What was your favorite (or least favorite) playing example in this video? Does the 513 faithfully recreate legendary Strat and Les Paul tones? Tell us in the comments below!
@@extansegura sure...there will be some differences of course. I don't think you can expect even two Strats to sound the same let along a Strat vs. PRS.
I think an HSS Strat covers a lot of territory. I play in a cover band and got a Charvel HSS Sassafras. Bridge humbucker for distortion, Strat positions 2 and 4 sounds, Strat neck for blues, it's all there. Plus, position 3 is one coil of the bridge humbucker and the neck single-coil, which apparently is a bit of a Tele thing. But I don't really use it.
I don't find the Super Strats do well for Les Paul stuff...they just don't have the body or set neck to really nail that sound, although they might to Strat sounds really great.
Mason, your playing has gotten a LOT better since you have started doing these videos. I appreciate the, 'Aw shucks,' vibe, but seriously you're doing a good job brother. Keep your head up! 👍
For the Knopfler tones, the PRS lacks the quack and out of phase sound of the Strat. You explained that you had to use the middle pickup to get close which would explain it.
I think if you used an EQ pedal up front you could help compensate for some of that, however, I wanted to keep it 1 to 1 as possible for comparison so didn't mess with any EQ pedals.
But as I've written previously,the Dude playing the PRS isn't Mark Knophler!I'm not criticising Mason as he's a fantastic guitarist by anybodies standards & Mark Knophler wouldn't sound like Mason through whatever!!! It's impossible too sound exactly like anybody else you're trying too pay tribute too,even if you use exactly the same gear as them!! D.N.A is D.N.A & were all different!! In the real world of playing in cover band's,it's more about getting the essence of what the musicians were playing rather than trying too become a clone of said people! For example Dave Kilminster plays a fantastic role in Roger Waters band & he certainly isn't a clone of David Gilmour,but Dave is a FANTASTIC musician who pays tribute too the material but his real identity shines through just as Mason is on this video!! You don't necessarily need too use a Gretsch & Fender Bassman with a Tape Echo too play Rockabilly music,& it's quite acceptable too say use a Fender Stratocaster,PRS Custom 24 or whatever guitar feels good too you (BC Rich Warlock if you like!!?) into say like myself a Mk2 Marshall Superlead head & Marshall 4X12" Base (flat front) speaker cabinet loaded with 75watt Celestion's & a simple pedalboard setup with say a pair of Boss DD2's for your delay/echo (as I do all the time!) as although it's not what Chet Atkins or Brian Setzer would use,if it gets the message across then so be it!! In any case you wouldn't dial in a Kirk Hammett inspired tone for playing Rockabilly (i love Kirk Hammett & I honestly must say he doesn't get the credit he deserves!!He wrote Enter Sandman after all & that's a very catchy song!!) like you wouldn't setup your tone like Brian Setzer if you're covering Metallica songs (by the way I love Brian Setzer too!!) so it's all about finding the necessary essence for whatever you're covering rather than trying too become said people as that will NEVER happen for anybody!! I hope this is a good enough explanation & hopefully a way too make you & everybody who reads this too stick with playing what feels best too them,& also too focus on the musicality of what the musicians were playing rather than stressing about what gear they used!! Close enough is more than good enough,as 90% of you audience at a gig doesn't even know what a note is in music let alone the ability too play one!!!! Keep it fun & plug in & turn it up!!
Thanks for doing this. I don’t think a mahogany bodied set neck guitar can quite sound like a Strat . You are a 100% right on the heaviness of the SC sounds . On the humbucker tones, this nails it and the choice between clear and heavy humbucker really adds a new dimension. Personally the 513 is the guitar that got me to the PRS camp after being a exclusive Les Paul player for 13 years, as it was the first guitar that could nail the woman tone and the body of a Les Paul.
The 513 and the PRS Special were my dream guitars for years because of those 13 pickup combinations. Then PRS upped their game even more this year when they came out with the Modern Eagle V. That guitar has 17 pickup combinations (technically 34 if you count the toggle switch for 250k to 500k option), but what really pushes the Modern Eagle past the 513 and Special for me is the humbuckers. The Modern Eagle V has the newer TCI humbuckers from Paul’s guitar, and a new TCI single coil in the middle. The humbuckers are voiced off vintage PAFs when in full humbucker mode and sound amazing as they are insanely clear and articulate. But when split into single coil mode, the neck is voiced off a Strat and the bridge is voiced off a Tele. And then of course you can enable all three pickups at once, or just the two outside ones for even more options. Just an insane do it all guitar.
