Paul Reed Smith: The Guitar You Want "Will Never Be Made, Michael" (RANT)

[@Guitargate]

Listen. Here's the deal: Country licks = metal licks. It's so physical. I wanna chicken pick & divebomb. My pedal steel bends need pinch harmonics. I require tight low-end precision & single notes that sustain forever.... that you can't hide behind. A neck you can feel and frets that actually last. And I REALLY don't want an amp with a baby transformer or a board that could launch a space shuttle. I'm talking about a rig for LIVE players. Can't a girl dream?

[@bornofstardust5910]

Contact somebody at Schecter. They'll build you whatever you want. Kiesel is pretty good too but they're WAY more expensive than they used to be.

[@elliotcarroll7888]

Have you ever tried a modeler with a digital preamp into a tube power amp? Super versatile in terms of what sounds you can get without loosing too much of the tube essence and vibe

[@fcukeround]

Michael! Calm down.... don't gut your PRS take your beloved guitar to your Luther and have some split coil pickups put in. And then there was peace......

[@ryancox8282]

Michael, I've been doing a lot of work on my own guitars recently. I'm a strat man myself, but I have a few ideas on how you might mod your wolfgang to try and get the best of both worlds. Here's a video I shot of my strat, the video sucks but I was just doing it to chat with the guys I had been working with on the project. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmKwaqt6nseal8U If you're interested in connecting hit me up.

[@oldman0995]

It can be done. Why does PRS make the Eagle mark v. it has every combination of pickups and switches to make almost any sound get one with a thin flamed maple neck. Get an ax fx3 pro - you can layer amps it does sustain feedback and models that can hit you with that chug when you want. Check out Leon Todd’s KZbin channel. If the axe fx 3 is good enough for Metallica then it is good enough

[@mountainwolfmusic]

I was Paul's intern for years, working on all the John Mayer amplifiers. That explanation of him sitting with his head down at 1:32 was every day of my life for 4 years LOL

[@rickjason215]

Did you get paid?

[@mountainwolfmusic]

@@rickjason215 yes! It was a tremendous 4 years 🤝

[@e.l.norton]

​@@rickjason215A better question when you get to intern with a Paul Reed Smith is, "What did you learn?" Some things are worth doing for the sake of the knowledge gained.

[@Guitargate]

I BET :)

[@chasebeavers]

Paul makes a nice guitar, but he wouldn’t know good tone if it hit him upside the head.

[@mutt8553]

Take a lesson from Eddie, Mike. If the guitar/rig you want doesn’t exist, build it

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

☝️☝️ Text me on Telegram👍

[@miniyodadude6604]

this works for anything if life, if something you want hasnt been done, do it

[@nohbudinose]

Or for that matter, a lesson from Les, even if it doesn't exist at all, build it.

[@Guitargate]

Right?!

[@domoniquebrooks816]

Exactly! I've built so many oddball project guitars just because I couldn't find what I wanted on the market.

[@YEM_]

OMG we need more clips of young Michael having a blast at live gigs!

[@adamhanninen8295]

Mike’s a slayer time to time! Great content btw this is some legit gear-talk. Some real delving (pizza tapes) 👌🏼

[@Guitargate]

HA! OK! I just need to gig again for real lol

[@jasonrobling7536]

Michael, here is a suggestion for you (this is one idea I've been wanting to try but am just too lazy LOL): It is basically a two amp setup, with a twist. It's not a stereo setup, or wet-dry, but rather use a crossover at about 150 Hz. Send the low frequencies to a very tight (metal-ish) amp where the low end will not get flubby at all. Then send the mids/highs to a nice warm squishy tube amp. I believe this will give you the sound you are looking for. I actually did this with a bass rig (for bass guitar) and it sounded unbelievable. Solid state high headrood amp for the low frequencies, and 15 watt class A tube amp for the mid/high frequencies. I can't stress enough how good it sounded.

[@neiledgson6737]

I think it would make an excellent episode for both your channels. Get in touch with Dan & Mick at That Pedal Show. They know 'everything' ampy and pedally, not to mention guitary, to answer your needs. 😁😁😁

[@DavidGarcia-kw4sf]

They are one of my favorite channels and I have learned a lot from them. Great idea. 😎

[@tommyparees]

Victory Super Kraken is what your looking for amp wise. Crazy tight low end, delightful gain and power for days along with amazing pushed clean tones.

[@davecrawford8363]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

☝️☝️ Text me on Telegram..

[@neiledgson6737]

Possibly looking to go valve pre-amp pedal and power amp to cabinet. See Mick's set up on That Pedal Show. 👍

[@165strat]

no need to change the pickups, simply recharge the magnets and while you are at it, rewire them to a four wire to split the humbuckers. Any guitar tech at guitar center can do it.....easy stuff buddy. Years ago, I felt the same the same way, ordered a book on how to build a guitar and started building. (pre-internet). I build my own long scale Les Pauls, and Tele’s while winding my own pickups....This is the next step in your musical journey. My Stealth Mexican Wolfgang arrived buzzing, I redressed the frets - easy-peasy.

[@danielluna1818]

I recharged the magnets in theory with a Duncan designed humbucker . Had that Duncan and another high output stacked together reversed, left it that way and forgot bout it , then later had one of my guys install it : I think it sounds amazing with good output , it’s not dead anymore

[@markjohnson5636]

I had the same problem - the guitar I wanted didn't exist. So I built my own. Until I started building, I didn't realize how many factors there were to consider (body wood, neck wood, neck profile, fretboard radius, etc.). For pickups, I would reach out to Jason Lollar and ask what kind of pick up he would suggest based on your needs. Good luck on your search - just remember it's the journey that's the fun part, don't overly focus on the destination!

[@jefrolawson]

The Soldano SLO is a pretty sick amp. Also the Music Man Sabre is a cool all around guitar. Raw neck, coil Taps, and trem. The Charvel Guthrie Govan is truly a sick guitar too. Killer pickups, 24 ss frets, killer trem with lock.

[@bigmikeyz0071]

Lol I was thinking the same thing. You cannot beat the slo with the right guitar. I also have a music man cutlass bfr hss Floyd 80’s edition with a axis style neck in lime. They only made like 40 in three different colors but it might be what Michael’s looking for.

[@fairtexmma]

The Peavey Wolfgang was my first high end guitar. I got it used in like 2001. I play mostly modern metal. And eventually put EMG’s in it. It was like doing drugs. I played that guitar to death. Still have it and will never let it go. But it’s battle scarred as crap and I’m always afraid something catastrophic might happen to it. I’ve been chasing the way that guitar feels for about 20 years now. Nothing I’ve ever touched comes close. Sad.

