Paul Reed Smith Interviews John McLaughlin

[lammie200]

Kinda fun interview IMHO. I don’t have a PRS and don’t need another ax. Couldn’t dig the birds anyway. But a lot of people like them. Looks like JM does. I guess that he moved on from Godin. I saw him play a few years back and he played a Godin.

Edit: Actually his signature model doesn’t have the birds. Got some cool cosmos geometric shapes.

[Oscar67]

He’s been with PRS for a long, long time now. That’s a limited run private stock instrument. Only 200 made at 16.5k€ each

I adore PRS because of their tireless improvement drive (with Gibson and Fender, folks want the old ones; with PRS they want the new ones), impeccable work ethic and their ability to produce outstanding musical instruments in four different price ranges. Having said that, their hollowbodies never swayed me. Something’s missing there. For solidbodies I’ll never play anything but PRS. The 25” scale length just rules.

[Rob MacKillop]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. What an incredible band, and it’s great to hear the electric guitar in there too. Works for me.

[Greywolf]

It took Paul a long time to get John onboard , Carlos helped . His insights are delightful , I've been a fan since his Miles days on Bitches Brew when Jimi couldn't make the sessions . I am blessed with 7 PRS electrics and 1 very special Acoustic made for Ricky Skaggs. They are among the finest production guitars around. Paul's relationship with Ted McCarty had a lot to do with his success.

[Cunamara]

It has taken years for PRS guitars to grow on me at all. They've always sounded good but the headstock shape and the body shape I have had some trouble with, aesthetically speaking. They have been around long enough now, though, that I've gotten used to it. Both just look a bit awkward to my eyes. But they certainly source gorgeous woods, do finishes second to none and, where the rubber meets the road, the tone is wonderful. I don't think John McLaughlin has ever sounded better on an electric guitar when he does on his PRSes.

I've had a chance to play a couple; as was mentioned above, the Hollowbodies don't quite do it for me tonally; the solid bodies were great. From that standpoint I get why people want them, and they sell a lot of them. But that headstock…

[Oscar67]

Personally I love the body shapes, headstock included. The 25” scale length and their unbelievable scrutiny in having the frets in exactly the right position contributes a lot to the brand. That, and being truly ready for duty right off the shelf. They’re worry-free. A quick tune-up and I start playing and forget the guitar is even there. I have four: a ‘18 core DGT, a ‘10 NF3 (probably the most fabulous solidbody I’ve ever played), a ‘10 DC3 and a 2004 SE Soapbar. The NF3 and DC3 are little-loved oddballs and totally underrated. They sound like no other well-known guitar but have a unique voice all their own - which is why they failed commercially. But that unique voice is exactly why I appreciate them.

[Hyppolyte Bergamotte]

PRS are the best new guitars of the world,light years ahead of the current Fender and Gibson

I have personally seven,5 solid bodies and 2 hollow bodies Private stock.

For me,the sound of my two hollow bodies private stock are the best of the best ,real jazz sound.
Don’t understand why some people here says the contrary?
And I LOVE the birds !

HB

[Oscar67]

PRS are the best new guitars of the world,light years ahead of the current Fender and Gibson

Until you hit Fender/Gibson custom shop level.

For me,the sound of my two hollow bodies private stock are the best of the best ,real jazz sound. Don’t understand why some people here says the contrary?

Private stock is at a completely different level, clocking in at the 10k-16k price point. The core line hollowbodies I’ve played were technically perfect but sounded somewhat sterile and lacked character. They didn’t inspire me. I can easily get a smokey, woody, articulated jazz tone from my core DGT but the hollowbodies struck me mostly as articulated and not much else. I’ve played many and I want to like them, but I don’t.

[Greywolf]

for those who want a more traditional headstock , the limited run SC-J ( for jazz) is a delightful choice , they came with or without Bigsby's .

[Oscar67]

I’d love to try one of those!