS at the original factory in Annapolis, some 30 years ago or so, and noticed a guitar set to go out with a shipping tag with Jimmy Page's name on it and an address in England. Not sure if he ever used it in public.
I’ve always thought guys like Jimmy Page and Clapton would sound great on a custom 22. My old man has some fantastic Les Pauls and a really nice 61 reissue SG, but my artist package custom 22 absolutely smokes them. Far better of a guitar than I am a player no doubt.
I've still got and play the PRS Standard I bought back in '87 since I couldn't afford the 24 Custom even then. It was the first really great guitar I owned and to this day I love it. And by the way, I love your "short history" videos. They are really well done and informative. Keep up the great work.
I had almost given up on playing guitar before I bought my SE. I was working and in college and in a rutt. I felt uni spired to even pick up a guitar most days. Half the time as I stood over the fryalators or gazed hopelessly at my algebra text book I wanted the feeling I had when I started playing back. I had issues with my Jackson Soloist SLXQ and my Ibanez RGT42DX. The necks weren't stable enough and the parts felt cheap and wore out too quickly the pots gave out on me, the knife edges were worn out and the tuners kept binding. As a last ditch effort to get back into playing guitar, I bought an SE Standard 24 I found on eBay for $420. I didn't put it down for several months because I enjoyed playing it so much. All I've done is installed Hipshot locking tuners and Dunlop strap locks. It plays so nicely that nothing else really needs to be done. It's got it's fair amount of dings, dents, scrapes and pick scratches but I love it nonetheless. I don't notice the blemishes when I'm playing it. All I notice is an attention to detail that culminates into the best guitar I own.
I love these. SO much more informative than watching gear review videos. This teaches me an in depth knowledge of specific guitars so I can make educated choices on what I want to get next.
The custom 24 is the “perfect” guitar, in my opinion. The electric guitar is an imperfect instrument by nature but the custom 24 is a perfect representation of it. I’ve owned Strats, Les Pauls, Teles, Jacksons, Ibanezes, the works...but nothing has ever managed to top my 2002 custom 24 in terms of sheer playability, quality sound, rock solid stability and “old faithful” caliber reliability. Seriously....I’ve set that guitar up MAYBE 5 or 6 times in the last two decades...and I play professionally, for hours a day. I love my strats, I love my teles, the jaguar, they’re all incredible and certain guitars I’ll NEVER get rid of...but I have one signal chain that’s never let me down regardless of venue/genre/instrumentation. CU24 into King of Tone into my Bassman. It’s just an unimpeachable signal path that’s paid for itself more times than I can count. The cali76 is slowly working its way into that same wheelhouse...it just takes a while for something to become *that* piece of gear for you...
I absolutely love this channel and these videos. It's a brilliant series. Hoping you find success wherever you look for it, in whatever way you see it.
You forgot to mentioned Chris Haskett from Rollins Band and Mike Einziger from Incubus who really exclusively used PRS guitars in the nineties that really introduce the guitar to les paul / strat users
Wonderfully done. I'm a huge advocate of PRS after many years of resisting to switch.Now that I have, it's been a wonderful rabbit hole to inhabit.Now I have 5 PRS Guitars and am still hunting another. The 3 main ones I use cover LOTS of sonic ground like no other guitar manufacturer,no disrespect. I have immense respect for the traditional brands and many other ground breakers that are around, but my main guitar can get anything I need. 2007 SCT,2013 Brent Mason,2011 DC3,2009 CU22 with a cedar top #12 of 20,2008 CU22 with a cedar top #6 of 20 (under the bed😜).
Thanks Keith on this video...I’ve been eyeing DGTs for many months (using your video as part of the justification) and never giving the CU24s any real look. Well then I watched this video...and now I moved down this path...realizing I was missing the core of the fleet...so now I found a barely used CU24 that fits what I need...they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and a McCarty shade CU24 is now heading my way.
Bought my first PRS, a Custom 24, from Willcut Guitars in Lexington in 2017. I was walking around the shop just looking around and picked it up and couldn't put it back down. That was the first of several. Great guitar (and a great guitar shop).
I wasn't impressed w/the High $$$ Core w/10 tops…or The SE versions. They play good look amazing but the pickups imo are really lacking. The Pickups /Electronics are the SOUND of an Electric don't get that right you have nothing but a family heirloom.
@@utubehound69 live never really played the top dollar $5,000+ guitars but the se multiplies that i've played are top notch and play so easy like nothing else and the pickups are humbucker that get great snappy telecaster and stratocaster tones which is the best of both to me an why I play the prs.
I went to Paul’s dorm in the late 70’s. He showed me his guitar and said he was going to give it to Carlos Santana. Years latter I learned that he had he done just that. It’s pretty amazing what he has created.
I'd love to see a history on the Ibanez RG. It's one of the best-selling guitar shapes and the video could be used to also deliver a short summary of the evolution of the "super strat" in general, and how Ibanez managed to survive the shred genocide of the 90s unlike so many similar brands.
I owned a SE SANTANA when they first came out and did not like it at all. But now I own a 408 10 top a 2004 McCarty with a Rosewood neck and a S2 Single cut semi hollow traded many Gibson & Fenders for them NO REGRETS. I don't get why some think these guitars have no soul or "a sound " I would be willing to wager that on a recording most would not be able to tell a Les Paul from a PRS a Strat probably.
The only thing I don't like about Paul is how much he just spews about "Tonewood". However much it may be an actual thing, if he really cared as much as he said then he would be paying upfront for all the pretty woods for tops and such like Kiesel does so they can get a better selection before everyone else
Amazing video. What’s tough to get across in a video like this, is just how incredible the people working at PRS are. Fantastic folks with a passion for making these wonderful instruments.
I would say PRS are 1 of the Big 3 in the US - not the world. Ibanez would certainly have something to say on that. I love my PRS guitars - I have a Custom 24, Custom 24 Floyd, 594, 594 Hollowbody, 509, Hollowbody II and the Limited Edition Special Semi-Hollow - all absolutely incredible instruments and the highest quality build, fit and finish guitars on the market!!
Came in from walking the dog and saw a notification for a new Five Watt World. Yippee! The first PRS I ever played was a Custom 24 in the same luscious orange as in 00:38 many years ago. Still remember how it felt. Also once played an ALL rosewood model. Weighed as much as a Buick but was beautiful.
Yea I don’t imagine PRS guitars looking great Reliced ....either faked or real time earned playing. I’d love to be corrected though. I love my Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relic in Surf Green.
I consider the the PRS story to be one of vision, goals, dedication and craftsmanship. Paul started small and successfully took on Gibson and Fender....no small feat !! Kinda like a guy building a beautiful car in his garage that gets 100 mpg, opens a factory, and captures a significant portion of the automotive market. I cannot afford their US built guitars but by all accounts their SE line is of high quality at more down to earth prices.
