PRS Studio Guitar

[LerxstFan]

Hi All,

Are there any PRS Studio owners here? It seems like a great guitar that would rival a Swamp Ash for versatility. I have a great early '97 SAS that covers a lot of ground, but would love to hear from any Studio players what these guitars sound like. Was the bridge pickup an HFS with 2 PRS single coils, or were they made by another company? The Studio Maple Top on page 45 of the first edition PRS book with white pup covers and a sweet switch is calling my name:D

[HelloKittyHawk!]

I have an '89 Signature with Studio electronics. It does have an HFS. As far as I know, PRS made the single coils, as well. When I ordered it, I'm pretty certain that they hadn't yet done any maple-top Studios. I was told that the only other one at that time was made for Ralph Perucci (we both worked for Sam Ash then). And I'm unable to post photos at the moment, but will... eventually!

I don't like the HFS very much in that guitar. It has a very narrow high-midrange emphasis, which can be useful overdriven, but I find it unappealing when played clean (or at least not too versatile). Definitely not "Fat". The maple top probably contributes to this. The singles sound good. More eighties, a la Jamie West-Oramm(sp?(The Fixx)) or late-eighties/early-nineties Alex Lifeson, than a classic Strat sound. I do wish that it was a 22-fret guitar, as the neck pickup is in the wrong location for optimal Strat neck sounds.

It's an amazingly dimensional, resonant guitar unplugged. Kind of high-tech/glassy sounding overall, while still having a ton of bottom end with the single coils. It has a harder attack than a typical Strat. This is probably less true of the mahogany models, a few of which I played back then, but haven't owned. That may not be a very helpful explanation! Still, it's a unique sounding PRS, with a pretty broad range of applications.

[FrankiePRS]

I have a pearl white '88 Studio, and I've owned a few others. AFAIK, they all came with the HFS... easily changed though. The SC's are really impressive in these guitars. They aren't Fralins, as some think, but were rather wound in-house at PRS. Lindy did show them the method - scatterwinding, I guess - but they wound them. How hot? The theory at the time was to wind as much as would fit on that sc bobbin. I swear. But man, the outcome was some great pickups.

[ZappyAd]

I think studios are great guitars. Both the ones I have had have been really great sounding, fantastic sustaining guitars. Definitely worth a look imho.

[Vito]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/vcaragiulo/DSC01637.jpg

[LerxstFan]

Thanks all for the great information. My 245 is my main player - using the bridge pickup for most every song, and blending in the neck once in a while.

My SAS gets me close enough to a 'Strat' to work for me, but I think I need to pick up a Studio at some point. It seems like the best of both worlds and if I could play a maple top studio and like what I hear, I would part with my SAS.

Though my SAS works for single coil stuff, the McCarty pickup in the bridge is not as hot as I want it to be. When I also switch to the single coils the volume drop is quite noticeable.

If the Studio single coils are 'over-wound' wouldn't that help solve that issue?

Since the Studio guitars were produced between 88-91, would they all have the one piece bridge made by John Mann?

Is there a big difference in sound between the sweet switch and the tone control? I've never played a PRS with a sweet switch, but have heard nearly all good things about it from folks on BAM.

It would be awesome if they did a LE run for the 25th anniversary (or ever for that matter).
Vito, that Studio is killer!!:dude: The GAS fire burns hotter:D Thanks again for the great information.

[BostonGuitar]

Thanks all for the great information. My 245 is my main player - using the bridge pickup for most every song, and blending in the neck once in a while.

My SAS gets me close enough to a 'Strat' to work for me, but I think I need to pick up a Studio at some point. It seems like the best of both worlds and if I could play a maple top studio and like what I hear, I would part with my SAS.

Though my SAS works for single coil stuff, the McCarty pickup in the bridge is not as hot as I want it to be. When I also switch to the single coils the volume drop is quite noticeable.

If the Studio single coils are 'over-wound' wouldn't that help solve that issue?

Since the Studio guitars were produced between 88-91, would they all have the one piece bridge made by John Mann?

Is there a big difference in sound between the sweet switch and the tone control? I've never played a PRS with a sweet switch, but have heard nearly all good things about it from folks on BAM.

It would be awesome if they did a LE run for the 25th anniversary (or ever for that matter).
Vito, that Studio is killer!!:dude: The GAS fire burns hotter:D Thanks again for the great information.


Great justification from my brother from New Hampshire... :cool:

[LerxstFan]

Hey Kevin -

Whatever it takes - justification or rationalization, for more amplification, effectification, and especially guitarification:D

[Graham Sloan]

I had two but now just one which is currently being modified, SDs (S/S/HB) and piezo bridge. I'll let you know what it's like once I have it back. I love the SAS, gig with the white one:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/DocSloan/2005_0123jan050006.jpg
and these
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/DocSloan/2007_0106Tylers0003.jpg

[10-top]

I had an 88 studio which had the hot vintage treble pickup in the bridge which to me was most impressive. I would have to check the PRS book again but they were standard on them for 87 and part of 88 maybe?

