How can i get a cheap PRS Santana II or III Guitar or something similar

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honduranjazzman

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I am fan of Carlos santana and would like to get a guitar that could give me a similar sound quality. I am not a guitar expert and would appreciate any advice on getting an electric guitar. I am a college student with a low budget , but willing to abstain from anything necessary to get it. I compose flamenco, jazz, brazilian and classical music, and would like something that can be tropical, full of blues and capable of nice Santana sound.
 
Epiphone Les Paul with a Maple body. Find a used one so you can get twice the guitar.
 
Its got the blues and Santana, but I don't know about tropical. You will need a Hi Gain amp to get that Santana Sound. Rythem pickup with the tone most of the way up and a nice reverb.
 
larsen is definately right that ull need a hi gain amp but if ur looking for a more on tone (and better made guitar) look into the santana se which is made by prs. they run about $750 new which high considering that is the cheapest prs model they have... or maybe the tremonti se is.... anyway... they sound great, look kewl, play great, and most of all sound veeeeery simlar to the actual santana models.... look into those...

~dn
 
I would say get the PRS if you can afford it. I was going on cheapness.
 
If it's a PRS you want..... then get one, no matter how long it takes for you to get the money together.

I would even say you are better off getting a loan to buy one, rather than settling for second best.

The fact is if you buy an Epiphone or anything else to try and replicate the sound of another guitar.... you are pi**ing against the wind...I've done it myself.

Mind you no matter how much you save up you cant buy Carlos's fingers....
 
Go here....
http://www.samickguitar.com/electric.html

Click on the "Ultramatic" and check it out. (...there's a video presentation, too!)
It's a PRS knockoff that's 95% as good as the real thing, yet it costs only $500.

How do I know?
I bought one 4 months ago and it ROCKS!!! ;):)

Seriously.... unless you have Santana's technique down pat, owning his signature model guitar doesn't mean squat.
In the meantime, get something that plays great and doesn't drain your bank account.

I highly recommend the Ultramatic UM-3 (hard tail) or UM-4 (Wilkinson trem).
 
Buck, looks real sweet.
Tell me more! How do the frets feel?
At that price I might just buy one this weekend.
 
Buck62 said:
Go here....
http://www.samickguitar.com/electric.html

Click on the "Ultramatic" and check it out. (...there's a video presentation, too!)
It's a PRS knockoff that's 95% as good as the real thing, yet it costs only $500.

How do I know?
I bought one 4 months ago and it ROCKS!!! ;):)
Click to expand...

I do not doubt that it rocks. I'm almost inclined to try one.


However, there is no way in hell that guitar can even come close to sounding like a PRS.


The main reason?

The PRS tone is based on a 25" scale. That Samick guitar has a 24.75" scale (which approximates a Gibson such as a Les Paul). The 25" scale is a deliberate attempt to reach a compromise between the 24.75" LP and the 25.5" Strat.


Another good reason?

The PRS tone is also based on a mahogany body. Some of those Samick guitars are based on alder (which is often used in Fenders) and others on "nato" (which I am not familiar with).


Like I mentioned, that Samick may be a great guitar. However, it will never sound like a PRS.

Seriously.... unless you have Santana's technique down pat, owning his signature model guitar doesn't mean squat.
Click to expand...

No doubt, Carlos Santana would sound like Carlos Santana regardless of the guitar he played.


Regarding the Santana SE, I've played a few. They didn't compare to a true PRS in playability. However, they may get you closer to the tone than a Strat or a Gibson.
 
Just buy the PRS because you only live once and when you get out of college and start making money you will be glad you did.
 
eyeslikefire said:
Buck, looks real sweet.
Tell me more! How do the frets feel?
At that price I might just buy one this weekend.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to say, but Lopp is wrong about this one.

His theories may have merit, but the type of wood used on an electric guitar is much less important than the type of woods used on acoustic guitars. The majority of your sound comes from the pickups, with the neck-type being the second most important factor, and wood comes in at third place.

I've got a guitar with a mahogany body that I've owned (since new) for over 22 years... a 1980 G & L F100 hardtail. That guitar has many tonal options due to having a 3-position switch, dual humbuckers, a coil-splitting switch(to go to single coil), and an out-of-phase switch. With all those electronic options, the mahogany body just makes the guitar a slight bit more durable and MUCH heavier to have around your neck for a 3-hour gig.

That being said, I compared the Samick UM-4 with a PRS McCarty side-by-side, just like this one here....
http://www.prsguitars.com/showcase/current/sp_mc.htm

The Samick wasn't 100% there, as I previously stated... but it was damned close.
You asked about the frets....
Well, the frets are so perfect and the neck is so fast that this thing practically plays itself!
The first time I tried it I could instantly play the Ultramatic better and faster than my G & L F100, which I've had for 22 years!

The only thing I can say is, don't take my word for it.
Read the reviews at Harmony Central of those who own one.
Trust me on this, the UM-3 and the UM-4 are AWESOME guitars for the money. They absolutey CANNOT be beat in their price range. The only thing that comes close is the higher-end Schecter guitars that cost about $200 more... and they're still not quite as good as the Samicks.

Read the reviews.....
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/Data4/Samick/2023-Ultramatic-01.html


I did a totally in-depth review on my UM-4, including a few very minor complaints.
But I'm a picky SOB, so if I recommend something this highly you know it's a damned good product.
I'm staking my credibility on this one based on personal experience, not on theories or other people's opinions.

My review is the one where it's listed that I bought it at Player's Guitars in Worth, Illinois.
 
Buck62 said:
I'm sorry to say, but Lopp is wrong about this one.