I know they are well built but I don't know if I'll ever own one because so many Nu-Metal artist used them and that's what I associate them being used for. They are beautiful though.
Yeah, I know that they sort of got pulled into that camp, sort of like what's happened with Strandberg. But like them, these are their own thing and respond to each player in their own way. The DGT's, McCartys, etc are a more vintage sort of tone.
PRS guitars respond to what you give them. They can fit your match if you will. John McLaughlin plays PRS and he's not nu-metal 🤪 It all comes down to "do you like it ?"
Great video, Keith!! My PRS story. I was heading over to jam with an old Guitar dude in Brooklyn NYC. I arrived at this place, knocked on the door. No one answered. I rang Cousin Vinny up on his cell phone to wake his ass up. I heard his phone ringing, but no answer. Tried a few more times. No answer. Got worried, Ran downstairs from the 3rd floor to the Manager's apartment. He answers the door and refuses to open Vinny's door. I said, "If Vinny is dead on the floor in there, your dead!" So I run back to my place in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, a 20-minute ride. Get my set of keys to Vinny's apartment.. I know, I should have had them with me. Damnit! Our other buddy had said to me the night before, that Vinny wasn't feeling that great jamming the night before. And try to get there a little early, which I did. I get back to the apartment around 40 minutes after arriving the first time. I open the door and Vinny is lying on the floor in his apartment, flat on his back, unconscious, foam coming out of his mouth and one eye partially open. I sense no breathing.... SUCKS!!! I immediately began compressions, slapping the son of bitch across his face, on the phone with 911 to get here as quick as they can. I have cleared his mouth, gave him a few breaths, kept pumping on his chest. Not much response, but a bit of weazing. 4 of the biggest black EMT dudes show up. 6 and a half foot tall, 230-pound Dudes! They take over. Strap Vinny on a rack and vertically take him down the elevator and off to the hospital. Vinny laid in a coma for 2 months and another 2 months in critical care, But the MF'r survived!! He deserved to. He was the lead guitar player in The New York Bums back in the mid 70s. A sort of beginning punk band. I know, I tried to get him back to Rock and Roll and Blues, Which, after a couple of years prior to this note, he did. I forgot to mention, Vinny has the best collection of vintage guitars in his one-bedroom apartment I have ever seen. Many are his original guitars from the late 60's and early 70's. Triple White SG with gold trim.1967. Gibson 335, 1976. Firebirds, Telecasters, Custom guitars he had made. Around 65 guitars last count. Anyway, while hanging out, helping him convalesce a year later, he opens a case, with a never-played Santana III guitar! He says, in his Brooklyn accent, Petaww. (My name is Peter) I wanted to give you this guitaww for saving my life last fall. I have around 20 guitars myself. So I said, you don't need to give me anything Vin. He made me take it. I have to say, I never played a PRS before. Or noticed one, for some odd reason. I immediately fell in love with the guitar. I don't know why Vin didn't play it. He just never did. It is now my go-to guitar in the Studio I have here in the Poconos, PA. And now, 6 years later, Vinny is doing pretty good. Oh, one day, a couple of years ago, he hands me another guitar case. He says, "I don't play this one either. Why don't you take it, you're a finger picker...." So I open that case, well, that was a 1969 Gibson SJ200 Mustache Bridge... WTF! Vinny is a great guy. a great friend. He didn't have to give me anything. But he gave me my two best go-to guitars I have today! Even better than my 57 Telecaster, and 64 Gretsch Chet Atkins. Ok, now I have to go plug in the Santana III and give it a workout. Thanks for the video Keith!!. Say hey to Rick B! for me. Vinny is coming out to a jam we are having here in a couple of weeks. Still kicking it at 67 years old. Oh, our birthdays are one day apart, July 13, and July 14.... Crazy stuff, eh?
I know I'm probably the minority here... But I can't seem to like PRS's, no matter how much I try to. I know they are great guitars and sounds nice... well, go figure.
It's weird how that goes. I can't find a Les Paul that I like playing despite them being great looking guitars with good tone. They don't feel comfortable and I don't like how they're balanced.
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So great Hypes! It makes me appreciate my PRS ‘s even more.
This just makes me want one even more!
Just recently bought a PRS SE, loving it, from the feel of the neck to the diversity in Sound. Took me 20 years to finally get my Hands on it!
Hi Rick! Love your channel man, nice to see you here!
I have a Paul Reed Smith S2 Standard 24 Vintage Cherry (Made in the US).
It's a really comfortable guitar. The only problem is with the electronics ... it's noisy and doesn't sound half as good as any ESP LTD with Seymour Duncans.
I have an import PRS SE ONE (1 P90 pickup) that I got second hand for dirt cheap (190€) ... it's an absolute BEAST, and plays and sounds like a dream.
I still don't understand why the U.S S2 Std 24 has issues, and the import SE ONE is perfect.
I'll swap the entire electronics for some reliable Seymour Duncan pickups with high end Bourns "82 series" pots and V-Cap capacitors ... refret with stainless steel when the frets are dead ... and the guitar will finally be perfect as it should have been out of the box.
You need a PRS acoustic! Love the channel!
Great video - so informative!
Oh, hi there
Having worked at PRS from 88 until 94 this was a real walk down memory lane. Thank you for this unique video.
Andluth Cool! Glad you enjoyed it.
I got an early Christmas present from my wife this year ... A Custom 24 and a PRS t-shirt that says "Maryland Made". It's an SE but I don't have the heart to tell her, I just gave her a big kiss and said "Thanks!". It's a beautiful guitar and it plays like a dream. She's a keeper!
Jim Krajick you sound like a good husband to her. If your wife is willing to go that far for you, you most likely go the extra mile for her as well
The SEs are some of the best guitars out there, not "for the money", best period. I just often dont like the pups (the modern SE pups, the old HFS SE pups are good) so I just swap them out. After getting a USA prs with USA pups, I can say there is a great difference between there SE pups and there USA pups. Enjoy the guitar
@@TheVirginianRambler Thanks man. I try.
Hey man, I gotta add to this. My fam just got me a custom 24 SE as well! I didn’t even ask for a guitar, or anything. I asked for a Q-Tron, which I got. But when they pulled a giant box out, I just freaked. We I got the brown gig bag out I asked,” does it say SE? Oh god it does, You didn’t!” It’s amazinng
You did well, sir.
My dad got me a SE single cut when I was sixteen for Christmas, because to him I was good enough to graduate from the first act I was playing since I was 9. I know it's not a real expensive PRS, and the joy I felt and still do, I don't think any other joy has come close in my life.
