The PRS DGT: A Short History, David Grissom's "vintage" PRS
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The PRS DGT is one man's answer to trying to do it all with one guitar. Particularly on stage, where many performers have settled into switching guitars as part of the show, Grissom is dedicated to coaxing the sounds in his head from his main instrument.
This guitar also happens to be the one that I keep coming back to, and is the one that I always reach for because of it's incredible versatility. To that end, it will be at the center of my up coming video on thinning out my guitars toward only having what I actually am using.
If you have found your way to this video I might assume that you're already a fan of David Grissom's hot, electric blues meets Americana meets rock playing chops. If not check out the links to his four records below:
How It Feels to Fly, 2014
amzn.to/2FIskQl
Way Down Deep, 2011
amzn.to/2FH53OR
10,000 Feet, 2009
amzn.to/2HSO2TF
He also did an excellent instructional book called:
How to Play Blues Rock Guitar
amzn.to/2FIt7Rj
He also has two lesson series over at Truefire that I can highly recommend.
truefire.com/educators/david-...
He also teaches courses over at Truefire - Hudba
I ordered a DGT on the first day they were announced. Getting one was a different matter. You won't find many with a '07 serial number. Months ticked by and it was coming up on a year without getting the guitar I ordered. I touched base with Lance Keltner who got one of those first 8 guitars and he said he would mention it to Paul at an upcoming guitar show and that I should write a letter to Paul - not call or email. I wrote a letter detailing my frustrations of being a working musician needing a tool to make my living with. About 3 weeks later, I checked my voicemail and there was a message from Paul Smith. He apologized that it took so long to get back to me - he was on vacation - and to call him on his personal cell phone. I called him and he spent over an hour on the phone with me detailing issues they were having with the early guitars. Mainly, the nitro finishes were cracking and checking in colder weather. They had to go back and reformulate the nitro finish. We had 4 conversations and he promised I would see the guitar (Goldtop) within a month. True to his word, the guitar arrived in just less than a month. The day after the guitar arrived, a package came with a nice letter from Paul and a signed backplate. Paul took care of me like I was a famous guitar player. The guitar became my main instrument and it still is nearly 12 years later. The guitar is not a rip off of any other model - it's a unique instrument. But, it will stand tall with any guitar you want to compare it to. I will say, players tend to either fall in love immediately with it or not like it. I have not met many people in the middle. The jumbo frets (6100) seem to be a turn off to many accustomed to either vintage style or smaller frets that tend to come stock on many guitars. The control layout is different...diehard Gibson players can find it a challenge to get used to - the volume knobs are backward. The guitar comes strung with '11's which are heavier than what most people play. It's a shock to the hand for some. The pickups are very "open" sounding with lots of air - players that favor heavy distortion might not dig the way they are voiced. So, the guitar isn't for everyone - but it is not like any other guitar that PRS makes. It's true when they say that the DGT is for the people that do not like PRS. I owned other PRS's and sold or traded all but one before the DGT. Sorry to rattle on, but these guitars are expensive and a lot of shops don't stock them. A lot of cats buy them online so I thought my description of the guitar and the company behind it might help those considering checking one of these out. If the specs don't turn you off, it's an incredibly versatile guitar. I find the coil tap REALLY works - very convincing single-coil sounds. They are not cheap, but it's a lot of guitar for the money. It's almost like taking a Les Paul, Strat and Tele to the gig if you know how to really work tone controls on your amp and guitar. Grissom actually told me to turn the treble and volume up on my amp (very slightly) so that when you want cleaner Fender-like tones, turn the treble up on the guitar and you've got extra headroom and top end to get more chime out of the guitar. The volume and tone controls on the guitar are VERY interactive, if you're used to just leaving the volume and tone controls wide open, you'll be missing a lot of what this guitar does. Anyway, the new ones are more than twice what I paid for the two I have, so I hope this info helps before laying out a lot of money. Take care.
Great story, thanks man.
@@fivewattworld My pleasure. Always happy to help!
I'm a H-S-S strat guy. I just purchased a DGT and eagerly awaiting it's arrival. I'm hoping that it will be "the one" after many dollars spent over the years searching. It will be running through a Matchless Clubman 35.
I've bought and sold 2 other PRS guitars that didn't hit the mark for me but still great instruments. The specs on the DGT appear to be what I'm looking for. Thanks for sharing your experience with Paul.
@@nathanpickett202 Hi Nathan, a little more info…my DGT actually sounds best through my Bad Cat Wildcat. The Wildcat is like a cousin of the Clubman. Mark Sampson (who started Matchless) also started Bad Cat. Both those amps run EL34’s. I think you’ll be pleased with the guitar and your amp should compliment it really well. Best of luck to you on your tone journey!
