Budda
Axe-Master
@nathan_393 one of the 594s is the semi-hollow limited too.
Of course. IDK if the PRS finishes changed in the last couple years (mine is a 2021). I know people were complaining about them for a bit and describing the finish as fragile. I'd agree with that. The damage on mine is visible, but it doesn't bother me at all. Guitars are supposed to be used, even the pretty ones. I thought about putting drops of clear nail polish over the chips in mine to protect the wood...then I remembered what Rory Gallagher's strat looks like now and decided it was probably going to be fine.Thanks for the information, really great stuff. It helps to know your opinion on SE vs. S2 vs. Core. And your info on the finishes is very interesting. I just wish I hadn't been so young and foolish and still had my old Goldtop LP. But that ship sailed long ago. The follies of youth!
If I understand your last paragraph correctly you must have a recent LP with the shiny/plasticy looking finish, and that you are happy with it. Makes me go back to considering a Gibson LP 70's Standard. I was trying to keep this purchase closer to $1K but ....
Anyway, thanks for responding and for the very helpful insight. Much appreciated!
While we’re on the topic of 594s and DGTs: do they roar like Les Pauls do?
Can a McCarty do high gain? What about 80s thrash? And can a DGT do similar?
One more quick LP question: any thoughts/opinions on the Gibson USA LP Deluxe? Looks interesting. For a LP I lean towards the Standard, but .....
From reading your responses, I would recommend the SE DGT. I don't think you can go wrong with either the SE DGT or SE 594.Thanks Jason, you and others have been so helpful. It is "funny" how many different opinions there are on the PRS SE 594, and how many great suggestions there are on other LP type guitars. I appreciate your help, and everyone else's. Unfortunately several of the guitars that look like great options are well above my budget. For me it comes down to parsing through the different opinions expressed here to decide between an Indonesian SE or the S2 series. The Core models are just well above my budget.
I guess in terms of questions the biggest one I have is which PRS models have pickups that most resemble the sound of a vintage LP, specifically a 70's LP.
My S2 retired my custom 22. Ymmv but i would skip the SE.From reading your responses, I would recommend the SE DGT. I don't think you can go wrong with either the SE DGT or SE 594.
My opinion is that I would spend my money on the SE and not spend the money on the S2 line. I would save and go up to a core from the SE if you wanted to upgrade. The S2 line of guitars doesn't make a lot of sense to me. They basically use the same electronics as the SE line and use scarf joints to make the necks. I know they make them this way to cut some costs. I just don't think they are enough of an upgrade to spend the money on them over the SE line.
Did you upgrade anything on the S2? For my preferences, I can't see an S2 unseating any of my core models. I like the carve on the core models better. I have not had to upgrade anything on most of my core models. I have done a couple of pickup swaps on some of the older ones.My S2 retired my custom 22. Ymmv but i would skip the SE.
Wow - those are pretty! I've always been a PRS fanboy, but those give them a run for their money!Also look at Knaggs. Fantastic versions of the LP. I have serval versions of it.
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They experimented with some variations in finishes.IDK if the PRS finishes changed in the last couple years (mine is a 2021). I know people were complaining about them for a bit and describing the finish as fragile. I'd agree with that. The damage on mine is visible, but it doesn't bother me at all. Guitars are supposed to be used, even the pretty ones.
after thinking about it for a while I decided that such marks are signs of how much I enjoy the guitar. They’re gonna get damaged eventually so I try to be careful but if they only get occasional nicks and dents then I am OK with it.
Bone stock. Sounded better, balanced better, at least a pound lighter. I think the custom 22, while a decent guitar, just had the story of not a great one. Which really sucked because I had wanted exactly that one for years, and I didnt have to pay through the nose.Did you upgrade anything on the S2? For my preferences, I can't see an S2 unseating any of my core models. I like the carve on the core models better. I have not had to upgrade anything on most of my core models. I have done a couple of pickup swaps on some of the older ones.
The only S2 I played was stunning. It performed as well as a core model, it just wasn't appointed and finished as well. I wasn't in the market at that moment otherwise I'd have grabbed it.Bone stock. Sounded better, balanced better, at least a pound lighter. I think the custom 22, while a decent guitar, just had the story of not a great one. Which really sucked because I had wanted exactly that one for years, and I didnt have to pay through the nose.
For my preferences, I can't see an S2 unseating any of my core models.
I bet the number of 594s in natural is reeeeally low. Hot damn.All this PRS talk... You know what it does to us gear whores, don't you? I just picked up this 594 McCarty.
I didn't know that. I just assumed they were out there in quantities as much as any other color. The top is one piece too. Best of all, it's absolutely wonderful to play.I bet the number of 594s in natural is reeeeally low. Hot damn.
Excellent advice, and I will in fact do what you are saying. The "truth" is in the individual's ears and fingers!I have an SE. My PRS options are extremely limited because I'm lefty - they only do core lefties in limited runs, and they are usually very expensive. (Though they are releasing some news SE lefties in August I think!)
I can tell you that the build quality is very good on the SEs, though they did have quality control issues for awhile when they moved from South Korea to Indonesia. These seem to have been resolved, but I'm not sure. I got caught up in that with some pickups that had barely any output, and unfortunately there were not any more guitars available until a ship came in from halfway around the world. It took awhile, but their customer service was excellent. Paul sent me a care package valued at roughly $100 including a hand-signed book about the company, a guitar care kit, earplugs, a strap, etc.
Best advice: play as many guitars as you can and choose the one YOU like the best. No one on an internet forum can tell you whether the core model is worth the investment in your particular situation.
Natural is the hardest finish to get right, I dont think they do too many period.I didn't know that. I just assumed they were out there in quantities as much as any other color. The top is one piece too. Best of all, it's absolutely wonderful to play.
Thanks for the heads up! I didn't know that as I had a natural finish 408 with a solid Brazilian rosewood neck. To me, it seemed like there's an abundance of natural finish PRSs.Natural is the hardest finish to get right, I dont think they do too many period.
I had a 594dc with one piece, one of the prettiest PRS or guitars I’ve ever had. Sacrificed for a custom shop les paul, no regrets (R9 in avatar).
Purty! Wood library? 10 Top?All this PRS talk... You know what it does to us gear whores, don't you? I just picked up this 594 McCarty.
Thanks! It's a 10 Top with a nice flame on the back of the neck as well. I don't have good lighting to take a pic of it right now.Purty! Wood library? 10 Top?