There is no actual proof that lacquer sounds any different than urethane. It has to do with the thickness of the finish. Lacquer does not breath, it is a sealer just like poly. It was designed to keep car bodies from rusting by sealing out air. Yes it is softer than poly and is more easily damaged. Personally given the same thickness, poly being harder should have LESS dampening effect on wood resonance, something to think about! Poly does protect the guitar much better. Lacquer spays very thin and poly very thick. Lacquer takes many coats, when poly first came out people sprayed it like lacquer making finishes way to thick and it got a bad rep. Paul's poly is very thin so I think going to lacquer is not good. He is just yielding to market pressure. For awhile we had people that said the wood had no affect on an electric guitar, I totally disagree, but guarantee the same guitar finished in the same thickness, NO ONE can hear a difference in lacquer or urethane.
@@donaldjuan4934 Wood again? I thought that finally was settled. I agree lac or poly won't matter but thickness does.and yes different woods DO yield different character to the tone. Tone wood is a bad term as some might prefer plywood. Anything that affects the strings vibration affects tone, simple physics.
I refinished 5 guitars from poly to nitro. The difference was always CONSIDERABLE. It opens tone, bumps high-mid tone range, cuts down annoying highs. Poly is used out of manufacturer's laziness, not because it's better. In fact, poly is such a crap that I was convinced as a child that electric guitars were made of plastic - cause they looked like toys from toys r us (majority of guitar brands only used poly in 90s). Nitro is tricky to work with. The instrument gets a more woodier character. If you can't hear it, stick with poly.
@@DamianSieradzki I agree but sustain is part of how it sounds. So if it affects how long the strings vibrate, it can also affect how they vibrate. Different woods can react differently to diff freq., dampening some and reflecting back to the strings others. True the PU imparts much of the tone but that is affected by how the string is vibrating. I've had many guitars over the years with many, many PU and hardware combo's and the only ones I've really liked the tone of is mohag with maple cap.
Yeah the wear and tear is a badge of pride for a wooden instrument that has been played, from a violin to an acoustic guitar. Personally I don't want an indestructible plastic coated guitar.
You can say that about vintage guitars, but a 3 year old guitar?? It doesn't even have a journey yet. All I hear was why would they use a finish that age way quicker than others. basically makes it artificial
@@allanwilsonberg9558 EXACTLY. I've seen 1960s Fender Strats that had been rode hard and put away wet their whole life, and still have a lot of life left in their frets. Might need a crown and level job, but still perfectly usable. A 5000$ guitar needing completely new frets after just 3 years of use is unacceptable.
Maybe, but maybe not....Hearkening back to Da Golden Age, which most players today know second-hand at best, through grainy old black and white kinescopes, fading photographs, and digital remastering of ancient vinyl, a pro-level guitar would run you as close to $400 as makes no difference. A dime then would buy you what a dollar now does, so there's little actual change in the true cost of what you're playing. $4000 used to be REAL money, but it's more like chump change anymore.
I’m probably the odd man here but I love it… it looks killer to me. Nitro is definitely different than poly. My 59 reissue looks like your PRS and I’m easy on it as well. There is nothing cooler than seeing your guitar age rather than a relic job at the factory
I can agree with that, just didn’t expect it to happen so early on ya know? A lot of guitars that we see replicated and relic’d are from the 50s and 60s, not 2019.
@@ZackSeifMusic yeah but they've been chipped and dinged since the 70s. They weren't pristine until yesterday. Is your guitar a nitro finish by any chance?
@@ZackSeifMusic EXACTOMO! that would be Audrey Hepburn`s line here!!! in the summertime in me humble apartemento in Finland the heat is on, ha : 26 Celcius morn til nite, and my Yamaha strats right side sweats with my forearm...: after many summers no sign of Rory Gallagher-swear-wear yet!! THIS 4000€/£/$ PRS guitar seems to me a very bad joke!! I am sad for your sake!
Hey, I suggest reaching out to PRS support with concerns. To the best of my knowledge, support is super responsive and always interested in player's feedback. A dealer had me send one of my guitars back to PRS years ago to look at a few things... Was the best service and response I've ever received. That was my experience, may not be the same for everyone, but I think it's worth it to send an email to them. Just my unsolicited 2 cents.
I've had horrible finish problems on my 2021 Core and sent it to PRS to see if it was a problem the warranty may resolve. It isn't covered. No finish issues are, they quoted me something around $2,000 for a refinish. No thanks
I picked up a Hollowbody II Piezo SE 2020 model that was used for 3 monrhs but mint, and I couldn't find a flaw on it. It was used in the studio only so I guess that's why. I played the heck out it for 9 months and took it everywhere, the MD shore, Killington VT in January, 22 trips in total and maybe 600 hours total. I sold it recently to get a LP Standard and it was in mint condition with only a tiny 1/8" light scratch by the Piezo input jack. I'm thinking it was an all-poly finish so maybe that's more durable than the Core version.
@@paulhendershott667 funny enough, playing Wobbly Barn in Killington was where I got my first bit of finish checking on this guitar! I was there in November 2021, and when I got home I noticed the spider webbing near the neck joint.
The reason I avoided PRS was because of the poly finishes. I'm actually picking a 2022 Custom 24 up tomorrow, which will be my first PRS. I'm delighted they've 'gone nitro' and I look forward to it growing old with me and looking as beat up as I do!
@@jukeboxjohnnieagreed. I prefer poly and im reluctant to spend a ton of $$$ on a PRS unless i can order a private stock version and specify that I want a poly clear coat otherwise im not going to bother.
The one thing I wish PRS would do is SS frets... I have multiple high end guitars. All of the modern ones have SS frets. They're going to last forever and bend easily. If I wanted vintage frets I'd buy an LP. I tend to prefer nitro, but agreed you should get an option to purchase poly. I bought 4 wood library PRS's in the last year, I probably won't buy anymore just due to price alone.
The only reason you would need stainless steel frets is if you play the same guitar hard everyday for like 20 years. If you have multiple and the guitar doesn't get overly played a lot then it's fine. Doesn't need them.
@@brandonbock4763 I think Mr. Smith is right. I only have one guitar with SS frets, and it sounds harsh compared to the identical model it replaced. My guitar tech said it was the SS fret wire, which I found hard to believe. So we swaped the necks (bolt on), it WAS the fret wire.
@@adrianguggisberg3656 there is a difference, but it is so miniscule and so easily changed by just about every other part of the guitar, like the tone knob. there is a difference, but there's just not enough significance to justify *not* doing them now
I'll never understand why you'd want your guitar to look beat up. "it tells a story" well read a book then?? It's so dumb using a finish for it to age quicker
The easy chipping and dinging is just the nature of nitrocellulose lacquer and doesn't have anything to do with the quality per se. Just a thought about price: a nitro finish is harder to do properly, takes longer than a poly finish and hence, is also more expensive to do. So, you are paying a premium for nitro even though it is a finish that gets beat up much quicker than poly
Which is something I don’t care for personally. I think it should be an option, otherwise everyone ends up paying more for something that depreciates faster. And while I’m not a collector I do believe that the more you pay the better the quality should be, as well as the more longevity should get from the tool.
@@ZackSeifMusicagreed. Even though this video is a year old and Ive just only seen it now it’s a concern. Allmy guitars have a poly clear coat and I prefer that. I’m not interested in a guitar that ages because it has a nitro finish. I don’t want it to age and if I accidentally ding/dent my poly guitars then so be it but poly is a lot more durable than nitro. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
It's sort of funny that what you're unhappy about is the very thing Gibson enthusiasts love! Put poly finishes on Gibson's and the watch the torch and pitch fork crowd surround the Gibson factory...
@@ZackSeifMusic Yes, I agree, that's what why I find this so interesting. Is it that PRS enthusiasts prefer poly finishes over nitro? I don't really know, but one of the criticisms of PRS was that they seem "sterile" compared to nitro finished guitars. I don't necessarily believe that, but it could be a reason PRS decided to change. Until the last few years I really didn't think it was a big deal. Apparently to many players, it is.
@@superlead1002 I think it’s mostly the vintage crowd that prefers nitro. Every company that makes a modern style guitar uses something more durable than Nitro so it’s really only for companies trying to make a vintage spec or looking guitar.
Hi, I also bought PRS custom 24 2019 model. I paid 3800€ and after two years of playing guitar is like yours, noticed freet wear, and the finish is super sensitive. I was also disappointed with their quality control and support.. They forgot to solder the bridge pickup on a 5-way switch, so the guitar suddenly died. When I took picture inside unsoldered pickup and tell them that they forgot to solder the answer "great that you fixed it, knowledge is power"... that's it. Maybe I'm to sensitive, but I expected some kind of apology or sorry we will send you t-shirt, or something at the end I have to save money for a long time before I could afford it.
