The Spray Can Yellow Fender 1982 Standard Stratocaster

[gball]

@gball Let me throw this out there and I'd like your opinion...

I know a guitar tech that is traveling professionally and is currently working for some huge names.

I've seen his work firsthand and it's impressive.

I paid him to do some work on one of my guitars - top dollar - over 3 times the going rate in this area. I considered the amount a "tuituon" from which I could learn more.

The work performed on my guitar was on par with what I've seen come from our local Guitar Sinner.

Even guys with phenomenal skills won't always give the "little guy" the same service a performing artist attached to a label will receive.

My background working with Dad in aviation taught me that we performed all work to a very high standard, even on the neighbor's farm truck.

FWIW...

All I can say on that front is that my experience with "guitar techs" is what led me to learn to work on my own guitars. Too much is subjective and open to interpretation and in the end those guys will likely always default to some amalgam of their own experience with a variety of people. I have never, not once, gotten a guitar back from a tech and been happy with it. So, I bought some tools and figured it out. Electric guitars are, in the bigger picture, simple things and not so hard to figure out if you take the time and do it right.

I have friends that tour with dedicated techs. Those guys work on their guitars day-in, day-out and know exactly what they want and how they want it. Short of that, I doubt someone could ever get a guitar perfect for someone else.

 

[gball]

Imagine having a new DGT and then someone hands you a spray can yellow Stratocaster and you wail on it for 30 minutes and it's still in tune, but your new DGT goes sharp everytime you push on the tremolo.

I think the principle (and the response from PTC) was just really frustrating.

I don't think PRS makes a bad product. And, in all honesty, the most consistent QC seems to be on their Indonesian built SE's.

I would venture to say that more CNC equals less chance of human error and more hands on equals a greater chance for human variables.

Obviously, no mass-produced product is going to be perfect each and every time or companies like PRS wouldn't need a warranty. That being said, they are probably the most consistent and defect-free of the major brands. I disagree with the comment on the QC based on my own experience, but only in the sense that all of the SE guitars are QC'd in Maryland along with the MD-built ones and I have found them to be identical in out-the-door quality. But the overall construction and finishing of the MD made guitars is quite a few steps beyond the imported ones.

 

[Inspector #20]

All I can say on that front is that my experience with "guitar techs" is what led me to learn to work on my own guitars. Too much is subjective and open to interpretation and in the end those guys will likely always default to some amalgam of their own experience with a variety of people. I have never, not once, gotten a guitar back from a tech and been happy with it. So, I bought some tools and figured it out. Electric guitars are, in the bigger picture, simple things and not so hard to figure out if you take the time and do it right.

I have friends that tour with dedicated techs. Those guys work on their guitars day-in, day-out and know exactly what they want and how they want it. Short of that, I doubt someone could ever get a guitar perfect for someone else.

I agree 100%. It's exactly why I learned (as you have pointed out) to fix things myself.

It just bugged me that I didn't get the same quality level on my guitar that I know the tech was capable of.

 

[Inspector #20]

Obviously, no mass-produced product is going to be perfect each and every time or companies like PRS wouldn't need a warranty. That being said, they are probably the most consistent and defect-free of the major brands. I disagree with the comment on the QC based on my own experience, but only in the sense that all of the SE guitars are QC'd in Maryland along with the MD-built ones and I have found them to be identical in out-the-door quality. But the overall construction and finishing of the MD made guitars is quite a few steps beyond the imported ones.

I'm assuming the Artist Series Hardtail (clearly the most common session PRS I encounter) is both MD made and QC'd???

 

[gball]

I'm assuming the Artist Series Hardtail (cleay the most common session PRS I encounter) is both MD made and QC'd???

Do you mean the Signature series, with the artists name on them? Like a Paul's Guitar, DGT or a Tremonti? If so, in most cases they have both a Core (MD made) and SE (Asian made) model available. In either case they have the final setup and QC done at the factory in Stevensville, MD.

 

[Inspector #20]

Obviously, no mass-produced product is going to be perfect each and every time or companies like PRS wouldn't need a warranty. That being said, they are probably the most consistent and defect-free of the major brands. I disagree with the comment on the QC based on my own experience, but only in the sense that all of the SE guitars are QC'd in Maryland along with the MD-built ones and I have found them to be identical in out-the-door quality. But the overall construction and finishing of the MD made guitars is quite a few steps beyond the imported ones.

Funny...