At age 16, I bought my first “nice” guitar, a PRS Custom 22 through Thoroughbred magazine. I worked so hard for years to finally come up with the cash for it, thinking I would receive it the next week after ordering it. Little did my naive mind think at the time. When the customer service guy said it would be at least 9 months, I begrudgingly ordered it anyway. And I couldn’t have been happier or more pleased with a guitar. Not a single flaw and it plays like a dream, even 25 years later. Kudos Keith for such a great in depth look at gear and kudos for Paul making remarkable instruments.
One thing you missed to mention,is that Ted McCarty played a big role in the early days of PRS Guitars.
Yes,the legendary CEO of Gibson,who designed the SG,ES,Flying V, Explorer,Thunderbird,Firebird and co-designed the Les Paul.
Paul Reed Smith seeked him out when he started making guitars and convinced him to come out of retirement.
He was a ''special consultant'' and Smith credits the success of PRS Guitars to his collaboration with McCarty.
Smith always mentions McCarty in interviews and how much he learned about guitar building and design from him.
To honor him,Smith named the most expensive boutique model of PRS after McCarty,meanwhile Gibson has pretty much done nothing to honor the man.
Most recent word on the street was that McCarty was working with Gibson again in the Custom Shop, doing the aging on their top shelf Collector’s Series and R series LPs.
@@Scratch_Monsters_Golf Ted McCarty passed away more than a decade ago. Not sure who you are referring to?
bluemooncollision ddd obviously I’m not a Gibson guy 😂 Someone at the music store said it not too long ago. He have a son maybe? 🤔
@@bluemooncollision I think he is referring to Tom Murphy.
Past tense of seek is saught
I say it every time. Best content on the internet. I have a wood library custom 24 that my wife bought me as a welcome home gift from a deployment to Afghanistan. It is the most amazing instrument I have ever held.
Jake Mitchell, post a video on your channel!
Wife AND instrument goals.
Jake, thank you for your service! And congratulations on having a wife that bought you a PRS too!
Thank you for serving and ROCK ON!
You must have a great wife, only thing my wife has given me is a hard time
All right, that does it. One kidney has to go, I'm buying one.
Nerenahd Dhaneren ha, just the one?
Going for an SE then... 😂
No, dude, don't sell one of your kidneys! You never know what side effects that would have.
It's not that costly ;-)
just have a baby and adopt it out, you can make $500,000
or become an abortion doctor you can make $500,000 selling baby parts
Fantastic episide!
Even legends make spelling mistakes! :)
Lol “episide”
@@Limbomaniac I don't think fluffy is a legend, unless you consider TH-camr influence " legendary 🤣🤷🏻♀️🤔👍
Paul Reed Smith might not be the easiest person to talk to, but his passion on guitars is undoubtedly huge and it represented well in his products. You can buy PRS guitars from any shop at anywhere in the world and you’ll find a flawless finish and set up from the get go, they have such a high standards on their qc compared to other major brands. Great videos by the way, I’m a fan!
I beg to differ. Paul is one of the easiest people to talk to on the planet.
@@1davechase people have had different experiences with him.
In springtime 2022 I owned a SE Hollowbody II PIEZO, and since this time all my other E guitars are wallhangers. For me it´s all I need. And I´m absolute in love with it.
You sir are class act. This and the other Short History segments are a wonderful way to get even more emotionally attached to the instruments and their impact on all of us.
Agreed! Thanks Keith 👏🏻🎸💙
This year, I got my first PRS, the Silvery Sky SE. I love it. Just ordered a Standard 24-08 SE. Thanks for this wonderful histories.
Having met Paul Reed Smith himself, I can say that he is a brilliant man who BLEEDS passion, and you are correct, we have all benefited from Paul's brilliance/obsession. I love my PRSi
I'm watching this again, it's that good! I'm a manufacturing engineer so I do many experiments on raw materials, machines, setups, etc. When I heard that Paul at PRS did extensive testing to determine what total thickness of paint and clear coat is optimum for sound, it made me smile! How many other people would've even thought of that, and how many less would've acted on it? But it's something that matters, I'm not sure how much, but that kind of mindset is what it takes to come into the ultra mature guitar industry with these almost 100 year old guitar companies...and eat their lunch. PRS has done an incredible job eating away at the market share of middle and high prices guitars..which is the sweet spot of profit in the industry. They've eclipsed Ibanez (one of my personal favorites!) among others, and their guitars are known across the globe as super high end..you get what you pay for with a PRS.
Outstanding insight to a phenomenal guitar maker. I play nothing but SE's they are fantastic. I hear people saying the SE isn't a PRS, I say BS to that, not everyone can afford $2,500 + guitar. Keep the great info coming 5 watt world you rock!
I prefer the SE Custom 24 to PRS Core line of 24's. Still don't care for the pickups. Maybe some PRS PAF knock offs would be much better. I do love the trem system on PRS , great improvement over Leo's Strat Trem & the adjustment screws don't dig into yer hand like a Fender type trem & love the bar w/set screw.
I agree, the SE's are great guitars. I worked hard for years until I wascclose to retirement, the bought two PRS's for myself to go along with the Santana SE I had bought years before. One is an actual older hand carved blue 22, with the moon inlays, and the other is a custom Santana built for the 1999 NAMM show that was purchased by a collector and never played. The PRS's are just magical, and I have 16 total electrics. The SE has the most buttery feel of all my guitars, bar none.
Absolutely. Is there a difference? Yes, of course, but as some who has both USA and SE PRS guitars, I can say without a doubt that both are fantastic.
I own SE's and Core models ... Many of my SE's have the same feel as the 1987, 89, 90 Core Custom 24's I own... The SE line is no Squire or Epiphone , which both respectfully are good brands... I would put an SE against a Fender Stratocaster or a Gibson Les Paul any day
There's a difference but a very small one, not a 4 to 5 fold difference from SE to core. I've played most of the models and own both SE and S2. There really isn't much difference at all between the two. The cores look nicer of course, but the feel of the guitar is pretty close.
Been playing for over 4 years now. I have 2 PRS SE guitars and absolutely love this brand.
PRS makes me proud to be a Maryland native
Same here!
Same here! I love Georgia, but Chesapeake saltwater will always be in my veins.
Same.
Me too!
Thrasher’s French Fries, Boardwalk Ocean City. 👍
Another stellar addition to your "A Short History" series, Keith! I can't like these videos enough. They satisfy my love of guitars and love of history in equal measure. Can't wait for the next installment.
I have a PRS SE Custom 24 and love it.
Same even though I got an SE because it is the only lefty available
Riley McTaggart A big reason why I purchased the SE was price and also everyone of them get inspected at the Maryland factory before going out to the dealers. FYI: I think you know this, but anyway, PRS now sells and SE locking tuner, if you don’t want to purchase from them then John Mann at Guitar Vault USA which is based in New Hampshire I believe also sells them which he makes (non branded). John Mann can also convert your tuners that came with your guitar to PRS style locking tuners, but you may be without for a how ever long it takes. I did go get a trade in quote just because and was offered $200.00 for a guitar that was only 2 years old and was still in new condition, but I do love the guitar!!! Just FYI stuff.