Yeah I’m a bit disappointed overall at the longevity of the guitar especially since I have other guitars I’ve toured or owned for longer that are in much better shape.
The guitar that I use and gig everyday is showing wear??? That’s an appeal in my book. The frets being worn out prematurely sucks, but it depends on how you play.
Considering this is the only guitar that I own that has fret wear I am pretty disappointed especially since these guitars now retail for over $4000 and I have guitars that are worth half the price they have better quality fret material.
I bought a 2023 CE24 hollowbody and I’m not impressed, and unfortunately I cannot return it. It does not feel like a $2000 guitar at all. Pickups are almost too clear. Idk feels cheap compared to my 2000 McCarty
Yes, stainless steel frets will last longer. Nitro, is universally considered better for the resonance of the instrument, compared to catalysed, or Poly finishing, and it’s what most people expect/want. Nitro is more susceptible to Patina, and wear, but the some of the dents on you guitar appear to be quite deep, and therefore no reflection of the craftsmanship or quality of the instrument, and more the result of individual circumstances/impact, that would have resulted in the same outcome on other expensive guitars with the same finish. As you said on an Instagram post about this specific guitar, it ‘has seen well over 100 rehearsals and shows’. That statement pretty much explains/answers your concerns.
Coincidentally, I had completely ruled out PRS because I assumed the finish was too tough, would not "relic" naturally like a classic nitro finish, and basically last like a poly finish would. If it wears this fast, I might actually consider PRS again. From what I was reading on forums, their new CAB over Nitro is extremely durable. So there's a good chance this example is just an anomaly.
@@ZackSeifMusic The V12 finish was super thin, prior to that it was thicker. My 2001 McCarty has a heavier finish. It’s not a big deal to me because it’s how a guitar plays that matters to me. The finish is somewhat inconsequential unless having it look like it’s never been played is important.
Not at all, i think they have this philosophy “thin coat = sound great”. I have a 509 WL 2021 flame maple neck and finger board. the wood is puffy because humidity (Thailand). I just refinished the neck with oil now
I would feel the same way! But I wouldn’t necessarily consider PRS a “modern “ guitar as it lacks the SS frets, poly finish, etc. They seem to be reaching for a more vintage ideal. And I wonder if a similarly priced custom shop strat with a nitro finish and nickel frets would show similar wear so soon?
@@ZackSeifMusic Thanks! That's a good point - typical relicing of the CS strats does make it hard to use as a comparison. I was really just curious about how other new, similarly priced instruments built using "vintage" specs might hold up to frequent gigging/traveling
I agree with you man. Folks can say what they want about it being "a tool and not a museum piece," but when it comes right down to it part of the appeal of PRS guitars for ME is that they are beautiful-looking. If I've had the thing for several years I can deal with a little wear, but anything THAT expensive should be expected to hold up a bit longer.
I have a $4,500 PRS, and the entire finish has faded. It looks really unique and cool, but it should not be happening on an instrument of this caliber and price. They should stand by their products 1000%
Water based color and poly clear coat that is the issue. I live in Thailand and most prs core get cloudy, foggy, hazy in 2-3 years. I email prs cs and it is my fault because too humid and too hot in my country..they never says they choose the wrong color type (water base) and coat with polyurethane (thinner), which help keep the humidity inside the wood. Good luck for You american that can easily send it back to refinish, but not for the rest of the world
You have to accept that nitro is softer than poly - that's just the way it is. PRS also apply their nitro very thinly to give their guitars more resonance. However, nitro wears more smoothly in my opinion. Whereas poly chips and looks ugly, plus it leaves sharp edges when it does so. I have an early DGT that's nitro and it's wearing/fading very nicely through normal use. I also have a poly 513 that has chipped/flaked in places and I've had to lightly sand those areas to avoid the sharp edges (along the edge of the neck for example where the poly has lifted), which in turn will chip further or cause you damage if you catch them. So, for me it's nitro every time. I see your point about the fret wear but changing your frets to stainless will change the tone of the guitar significantly...which you may or may not like.
The problem is that it wasn’t disclosed that with was a CAB/Nitro finish because they were transitioning during 2019 so it’s literally impossible to know until now. Pretty disappointing in my opinion.
As for the frets...you could get a shop to replace it qith stainless. Paul has said himself that PRSs will never be built qith them because Nivkel has "better sound"
Interesting. I just got a 2017 S2 and was a bit bummed it wasn't nitro, maybe not so much now after seeing this. Out of interest what are you using on the rear of the trem? I'm guessing it's to block it?
One thing to keep in mind is Paul listens to his big money spending fans. They’ve been upset about the poly finish he’s had on the core models for years. They would ding and that ding would chip off the clear coat and go straight to wood. A nitro finish in theory should age in a more appealing way. I think he is just trying to make his fans happy believe it or not.
And again I don’t fault him for making the guitars that he wants to make. I think this is still the best sounding PRS guitar that I’ve ever owned, however I’m just disappointed at how quickly it’s deteriorating and I feel that they just aren’t built as well as the pre-2019 models with the older poly finishes. They always had such a thin coat of finish (just a couple of human hairs thick), so I don’t understand why the entire lineup needs to be made of nitro considering it’s hell for touring and gigging musicians which are still a good chunk of their customer base.
@@ZackSeifMusic it’s not deteriorating it’s aging, I have a ‘63 Strat and ‘60 Les Paul Special both have well aged nitro finishes, rust on the pole pieces bridges and screws and wear through on the necks, and they look and sound beautiful and are still fully functional with all original parts after 60 years of heavy use. Your PRS is probably better constructed than either of my vintage pieces and will probably outlive you
Is this really Brandon? The one that I was on the road with all those years?? We were in L.A. in the winter of 81'-82'. Or was it 82-83'?? Then we went to Athens, I think. But you went to Israel with Benamel shortly after.
I don’t get it? Your blaming the finish for buckle rash? I love Nitro finishes, and have a 03’ McCarty, that’s like a vampire, it doesn’t show its age. Honestly, I think this issue is subjective and based on one’s personal taste. But I say, enjoy the wear and tear as a badge of honor as a player and not as a collector.
It’s much more than that. And my buckle never shows over my shirt nor do I wear my strap that low. If you watch around the halfway point there’s damage all over the guitar and fretboard.
My friend has two Prs guitars, and loves them very much. The issue that I have seen with them, is they don't seem to stay in tune. I'm not saying that all them are like this, but it's just my experience. Has anyone else seen this?
Typically a new nut and proper setup can alleviate 90% of tuning issues. I found that mine didn't go out of tune any more or less than my other guitars on the road.
Meanwhile my 93 CU24's finish is so thick and so hard. I've beaten the crap out of the guitar in the years I've had it and there are only a handful of dents/dings.
As I mentioned in the video there was no way of knowing this guitar had a Nitro/CAB finish, as the PRS website states that guitars made in 2019 had both finishes as they slowly transitioned for 2020.
I bought a PRS CE right after they first started making bolt on necks. It had the rotary pickup switch and the lever lock tuners. I loved that guitar. It was everything I could ever want in a solid body axe. Sadly I had to sell it. I've played a bunch of new PRS guitars and they just don't cut it. I don't know what they changed but they just don't have the sound that mine did. Sorry, PRS, you lost me.
That would be my Majesty, that I have been gigging for about five years now, and the only damage on that guitar is one ding on the front from when I dropped it in my studio on my Kemper pedalboard. Other than that it is super clean. Same thing with my JP 15, where the only wear is a small ding in the head stock that was there when I bought it used. As well as my Kiesel Vader that only has 2 nicks from having something dropped on it in studio. No wear from touring. All used with the PRS on the same tours and gigs and sessions.
My 2010 USA Tremonti has the V12 finish and it is still like new in appearance and I’ve played it a ton over the years. Have they said why they changed to Nitro?
Only thing I agree with is they should have SS frets atleast as an option for the same price. The other points are how you feel and I can respect that.
The tonal difference is definitely debatable. My 2015 Custom 24 sounded just as good as this, and I’ve played Les Pauls that sounded terrible compared to poly coated guitars from other brands. It’s always the sum of the parts, so I don’t buy into the whole “nitro is better” when it’s an objectively terrible finish option. It’s just what they used back in the day and people are afraid of change. Not sure why Paul went to nitro instead of moving forward with something a bit more durable.
In an electric guitar the only thing that matters is the pickup selection. The science is in on that as far as I am concerned. PRS makes the best guitars and I don’t care about the finish as long as it looks nice. I don’t take the nice stuff out of the house anyway. All that said I don’t generally buy new guitars. There are way too many nice used guitars for half the price.
