Prs Paul Reed
September 7th, 2011 | 
Author:
Would you rather have a used Gibson Les Paul Studio for $875 or a new Paul Reed Smith SE Tremonti for $500?
I am selling my Gibson Les Paul for $875, but my friend is deciding whether to get my used Gibson or the cheapest PRS the company makes, new. I'm telling him that PRSs are known for their higher end models having great action and playability, but I suppose he thinks that is the case for all Paul Reed Smith guitars. Which do you think is the better choice for him? Thank you all so very much! 
If it was the actual Tremonti it would be no contest. As it is, it's the difference between a pro-level guitar and an intermediate guitar. The SE isn't built as well, and will probably need some work to bring it up to playable standards - the nut, saddle, and frets will need to be checked, intonation/action adjusted, and the electronics, switches, and pots should all be looked at. It's Korean made, man, you might get lucky and you might get boned.
The higher end PRS's are amazing - I've played the actual Mark Tremonti model, and it's soooo sweet! Gibson is no match, to me, against that guitar. Personal taste, perhaps.
So here's the deal - the PRS SE will need new pickups to sound at its full potential (ie, Seymour Duncan JB's, for instance), may need some work on its hardware and electronics (noisy pots, frets needing sanding, etc), and in the end is just not quite as good quality, construction-wise, as a Gibson Les Paul. It may sound pretty decent, but there is a definite difference in construction quality.
If your friend is a serious musician, he should get the Gibson, unless he absolutely just bent on the PRS and it feels better to play it, etc. If he's not a serious musician and it's more of a hobby thing for him, then the PRS is a very decent guitar and will sound pretty good and will hold up pretty well over time.
He could also look at the Epiphone Les Pauls. They're not nearly as high of quality as the Gibson, but put some better pickups in them and they can sing pretty well.
I'm happy with my LTDs - they sound decent, and have held up well on stage. Not as good as a Gibson, but they work for me - and they're 1/3rd the price. That's important, too. =)
Saul
Whats On My YouTube Today?
PRS Paul Reed Smith SE Soapbar with Mike Ault
Here Are A Few Items From Amazon You Might Be Interested In.
 Leather PRS Birds Guitar Strap List Price: Sale Price: $34.99 You save: $7.01 (17%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours  |
 Leather PRS Birds Guitar Strap List Price: Sale Price: $34.99 You save: $7.01 (17%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
 Paul Reed Smith PRS Premium Pearloid Picks - 48 Assorted Variety Pack, 351 Shape - Includes: 24 Medium Gauge, 12 Light Gauge, & 12 Heavy Gauge Guitar Picks - (Imprinted Graphics: Private Stock eagle, Ohm symbol, Common Tern seventh fret inlay, Coopers Hawk twelfth fret inlay, Modern Eagle) Sale Price: $7.48 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Paul Reed Smith PRS Delrin Picks - 48 Assorted Variety Pack, 351 Shape - Includes: 24 Medium Gauge, 12 Light Gauge, & 12 Heavy Gauge Guitar Picks Sale Price: $7.48 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Paul Reed Smith PRS SE Zach Myers Electric Guitar + Bag List Price: Sale Price: $679.00 You save: $367.00 (35%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 PRS Guitars SE Singlecut Electric Guitar (Black) List Price: Sale Price: $612.00 You save: $296.00 (33%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Paul Reed Smith SE Santana Orange Finish Electric Guitar Kit with Gig Bag & PRS Pick Sampler Pack - Includes: Guitar Stand, Strap, Polish, Polishing Cloth and Hard Case. Fender Accessories included: 250L Light Strings, String Winder, FT-004 Clip-on Tuner, and 10' Cable List Price: Sale Price: $814.66 You save: $526.99 (39%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Paul Reed Smith SE Santana Orange Finish Electric Guitar Kit - Includes:: Gig Bag, PRS Pick Sampler Pack, Fender FT-004 Clip-on Tuner, Fender 10' Cable, Guitar Stand & Guitar Strap List Price: Sale Price: $762.36 You save: $448.55 (37%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Paul Reed Smith PRS SE Singlecut Red Electric Guitar List Price: Sale Price: $612.00 You save: $377.00 (38%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
 Paul Reed Smith 25th Anniversary Custom 24 10 Top Electric Guitar Sale Price: $2,799.95 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
Items recently purchased on this site:
Thanks for visiting!
Tags: guitars, Technology Internet, guitar, prs paul reed smith tremonti se
Posted in 