[@DM-sy4hg]

I had a Deluxe that was red in the early 2000s. It was a terrible instrument to me. The neck felt like a 2×4 and I didn't sound good. I dumped it a couple years later for a loss. The guitar store I bought it from tried to make me a 2 for 1 deal. Looking back I assume they had trouble selling them. That drop-D device was junk too.

[@ManuelGarcia-xx9pi]

I used to play a similar rig:solid split the guitar (humbucker) output signal to a solid state Peavey for the low end and high gain + fender tweed for brightness and attack 😊

[@Nightwing690]

And michael is playing it without the locking nut, smh

[@tomi-jon8798]

What did you pay for it?

[@jeffwheaton1257]

Michael - you hit the nail on the head regarding the endless quest for the perfect guitar and amp for each person's individuality. I've been playing in cover bands for over 40 years and have gone through practically every brand of amp and many different guitars, always searching for the magic formula. My challenge is I play in several bands that cover a variety of rock/pop/funk/R&B/country tunes from the 70s to today. I'm always trying to make my rig as portable and efficient as possible, but get the tones I need to adequately represent the songs (at least in my ears). My current main rig is probably my most versatile...a custom three channel head my buddy and I designed and he built. One channel is based on a Fender clean, one channel based on Marshall crunch, and one channel based on Soldano SLO. I play a PRS S2 24-08 that gives me the whammy, multiple pickup configurations, and a 24 fret scale. So far I can use it in any situation and get great tones for the songs. The problem is that with the head a flight case, my 2x12 Mesa cabinet, and my pedal board also in a flight case, I have a lot of heavy gear to haul around. I'm considering having my buddy build a combo version of that same amp...but with some slight tweaks, because, well, nothing is perfect!

[@Brucifer67]

Custom-made or heavily customized gear. That's the way I went. I have a local amp builder and a guitar builder. I went with my specs and what I was trying to achieve. They both worked together and got me where I needed to be.

[@patrickstefurak3124]

Stainless steel frets are practically indistructible, very smooth for vibrato and add a slight amount of brightness, which might suit you. A Freeway switch adds for more pickup switching combinations. A trick to get more sustain and tightness from an amp is to use a compressor pedal with a mix knob, and set the mix so that the direct sound is louder than the compressed sound, which makes the notes sustain longer as they ring out, but has almost no effect when picking hard. You can turn up the output level on a compressor like that to push the amp harder, allowing the amp gain to be set a bit lower, and then the difference bewteen clean and dirty on the guitar volume knob will be greater.

[@MugpushFunk]

I recently purchased a Suhr tele-style. It's the 1st guitar I have owned that checks off almost all the boxes. The game changer is steel frets that will never need to be plecked! The steel frets make the neck feel so much faster.

[@6nosis]

Yeeeeeeah that’s well and good but haven’t heard the zingy thing they do after the shock goes away of never having to dress them. They’re definitely missing a warmth… I dunno I tried to love them

[@markyoder9304]

Your right about everything, I became a luthier because of this, Paul is right that it will never be built in a factory but a good luthier can make a one of a kind custom guitar that'll blow your mind

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

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[@riverludington5293]

The best guitar I can think of is a Charvel Pro Mod Tele. Features: Roasted maple neck has great color and strength Fishman active pickups are almost impossibly tight and versatile, and will give you both single coil tele and metal tones. Sustain and harmonics are all there. Gotoh 510 bridge might be a compromise but they are excellent vibratos. Charvel has a history of crossing lines and making hot rod hybrids. If you like Eddie, you like Charvel.

[@neiljohnsen276]

Funny, that Paul said" that will never be built" . The Hdrx amps sound exactly like you describe your amp to be like. A Marshall played clean! Love that sound!

[@Jaybizzle956]

I have a 95’ Mesa Tremoverb…..it’s the only amp that I’ve played that sounds EXACTLY like what you are describing. I think it’s just close enough to perfect, that I don’t get tired trying to get closer and closer and still feel rewarded each time.

[@tomattah_]

I thought that I was the only person that remembered the MESA TOVs. Nice.

[@enorbet2]

The low end sag of any amp can be altered, from mildly to radical, to make it tight. Here are just 3 ways: 1) EQ the gain staging - make the early stages bright and the later stages dark. Bass notes require power. Make them where there is power. 2) Power Supply Stability - Sudden transients and long sustain consumes current. Increasing filter cap values makes the current reservoir larger so specific stages don't run out allowing the supply voltage, and therefore response, to sag. 3) Radical - the lowest notes on even a drop D guitar are nowhere near as low as and organ with Bass pedals yet a Leslie 147 reproduces those notes, and with gorgeous harmonics, without bad sag. They handle guitar bottom with ease. This is largely because of a special voltage regulator tube, an 0C3, that causes the screen grid to track the dynamics of the output plate of the power tubes. Even when pushed so hard the plate sags, that the main controlling characteristics track and stay relatively the same, makes response controllable, consistent, and predictable with adjustable serendipity depending on how much air you're moving. Try a tube preamp into a 147 Leslie power amp, preferably through real guitar speakers, but even with the original 15 you'll likely get a glimpse of the feel and the sound.

[@arthurlove1002]

Inspiration is born out of desperation. NEVER say it can’t be done.You have made your needs list and know what you want which is step one. YOU can make it happen!

[@jamesc7720]

Great video. The Peavey Wolfgang is an absolute masterpiece.

[@JoeDogInKC]

Before swapping pickups, check the wiring at the toggle switch and make sure the soldering there is solid. Make sure the grounding is good. Pickups are just copper and magnets, so it's most likely something fairly easy to resolve. I would bet that it's the switch failing or a solder joint. When looking at the wiring, see how many wires are coming from each pickup. You may be able to replace the tone pot with a push/push or push/pull (depending on your personal preference) and wire it up to coil tap/split with what you have and not even need to add an additional switch. Lastly, if you get a refret, put in stainless steel frets instead of nickel ones. Then you've got the ultimate Wolfgang. BTW, I had a Peavey Wolfgang Special back in the day. I ended up selling it to a friend to finance the purchase of an EBMM Petrucci JP6. I wish I hadn't and had kept it along with the JP6. I now have one of the Fender made EVH Wolfgang specials and while it's nicer in some ways, the feel of the Peavey was way better and I miss it. FYI - I see that Peavey is selling old stock Wolfgangs, rebranded as like HP2 or something like that. Reasonably priced for USA made from old Wolfgang parts.

[@ludvanlazarz]

I love how you describe this quest! What I have found is basically a quote from a fellow swede channel Johan Segeborn. The best guitar tones come from very restricted playing. The greatest tones we all know and love are snippets of optimized rigs for a specific song and production. This means getting different amps and guitars for different jobs. Everything else ends up being a compromise if the goal is to chase reference tones. The other solution is creating your own sound and then there are no rules, but the guitar and amp can not do it all. Even some pedals dont work with certain amps and speakers. Same logic. Rock on, great playing!