I am curious how many DGT's were made in 2008? I have a January 24th, 2008 stamped one.
I like the professionalism of ths man
Thanks James
Keith is a guy I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with and converse for a couple hours.
Psh, I get the least from the most gear
Ha! That's the American way!
Not just the 'Merkin way.. pretty much a universal.. :)
Lmao, that's most of us
Haha
Lee Fire 😂🤣😂
I'm 72 years old and earned my living mostly by playing guitar for the better part of 20 years in the 1970's and 1980's. I've owned a boatload of instruments - mostly Gibsons (Les Paul's, SG's & 335's) and Fenders (all Stratocasters) plus 2 Tom Anderson Classics & an early model Suhr strat-style) - over the past 55+ years. I bought a PRS DGT from Willcutt Guitars in Lexington, Kentucky in 2011. It's hands down the finest guitar I've owned.
I did gigs for 15 years with just my PRS Custom 22. Only thing I've done since I bought it is put on strings and clean the gunk off it. They're not for everybody but you can't argue the build quality. It's one of the main reason I play a PRS...nothing ever moves on it. I'm playing for 100 bucks a night. I don't want my axe giving me fits and I certainly ain't being paid enough to bring extras along in case something goes south.
"nothing ever moves on it" - says it all.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. I’ve had my custom 22 for almost 13 years now and haven’t even remotely felt the need for a setup. I can usually go a few practice sessions without needing to tune it and I don’t play gentle either.
@@mk8530 I agree. I have 2 PRS guitars and they never need adjustments and the intonation is spot on.
Always the same problem with P R S guitars, they are perfect ....
Perfect only until the next model comes out, with minor changes/improvements, then, that one is perfecter!
@@dragan4658 well I haven’t found a guitar worth changing my strat yet, but I have to say I haven’t try the Paul’s guitar wich is way over my budget, but probably the one I have no doubt the bidge pickup would be better to me and the neck coil split could be very close to what I enjoy of a strat. I guess a CE Paul’s guitar would be just perfect. 22 frets, great pickups, bolt-on lifetime replacable neck. Budget friendly, could be a best seller
@@moimeme7839 what you said makes perfect sense, the perfect guitar is the one that inspires you to pick it up the most! My 1st guitar is a strat like Yamaha pacifica which inspires me more than guitars 3x the price which I also have.
A few years ago I was on the search for my next PRS (I had a Custom 22 years ago but regrettably sold it). I spent MONTHS looking at every Wood Library Dave’s Guitar had in stock and even created a list of all the ones I was considering. However, every time I went in i immediately gravitated to the DGT. So much so that it became a joke where every time I stopped by they’d say “You wanna play the DGT, don’t you?” To make an extremely long story semi short, I bought it without even knowing who David Grissom was. It was simply the best guitar. I have gone back and explored his catalog, but I feel like that says a lot about the incredible work he and Paul did. It has become my favorite of all the guitars I’ve ever owned.
Keith - keep up the amazing work. You are creating the video encyclopedia of guitars. This is so valuable.
I’m not a PRS fan necessarily, but holy cow I love these videos
Thanks so much Rex! I’ve actually since switched to playing Strandberg guitars, sold the 4 PRS’s. Video to come.
Welcome to five watt world Rex!
@@fivewattworld I'd certainly enjoy your take on the Strandberg instruments. I find them really interesting. I don't know much about them and have never played one, however the shape/ergonomics do have me curious. Looking forward to your video/thoughts about them.
@@fivewattworld I know this was 5 months ago but I can't wait to hear your review of Strandberg guitars.
The level of detail here is astounding. Thank you very much.
Thank you. I sent it to Grissom to fact check. He wrote me back that he was “honored” at that it was all right. Ok, it was a bit of a fan boy moment for me.
For as many guitars ive owned over the years, always looking for the one. I stumbled across a used DGT Artist package, with a rosewood neck, and a Brazilian fretboard. I have found my one. I feel like i can play anything i think of, so easy to play, and the tones are just fantastic.
A minor correction: PRS started in Annapolis, Maryland in 1985. As he grew, he built the facility in Stevensville, Md.
I am loving this series,thank you
My one guitar for years was a 1987 Roger Gresco custom tele. Badass humbuckers, tap switch, phase switch. Wilkinson roller-bearing nut and trem system. It was a hot rod and a jazz machine. With my Matchless sc-30, there was nothing we couldn't do. So digging these educational vids. Man, Mr. Williams, you've put a ton of work into this project, and it shows. Great content.
Thanks Bill
I have two DGTs, both 2008’s, one a Cherryburst 10-top, the other a Goldtop with the moon inlays. Both sound great, play great, and can get the old Les Paul singing sound, then switch to a snarl, or single-coil Strat or Tele sounds, they’re very versatile.
