Paul Reed Smith basses?

[jhan]

I've been to Paul Reed Smith's website and apparently they only make one bass. IMO, they make some of the finest guitars on this planet. Wny only one bass, and an ugly one at that? Has anyone ever played a PRS bass? If so, I'm interested in comments.

 

[Jim C]

They are made in Baltimore Maryland and arguably one fo the largest music stores in the world is local and caries them (Washington Music Center).
Never seen one on display to try.
I've only seen one guy in a go-go band play one in my 25 years of playing and as a recording engineer.

 

[Munjibunga]

I saw this one at NAMM 2003. Too bad this model never saw the light of day.

 

[bongomania]

Ooh! For once I agree with you Munji, that is hot! I would be all over that.

 

[Fetusyolk]

Man, i think we're all on the same page here. AMAZING guitar company, i've been GASing for one of their non-existant basses for a long time

 

[lorenk]

is the binding supposed to be missing from the bottom horn?

 

[bongomania]

It's pretty deeply carved there, and I'm supposing it was just a prototype bass, so maybe they made it with less carving originally, and the binding was complete- but then they carved it away for upper fret access. Just guessing.

 

[lorenk]

im hoping so...though it is an interesting contrast seeing the figured top there...kinda eye catching. hmm *shrugs*

 

[ModuMan]

I used to own one. A very early one actually, from 1986.

It was a perfectly decent bass in that the 5-way rotary switch could give you 5 distinct sounds. The "deep" and "clear" (bass and treble) boosts were effective. You could go from a very dub-like sound (neck pickup only) to a very barky sound as well.

But.... none of it sunk my submersible. Out of all my basses I played it the least. So I traded it in towards a Lakland. PRS makes some awesome guitars and obviously that's where their focus is. The bass, to me, was flat average.

Looked nice though.

 

[Jefenator]

Elderly Instruments seems to always have one or two on hand:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The pickups remind me of the bridge pickup on those '80s Yamahas (BB3000, etc...)

 

[Ezbass]

I guess the reason that PRS stopped making production line basses was because we never bought them. Basic economics. Shame really because I thought the kinda Stingray shape meets Jazz bass Electric Bass was rather nice. Now if they bought out a Korean SE version would we buy that?

 

[Psychotic_Hell]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

One in Australia but look at the price!

Well then again it is Australia....

 

[KJung]

I've played a couple of the original and the newer models. IMO, very unimpressive. The newer model has very noisy single coils, and is quite thin sounding. The fit and finish is 'OK' but not great (especially for the price).

There are MUCH better options out there IMO.

You can tell this is a guitar company, and not a bass company.

 

[BurningSkies]

I have one.


I don't have the time to post details about it right now, but will later. Or you can search my user name and PRS and you'll see what I've said.

 

[Rickett Customs]

They were origionally made in Annapolis, Maryland. Currently in Stevensville, MD

Corrected.

 

[Webtroll]

I've always found them to be ugly and more guitar turned into bass looking rather than a bass made to look like the guitar (if that makes any sense to you). This bass looks pretty nice tho, did they pull it because too many bassists actually thought it looked good? Can't have that!

 

[parsons]

I dont care for ANYTHING they make. Their guitars are seriously overrated. I live near where theyre made. Everyone and their brother has a PRS here. They really dont sound great to me at all. Give me a Gibson or Fender any day of the week.

 

[Ace Of Bass]

They are made in Baltimore Maryland and arguably one fo the largest music stores in the world is local and caries them (Washington Music Center).
Never seen one on display to try.
I've only seen one guy in a go-go band play one in my 25 years of playing and as a recording engineer.

Washing Music Center is one of the largest music stores in the world.....? Wow.........am I in for a disappointment when I go back out on the road........to be one of the largest stores in the world, their bass selection sure does leave a lot to be desired........

 

[Charles Farley]

is the binding supposed to be missing from the bottom horn?

Yes. That's the way the guitars look as well.

They do their binding by taping off a strip of the body, and then painting around it. When the paint is dry, the tape comes off, and voila - you can see the flaming maple underneath. I really like this approach, as it's an elegant solution to visually create a nice look without adding a plastic binding. I don't know why they don't continue this taping across the lower horn.

 

[Ace Of Bass]

They are made in Baltimore Maryland and arguably one fo the largest music stores in the world is local and caries them (Washington Music Center).
Never seen one on display to try.
I've only seen one guy in a go-go band play one in my 25 years of playing and as a recording engineer.

Washing Music Center is one of the largest music stores in the world.....? Wow.........am I in for a disappointment when I go back out on the road........to be one of the largest stores in the world, their bass selection sure does leave a lot to be desired........