So it’s wearing like any Fender or Les Paul now ? People pay extra to have brand new guitars to look aged with buckle rash, nicks and dings and you’re upset the guitar you have looks like you’ve been using it ?
I have 2021 CE24 with nitro on it, and I’m really happy that prs did this transition because I buy all my guitars only with nitro and didn’t buy a PRS before because I hate poly
prs makes a guitar that doesnt wear like "classic" fenders did. people complain. prs make a change to paints and finishes and they start to wear quicker. people complain. the thing i do agree with is the fret wear, they dont have to be stainless (it doesnt bother me what they are made from) but i do agree that i want longer lasting frets
@@ZackSeifMusic the only thing I can think of was this was a “bad run” of nickle, prs isn’t making it themselves so it leaves them open to some potential flaws which wouldn’t show until usage Hopefully it doesn’t cost much to put SS frets on
The finish issues you mentioned is why I get used now. My last new guitar was a Gibson CS336. It was a good guitar, but the frets wore out quick and the finish started bubbling. No more new for me. The SS frets (lack of) is an issue for me too. I fret pretty hard. I just bought a used Paul’s guitar and I’m dreading when they wear down. It already happened on my LP R8.
I own a PRS Wood Library Modern Eagle V with a Nitro Finish. The guitar was manufactured in May of 2023 and I've been using it as my daily driver for practice and jamming. I'm very happy with my purchase and the quality of the instrument. You should expect wear and tear, it's part of owning any guitar, shoes, jeans, etc... The frets will have to be dressed or replaced eventually because yes, PRS uses nickel for their frets. Consider having your fret wire replaced with Jescar or Stainless Steel frets. The nitro finish on my guitar is wearing adequately in the hot spots (arm rest, bridge, neck), and the chrome is starting to show signs of wear. This is nothing to be alarmed by, since it shows precisely how the guitar (or any guitar) is being used by the player.
If wear on a tool you use a majority of the time is an issue for you, I'd suggest just collecting guitars and not playing them. Otherwise, deal, with it. That's what they're for. To be used. Dinged up. Scratched. 🙄🤦
I love PRS, but, why not stainless steel frets? and also direct mount the pickups and get rid of those rings and gain some improvements in clarity and phasing of strings/pickups resonance.
No matter the brand , metal belt buckles , chains , studs and even rivets in jeans don't mix well with wood . It's the players choice how they treat the instrument . Just my opinion . Even a lot of rings will create wear .
Mass production operations are always looking for ways to increase production while reducing costs. And while not all brands are all the same and some prioritize quality more than others, it doesn't surprise me to hear this.
They don’t do stainless steel frets at all. I would still have to pay to get that done and that’s not very cheap either. So unfortunately the only option is to just not buy a PRS brand new again; just have to stick to used models from before 2019.
WL guitars are only for signature dealers unless they've changed something recently. I believe the minimum order is 10, or at least it was when I got my 594 from a run Eddie's did in back in 2017. This isn't the first complaint I've seen on this issue, just saw a couple on the PRS forum this week. PRS has a history of adopting new finish formulas that develop issues not revealed in testing. The V12 finish comes to mind and I believe there was another a few years before that. I'm thankful my 2017 was made during a "good finish" era :)
I've owned multiple Paul Reed Smith Guitars for over 15 years and to be totally honest I'm getting sick of looking at them. I've been jumping on to Boutique and budget guitars lately for modding
I dont understand, who was playing the guitar? You right, well i have a 1993 prs custom and i cant seem to see much ageing or dings. That's why the older prs guitars mostly from 1985-1993 are really special.
@@ZackSeifMusic yeah, they are both incredible finishes. I really love that configuration. Next week will arrive to me a PRS custom 22 2003 sunburst with dragon 2 pu, can't wait🙌🏻
Yes I did, and they basically said "nothing we can do except overcharge for a fret dress and level". So I took the guitar to someone to do a full SS refret at almost the same cost and have been using it ever since.
I’ve got a 94 PRs that’s still absolutely perfect. Couple of very small dings however not bad for 30 year old guitar. Does anyone know kind finish they used back then
I personally hated the old finish. Felt like the South Korean guitars (Samick, Cort, WMI) and certain Japanese ESP brands that are in a candy coated shell of polyester. I don't really mind if it comes off more easily, it feels miles better to me. 🤷
You're not alone or imagining things, I just saw 2 identical complaints on the PRS forum this week. Maybe Paul is trying to sabotage the used market by ensuring they'll all be beat to crap in a year. Sorry to hear this is happening, and that it's not being acknowledged by PRS as a warranty issue :)
Yeah I was a little let down when I read through their warranty. In my opinion their warranty doesn’t cover anything unless it’s somehow defective out of the box.
yep i sold my ce24 semi hollow because of the finish marked so so so easily was a joke you just look at it and it would mark etc i sold it because of it. Ive had nitro guitars and still do and they don't mark like the pre did mine was a 2021 model Im with you very disappointed that its that soft.
It's a shame that they switched to Nitro. Their finish was already only 3 human hairs thick to begin with. The guitars they make today aren't meant for gigging :/
It's not just the product... It's how it's applied, you can do a two coat system of finish but if you can afford the time, it's always better to do thin but wet coats multiple times, achieving the build slowly which maximizes the materials strength and lustre properties... Its just chemistry and a tiny bit of common sense...
Not saying it applies to you, your criticisms are valid but for ages people have been complaining about PRS being >$4000 guitars that dont use nitro and now many of the same people are complaining because they are having issues that are inherent on nitro finished guitars
Yeah, because nitro is somehow magic for a finish. To me, when they did that, they said, hey our old stuff sounds awful. I'd rather have a finish that wears better. No one sees a rusty car and calls it "mojo".
@@Scott__C I'm not saying either os better, my point is just that PRS did what their customers asked and are getting flack from the same customers for it! I dont understand why they dont just give a choice of nitro or non-nitro so people can buy what they want and be happy
It’s a 3-D printed Block that my guitar tech made. Since every cavity is different, and people have different set ups and string gauge preferences, you’d have to measure the exact dimensions of your guitar specific cavity in order to get the proper fit.
I would be longing/buying new PRS guitar exactly for the things you mention - the easy to wear nitro finish and the lack of stainless steel frets which sound I am not a fan of :)
The implication is that the more you spend, the better a guitar will be. I’d rather take a €400 Harley Benton with a good setup to gigs than a €4000 piece of highly manicured wood. I own two Murphy Lab Gibsons and while they’re very good and what they should be, they are not better than guitars that cost less eg. My Suhr. I’m in the market for a single cut at almost any price, so if that’s €200 or €2000 as long as its right, nothing else matters.
We all know that finish and types of wood make no difference in the sound an electric guitar makes coming out of an amp, but it does make a difference in how it vibrates in the hands and against your body, albeit very subtle. Also, most people play their amps at volumes where you can still faintly hear the acoustic properties of the guitar mixed in with the sound of the amp and this can color the sound slightly. Also, you can't deny the psychological aspect where you know you have a specific lacquer or fretboard material or body wood and it changes how you feel about the guitar as well. All this adds up to a definite perceivable difference to the player.
Hey Zack! Informative, as always. One question, though - as you flipped the guitar over, there's a blue plastic-ish trem-stopper you've got in there. I've never seen one like that - what brand and model, and what are your pros and cons with it? Thanks!
Hey Ed! Thanks for watching. It’s a 3-D printed trem block my tech made. They are made to measure as every cavity is different so you’d need to measure your cavity with precision then ask someone with a printer to make it.
Over the last fortnight I've looked at PRS's and Suhrs and ultimately Suhr won out two nights ago. I still want a PRS but the stainless steel frets on the Suhr Standard Legacy I bought are going to last a very, very long time.
If you know someone with a 3D printer you can have them measure the exact distance in both sides of the bridge then make the block as appropriate. Unfortunately it’s not a one-size-fits-all, so my tech makes them for each guitar as needed based on setup etc.
Buckle rash? Rust on pole pieces? That has nothing to do with the finish. It doesn’t matter what finish one uses, if you wear a belt buckle, you’re going to bang the back of your guitar up. I don’t play PRS guitars because they are to pretty to gig for me.
@@ralphbenitez4407 only 18 months of hard gigging on it. But again, my Musicman, Kiesel, and other guitars with the same amount of usage are in much better shape. It’s just this one PRS that looks beat.
@@ralphbenitez4407 only 18 months of hard gigging on it. But again, my Musicman, Kiesel, and other guitars with the same amount of usage are in much better shape. It’s just this one PRS that looks beat.