His theories may have merit, but the type of wood used on an electric guitar is much less important than the type of woods used on acoustic guitars. The majority of your sound comes from the pickups, with the neck-type being the second most important factor, and wood comes in at third place.
Click to expand...

Heh. I'll bite.

I agree that the majority of your sound (aside from your technique and amp) comes from the pickups.

Regarding scale length affecting tone, it depends on how sensitive you are to your tone. I guess, according to your concept of tone, a Les Paul will sound like a Strat if you use Strat pickups and vice versa. :rolleyes:

Be that as it may, another important factor is your amp. If you want a specifc tone, make sure you get the right amp.
 
I'd have to agree with Lopp as well.

The truth is, the wood DOES play a major factor in the tone of electric guitars, as does scale length, and of course, the amp used.

Two of my major sources for "tone info" recently have been Tommy (from USA Custom Guitars) and Bill Lawrence (of... yup, lol, Bill Lawrence). I spoke with both of them at great lengths when deciding on what features to use for my custom guitar I am building, using parts from both of their companies. They both would disagree that wood doesn't contribute very much to the tone. In fact, before Bill suggests you order new pickups from him, he will grill you about MANY other factors, including your playing/picking style, your amp, your guitar cord, your setup, your guitar, etc. (And in my case, how the altitude in Denver affects sound, because in his experience great changes in altitude would affect the setting he would use on his amp!) Changing pickups is pretty far down on his list of what to change in order to change tone, and he has nothing to gain by suggesting you try other things before buying pickups from him.

Buck, I appreciate your enthusiasm for your Samick. The truth is that I have an older Samick (Valley Arts Custom Design model) that I bought new that I used for YEARS as my #1, playing numerous gigs, etc. It's a very cool guitar and has served me well. I've heard good things about most of the new Samick Greg Bennett models. I have no doubt that most of them are good guitars.

I would also say that there are some Paul Reed Smiths that are lemons. I've played some amazing ones and some that didn't move me at all. I know that I probably wouldn't buy a PRS, because for that price I could get something from one of the boutique companies that is producing at the quality PRS used to, back in the "good ole days."

I do know, however, that given the option between a Samick and a PRS, I'd take the PRS. :p

Oh - and I also don't put much stock in the Harmony Central reviews. As a member at the PRS Forum pointed out, according to their ratings, a $99 danelectro sounds better than a PRS Artist model! (Of course there are some good reviews there, and yours probably is, but many do not seem reliable.)
 
KaBudokan said:
I do know, however, that given the option between a Samick and a PRS, I'd take the PRS. :p
Click to expand...

If they were both being offered to me for FREE, I'd take the PRS too!
But if my assertion is found to be correct, that the Samick is 90 to 95% as good as the PRS, which guitar is the better value?

Samick Ultramatic UM-4: $450 to $500

PRS McCarty: $2,200 to $2,600

All I'm saying is that the Samick is a whole lotta guitar for the money.
It's not quite as good as a PRS, but it SMOKES any PRS as far as value goes.
I never said it was "just as good" or "better". Re-read my post guys.

The only way to give me a good (and credible) arguement is to actually PLAY an Ultramatic UM-4 and then post your comments after you've made the comparison against the real thing.
Until then, all you guys can do is "speculate" based on assumptions and other people's opinions.

If you do that, you'd be in a better position to argue your point.

Find a UM-4 and play it.
Then come and post your opinion based on experience, not what Bill Lawrence or some dude named "Tommy" has to say over the phone.
If I'm wrong then you can blast me and trash me.

If I'm right, (...which I know I am) throw me a frickin' bone here already! :D
 
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Buck, I'll definitely play one if I come across one at a local dealer.

What I am saying about the wood having a major effect on the tone of an electric guitar is true. Just like you know you're right, I know I am, too.

I agree that other factors have a large impact, which is why if someone makes a strat out of mahogany, they can approximate a vintage strat tone. Likewise, you can get some reasonable Les Paul or PRS tones out of an alder bodied guitar. I am sure that the Samick does sound similar to some PRS tones. However, my Big Apple Strat will never sound exactly like a PRS or Les Paul regardless of which humbuckers I put in it. Likewise, your Samick will never have the exact same tonal characteristics as a mahogany PRS.

I know this board is all about "hands-on experience," but if you ask any luthier in the world they will tell you the same thing. I just happened to mention the two that I have had long conversations with recently. "Some dude named Tommy" is Tommy Rosamond, who basically runs USA Custom. He worked for Warmoth for a number of years, and his shop produces bodies and necks not just for custom orders for individuals, but for several high end "custom builders" as well. Bill Lawrence is a legend in the guitar world.

I am sure the Samick is a good buy. There really are lots of decent guitars out there in that price range. I'm glad you found a good one. I actually paid $500 for my Big Apple Strat w/ a Fender case (both brand new) a few years back, and feel like a got a pretty damn good deal. My ~$900 guitar I'm building right now will be my most expensive guitar I've ever bought.

Oh, and like I said, I feel the PRSi are definitely too expensive, as are Gibson. I'd pick up a used Hamer for $700-800 and call it a day. :D
 
Of course they don't make Gibson as good as they used too....And Fender is the same, along with PRS, and Ford Motor Company, and Chevy, and Dodge, and, oh, that reminds me, did I ever tell you about the time when I had to walk fifteen! miles to school in the snow.
 
LocusLarsen said:
oh, that reminds me, did I ever tell you about the time when I had to walk fifteen! miles to school in the snow.
Click to expand...

With holes in your shoes, no coat, and 10 books under each arm, right? :D
 
DAMMIT!!!!!
Went to GC and they didn't have SHIET!!!!!! :mad: :mad:

I freaking pissed!!!! I WANT ONE!!! WHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
 
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