Korea-made PRS -- wow!

[ArtyBoy]

Today I saw something new to me -- Paul Reed Smith guitars that were made in Korea. Two Santanas ($499) and two SE/Soapbar models ($450). Cosmetically these had similarities to the Schecters and stop-tail Ibanezes I've seen from Korea that suggest they were made in the same plant. However, there were subtle differences.

The action, right there on the Guitar Center floor, out of the box, was excellent. The grain to the wood, whether it was a veneer or not, was lovely. They even had the crescent moon inlays. Hardware was nice.

Tone-wise I was playing them through a Line 6 amp I wasn't familiar with, and at a low volume so as not to disturb my fellow shoppers, so that may have introduced mudiness; still sounded okay. The pickups looked to be of sturdy build, though, and I noticed the Santana even had cloth around the coils.

If they make a single-cut version of these, Epiphone can forget ever selling another Les Paul!

 

[wolfzbane]

I agree with everything you just said..... I coincidentally bought one today, a PRS SE Soapbar II in nice Vintage Cherry red.
It caught my eye just when I was leaving the store (they kinda hide them from plain sight where I shop), it was sitting between a few other Korean made PRS models.
I tried it on a Vox VR30 since that's what I usually play on at home.
Very good tones in that little guitar, it was very surprising.
The wide fat neck on those is just superb, and although it doesn't have neck binding it is very smooth, a very beautiful job on the fret ends.
Those p-90s are pretty good for the price, very raunchy, although a bit noisy for some people. I don't mind the hum too much. It can do the Strat sound with more balls to it. It can also be a little Gibson-esque at times.
It has all the tones I was missing with my present gear, a very nice addition to my range of sounds.
And it's just a pleasure to play.
The action is actually very decent. Controls are basic, one vol and one tone, but the pots actually work beautifully.
It is noticeably lighter than an SG and better balanced neck/body-wise.
Comes with a very thick and sturdy gigbag.
Dude, at this price it's a steal.

 

[Hard2Hear]

Artyboy- This is their singlecut import. Also $499

 

[ArtyBoy]

Heh, yeah over at the Telecaster page (tdpri.com) it has been brought to my attention that these things have been around four years now. For some reason I've never seen them before around here, and then suddenly they were prominently displayed at the front of the store. Anyhow, I was very impressed! PRS -- Make a tobacco sunburst singlecut and you might have a buyer!