The comment I hear most often about PRS is that they "Lack Soul."

Schecter is the most historically consistent guitar I've ever dealt with (I've now owned 2 new Hellraisers that needed zero work) but I'll admit, that while they are a great session guitar, there's some mystique about my fake Les Paul that is so endearing to me.

I'm not sure if it's the Kris Derrig-esque aura or the fact that it is so fondly recieved by everyone (I am always quick to announce that it's a fake) but it's such a fun guitar to play.

My YelloStrat too has a very cool kinda vibe that just makes you want to play it.

When I'm buying someone's studio time and I need accuracy, I use the Schecter for its quiet behavior and absolute, rock-solid tuning stability.

 

[Inspector #20]

Do you mean the Signature series, with the artists name on them? Like a Paul's Guitar, DGT or a Tremonti? If so, in most cases they have both a Core (MD made) and SE (Asian made) model available. In either case they have the final setup and QC done at the factory in Stevensville, MD.

This is where our producer bought his DGT:

 

[Inspector #20]

The "Artist Series" that I was referring to are also called "private stock" models and one of our mutual friends claimed it set him back $22,000. It's a hardtail model.

 

[gball]

Funny...

The comment I hear most often about PRS is that they "Lack Soul."

I don't want to disparage, but that has been my experience. The ones I owned have owned were just a bit...boring, and the tone kind of generic. To me and me only. Plenty of people swear by them and get great sounds.

This is where our producer bought his DGT:

View attachment 71803

See, that thing is beautiful. But there is not really any part of me that wants one anymore. Keep in mind, I am originally from Washington DC, but I grew up in Maryland, and to us guitar-playing kids in the '80s the homebrew PRS' were kind of a grail. They were made locally and had a certain aura about them because at the time they were pretty rare (one thing that is unique to the area is that employee guitars show up in the shops a lot and they are very collectible, but I digress). Once I got to the point that I actually owned a few I realized they are just not my cuppa.

The "Artist Series" that I was referring to are also called "private stock" models and one of our mutual friends claimed it set him back $22,000. It's a hardtail model.

Ah, now I get it. Private Stock are a totally different animal. Sky's the limit there and of course those are all made in MD by a select few builders. If you want to order one you go to the factory and choose the pieces of wood yourself, along with all the features, finish, etc.

 

[dmatthews]

If I'm not mistaken, PRS lineup goes:

SE
S2
Core
Wood Library
Artist Pack
Private Stock

Some might reverse the WL and AP types but I think that's pretty accurate. I have a WL 594 that was about $3300 USD used. That was a lucky find.

 

[Inspector #20]

I offer custom finishes for less than $3,300

 

[smitty_p]

See, that thing is beautiful. But there is not really any part of me that wants one anymore. Keep in mind, I am originally from Washington DC, but I grew up in Maryland, and to us guitar-playing kids in the '80s the homebrew PRS' were kind of a grail. They were made locally and had a certain aura about them because at the time they were pretty rare (one thing that is unique to the area is that employee guitars show up in the shops a lot and they are very collectible, but I digress). Once I got to the point that I actually owned a few I realized they are just not my cuppa.

Personally, I’m scared to play a PRS for fear I’d get serious GAS!

That said, I don’t care for the position of the selector switch in many PRS models. But, I’ve always liked the design. The McCarty 594 is okay as the position is pretty much the same as a Les Paul.

Also, there is a certain “something” about having the same last name! I know that’s dumb…but, hey…

 

[Inspector #20]

Personally, I’m scared to play a PRS for fear I’d get serious GAS!

That said, I don’t care for the position of the selector switch in many PRS models. But, I’ve always liked the design. The McCarty 594 is okay as the position is pretty much the same as a Les Paul.

Also, there is a certain “something” about having the same last name! I know that’s dumb…but, hey…

I've played quite a few PRS guitars, from the Indonesian SE's up to some much more expensive versions. Not bad guitars, but aside from the slightly different 25.0" scale, I find nothing remarkable about them. No stunning innovation. No incredible tone or features.

I've said this before and I feel it's worth reiterating.

If I had to pull a guitar from a rack and play it live, without setup or modification, it would be a Schecter with EMG's.

The quality of Schecters is super consistent. The EMG's are really good, quiet and versatile pickups.

It still amazes me that when I compare 5 new Gibson's to my 2 Schecter Hellraisers, the Korean guitar simply killed the Gibson's for accuracy of bridge and fret placement, neck angle, finish, setup and RFI/EMI resistance.