One other note, I have scaled back my PRS's to just 3 core 22's from 2009-2010. 1 is lacquer and receives less usage (cause it's my favorite), original 57/08's etc. but has more dings that the 2 poly ones. All sound great. Have an older SE made in Korea one that hangs out by my computer all the time. Grab it for everything except gigs and it's almost spotless.
Kind of like the restaurant that was famous for its thick and delicious clam chowder. One day, the manager decided the restaurant would make more money by watering down the clam chowder. It worked for a while. But eventually, the loyal customers started going to other restaurants.
People pay good money to get guitars custom finished to be like this. Pretty funny how some people want guitars to wear as hard as possible, while some want them to look new until they die. There's no one way to feel about that.
Thank you for your video. I've been thinking of buying a brand new guitar and I really like the PRS SE Custom 24-08 quilt top in faded blue burst finish from Sweetwater. But if your 4-grand guitar has such a fast wear, I don't know what to expect from a $1,049 dollars one. I'm neither rich nor a pro musician, so that amount of money is kind of a luxury for me right now...
Different production lines have different finishes and even 2 of the same model may age differently. I advise going used so you can save the depreciation and get something that'll last just as long as:)
Looks still great on camera, I personally don't like poly finish, feels too plastic and gets sticky easier in my hands. If you are a pro, refret on a 3 years period does not sound out of this world to me.
Good to know this stuff about the new PRS because I don't know if I'm willing to pay about $5000 for a brand new guitar...Do you have any alternatives to someone who wants to buy a PRS custom 24 core? How about Musicman guitars such as the JP15 model?
Other than the fretwear, I'm good with aging of a guitar--nicks, dings, finish fading and checking etc. All guitars should have stainless frets, I'll give you that.
I'm fine with the wear, it was mostly the frets that bother me the most. But also the fact that PRS didn't tell you if your 2019 model was Poly or Nitro so I had no way of knowing before purchasing as I mentioned throughout the video.
That's crazy, do you know if it has a nitro finish? That's the only explanation for that much wear that quickly. A poly finish would be durable enough to prevent much of that surface wear and even dings as it's much harder than nitro. Just a tip, you might want to get yourself the Stew Mac Color Tone polishing kit. It's 3 bottles of polishing compund that progresses in grit to super fine. It will remove things like buckle rash and and even small gouges in the finish. It makes them invisible basically. I think the kit is around $50 from Stew Mac but you will need a drill and some foam polishing pad drill attachments. I got mine from Amazon for pretty cheap. I use that polishing kit more than I thought I would have. It's definitely worth the investment if you have a bunch of guitars.
This is a common problem with PRS there are a lot of people talking about how the paint fades on certain colors after less than 5 years as well. PRS has turned into a guitar company for non-musicians, aside from some models like the Silver Sky. They are mainly now for people to display
Spoken by someone who probably has never owned one. Come on man, have you taken a survey of musicians? How can you make a generalization of something you don't know anything about? Where is your evidence of this?
@@vedder10 wrong again I have owned 2. And there is plenty of evidence. Check out Audiomo’s channel he has had it happened to several of his. And him and I have both had audio engineers tell us on our records to not use certain PRS guitars we have had and they sounded muddy when we tried to record with them. You’re an idiot
There are dozens if not hundreds of cases of their V12 and current Nitro/CAB finishes fading, being more brittle, and getting "milky" after a few years. It's well documented in the forums. I agree with this comment because I've seen it myself.
The Bizarre thing is a friend of mine has a couple of high end PRS Guitar and has the same issues as you, Yet i have 3 PRS SEs.. including a Bernie Marsden Model and a 2013 Angelus Both have "Nitro" finishes and still look amazing.. I can only imagine that Indonesian nitro is more bullet proof than its American counterpart.
I find strange you say "most" builders use SS frets nowadays. That might not be the case. Also, nitro breaks easier, but the only true reason that builders use Poly is because it is easier and cheaper to apply. I own a couple of cool guitars, but Nitro, one has stainless steel. Both superb. PRS guitars are on my radar and I think they are great instruments.
There is no actual proof that lacquer sounds any different than urethane. It has to do with the thickness of the finish. Lacquer does not breath, it is a sealer just like poly. It was designed to keep car bodies from rusting by sealing out air. Yes it is softer than poly and is more easily damaged. Personally given the same thickness, poly being harder should have LESS dampening effect on wood resonance, something to think about! Poly does protect the guitar much better. Lacquer spays very thin and poly very thick. Lacquer takes many coats, when poly first came out people sprayed it like lacquer making finishes way to thick and it got a bad rep. Paul's poly is very thin so I think going to lacquer is not good. He is just yielding to market pressure. For awhile we had people that said the wood had no affect on an electric guitar, I totally disagree, but guarantee the same guitar finished in the same thickness, NO ONE can hear a difference in lacquer or urethane.
I agree. PRS has historically used the thinnest finishes and they all sound and breath the same.
@@donaldjuan4934 Wood again? I thought that finally was settled. I agree lac or poly won't matter but thickness does.and yes different woods DO yield different character to the tone. Tone wood is a bad term as some might prefer plywood. Anything that affects the strings vibration affects tone, simple physics.
I refinished 5 guitars from poly to nitro. The difference was always CONSIDERABLE. It opens tone, bumps high-mid tone range, cuts down annoying highs. Poly is used out of manufacturer's laziness, not because it's better. In fact, poly is such a crap that I was convinced as a child that electric guitars were made of plastic - cause they looked like toys from toys r us (majority of guitar brands only used poly in 90s).
Nitro is tricky to work with. The instrument gets a more woodier character. If you can't hear it, stick with poly.
Wood can only impact the sustain... but not the way it sounds.
@@DamianSieradzki I agree but sustain is part of how it sounds. So if it affects how long the strings vibrate, it can also affect how they vibrate. Different woods can react differently to diff freq., dampening some and reflecting back to the strings others. True the PU imparts much of the tone but that is affected by how the string is vibrating. I've had many guitars over the years with many, many PU and hardware combo's and the only ones I've really liked the tone of is mohag with maple cap.
Cry about it… After you get a good cry in you might start to appreciate that guitars journey. All I heard was I play this guitar alot and it’s worn…
Yeah the wear and tear is a badge of pride for a wooden instrument that has been played, from a violin to an acoustic guitar. Personally I don't want an indestructible plastic coated guitar.
Fair enough.
You can say that about vintage guitars, but a 3 year old guitar?? It doesn't even have a journey yet. All I hear was why would they use a finish that age way quicker than others. basically makes it artificial
@@allanwilsonberg9558 EXACTLY. I've seen 1960s Fender Strats that had been rode hard and put away wet their whole life, and still have a lot of life left in their frets. Might need a crown and level job, but still perfectly usable. A 5000$ guitar needing completely new frets after just 3 years of use is unacceptable.
4000 dollars is a ridiculous sum to spend on any new guitar period.
Unless you have the money .
Maybe, but maybe not....Hearkening back to Da Golden Age, which most players today know second-hand at best, through grainy old black and white kinescopes, fading photographs, and digital remastering of ancient vinyl, a pro-level guitar would run you as close to $400 as makes no difference. A dime then would buy you what a dollar now does, so there's little actual change in the true cost of what you're playing. $4000 used to be REAL money, but it's more like chump change anymore.
I’m probably the odd man here but I love it… it looks killer to me. Nitro is definitely different than poly. My 59 reissue looks like your PRS and I’m easy on it as well. There is nothing cooler than seeing your guitar age rather than a relic job at the factory
I can agree with that, just didn’t expect it to happen so early on ya know? A lot of guitars that we see replicated and relic’d are from the 50s and 60s, not 2019.
@@ZackSeifMusic yeah but they've been chipped and dinged since the 70s. They weren't pristine until yesterday. Is your guitar a nitro finish by any chance?
@@ZackSeifMusic EXACTOMO! that would be Audrey Hepburn`s line here!!! in the summertime in me humble apartemento in Finland the heat is on, ha : 26 Celcius morn til nite, and my Yamaha strats right side sweats with my forearm...: after many summers no sign of Rory Gallagher-swear-wear yet!!
THIS 4000€/£/$ PRS guitar seems to me a very bad joke!! I am sad for your sake!
Hey, I suggest reaching out to PRS support with concerns. To the best of my knowledge, support is super responsive and always interested in player's feedback. A dealer had me send one of my guitars back to PRS years ago to look at a few things... Was the best service and response I've ever received. That was my experience, may not be the same for everyone, but I think it's worth it to send an email to them. Just my unsolicited 2 cents.