Many great guitars, I feel like the 509 and 513 are the real "Unicorn" guitars in that they can actually deliver on the classic Strat and Les Paul tones in one guitar where a coil-tap/splitter on a Les Paul or a Humbucker in the bridge on a Super Strat always fall short.
@@VertexEffectsInc I agree, but the splits on the Modern Eagle V are very different sounding than any other split I’ve ever heard. Far more accurate than any Les Paul coil split, that’s for sure!
@@VertexEffectsInc Possibly, but I own a Studio and my Modern Eagle V sounds very different. It’s far closer to my Strat and Les Paul tones than my Studio is. I do not own a 513 though, so it’s possible that one is even closer. I’ll have to buy one of those to compare it to my Modern Eagle. Thanks!
Loved the comparison between the three guitars and couldn’t agree more with your evaluation. Love your humility, but honestly, you’re an excellent player and no excuses or disclaimers are necessary. I’m totally impressed with VRTX pedals and love those that I own, which mate very well to my 513!
Thanks for this video. A few remarks: - Generally. The pickup design is origin of the Grainger bass guitars. It was kind of an experiment of installing them on an electric guitar. In the end they executed some adjustments and invented the PRS 513 in 2004. The first line had a BRW neck and a 10-top (which wasn't marked on the backside of the headstock). - 509. This guitar is a different daughter of the same mother than a 513. At first sight they look similar, but they aren't. 509 pickups are voiced different. The humbucker mode offers a more vintage sound. It has a 5 way pickup selector switch, but for treble or bass position change to humbucker mode there are two mini switches, which allows the player - for example - have the treble position as a singlecoil and the bass as a humbucker or vice versa. - 513. It consists of five singlecoils, which have different windings to provide sounds from singlecoil to a high output humbucker (I deem the treble humbucker is 15.5 kOhm.). The modes of singlecoil, clear humbucking, and heavy humbucking are global settings. The singlecoil in the middle is still and only the same singlecoil in all three modes. PRS did over the years a few revisions without pinning it to the wall. Up to 2014 in the electric compartment was a PCB (printed circuit board). And there have been a few revisions of the PCB. As far as I know PRS was offering on customers demand for the Private Stock models a point-to-point soldering of the electric parts instead of this "huge" PCB. Paul decided, that this improvement offers the most transparency of tone for this model. Therefore it was introduced to the Core line as of production line 2014. I have no clue and didn't make a research on it, if 509 got a PCB or point-to-point soldering. Anyways. The 513 in this video is a 25th Anniversary model from 2010. My 513 is a 2011 with all the 2012 production line specs (Phase III tuners, PRS Core nut). It has been modified on order of Paul Reed Smith himself as a present (I met him in 2014 at an exhibition of music industry by accident using an escalator far away of the PRS booth. I was saying something like 'Oh, hello Mr. Smith!' He asked me, if I own a PRS. I confirmed and stated it is a 513. He asked me further things likewise, what I do for my living. He asked me to accompany him heading back to the PRS booth. He surprised me with his generosity of presenting me with a modification to point-to-point soldered electrics parts.). Those guitars are in singlecoil mode way more sensitive than with PCB (more antenna effects due to longer and thicker cables being used). But especially on position 2 and 4 of the pickup selector it comes way more closer into Strat territory. 513 have been the only electrics which have been awarded twice and subsequently as the best electric in the world by an international jury. PRS didn't use that for pushing the sales of 513. 513 are underrated, and as least as of end 2016 discontinued. It was succeeded by the 513. I never regretted buying a 513, and I ain't gonna sell it.
I love my PRS Vela, and chose it because of its versatility and the sweet single coil sounds that aren't the same old snappy zingy fender sound, and more of a Robby Kreiger tone. Added benefits are that it is super light and the neck is incredible.
PRS guitars are amazing instruments. I don’t own a 513, but have been playing original mid 90’s PRS EG models since their release. The 513 is a Swiss knife guitar for sure....as is the 509. Great job on playing in and producing this video. Thanks for taking the time to share.
