PRS Tremonti SE or ESP EC 400?

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Thurgood

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Have GAS, need paul style guitar in that price range. Please discuss the various merits and shortcomings of both. eg. neck, construction, finish, pu's, hardware, resale, warranty etc. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
I don't have any experience with either of those, however, seeing as one is the signature model from that guy who was in Creed, I'd pick the other on general principle.
 
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I have owned both. Both are really fine guitars. I would go more toward the ESP. First and foremost for the pickups, genuine Seymour Duncans or EMG's in the EC400. The Tremonti had some weak stock pickups. Also the PRS has a different scale length, which gives it the distinct PRS sound. That is great, unless you are not going for the PRS sound. The ESP's also have Grover tuners and an Earvana nut. Not sure what that nut does, but the ESP I had sounded the most in tune of any guitar I have owned.
 
they have re-desighned the ec 400, now it comes with a flame maple top and regular seymour duncan humbuckers.
 
Thanks guys, I am kinda leaning towards the ESP, and do have some concern as to the scale length of the PRS. Gvarko, how would you compare the construction on both? Earvana nuts are strange but I could replace it if annoyed. THe ESP literature says that the 400 has a JB in the bridge and a 59 up front. How cool is that!!!! For the 100.00 difference I think that may make up for it. PS being p-whipped as I am and with full knowlege that GF HATES creed I don't know how long until she put two and two together and started in on the Creed hatin. (not a big fan myself). LOL She al;so plays a mean guitar.
 
Thurgood said:
Thanks guys, I am kinda leaning towards the ESP, and do have some concern as to the scale length of the PRS. Gvarko, how would you compare the construction on both? Earvana nuts are strange but I could replace it if annoyed. THe ESP literature says that the 400 has a JB in the bridge and a 59 up front. How cool is that!!!! For the 100.00 difference I think that may make up for it. PS being p-whipped as I am and with full knowlege that GF HATES creed I don't know how long until she put two and two together and started in on the Creed hatin. (not a big fan myself). LOL She al;so plays a mean guitar.

IMO the ESP was just better all around. I had the EC400AT which is the goldtop model. For me, the Duncan JB is where it's at. That pickup goes in everything I play that has humbuckers. The finish on the PRS is a bit strange and almost plastic like. Shows fingerprints like crazy.

Not to throw another model in the mix, but once I bought a Washburn Idol I have stopped looking for guitars. They are in the same price range. I bought the Silverburst model right after I sold my ESP and haven't looked back since:

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showi...Contains=*idol*&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=

This is the one I have:

http://www.samash.com/catalog/showi...Contains=*idol*&Search_Type=SEARCH&GroupCode=
 
Thanks. I have two weeks to think about the purchase. Pay day! That Washburn is pretty cool.
 
Thurgood said:
Thanks. I have two weeks to think about the purchase. Pay day! That Washburn is pretty cool.

If you get a chance to play them all side by side that would be best. For me the Washburn is it. For you it may be something different. Good luck and let us know what you purchase...
 
Thanks. I am tryiing to find someone with a Tremeonti. I have played the ESP and liked it. I have heard that the Tremonti is headstock heavy. I cannot tolerate that, balance is IMHO crucial. I have an old Gison RD Custom, heavy as hell but PURRRRRFECT balance. :)
 
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