Sounds like a good idea, appreciate it Steven.
I've had horrible finish problems on my 2021 Core and sent it to PRS to see if it was a problem the warranty may resolve. It isn't covered. No finish issues are, they quoted me something around $2,000 for a refinish. No thanks
I picked up a Hollowbody II Piezo SE 2020 model that was used for 3 monrhs but mint, and I couldn't find a flaw on it. It was used in the studio only so I guess that's why. I played the heck out it for 9 months and took it everywhere, the MD shore, Killington VT in January, 22 trips in total and maybe 600 hours total. I sold it recently to get a LP Standard and it was in mint condition with only a tiny 1/8" light scratch by the Piezo input jack. I'm thinking it was an all-poly finish so maybe that's more durable than the Core version.
@@RockItTeer yeah their pricing is unreal
@@paulhendershott667 funny enough, playing Wobbly Barn in Killington was where I got my first bit of finish checking on this guitar! I was there in November 2021, and when I got home I noticed the spider webbing near the neck joint.
To each their own! If it's the guitar you play most often, chips & dents happen no matter how careful you are. Consider them a badge of honor!
They are definitely badges of honor, just didn’t expect them so soon haha
2:32 ya dummy
The reason I avoided PRS was because of the poly finishes. I'm actually picking a 2022 Custom 24 up tomorrow, which will be my first PRS. I'm delighted they've 'gone nitro' and I look forward to it growing old with me and looking as beat up as I do!
It will look beat up, I wish mine was poly
@@jukeboxjohnnieagreed. I prefer poly and im reluctant to spend a ton of $$$ on a PRS unless i can order a private stock version and specify that I want a poly clear coat otherwise im not going to bother.
Yeah, anyone who knows guitars would prefer a nitro finish. This is a really silly gripe!
@@VIDS2013 been playing for 50 years mate. It’s a personal preference.
@PeterMoore350 I've been playing for 45 years. And I've never encountered a guitar that wouldn't sound better if finished in nitro lacquer.
The one thing I wish PRS would do is SS frets... I have multiple high end guitars. All of the modern ones have SS frets. They're going to last forever and bend easily. If I wanted vintage frets I'd buy an LP. I tend to prefer nitro, but agreed you should get an option to purchase poly. I bought 4 wood library PRS's in the last year, I probably won't buy anymore just due to price alone.
I totally agree with everything you are saying.
Paul won’t use SS. He claims they change the tone for the worse. I think he’s wrong as do most people.
The only reason you would need stainless steel frets is if you play the same guitar hard everyday for like 20 years. If you have multiple and the guitar doesn't get overly played a lot then it's fine. Doesn't need them.
@@brandonbock4763 I think Mr. Smith is right. I only have one guitar with SS frets, and it sounds harsh compared to the identical model it replaced. My guitar tech said it was the SS fret wire, which I found hard to believe. So we swaped the necks (bolt on), it WAS the fret wire.
@@adrianguggisberg3656 there is a difference, but it is so miniscule and so easily changed by just about every other part of the guitar, like the tone knob. there is a difference, but there's just not enough significance to justify *not* doing them now
I'll never understand why you'd want your guitar to look beat up. "it tells a story" well read a book then?? It's so dumb using a finish for it to age quicker
The easy chipping and dinging is just the nature of nitrocellulose lacquer and doesn't have anything to do with the quality per se. Just a thought about price: a nitro finish is harder to do properly, takes longer than a poly finish and hence, is also more expensive to do. So, you are paying a premium for nitro even though it is a finish that gets beat up much quicker than poly
Which is something I don’t care for personally. I think it should be an option, otherwise everyone ends up paying more for something that depreciates faster. And while I’m not a collector I do believe that the more you pay the better the quality should be, as well as the more longevity should get from the tool.
@@ZackSeifMusicagreed. Even though this video is a year old and Ive just only seen it now it’s a concern.
Allmy guitars have a poly clear coat and I prefer that. I’m not interested in a guitar that ages because it has a nitro finish. I don’t want it to age and if I accidentally ding/dent my poly guitars then so be it but poly is a lot more durable than nitro.
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
Well nitro finishes are known to wear that's why people like it.
how about frets rust after 2 years! in a 4000 buck PRS?
It's sort of funny that what you're unhappy about is the very thing Gibson enthusiasts love! Put poly finishes on Gibson's and the watch the torch and pitch fork crowd surround the Gibson factory...
But that is the appeal of Gibson and their finishes. PRS weren’t using this finish till recently and it wasn’t well known until after I bought mine.
@@ZackSeifMusic Yes, I agree, that's what why I find this so interesting. Is it that PRS enthusiasts prefer poly finishes over nitro? I don't really know, but one of the criticisms of PRS was that they seem "sterile" compared to nitro finished guitars. I don't necessarily believe that, but it could be a reason PRS decided to change. Until the last few years I really didn't think it was a big deal. Apparently to many players, it is.
@@superlead1002 I think it’s mostly the vintage crowd that prefers nitro. Every company that makes a modern style guitar uses something more durable than Nitro so it’s really only for companies trying to make a vintage spec or looking guitar.
my thoughts exactly. Maybe he should just be a little more careful with his guitar. Who wears belt buckles behind any guitar?
Hi, I also bought PRS custom 24 2019 model. I paid 3800€ and after two years of playing guitar is like yours, noticed freet wear, and the finish is super sensitive. I was also disappointed with their quality control and support.. They forgot to solder the bridge pickup on a 5-way switch, so the guitar suddenly died. When I took picture inside unsoldered pickup and tell them that they forgot to solder the answer "great that you fixed it, knowledge is power"... that's it. Maybe I'm to sensitive, but I expected some kind of apology or sorry we will send you t-shirt, or something at the end I have to save money for a long time before I could afford it.
Yeah I’m a bit disappointed overall at the longevity of the guitar especially since I have other guitars I’ve toured or owned for longer that are in much better shape.
I completely agree!! Spending $4000 to $5000 on a guitar just to have it deteriorate that fast wouldn’t just break my heart it would pizz me off!!
The guitar that I use and gig everyday is showing wear??? That’s an appeal in my book. The frets being worn out prematurely sucks, but it depends on how you play.
Considering this is the only guitar that I own that has fret wear I am pretty disappointed especially since these guitars now retail for over $4000 and I have guitars that are worth half the price they have better quality fret material.
I bought a 2023 CE24 hollowbody and I’m not impressed, and unfortunately I cannot return it. It does not feel like a $2000 guitar at all. Pickups are almost too clear. Idk feels cheap compared to my 2000 McCarty
Yes, stainless steel frets will last longer.
Nitro, is universally considered better for the resonance of the instrument, compared to catalysed, or Poly finishing, and it’s what most people expect/want. Nitro is more susceptible to Patina, and wear, but the some of the dents on you guitar appear to be quite deep, and therefore no reflection of the craftsmanship or quality of the instrument, and more the result of individual circumstances/impact, that would have resulted in the same outcome on other expensive guitars with the same finish. As you said on an Instagram post about this specific guitar, it ‘has seen well over 100 rehearsals and shows’. That statement pretty much explains/answers your concerns.
Coincidentally, I had completely ruled out PRS because I assumed the finish was too tough, would not "relic" naturally like a classic nitro finish, and basically last like a poly finish would. If it wears this fast, I might actually consider PRS again. From what I was reading on forums, their new CAB over Nitro is extremely durable. So there's a good chance this example is just an anomaly.
PRS finishes have historically been very thin (only a few human hairs thick). Guitars made post 2019 will wear faster.
@@ZackSeifMusic
The V12 finish was super thin, prior to that it was thicker. My 2001 McCarty has a heavier finish. It’s not a big deal to me because it’s how a guitar plays that matters to me. The finish is somewhat inconsequential unless having it look like it’s never been played is important.
Not at all, i think they have this philosophy “thin coat = sound great”. I have a 509 WL 2021 flame maple neck and finger board. the wood is puffy because humidity (Thailand). I just refinished the neck with oil now
I would feel the same way! But I wouldn’t necessarily consider PRS a “modern “ guitar as it lacks the SS frets, poly finish, etc. They seem to be reaching for a more vintage ideal. And I wonder if a similarly priced custom shop strat with a nitro finish and nickel frets would show similar wear so soon?
I owned a CS Strat and it played great. Mine was already heavily aged when I got it though so I couldn’t tell you unfortunately.
@@ZackSeifMusic Thanks! That's a good point - typical relicing of the CS strats does make it hard to use as a comparison. I was really just curious about how other new, similarly priced instruments built using "vintage" specs might hold up to frequent gigging/traveling
I was wondering the same this. Would a Gibson have the same level of damage because I bet is it would, or possibly worse.