I tried a prs special 22 the other day and I was impressed. The fender sounds leaned more to the telecaster side but you can do a lot with these guitars in a gigging situation. As I grow older I'm usually less enthusiastic with the idea of bringing a lot guitars to a gig, so yeah these PRS don't sound exactly as gibson or fender but they could be a good tool for a job. PRS definitely has the most convincing split coil sound. We guitar players are a rare breed of people that in some ways are stuck in the past in terms of gear and that could be good but we close ourselves to other things... on the contrary a lot of other instrumentalist are trying other new stuff all the time...
I have a Charvel Guthrie Govan maple top for my jack of all. I was pretty surprised at how versatile I found that guitar to be, but it covers everything from classic rock to soul, and even 80s metal. I play classic rock, soul, and stuff like that and would have never guessed that I'd land on a Charvel but here I am.
I tried, I got a PRS 513 and a Hughes and kettner triamp mk3 (along with a Mesa 412) thinking "that's it, any gig I ever need to do, 1 guitar and 1 amp and I've got it" To be honest, after parting with a shit ton of money, all I found was slight disappointment in everything. I was in the ballpark, but I was striking out. That's probably on me for overhyping it too much in my head.
Another good choice is a strat hss or h h with five way switch..I use both prs and strat with humbucker 5 way When we were doing our guitar legends tour i found the pRS wouldn't cut through the mix as well as the strat..any of the above mentioned guitars would be cool.Videos like this help the guitarist understand the differences between guitar models and can reall y help when it comes time to buy so he or she can get the guitar they need for the job at hand..thanks mason
I don't find the Super Strats do well for Les Paul stuff...they just don't have the body or set neck to really nail that sound, although they might to Strat sounds really great.
@@VertexEffectsInc true..not without some compromise for sure,i used 3 different modellers as well..into fender deluxe,plexi,recto,tweed so..it's close ..and in bar music and hand grenades close works pretty good..lol..thanks eh!
Nothing beats a Stratocaster, although I do admit that PRS pickups sound very dynamic and responsive, even the humbuckers. Can't beat the vibes of a Strat, it's not just about the sound, it's the feel.
Great video, I really like the comparison videos with REAL comparisons! I too thought the 513 really had a wonderful tone as a single coil setup. Thanks Mason! Can't wait for the next one whatever it is.
Best video I've seen so far on the 513. I am a core model (Custom 22) owner. I played one of these through the first PRS amp and it sounded killer. I assume these were compared using the same tone settings on the amp and effects. I wonder if the 513 would snap a little more if you gave it a bit of high end boost or bright switch. Get it to sound closer to the original if possible. Now that a used 513 can be had for about half the price of a new one it presents an interesting option. Thanks for the video.
Such a great comparison. (Now I want a PRS. But... first... I have to learn how to play guitar.) Also, in case you don't hear this much... you are a FANTASTIC guitar player! Thank you!!
Hello there. Nice comparison and presentation of your argument. I don’t know if you left the eq the same for the PRS and the compared guitar. I believe the PRS sounder darker in all comparisons. It was ok but I liked the Strat and the les paul in all cases and I guess it’s because of the eq but for my taste the PRS lacks some sparkle I liked on the others.
@@VertexEffectsInc ok. My humble opinion is that if you don’t change eq and or other parameters like gain, you show the difference but if you want to show a guitar can substitute other you have to change parameters to try to make it sound as close as possible and then you’ll know how well it can do the other guitar job. My appreciation is that eq favored the les paul and the strat because when you have different guitars with same settings, the settings will favor one. If you want to show the 513 potential I believe you had to eq the amp and or pedals differently with the PRS to show if you really can nail the other guitars tone. Because looking to your video I can say I prefer the strat and the les paul for their respective jobs and I know it’s not necessarily like that. I know that what I felt is missing from the 513 could be obtained with different settings.
@@ibanezlaney it depend what you are looking for. If you want to show how they differ ok but if you want to show that an instrument can do what other instrument do then at least you have to add an extra part on the comparison trying to get as close as possible. Otherwise you won’t know if that instrument can substitute the other. If you want to prove it can do what the ones you want to replace can do at least you have to show how close you can get.