I saw Grissom playing twice recently and was surprised with how much bass he gets and likes in his sound. He was experimenting with a new amp and got almost a high fidelity clarity from the lows, hearing it live, with a DGT he played tuned down a whole step, was like having a musical wall of sound hit me, rock solid, didn’t give at all, but was beautiful to hear. I talked to him afterwards and he was concerned with it being too much when I mentioned the “wall of sound”, but I quickly explained it was wonderful and a compliment, not a complaint.
He’s an amazing player and well worth traveling to Austin to catch at one of his weekly sets at The Saxon Pub.
Still to this day the best sounding guitar I have ever played. Even humbuckers split was excellent.
therangersinger I’ve had both of mine out in the last two weeks and they are so fun to play.
Wow great analysis - nice to know the history and learn so much detail. Thanks!
Being from upstate NY as well I can relate to much of what you say about “less is more”. I’ve acquired a nice collection of both vintage and newer quality guitars throughout my life. But in the end I feel compelled and comfortable with only one or two electrics guitars and mostly one favorite acoustic. I agree that many were bought for nostalgic reasons and a attempt to emulate my guitar hero’s but in the end you seem to bond with a specific and special one. Guess you can associate it with a physical and mental attraction to a person. Keep up the good work for I seldom ever reply to vids these days. Thanks, JB
Love your documentary narration style.
GREAT video! Smart, articulate and concise. Bravo!!!!
Thanks for the kind words Shawn.
Wonderful, very informative. A PRS is a thing of beauty.
Nice presentation. This is an excellent look into what I respect most about PRS: mainly the tireless passion for guitar that defines the company. All the time that David and Paul devoted to trying to push the design, the sound and play-ability of the DGT further really earns my deepest respect.
Amen brother.
Got one and really love it. Does everything.
Hey Jim, Thanks for the comment. When I got my first DGT I still owned an American Standard Tele, thought I should have a tele, but when I did some blind comparisons with the DGT in split bridge, I thought the DGT sound MORE like my idea of a tele than that tele did. Go figure. I've settled in to playing a few DGT's at this point along with a custom 22 with a DGT neck and three p-90's that they made in a limited run in 2010. If you haven't bounced around on the channel I use the DGT's for most of my demos along with a vid on that Custom 22.
I agree. This guitar does everything I need it to and keeps me inspired to play everyday.
TOTALLY AGREE. I have an American Tele. Mexican Strat. Dean ML. and Gibson 335 . The Custom 24 PRS SE with Floyd Rose i just bought sounds like every single one of these guitars with the push/pull coil split pot. Most versatile instrument I've played in my 21 years of jamming
Love your channel. Just started watching it this morning. I’m from Maryland, and a friend of Paul Reed Smith‘s. Just for the record, the factory was not founded in Stevensville Maryland. Paul had a shop on West Street in Annapolis Maryland where he was making his guitars ( and mainly doing repairs for us local musicians ), and the first factory was in Annapolis on Virginia Avenue. That’s where all those early guitars came from. The company grew and he moved across the Bay bridge to Stevensville Maryland where he is now. Thanks for doing what you do. I’m a minimalist myself, with only three PRS guitars... basically. All three of them I received from Paul. The one I play mostly was a gift. Minimalism is the way to go in my opinion. Please keep doing what you’re doing, I’ll keep watching.
Hi Frank, Thanks for the correction but a local boy from Annapolis best you to it last year. Just as kindly as you did.
Welcome to five watt world.
You might ask Paul to check out this video. Grissom gave it his stamp of approval when I fact checked it with him when I released it.
Thanks again. Welcome to five watt world!
I just recently bought a prs se custom 24 with the roasted maple neck. The tone you can get by splitting the neck pickup is insanely close to the bright strat sound. The bridge is close to a tele. Leave it in himbucker on the bridge with high gain and you can get some heavy metal tones. Such a versatile guitar!
Another great video Thanks Keith
another classic Keith! throughly enjoyed it...
Without doubt my favourite PRS.
Great review. Thank you.
I loved this...love the concept of having one or just 2 guitars...
Wonderful video on one of the all-time top 10 guitarists, Ever!
My new favorite channel. Great video!!!
Welcome to five watt world Carmen!
Thanks man. I appreciate that. I've been going back and watching your videos and man oh man what wealth of knowledge. You really do your research and get things right. The how many guitars do you need video really hit a nerve with me because I'm that guy. I always "need" just one more guitar and I have seven. I'm always up on new specs of models etc and online looking at guitar porn basically. It was very relatable for me and I'm sure a lot of people feel that way as well. Really cool to hear Mr Grissom was happy with the video too. Saw that in the comments. Great stuff man. Really great. I'm a Princeton reverb fan and owner so I really enjoyed that video too. Can't wait to see more from you. Really Good stuff.
