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MGR/BILL « PRS Custom 22 Artist »
Published on 05/26/03 at 15:00I purchased the guitar from Professional Music Technology in Birmingham, UK. I paid £3,000 for the instrument, which was a competitive price, as the recommended UK retail price is around £4,400. As for why, I have always wanted a PRS and seeing and playing my example, it was love at first sight.
Just about everything. I have been playing guitar for most of my 40 years of life and also have a Les Paul Standard, US Deluxe Stratocaster (my fourth Strat)and a Martin 00028. Putting the accoustic to one side, this guitar comfortably surpasses all the electrics I have owned so far. I can best describe it as having the soulful sweetness of the Les Paul, whilst careful experimentation with the controls will yield a nice strat-type attack-based sound. It's also as easy to handle as - and actually lighter than - the Fender.
In complete honesty - nothing at all.
Quality and attention to detail is one of PRS's selling points. Everything, the quality of materials, the finish, hardware and set up itself raises the bar far beyond what would reasonably be expected of high end guitar builders. It's very clear that much thought has gone into the design and build of this guitar. My particular example has the Artist pack and is finished in dark cherry quilt, with pau bird inlays and looks simply stunning. I initially thought of going for a conventional (i.e., non-Artist) Custom, but I'm very pleased I went the whole hog. My advice to anyone with a similar dilemma, assuming expense is not an issue, is simply to go for it - you'll be getting a unique instrument which cannot be replicated and is likely to hold it's value well. Besides, the extras, which includes gold hardware, Pau bird inlays & headstock insignia (which under certain types of stage lighting, look as though they are back-lit!!), 10-top and a very smart black leather case (unique to the Artist) are all well worth the extra outlay.
Whilst I am thoroughlly pleased with my guitar, the Custom 22 isn't for every style. Whereas the 22 is sweet, melow and very Les Paul orientated, the 24 on the other hand is very agressive, with an entirely different personality - a shredders dream. The best idea is to try one. Also, be aware that the neck profiles are very different, which itself has implications for the tonal characteristics. Mine is of the 'wide-fat' variety, most consistent with this sweet, bluesy tone.
I also want to add some comments about PRS themselves. I researched my purchase thoroughlly and actually consulted PRS for advice. They were very friendly and astonishingly honest and asked me to let them know which model I eventually decided upon. I did and a few days later, in the post, was a parcel with PRS's name stamp on the front, which contained a friendly letter thanking me for my interest, enclosing a backplate signed by the man himself!! That will be worth something in years to come. In the meantime, it is nice to know that they not only care about their instruments, but also the people that play them as well.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
Just about everything. I have been playing guitar for most of my 40 years of life and also have a Les Paul Standard, US Deluxe Stratocaster (my fourth Strat)and a Martin 00028. Putting the accoustic to one side, this guitar comfortably surpasses all the electrics I have owned so far. I can best describe it as having the soulful sweetness of the Les Paul, whilst careful experimentation with the controls will yield a nice strat-type attack-based sound. It's also as easy to handle as - and actually lighter than - the Fender.
In complete honesty - nothing at all.
Quality and attention to detail is one of PRS's selling points. Everything, the quality of materials, the finish, hardware and set up itself raises the bar far beyond what would reasonably be expected of high end guitar builders. It's very clear that much thought has gone into the design and build of this guitar. My particular example has the Artist pack and is finished in dark cherry quilt, with pau bird inlays and looks simply stunning. I initially thought of going for a conventional (i.e., non-Artist) Custom, but I'm very pleased I went the whole hog. My advice to anyone with a similar dilemma, assuming expense is not an issue, is simply to go for it - you'll be getting a unique instrument which cannot be replicated and is likely to hold it's value well. Besides, the extras, which includes gold hardware, Pau bird inlays & headstock insignia (which under certain types of stage lighting, look as though they are back-lit!!), 10-top and a very smart black leather case (unique to the Artist) are all well worth the extra outlay.
Whilst I am thoroughlly pleased with my guitar, the Custom 22 isn't for every style. Whereas the 22 is sweet, melow and very Les Paul orientated, the 24 on the other hand is very agressive, with an entirely different personality - a shredders dream. The best idea is to try one. Also, be aware that the neck profiles are very different, which itself has implications for the tonal characteristics. Mine is of the 'wide-fat' variety, most consistent with this sweet, bluesy tone.
I also want to add some comments about PRS themselves. I researched my purchase thoroughlly and actually consulted PRS for advice. They were very friendly and astonishingly honest and asked me to let them know which model I eventually decided upon. I did and a few days later, in the post, was a parcel with PRS's name stamp on the front, which contained a friendly letter thanking me for my interest, enclosing a backplate signed by the man himself!! That will be worth something in years to come. In the meantime, it is nice to know that they not only care about their instruments, but also the people that play them as well.
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com