I've had several PRS guitars from SE, S2, CE, and I'm now a proud owner of the 513. I'm not saying this to brag or boast, but I believe the purpose of this guitar is to be able to cover "all territories" with one axe. I don't think Paul had in mind to sound exactly like an LP or a strat upon designing these. If anything, PRS as a company has been adamant on finding their own pocket of niche in terms of their identity and sound. As far as the comparisons went, the LPs pure PAF tone is unbeatable, which explains why they are as iconic as they are. But I personally enjoyed the beefier single coil sound the 513 had to offer. And nowadays when I'm plugged into my helix, I can pretty much preset/tweak any guitar I want to sound thinner/thicker through a little eq. I think Mason's point which is also what attracted me to the 513 is that there is no guitar like it on the market 🙂
I have the prs 24-08 and it is the best split coil guitar I have ever tried but I also love my telecaster I played a gibson sg mainly forever and I love that too. When in doubt buy them all.
The PRS, honestly doesn't sound anything like either of the other two guitars. The Les Paul is more biting and open and the PRS is completely missing the airy spank of the Strat. In both cases, it's like the difference between passive and darker, active pickups. With that said, the PRS is very versatile and could easily get a person through many styles in a gig.
It certainly doesn't sound exactly like the others. But, don't say it sounds nothing like them. It's certainly the most versatile. I owned one and sold it to buy a Broadcaster.
I think that you have to drop your PRS pickups so that it doesn’t saturate the signal, it could sound a lot clearer, less opaque. Try that! 😎. I own one.
Yet another great video. Very original and this channel / you solve real world problems which I love. 🤘♥️🤘 Thanks brother. I love that PRS. I saw the guy on Sweetwater use one and I fell in love with it and with it's versatility. ♥️🤘 I'm using a Japanese Strat I built which has 3 EMG SAs which I can get kinda humbucker and single coil quiet tones from. I need a new neck and I hope to get a 25" or Gibson replacement neck scale neck with either EVO or stainless frets.I like the Gibson scale, but the snap and sound of a Strat as well and my SA pickups kind of give me lots of options. I know many people don't like them, but I love them because they are quiet and I'm not the damn ground which I hate about passive pickups. Sometimes I use passives, but then I always use a wireless with the same. My brother has a PRS 1990 or 91 ten too with two humbucker but it has a 5 way rotary switch that gets those in-between tones we all love with a Strat. Great video and you sure did prove it ♥️🤘
There's a couple of things you missed about the 513. Firstly is the 25" scale. This fall right in between the Fender and Gibson scales. So naturally it will be brighter than the Les Paul, but darker than the Strat by its very nature. Second, is that it has 5 individual single coil pickups. It's actually the reverse idea of a split-coil humbucker. I'm not 100% on how the wiring is set up, but positions 2 and 4 in single-coil mode, are either just the internal pickups of the "humbucker" alone or the combination of the inner singles with the middle pickup. For a closer to for the Strat 2 and 4 position sound you may need to be in "low-output humbucker" mode. If I'm remembering correctly, the 2 and 4 positions of the humbucker modes are more like the traditional outer coils combined with the middle pickup sound that would be closer to the Strat sound you're looking for.
Thanks for that addition. We mention the 5-way selector vs. 3-way selector, but didn't go into specifics as to how they differentiate the single vs. humbucker - that's true. However when going for each of the tones I auditioned all positions to see where it'd get closest to the representative sound. What you heard here is the closest approximation I can make in any position combination.
@@VertexEffectsInc Yeah, the scale is the biggest tone changing aspect. I wish I could afford a 513. The only thing I would change on it would be a 24-fret neck over the 22 fret. Of course my dream axe would be a 7-string version like Dave Wieners 713, only in Whale Blue and with a 26" scale. I would likely have to settle for a 509 version should my fortunes were to change.