[LerxstFan]

After you mentioned the Hot Vintage Treble pickup, I checked the model specs in the back of the PRS book. It states that was one of the pickups used. It must have changed at some point, but I have owned CU24's and like the HFS sound. How does the Vintage Treble pickup compare?

Thanks again to all for the great information.

[10-top]

After you mentioned the Hot Vintage Treble pickup, I checked the model specs in the back of the PRS book. It states that was one of the pickups used. It must have changed at some point, but I have owned CU24's and like the HFS sound. How does the Vintage Treble pickup compare?

Thanks again to all for the great information.

It has been almost 10 years since I had my studio but from what I recall it was as powerful but more musical if you will. I have had many cu24's and that is what I play these days and sometimes I find them a little shrill sounding but dont remember any of that with the hot vintage treble.

[Graham Sloan]

I have an '89 Signature with Studio electronics. It does have an HFS. As far as I know, PRS made the single coils, as well. When I ordered it, I'm pretty certain that they hadn't yet done any maple-top Studios. I was told that the only other one at that time was made for Ralph Perucci (we both worked for Sam Ash then). And I'm unable to post photos at the moment, but will... eventually!

I don't like the HFS very much in that guitar. It has a very narrow high-midrange emphasis, which can be useful overdriven, but I find it unappealing when played clean (or at least not too versatile). Definitely not "Fat". The maple top probably contributes to this. The singles sound good. More eighties, a la Jamie West-Oramm(sp?(The Fixx)) or late-eighties/early-nineties Alex Lifeson, than a classic Strat sound. I do wish that it was a 22-fret guitar, as the neck pickup is in the wrong location for optimal Strat neck sounds.



It's an amazingly dimensional, resonant guitar unplugged. Kind of high-tech/glassy sounding overall, while still having a ton of bottom end with the single coils. It has a harder attack than a typical Strat. This is probably less true of the mahogany models, a few of which I played back then, but haven't owned. That may not be a very helpful explanation! Still, it's a unique sounding PRS, with a pretty broad range of applications.


Would be great seeing pics of your studio

[HelloKittyHawk!]

You've already set the bar pretty high with your photos!
I love the colors of your SAS and your Tylers... beautiful.

I'm seldom on a computer with a decent connection, but I'll have to set up a photobucket account, and then figure out how to post. I've seen tutorials within many threads, but my eyes just glaze over, as it hasn't been something that I had to concern myself with. I'll have to start paying attention (and taking better pictures than the ones that I've got).

[rosewoodsteel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/vcaragiulo/DSC01637.jpg

Man that is sweet!

[rosewoodsteel]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/rosewoodsteel/90Studio013.jpg

[motorcop71]

I currently have 3 studios/studio packages (1 for sale) and they are great guitars. Someday I hope to have Vito's quilt-top too. My 89 and 93 pearl whites sound awesome stock. I didn't care for the way the pups sounded in my 93 black pearl, so I just replaced them all. I used a dmz Andy Timmons bridge and cruiser neck and middle. Now its a great sounding guitar.

[LerxstFan]

Maybe with all of the 25th anniversary guitars, and limited runs, maybe PRS will produce a limited run of Maple Top Studios? I can always hope. With all of the Vintage Hot pickup endorsements, I would love to hear one through my Mark IV:D

[]-[ @ n $ 0 ]V[ ^ T ! ©]

JEEBUS, VITO!!!! That's a stunning Studio!

Of course, your taste is always exquisite.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/vcaragiulo/DSC01637.jpg

[]-[ @ n $ 0 ]V[ ^ T ! ©]

Oh how I love this one, John. [sigh]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/rosewoodsteel/90Studio013.jpg

[10-top]

Maple tops are for babies(jk)- now this is a studio!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v117/10-top/261445034_o.jpg

[LerxstFan]

Wow - the Studios just keep coming. Cool blus crackle finish, but the maple top Studio posted by rosewoodsteel is truly amazing - very similar to the one in the PRS Book:cool:

[FrankiePRS]

My '88 Pearl White in the middle of most of my '86's. :dude:

http://toneaddict.com/ghost+4.jpg

[uberpict]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/zwildman/DSC00108.jpg

My early 92 Pearl White, still my most treasured guitar although the Mira seems to get more play time now. Love the single coil tones on this one, really growls and has a lot of bite like P-90's. IIRC, this one also has the HVT but it's been a long time since I pulled the pups to look. The bridge is hotter than my Mira but not extremely so. They still show up on e-bay once in awhile so if you get a chance try one out.

[Radax]

Crackle and CopperFoil.

Mike

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n217/Radax/Foils/crackle1.jpg

http://http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n217/Radax/Foils/copper1.jpg