This could perhaps be a reason why Zakk contracted with WMI/SGR for not only his Wylde Guitars, but also his amps.

There's an interview where Zakk talked about visiting factories and checking out guitars when he was looking for a builder and the quality of WMI/SGR right off the line was impressive.

One thing Wylde assures is that no matter the price point, the quality will be top notch. “Why would you make anything that’s a pile of poop?” he says. The article went on to say that "Guitars are hit and miss and I want every one of these guitars to be great."

 

[gball]

Personally, I’m scared to play a PRS for fear I’d get serious GAS!

That said, I don’t care for the position of the selector switch in many PRS models. But, I’ve always liked the design. The McCarty 594 is okay as the position is pretty much the same as a Les Paul.

Also, there is a certain “something” about having the same last name! I know that’s dumb…but, hey…

Don't get me wrong, they are great guitars, but a bit too "precious" for me. Their borderline perfection seems to render them a bit sterilized for my taste. One of the PRS' I had was a Singlecut 245, which is really the guitar that made me recommit to Les Pauls in a bigger way, albeit indirectly; it was gorgeous and played great, but it only got me like 95% of the way there on tone and expressiveness, and I realized I was using it to chase something that is was kind of trying to be, and that something was a real Les Paul. Also, they got the knobs wrong and it drove me nuts. Before I sold it I came close to rewiring it so they were the same as a Gibson.

 

[gball]

I've played quite a few PRS guitars, from the Indonesian SE's up to some much more expensive versions. Not bad guitars, but aside from the slightly different 25.0" scale, I find nothing remarkable about them. No stunning innovation. No incredible tone or features.

I've said this before and I feel it's worth reiterating.

If I had to pull a guitar from a rack and play it live, without setup or modification, it would be a Schecter with EMG's.

The quality of Schecters is super consistent. The EMG's are really good, quiet and versatile pickups.

It still amazes me that when I compare 5 new Gibson's to my 2 Schecter Hellraisers, the Korean guitar simply killed the Gibson's for accuracy of bridge and fret placement, neck angle, finish, setup and RFI/EMI resistance.

This could perhaps be a reason why Zakk contracted with WMI/SGR for not only his Wylde Guitars, but also his amps.

There's an interview where Zakk talked about visiting factories and checking out guitars when he was looking for a builder and the quality of WMI/SGR right off the line was impressive.

One thing Wylde assures is that no matter the price point, the quality will be top notch. “Why would you make anything that’s a pile of ?” he says. The article went on to say that "Guitars are hit and miss and I want every one of these guitars to be great."

I'd bet you just about anything that if Gibson had agreed to make his line of guitars for him he would have jumped all over it. It's great he found the right place to build his guitars for him, but he had to source from companies that do contract work and those that do real quality are relatively limited. I could be wrong of course, but the man was a Gibson die-hard before he decided to start his own line, when he could have been playing anything he wanted, including products made in the same factory he makes his guitars in now. And any guitar company on Earth would have thrown an endorsement his way so I'm not buying that he only played Gibson for that reason - his entire line is basically a copy of Gibson specs/layout with different body shapes.

 

[smitty_p]

Ooh, Zack made himself an SG….kewl!

 

[Inspector #20]

Ooh, Zack made himself an SG….kewl!

Like when I made my 24.75" Tele-style guitars...so many people were put off that ut wasn't "traditional," but I think there isn't much that hasn't been done already.

 

[67plexi]

I had a PRS Custom 24 10 top 1989 great guitar never broke a string stayed in tune sounded great
my main stage guitar 11 years at that time the most I ever paid for a guitar.
In 1989 that was the best guitar you could buy new. I can't hang with the PRS after they had to change the neck joint
due to the Gibson lawsuit.

 

[Inspector #20]

I had a PRS Custom 24 10 top 1989 great guitar never broke a string stayed in tune sounded great
my main stage guitar 11 years at that time the most I ever paid for a guitar.
In 1989 that was the best guitar you could buy new. I can't hang with the PRS after they had to change the neck joint
due to the Gibson lawsuit.

Interesting!!!!

 

[Inspector #20]

Marathon recording session tonight....I used my Les Paul and my YelloStrat.



We started at 4pm with a hummed melody. By 10pm, we had a completed original song.



I'm just amazed at how good YelloStrat sounds...I mean the Les Paul is great and very versatile, but I keep reaching for YelloStrat.