I recently acquired a used 2009 DGT 10 top, best decision on a guitar I ever made. It plays easily, looks great and the pickups are the best I ever got in a PRS guitar!
Great summary video!
He's definitely one of the reasons I lusted after a PRS for 20 years. I finally bought a Mccarty, for a lot of those reasons. A gold top DGT is a fantasy for me too. Maybe someday. But my McCarty feels to me like it was made for my hands. From the second I picked it up, that was it. It's my everything guitar as well. The only sound I can't emulate is that 2 and 4 position strat sound, but I'll manage lol.
I love your videos,so well detailed and very entretaining.I still a begginer so I can't talk to much about gear,all I can say its the push/pull its perfect if you want to stay with one guitar,it prevented me so much to looking for other guitars,after 2 years of playing Im still overwelmed with every sound you can get if you count the pickup configuration plus the volume,technques,the slide...I know many guys here are playing for many years so they already know what they like,but if someone its a beginner chose the most versatile guitar/amp and then you can focus on your playing,at least it works for me.Sorry for my broken english Im from Spain,cheers :)
Great video. I’m on my second trip on a DGT and I’m thinking it’s my answer to one guitar as well. I, like Grissom, really prefer to play a whole night on the same guitar and while every so often I want some of those magic strat “notched” sounds, in every other instance I find the DGT pretty satisfying.
great video, now I want one!
Second pass through, thanks Keith!
Love my DGT Standard!
The DGT ended my search !!!!!! Best guitar I have ever played !!!!!
And that’s all anyone ever needs to know about their chosen guitar. Right on!
So, you're saying I should try a DGT. Maybe that fat body mcCarty magic. I am in love with my PRS 513. It seems to do about everything I can think of. Not quite the fat sound of my 2001 PRS singlecut, you know, the one that got Paul sued by big G. I think I can pretty much sell everything else. Thinking I am still going to have to spring for a Collings 335 semi.
Small nit to pick: at 1:00 you mention the PRS factory. The first one was in Annapolis (on West St IIRC). They didn't move out to Stevensville until many years later when they were much bigger. Enjoyed the vid!
Ah, I know about that gaff and my apologies. Another proud Annapolis native pointed this out pretty soon after the vid came out. I'm going to do a "PRS Short History" vid soon and am just waiting for Paul himself to correct me. :) . Oh, well, live and learn that's my motto.
Thanks for watching.
Keith
Great video, couldn't stop watching. Love learning about guitars.
Thanks Duncan. I've always liked the DGT.
Welcome to five watt world!
Keith
@@fivewattworld Certainly looks like a nice guitar. Not sure I'll be able to afford one though 🤔 Maybe I'll enter the PRS world with a S2 Custom or SE Custom model. For relative newcomers like me the wide selection even within one brand can seem overwhelming.
Very true. In the PRS S2 guitars the Custom 22 is in the ballpark. Play as many as you can. All guitars vary quite a lot.
K-
@@fivewattworld Nice, thanks for the tip 😎
Love your videos man… Got my “first” 5 watt amp!
Mine arrives on Tuesday and I cannot wait to get it!!
Nice Zach! Send me some pics via the email.
Man I watch your videos at least twice!
Great video. I’ve been working on a used DGT and didn’t know a lot about them until acquiring it. I’ve always loved his playing especially on the first Storyville album. Hoping to finish up my second video on the repair work soon. Thanks for a great video!
Hey bbmade, Glad you dug the video. Liked your video too. I agree about Storyville and I sit in wonder at the tones he gets on his first solo record. I even built a clone of a '58 Gibson GA40 because of his use of them in the studio. I'll be doing a video on that amp in the future. 12 watts of tweedy, swampy temolo goodness.
Grissom emailed me saying that I'd gotten all the details right and that he was "honored" by the video. So it was a success for me before a single view.
Keith
five watt world I’m so glad I saw your video and appreciate you taking the time to check out mine. I finished the actual work on the DGT today. I’m doing a part 2 soon.
You did an amazing job on the video, I learned a lot. Keep up the great work!
Thanx Keith, Now I want a DGT. Standard.
Ha, well I've already sold mine recently so I can't help you out. Great guitars though. I was just continuing to thin.
I’m thinning on Reverb as we speak. When you have trouble keeping fresh strings on your favorites, you know you have a problem. Love the Five Watt World!
@@verticaldude Like Grissom says on my "How many guitars..." vid. "It feels like they own you."
Welcome to five watt world "vertical".
five watt world before i give up my lunacy I’ll have to have a PRS. Never even held one. There’s a 3 P-90 Korina on Reverb that has my Interest.
@@verticaldude Go find a DGT, you wont regret it. Best guitar l've ever owned.
