Paul Reed Smith finally wises up to plastic tuning buttons

[Rick]

We've been swapping metal tuning buttons to plastic for years. Or at least I have on my builds. Maybe he even read some posts here. He says it makes the guitar sound better, more midrange!, or at least not robbing the midrange. I will say it makes the neck lighter and easier to play. People believe him so ...

 

[Rick]

Cream or Black ... what no pearloid? I like how he presents it as some sort of significant event, like a moon landing.

Long live plastic!

 

[bonesofwrath]

Its part of the refinish jobs in 50 years cabal. Once they discover these outgas too, well dangit..

 

[TheElvis]

I love the fact that PRS still improves their guitars, while all other build the same thing since the 50s.
That being said, I think it's a mistake swapping the durable material for plastic for that smidge of midrange...if thats even there.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Sheesh! Tuners have zero affect on tone. Plastic is cheap and less durable.

 

[Rick]

I do like plastic buttons better, but from a weight perspective. I've never had a plastic buttin fail me. Long live plastic and the hydrocarbon upon which it is based.

 

[aarontunes]

I have owned many PRSi over my career, and the last thing any of them needed was more midrange.

 

[stratamania]

I have owned many PRSi over my career, and the last thing any of them needed was more midrange.

More cowbell perhaps?

 

[BroccoliRob]

paul out there desperately finding ways to spin his cost cutting measure a benefit to the consumer lol. can't fool me, friendo.

real eyes
realize
real lies
- Oscer Wilder, 1906

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

But are they from recycled materials?.......

 

[Rick]

Plastic buttons are more expensive than metal, unbelievably enough. For hipshots, 6 plastic are $20 while 6 metal are $15.
6 stock metal button are 40 grams
While 6 plastic buttons are 8 grams.
Saves you over an once at the end of the headstock. I know you probably disbelieve me, but I can tell the difference when it comes to weight. I can tell there's an an ounce less at the end of the headstock.

As to sound, honestly never noticed, but if PRS says it's true, he must have some scientific testing that showed something an oscilliscope. My ears aren't that good.

 

[TBurst Std]

No Paul is using a ledger sheet, not an oscilloscope

 

[Strat Avenger]

And how much "weight" do the metal knobs really add?? Certainly nothing substantial.

 

[bonesofwrath]

I'm sure the difference is probably less than the weight you could shave off your arm by skipping a couple cheeseburgers.

 

[BroccoliRob]

I can tell the difference.

he must have some scientific testing that showed something an oscilliscope

 

[Scab Pickens]

People believe him so ...

People also believed David Koresh was the second coming of Jesus Christ.

You know, the "Ranch" Davidians!

 

[docteurseb]

We all need a good laugh with those marketing videos.
If he dreamt of these for 40+ years, I'd imagine he would have had those buttons made when they had custom Gotoh tuners made for them (Phase III) years ago.

 

[Rick]

Ah ... sometimes it takes some time to do things

 

[micmil]

What an absolute pile of wank. "Weight on the neck robs the midrange!"

Really? You're telling me that shaving... what... four grams? MAYBE? off a five kilo guitar changes the tone that much? Tell me how much of TEH TOANZ are saved by using a 22 fret neck. ALL THAT WEIGHT SAVINGS.

WAIT UNTIL HE DISCOVERS THE FRACKING MIDRANGE CONTROL ON HIS AMP and what it can do.

How to cut costs and lie to your ignorant buyers all at once. PRS has been marketing wank taped to some good instruments for a while. Anything coming out of this dude's mouth at this point should be assumed to be garbage.

 

[aarontunes]

We should probably dial this back some. Paul knows a LOT about guitars, and no one can deny the brand he has built over the last 40 years. Of course he's going to spin every design change PRS makes as a customer benefit, because it's his company and that is what he is supposed to do. No different than what I or any other marketing guy would do.

We should all choose to be respectful, see it how we want to, and vote with our dollars.