Geez PRS

[Spud]

I think they only let him play because he owns the company

 

[Spud]

I used to really like this tune

 

[Hodgo]

My stream of consciousness:

Okay, that’s too much
Okay, that’s a little stiff
Hm, I don’t remember Jeff playing it that way
Wow that’s a lot of pinch harmonics
Was Jeff’s tone this distorted?
Ooh, our first volume swell
Why am I watching this?
I don’t need to watch this
I’m not watching this

 

[Strat Avenger]

Terrible tone.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

There are designers and luthiers, and there are players.
That doesn’t make one to automatically be all three.

 

[Scab Pickens]

Oh, Hell no! That is one of my all-time favorite tracks. Not this version, though ...

The real deal ...

 

[stratamania]

I read the comments first, I will avoid listening to it…that is the PRS version.

 

[TBurst Std]

Honestly Beck is the only one that can play that song. There’s a time he did it with a Tele in Japan that’s my fav.

 

[Spud]

My thought is maybe don't try and play a watered down version of what may be Jeff Beck's most iconic song live. Pick something more within your scope of ability. He should know better IMO. That said, he went for it so good on him. He really NAILED the opening guitar shoulder movement to signal the band to begin, it was the highlight for me.

 

[Hodgo]

Oh, Hell no! That is one of my all-time favorite tracks. Not this version, though ...

The real deal ...

That’s so good. Jeff’s tone is that fat, overdriven to the edge but quick to clean up sound. PRS sounds more like Alex Lifeson during the 90s/2000s.

Honestly I don’t like to be too critical, but it’s the signature track of one of the greatest guitarists ever. In some ways, I almost applaud having the chutzpah to attempt it… but maybe leave the camera crew at home and keep it to the company picnic.

 

[stratamania]

Honestly Beck is the only one that can play that song.

Michael Caswell was able to get quite close. Performance below from a tutorial video. Though sadly, neither of them are with us now.

 

[aarontunes]

That performance is from the PRS 40th Anniversary celebration at the Anaheim House of Blues last January. I was there and watched it all from the second row. In some of those wide shots you can probably see the back of my head.

"They" indeed only let him play because he owns the company. And "they" is him. It was his party, his celebration, and he financed the entire thing, including buying out the venue for the night and catering some pretty swanky food for the 3,500 people in attendance.

The backup band was certainly earning their money on that song, and Paul appeared to me to be incredibly nervous, but who wouldn't be with all the A-list endorsers waiting to go on, and watching from the side of the stage?

Players that followed him included:

Tim Pierce (yes, I actually got to see Tim Pierce perform live!)
Orianthi
Mark Lettieri
David Grissom
Philip Sayce
Howard Leese
Herman Li

And yes:

John Mayer

And I'm not gonna lie: watching Mayer perform Gravity from twenty feet away was very moving, and I will never forget it. I came away a huge fan.

So, regardless of how Paul did, I'm grateful he put that show together. It was an amazing night!

 

[aarontunes]

I think I already posted these, but just for fun here are some of the pics I got of the other performers that night:

Tim Pierce


Mark Lettieri


Orianthi


Herman Li (PRS again on guitar)


David Grissom


John Mayer

 

[Spud]

I think I already posted these, but just for fun here are some of the pics I got of the other performers that night:

Tim Pierce
View attachment 65239

Mark Lettieri
View attachment 65240

Orianthi
View attachment 65241

Herman Li (PRS again on guitar)
View attachment 65242

David Grissom
View attachment 65243

John Mayer
View attachment 65244

Cool that you were there! My real point isn't to bash PRS. I certainly couldn't pull that song off properly. I am fully aware of my limitations. I could see he looked nervous from the video. I think instead of attempting to jump over the Grand Canyon, he should have just gone for a few cars aka picked something simpler.

 

[aarontunes]

Cool that you were there! My real point isn't to bash PRS. I certainly couldn't pull that song off properly. I am fully aware of my limitations. I could see he looked nervous from the video. I think instead of attempting to jump over the Grand Canyon, he should have just gone for a few cars aka picked something simpler.

Ya....agreed. He probably could have cleared a lower hurdle a little more cleanly. Much of the audience, me included, was squirming a little. It very much had the same vibe as when the drunk groom insists on sitting in with the wedding band he hired.

Perhaps he tilts when he should withdraw, and that is knightly too.

 

[Hodgo]

Ya....agreed. He probably could have cleared a lower hurdle a little more cleanly. Much of the audience, me included, was squirming a little. It very much had the same vibe as when the drunk groom insists on sitting in with the wedding band he hired.

Perhaps he tilts when he should withdraw, and that is knightly too.

Knowing who was in the audience, I’d be shaking too. I’d be playing Gloria with a hidden guitarist backstage doing all the actual work.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I don't bad-mouth anyone for not being able to play like Jeff Beck. I can't either. I just hate the tone PRS had in that performance.

Oh, and I can't stand John Mayer. Is he a good player? Sure he is, but so are a million other people.
There are so many others I would rather listen to. And he should never sing. Like...ever.

 

[BroccoliRob]

someone really just let Paul go up there with his line 6 spyder combo set to Insane lmao

 

[Spud]

As soon as I saw the 10 top, I knew we were in for a treat!

 

[Hodgo]

As soon as I saw the 10 top, I knew we were in for a treat!

I won’t lie I love some PRS 10-top Private Stock Wood Library or whatever, they really do make some stunning instruments. I won’t ever own one, but they are pretty.