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Fantastic rant my friend! And as usual I agree with so much what you’re saying. You can never beat a natural great amp overdrive!

[@carlocaesarvalencerina3804]

PRS: The guitar that you want will never be made. Charvel: We present to you, the Guthrie Govan signature model.

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

☝️☝️ Text me on Telegram.

[@mesoanarchy]

LOVE the outro/coda snippet!!! (It’s ALWAYS awesome to watch a guitarist in “that” space on stage where they and everyone from fellow musicians to audience feeling totally in the moment too, and having BIG fun being there!).

[@matthewf1979]

About the amp. I believe you’re looking for something like a Dumble ODS/SSS hybrid. I’ve built a couple higher gain tube amps amps. You really have to beef up the power supply to do what you want. It’s not impossible in the least. Dumble used the power section of an Ampeg SVT in the SSS to get that extreme headroom and punch. You can still get the parts to build something like that. Driving the power amp with a Fender/Vox preamp for the cleans and a JCM/JMP2204 or even an SLO like preamp for the drive is also not impossible. Especially with the channel switching circuits we have now. Silent, reliable and very low power. I would get in touch with the people at Amplified Nation. It would take me a year to build something like this and work my full time career.

[@michaelgoyettemusic]

I was lucky enough to befriend EVH in 2004 for a few months and he actually gave me a Wolfgang!! I didn’t like it at first put after a time I agree with you….it’s in between Les Paul and Strat…..it does feel shorter too.

[@ultrahighgain412]

Regarding the amp you describe. You need to check out Fryette Amps, formerly VHT. In particular I’d recommend the HUNDRED/CLX, the Deliverance, and the Ultralead. They do what you describe.

[@Myoldnameiscringy]

Two things: 1) I have a 1977 Gibson RD Artist with the original Moog electronics. It’s got humbuckers, but instead of 2V,2T; it’s got 2Volumes and Bass & Treble boost/cut controls. When I tweak those controls and engage a compressor, I’ve got Tele tones for days. No Floyd, but you could try something like the “Virtual Jeff”. 2). I’m in the mid Atlantic, and I’m planning on starting building custom guitars (as a hobby, not as a business that I can quit my day job). I’ve got most of the tools, and I’m not without luthierie skills. Spec out exactly what you want, and let me see if I think I could achieve it.

[@georgeestremera1464]

Dude!! This is the story of my life!!! I play tons of different styles on guitars that weren’t meant for them. This is so mind blowing. I wasn’t told that what I want will never be made. I was just told that it doesn’t exist. Someone gets it!! BTW, the closest I’ve found to a do-it-all guitar so far is a Suhr, but there are some challenges with them. Thanks so much for this video. I’ve never seen anything you’ve posted before but you gained a follower

[@shanebiggs1888]

What are those challenges on a 3,000 dollar guitar? Now I'm curious as I've played a million guitars over the years but never a suhr.

[@MrXNITROx]

it sounds like you could copy guthrie govans rig, his signature charvel sounds like something you'd want, rock solid neck with stainless steel frets, a bridge that stays in tune, humbuckers that coil tap, the victory "the jack" amp, which was made for guthrie to do anything from bell like cleans all the up to that shredder type gain, and everything in between (The jack, i.e. "jack of all trades"), seems worth a look in my opinion

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

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[@JoshShuman]

When I think of versatile guitarist, I think “Guthrie”. This answer makes a lot of sense. I think he plays Suhr as well.

[@MrXNITROx]

@@JoshShuman yeah he used to, I believe he left due to his artist relations rep at suhr being less than palatable which made guthrie want out, thats when he signed with fender (charvel) and I think the suhr rep was quickly fired

[@simongosimon]

I want him to see this! What he's describing sounds EXACTLY like Guthrie Govans guitar and setup

[@emanemantsal9789]

A good recommendation. Either the older Suhr or his current Charvel. Both are great. Both have SS frets. I prefer the Suhr's pickups, but whatever. Some people think the MFB PUps in the Charvel, which I just think are "good," are the holy grail... To each his own, I guess. Anyway, one thing: The Govan has a floating bridge. It DOES come with a Tremel-No "stopper" to change the bridge from behaving like a decked trem to floating, but they are not easy to set up or really quick to use. I've seen Govan several times and I have never seen him actually engage or disengage is Tremel-No, while playing. I imagine he may do it, sometimes, but it's neither quick, nor easy to do. I guess Mike could set it up in "dive only" mode and leave it that way.

[@dizzydad4708]

I like your ideas. I absolutely love my peavey predator plus. Really enjoyed the Wolfgang but abhor the pickups. I bet slapping in the 594 will be awesome, but you should think on ripping the fret wires out and replacing them with some stainless wires.

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

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[@chappie2dope247]

Of all people, I would have said Paul would be the one to say "Lets make it happen." I'm from Lafayette, Louisiana. I'll make trips on the weekends lol You are on to something many of us intermediate players are looking for, but do not have the ability to ask if it is possible, or explain what we are looking for exactly. I would love to work on this idea with you! A life time of music production, painting, wiring, crafting, tinkering, and creativity is a small sample of what I am willing to bring to the table. Lets make this happen!!!

[@ryanchalfant]

Sounds like a Soldano Super Lead Overdrive (slo) is the amp you'd potentially love for the range you describe. Plus it has a solid state rectifier which tightens that sag for you while having the preamp and power amp still tube driven. Then it may be worth looking at drawing inspiration from Richie kotzen's strat or tele and then have someone like Mario Martin in Murfreesboro build you his honcho (tele/strat hybrid) to those specifications. That could give you the feel and neck/fret specs you want with all the versatility your creativity could muster! Good luck with your search and I hope this can be of any help!

[@robdaniel3211]

The Smile“The Opposite” Live on KEXP. Thom and Jonny from Radiohead and some of the raddest guitar. Jonny having to switch overdrive effect pedal off with one foot whilst playing keys with his other and playing guitar at the same time is just nuts.

[@robdaniel3211]

“Thin Thing” from the same live KEXP show has a crazy weird picking delay riff….

[@chrisbryant6757]

I was a luthier at Peavey during the entire Wolfgang period. You are spot on with the pros and cons. Still one of my favorite necks of all time. Don't know if you still have the original checklist but it would be cool if my name was on it.

[@TheFunkybert]

If you two get together on this I’d want to discuss investment in this idea should some patents be involved

[@cbiltz75]

Did you work with Jim DeCola??? Met him at NAMM 2020 such a nice guy!!!

[@chrisbryant6757]

​@cbiltz75 Yes. In my opinion, he was the man behind the Wolfgang

[@shawnhedrick3570]

You signed the checklist for my Purple Wolfgang Special from April 7, 1999!