@@timcastle165 I must say it was in hindsight kind of stupid say I got it because it is the only lefty.
I recently bought my first PRS - a new Yellow Tiger Custom 24 with a lovely, tawny color. I can't put it down. Thanks for this fantastically informative video.
Great history lesson Keith. I have followed PRS since the beginning, and they are my "someday, when I can play up to the potential of the instrument" guitar. As others have mentioned, if you're not doing other voice over work, you are missing out on some serious income potential. Your voice on these videos is so warm and calming. My favorite series on TH-cam by far, keep up the great work!
Carey Cummings , the guitar will bring you up, they are that good. I have the Zebrawood with 85/15’s. My playing transformed over night, I have been playing 40+ yrs. The guitar has unlocked/opened doors in me I never knew were there. Mine is the SE Custom 24 Zebrawood, it’s beautiful, and fits my hand like an old tshirt fits your body, comfortable.
Thanks for the Short History. I have a 20th Anniversary and a 35th Anniversary, those 2 are my favorites! A couple of SEs round out my love affair of the PRS lineup. Everything PRS is top notch! They really have pushed the industry in a good direction.
Great as usual. I actually got a chance to try some early PRS guitars at a vintage guitar shop near where I was in school in 1986. They had sent them to the shop, where my friend was working, for him to check them out. I remember thinking at the time that they were some of the prettiest guitars I'd ever seen, and very, very well made, though I wasn't a huge fan of the original pickups.
I have a left-handed Custom 24 with the Black Gold Sunburst finish and the computerized fretboard installation. Plays like butter and sounds like a million dollars. Didn’t have to take out a second mortgage on the house to afford it, either. With the coil split, it’s truly the best of both worlds. I can switch between sounding like a Les Paul or a Strat with just a pull of a knob. Of course, there’s some tonal differences due to the wood and fretboard, but it’s surprising how close the sound can come. Bravo, PRS!
PRS did killer job of seeing what players are looking for and delivering in spades. An instrument as good as custom shop for $1500.
I've not had a chance to really play a PRS, but I have always, and I'm old enough to remember when they were brand new to the world, thought PRS makes the most beautiful guitar tops in the world. They let the wood speak for its self and the finish has always been amazing.... though there are a few colors I could live without seeing again..... Thank you for the history lesson.
The players that come to mind when PRS is mentioned are Mike Einziger, Santana, Kanami Tōno and Mark Tremonti.
Mike and Kanami are my personal favorites.
Kanami is doing a good job representing PRS. They weren't on my radar until she switched to them.
Yes, Mike Einziger is who immediately came to mind for me with that hollow body model he used with the Mesa Boogies. He had such a great sound and style. One of my all time favorites.
Very well done! I have been playing PRS guitars since 1991. I currently own three one of which is my original 2000 singlecut(pre-lawsuit) 10 top w/birds that from the moment I picked it up has been my #1 guitar! Guitarists search decades trying to find "The One" and I have been so blessed to have my "one" for 20 years now! The craftsmanship and quality control of PRS guitars is second to none!
I'm lucky enough to own quite a few guitars. I was always a Gibson guy. Hated Fender anything. I got aggravated with the quality of Gibson a few years back and just started buying top end Epiphones like the Custom Pro and Tribute Plus. Great guitars. Then as a joke I picked up a Fender Telecaster at the guitar store, my wife thought it was funny as she knows I hate Fender. I instantly fell in love and bought it right there. I couldn't put it down for weeks, until I tried a PRS Custom 24 SE. I wanted something different than all my Les Paul's and SG's and semi hollow bodies like my ES339 and of course the Tele. I wish I would have tried the PRS sooner. I feel sorry for all those guitars that are now locked away in their cases now that I have a PRS. I absolutely love it. Feels like butter in my hands. Sounds warm and clean when I want it to and really chugs when i crank up some gain. The neck and fretwork are amazing right out of the box. You can tell right away that they put a lot of care into each guitar whether it's made in Maryland or Indonesia. Its my new favorite! The Standard SE line is a steal at $500! Just don't tell Paul!!!!
Great episode - makes me love my two PRS guitars even more! My 1996 Custom 24 was signed by Paul on one of his "retail" tours with his band The Dragons. They came through Atlanta shortly after I had bought mine and he signed it for me - made it even more special! Keep up the great work!
Me: "Well its time to start learning about the important things in life!"
*Clicks*
Keith: "Hi, and welcome to the 5 watt world..."
Me: *stares in amusement*
Ha! Thanks Stephen, made me laugh.
As someone who loves music but doesn't play guitar but does enjoy detailed and well presented history lessons, these videos flipped a switch on me and now i have a new found love for guitars/details of them.
My dream of owning a PRS guitar came true when I found a previously owned PRS SE Standard 22 at guitar center with a stoptail bridge, solid mahogany body and neck, 3-way selector switch, black knobs, jumbo frets, fat neck, burgundy paint job, rosewood board with bird inlays. It plays like a dream and has all the Santana/rock/country/ folk/latin tones you could ever want and is harmonically articulate, easy to play with dream pick-ups and accurate tuning machines. A work of art and craftsmanship rarely found in contemporary music. Thanks PRS
Great video, I am loving this series. I would l love to see a short history of Rickenbacker 12 string or 4001 bass. Thanks
Awesome job, love these videos! I grew up near Annapolis and was playing saxophone in my high school jazz band in the early 90's. I lusted after the Custom 24s on display in the music shops around town but couldn't come close to affording one. When I got my first real job out of college and bonus that's where the money went and I've been playing now for almost 20 years. When you can develop a product that actually influences the direction of people's lives that's an amazing thing. I'd like to say thanks to Paul and everyone at PRS for continuing to demonstrate that passion.
Kanami Tono, lead guitarist for Band Maid, an all female rock band from Japan most often plays a PRS Custom 24 with incredible results. I also have a Custom 24 and wish I was half as good with it.
Another stellar video Kieth.
In my humble opinion PRS guitars are among the most beautiful out there.
Wish I could own one.
But I’m grateful for my 14yr old Strat.
And my wife who bought it for me.
I'm a fan of PRS as much for the interviews I have seen with the man himself, as I am for the phenomenal build quality and melt in your hands playability. After seeing Paul's TED talk, I realized "hey, this guy is weird and obsessive JUST LIKE ME!" and I have always been impressed by the company ethos around function first, then beauty, THEN profit. I only have SE's thus far, but I am a fan for life.
