Dave’s Guitar Shop

They've got it good with PRS. That's where I biught mine. They aren't used either. They're "New Old Stock"

 

This was my experience too, my Kestrel was NOS (and it was the discontinued red). It needed a full setup and some tweaking to get it to a state with which I was satisfied. Terrific deal, though, for basses way better than the credit they seem to get.

 

I have bought two PRS Kingfisher SE basses from Dave's Guitar Shop. They were both Scarlet Red. They were both beautiful beyond compare. They both came in right on time in perfect condition.

The pick ups and pots on both were very disappointing. I traded the first one to help purchase a Schecter Stilleto Studio-4 (got almost what I paid for it with the discount on the new one). The Schecter is a monster; EMG HZ pick ups with 18V 3-band active EQ. Has the thru body neck and 24 frets, but just doesn't have the beauty of the Kingfisher. A year later I bought another one, exactly the same in every way, but this time I swapped the pick ups with Seymour Duncan SSB-4 soapbars. Slid in like Cinderella's foot into the glass slipper. I just wire-nutted the connections to see what they sounded like. I had to stretch the springs behind the pick ups just to get them to the proper height, but MAN what a difference! Now she sounds like a BEAST. Punchy bottom, crisp clear highs, not tinny, absolutely no noise at all.

Why I didn't try this a year ago I can't explain. I was just so heart broken with the poor electronics. She is in the shop getting top of the line Seymour Duncan pots and wiring. I hear EMG 35 pick us will also fit. You may get lucky and get one with good pots. The sound isn't bad with the originals pups, it just sounds more like a guitar than a bass. At the same time, it plays like a guitar. The action is super low. The neck is super fast, the balance is perfect. the hardware is top of the line. It is a joy to play. I truly think my heart will be torn between the Schecter and the Kingfisher once I get her back from the shop. But what a GREAT problem to have!!!!

 

I’ve been to Dave’s in Lacrosse back in February. They have more PRS’s than I have ever seen in one place - especially odd since I live in PRS’ “back yard”...you’d figure there would be a lot more in the Chesapeake area.
They probably had 2 of each Bass on the floor.
Sadly, no Grainger’s though.

 

Wondered that myself. I really want one of the red ones. Had started looking last year, but gig money got diverted somewhere else.

 

Apparently the "humbuckers" on the Kingfisher basses aren't actually humbuckers but single coil pickups. According to a post from Basschat, someone inquired PRS about the pickups and this was their response:

If you look closely at the pickups you can even see the difference between the actual pickup coil and dummy coil. Needless to say, the pickups are generally considered not so great and really ought to be swapped out to bring out the bass's full potential. It's otherwise a really nice instrument.

 

After swapping out the pots, wire, and pick ups to Seymour Duncan SSB-4, she is one of the sweetest sounding basses I have ever played. Now she has the tone you would expect from a top line bass. I am going to write a email to PRS. It's so ridiculous to use these sub-par pick ups when there are so many choices already on the market that can make this bass sound SO much better.

 

Picked up a sunburst Kestrel from Dave's last month. Found that Fender Custom 60's Jazz Bass pickups were installed. Bonus!

 

I live in La Crosse and have to say Dave's is one of the coolest independent guitar shops on the planet. If you ever get to visit, make sure you go upstairs where Dave displays his collection. Over 300 vintage guitars and 50 amps. It is like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Not to mention, Dave is a great guy and gives a lot back to the community.
Home - Dave's Guitar Shop

 

I'm from LaCrosse and used to go there almost every weekend. Best music shop ever. I still occasionally buy things from there but through the mail.

 

I wondered too, but pulled the trigger on a used Black 2014 Kestrel. It arrived in excellent almost-new condition and plays great.

 

Just to clarify: That's only the number of items in the little, upstairs museum. There's LOTS more items for sale. Mr. P, what would you say -- 3 times more? 10 time more? Seriously, the place is a tourist destination for TBers.

 

Probably 3 times for sure. In addition Dave has added a drum shop to his La Crosse location and now has stores in Madison and Milwaukee.

 

I picked up one of the Kingfishers from the Dave's Milwaukee location this weekend and the employee said they are running down. They've been listing them one or two at a time for a couple months now, but apparently each shop only has a couple left. (He told me that AFTER I was sold, this was not a pressure sales tactic). For $450, I'm super happy. I'm going to leave it as is for now but will probably change out the pickups eventually.

My guitar player lives in La Crosse so I'll probably get out there eventually, he says Dave's collection is a site to behold. But the Milwaukee shop was nice, employees were friendly and easy going. I got my acoustic Fender by mail a couple years ago from La Crosse. As far as retail stores go, two thumbs up, would recommend.