Paul Reed Smith's Strat shootout goes off the rails

[Xpensive Wino]

 

[jb_abides]

Tough choices all around, but all within the expected range.

Really down to what you want to dial in, what you prefer.

I'll probably never have (or want) a vintage Strat to compare with, but my Strats are all OK, "Close Enough for Government Work"... I have the PRS SilverSky SE, and it compares favorably to others: a Nash with Lollars, both 57 and 62 AVRI, my newer AmPro with 65 Vintage Custom Shop SSS.

Not even going to compare with the Ultra with the noiseless, that's Stratty but a bit differenct. not to mention the Schecter NJ because that's HSS.

But they all give up a 'Stratty sound' to these ears. I can hear the difference in everything presented but you can get lost in options, and prefer one than the other, for different applications, and how do they sit in the mix?!

So, for the money, the PRS SilverSky SE is hard to beat; plus, I bought during the 2024 Fall clearance, so even lower!

Not a fan of the NF3 in this situation, then again, the Park might not be the best match. Those NF3s have a particular application that's focused and singing, I think of Jimmy Herring. Here, I think it came off a bit muddled and compressed.

 

[Tollywood]

I know plenty of people who like to play a variety of instruments but I only like playing Les Pauls. I don't like variety, I prefer familiarity. Does anybody else feel the way that I do?

 

[jb_abides]

I know plenty of people who like to play a variety of instruments but I only like playing Les Pauls. I don't like variety, I prefer familiarity. Does anybody else feel the way that I do?

For me: I certainly have a "go-to" core (Les Paul... then SG, ES). And then wander around, to shake it up for variety (toward the Fender platforms). Really, this preference seems to be centered around scale and neck profile, then other attributes.

Essentially LP is The Core, even though I initially spent more time on the Tele; by nature of only owning one guitar [because it tool so long to find a Lefty Lester].

Interestingly, I almost went with a used Ric 12 string for my first electric, it was all I could find (and afford) in the early 80s. I was going use it with 6 strings.

Then Fender brought the Japanese 62 Tele Vintage Reissue over; they were in their 'transitional' corporate manufacturing period do I snapped that up instead. I always dream of that Ric's action, though...

Even in Boston, no Lefty Gibsons. @Elliot Easton must have hoovered them all up, LOL.

 

[Vics53]

I know plenty of people who like to play a variety of instruments but I only like playing Les Pauls. I don't like variety, I prefer familiarity. Does anybody else feel the way that I do?

I'm no pro. Just an average but decent player. Took me a while to find something that really felt like "home" and for me it's the SG shape. Sitting or standing it all seems to fall in place for me. The neck is much more to the left compared to other guitars but it feels so right and "familiar" in my hands. The light weight is a plus for my back.

Bought an Epiphone SG Pro in 2019 and right away I loved it. My prize is my Gibson SG Special that I bought a few years ago. Changed the pickups and the bridge and I'll tell ya, this is what I've been looking for. Got that single coil clarity that I love but the sound has some real substance to it.

 

[J T]

For me: I certainly have a "go-to" core (Les Paul... then SG, ES). And then wander around, to shake it up for variety (toward the Fender platforms). Really, this preference seems to be centered around scale and neck profile, then other attributes.

You know, I didn't pick up my Tele much even though I love the sound of it. I thought Why am I not playing that guitar? Then it occurred to me, it was the Fender vintage neck I didn't like. So I ordered a custom Warmoth neck and now I love the feel of that guitar and I play it a lot more.

So I agree that "Feel" counts for a lot.

 

[jb_abides]

You know, I didn't pick up my Tele much even though I love the sound of it. I thought Why am I not playing that guitar? Then it occurred to me, it was the Fender vintage neck I didn't like. So I ordered a custom Warmoth neck and now I love the feel of that guitar and I play it a lot more.

So I agree that "Feel" counts for a lot.

Yeah, I am very centered around feel.

Gibson necks are home.

Others are like travel. I like to go on vacation, stay at resorts, hotels, other folk's guest rooms, cabins in the woods, sometimes camp in RVs or tents... it's good for a temporary change, when the situation demands.

But eventually I find my way back home.