It was 1986, I was on leave from the Marine Corps. I walked into a guitar store in Vegas on Charleston Blvd. I saw an amazing looking guitar on the wall, it had a magnificent Dragon inlay on the body and neck. As I plugged it into a Sovtek MIG 50. It felt like my 60’s Tele and old friend feel. The tones I heard with just a turn of the sweet switch was beyond amazing. The owner of the store was giving me a short history of Paul Reed Smith, I never heard of the brand or the name before but, I’ll never forget the first time my fingers danced on the neck of that killer guitar. I couldn’t afford to buy it at that time in my life. I just know that PRS would turn the guitar industry upside down, and he did it with class and never let the quality of his namesake drop.
I never considered a PRS guitar. 2 years ago, via TH-cam, I bumped into a video from Michael, “Guitargate”, holding a metal blue semi-hollow PRS S2 model. This guitar (shape and tones) intrigued me. Went to my local shop, and tried the only PRS they had: American customs 22 and 24 at > £1900. I thought “meh”. Didn’t like the feel of the necks, frets, and the tones, too bright. So went back home disappointed. May have been just an unusual bad experience with just these guitars. So left it at that. Later on I bumped online on the PRS SE Custom 22 semi hollow models (£690-£750). I gambled and ordered online without having tried the guitar. Loved the guitar straight away. Great neck, great tones, played the whole day. Since, I have tried a number of expensive guitars from friends and shops (e.g Gibson USA Lespaul, Clapton Fender Strat), to me none of them have the comfort of the neck and fretboard of my PRS SE. I have considered replacing the pickups a few times to try other things, I have discarded the idea. I just love the sounds of those pickups. The neck in particular. The only thing I have changed is switch to Ernie Balls 54-11 beefy and I just can’t put it down.
In my experience you can never trust a guitar store test play. Maybe it's just my local GC that doesn't know how to set them up, or the fact that every teenager has tried to tune it to drop D. They just never feel right. Then, the sound is never the same as your own rig. Even when its the same crap. How or why this is, I don't know. If I had to rely on my experience with equipment in the store, I wouldn't have any. The only thing I ever played in the store and brought home to still love was the Hoof fuzz. I went to try something else and they didn't have it, so I started messing with the Hoof. It was good in the store, and glorious at home.
@@michaelwallace1189 Very spot on, especially electric. I've bought acoustics and one electric from the store but 2 of those where the local family owned. Every electric I have ever tried while in GC pretty much disappointed but have had several shipped from there that were good to great out of the box.
Great timing for this video, I only just got my custom 24 back from getting some custom work.
My story with the guitar dates back to me being born in 1985, same year as the guitar. For my 21st I saved all my money, and bought a custom 24. I played the hell out of that guitar, but eventually sold it due to some harder times.
Fast forward to earlier this year and I managed to get a custom 24 30th anniversary model, November build, same month I turned 30, for a decent price. Wasn't the color I would normally go for, and it had some decent wear on the frets.
So I put it in at an amazing local luthier place, and they stripped it back, re-stained it in a pink to purple fade, re leveled and crown the frets, and got it back to being new feeling.
Amazing sounding and playing guitars, and they really do have a special feel to them.
Fantastic video!
I just got an S2 Custom 24 35th Anniversary Edition and all I have to say is wow.. it’s simply spectacular! I did try out and play a core 10 top version of it and I see why it’s price pint reflects the way it does but for playability the S2 at 1/2 the cost is equal I terms of playability. Now do I want that 10 top with the upgraded bridge and tuning machines hell yes! But I absolutely love my S2. Wonderful video! I really enjoyed it!
love mine too! see my review on Sweetwater.
What did that cost you?
Over the years as a finisher, I've done a number of guitars including Gibson, Gretsch and Fender. I can't play but love the art of guitars. The variety of colors, visual depth and polish can be as hard to accomplish as playing. I'm here to drool with the rest of you, but through different eyes. Outstanding site with commentary matching the quality of the instruments.
Thank you very much.
You're welcome. You mentioned you should (maybe) do one on colors and finishes of the different companies. All I can say is Yes Please! Hell, I now know how to date something by the insulation used on wires :) One on finishes would, I hope, open a few eyes on what goes into producing the visual aspect.
I’ll have to check this out when I have a second. I think it’s been a minute since your last one. I’m sure it’s stellar, my friend!
I am blessed to have a custom 24, and 22. One with a bar and 1 stop tail. Both are so unique, and well made. I've been playing them since 1994!
This is shaping up to be a really good series! My hat's off to you.
Looking forward to seeing other, slightly more obscure but also storied guitars covered too, such as the Music Man Cutlass / Stingray guitar and bass, Gretsch Streamliners, Rickenbacker, etc.
I bought a PRS McCarty in the early 2000's for around $3000. It was by far the best guitar I ever played and absolutely worth every penny. Paul and the crew were making amazing instruments and still are to their credit. I recently bought a Silver Sky SE and it is now one of my favorite guitars. I love it. I appreciate the quality without the excessive price. Thanks for sharing this video!
Fun fact, in the DC Metro and Baltimore , MD areas, “HFS” was also how people referred to alternative/college radio station WHFS. They were known for their annual summer concert HFStival and later the HFSmas winter concert.
HFS and 97 Underground were the best!
Ah, the good ole days in Baltimore. Those and WTMD from Towson U. were all you ever needed.
@@tball5677 Never heard 97 Underground. But I do miss the days when I had presets in my car for HFS, 98 Rock, DC101, and the Classic Rock Station (94.7?) and they were all different and good in the mid-90s.
Yes...competing with ‘98 rock’ out of B-more and ‘DC-101’ out of ummm.... DC.
Loved HFS!!! I also remember the Greaseman (DC 101) in the mornings at work.
I got my '92 custom 24 at Master Musician's in Glen Burnie. They didn't have a wide-thin with tone knob (instead of the sweet switch), so they called the factory in Annapolis, who had one sitting on the dock. The salesguy drove down and picked it up for me (he said he used to work there, so it was cool to say hi to everyone)!
It's easily the most comfortable guitar i've ever played. Unfortunately, a decade and a half later, i ended up having to sell it. That was heartbreaking, but since i'm turning 50 this summer, I'm gonna splurge and get another one. Loved that thing...there's just nothing like a PRS.
I have the 57/08, 59/09, and 85/15 pickups all incredible sounding.
If I ever start a weird Jane's addiction cover band, It will be called Paul's Obsession
When are you going to do a Special on De Angelico Guitars. Not just just the early models done by deAqisto and De Angelico but reissue by Heritage USA and the current ones made here and Inchon South Korea?
Paul deTimofeev
Thank you for this concise and enjoyable video! I received a Custom 24 from my wife for our 20th Anniversary last year. I love it more and more all the time. God bless.
Hey, I'm pretty sure HFS stands for Hot FAT and Screams.
Hmmm, did I read/write/speak that wrong? All are possible. Thanks.
Yeah, it's "FAT". Easily misspoken. Thanks for the video
I say HFS pups stands for Harsh Fidget Sterile.