[@charlesblack4565]

Yep!! I was in the same boat, so I found a small luthier and asked them to build it for me. If it doesn’t exist, make it happen 🤘

[@svenben9868]

you caught my attention when you mentioned the "saggy lowend".. When I was gigging alot a decade (ugh) ago. I had a Peavey 5150 script head into a Mesa recto 4 - 12.. I ran a pedal board with the usual suspects Chorus, Delay, Disrortion, tuner, wah, and volume pedals. I loved feeling the air move playing 10 feet infront of the rig, but like you something was lost. Loud wasnt the problem, but tight focused lowend, and clear highs were MIA. I tried equalizers, better quality cables, shorter cables, placement of pedals before and after in different orders, using the effects loop... Nothing.. I felt like If this was the rig I wanted I would have to learn to love my sound It gave me. Then I read about the BBE Sonic Maximizer.... $99.99 through my effects loop of the head.... BLEW MY MIND!! Night and day difference.. The lowend was tight punchy and literally moved the hair on my legs.. Never again will I run a head/cab rig without a sonic maximizer. if you dont know about it, Trust me.. you will fall in love with your sound..

[@fleshrevolt]

I feel the same way, but honestly the Telecaster has become my guitar for everything; country, worship, ambient, rock, metal. I don't want for anything on a Tele and I can't make up my mind as to what genre of music I like to play most haha

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

Tele is always a scary jump without the floating bridge to use as a security blanket. Once you get used to it, you pretty much don't want anything else.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

I bought that FMT Tele with Seymour Duncan 59/pearly gates a yr ago and that thing absolutely RIPS….I sanded down all that bs lacquer off the neck and it’s perfect now

[@Zach-ls1if]

@@kensmechanicalaffair what do you mean as a security blanket? I feel really dumb asking, but I don’t know what you mean. I love my telecaster but I’m pretty new to electrics

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

@@Zach-ls1if Lol, I meant more personally. For me as a novice, if chords don't land so well, I just reach for the tremelo bar..and magic.

[@Zach-ls1if]

@@kensmechanicalaffair I’ve never actually used a tremolo bar, but I think I get what you mean. Thanks

[@youtubepeace]

1. Watch Jim Lill's tone videos 2. Get an Axe-FX Everything else you can get custom (I happen to love kiesel and the playability options, and if it's about the brand im sure prs can make a guitar with a trem system and the other specifications playability wise) the rest is up to the player's fingers

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

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[@steveg219]

Actually Kiesel is a good suggestion, those guitars are incredibly rocksolid which checks that box, strong transients and with the right pickups so you can get the sound he’s describing

[@solidus317]

I’m sure you’ve tried one given your relationship to PRS but I’d feel like a CE24 with either 57/08 or 85/15 pickups into something like an Axe FX into the tube section of one of your favorite amps would set you straight. You get snap of a bolt on but the splittable, great sound humbuckers that can do the tele and Gibson thing convincingly. You could either go with the normal vintage style trem which is still very dive ready or get a FR model and just set it to dive only. Bonus is they are gorgeous and they look the part whether you’re on stage playing country or playing metal and all in between. Second recommendation is the same amp setup and something like a Govan Charvel or a Ibanez Pia/J-Custom(I LOVE my J-Custom). Very versatile as well.

[@Kabayoth]

Refret with stainless steel medium jumbo tall frets. Why, you ask? It increases the attack slightly for a more crisp bloom. The pickups: PRS pickups in a Peavy are a mistake. They have not, do not, will not ever be voiced for basswood. Transparent with a clear attack can be done in three ways: a Bareknuckle Polymath set. A Dylan P94 set where the screws are replaced with magnet poles also comes to mind. Last but not least: a Voodoo Teseracht set. Next: replace the Floyd Rose with a Sophia bridge. Ordinarily, I'd advocate a Babicz bridge, but they don't make a locking trem. Replace or clean out the pots and switch. Also replace the output jack with a higher-end unit. The amp: you're looking for a DI directly into a PA. Nothing else will move the air the way you want. Specifically, a Geddy Lee Tech21 DI. A bass DI. Moves the air and takes the ice picks out of the signal. From there into a PA board to powered or unpowered speakers. Paul was wrong incidentally. The guitar/amp combo you want exists. He'd never know because he's unaware of every boutique brand. You're unaware of them because you're unfamiliar with Solid-state amps.

[@joshreece9177]

I don't know how you didn't mention John 5. He is Mr. Heavy Riffs to chicken picking. It's literally his whole solo career lol.

[@mccarty]

Sounds like the Johnny Hiland PRS signature model that was discontinued like 10 years ago

[@Apfelsau]

You need the Tosin Abasi guitar that Greg Koch played. Thats exactly the guitar you described.

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

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[@drscott47]

take it from an engineer here in Nashville. there is fairly small (but they do exist) community of people here that would love that kind of guitar. its been known for a long time by those in or around the business that country and metal players are cut from the same cloth. I can't tell you how many times I've had a conversation with a long haired metal player where the conversation turns to Glen Campbell and any time you get a serious hot licks country player in the studio are you're fooling around between takes guaranteed they love to kick on high gain and play van halen. the market as a whole is very focused on "vintage" style guitars and a return to the roots, but I'd love to see highly practical guitar out there that can actually do it all. the closest I've seen to what you're describing at least in ethos are some Ibanez models, Music Man and G&L's. Amp wise if you're not happy with your Marhsall maybe try a Mesa Dual rectifier or a Diezel. Diezel's I've only ever seen in first call session guys rigs and serious metal players.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

Literally how you explain your set up is exactly how I wanna set up my Strat.

[@mikemacintyre1]

PRS' opinion is valid. But you know what's also valid? Playing whatever the fuck you want through whatever amp you like, wired or wireless, whatever neck or frets or pups you like. Play music, listen to, or ignore the opinions or comments, doesn't matter. Whatever gives you joy fuck the rest.

[@przemyslaw1235]

amen😃

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

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[@jasehadleymusic9245]

I feel this way a lot. I've been looking into the Ibanez AZ line, more specifically the AZ2204N. It is by far the most comfortable guitar I've played. It's sound is truly versatile and just over all has great tone. I really want to get one but my only problem with it is they made it look so basic, almost like a student guitar look. I've considered getting one and then getting a custom paint job on it but that would cost a lot extra and I'd have to find the right guy to do it. Ibanez does not customize guitars for anyone besides sponsored players. Idk I just hate that they make a guitar being that close to being perfect and then make it look so boring and give you no options on that.

[@mstreech]

Ibanez is really good. The new Tim Henson guitar looks really interesting

[@jasehadleymusic9245]

@@mstreech Yeah, I actually love playing in his style, but his new guitar actually isn't that good for his style because there's no middle single coil for the 4th position. It is a great shredding guitar and most of Ibanez's guitars are... I just want something a little more versatile lol.