 

[SpencerD]

I remember seeing PRS playing guitar with Root Boy Slim And The Sex Change Band.

yeah,i ain't young no mo'

 

[Dave P]

When I did the deal on my R9, I had some leftover money, so I put some money down on a teal SE Silver Sky. Some of the colors are fucking hideous, though. LOL
FWIW, I owned a bunch of vintage Strats: 57, 61, 63, 64, 65, & 66. The 63 was by far the best. The absolute best Strat I ever played was a beat to shit 58 Strat, that thing was glorious sounding. I still regret to this day not pulling the trigger on it.

 

[Dave P]

Tough choices all around, but all within the expected range.

Really down to what you want to dial in, what you prefer.

I'll probably never have (or want) a vintage Strat to compare with, but my Strats are all OK, "Close Enough for Government Work"... I have the PRS SilverSky SE, and it compares favorably to others: a Nash with Lollars, both 57 and 62 AVRI, my newer AmPro with 65 Vintage Custom Shop SSS.

Not even going to compare with the Ultra with the noiseless, that's Stratty but a bit differenct. not to mention the Schecter NJ because that's HSS.

But they all give up a 'Stratty sound' to these ears. I can hear the difference in everything presented but you can get lost in options, and prefer one than the other, for different applications, and how do they sit in the mix?!

So, for the money, the PRS SilverSky SE is hard to beat; plus, I bought during the 2024 Fall clearance, so even lower!

Not a fan of the NF3 in this situation, then again, the Park might not be the best match. Those NF3s have a particular application that's focused and singing, I think of Jimmy Herring. Here, I think it came off a bit muddled and compressed.

I really didn't like the neck on the NF3, if it had the Silver Sky neck, I would have liked it more. Jimmy Herring gets some killer sounds from his old NF3. Dealers practically had to give the 1st USA versions away because nobody wanted them. Weird that they reissued it.

 

[MarcB]

I know plenty of people who like to play a variety of instruments but I only like playing Les Pauls. I don't like variety, I prefer familiarity. Does anybody else feel the way that I do?

I was wondering about this the other day.. what’s it about “branding” that makes us play the older brands? Is it the “custom”, “lore”, “tradition” or is it because Gibson and Fender branding has seeded itself into the psychology of the industry/players and you can’t be “proper” unless you play either?

IMO It’s like a rite of passage.. to own and play a Fender or Gibson.. and your own loyalty to the lore associated with these brands determines if you continue to play these brands or switch to others. Which may well be “better” guitars .. but being a traditionalist and having a huge respect to all our forefathers.. that played Gibson and Fender’s.. I personally couldn’t play any other instrument.. much like I can only wear Levi’s and drink Coke.

Traditions are an honour to our past.

 

[zacknorton]

I have NEVER been able to even pretend to like the bridge pickup in a strat.
That SE silver sky sounded dangerously close to those vintage Strats DANGEROUSLY CLOSE. And that's impressive.

I still don't want one, but If I had a vintage strat, I'd turn into cash.

 

[Bob Womack]

What struck me about the video was how much clickbait the title was. Nothing went off the rails, the instrument they were proffering became everyone's favorite. Now, if everyone had glommed onto the black '63 and said SEs didn't shape up, that would be off the rails.

Bob

 

[J.D.]

PRS knows as much about vintage guitar details, especially those details that influence tone, as anyone

 

[Wilko]

No surprises in the video. (Well, maybe the repeated comments about '55s being quieter. never heard that) Strats are all pretty close and pickups make all the difference. Oh, and forget that RWRP thing. It sucks.

I've got a lovely 1960 slab board and a few other strats customized by me to make the bodies more similar to the '60 or to do their thing best.

I'm right at home an most guitars Strats, teles, Les Pauls, 335, etc.

 

[MarcB]

The holy trinity: Tele, Les Paul, 335

 

[Xpensive Wino]

The holy trinity: Tele, Les Paul, 335

 

[mikeslub]

In terms of vintage, my 1955 Strat is magical (one on the left). The others (left to right) are 1960, 1965, 1966.



That said, I sound like crap playing a Strat (the player, not the guitar).

 

[J.D.]

Maple necked Ash Strat definitely sounds different than RW necked Alder Strat.