Indeed. HFS: Hot Fat and Screams
@@fivewattworld Took me a second aswell..You said "Fast" - which did make me scratch my head, actually. Might make sense describing a neck..but not so much a p'up. Fat makes a whole lot more sense 😎👍
(Funny, Fat n fast doesn't even rhyme. I could understand a typo...! Ok, I see...I'll bet you misread your notes as you were reading it out)
-There you go. That's my Way-too-detailed-breakdown-of-how-you-made-a-minute-tiny-error!
...the *minutia* of errors...😏
OK, Peace, Out! 🤙 👇
This channel was a big reason why I fell in love with PRS guitars and guitars with coil tapping knobs. Very informative, well researched, well spoken.
Best music history channel ever!!!
Great (fantastic) job on all these videos. I had an '85 custom right when they came out and obviously wish I still had it. That was a FORTUNE back then for a guitar and my income at the time. Played/enjoyed it for 7 years and when sold, it truly looked and played as good as when new. Serial something 0331 if someone has that now (yes, that stuck in my head for 35 years).
Another simply excellent video on the history of the "upstart's" signature model. Critics will call them guitars for lawyers and doctors, but I have yet to see the consistent 'fit and finish' in other high volume American electric guitar manufacturers. Paul Reed Smith just gets it.
Sassy Cat, For non doctors and lawyers, the SE line provides some amazing guitars at very reasonable prices.
@@mmpatriot2170 - oh I agree, that was more a commentary on those decrying the price. There has arisen a segment within the guitar community that any American made guitar costing over $1,000 is a rip-off and is made for the top 1%.
@@sassycat I have an S2 that plays just fine for a fraction of the Core price. Bought new as a floor model for $850 vs. its original $1250 price. The prices actually scale back in time if you consider inflation on the old Les Paul and Strat prices.
Did you buy that one from Mann?
@@fivewattworld : I would have liked to but in both cases, I found what I wanted online at other shops, the SE from Moore Music in Indiana, the S2 from Metronome in Ohio. There was one S2 that i was looking at that was at the store that I saw at Mann's event with Paul in September, but I didn't have the money at the time and didn't know they would be having a sale at the event. I will be saving more this year and you never know, maybe I will buy one from Mann's at some point. They are the local shop and if I'm going to buy PRS locally, it should be there and not Guitar Center. He was very nice when I got to meet him at the event and seeing and talking to Paul in person was very cool.
I've been watching videos for several months now and I have been teetering on getting a PRS The SE's are incredible value for the money more so you're accuracy concerning the history of all of these items is astounding. Let me hit that subscribe button right now it's been long overdue.
When you’ve owned a PRS, you know the secret to their success.
I am the original owner of a 1991 Custom 24, and I agree wholeheartedly with this comment!
My beautiful #1 was made in the first half of 1991, which means it still has the BRW fingerboard, sweet switch and original one-piece bridge. I have played many beautiful guitars since I bought this amazing guitar brand new on January 20, 1992, but none that played or sounded any sweeter. You have to own one to truly understand.
I don’t own a PRS and the only one I’ve ever played was an SE McCarty Hollowbody. If that guitar is any indication of how good the American made ones are, I completely get it.
40yrs a player,local shows in early 80s,now just for pleasure.I have always played guitars by the big 2,but listed after but have never been in the position to afford a PRS.So thank you for posting this Keith.Iits the nearest I'll get to those beautiful instruments.Cheers J
PRS is a new thing, and yet 30 years after, there are more new guitar blood that is as good, amazing
I have been a PRS nut for probably ten years now. Ever since I first saw one, and heard it being played, I knew that an American PRS Custom 24 was going to be my dream guitar.
I’m an instrument repair tech and luthier. I’ve worked on hundreds of guitars and basses, and I can say, that PRS produces some of the most high quality production guitars in existence. And I’m also so proud to say that the music company I work for finally became a PRS dealer just a couple months ago! I ended up buying one of the exotic SE models that we received in our first batch of guitars that arrived and I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to get my dream American Custom 24 when we upgrade to a US dealer.
It seems like PRS is the only bigger guitar company that doesn't have a dark or jaded period in their history where they throw their customers wind. They just start at the bottom and keep rising. That may be a defining characteristic of PRS, they never forgot why they were making incredible instruments and who they were making them for.
That’s because, like Collings, they haven’t sold out to a larger corporate entity like Norlin or CBS. PRS Remains a company that sells only guitars.
I've been playing guitar non-stop since 1965. I bought my first PRS in 2001 when I was at the House of Guitars in Rochester, NY looking to buy a Parker Fly when a friend who was with me asked if I ever tried a PRS. I never heard of PRS but I gave it a try and WOW, I had to get one. I ordered a Custom 24 the way I wanted it. That guitar needs to be refretted which I will get done at PRS. The other day I sold my fishing boat and took the money and bought a Custom 24 P in Yellow Tiger from Sweetwater. The first time I mail ordered a guitar I was anxious about playability and sound. The guitar arrived last week and it played, looked, and sounded awesome right out of the box. I pulled it out during band practice and it blew the guys away. Being a strat guy since the 70's I use my PRS for all the double coil songs we play which turns out to be about 75% of our tunes. I'm looking forward to my trip to the factory when I bring the 2001 Cu24 for it's refret.
You forgot to mention Mark Holcomb of Periphery representing PRS in the metal world!
He specifically asked for .5 in more in the scale length since he need to down-tune and it’s also (to my knowledge) the only PRS that comes with aftermarket pickups out of the factory. It comes with Mark’s signature Seymour Duncan Alpha Omega set
Thank you for these amazing videos!
The Dustie Waring comes with Mojotone pups.
Great background information on PRS. I met Paul Reed Smith thru my connection with Joe Knaggs who worked in a wood refinishing shop outside of D.C. in the early 80's. I sold automotive refinish materials and Joe was experimenting with them at this shop. Joe soon went to work for Paul in his shop on Virginia avenue in Annapolis. This was the very beginning of PRS. Paul was interested in the quality and durability of the new "urethane" finishes that had virtually taken over the automotive industry, replacing lacquer and enamels. Paul settled on a brand made by BASF...pre-dating his use of Dupont. The BASF clearcoats were the best money could buy at the time. I can tell you that most PRS guitars after 1985 and thru 1995 had BASF clearcoats on them and were virtually indestructible. I can say that now, but at the time Paul made it very clear to me that I could not disclose to anyone the finishes he was using. I got to know Paul and I can tell you that while a bit of a "nerd", his dedication to quality and his craft were evident to me from the first day I met him.
