My friend plays the guitar. I, however play the piano. He is always telling me how much PRS guitars are SO nice; that they`re hand-made. I saw the guitars and thought they looked really nice, the Dragon series too. Well, anyway. His birthday is coming up and he has a Fender electric guitar, but i want to buy him a PRS or any other good hand-made guitars. Any suggestions?

I`m a big PRS fan. I have 2. How much do you want to spend?

The PRS Santana SE is about $530 from Musician`s Friend. It is their budget line that is made in Korea, but truth is I play it the most because I don`t have to worry so much about marring it up and it plays and sounds like a PRS. My Guitar Salesman told me it is the best guitar in its price range.

However, if you have more money to spend (they start at $1750 Musician`s Friend price), then you`ll first have to decide on 22 or 24 frets. The 22 has a stiffer neck and plays more like a Les Paul; the 24 is a bit more like a revved up Strat (but they both have a 25" scale length, so they`re really more their own animal). Next you`ll have to decide if you friend is in to whammy bars or not - it is called a tremelo bar although it really produces a vibrato.

From there it is how fancy do you want to get. Standards ($1750) are a plain but beautiful piece of mahogany with translucent finish and moon inlays. Customs ($2000) have a flame maple cap on top of the mahogany, moon inlays are standard, but abalone bird inlays are optional. Custom 22 ten top comes with the fines flame top and the bird inlays($2500).

There are also other models --Santana (my other one), single cuts that look like LP`s, McCarty model, and the new jazzy archtop and hollowbody models, all of which are more expensive. And of course, you can look for their custom beauties or order on of your own. At that point though, you would definitely want some input from the receiver.

Go to the PRS website to learn more about the guitars and the go to Musician`s Friend to get more quotes (they have to email them to you.) IF you have a store in the area that carries them, then go take a look or better yet take your friend with you.

Hope this was helpful.
Julie

I would suggest to visit a local music store in your area!! People who say "try musician`s friend" or "music123" are really not giving the music industry a chance (that is for small stores) who have so much to offer....like service!!!!! I should know because I own a small store! Paul Reed Smith are way to expensive for what they`re worth! I own 3 `Raven` guitars...and guess what? They`re just as nice and 3 times as less!!! No book match but solid top all the way across. Many other makers are doing this...no joke!!!!! Take my advice. You shouldn`t purchase a `rolls royce` and than put Volkswagon hubs on it!!!

I completley disagree that PRS`s are not worth what you pay. They are absolutley worth every penny. Not only are they incredible instruments, I consider my PRS`s investments. Although they cost quite a bit, they also hold their value like no other instrument. Try to sell a Raven guitar in a few years when your ready to upgrade. You`ll be luck if you get a third of what you paid. With a PRS on the other hand you sometimes even get more than you paid.

To upgrade a Raven??? You`re joking!! Sorry, but I whole-heartedly dissagree with you! I wouldn`t sell my Raven for anything! And PRS wanted to sue Raven for their "copies"!! Listen, everyone has their own opinion but I would gladly save $1000.00 on a great playing Raven "copy"! Other makers like Samick are just as good! Period!! Sometimes you do just get what you pay for, but this is truly the exception!!!

Why anyone would waste money on a PRS is beyond me... JMO
PRS`s try to sound like a Strat and a Les Paul but fail miserably in both arenas. For my money I`d buy a Les Paul any day over a PRS.
A PRS is like a woman; pretty to look at, can be fun to play with, and does alot of things fairly well, But has no balls.
A Les Paul is like a man; handsome, is strong, does one thing and does it right, And has big fat hairy balls.

If you can`t make a PRS scream, then you`re either not a guitarist, or a mediochre one with NO balls at all!

Pierre

This is one of the funniest strings I`ve ever read.

Interesting topic turned a few heads. I own a Paul Reed Smith guitar, and many others that do not need to be talked about. The PRS is World Class. I`m not going to say it`s the best ever, but I challenge all the World to at least compare all the guitars in the World to it. How`s that? No offence anybody. Any challengers welcome is a friendly and confident statement. I believe the PRS is a World class guitar, take note: IT has class. Now I think you might have been kidding about buying one, maybe trying to stir up some dragons or something, but do it. Buy the guitar. I see no downside. Strat Man Dwight

Rich-
It would take too long to explain to you the differences of a Samick or Raven compared to a Paul Reed Smith. You have made it clear that you lack any and all consideration, understanding and appreciation for the art of the Luthiere. I didn`t understand that last metephore " Take my advice. You shouldn`t purchase a `rolls royce` and than put Volkswagon hubs on it!!!", I think you were trying to say something else. I`ll make it clear to you. A Cadillac will get you from point A to point B, so will a YUGO. Which would you rather drive?

Jake, I`ll take the Cadillac, personally. Thanks for writing even though it`s not originally my topic. You saw (I assume) that I have a PRS. World Class. Made from the best materials on this Planet, with the finest art of Lutherie. I couldn`t find a flaw anywhere. I don`t think it could be beaten in QUALITY unless the aliens had something better in their galaxies. Strat man Dwight

To the person who said,`I don`t know anything about luthiers!! Listen, I repair guitars, play guitars and purchase guitars! I attend NAMM show conventions,visit and talk to the manufacturers. Hey dude..do you know who Al McKay is?? Maybe you`re too young but anyway I`ll tell you who he is and why I brought up his name!!!

Oh,...I`d definitely drive the Yugo over a Caddy. It would get better mileage and the motor would last and last (wouldn`t ride as well but we`re talkin` practicality, not comfort and looks!!

I`ve seen alot of people driving Cadillacs lately. I just started taking note. I`m sure that others, for the most part are very jealous of them. I had a Caddy when I was 17, after 4 years` work, and played a Tele. A Caddy is no longer appropriate for me, though I have aged, I have mellowed. But I decided I want the same level of quality in a guitar. That`s why, aside from Teles and Strats, I must have Gibson and PRS to satisfy my craving for the best. I`m not a show-off. I just worked hard and earned the right. Now I appreciate my PRS even more. It`s not about the money. I hope it`s worth more than a Yugo. If it`s not, I`ll be devastated anyhow. Strat Man Dwight

PRS Guitars are built like tanks. The necks are the most consistant that I have worked on. I am a full time luthier and part store owner and sevice about 40 guitars a week. The repair guys see it all. Past all of the hype and find out exactly how the guitars perform and how they work. PRS has the best trem in the business, the Stop Tail bridge design is incredibly stable and intonates perfectly when set up correctly. The necks do not move and if a tweak is needed the double action truss works like a charm. Fit and finish is extraordinary. The only other guitars being built with this quality are Tom Anderson Guitars. I know I have worked on them all.