I find the 513 such an interesting guitar and thanks Mason for doing a great job demonstrating this guitar against the “standards” - I don’t think anyone has done such a comprehensive job before. The scale length of the 513 is actually 25.25”, so slightly closer to fender than Gibson … although in practice is feels right down the middle to me. It feels slinkier than a strat but stiffer than a Gibson. It also has some of the snap of the fender scale but not quite the same. Difference in feel may also be in the set neck construction and the headstock angle - which splits the difference between fender and Gibson. Of course the trem springs get you closer to the strat feel as well. The different scale length also places the neck pickups at a slightly different position on the body from either the Gibson and fender, so slight difference in tone there too, especially the neck pickup. For the pickup configuration, it’s a pretty genius and practical implementation. It is a single full single coil when in split mode, 2 tapped-single coils in series in the clear humbucker mode, and then 2 full single coils in series for heavy humbucker mode. With the heavy humbucker, you get the higher output, but it is also much more midrange heavy and warmer bc of the higher number of winds being used. Cool sound on the bridge (kind of John Scofield ish) but is a very distinctive sound. I forget which of the single coils (inner or outer) is active in single coil mode as stock configuration, but you can just flip the pickup around to change brighter or darker. All the “pole pieces” are underneath the pickup cover and are essentially uniform height across, so it doesn’t really matter which way you have the pickup installed in terms of string balance. Probably also accounts for the smooth consistent sound across all strings. I always felt the 513 was almost there for a strat and almost there for an LP, but never quite there and was really more of its own thing. I thought overall the 513 was a bit too warm and a bit compressed/smooth sounding to me on most days compared to all my other guitars - but may be perfect if that’s what you’re looking for. As Mason aptly demonstrates, you can get really good and versatile tones out of it. I still have mine. I have to say it’s the best feeling and acoustically sounding electric I have amongst a handful of other fenders and gibsons, but I ended up taking out the 513 pickups and wiring and putting in p90s and standard single coil in the middle (yes, blasphemous I know). But for me, this made it such a dynamic and versatile (in a different way) guitar for me. I am actually thinking of getting a 509 (the 513’s successor) as the pickups have apparently been tweaked for a brighter clearer tone to address the “complaints” about the 513. As they say, ymmv
Im a big believer in scale length changing tone, but its not the whole thing. I have 3/4 size Squire Strat that I souped up with Fender p/u's I like to take camping/practice guitar etc and it sounds just like a Strat so there are definitely other contributing factors to tone in guitars
So much hate in these comments haha I just got my 513…absolutely love it. As heard in the video the humbuckers are closer than the single coils in comparison. As you said about the same difference between different pickups (burstbucker vs 490 as a rough example. I also agree with the term “muddy” that’s being used a lot. It is very scooped compared to the others especially the strat. The strat sounds like beautiful glass and the 513 more like glass while wearing a beanie over your ears. However, I think there’s definitely room to close the gap here with your EQ and settings. Mine gets closer than yours was….it was almost as if your tone knob was turned down some. I appreciate this video and despite all the haters, I hope a lot of people will start appreciating this guitar for all it can accomplish. Also, it can mimic a 335 about as well as other “imitators” too. Also also, as a metal head myself, the bridge bucker does amazing with high gain chug chug dun dun stuff 🤘🏼
Great playing, and you dialed up great tones. In terms of the guitar comparison: it's "bar cover band" close but just doesn't nail it. The real time cross-fading comparison is a GREAT idea and really shows its value, here.
I think it's about as close as you can reasonably get...I've had all the Super Strats, Split Coil Humbuckers, etc. They all leave you wanting in some way, shape, or form. This, to me, gets the closest.
Close, but no cigar! The Strat out-Strated the 513, and Paul out-Pauled the 513, BUT, you're correct! If I did have a gig where I needed both, I could definitely make the 513 cover it. Excellent demo too!
The PRS 513 is a FANTASTIC guitar,but a Les Paul,335,Stratocaster,Telecaster & whatever you choose are ALWAYS going too be what they are just like the PRS 513 is what it is!!! No matter what you play & how close your gear is to what you're covering,you'll NEVER sound like anyboy but yourself which is a good thing as nobody will sound like you!!! A great guitar is a different thing too different people as we all have a different idea!! I myself love most guitars but choose my ols Fender Stratocasters most of the time as they feel a part of me!!! That's my opinion & it's from 4 decades of hard gigging as a session musician & 99% of my electric work has been with my 63,74 & 75 Fender Stratocasters & they work for me!!If i fancy using humbuckers foe a Gibson vibe then it's my stash of PRS custom 22's & 24's that i go to!! It's whatever feels good too you!!!
I don't think that's disputed in the video, it only asks if the 513 can be an adequate substitute if only one guitar can be used across multiple genres and gigs.