I suppose my Gibson Les Paul will always be my favorite, mostly because Jimmy Page is by far, my greatest influence and when I think of Jimmy, he is playing a Les Paul. I own a customized American Deluxe Strat mostly to imitate Jake E Lee's Badlands sounds with the JB bridge pickup. I enjoy owning a EBMM John Petrucci Ball Family Reserve because the quilted maple top is stunning, the ergonomics are so different from my others and I enjoy the piezo pups. BUT the PRS Custom 22 is the one I play the most BY FAR. And it's the 1 I play the best. The 25" scale, for me, is perfect. The tones are all very good. Neck shape is excellent and everything about this instrument shows highest quality in every detail. That's my PRS story. Thank you for the incredible research you put into this video.
I was wandering around in the shipping department at PRS at the original factory in Annapolis, some 30 years ago or so, and noticed a guitar set to go out with a shipping tag with Jimmy Page's name on it and an address in England. Not sure if he ever used it in public.
@@patricksantana3337 I think that's cool.
I’ve always thought guys like Jimmy Page and Clapton would sound great on a custom 22. My old man has some fantastic Les Pauls and a really nice 61 reissue SG, but my artist package custom 22 absolutely smokes them. Far better of a guitar than I am a player no doubt.
@@julianthesmooshyhusky8976 I really appreciate your comment Brother. Stay Awesome!
There are actually a handful of pictures of jimmy playing a PRS live, I had never seen them before today. I wish I could’ve heard how that sounded!
I've still got and play the PRS Standard I bought back in '87 since I couldn't afford the 24 Custom even then. It was the first really great guitar I owned and to this day I love it.
And by the way, I love your "short history" videos. They are really well done and informative. Keep up the great work.
I had almost given up on playing guitar before I bought my SE. I was working and in college and in a rutt. I felt uni spired to even pick up a guitar most days. Half the time as I stood over the fryalators or gazed hopelessly at my algebra text book I wanted the feeling I had when I started playing back. I had issues with my Jackson Soloist SLXQ and my Ibanez RGT42DX. The necks weren't stable enough and the parts felt cheap and wore out too quickly the pots gave out on me, the knife edges were worn out and the tuners kept binding. As a last ditch effort to get back into playing guitar, I bought an SE Standard 24 I found on eBay for $420. I didn't put it down for several months because I enjoyed playing it so much. All I've done is installed Hipshot locking tuners and Dunlop strap locks. It plays so nicely that nothing else really needs to be done. It's got it's fair amount of dings, dents, scrapes and pick scratches but I love it nonetheless. I don't notice the blemishes when I'm playing it. All I notice is an attention to detail that culminates into the best guitar I own.
I'm a proud owner of a 35th anniversary SE that's the perfect fit and my go to on stage perfection
11:21 I was hoping you’d mention Tim and 311. 😁
Tim is the reason I bought my first PRS and I'm one click away from buying another :D
@@TravelinDevil76 same
I love these. SO much more informative than watching gear review videos. This teaches me an in depth knowledge of specific guitars so I can make educated choices on what I want to get next.
The custom 24 is the “perfect” guitar, in my opinion. The electric guitar is an imperfect instrument by nature but the custom 24 is a perfect representation of it. I’ve owned Strats, Les Pauls, Teles, Jacksons, Ibanezes, the works...but nothing has ever managed to top my 2002 custom 24 in terms of sheer playability, quality sound, rock solid stability and “old faithful” caliber reliability. Seriously....I’ve set that guitar up MAYBE 5 or 6 times in the last two decades...and I play professionally, for hours a day. I love my strats, I love my teles, the jaguar, they’re all incredible and certain guitars I’ll NEVER get rid of...but I have one signal chain that’s never let me down regardless of venue/genre/instrumentation. CU24 into King of Tone into my Bassman. It’s just an unimpeachable signal path that’s paid for itself more times than I can count. The cali76 is slowly working its way into that same wheelhouse...it just takes a while for something to become *that* piece of gear for you...
I absolutely love this channel and these videos. It's a brilliant series. Hoping you find success wherever you look for it, in whatever way you see it.
You forgot to mentioned Chris Haskett from Rollins Band and Mike Einziger from Incubus who really exclusively used PRS guitars in the nineties that really introduce the guitar to les paul / strat users
Same with Daniel Johns from Silverchair. You'd be here all day naming PRS users from the late 90s/early 2000s
Wonderfully done. I'm a huge advocate of PRS after many years of resisting to switch.Now that I have, it's been a wonderful rabbit hole to inhabit.Now I have 5 PRS Guitars and am still hunting another. The 3 main ones I use cover LOTS of sonic ground like no other guitar manufacturer,no disrespect. I have immense respect for the traditional brands and many other ground breakers that are around, but my main guitar can get anything I need.
2007 SCT,2013 Brent Mason,2011 DC3,2009 CU22 with a cedar top #12 of 20,2008 CU22 with a cedar top #6 of 20 (under the bed😜).
I'm not sure what that $1200 check is meant for, but I know where it's going towards ❤
Another great short history! Thanks Keith...sat here with my Korean built SE Custom 24 noodling away.
Don't forget the S2's I love my Vela ❤
S2's need their own video
Thanks Keith on this video...I’ve been eyeing DGTs for many months (using your video as part of the justification) and never giving the CU24s any real look. Well then I watched this video...and now I moved down this path...realizing I was missing the core of the fleet...so now I found a barely used CU24 that fits what I need...they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and a McCarty shade CU24 is now heading my way.
Another great video. I might just use this in one of my classes if that’s alright by you.
I would be honored.
Bought my first PRS, a Custom 24, from Willcut Guitars in Lexington in 2017. I was walking around the shop just looking around and picked it up and couldn't put it back down. That was the first of several. Great guitar (and a great guitar shop).
I've never played a PRS, but will hopefully one day take one for a spin.
I wasn't impressed w/the High $$$ Core w/10 tops…or The SE versions. They play good look amazing but the pickups imo are really lacking. The Pickups /Electronics are the SOUND of an Electric don't get that right you have nothing but a family heirloom.
@@utubehound69 live never really played the top dollar $5,000+ guitars but the se multiplies that i've played are top notch and play so easy like nothing else and the pickups are humbucker that get great snappy telecaster and stratocaster tones which is the best of both to me an why I play the prs.
@@AuntAlnico4 True they are a piece of art.
Last weekend I spent about 6 hours in Sam Ashe in Ny. Played every guitar in the place. The PRS guitars were nice, but not what I expected.
I went to Paul’s dorm in the late 70’s. He showed me his guitar and said he was going to give it to Carlos Santana. Years latter I learned that he had he done just that. It’s pretty amazing what he has created.
I'd love to see a history on the Ibanez RG. It's one of the best-selling guitar shapes and the video could be used to also deliver a short summary of the evolution of the "super strat" in general, and how Ibanez managed to survive the shred genocide of the 90s unlike so many similar brands.
