Dilemma - PRS has ruined my life!

Legionreturns

I'm one of the fortunate hoard that secured an R8 in the blow out sale last year, having wanted one for ages. I bought it with the intention of keeping it forever and absolutely love Lesters. 

However, I recently got hold of an SE Custom 24 for a real bargain price, with the intention of using it for my kids sessions, alongside my fleet of other affordable guitars. 

Problem is, it's so bloody fantastic and easy to play that I'm finding myself picking it up at home, for jamming, and my R8 sits there on the wall rarely getting used. I've actually seriously contemplated looking for a trade for a full fat PRS and I think I need some common sense talked into me. 

sweepy

The PRS is better made and isprobably more playable but they have a horrible resale value. I’d get a PRS and keep the Les Paul too

Nikc

The SE's are great just stay playing that and keep the R8 - you'll always feel a hole in your life without it

dazzajl

From my playing time with PRS guitars, they either work for you or not. I can appreciate the brilliance but I’m in the not working camp. 

If you’re more in sync with that feel of guitar, the LP will quite possibly always disappoint.

Take it shopping and see if anything steals away your affections perhaps?

John_P

I know that feeling - coming up to 15 years ago I bought my first custom 24 and it’s stoll my go to guitar despite buying countless lovely guitars since then.      I wouldn’t rush into parting with the Les Paul though! 

Snags

Keep the LP and wait for the next tax year to scout out a PRS.

I have long periods when I don't touch my (much more lowly) LP, but I always come back to it after a while, and rediscover it.

RMJ

Why upgrade if you like the SE?

dazzajl

RMJ said:

Why upgrade if you like the SE?

Actually, that’s a very key question. 

Maynehead

Are you sure you’re not picking it up more because it is cheap and expendable?

Whitecat

SEs usually initially impress me and then slowly reveal their compromises as time goes on, and I end up selling them. They never seem to “open up” with age. 

Legionreturns

RMJ said:

Why upgrade if you like the SE?

That is indeed the pertinent question. 

I suppose in my mind, the SE was firmly in the "guitars that are for work/ business" box, and not "my" guitar. It has jumped camp, but nonetheless is still a work/business guitar. There is of course no reason it can't do both jobs. 

Thank you for your collective wisdom folks. 

dazzajl

Legionreturns said:

RMJ said:

Why upgrade if you like the SE?

That is indeed the pertinent question. 

I suppose in my mind, the SE was firmly in the "guitars that are for work/ business" box, and not "my" guitar. It has jumped camp, but nonetheless is still a work/business guitar. There is of course no reason it can't do both jobs. 

Thank you for your collective wisdom folks. 

And that also makes a lot of sense. As a snapper, I never use my work kit for any personal pics. No reason not to, just seems to feel like it’s imprinted with a completely different mindset. I have another bag of stuff for my own use and that somehow feels right.  

darthed1981

I've got a PRS SE Custom 24.

I've had a similar dilemma since I got it, you can play anything on it, it plays lovely, looks great, sounds great.

Fortunately I bought it before the R8 thing as well, so it put me off GAS.

The only real advantage of selling your R8 now is that you would sell it immediately just on here for basically what you paid for it.

I got the impression you loved it and it was your dream guitar (cos you told me ) so I wouldn't sell it unless you have to.

Legionreturns

darthed1981 said:

I got the impression you loved it and it was your dream guitar (cos you told me ) so I wouldn't sell it unless you have to.

I do, and it is. It plays beautifully and sounds amazing. 

I'm just finding the SE easier to play, which is probably as much to do with my finger injury as anything else. 

Voxman

I know what you mean. My PRS Cu24 is also one of my 'go to' guitars. Great versatility, overall tone, feel, and very comfortable to play with nice weight balance, and superb build quality. 

But coversely I find that PRS don't really have a unique personality and there are days I find I want the unique tones and character of a Tele, Strat, SG or LP.  None of these have the same versatility or build quality, but each is superb at what it does. 

So my advice is don't sell your R8 as you'll regret it. As much as you like your PRS there will be days you pick up your R8 and it will just feel and sound 'wow' and special and nothing else compares. 

TeleMaster

I’ve got a R9 from the blowout and it spends most of its time sitting on the wall because I have a CS tele that is just super nice to play. I’m okay with it. 

Fortheloveofguitar

I’d always wanted a full fat PRS Tremonti.  Once I got one I was shocked at just how bland a guitar it was. 

Even with pickup swaps it was sterile, dull and lifeless. One man’s poison though 

Jonathanthomas83

I bought an R8 too, then got a new core Custom 24 after being without one for nearly a year, I missed not having my PRS. They're both lovely and I love them equally, but play the PRS more. I can't see me selling the R8 as it amazes me every time I pick it up.

Jonathanthomas83

Voxman said:

I know what you mean. My PRS Cu24 is also one of my 'go to' guitars. Great versatility, overall tone, feel, and very comfortable to play with nice weight balance, and superb build quality. 

But coversely I find that PRS don't really have a unique personality and there are days I find I want the unique tones and character of a Tele, Strat, SG or LP.  None of these have the same versatility or build quality, but each is superb at what it does. 

So my advice is don't sell your R8 as you'll regret it. As much as you like your PRS there will be days you pick up your R8 and it will just feel and sound 'wow' and special and nothing else compares. 

Perfectly articulated. Wis'd.

guitarfishbay

Legionreturns said:

darthed1981 said:

I got the impression you loved it and it was your dream guitar (cos you told me ) so I wouldn't sell it unless you have to.

I do, and it is. It plays beautifully and sounds amazing. 

I'm just finding the SE easier to play, which is probably as much to do with my finger injury as anything else. 

Is it the slimmer neck? It’s been a long time since I played an R8 but IIRC they’ve got quite fat necks. CU24s typically have a thin neck profile

57Deluxe

use my SEII Soapbar about 80% of the time. The other 80% I use my £30 Telecaster(!). I rarely touch my Les Paul or £2000 335, or vintage Yamaha SG2000s or vintage 73 Strat or my LP DC Jr or my custom 62 RI Tele or Hofner Archtop or.....