That was a great story and video! I like this one better because there aren't as many details that change from year to year as there are with other guitars and basses featured in this series. The detailed specifications lists can get a bit dull for me personally, though I understand that's the stuff of some people's wet dreams!
Kieth nice video. I saw David grissom and was floored on how the guitar was so vesitile. Of course it was his playing but I get the sound differences.
DG would know what a good guitar is for sure. So glad PRS worked with him on this model. I dont know if I will ever be able to afford one but thanks to 5WW for letting me know more about it. No ownership yet but at least I have knower-ship and that is a pretty awesome tone!
Hi Toney, Totally agree. These are amazing guitars. Not sure why David's career hasn't gotten bigger. Great guitar style and great chops (not the same thing though they are often confused IMHO).
Thanks for watching. Welcome to five watt world.
Keith
I have three PRS guitars that I bought when I lived in Nashville, TN. There was an original PRS bass in the Tennessean ad section and I wish I had bought it, hadn’t heard of a PRS bass before that. I can feel the quality when I play these guitars, I prefer the vintage style machine heads on my Custom 24’s.
Bought one yesterday, thanks mainly to this video.
“Just guitar players helping other guitar players spend money.” A paraphrase from when I had a motorcycle actually. I hope the DGT is for you everything it was for me.
@@fivewattworld Keith, it's been a fantastic purchase. It's an 08 goldtop with birds. My #1 guitar. No question.
I had the opportunity to meet David at a PRS clinic at my local shop a couple of years ago. Indeed, he grabbed a DGT the store has in stock off the shelf and used it for the show, a long with his signature amp from the showroom floor. I asked him how the guitar he chose compared to his personal collection; he said it's right up there and does what he needs it to do, and went on to laud the consistency and quality of PRS guitars
I really like your videos, just a fresh and nice vibe! Any plans for a video about your studio or pedalboard? Greetings!
i do believe, i played a gig with this cat in the early '90s in NYC. i remember because someone told me he was John Mellencamp's guitar player and the PRS's that nobody i knew could afford. it must be nice.
Thanks Keith. Must have watched this video 4 times and finally made the decision to purchase a DGT. It will be here next week. Found it on Reverb yesterday and couldn’t pass up the $2,200 price tag for a 2018 in Faded Whale Blue. It’s a 10 Top and has 57/08s in it instead of the stock DGT pups. The guy bought it from Sweetwater in June of this year and it’s been sitting in its case almost the whole time. Appreciate your videos and we are “almost” neighbors now I think. I’m in Syracuse NY. Thanks again. Super informative videos.
Nice Sam and it sounds like you got a great deal on it. I really liked those 57/08 pickups in a Mira that I had in '08.
five watt world can’t wait. Thanks for the reply.
five watt world looking forward to more videos! You don’t hibernate during the cold upstate winters do you? 😜🤔😂
Jimmy Herring, and now I hear David Grissom using Dunlop 6100. Would love to try them. I also enjoy playing with a lighter touch and pronounced vibrato.
I just got a Nashville Tele!!! I am so happy, leaving guitar store right now!!!!!
I saved money for at least 2 years...now I got my PRS DGT in charcoal purple burst and play it now since almost 5 month thru my 1965 Vox AC 30.using alternating a 1980 built Tube Screamer or a T-rex Mudhoney Ii (depends on the gig and the repertoire),and some delay and reverb from time to time...man - what a deep, rich, earthy sound..- guitar and amp are perfectly matching to each other...the basic sound of the guitar... its similar to some old gibsons.! - Hard to describe...and the neck, despite the 011 string gauge.. . what a playability and at least what a ravishing beautiful finish...this is the definitively greatest guitar I ever played on....a DREAM!! This is the guitar i' d like to be buried with some day......
Well let's hope you gig it in "this world" for a long time to come brother. :)
@@fivewattworld thanx, man ;)))
By the way...a great interesting Video..i think, you know what you are talking about.I think I' ll get into an abo..
Andy (from germany)
Andreas Winzen “abo”?
@@fivewattworld
Sorry, I meant that I subscribed to your channel! - In germany we call it "abo", a short form of the french word "abonnement". We have many french words in our language in the part of germany where i come from!
Your videos are great (just threw a quick glance on some of them!) informative and -again - i think you are a man who knows what he's been talking about), and you come across vrery sympathetic in your videos., you have a calm and clear expression and, so do I think, a great repertoire of special knowledge about guitars and stuff. I appreciate that!
Again greetz and have a fantastic day,
Andy
@@fivewattworld you see, there are many french words in the german language of the part of germany, where I come from, just for example:
"trottoir" for sidewalk or ",chaiselonge" for sofa. It's a little bit like for the americans who live in Louisiana...but our weather is not that warm ;).