The level of innovation and passion PRS has BLOWS away those at Gib and Fend. So 😎
I owned a SE SANTANA when they first came out and did not like it at all. But now I own a 408 10 top a 2004 McCarty with a Rosewood neck and a S2 Single cut semi hollow traded many Gibson & Fenders for them NO REGRETS. I don't get why some think these guitars have no soul or "a sound " I would be willing to wager that on a recording most would not be able to tell a Les Paul from a PRS a Strat probably.
I love these videos. Thanks for the insight into so many different realms of the guitar community.
The only thing I don't like about Paul is how much he just spews about "Tonewood". However much it may be an actual thing, if he really cared as much as he said then he would be paying upfront for all the pretty woods for tops and such like Kiesel does so they can get a better selection before everyone else
There's a waiting list many months long for the new Standard SE 24-08. Eight different pickup configurations in one body! PRS is killing it.
Can you make short story about Music Man guitars PLEASE!
Interesting idea.
And basses
a Post fender leo vid would get ALL THE LIKES
I believe JHS recently did a spot on Ernie Ball in the last few months
Yesss!
Amazing video. What’s tough to get across in a video like this, is just how incredible the people working at PRS are. Fantastic folks with a passion for making these wonderful instruments.
I would say PRS are 1 of the Big 3 in the US - not the world. Ibanez would certainly have something to say on that.
I love my PRS guitars - I have a Custom 24, Custom 24 Floyd, 594, 594 Hollowbody, 509, Hollowbody II and the Limited Edition Special Semi-Hollow - all absolutely incredible instruments and the highest quality build, fit and finish guitars on the market!!
Came in from walking the dog and saw a notification for a new Five Watt World. Yippee! The first PRS I ever played was a Custom 24 in the same luscious orange as in 00:38 many years ago. Still remember how it felt. Also once played an ALL rosewood model. Weighed as much as a Buick but was beautiful.
Too afraid to scratch the finish.
Yea I don’t imagine PRS guitars looking great Reliced ....either faked or real time earned playing. I’d love to be corrected though. I love my Fender Custom Shop Heavy Relic in Surf Green.
in canada a used PRS goes for less than 1000 CAD. They don't hold their value
@@fernank017 Are you sure you're not looking at the SE models?
I consider the the PRS story to be one of vision, goals, dedication and craftsmanship. Paul started small and successfully took on Gibson and Fender....no small feat !!
Kinda like a guy building a beautiful car in his garage that gets 100 mpg, opens a factory, and captures a significant portion of the automotive market.
I cannot afford their US built guitars but by all accounts their SE line is of high quality at more down to earth prices.
I know they are well built but I don't know if I'll ever own one because so many Nu-Metal artist used them and that's what I associate them being used for. They are beautiful though.
Yeah, I know that they sort of got pulled into that camp, sort of like what's happened with Strandberg. But like them, these are their own thing and respond to each player in their own way. The DGT's, McCartys, etc are a more vintage sort of tone.
PRS guitars respond to what you give them. They can fit your match if you will. John McLaughlin plays PRS and he's not nu-metal 🤪 It all comes down to "do you like it ?"
@@avielkharrat5788 Also, John Mayer
You can use any guitar to play any style. I never associated PRS just with Nu Metal.
Alot of the Nashville studio guys are using them now.
Great video, Keith!! My PRS story. I was heading over to jam with an old Guitar dude in Brooklyn NYC. I arrived at this place, knocked on the door. No one answered. I rang Cousin Vinny up on his cell phone to wake his ass up. I heard his phone ringing, but no answer. Tried a few more times. No answer. Got worried, Ran downstairs from the 3rd floor to the Manager's apartment. He answers the door and refuses to open Vinny's door. I said, "If Vinny is dead on the floor in there, your dead!" So I run back to my place in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, a 20-minute ride. Get my set of keys to Vinny's apartment.. I know, I should have had them with me. Damnit! Our other buddy had said to me the night before, that Vinny wasn't feeling that great jamming the night before. And try to get there a little early, which I did.
I get back to the apartment around 40 minutes after arriving the first time. I open the door and Vinny is lying on the floor in his apartment, flat on his back, unconscious, foam coming out of his mouth and one eye partially open. I sense no breathing.... SUCKS!!! I immediately began compressions, slapping the son of bitch across his face, on the phone with 911 to get here as quick as they can. I have cleared his mouth, gave him a few breaths, kept pumping on his chest. Not much response, but a bit of weazing. 4 of the biggest black EMT dudes show up. 6 and a half foot tall, 230-pound Dudes! They take over. Strap Vinny on a rack and vertically take him down the elevator and off to the hospital. Vinny laid in a coma for 2 months and another 2 months in critical care, But the MF'r survived!! He deserved to. He was the lead guitar player in The New York Bums back in the mid 70s. A sort of beginning punk band. I know, I tried to get him back to Rock and Roll and Blues, Which, after a couple of years prior to this note, he did.
I forgot to mention, Vinny has the best collection of vintage guitars in his one-bedroom apartment I have ever seen. Many are his original guitars from the late 60's and early 70's. Triple White SG with gold trim.1967. Gibson 335, 1976. Firebirds, Telecasters, Custom guitars he had made. Around 65 guitars last count. Anyway, while hanging out, helping him convalesce a year later, he opens a case, with a never-played Santana III guitar! He says, in his Brooklyn accent, Petaww. (My name is Peter) I wanted to give you this guitaww for saving my life last fall. I have around 20 guitars myself. So I said, you don't need to give me anything Vin. He made me take it. I have to say, I never played a PRS before. Or noticed one, for some odd reason. I immediately fell in love with the guitar. I don't know why Vin didn't play it. He just never did. It is now my go-to guitar in the Studio I have here in the Poconos, PA. And now, 6 years later, Vinny is doing pretty good. Oh, one day, a couple of years ago, he hands me another guitar case. He says, "I don't play this one either. Why don't you take it, you're a finger picker...." So I open that case, well, that was a 1969 Gibson SJ200 Mustache Bridge... WTF! Vinny is a great guy. a great friend. He didn't have to give me anything. But he gave me my two best go-to guitars I have today! Even better than my 57 Telecaster, and 64 Gretsch Chet Atkins. Ok, now I have to go plug in the Santana III and give it a workout. Thanks for the video Keith!!. Say hey to Rick B! for me. Vinny is coming out to a jam we are having here in a couple of weeks. Still kicking it at 67 years old. Oh, our birthdays are one day apart, July 13, and July 14.... Crazy stuff, eh?
Great story "Petawww". You're a good writer man.
I know I'm probably the minority here... But I can't seem to like PRS's, no matter how much I try to.
I know they are great guitars and sounds nice... well, go figure.
You're not the only one.
It's weird how that goes. I can't find a Les Paul that I like playing despite them being great looking guitars with good tone. They don't feel comfortable and I don't like how they're balanced.
I’ve just bought my second PRS guitar, a custom 24 SE. This guitar looks wonderful and I look forward to a rewarding relationship with it.