I agree with you man. Folks can say what they want about it being "a tool and not a museum piece," but when it comes right down to it part of the appeal of PRS guitars for ME is that they are beautiful-looking. If I've had the thing for several years I can deal with a little wear, but anything THAT expensive should be expected to hold up a bit longer.
100% agree!!!
I have a $4,500 PRS, and the entire finish has faded. It looks really unique and cool, but it should not be happening on an instrument of this caliber and price. They should stand by their products 1000%
Totally agree
Water based color and poly clear coat that is the issue. I live in Thailand and most prs core get cloudy, foggy, hazy in 2-3 years. I email prs cs and it is my fault because too humid and too hot in my country..they never says they choose the wrong color type (water base) and coat with polyurethane (thinner), which help keep the humidity inside the wood. Good luck for You american that can easily send it back to refinish, but not for the rest of the world
You have to accept that nitro is softer than poly - that's just the way it is. PRS also apply their nitro very thinly to give their guitars more resonance. However, nitro wears more smoothly in my opinion. Whereas poly chips and looks ugly, plus it leaves sharp edges when it does so. I have an early DGT that's nitro and it's wearing/fading very nicely through normal use. I also have a poly 513 that has chipped/flaked in places and I've had to lightly sand those areas to avoid the sharp edges (along the edge of the neck for example where the poly has lifted), which in turn will chip further or cause you damage if you catch them. So, for me it's nitro every time.
I see your point about the fret wear but changing your frets to stainless will change the tone of the guitar significantly...which you may or may not like.
The problem is that it wasn’t disclosed that with was a CAB/Nitro finish because they were transitioning during 2019 so it’s literally impossible to know until now. Pretty disappointing in my opinion.
@@ZackSeifMusic Normally you can smell if it's nitro (think Pear Drops).
You are absolutly right, well done...!!!
I hope the people at PRS see this video, and give a reaction.
They got back to me saying they do a partial refret at the same price I paid for my full SS refret
As for the frets...you could get a shop to replace it qith stainless. Paul has said himself that PRSs will never be built qith them because Nivkel has "better sound"
Which I really don’t buy into considering my Musicman guitars sound incredible with SS frets.
@@ZackSeifMusic Pretty much everything Paul says is marketing :)
Interesting. I just got a 2017 S2 and was a bit bummed it wasn't nitro, maybe not so much now after seeing this. Out of interest what are you using on the rear of the trem? I'm guessing it's to block it?
It was 3-D printed by my guitar tech.
@@ZackSeifMusic Nice, wish he sold em commercially looks a great idea 👍
One thing to keep in mind is Paul listens to his big money spending fans. They’ve been upset about the poly finish he’s had on the core models for years. They would ding and that ding would chip off the clear coat and go straight to wood. A nitro finish in theory should age in a more appealing way.
I think he is just trying to make his fans happy believe it or not.
And again I don’t fault him for making the guitars that he wants to make. I think this is still the best sounding PRS guitar that I’ve ever owned, however I’m just disappointed at how quickly it’s deteriorating and I feel that they just aren’t built as well as the pre-2019 models with the older poly finishes. They always had such a thin coat of finish (just a couple of human hairs thick), so I don’t understand why the entire lineup needs to be made of nitro considering it’s hell for touring and gigging musicians which are still a good chunk of their customer base.
@@ZackSeifMusic it’s not deteriorating it’s aging, I have a ‘63 Strat and ‘60 Les Paul Special both have well aged nitro finishes, rust on the pole pieces bridges and screws and wear through on the necks, and they look and sound beautiful and are still fully functional with all original parts after 60 years of heavy use. Your PRS is probably better constructed than either of my vintage pieces and will probably outlive you
I happen to agree with him.
Is this really Brandon? The one that I was on the road with all those years?? We were in L.A. in the winter of 81'-82'. Or was it 82-83'?? Then we went to Athens, I think. But you went to Israel with Benamel shortly after.
Kicking around buying a MT 10-top, but not having SS frets is just holding me back. I love SS frets. They're slick and last a really long time.
I have them on everything!!
I don’t get it? Your blaming the finish for buckle rash? I love Nitro finishes, and have a 03’ McCarty, that’s like a vampire, it doesn’t show its age. Honestly, I think this issue is subjective and based on one’s personal taste. But I say, enjoy the wear and tear as a badge of honor as a player and not as a collector.
It’s much more than that. And my buckle never shows over my shirt nor do I wear my strap that low. If you watch around the halfway point there’s damage all over the guitar and fretboard.
My friend has two Prs guitars, and loves them very much. The issue that I have seen with them, is they don't seem to stay in tune. I'm not saying that all them are like this, but it's just my experience. Has anyone else seen this?
Typically a new nut and proper setup can alleviate 90% of tuning issues. I found that mine didn't go out of tune any more or less than my other guitars on the road.
Helpful video and valid points. I only wish my Les Paul would hurry up and start showing signs of aging and use lol
In due time!!
Meanwhile my 93 CU24's finish is so thick and so hard. I've beaten the crap out of the guitar in the years I've had it and there are only a handful of dents/dings.
Yeah it’s crazy. I don’t want an Uber thick finish that cakes over the guitar but this is a bit too little in my opinion.
A satin urethane wear is actually exactly what I am looking for in a guitar.
TBF you should know nitro finishes are not as strong as poly finishes. It’s not some kind of secret.
As I mentioned in the video there was no way of knowing this guitar had a Nitro/CAB finish, as the PRS website states that guitars made in 2019 had both finishes as they slowly transitioned for 2020.
I bought a PRS CE right after they first started making bolt on necks. It had the rotary pickup switch and the lever lock tuners. I loved that guitar. It was everything I could ever want in a solid body axe. Sadly I had to sell it. I've played a bunch of new PRS guitars and they just don't cut it. I don't know what they changed but they just don't have the sound that mine did. Sorry, PRS, you lost me.
I loved my 2015 CU24, that was amazing.
there's a website called reverb, and prs didn't lose you, you sold your guitar. that's on you
I want to see a 2 year old gig guitar with no dings, minor scratches, or front wear.
That would be my Majesty, that I have been gigging for about five years now, and the only damage on that guitar is one ding on the front from when I dropped it in my studio on my Kemper pedalboard. Other than that it is super clean. Same thing with my JP 15, where the only wear is a small ding in the head stock that was there when I bought it used. As well as my Kiesel Vader that only has 2 nicks from having something dropped on it in studio.
No wear from touring. All used with the PRS on the same tours and gigs and sessions.
My 2010 USA Tremonti has the V12 finish and it is still like new in appearance and I’ve played it a ton over the years. Have they said why they changed to Nitro?
No clue :/ it's always Paul's call though
Same. I love my Tremonti and play it all the time. Still looks brand new ish.
Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘
Only thing I agree with is they should have SS frets atleast as an option for the same price. The other points are how you feel and I can respect that.
SS should be standard. It's a better material.
Man, you just saved me 4 large! Thanks. I will stay with my custom shop 68 reissue L.P.
Find a pre-2019. My 2015 Custom 24 was a lot nicer and held up much longer.
Good to know. Thank you
Just bought a new Ibanez John Schofield Japan made model. Not as pretty as the PRS, but it still looks good. Built great, and the tone is wonderful!
Isn't the point of nitro to let the wood breathe and also to wear more quickly and naturally?
The tonal difference is definitely debatable. My 2015 Custom 24 sounded just as good as this, and I’ve played Les Pauls that sounded terrible compared to poly coated guitars from other brands. It’s always the sum of the parts, so I don’t buy into the whole “nitro is better” when it’s an objectively terrible finish option. It’s just what they used back in the day and people are afraid of change. Not sure why Paul went to nitro instead of moving forward with something a bit more durable.
In an electric guitar the only thing that matters is the pickup selection. The science is in on that as far as I am concerned. PRS makes the best guitars and I don’t care about the finish as long as it looks nice. I don’t take the nice stuff out of the house anyway. All that said I don’t generally buy new guitars. There are way too many nice used guitars for half the price.
Curious to know your feelings on the 2023-24 SE’s
(594, DGT etc)
Thx!
Some of the best import guitars around. Lots of features and tone for the price.
So it’s wearing like any Fender or Les Paul now ? People pay extra to have brand new guitars to look aged with buckle rash, nicks and dings and you’re upset the guitar you have looks like you’ve been using it ?
It’s how fast it aged and got worn that I’m shocked at. Those relic’d guitars are supposed to looks 50-70 years old, not 3 years old ya know?