[@jakethebard]

Luthier of ten years here. I'm also a PRS fanboy, so take from that what you will. I think what you want is definitely achievable. And you could do it a number of different ways. I'll focus on the guitar side of things because that's really where my knowledge lies. I work on amps too, but I'm less familiar with amp customization beyond swapping tubes, re-biasing, and swapping speakers, so hopefully there will be an amp guy here who can help with you with that. Let's start with your frets. I think whatever guitar you decide on, whether it's your Wolfgang, or a PRS, or really any guitar, you NEED stainless steel frets. Especially if you like a flatter radius (Your Wolfgang has a 15" radius I believe). Stainless steel frets will be so much more hard-wearing than traditional frets. They also have a tendency to produce a brighter sound, so you can go with some warmer pickups and it will even things out, or you may really like the change in tone from those stainless frets alone and not want to change the pickups up so much. If you go with some jumbo stainless frets with a really good level and crown, you ought to be able to get that really good violin style vibrato without a ton of effort. Now for your pickups. It sounds like you may have an issue with some corrosion or a dead coil or weakening magnet in one of your pickups. Corrosion can likely be repaired as long as it isn't too extensive. A dead coil would probably be better to just replace the whole pickup, though there are luthiers out there who will rebuild pickups for clients (I'm not one of them). It's also possible to re-magnetize pickup magnets and bring them back to higher output. I think trying out the pickups from your 594 is a cool idea. I'm also a fan of putting coil splits in the guitar and retaining that functionality. There are several options for installing pickups with coil splits (With humbuckers, 99% of the time it's a coil split, NOT a coil tap. Coil taps do exist on humbuckers, but it's really not common. But that's a tangent for another day unless you REALLY want me to get into it haha). I'm a big fan of push/push potentiometers for coil splitting and phase changing and all that wonderful magic that can be installed under the control plate of a guitar. And yes, you read that correctly, I said push/push instead of push/pull. They are functionally the same, but push/push pots are so much better in my opinion because oftentimes, control knobs can be on the slippery side (especially in a show setting with hot stage lighting and sweating) and trying to pull up on a push/pull with sweaty hands can be a challenge. There are also mini-toggle switches that many guitarists like to install on their guitars. But whether you want fancy pots, or mini-toggles, or even a super switch, the possibilities are equally extensive. For you, I would have each pickup wired with it's own control for splitting the pickup. Whether that's a pair of mini-toggles, or swapping both your traditional volume and tone pots for push/push or push/pull pots doesn't matter. It comes down to your personal preference for that. But I suggest having both pickups wired with their own independent splits so that you can have much more variety in the tones you can get out of your guitar. Say you want to have something similar to a tele neck pickup sound, but you want to be able to quickly switch to a full bridge humbucker immediately for a part of a song. You can have just that neck pickup set to be split, and your bridge set to full fat humbucker, and you just switch between them with your 3-way toggle. Or vise versa! Or you can have both pickups set to single coil mode! Or you can have them both set to humbucker mode! And then you can get down the rabbit hole of more intricate things like changing the phase between your pickups! Say you want to be able to swap from parallel wiring to series wiring and vice versa, you can do that with toggles or push/push or push/pull pots! Say you want to have one giant simulated humbucker that spans the distance from your neck pickup to your bridge, you can set your split coil mode to be opposed in wiring when both pickups are on in the middle position! Or say you can hear the tonal differences between the north and south bobbins on your pickups, you can set up the wiring so that you can choose between which bobbin is active on a given pickup in split mode. Now about the sustain of your guitar. If you think the Floyd Rose is your sustain bottleneck (which it certainly could be) you can upgrade the block of the tremolo system to be heavier. You can also choose from a variety of metal alloys that the block is made of to help increase the sustain. If you find that the little string lock blocks in the Floyd are breaking or getting worn out quickly, you can upgrade to titanium parts in the Floyd! Now let's hypothesize that your Wolfgang takes a dive off stage and snaps the neck (Let's also pray that doesn't happen because that's a badass guitar) you can have a neck made for that guitar that is stiffened with carbon fiber rods in concert with the truss rod to make the new neck stiffer and more resilient than possibly any other neck you play. You can also switch from the standard wood screws that attach the neck to the body to machine screws that thread into machined inserts inlayed and glued into the neck heel, thus giving the neck and body an even more positive lock on each other and thereby making the guitar a more cohesive unit increasing your sustain and resonance. Well, I've pretty much written a small book in the last few minutes when I should be doing research for the trip my wife and I are taking to Europe in a few weeks, so I'll shut up now. If anyone made it through this whole spiel where I geek out over fancy guitar modifications, then you are to be commended and I appreciate you taking the time to read this ramble. I love modifying guitars to suit their players' needs, and making the control configurations and setups of people's dreams. Have a wonderful day and keep on chicken picking with that awesome rig you have!

[@MrPhotonjockey]

Not only do you look like a young John McEnroe, your argument with Paul R. Smith (the Umpire), just brings the whole package home.

[@sPop75]

@michael Try Soldano SLO30. All the punch and immediate attack on clean. Overdrive is off the chain. Check out Wamplers and Anderson’s review. Good luck on the guitar.

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

☝️☝️ Text me on Telegram..

[@masterofreality230]

If I could pick one amp that would be it. I use a Mark V 25 now and that amp is plenty good enough, but the SLO is the only one I would even consider switching to.

[@sPop75]

@@masterofreality230 I had a Mark V 25 and sold it for the SLO. It’s an amazing amp

[@masterofreality230]

@@sPop75 Yea, I would have to sell my Mark V to even think about getting a SLO 30 lol I am just going on sounds I have heard online, never played one, I am half afraid to!

[@sPop75]

@@masterofreality230 Do it. You won't be disappointed. Guaranteed. Plus they come in snakeskin.

[@MesaGuitarGuy]

I'd suggest some Lollar pickups. But even if you don't change anything, just do chicken pickin and dive bombs! It's unique and we need more uniquers

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

☝️☝️ Text me on Telegram👍

[@erickmartin5667]

Stainless steel frets. I'm using a Carvin V3 amp and it cleans up with the volume knob. The knob is on an 88 Fender HM Strat with the original DiMarzio Super 3 pickup.

[@pxl8ted]

Go Michael! Way to take on new challenges and bring everyone along with you!!!

[@Eric_Post]

The difference in volume between the pickups could likely be the 3 way switch having corrosion on the contacts. They are infamous for that kind of buildup. Try some contact cleaner and toggling between positions and see if volume returns! If that doesn't work and it truly is a weak pickup, you can use a powerful magnet to re-magnetize your pickups as well.