I specially appreciate the way you present other great guitars in some of the other videos! IT's very expertly!
So I subscribed to your channel...or in german: " Ich habe Deinen Kanal abonniert!"
Again, have a great day,
Andy
The DGT is my favorite PRS. It's a great guitar. I enjoy mine. Although mine is an early 2008. It is not stock. It was bought completely stripped. Down to the sealer coat. No original parts other then the frets and the control cavity cover. I decided to make it mine with parts I have chosen and made. I also did the "Tremonti" trem Mod. And I love it. One of my top 3 guitars.
I'm a strat dude, but the DGT is one of my dream guitars next to the 513.
I came very close to buying a used DGT. The guy was really cool about everything and because we knew each other on a casual basis, he let take the guitar home for a few days to try it out.
I'll mention here that I own a '99 McCarty that I'm quite happy with, and have owned two customs in the past. Anyway I messed around with the Grissom model for a day or two and loved the sound. I did find it to be noticeably heavier than my McCarty which weighs just over 7 pounds. That said the one feature that I couldn't get used to (albeit in a very short amount of time)was the jumbo frets. While they do help with bending I found myself constantly aware of them lightly bumping along under my finger tips. I think it's something I could probably adapt to but it was enough of an issue at the time to keep me from being able to pull the trigger on the deal and I REALLY wanted that guitar given David's brilliant playing.
Thinking about purchasing another guitar for performing at church. My original 69 thinline now stays at home. Thanks for introducing me to this guitar.
Do you want to sell the thinline? 😄
@@geespar1 no, I have had it since I was a teen. Thanks
When I ordered my McCarty way back when, I asked about a trem and was told "They are not that kind of guitar. Only David Grissom gets trems on our PRSs". Imo, the DGT pickups are the best PUs PRS makes. Seems odd that PRS doesn't talk about the DGT that much anymore.
+Frank Greco Hi Frank, Good story. I gathered the impression that lots of Grissom ideas took a while to “incubate” at PRS before they were adopted.
I’ve heard rumors that they might be updated the model somehow this year so maybe it will be in the news again soon.
Best,
Keith
@@fivewattworld Many of the ideas that Dave had for his signature model made it into the other PRS models. He should get a minor commission from all the other models! ;) Dave was kind enough to let me play his DGT at a PRS event a few years ago... wow... what a guitar. Those 11s do feel like 10s; the extra tone in the 11s really makes a difference. That's an Interesting rumor on the DGT. Really enjoyed your video. Great job!
Iroronticly I watched a video with Rod Stewart and Carlos Santana playing his P.R.S. guitar. They are very enjoyable to play. Phillip Austin
I have a DGT just like the one David is playing with Paul 5:20. It sounds exactly like the one he's demoing. It's my favourite PRS of the four I own.
I have a DGT 10 top. A great guitar full of growl!
I'm the guy who first started installing phase 3 tuners on PR Smith's
And who is this clean cut young man? 5 years and we've got him down to our level now! LOLOL CZcams wiped out my entire subscriptions list, 200+ between guitar, aviation and motorcycles! Putting them back I found this. There is still quite the debate around "fret ends". I have an expensive tool from "Browne Manufacturing" (where StewMac gets theirs) that puts a consistent 16 degree bevel on them. I then finish them with a small thin fret rounding file. And then level/crown/polish. A lot slower than a PLEK machine, I've spent 2 days on one before. But IMO a better result. 8) Thanks, --gary
After owning and trading guitars for several years I settled on this one G&L legacy with a few tweaks.
Certainly not the most expensive or beautiful looking guitar of the ones I owned but it's my favorite one.
Second favorite is an old Hamer Steve Stevens 2.
Between those two, the others were unnecessary since I don't gig anymore so I sold off the rest.
Takes a while to find those special ones. 😊
PS.. This is such great content sir. Much appreciated!
Kiran Sequeira I have heard good things about hamer usa
@@juanvaldez5422 yeah. The older ones are built like tanks. If you can get a used one for a good price, don't hesitate. You won't regret it.
In my band I can and typically do (barring string breaks) play one guitar. My Heartfield RR58 I have played for 27+ years has dual humbuckers with coil splitting and can be quite versatile. When playing with others the "toolbox" guitars come out based on what they would like me to sound like: Strat, Tele, LP, Ibanez.
Great video. For those wanting that DGT sound on a budget, a custom 22 SE with covered screamin demon in the bridge and seth lover in the neck. Put a variable resistor tap on the pickups and dial in how much drop you want. The demon emulates that 10-11k Gibson t-top sound Grissom copied from his 335.
Great advice. I've also thought that a pair of Suhr Thornbuckers would be in the neighborhood as they were also designed to be vintage PAF and very good split.
