Understanding PRS Guitars | Buyer's Guide

Chris & Thom break down the extensive range of PRS guitars, to help you figure out what's what, and which guitar would suit you best. This was filmed in a heatwave, so sorry for my shiny face.

Check out the full PRS Range here:

SKIP LINKS:
0:00 - Intro Jam
0:47 - Video Overview
2:37 - Hollowbody Jazz Jam
3:24 - History Of PRS Guitars
7:12 - Different PRS Tiers
13:32 - Wood Library Explained
15:08 - PRS Wood Grading
17:03 - Different Types Of Guitars
23:31 - SE Silver Sky Jam
24:57 - Conclusion/Outro
26:54 - Outro Jam

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[jakethebard]

I used to be a dealer for PRS and I can confirm their out-of-the-box quality. With only one exception, every PRS that arrived to my store was set up and ready to play right out of the packaging. The only adjustments I needed to make were slight truss rod adjustments to account for the drier climate where I lived, and if a client asked me to adjust the action to their preferred height if it differed from the standard PRS set-up.

That exception I mentioned earlier was a single Santana Edition that arrived with some neck warping issues. When I inspected the guitar and realized the issue, I called my rep and he sent me a replacement which was up to the proper standard before I even shipped the faulty guitar back. And that was only one out of dozens that I had go through my store.

In contrast, I had to do fret work and full set-ups to most of the Fenders that arrived in my store. And when I would call the revolving door of Fender reps, they would always try to shift the quality concerns away from them. Don't get me wrong, when Fenders are stable and set up well, they are wonderful instruments. But if you have a Fender that plays well, give the credit to the luthier or guitar tech who set it up, as they are likely the reason for that.

[KRColson]

I'm an old senior 67 years, and I recently purchased the PRS Mira SE and it arrived perfectly protected and set up and playable straight from the box! I haven't played guitar for over 25 years and I must admit the action, and neck feel was incredible! The quality of workmanship was excellent for a $900 CAD! I'm very pleased with the instrument and look forward to many years of enjoyment from a quality guitar. Love my PRS!

[MarkJohnsonJams]

I’m from Maryland and I love the way you all say it as “Mary Land”. I’m gonna start saying it like that. S2 is Stevensville 2. I believe you said “Stenson-ville” which also sounds cooler.

[FitzyStrings]

Played Fender for 17 years, saved up for a CE24 semi-hollow and haven't put I down for 2 years. Just phenomenal instruments...

[Spidouz]

One thing you didn’t mention: the default scale used by PRS is 25” (which was between the 24” ¾ from Gibson and 25” ½ from Fender). However, over the years PRS did guitars with different scale length. For instance, they had the Singlecut or Singlecut 250 which was 25”, but now they have a Singlecut guitar named 245, which is 24” ½. The guitar name is about the scale length, just like the PRS 594, which is a round up number fro 24” and 19/32, which is 24.59375”, rounded up to 24.594. The reason is that Les Paul advert their Les Paul to be 24” ¾ (24.75”), but when Paul did measure some old ‘58 and ‘59 Les Paul, they were 24” and 19/32. So when he build the PRS 594, he used this scale to match the scale of the old ‘58/59 Les Paul. Another guitar is the PRS SE 277, which is a Baritone guitar with, you guess it, a 27.7” scale.

However, be careful, the number in the name is not always about the scale. For instance with the PRS 513 and PRS 509. Their name mean a PRS with a 5 way blade selector with 13 positions (513) and 09 positions (509). Historically, PRS had a rotary switch to have multiple pickup selection, but player didn’t like it, so he did switch to a regular 3 way toggle switch like a Les Paul (because he main only had 2 humbuckers pickups). But then, he started to build guitar with HSH pickups, so he had to change it for a 5 way blade selector like a Fender Strat. So he named those guitars starting with a 5 number, followed by the number of total pickup position. Same thing with the Custom 24-08 (the 08 means 8 Pickup positions).

[angusorvid]

What an excellent, informative vid. I've been a fan of PRS since first playing one in Los Angeles in 1987. That Custom was so gorgeous I couldn't believe it. What a perfect instrument. A true work of art. I've since become a PRS owner myself. Best guitars in the world.

[Psichlo]

I have a range of PRS guitars; a couple SE's, a couple core, and a wood library. The only thing I would add to this video is that the CE and the S2, while made in the states, do come with the import pickups and electronics for the most part. While this shouldn't be a deal breaker for people, they should at least be aware. As well as their newer SE line being made in China (Hollowbody, Hollybody piezo, and their parlor acoustic), once again, not a deal breaker but just info. I have had absoloutely no issue with any of the ones I have purchased over the years, which I can't say for the other big brands. You can almost guarantee the quality no matter which tier you go with when it comes to PRS.

[kilofireb]

masterful playing, great video! Thanks for making an updated line up video and showcasing some notable instruments.

[jaxonbrown]

This is easily the best guitar channel on Youtube. The quality of your shots, the depth of information given, everything is just so perfect. Thank you for doing what you do!

[grimreaper-qhzn]

SE range has to be incredible value. I have a SE Pauls Guitar; an SE Hollowbody II; and an SE John Mayer. Love them all.

[darrengill]

Got a 30th Anniversary Custom 24 and a Singlecut P245…absolutely amazing guitars. Also I had a SE CU24 and an SE Standard in the past and you cannot beat these for the price.

[insenjojo]

That SE Silver sky jam is highly highly would want a 7 min version of it that i could play on repeat

[mitchilito]

I learned just how amazing PRS guitars are when I "inherited" a CE a few years back. It HURT me to sell it and I always regretted it on many levels. So after migrating through all the standards (LPs, Strats etc) I pulled the trigger and bought a Custom 24. End of story

Great video BTW!!

[jonathanjoestar__]

I own a cherry red PRS SE standard, its my first guitar, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Got it at a guitar shop in Camden, London (yes guitarguitar) and I've loved every single second of it. Great tone, great quality, and very comfortable to play both standing up and sitting down. Would highly recommend to any guitarist, new or with decades of experience.

[kenphillips]

I bought the PRS Silver Sky when they first hit the market and it took the place of my Fender Custom Shop Strat. Excellent and versatile instrument, however I just purchased a 22 year old PRS Custom 22 with Dragon 2 pickups… what an awesome guitar and is now my main gigging instrument. I am a convert.

[timcastle]

I have a 2017 PRS SE Custom 24 in a Tobacco Burst finish and I LOVE it, except for the gloss finish on the back of the neck (I wish back in the day I could have bought one with a Satin finish). But that’s me!! I live in White Plains, Maryland about an hour from the PRS factory with in my bucket list is to someday tour the factory! At all the price point I think you get a Great instrument and if you plan on doing any upgrades then I think that the S2 and SE line price points will leave enough money in your pocket to do that. Great video!! 🎸

[RoMeyer-hn]

I love what he has done giving us the best of a Fender & Gibson tone in 1 guitar. I own 3 and have & S2 on order

[fiveeyes]

Wow, the playing in that jam at the end was fantastic!

[brianhester]

Just bought a S2 McCarty from sweetwater. Great guitar, the only negative are the sub par overseas pickups that come with it.

[mattmanley]

Love my PRS Silver Sky and SE Semi Hollow great guitars