[@Kinger1625]

Do what you said! I’m playing the same rig to jam and for future gigs, and for the same reasons. Amp does what I need, but my Peavey Wolfgang special, and my pickups are still going strong since 99. Seeing you play like that on that guitar made me smile, and realize there are others out there that play what they need, not what other want them to play. Love the RANT!

[@hockeyman2274]

Those that say it can't be done are those who are either those that don't know how to do it or are afraid of putting in the effort to get it done.

[@SACain]

Love your videos. I am nowhere near your level of skill, but have played my entire life. I'm at the age of 52 now, and can say with certainty, that not only do we struggle with finding that perfect gear or sound but in addition to that our influences and tastes constantly change. Thus the target sound always changes also. I play a 77 strat that my father purchased new. Its had every style of pickup in it over the years. From prs dragon 1's to vintage noisless fenders, to mini humbckers from a les Paul deluxe. So keep picking, and keep searching. And realize that you may never find what you are looking for. But you will be better for working through the quest.

[@czarofzonk1360]

Re: PRS connection. I have a number of employee guitars (I'll leave it at that and get that out of the way). Line6 variax: It is its own thing and it doesn't become any of its models. As for all of those modeling signal processors: They are not the real thing. And my point is this: Who cares? Why do vendors model 1950's - 1980's tech (primarily)? Because that sells. Why do artists/bands do covers? Because that sells. Now, to the point(s): - There is no greater impact on tone than practice. - Let your tools/rig(s) take you to places. I'm a lefty playing righty. I love trems for that (an anchor with a handle for my right hand). I need a 25" scale length because it's the perfect middle ground for my hands to work any place on the entire fretboard. As for neck specs: I can bond (actually, any one of us can bond) to a [typical] neck of [slight] variations. Instead of y'all trying to get what you want, how about if you get what you got? Satisfaction isn't gonna happen (not in the current world).

[@mblantonjr]

Loved seeing the video at the end of this video of you playing live!

[@BluesDeville]

John Mayer said his PRS JMOD 100 amp had that stiff percussive power section along the lines of what you're looking for. My 30 year old American Blues DeVille 2x12 also has a very stiff power section. I actually wish it would sag a bit sometimes. That amp is definitely more of a Tele country amp than it is a Strat blues amp...which is one of the reasons I've kept it all these years while selling off a lot of other amps. But,if you want heavy, you're going to need a pedal. Even with heavy fuzz and distortion it stays tight. Otherwise... Maybe a Soldano SLO, a Fortin Bones, or Suhr Hedgehog. As for the guitar you're wanting, I'm not sure why Paul wouldn't build it. It's really not a tall order. A decked trem with a birdseye maple neck, and stainless frets. I mean, if he can build the famed Dragon guitar, I'm almost sure he could pull that simple shit off.

[@user-ou1ln1po8e]

☝️☝️ Text me on Telegram.

[@alecyeager6624]

The Fryette Deliverance is the amp that springs to mind when I hear your description of the sound you’re looking for

[@md-ku7ej]

Amps that have the qualities you want will likely have: 1. diodes instead of a tube rectification 2. bigger transformers, an output transformer that doesn't saturate too quickly 3. speakers like the EVM-12L or JBL E120 For guitars you'd like quarter-sawn roasted maple necks with stainless steel frets.

[@mstark71]

I wonder if I had the guitar you want. What I think is so on point with what you are aiming for is the ability to get fat, chunky air moving heavy rock, AND the ability to get super clean tele sounds. In the 90s I played this guitar in a band that needed both sounds. We recorded with a Gibson Les Paul and a strat to get the sounds we wanted. But live, I just played "Denise". (I have no idea why it was named Denise, but when I bought it, the name was on the truss rod cover). I played through a JCM 800. Same thing you like, spring reverb and chunky gain. But when I wanted to get a clean sound, I flipped a coil switch on the guitar and it sounded like my telecaster. The guitar is very heavy, weight-wise. The neck is long, with 24 frets. Just a great guitar. I grieve that I sold it years ago. But recently I found it for sale. The same one! Hit me up if you want the link. I don't want anything other than this guitar to get into a player's hands. I am a long time watcher of your channel. I love what you are doing. I'd love to make a love connection between you and Denise. That said, you'd need to have the floyd rose installed. My god. I love and miss that guitar.

[@donkarnage6032]

Heads up before you possibly change the pickups on the Peavey. Check the connections and possibly replace the toggle switch and see if that helps you first. On the Wolfgangs the pickups solder to the switch. I would check the connections possibly re-solder them or replace the switch. That may fix your problem.

[@cojohnso80]

It absolutely exists. I have a 74 Gibson L6-S which is 1 piece Maple body, maple neck/rosewood fretboard with a Seymore Duncan Pegasus in the bridge and a Gibson 61R in the neck. I have the pickups wired parallel. The middle position gives me that country twang that is more appealing than my tele, the neck is warm as a Les paul and the bridge will RIP your head off and will chug like no ones business. I have been tinkering with this exact problem you have presented for years and my L6-S project is a homerun. Cool video. Thanks for the entertainment

[@cojohnso80]

I didn't solve the floyd problem though as I would not reccomend a floyd on an L6-s lol. I could have put a bigsby on it as I did install a trapeze tailpiece because I like the string tension a little softer.

[@erikhartley2494]

I spent most of my formative years with that exact guitar but in the bright red cherry. It really was a great guitar and it worked fine when I only did hard rock/metal or super clean arpeggios into a boogie model in Line 6. That all changed when I started playing in church and trying to cop the edge of breakup tones. The Wolfgang wasn’t cutting it anymore. I actually put Seymour Duncan JBL and a Jazz in the wolf, and it certainly helped but still just didn’t feel quite right. Currently I play a Core PRS Starla, US tele or custom Strat with roasted maple Warmoth neck and I like them all for different reasons. I certainly can’t chicken pick to save my life, so I can’t quite figure out what you want there, but in terms of scale length/neck profile, it seems like you should veer towards Ernie Ball?? In terms of amps, try a Trainwreck model from Dr Z or Ceriatone. They’re definitely percussive, have massive sustain, and clean up ridiculously with the volume knob. They also sound amazing.

[@livefromstudioa8245]

Michael, thank you for this video. A couple thoughts: I think a super strat with a HSS pickup configuration would give you more flexibility to cover more grounds across different styles of music. You can get the oil rubbed neck you like and have a beast of a guitar. Regarding amps, PLEASE check out a Bray 4550. I think that may be in your ballpark AND you can work with Dave Bray so it’s exactly what you want. Listen to him playing these amps. With just a roll of the volume knobs they can go from sparkling clean to mean ass roar.

[@ryangalloway3107]

The Orange Rockerverb III is my #1 pick for a single amp that can simultaneously pull off twangin' and bangin'.