I have 2021 CE24 with nitro on it, and I’m really happy that prs did this transition because I buy all my guitars only with nitro and didn’t buy a PRS before because I hate poly
Glad it worked out for you! Enjoy the new guitar.
More importantly.... where did you get that trem block locker???!!!!
3D printed by my guitar tech
prs makes a guitar that doesnt wear like "classic" fenders did. people complain. prs make a change to paints and finishes and they start to wear quicker. people complain.
the thing i do agree with is the fret wear, they dont have to be stainless (it doesnt bother me what they are made from) but i do agree that i want longer lasting frets
Agreed. 2 years is kinda disappointing for "the strongest nickel" fret on the market according to Paul himself.
@@ZackSeifMusic the only thing I can think of was this was a “bad run” of nickle, prs isn’t making it themselves so it leaves them open to some potential flaws which wouldn’t show until usage
Hopefully it doesn’t cost much to put SS frets on
The finish issues you mentioned is why I get used now. My last new guitar was a Gibson CS336. It was a good guitar, but the frets wore out quick and the finish started bubbling. No more new for me. The SS frets (lack of) is an issue for me too. I fret pretty hard. I just bought a used Paul’s guitar and I’m dreading when they wear down. It already happened on my LP R8.
Yeah my 2015 Custom 24 looked better and that one was on a world tour from the previous owner
I own a PRS Wood Library Modern Eagle V with a Nitro Finish. The guitar was manufactured in May of 2023 and I've been using it as my daily driver for practice and jamming. I'm very happy with my purchase and the quality of the instrument. You should expect wear and tear, it's part of owning any guitar, shoes, jeans, etc... The frets will have to be dressed or replaced eventually because yes, PRS uses nickel for their frets. Consider having your fret wire replaced with Jescar or Stainless Steel frets. The nitro finish on my guitar is wearing adequately in the hot spots (arm rest, bridge, neck), and the chrome is starting to show signs of wear. This is nothing to be alarmed by, since it shows precisely how the guitar (or any guitar) is being used by the player.
If wear on a tool you use a majority of the time is an issue for you, I'd suggest just collecting guitars and not playing them. Otherwise, deal, with it. That's what they're for. To be used. Dinged up. Scratched. 🙄🤦
I love PRS, but, why not stainless steel frets? and also direct mount the pickups and get rid of those rings and gain some improvements in clarity and phasing of strings/pickups resonance.
Agreed 100%
No matter the brand , metal belt buckles , chains , studs and even rivets in jeans don't mix well with wood . It's the players choice how they treat the instrument . Just my opinion . Even a lot of rings will create wear .
Mass production operations are always looking for ways to increase production while reducing costs. And while not all brands are all the same and some prioritize quality more than others, it doesn't surprise me to hear this.
#1 touring guitar
nitro finish
maybe spec a wood library and get the frets and poly paint you want
They don’t do stainless steel frets at all. I would still have to pay to get that done and that’s not very cheap either.
So unfortunately the only option is to just not buy a PRS brand new again; just have to stick to used models from before 2019.
WL guitars are only for signature dealers unless they've changed something recently. I believe the minimum order is 10, or at least it was when I got my 594 from a run Eddie's did in back in 2017. This isn't the first complaint I've seen on this issue, just saw a couple on the PRS forum this week. PRS has a history of adopting new finish formulas that develop issues not revealed in testing. The V12 finish comes to mind and I believe there was another a few years before that. I'm thankful my 2017 was made during a "good finish" era :)
I've owned multiple Paul Reed Smith Guitars for over 15 years and to be totally honest I'm getting sick of looking at them. I've been jumping on to Boutique and budget guitars lately for modding
That’s how nitro finishes are. They’re much softer and less forgiving. You could always get the guitar refinished with polyurethane.
I dont understand, who was playing the guitar? You right, well i have a 1993 prs custom and i cant seem to see much ageing or dings. That's why the older prs guitars mostly from 1985-1993 are really special.
You litterally have my favorite prs ever. I love blue matteo finish!
It's so good! This one is actually called Aquamarine and it's gorgeous in person.
@@ZackSeifMusic yeah, they are both incredible finishes. I really love that configuration. Next week will arrive to me a PRS custom 22 2003 sunburst with dragon 2 pu, can't wait🙌🏻
Thanks for the honest review!
You’re very welcome!
Beautiful guitar! I'm curious, did you reach out to PRS and if so, did they responded either way??
Yes I did, and they basically said "nothing we can do except overcharge for a fret dress and level". So I took the guitar to someone to do a full SS refret at almost the same cost and have been using it ever since.
@@ZackSeifMusic that sux! At least you had someone good to take it to. GOD Bless.
I’ve got a 94 PRs that’s still absolutely perfect. Couple of very small dings however not bad for 30 year old guitar. Does anyone know kind finish they used back then
Better than what they are using today haha
I personally hated the old finish. Felt like the South Korean guitars (Samick, Cort, WMI) and certain Japanese ESP brands that are in a candy coated shell of polyester. I don't really mind if it comes off more easily, it feels miles better to me. 🤷
Nothing worse that a guitar that feel like a plastic toy
You're not alone or imagining things, I just saw 2 identical complaints on the PRS forum this week. Maybe Paul is trying to sabotage the used market by ensuring they'll all be beat to crap in a year. Sorry to hear this is happening, and that it's not being acknowledged by PRS as a warranty issue :)
Yeah I was a little let down when I read through their warranty. In my opinion their warranty doesn’t cover anything unless it’s somehow defective out of the box.
@@ZackSeifMusicthats exactly how the epiphone warrenties are
Honestly I love when guitars personalize.. easy to pick out in a lineup if it got stolen by the dents n dings that are as unique as a fingerprint
That is very fair!!!
yep i sold my ce24 semi hollow because of the finish marked so so so easily was a joke you just look at it and it would mark etc i sold it because of it. Ive had nitro guitars and still do and they don't mark like the pre did mine was a 2021 model Im with you very disappointed that its that soft.
It's a shame that they switched to Nitro. Their finish was already only 3 human hairs thick to begin with. The guitars they make today aren't meant for gigging :/
It's not just the product... It's how it's applied, you can do a two coat system of finish but if you can afford the time, it's always better to do thin but wet coats multiple times, achieving the build slowly which maximizes the materials strength and lustre properties... Its just chemistry and a tiny bit of common sense...
Not saying it applies to you, your criticisms are valid but for ages people have been complaining about PRS being >$4000 guitars that dont use nitro and now many of the same people are complaining because they are having issues that are inherent on nitro finished guitars
Yeah, because nitro is somehow magic for a finish. To me, when they did that, they said, hey our old stuff sounds awful. I'd rather have a finish that wears better. No one sees a rusty car and calls it "mojo".
@@Scott__C I'm not saying either os better, my point is just that PRS did what their customers asked and are getting flack from the same customers for it!
I dont understand why they dont just give a choice of nitro or non-nitro so people can buy what they want and be happy
@@elliotgreen987 I agree. If you want your guitar's finish to crack etc., get nitro, if you want it to look better longer, get poly.
What is the piece of plastic you use to block the bridge? Have you made it yourself? Thanks!
It’s a 3-D printed Block that my guitar tech made. Since every cavity is different, and people have different set ups and string gauge preferences, you’d have to measure the exact dimensions of your guitar specific cavity in order to get the proper fit.
@@ZackSeifMusic thanks! Great idea!
what's that blue thing in your tremolo cavity?
3D printed trem block!
Apparently Paul Smith doesn't like the sound of SS frets. Whats the blue trem block ? And where did you get it? Cheers
He doesn't like them despite SS frets being better in every way. The block was 3D printed!
Couldn't agree more SS is incredible stuff, I seen an interview somewhere where he says he doesn't like the sound. Like you say really, no brainer.
I would be longing/buying new PRS guitar exactly for the things you mention - the easy to wear nitro finish and the lack of stainless steel frets which sound I am not a fan of :)
Then it would be the perfect guitar for you! Seems to check all of the boxes.
@@ZackSeifMusic To be honest I am already looking into getting one :) I have owned two older CE24, but it is not the right model for me.
@@murky9554 I enjoyed my CE as well, but the Custom line just fits better in my opinion.
@@ZackSeifMusic Depends on the player, I don’t actually aim for the Custom :)
I like the switch to nitro. It feels better and looks better over time. I know it wears more but that doesn't bother me.
It’s nice to have options in the market
The implication is that the more you spend, the better a guitar will be. I’d rather take a €400 Harley Benton with a good setup to gigs than a €4000 piece of highly manicured wood. I own two Murphy Lab Gibsons and while they’re very good and what they should be, they are not better than guitars that cost less eg. My Suhr. I’m in the market for a single cut at almost any price, so if that’s €200 or €2000 as long as its right, nothing else matters.
