Pictures of new PRS basses

[El-Bob]

Well, here's hoping it works out for them this time.

[MrDOS]

Originally Posted by Rickett Customs

A good group of players, but I think this is a better representation of the sound though....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU7rmewcrjE

Wow -- somebody who uses their thumb for "fingerstyle" more than I do! LOL

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by smcd

When Ferarri introduces a new model, do you carp about affordability, and wonder when Ferarri are going to release a hybrid commuter car?

If you can't afford a PRS guitar, the new basses aren't for you.

Ferarri has earned their reputation. PRS has not yet done that in the bass market.

And it's not necesarilly whether or not someone can afford it. Has more to do with whether or not they feel it's worth the asking price.

I think the blue one is pretty, and I like the passive/active options. I'd consideer it, but not at $3000.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Ferarri has earned their reputation. PRS has not yet done that in the bass market.

And it's not necesarilly whether or not someone can afford it. Has more to do with whether or not they feel it's worth the asking price.

I think the blue one is pretty, and I like the passive/active options. I'd consideer it, but not at $3000.

Whether PRS has earned their reputation on the bass market depends on who you ask. Ditto an item being worth the asking price. There's an overwhelmingly large contingent on TB that feels that a Sadowsky isn't worth the asking price when, for less than 1/10th of the cost you can buy a Chinese Squier that, to them, sounds and plays 90% as good.


If you're a person that has $3grand to drop on a bass, then PRS is something to consider. If you don't have that kind of money, then you shouldn't even be looking at PRS gear.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by smcd

Whether PRS has earned their reputation on the bass market depends on who you ask. Ditto an item being worth the asking price. There's an overwhelmingly large contingent on TB that feels that a Sadowsky isn't worth the asking price when, for less than 1/10th of the cost you can buy a Chinese Squier that, to them, sounds and plays 90% as good.


If you're a person that has $3grand to drop on a bass, then PRS is something to consider. If you don't have that kind of money, then you shouldn't even be looking at PRS gear.

Depending on whom you ask, the overwhelmingly large contingent either believes Sadowskys are overpriced, or gush that they are second to none. I'd argue that both contingents are sizeable.

Anyway, Mr. Nerve makes a valid point. PRS most definitely does not have the same reputation in the bass community as other boutique bass manufacturers: not remotely close to Sadowsky, Fodera, Alembic, MTD, many others. It doesn't mean PRS quality isn't respected, but their historically weak sales, even compared to other brands in the same price range, prove that their appeal is limited.

I own three Sadowskys, and have owned a number of other upscale boutiques, ranging from Fender-y to modern. Paul Reed Smith grew up in my hometown, I love his guitars, and wish him all the luck in the world, but even this new bass isn't doing it for me (ask me later if a wide string spacing option is available on the five string).

[jamestown94west]

In my opinion, PRS guitars are overpriced, and they've been selling those things like hot cakes since the 90's, or at least since the early 00's.

If they make a bass of comparable quality/feel/tone/fit and finish, then eventually these basses will find their market, and they will sell. Probably not about to step on the toes of the p bass or the jazz bass, but they will sell.

[TolerancEJ]

The PRS SE series are actually quite decent guitars. I am hoping this bass catches on and makes it into SE production. I would probably go for a 'budget-priced' PRS Grainger bass.

[Kawai-chang]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

The PRS SE series are actually quite decent guitars. I am hoping this bass catches on and makes it into SE production. I would probably go for a 'budget-priced' PRS Grainger bass.

I agree with this. I've played a few of the SE line, and they all seem to be very well made, nice guitars. Haven't yet run into a stinker.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

Depending on whom you ask, the overwhelmingly large contingent either believes Sadowskys are overpriced, or gush that they are second to none. I'd argue that both contingents are sizeable.

Anyway, Mr. Nerve makes a valid point. PRS most definitely does not have the same reputation in the bass community as other boutique bass manufacturers: not remotely close to Sadowsky, Fodera, Alembic, MTD, many others. It doesn't mean PRS quality isn't respected, but their historically weak sales, even compared to other brands in the same price range, prove that their appeal is limited.

I own three Sadowskys, and have owned a number of other upscale boutiques, ranging from Fender-y to modern. Paul Reed Smith grew up in my hometown, I love his guitars, and wish him all the luck in the world, but even this new bass isn't doing it for me (ask me later if a wide string spacing option is available on the five string).

The only reason that PRS doesn't have the rep that other boutique builders have is that it didn't stay in the bass market. For a debut into a entirely new field, the first PRS bass was an excellent instrument. Most detractors of the early model never played one. They merely read reviews from the 1980's - before there was a widely established boutique bass market.

This is entirely PRS's fault, of course. If they stuck it out, reacted to market feedback, and made advancements on their product, they could be a market force by now. But I see their point. They're a big company, and didn't see it as being worth their while to compete in a crowded, narrow market. You can't judge a company based on a product line that ran in two widely separated 4-year segments over the last 27 years.

You seem to have decided that the new PRS bass "isn't for you" before playing one. That's fine, but it seems there's nothing PRS could do to please you, so there you go.

[MikeBass]

I LOVE my second gen PRS.....
Excited about these new ones.

[MikeBass]

I can't find any specs on the string spacing for the 5 string......

[jamestown94west]

I've already decided they're not for me simply because my old lady is never going to let me live down a $3k bass purchase

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by jamestown94west

I've already decided they're not for me simply because my old lady is never going to let me live down a $3k bass purchase

Join us in waiting for an SE model.

[jamestown94west]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

Join us in waiting for an SE model.

If an se series bass ever shows up at my local gc I will be the first guy in line to check it out

[Planet Boulder]

More than I'll ever pay for a bass, but they look damn nice.

[smcd]

Just realized that no one posted a photo of these new basses.

[EagleMoon]

I think they look nice but they seem to just be fancy-topped Stingrays with a PRS headstock. Guess you're paying for the birds in flight inlays.

[jamestown94west]

To me they look like giant prs guitars. A single cut would be cool.

[Fuzzbass]

Originally Posted by smcd

You seem to have decided that the new PRS bass "isn't for you" before playing one.

String spacing is important to me, and I play five string only. The string spacing on the fiver appears to be narrow, which (if confirmed) will be a deal-breaker for me regardless of any other factor.

Originally Posted by smcd

That's fine, but it seems there's nothing PRS could do to please you, so there you go.

Dude, I am not closed minded. I'll consider the PRS fiver if the string spacing turns out not to be narrow. That said, I'm still not sure about the appearance. Count me as another who thinks they look like oversized guitars.

But I'm just one bass player. Again, I wish PRS the best of luck and hope the GG model allows him to finally crack the bass market.

[MikeBass]

Any word on specs on the basses?