[@Dan-gn2xo]

I have a Les Paul with Seymour Duncan P rails. I've got the switching on the pickup rings. I can have a P90 I can have a single coil I can have the P90 and the single coil in series like a humbucker and I can have the humbucker the single coil in parallel. Also the two pickups wired out of phase in the middle position. This guitar basically can sound like anything. In addition I have a Shaler fine- tuner behind the bridge and a locking set up behind the nut. So this guitar sounds like any guitar you want and never comes out of tune. Since you're not stretching the whole string length behind between the nut and the tuners your guitar strings are easier to bend and you don't have to bend them as far to come up to pitch. I know this is a long comment but this setup is really really good.

[@pipwerks]

Try a Vega trem... Floyd-like dive bombs with a simpler Fender-style setup. They're really nice. Also maybe check with Amplified Nation about the amp, they make great amps and can customize however you like.

[@toddd2821]

Seymour Duncan’s pearly gates could be a great solution for that guitar. I put those in my PRS and they really gave me much better output and balance. I’ve got a lot of control with my volume knob now and they will do well with both country and rock.

[@ph0kused]

PRS needs to offer stainless steel frets on their $3,500+ models for us modern players. PRS is very in their own lane and not CUSTOM at all. Their stance on frets is proof enough.

[@tonycolbourne7694]

I've gone from tonnes of gear and attenuators and never found the sound I heard in my head. I don't gig now but my home set up is PEAVEY Wolfgang, marshal 1 watt head, 1960 4x12 25 watt greenbacks and that's it. I found the illusive magic sound. Apart from a touch of delay in the fx loop that's it for me forever. You can't get away with sloppy playing straight through an amp. I enjoy playing more now than I ever did. Oh, and I USE 3MM PICKS. Perfect. Great video and a good lesson in playing well or hiding behind fx. 👍🇬🇧 PS: I've had my Wolfgang standard since they were released and my pickups are still amazing. Maybe check yours out before switching. 👍

[@brettgrey5658]

I also felt like this… I found myself buying gear all the time, just to later get bored and chase a new tone or style. I’ve always been an analog guy, but ventured down a rabbit hole and discovered the Orange Pedal Baby. I already had an orange 212 cab with celestion v30’s and was swithcing back and forth between a Marshall head and a Hughes & Kettner head. I now use the Orange Pedal baby with the Orange cab and play through a Line6 Helix. I wanted to hate it, but I feel like I my guitar playing has come back to life. The Helix really comes to life when played through a power amp, instead of Monitors or an FRFR. It sounds so much like a real amp, and now I basically have every amp sim under the sun with every effect as well. Everyone I show can’t believe how good it sounds, and how I can achieve any tone or effect I want to for any song. I know I will get criticism for this, and I even criticized myself for a while. However, this is the most fun I have had with guitar in a long while. 🤘🏼

[@MRxr400]

i have a Japanese fender frankin strat i bought 25 years ago. floyd rose, tight enough so when i bend, it doesn't through out other strings like you mentioned, and hard to body. actually its the one in my thumb nail. install a JB humbucker, a coil split toggle, etc. plays amazing, stays in tune all night long, just a great work horse of a guitar. no one ever says, what a nice guitar though. actually hardly ever use wammy bar, it was more about tuning stability

[@jakethesnake-84]

I sold all of my vintage remake custom shop guitars and play mainly from a Music Man Axis through a EVH 5150iii el34. All the external noise on the internet doesn’t matter if your rig puts a smile on your face. You might like the el34 5150 because it’s 3 channels. One clean, one more vintage voiced gain and one the high gain power house they are. You’re not alone in your thinking

[@andrewmaher8409]

Use your Wolfgang and fit Pariah Poundcake pickups, with push/pull coil taps on the vol/tone knobs. Then get the neck refretted with stainless frets…. Job Done! For an amp, maybe try an EVH 5150III 50W EL34 2X12 Combo… A massively versatile amp with 3 channels, plus presence, resonance and power output (1W-50W) knobs, that should give heaps of scope to dial in (or out) all the tones you want. The 2x12” speakers should move the air as you desire.

[@baybae92]

I love that you use a Wolfgang for country. I do too, an EVH Japanese Special. Screw the stuff everyone else uses. Stainless steel frets work wonders! Not sure how different the EVH pickups are, but I get beautiful quacky cleans by rolling the volume down.

[@gordianknot6867]

If you want something so specific you have to build it. I built a short-scale jagmaster (i call it the rhythm master) using squier mini strat neck and adding the jazzmasters rhythm circuit. Im awaiting my order’s to create a short-scale les paul.

[@andylong7759]

Have you tried EVH amps? I played my Wolfgang through an EVH combo and it sounded amazing. Also, have you checked out the new EVH guitars? They have stainless steel vintage-sized frets which last forever and just might suit the violin-style vibrato you want to use. The EVH Stealth especially might suit you. The neck isn't quite as magical as the Peavey Wolfgang though. Or you might just want to get this guitar re-fretted with smaller stainless steel frets.

[@ak47dragunov]

That clip of you absolutely tearing up the fretboard was monstrous. Didn't know you had that in you!

[@MichaelThompson-ne3ij]

Hi Michael, Much of what you ask for reminds me of me 40 years ago. My solution to the amplifier problem at the time was a Fender Super Twin Reverb. No blunting of transients, no compression and a couple of pedals. You definitely speak to me with the double note stretch whammy bar issue, fret wear, lack of precision with vibrato, etc. T the time I used a one piece neck through body guitar and worked hard to bend the neck instead of using a whammy bar. Almost tore the neck of my Gibson 325 before I figured that one. I am curious to check out a few more of your videos now.

[@ashtonbass7850]

Hey Michael I'm a long time watcher first time commenter and I'm sure you are already aware of what I'm about to tell you but on the off chance you are not I would highly suggest looking into blackstar amps I feel like they may definitely help get you to the next step in your tone journey I myself have the club mk2 40 Amp and its the greatest thing since sliced bread in my opinion, I hope this helps, love the content, keep on teaching!

[@duster71]

PRS CE 22 from the 90s and early 2000s, bolt on neck.When you have the truss rod in the perfect position my 3 CE 22s and my 2000 PRS Hollowbody Spruce Top are golden guns, CE models are the perfect cross between a Strat and a Les Paul.

[@LoganBischoff]

I would love a series of you Frankensteining the guitar you’re describing 😃

[@f1sk8mm]

Great video. Ibanez would make an axe to your specs. My first "nice" guitar I bought is an Ibanez prestige, handmade in Japan, 20 years ago. Given what they've done with other artists I bet they would work with you. Outside of that, definitely try the pickup swap!

[@dinkalicious]

I had the opportunity to sit in a clinic with PRS a few years ago; he gave the distinct impression that he believes the guitar didn’t exist until he came along and invented it, and nothing is quality that doesn’t have his name on it. There’s no question the guitars are fantastic, I have one myself, but that attitude just rubbed me the wrong way. Incidentally I acquired an EVH Wolfgang around the same time I got the PRS and I gotta say I bonded with the WG significantly more; just feels more like home in my hands…

[@Theansilgregoryshow]

in all actuality it's not as hard as you think. Yes something has definitely happened to your bridge humbucker but there are lots of things that you can do one of the best things I have ever found is using a guitar That is either capable of parallel humbucking or has a actual coil tap Built-in. On One of my most versatile guitars I ever had was a court that looked like a Ibanez saber.. It had 2 humbuckers and a single. I put a tone zone in the bridge wired up in parallel. Along with a miscellaneous neck pick up that was wired and parallel as well. The single coil went into a volume Control that was originally the tone knob. It could be blended in in any position but it also could be activated straight in the middle position. Both of the pots were push push. The volume hot when activated would actually bring the neck and the Bridge together no matter what position. The tone when activated would give you series wiring. I originally intended to add in a single coil switch. So that I could coil cut the 2 humbuckers but found that I preferred the parallel humbucking to the split Coil. Something like 12 or 14 positions. I was doing a lot of percussive clean work and a lot of blues stuff which required for a single coil yes set up so that's why I opted for parallel as the standard. If you like my email is in my description I could send you the wiring diagram I would have to redraw it it's been years since I've done it now

[@yevgenlevdansky3527]

Try Schecter Sun Valley Supershredder Exotic in Black Limba. Yeah, it is not the most friendly guitar for mass production in terms of wood but it is worth it. I have it in a hard tail version but there is one with FR too. 1) Sustain is so huge you just don’t know what to do with that much sustain 2) Percussion and clarity of pickups - phenomenal. Pickups are quite hot but they are extremely articulate and clear - no mud. Split in bridge is particularly striking. I play it in split more than in humbucker mode (which is amazing on its own). 3) That juicy and twangy bottom end is unlike any other guitar I have ever heard and had. Have sold multiple higher end guitars by now but keeping this one exactly for this reason. Unparalleled. Surprisingly the closest tested guitar was PRS Silver Sky SE but this one is 5 times of that. 4) Few more goodies for comfort play: wenge neck (gorgeous woody feel), ebony fretboard, stainless steel x-jumbo frets. Beyond comfort and no need to change frets every two years. Slap “Made in USA” on it and it will be $5k, maybe even more. But because it is made in South Korea it is $1300 new and used you can find for a $1000 no sweat. And quality wise - flawless. Maybe I was just lucky but this axe is really worth a shot for the characteristics you mentioned. Good luck on that gear hunt whether it is this one or something else!

[@bruzanHD]

I wanted something absurdly specific too. I built it myself. You can buy a body with a top mount floyd rose, and routed for single coils, and a neck ordered with jumbo stainless steel frets and a raw wood finish. You can get it. It just requires a little work on your part. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t have it, if Eddie would’ve listened to the PRS’s of the world the guitar would’ve never advanced past 1978.

[@30smsuperstrat]

I was just watching a Chris Scruggs interview. He was passing on the phrase "your sound comes from your limitations ". This was in the context of him discovering his sound. I believe that applies to our gear as well.

[@chappie2dope247]

My brand new fender ultra, purchased in 2019 did the same thing in regards to the toggle switch. Just thought it was REALLY low (half volume of what is suppose to be playing), and I didn't know enough to realize something was wrong. Fast forward to a month ago, (yes, it took me 2 years to realize something was up) I was adjusting my pickup height, and it double in volume after it made some popping noises. I felt something may have been loose, or grounding out. I was told it COULD have been grounding issues, but I ended up switching out the noiseless for custom shop texas specials. Before I would change them out and spend money, try resoldering the grounds. Can not hurt! I am putting those noiseless pickups into another strat, so we shall find out if it was something to do with the wiring/ground.

[@jamesogara7053]

The guitar you want already exists! The Music Man Axis Super Sport!!! It’s the evolution of the Eddie Van Halen’s signature Music Man Model. It has the same maple neck that you like with the Peavey…slightly different shape but not too different. It’s still asymmetrical. It has custom Dimarzio pickups that you can only get in that guitar and instead of a 3 way switch you have a 5 way that allows to get the two inner coils and two outer coils. The latter gives you the Tele sound that country players love. And you can pinch harmonics for days! The models made within the past 5-8 years have stainless steel frets so that solves your problem of fret wear. The only thing is that it doesn’t have a Floyd Rose. It has Music Man’s Trem that is still flush with the body. I have 2 Axis Sports, it’s predecessor, and the Reflex Game Changer HSHP. All three have that trem and I can dive bomb to my heart’s delight without worry about it holding tuning. Try to get the Axis Super Sport! And if you want to change out the pickups in that guitar, I recommend the Dimarzio AT-1 for the bridge and Air Norton for the neck. Dimarzio says these are the closest to the Axis pickups.

[@Myrr]

I tried to thread this needle a little bit myself. I play metal, but I wanted something a little more versatile so I could venture out and play something different.... but I still play metal, so it has to still be chunky. What I landed on was a Charvel Tele. Fender bones, modern electronics, one piece maple neck. Fishman Fluence Open Core PRF-COC pickups. Coil splitter, and also a tone switch for modern vs vintage PAF sound. Literally the ONLY thing that isn't perfect is I don't like their hardtail bridge. The variety of tone from these pick ups is WILD. It's the best coil splitter I've ever heard. I don't think I could ever go back to any other kind of pick up. Get your hands on one, see if someone makes one with a floyd.

[@poison7512]

There is. Its called a Telecaster with a trem. You can go buy/make one right now.

[@bubasknr]

You want a Duncan JB in the bridge, and it coil taps well. If that's too many mids, a Duncan custom is straight VH. The weakest thing on a PRS is their pickups, especially if you have the rotary switch, all the inbetween positions disappear, which makes it hard to use a PRS playing covers.

[@allenroberttucker]

PRS has made a bunch of floyd rose custom 24s as well as the waring model. You can find wood library floyd rose guitars with satin maple necks on reverb. Most of these will have a wide/thin (pattern thin) neck. You’re probably looking for pattern (wide/fat) or pattern vintage if you really want a baseball bat which is rarer on a custom 24. These are 25” scale guitars but prs does shorter scale stuff (594). You could probably work with PRS or a large dealer to do a wood library run of several guitars to your spec. You’re just asking for a particular combination of existing parts. (Floyd rose, fat maple 594 scale neck in satin, 58/15 with coil taps). You could promote them on the channel, help them get preorders. The EVH Dtuna is a simple bolt on and there’s a prs on reverb right now with one installed. Worst case you could go private stock. They may not have made your guitar back then, but they can make it now.