@@fivewattworld Probably, is that Pete's pickups? The DGT bridge is around 10-11k .
@@30smsuperstrat Yeah, Pete Thorn's signature Suhr pickups. I haven't played them but I'm very curious to see if they would be in the ball park.
While I like the Versatility of a guitar that does it all and these prs are super beautiful. There’s just something about each individual guitar. When I play the tele. It speaks to me a certain way. My Les Paul,strat,Sg. All have their own personalities. Different necks. Which tend to make me play differently. Besides I get to own a bunch of different beautiful pieces of artwork. But for the very active and working musician. I completely understand the need for a guitar that does it all. Don’t get me wrong, I still gotta have one
Thanks Keith ⚓️, my $1C 2009 second hand shop Affinty Strat is doing nicely. ⚓️
Thanks Keith. That’s excellent!
DG favors a 1980’s Bob Dylan. 😂 The guy can sure play.
I only have the guitar that I made in 8th grade at my dads friends wood shop. It has several mistakes but still works for me 35 years later. A guitar is nothing more than strings over a wire wound magnet but the feel is what makes it special.
Love this story.
five watt world - I was just your typical hard headed kid at the time but I really wanted a EVH guitar and I read that he built his own. The local guitar store sold large blocks of African mahogany and my dad said he knew a guy that could help build it. I bought the neck and hardware used out of the newspaper and sourced a PAF humbucker from a shop. The same shop let me trace a Stratocaster onto cardboard and that is what we built. I think now that all involved were just humoring me because it’s all I talked about then. But I spent hours and hours shaping the body to my 8th grade imagination with sandpaper and files and came up with a reasonable representation of a guitar.
Played many small gigs with high school bands and after but found my limitations not the guitars.
Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks Kieth! Just ordered a new DGT for myself. It'll be 1 of 2 guitars (my other being a new CE). Next an amp & my "just enough" will be complete :D
Love this. What are you thinking for an amp?
@@fivewattworld Just purchased yesterday: Boss Nextone Artist. It was a floor model our local shop wanted to move, so I got it for a real bargain. It looks like an old JTM45 combo, and features a switch to select the tube emulation types (6V6, 6L6, EL34, EL38). All analog, and power selectable: 0.5 watt, 1/2 power, full power. This one happens to be 80 watts. We had a power outage when I got home, and haven't been able to plug in yet LOL!
I bought a used PRS SE 22 hollow body with a split coil switch added by John Mann. The guitar has a nice solid foundation to build on. The stock one piece bridge was made too sloppy fitting on the pins and would get string buzz. After replacing two I went with a whole new adjustable bridge setup from John Mann. It has better fits and tolerances and the new brass inserts for the threaded pins being 1/8" longer are now bottoming out firmly into the body. It all added up to fantastic sustain. I also changed the tuners and the pups, (SD Whole Lotta.) The whole guitar cost with PRS soft case made to hang in the closet was under $900.
John is the man. (Oh, did I really say that?)
@@fivewattworld LOL, he is a great guy to deal with and gives you personal attention, you do not feel like a number.
I got lucky and I got the 2011 Gold Top, Digging it.
Yeah Jimmy! That’s a good one.
And now the SE DGT is in development. Damn it take my money PRS!
Love your vids. You should have as many guitars as you desire, as far as I’m concerned.
Thanks A-dawg. I just want to have the few “right ones”.
The pickups on the DGT are the best I've ever heard. I have an early January 2008 DGT and love the guitar. The original faux ivory tuning buttons started to fail early on, as the material crumbled around the tuning button shafts. It was a common problem and PRS updated them with brass inserts soon after. I can also fully understand why they moved to the Phase 3 tuners later on, as the phase 2 tuners were awful IMHO. Mine wore out very quickly and had lots of backlash (I have a 513 that did exactly the same). I replaced the tuners on both guitars with Gotoh Magnum locks. Not had a single issue with tuning stability ever since.
I've got two '08's and I also had major trouble with the tuner buttons. They've been okay with the brass inserts.
@@frankadams4586 At the time PRS wanted to charge me 60 dollars for each replacement tuning button with the brass inserts, plus shipping from the US to the UK. However, the tuners themselves were also awful, so I fitted a set of Gotoh mag locks for about a hundred quid instead. I've never looked back.
Man PRS guitars are beautiful.
I own a Black 1996 PRS CE22 and it is by far the greatest instrument I have ever played. I would not trade it for anything.
I have a 2012 DGT, simply the best guitar i have ever played.. and yes possibly the most versatile humbucker equipped guitar you can buy..
Yeah, it's the one that seems to fit the sounds in my head AND fits my hans the best. Though I like fancy wood as much as the next guy, it's not my favorite looking guitar but in my hands all that disappears.