@@VertexEffectsInc Absolutely agree with you 100%!! In the real world of us who aren't of Metallica,Def Leppard,The Rolling Stones & Lady Ga Ga proportions of fame,won't have the space too have every guitar too pay 100% tribute too said material!Now it's like a Swiss Army Knife where it's a do it all tool!OK certain Knife's are 100% better but for only one job!!Now as I'm a session musician & also a member of various bands that cover everything from old Jazz,60's,70-s,80's,90's,2000's too now & everything else etc..It's important I agree too have multiple functions at hand in one or two instruments. Now I love PRS & they don't disappoint & Suhr,Tom Anderson & even the Guthrie Govan Charvel are INCREDIBLE!! My goto multiple function guitars are Jackson PC1's,which I absolutely LOVE!! Now like Phil Collen of Def Leppard firstly I'm English,secondly,I'm not a big man (I weigh 52kg & stand 5'6" & fit into 26" waistband Levi's.Ok,I'm a small skinny guy,but that's just how I'm made!!) although Phil is 1" shorter than me,he is like a micro Mr Universe (OK,I'm not flabby anywhere,but I don't look like I'm a mini Mr Universe although I do have a 6 pack stomach & no wobbly bits!) so the Jackson Dinky frame is perfect for me as Stratocaster's & Telecaster's standard sizes do feel big too me!! But the H,S,S (neck pickup is a sustainer) which gives me a whole world of options!! But no matter how expensive the instrument is,it's only as versatile as the person who's playing it!! Now Mason (if that's you?) You're a good musician & you have a good knowledge & facility of techniques,so you have the tools in your hands!!! It's all about capturing of the essence rather than trying too become said people!!! But everything you do in your videos is AMAZING!! Thanx!
The strat has this nice chime which seems to be lacking in the PRS. At least with those pickups. The Gibson sounded shrill. The PRS can do a good approximation of a strat and also wipes the floor with the LP. Anyway, congrats on the new axe! 😎👍
Hey Doc, I use a Taylor T5Z for this purpose. It does. All the electric guitar sounds I can think of including a great acoustic tone. You should try one out sometime.
the 513 doesn't sound bad but the EQ is totally different. way less sparkle in all comparisons. maybe paul should have exposed the poles? the 513 tone reminds me of GARCIA.
This was a great idea for a video and really well done. PRS does a great job. I do wonder if the more recent PRS Special with the new pickups would do even better in this comparison.
Different, but not in a bad way. I like having different guitars for different roles, but a desert island guitar is always fun. I think the Studio is going to be my next core model.
There was much ado when the 513 came out and I remember drooling over it but the hype seemed to die out really fast and haven’t heard anything about it in a long time It seems like it was a good idea on paper but doesn’t really work well, as far as pleasing the tone snobs. PRS is expensive so I think I’d rather drop that amount on a regular PRS, or buy several cheaper fender and Gibson guitars, or some other similar branded guitar. If I’m going to spend that much I’m not going to buy a compromise, unless I were to test drive the thing and happen to really like it
I have a 513 for 9-10 years，it sounds nothing but a 513，it is versatile but does not sounds like a Strat or LP at all，it is way more dark and button heavey，just as you heard in the video
I like the PRS single coil sound but it is a bit darker, less chime. I have a Fender USA Signature Series Richie Sambora Stratocaster which is HSS with Fender's mid-boost button. I typically like the single coil sound and a strat is my favorite but with the HB in the bridge and mid-boost button I find it gives a very close humbucker sound. I'm wondering on the PRS if some of the difference with the Strat's single coil sound might be due to the difference in the fingerboards.
I've had plenty of HSS Strats, still do in fact. And mid-boosts in Clapton Strats...they just don't have the solid body, set neck, big chuck of wood feel of a Les Paul tone from the 50s.
Not related to this video, but does Vertex make a detune micro pitch pedal? The only two I've found that aren't Eventide expensive are the Moore micropitch and the Digitech Luxe. Both do the same in detune model allowing one to mix the original signal with a few cents down. I want to get that Van Halen and Steve Vai sound. Thanks.. Tim. ♥️🤘
@@VertexEffectsInc Thanks. Yeah. I think I'm going to have to buy the newer pedal delay detune pitch shifter by then. Just that 309 bucks is a lot for me to justify, but I see no other way to get that cool sound and dual delays, dual detuned tones. 🤘♥️ Thanks man. ♥️♥️
I have a 2011 Nighthawk Custom that does that. already 2 Burstbuckers with push/pull coil split and a ceramic blade single coil center p/u. 25.5" scale. 12 different pickup configs
That PRS is a beautiful guitar, and in a live situation, it's more than passable for both LP or Strat IMO. It's definitely missing the trademark quack of a Strat, and I think that would be apparent on a recording. Great playing and great video!!
Great video. I love my PRS 509. Amazing guitar that covers a lot of ground for a single Swiss Army knife and the ten top is so beautiful. I still like my strats but it beats taking many guitars on a gig.
Greetings from Thailand and thanks for making this video! I think all the comparisons are pretty close, I'd say the PRS 513 covers 70-80% of the vibes of the two other guitars. If the gig requires both LP and Strat sounds and you can only take one guitar it'll do the job well. Although the Sultans of Swings I noticed that the 513 feels a bit more muddy than other comparisons. I'm interested to see a blind test though.
i find them absolutly different, it must be live in the room that they sound closer but this is + -. Prs is warm modern humbacker sound which is not amp clear
Reminds me of the mark knopfler guitar. I think nothing really gets strat or les Paul in one guitar but on recording can’t hear difference a lot of times.
Thanks for the comparison. This would be better if the PRS 513 still existed. PRS seems to have lost interest in it. The newest one I can find on Reverb is 2011. The single-coil sounds on the 513 aren't convincing. Also, there's no equivalent to the Les Paul switch mid-position. For a presently-made guitar that with this kind of versatility, have a look at the D'Angelico Bob Weir.
Firstly, great sound examples of all 3 guitars. It lets a person compare them. To me the PRS sounded a little more compressed than the strat and les paul. The strat and les paul sounded more open. However, in a live context, it may be more w than taking several guitar to a gig. Curious how much of a difference there is in the new models you mentioned compared to the older ones. May need to check them out.
The 513 is an excellent sounding guitar. The 513 has a bit more muddy tone compared to the strat and Les Paul, but you dont buy a PRS to be a strat or a Les Paul. If you're going to take one guitar to a show, a PRS is a very good choice. Great job on the video!
Mason, have you checked out the Sim1 xt+ pedal. I love my Mateus Asanto signature S type Suhr l plays like a dream so I have thought about using guitar modeling for those situations where I need something tonally that’s a little different .
I think it’s great at getting a little bit of everything but not sure it could replace any of the OGs. It’s kind of like of a can handle all situations but won’t be standout for all (but would be good enough), and to be honest that’s kind of what I’m looking for. Only thing holding me back is the price….
The most versatile guitar is an HSS strat like a James Tyler Studio Elite with midboost. It's easier to darken/ fatten up true singlecoils then to make humbuckers sparkle like a singlecoil. And dont forget that the PRS is a set neck mahogany maple guitar, it is easier to copy Gibson style guitars. The only guitar that is very difficult to copy is an ES335. So that is a must have. Ask Larry...
I've not found that to be true. Where they sound really great for Strat tones, they don't sound right for Les Paul tones...they just don't have the chuck of a 8 or 9 lbs. solid body set neck guitar.
The PRS seems to lack the characteristic definition somewhat of both the Les Paul and the Strat. I almost was going to say more muddy. But still nice. Not huge difference but I can definitely tell the difference. I use a Mateus Asato. signature type S-type Suhr (black) as my all in one. I love it but it’s the same deal… very versatile and covers multiple styles well but not exactly.
Humbucker sounds are okay from the 513, but the Single Coils? Another midgrange and mellower topend! Close enoghe for an aproximation, but if your buddy in the Band has a strat....?🤔 great playing mason by the way💜🤘🎸
For me with the zep I thought the les paul sounded a little thicker, the Ford shootout the PRS sounded a bit more mellow. On both strat shootouts the PRS seemed less bright than the strat and a bit fatter. That aside personal experience with PRS is that they are great guitars, consistently well built. I'd take the 513 absolutely hands down over the Gibson. Mind I'd take a kick in the nuts over a Gibson.
For all the dinosaurs saying “it doesn’t sound like a strat” The 513 he’s playing is the version that is mahogany with a maple top, mahogany neck and rosewood. TONEWOODS MAKE A DIFFERENCE There is a 513 version that is: Swamp Ash, with a maple neck and either maple or rosewood fretboard. THAT will get you your Strat tones. The 513 is a Swiss Army Knife of guitars. That’s the reason PRS stopped making them…it was one guitar that could do it all, and they weren’t seeing buyers coming back for a second purchase
love this experiment Mason! I think the 513 is easily passable for gigging to cover the gambit of tones. if you were recording and really have your heart set on LP or Strat tones tho... you still might need the right guitar for the job. lol at how humble you are about your playing. I always enjoy listening to you play brother. especially when you rock a strat. I personally prefer single coil tones but you also seem super comfortable and at home with a stratocaster in hand. the 513 was very impressive, definitely close to the same chime on single coil tones. found it to have a fair bit more bass response compared to the LP on the Zeppelin example. if you're reading this and you're not subscribed to this channel, what the hell are you doing with your life? haha cheers Mason 🍻
Playing should be pretty similar...they were of course different takes so likely I would have played differently too on take one and take two of the strat as well.
Definitely the 513 is the most versatile and you hear how much more it’s in tune it is than the Gibson ! Probably do the fretwork . The Les Paul is ok but from experience I know Les Pauls tend to get mushy in the mix . The 513 gets my vote . I myself play A Suhr Pete Thorn Model, but I’ve owned PRS,
Yes. You can go to any store in country pick up any prs. All intonation are great no dead spots. Plays in tune every fret. I play But. I wanted strat. Tried hundreds. Of high end. Strats all have issues they could be good but not at the store. They all needed set ups. Intonation fret issues. Gibson same thing. 4500 $ master built. Has issues. I finally found a decent one.had to. Get John Ingram lives close to me to set it up. Straighten out. It’s odd to me that. Fender Gibson. Would let a high dollar from factory to store. Not be set up. Just right
@@VertexEffectsInc yeah I was just wondering I’m new to PRS and just bought a 513 based on your videos. I’ve been reading up and thought I could compare my tone to yours. I guess I’ll never know…..
Slight differences in timbre. A little EQ tweaking (with pedal, rack unit, or software) and it might be almost impossible to tell the difference in a blind test.
I am a PRS freak, I owned more than 30 PRS guitars in the last 20 years. I had three different 513 models including a core, a Ten Top and even a swamp ash which I think it was custom ordered. Anyway, what that guitar is so far trying to be is not happening. It has been designed to be a "Swiss army knife" but I never found the single coil and heavy humbucker sounds any useful. A regular Custom 24 is doing better than this model.
I have 513 with graphtech piezo ghost saddles and "all three pickups position" mod added on volume push/pull pot. Now i haven't other guitars. I realy love my 513. Kemper for gigs and Diezel Schmidt with pedal for home. Perfect for me.
I liked the Knopler sultans comparison because the 513 more resembles his mk Pensa suhr guitar. Knopler would've done wonders with this guitar. Makes me wonder if the 513 has 500k or 250k pots.
Thanks for the video. It was very helpful. I mean, you're always going to get a lot of flack when you compare anything to Fender or Gibson. Too many fans and too many iconic rockstars using those brands.
I think those that gave flack didn't really understand the premise of the video. The question is...is it passable? Normally we don't get to hear the side by side comparison in real time of the representative baseline versus the product being compared. I think this is a good "truth serum" for those that maybe over-emphasize what an all-in-one guitar can really do and can be more of a validation of the distinct sound of a Strat and Les Paul in their own right. I do however think the 513 is very versatile, if we put an EQ in front of it, I think it would get even closer.
@@VertexEffectsInc its my plan .. I got a 509 on the way and a 10 band eq. set up and ready to rock. Plan to a/b it on friend's Tele, LP, and strat and 'save' those eq's with little pieces of coloured tape or coloured sharpie.
Both Gibson Les Paul and Fender Strat have defects sounds but since too many iconic artists had using them, its defects sounds become iconic too.. PRS , Suhr , Tom Anderson, James Tyler and some other modern boutique guitars they all sound so so good and perfect..but how màny iconic songs represent this guitar brands? I only can think Santana..
Sorry just didn’t sound like it to me the thickness of the les Paul it didn’t recreate and the quackiness on songs like sultans didn’t really get that. But still the point that it could get you through with just one guitar I could definitely see. I think the tele could probably too.
