…if I’m getting too jaded. I’ve reviewed so much gear that I don’t seem so easily impressed as of late.
What got me thinking about this was my latest review of the PRS Sweet 16 amplifier. I played it. It sounded great, but I wasn’t overly impressed. I suppose from a pure tone perspective, I could give it pretty high marks, and my 4.5 Tone Bones rating reflects the overall quality of the amp. But at around $1700, even though PRS calls the Sweet 16 a “mid-priced” amp, there are lots of other amps in that power class that cost far less and sound just as good, if not better.
What’s in a name?
Or maybe I’m not falling into the hype trap. It seems that every time PRS comes out with something, people rave about it and assume it kicks ass without really even trying it. That’s great for PRS to have built up that kind of reputation, and probably a reason PRS gear can still command such high prices: People are willing to pay based upon the name because they know there is a certain level of quality of which they can assume will be in the gear they buy – even sight unseen.
I also suppose that when I factored in the price, it kept me from giving the Sweet 16 higher marks; and that’s the practical side of me speaking. For me, I don’t give a shit about the name or the model; I only care if it sounds good. If some gear’s tone or playability simply blow me away, I’ll pay a higher price. For instance, I’m looking for vintage or vintage re-issue Les Paul. My buddy has a number of them, and I just have to get one to add to my rig. I won’t mind paying a premium for that guitar when I find one not just because it’s an LP, but because I’m blown away by the tone. But with the exception of Goldie, none of my other guitars have cost over $1000, and half of them cost under $500. Furthermore, all my amps with the exception of the Aracom PLX18 cost under $1000 as well, and the PLX18 with its vintage-style circuitry sounds way better than the Sweet 16 and still costs less.
I guess the point I’m trying to make is that I don’t see the point in paying a high price for just “good” tone, as in the case of the Sweet 16. I’ll pay for great tone, but as I stated, there are lots of different gear out there that have great tone and a great price. The Dr. Z Remedy amp is a great example of that: GREAT tone at a great price. By the way, the street price of $1499 makes it a much sweeter deal than the Sweet 16.
I’m probably going to get jumped on for posting this, but so be it. I know what I like, and I know what I’d pay for some gear. It all boils down to tonal preference in the end. I’ll pay for tone that inspires me, but I’ll never pay for a name.
Guitar Gear 
I thought it was a balanced review. We should be jaded. Gear is SOOOOOOO much better now than is was when I started playing (late 80’s) that I kind of resent the fact that you can buy a good guitar and a great sounding amp in almost any music store these days. that wasn’t always true.
Very true… Back then, our choices were certainly limited. Funny though… I’m really getting into the vintage Marshall sound now, and I didn’t like it at all back then (not that I could actually play well enough at the time to take advantage of that tonal goodness). 🙂
Great post. I totally agree with what you are saying. I never understood spending tons of money just for a name. Gibson seems to be the biggest criminal of this. I admit that I have never played a PRS, though I really like the sound I’ve heard from “famous” people’s CDs.
Do you have a Dr. Z review I can check out?
Thanks!
Anyway, here’s a “First Impressions” look at the Dr. Z Remedy amp.
That amp is killer. I’m still trying to hook up with Guitar Player Mag to see if I can bring that amp into my studio to record some clips with it. It has a huge sound – probably due to the JJ’s. I’d be willing to bet that with true 6V6’s in it, it would rock you to the core!
Re-read your post… Yeah, both Gibson AND Fender have probably been the worst offenders of this, but having played some SWEET vintage and re-issue Les Paul’s, it’s tough for me to argue against the price. As far as the vintage stuff is concerned, it’s the collectors who run those prices up. Lots of hype.
Great content in this article.
Yes, it’s AMAZING what you can get these days. I have a Blueridge acoustic that i bought used for $200 that is FAR better than a $500 guitar that you could buy in the 70’s. I have a Korean Lakland Skyline bass i use for gigs that was well under a grand that has 95%+ the tone and playability of a multi-1000 dollar boutique bass I own.
But then they say…..most of the tone is in the fingers!!!
I’ve played a Blueridge and it really sounded awesome, as well as looking really good.
You got something there about tone being in the fingers. Equipment helps to a point, but ultimately you’re gonna sound like you.