We all know that finish and types of wood make no difference in the sound an electric guitar makes coming out of an amp, but it does make a difference in how it vibrates in the hands and against your body, albeit very subtle. Also, most people play their amps at volumes where you can still faintly hear the acoustic properties of the guitar mixed in with the sound of the amp and this can color the sound slightly. Also, you can't deny the psychological aspect where you know you have a specific lacquer or fretboard material or body wood and it changes how you feel about the guitar as well. All this adds up to a definite perceivable difference to the player.
Im a longtime player of PRS as well. I like the poly finish more as well! Great video man!
Many thanks for watching!
Dude what is that trem block, brilliant piece!
3D Printed!
Hey Zack! Informative, as always. One question, though - as you flipped the guitar over, there's a blue plastic-ish trem-stopper you've got in there. I've never seen one like that - what brand and model, and what are your pros and cons with it? Thanks!
Hey Ed! Thanks for watching.
It’s a 3-D printed trem block my tech made. They are made to measure as every cavity is different so you’d need to measure your cavity with precision then ask someone with a printer to make it.
@@ZackSeifMusic I had a feeling it was printed. Very cool. My son is getting a 3D printer soon. Maybe I'll do stuff with it while he's at school 🙂
Over the last fortnight I've looked at PRS's and Suhrs and ultimately Suhr won out two nights ago. I still want a PRS but the stainless steel frets on the Suhr Standard Legacy I bought are going to last a very, very long time.
SS is the only way to go these days.
This is off topic, but I wanted to ask you about the bridge block you are using. Is that custom made, or are they available to purchase? Thank you!
If you know someone with a 3D printer you can have them measure the exact distance in both sides of the bridge then make the block as appropriate. Unfortunately it’s not a one-size-fits-all, so my tech makes them for each guitar as needed based on setup etc.
@@ZackSeifMusic Thank you, Zack!
Buckle rash? Rust on pole pieces? That has nothing to do with the finish. It doesn’t matter what finish one uses, if you wear a belt buckle, you’re going to bang the back of your guitar up.
I don’t play PRS guitars because they are to pretty to gig for me.
The video is not entirely about the finish, but it’s about all of the issues that I’m having with the guitar for how young it is.
@@ZackSeifMusic three years of hard giging? That kind of wear is normal. You should see my guitars.
@@ralphbenitez4407 only 18 months of hard gigging on it. But again, my Musicman, Kiesel, and other guitars with the same amount of usage are in much better shape. It’s just this one PRS that looks beat.
@@ralphbenitez4407 only 18 months of hard gigging on it. But again, my Musicman, Kiesel, and other guitars with the same amount of usage are in much better shape. It’s just this one PRS that looks beat.
@@ZackSeifMusic does it sound better than the others?
One other note, I have scaled back my PRS's to just 3 core 22's from 2009-2010. 1 is lacquer and receives less usage (cause it's my favorite), original 57/08's etc. but has more dings that the 2 poly ones. All sound great. Have an older SE made in Korea one that hangs out by my computer all the time. Grab it for everything except gigs and it's almost spotless.
Great honest video. Blessings.
Thank you!
Kind of like the restaurant that was famous for its thick and delicious clam chowder. One day, the manager decided the restaurant would make more money by watering down the clam chowder. It worked for a while. But eventually, the loyal customers started going to other restaurants.
People pay good money to get guitars custom finished to be like this. Pretty funny how some people want guitars to wear as hard as possible, while some want them to look new until they die. There's no one way to feel about that.
I am surprised they don't use SS frets but naturally worn down guitars with scars are kind of nice to have around
Thank you for your video.
I've been thinking of buying a brand new guitar and I really like the PRS SE Custom 24-08 quilt top in faded blue burst finish from Sweetwater. But if your 4-grand guitar has such a fast wear, I don't know what to expect from a $1,049 dollars one. I'm neither rich nor a pro musician, so that amount of money is kind of a luxury for me right now...
Different production lines have different finishes and even 2 of the same model may age differently.
I advise going used so you can save the depreciation and get something that'll last just as long as:)
Looks still great on camera, I personally don't like poly finish, feels too plastic and gets sticky easier in my hands. If you are a pro, refret on a 3 years period does not sound out of this world to me.
You might be right! I’ve just not had to refret a guitar yet since I usually gig with SS frets so that’s good to know.
I love my PRS’s guitars!! But I agree 100% with you.
It's a tough love for sure!!
Good to know this stuff about the new PRS because I don't know if I'm willing to pay about $5000 for a brand new guitar...Do you have any alternatives to someone who wants to buy a PRS custom 24 core? How about Musicman guitars such as the JP15 model?
JP all day. I love Musicman guitars very much. Check out my video on the Majesty and JP15 :D
Reach out to customer service. They have been nothing but the best to me when I suspected I had a “dud” of a brand new guitar.
That’s good to know! Thanks for the idea.
Update: nothing they can do about it
Other than the fretwear, I'm good with aging of a guitar--nicks, dings, finish fading and checking etc. All guitars should have stainless frets, I'll give you that.
I'm fine with the wear, it was mostly the frets that bother me the most. But also the fact that PRS didn't tell you if your 2019 model was Poly or Nitro so I had no way of knowing before purchasing as I mentioned throughout the video.
Well said. It should come with SS frets and better finish treatment !!!
SS Should be standard. $600 imports have them 😤
@@ZackSeifMusic and they either have to do something with the finishes.. it only looks good when it s finish is perfectly not dinged or cracked...
What piece did you use to block the trem?
It is a 3-D printed block that my tech made
You should ask Kanami from Bandmaid how she takes care of her prs private stocks and her new signature prs (first woman in the world to receive it).
What is the blue block in the trem cavity. Trem stop of some kind from who?
It’s a 3-D printed block my tech made! Anyone with a 3-S printer can measure your cavity on a properly setup bridge and get it to fit.
That's crazy, do you know if it has a nitro finish? That's the only explanation for that much wear that quickly. A poly finish would be durable enough to prevent much of that surface wear and even dings as it's much harder than nitro. Just a tip, you might want to get yourself the Stew Mac Color Tone polishing kit. It's 3 bottles of polishing compund that progresses in grit to super fine. It will remove things like buckle rash and and even small gouges in the finish. It makes them invisible basically. I think the kit is around $50 from Stew Mac but you will need a drill and some foam polishing pad drill attachments. I got mine from Amazon for pretty cheap. I use that polishing kit more than I thought I would have. It's definitely worth the investment if you have a bunch of guitars.
Thanks for the tip! I've been looking into buffing and polishing for sure.
This is a common problem with PRS there are a lot of people talking about how the paint fades on certain colors after less than 5 years as well. PRS has turned into a guitar company for non-musicians, aside from some models like the Silver Sky. They are mainly now for people to display
Spoken by someone who probably has never owned one. Come on man, have you taken a survey of musicians? How can you make a generalization of something you don't know anything about? Where is your evidence of this?
@@vedder10 wrong again I have owned 2. And there is plenty of evidence. Check out Audiomo’s channel he has had it happened to several of his. And him and I have both had audio engineers tell us on our records to not use certain PRS guitars we have had and they sounded muddy when we tried to record with them. You’re an idiot
There are dozens if not hundreds of cases of their V12 and current Nitro/CAB finishes fading, being more brittle, and getting "milky" after a few years. It's well documented in the forums. I agree with this comment because I've seen it myself.
Really??? Opeth? Steve Wilson? Martin Barre? C'mon.....
@@steveread645 who?
Have you considered ceramic coating the guitar?
Great! More PRS guitars for me!!!
Man I was going to buy one , I will put this off. Thank ou for this video
Glad I could help share my thoughts. It's a shame they don't last as long anymore.
The Bizarre thing is a friend of mine has a couple of high end PRS Guitar and has the same issues as you, Yet i have 3 PRS SEs.. including a Bernie Marsden Model and a 2013 Angelus Both have "Nitro" finishes and still look amazing.. I can only imagine that Indonesian nitro is more bullet proof than its American counterpart.
Seems like it 😂
Really appreciate this video. Was looking into PRS as my next purchase….. not anymore!
Just the 2019-2022 models have the CAB/Nitro. Pre-2019 have my full faith. Especially the 2010s. Those are great.
I find strange you say "most" builders use SS frets nowadays. That might not be the case. Also, nitro breaks easier, but the only true reason that builders use Poly is because it is easier and cheaper to apply. I own a couple of cool guitars, but Nitro, one has stainless steel. Both superb. PRS guitars are on my radar and I think they are great instruments.