PRS Neck Construction

I just wonder if the Korean factory takes the same steps to build a neck as the American factory does. I would guess not.
 
I picked up a Korean made one at NAMM and it had really good quality and feel. I would definitely own one (or more).
 
Robert Herndon said:
I've been to Halo Guitars, Echopark and B.Hefner and PRS is doing nothing any different than I have seen.

Good work, yes....but nothing new or different.
Click to expand...
Disagree. Just because it is not radical, it does not mean there are not significant differences. Paul is an innovator. You should look into PRS guitars more closely some time.
 
RVA said:
Disagree. Just because it is not radical, it does not mean there are not significant differences. Paul is an innovator. You should look into PRS guitars more closely some time.
Click to expand...

I've played quite a few. The Artist Series is fairly common among studio musician's here, although the Music Man is replacing them rapidly.

Other than the legally required unique headstock design and the 25" scale, I really don't see any "innovation" from Paul. I think his firm builds a quality guitar, but against an Echopark??? There just isn't any comparison.

Neither company is really innovative, per-se, to the extent that they simply offer a different version of long existing design, and the manufacturing techniques (both shown and described) are identical.

The gentleman in the PRS video commented on his 200 employees. Echopark has less than 5.

To be totally honest, other than the Hollow Point system, Earvana, Lace Sensor, when was the last time you saw any real innovation in guitar building???

For example, I had B. Hefner build me a Les Paul neck with a Fender headstock which I put on a Stratocaster. Was this Innovation???? No. What about my set neck 24.75" Tele-esque guitars with a legally-required unique headstock design???? Nothing new!!!

A unique headstock, compound radius fretboards, an improvement on Leo Fender's vibrato design, select (high quality) woods and a fast-hard curing finish, while attractive attributes, I fail to see the innovation of which you speak.

Can you expound????
 
Robert Herndon said:
I've played quite a few. The Artist Series is fairly common among studio musician's here, although the Music Man is replacing them rapidly.

Other than the legally required unique headstock design and the 25" scale, I really don't see any "innovation" from Paul. I think his firm builds a quality guitar, but against an Echopark??? There just isn't any comparison.

Neither company is really innovative, per-se, to the extent that they simply offer a different version of long existing design, and the manufacturing techniques (both shown and described) are identical.

The gentleman in the PRS video commented on his 200 employees. Echopark has less than 5.

To be totally honest, other than the Hollow Point system, Earvana, Lace Sensor, when was the last time you saw any real innovation in guitar building???

For example, I had B. Hefner build me a Les Paul neck with a Fender headstock which I put on a Stratocaster. Was this Innovation???? No. What about my set neck 24.75" Tele-esque guitars with a legally-required unique headstock design???? Nothing new!!!

A unique headstock, compound radius fretboards, an improvement on Leo Fender's vibrato design, select (high quality) woods and a fast-hard curing finish, while attractive attributes, I fail to see the innovation of which you speak.

Can you expound????
Click to expand...
Off the top of my head
- proprietary stoptail Bridge, some feel is the best (including me)
- Innovative 2 point trem system, some feel is the best (I do not play trem, so no comment)
- multiple new pickup designs, including 408 pups with alternate coil activation
- V12 finish
- proprietary open back tuners, my favorite and the best I ave ever tried.
-- unique 2 piece bridge for single cuts (Tune-o-matic inspired)
- an amazing straight pull side-by-side tuner headstock.

8161718_800.jpg
prs-408-10-top-versatile-408-pickups-multiple-8-settings-57-08-wire-and-magnets_31399.JPG
image_94068.jpg
s2-singlecut-bridge.jpg
 
Last edited:
RVA said:
Disagree. Just because it is not radical, it does not mean there are not significant differences. Paul is an innovator. You should look into PRS guitars more closely some time.
Click to expand...

I also disagree, and I am not really a PRS fanboi: I've said before I have a soft spot, but that's only because I grew up in Maryland where they are made. No, Paul Smith has taken large-scale guitar building to a very different level (and TBH, I don't buy into the tiny builder = better product by default mindset. I played a couple Echo Park guitars (Ghetto Birds) and they were very nicely made but nothing that blew my skirt up, just well built versions of things we already know). The PRS neck design and join is actually pretty unique if you compare closely to other builders, but its not (in my mind) about innovation with PRS guitars, to me its about carefully considered evolution and improvement in materials, technique and design. I say all this while underscoring the fact that I have no real interest in buying another PRS and will probably be selling the one I do have in the near future, I just think we as players should acknowledge the fact that PRS has been successful precisely because he/they really do do thing differently than other builders.
 
gball said:
I also disagree, and I am not really a PRS fanboi: I've said before I have a soft spot, but that's only because I grew up in Maryland where they are made. No, Paul Smith has taken large-scale guitar building to a very different level (and TBH, I don't buy into the tiny builder = better product by default mindset. I played a couple Echo Park guitars (Ghetto Birds) and they were very nicely made but nothing that blew my skirt up, just well built versions of things we already know). The PRS neck design and join is actually pretty unique if you compare closely to other builders, but its not (in my mind) about innovation with PRS guitars, to me its about carefully considered evolution and improvement in materials, technique and design. I say all this while underscoring the fact that I have no real interest in buying another PRS and will probably be selling the one I do have in the near future, I just think we as players should acknowledge the fact that PRS has been successful precisely because he/they really do do thing differently than other builders.
Click to expand...
I get this and think we are essentially on the same page. I would just add that, generally speaking, a new improvement on an existing design can be patented, so from my perspective, I classify this as an innovation. It does not have to be all new to be an innovation.

Now, what guitar ware you selling?
 
I don't think it is possible to make major improvements in a guitar - the basic design is a done deal. You can certainly make the basic parts better. One example would be the dual action truss rod; it no longer counters the pull of the strings in a way that means it needs adjusting with a chage of weather. It actually tells the neck - you will remain here.
 
Speaking of PRS necks, why does the neck have such a bulky heel at the body on some models?
 
Last edited:
smitty_p said:
Speaking of PRS necks, why does the neck have such a bulky heel at the body on some models?
Click to expand...

They seem bulky, but I have found that they "disappear: when you are actually playing them.

RVA said:
I get this and think we are essentially on the same page. I would just add that, generally speaking, a new improvement on an existing design can be patented, so from my perspective, I classify this as an innovation. It does not have to be all new to be an innovation.

Now, what guitar ware you selling?
Click to expand...

Yes, we are saying the same thing I believe and definitely agree that it's not about being all new. What Paul Smith does is definitely some next-level sh!t when it comes to perfecting design.

I am very likely selling my 2013 Mira very soon. It's a first-generation S-2, one of the very first ones made in fact, and I do really like it but it never gets played.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RVA
gball said:
They seem bulky, but I have found that they "disappear: when you are actually playing them.
Click to expand...

Interesting. When I look at the McCarty 594 it is nearly a perfect guitar for my purposes, including my persnickety control layout preferences.

I was always suspicious of that heel, though.

I’d still like a trem option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top