You probably noticed that I have a couple of them (ok a "few") and they all sound different enough to not be tempted to trim further.
What's the expression, "That's a good problem to have."
Keith
BTW, from checking out your videos you DGT looks to be a "sister" to mine. From the small tuner buttons and the hollow birds is that a 2008 or 2009?
@@fivewattworld hi Keith, mine is a 2012 with birds in Sunset Burst.. I believe its got the v12 finish instead of nitro on the earlier ones.. I have mine set up with 10s for standard tuning.. but otherwise stock.
GREAT !!
I love PRS guitars and I badly want to get a Paul's guitar or something similar. I think the best for me would be a combination of the Paul's guitar and the McCarty. The Paul's guitar is really intriguing to me because it is amalgamation of everything Paul loves in a guitar. Could you do a 'Short History' of the Paul's guitar?
Well it's a year or so later, and I've had both a Paul's guitar and a McCarty. Just got a CE 24 and it seems to be just what I was looking for. Thanks Keith!
Yes, the lack of a second volume on most PRS guitars has been a deal breaker. I'm playing through anything from a 1966 JTM50t , a 2061, and a class 5 combo.The main guitars are a 2014 Melody maker and a 1959 ES335 that is original and unmodified. I rarely use a gain pedal. I want to go from mean to clean with the flip of a switch.
Practice using the volume knob. Its not like you can't do volume swells on a prs.
fascinating
good work
kudos \m/
Love your Philosophy on reducing the number of Guitar, Amps and Pedals. I’m a believer! What’s your position on a modeling amp that provides multiple Amp tones and multiple effects in one box. I love my Fender Mustang 3 vII. I hear the Boss Katana Artist is just as good as any tube Amp. Keep up the great work!
Hi David, Rhett Shull is really sold on his Helix and I have to say he’s getting some great sounds from it. For touring it can’t be beat Im afraid, with budgets etc. I might do a vid on one. Could be a minimalist dream come true. I certainly have more than $1500 in pedals at present. He’s got me thinking.
Me to
John Mann-- as in MannMade USA? Pretty sure my Zions had his hardware back in the day. Superb quality trem unit.
Yes, that John Mann, :).
Thx bud. I think you may have helped me find my own personal Holy Grail ! 😊
I’m waiting for mine to get here. Can’t wait 😊.
Yeah. As much as I wrestle with thinning the group of guitars the DGT's are at the core. So many great sounds from that guitar style, by design. Grissom actually emailed me saying he is going to put the video up on his web page, that I'd gotten it all right! I was thrilled.
Stick around for more DGT fueled demos. I'm working on one on the way Grissom uses a boost pedal for his first (or second depending on how you're counting) level of overdrive. This will be the DGT's and my 5 watt JTM style amp.
Thanks again.
Keith
five watt world awesome.
Nice background music @6:30 🎸❤️ #TheRoadGoesOnForever
Whoa. Didn't even remember that I had pointed this out once already 😆 I watch too much CZcams haha🤣
I have a DGT & I love it ... the coil split is exceptional ... if anyone gets one just know the volume controls take a bit of time to get used to
DGT’s were my main guitars for ten years. Love the sound and love Grissom’s playing above all really. He sent me in many tone chasing directions including building a Gibson GA40 clone.
But I just switched to playing Strandberg Salen and Boden guitars. Sold all four PRS’s and bought three S-bergs. So light and so playable. Videos to come.
I know I’ll miss things about the DGT’s but I’m trying to learn to think something is beautiful without needing/wanting to own it. It ain’t way sometimes.
@@fivewattworld it wouldn't be a guitar journey if you didn't keep moving. Apart from that I am having a growing respect for your channel & you're attracting interest from my Twitter followers when I share your videos. Keep up the great work!
@@WayneMemphisMojo I can't thank you enough for sharing the videos. I read somewhere that 80% of views come from people sharing something they'd seen. I believe it.
The two most recent vids have done very well and I've had a surge in subs, which get YT to push the channel more, that leads to more subs...It's a good exercise in be careful what you wish for. I just have to keep making vids about things that I'm thinking about/wrestling with on the chance that they resonate. What's that over quoted Oscar Wilde, "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." Something like that, but with guitars and amps...:)
Even in the SE line the build quality and bang for your buck is superb ! Let’s pull the covers down for a minute: would you rather have a satin finished jagged fret Gibson tribute with perhaps even over spray here and there ? Or a PRS Se that comes out of the box 97% in good intonation and even able to play a gig ? Where do you put your 899.00 ? Even the squiers by Fender are so fun to play and build quality remain great !!! Mostly 399.00 or tad more ... their butter scotch pine tele 50’s vibe is a great guitar , no shame of gigging with that at all !!! