Tops: PRS vs. Gibson

[MIDNIGHT]

hey ya'll

ok i don't wanna start anything controversial here.. i just wanna know what you guys think.. some of you might feel strong about one or the other but i'm saying it beforehand that i do not intend to spark any bad arguments here.. ok guys?

peace

i've just recently developed this notion that PRS, i feel, is more consistent in making awesomely book-matched tops than Gibson.. nothing against Gibson.. once again lemme say peace peace peace

does anybody agree?

So now the question for the pole is this:

Which of the two is more consistent in making book-matched tops? - PRS or Gibson?

Vote now

[NeoConMan]

I love my Gibsons, but PRS beats the hell out of them in the bookmatched tops department.

Need proof? Hit this link -

Paul Reed Smith - a photoset on Flickr

Show me a Gibson with a top like that.

I've seen a few that came close, but they cost ALOT more than my PRS did.

[ArchEtech]

Originally Posted by NeoConMan

I love my Gibsons, but PRS beats the hell out of them in the bookmatched tops department.

Need proof? Hit this link -

Paul Reed Smith - a photoset on Flickr

Show me a Gibson with a top like that.

I've seen a few that came close, but they cost ALOT more than my PRS did.

I think PRS tops are 10x better, but I prefer gibson necks and bindings. Most PRS's I've seen don't even have bound fingerboard. Its a must for me.

[terence_tez]

i hate to be sayin this ,but fer the matter,prs wins,hands down...

[WildeStarr]

I don't really care about the book matched tops, but I will take my LP over a PRS any day.

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by NeoConMan

I love my Gibsons, but PRS beats the hell out of them in the bookmatched tops department.

Need proof? Hit this link -

Paul Reed Smith - a photoset on Flickr

Show me a Gibson with a top like that.

I've seen a few that came close, but they cost ALOT more than my PRS did.

sweet pics!

that is indeed a totally awesome top! 's up

for more pics of awesome PRS tops,

PRS Private Stock
Vintage Rocker
PRS Guitars Private Stocks, Modern Eagles at Wild West Guitars

[lp59aholicDon]

Yes over the last few decades since PRS launched it whole scale, He has had consistiantly better tops but they aint Les Pauls you can put a gorgous piece of wood over fresh cut pine planks, form it into a guitar body throw on a decent neck , string it up, prolly wont even sound as good a plain top Korean Epiphone fresh off the factory floor, it is, or should always be about tone over looks IMHO

[johnreardon]

If you want pretty wood, then yes PRS do make lots of pretty guitars.

If you want a great sounding and playing guitars, then for me, it would generally come from Fender or Gibson.

Pretty guitars do NOT necessarily sound and play good

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by johnreardon

Pretty guitars do NOT necessarily sound and play good

no argument here

BUT, pretty guitars CAN sound good, right?

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

no argument here

BUT, pretty guitars CAN sound good, right?

Of course. But be aware that some people, me included, find some PRS pickups to be a bit bland. They are not necessarily to everyone's taste.


BTW I currently have 3 PRS models and have owned another two

[Markster]

Originally Posted by johnreardon

Of course. But be aware that some people, me included, find some PRS pickups to be a bit bland. They are not necessarily to everyone's taste.


BTW I currently have 3 PRS models and have owned another two

I agree about the pickups.
I gut every PRS and replace the pups, caps, and pots. After this, I actually prefer the PRSs to Gibson.

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by johnreardon

Of course. But be aware that some people, me included, find some PRS pickups to be a bit bland. They are not necessarily to everyone's taste.


BTW I currently have 3 PRS models and have owned another two

then can't you just change the pups?

ya got of your PRS's john?

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

then can't you just change the pups?

ya got of your PRS's john?

Of course you can, however, I prefer buying guitars as the manufacturer made them. They know far more than I do about making guitars, so I respect their judgement. If I don't like a stock guitar, then I move it on.

Having said that, I have changed the pickups in my PRS Singlecut. I found the pickups not as good as those in my R7, so I thought I would, for once, try changing them. Currently got a pair of humbucker sized P90s in it. Whilst it definitely improved the guitar, it still doesn't sound as good as my R6.


Three I have left are, L to R, Singlecut, Hollowbody II & Santana III

Of these, for me, the Santana III is the best.

[ArchEtech]

Those would look good with bound fingerboards....

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by ArchEtech

Those would look good with bound fingerboards....

Who cares what they look like?


Surely it's how they sound and play that's the most important

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by johnreardon

Of course you can, however, I prefer buying guitars as the manufacturer made them. They know far more than I do about making guitars, so I respect their judgement. If I don't like a stock guitar, then I move it on.

Having said that, I have changed the pickups in my PRS Singlecut. I found the pickups not as good as those in my R7, so I thought I would, for once, try changing them. Currently got a pair of humbucker sized P90s in it. Whilst it definitely improved the guitar, it still doesn't sound as good as my R6.


Three I have left are, L to R, Singlecut, Hollowbody II & Santana III

Of these, for me, the Santana III is the best.

ahh yes.. i've seen this pic before.. sorry, just forgot

they look AWESOME john..

ugh.. how many guitars do you have!?!?

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

ahh yes.. i've seen this pic before.. sorry, just forgot

they look AWESOME john..

ugh.. how many guitars do you have!?!?

12 at the moment.

6 Fenders
3 Gibson
3 PRS.

11 here.



+ latest



Seems a lot, but don't forget, I have been around for a while

[terence_tez]

john,that a mighty fine lookin tele you got there!!!is that a butterscotch?

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by johnreardon

man john!

your collection is totally decked out and sweet!

from the collection, when did you get your first one? and which one was it?

[loneguitar]

PRS in it's own right is ok, BUT it ain't no Gibson, John sweet looking herd thanks fer the pics

[NeoConMan]

I got 6 Gibsons, number 7 on the way. I love 'em.
I have only one PRS. It is indeed a KILLER guitar, not just another pretty face.
The quilted Maple top is stunning, but it's just the icing on the cake. The guitar kicks butt.
I would love to get a Hollowbody II to go with my Anniversary Artist Custom 24.

Is one "better" than the other?
I don't even bother with that baloney. My PRS is very different than any Gibson, 'nuff said.

Dave

P.S.,
John, that is indeed a beautiful herd.
I'm guessing you feel kinda the same way comparing Gibson and PRS.

[tarddoggy]

Originally Posted by johnreardon

Who cares what they look like?


Surely it's how they sound and play that's the most important

i AGREE john,I have played a coupla beautys that sounded horrible,but,were really nice to look at.As far as PRS vs.Gibson tops,I tend to side with the PRS for looks,but, the Gibson for tone.

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

man john!

your collection is totally decked out and sweet!

from the collection, when did you get your first one? and which one was it?

All of the guitars there, were bought fairly recently. The first one I bought was the Limited Edition 335, back in 2001. I also have a Strat I bought in 1993, but it's on permanent loan to my son.

The oldest guitar in the pics is the Homer Haynes Strat, with the gold pickguard. That's from 1989. The other gold Strat is from 1996. The rest are all this Century.

I have had others, but moved them on

[johnreardon]

Originally Posted by NeoConMan

I got 6 Gibsons, number 7 on the way. I love 'em.
I have only one PRS. It is indeed a KILLER guitar, not just another pretty face.
The quilted Maple top is stunning, but it's just the icing on the cake. The guitar kicks butt.
.
John, that is indeed a beautiful herd.
I'm guessing you feel kinda the same way comparing Gibson and PRS.

Yep. I couldn't care less who makes the things or what they look like, as long as they play and sound great.

BTW if you do go for an Hollowbody, don't ignore the Spruce version. A friend has one and it sounds amazing on the piezo. More convincing acoustic sound than mine, which isn't bad

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by johnreardon

Yep. I couldn't care less who makes the things or what they look like, as long as they play and sound great.

BTW if you do go for an Hollowbody, don't ignore the Spruce version. A friend has one and it sounds amazing on the piezo. More convincing acoustic sound than mine, which isn't bad

i noticed spruce is more often used in acoustic guitars.. plus now that you mention the PRS Hollowbody spruce version having a great acoustic sound, can we conclude that spruce is better for acoustics than electrics?

[alpinestudio]

PRS-Better quality and tops than Gibson.

Gibson-Playability and sound more than PRS.

But we're not debating about playability and sound. So PRS wins for Tops.

[lexluthier]

There is a lot of difference in tone between a Gibson and a PRS. Lot of it is due to the design choices used by PRS, longer scale, thinner mahogany bodies, thicker maple tops, etc, etc. Kind of like comparing apples to oranges.

Frankly, right now I think Hamer is building better guitars than either PRS or Gibson. Some of the new Hamers blow me away. There is a Newport hanging at a store near me that has my name on it I'm afraid! LOL

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by lexluthier

There is a lot of difference in tone between a Gibson and a PRS. Lot of it is due to the design choices used by PRS, longer scale, thinner mahogany bodies, thicker maple tops, etc, etc. Kind of like comparing apples to oranges.

Frankly, right now I think Hamer is building better guitars than either PRS or Gibson. Some of the new Hamers blow me away. There is a Newport hanging at a store near me that has my name on it I'm afraid! LOL

just checked out hamer's site..

Hamer Guitars

the guitars they're cooking up look boiling hot!

but do they sound as great as they look?

[lexluthier]

I borrow my brother's korina Artist every once in a while, might be one of the finest guitars I've ever played.

[Axeman16]

gibson custom shop is equal to prs but standard production have a ways to go.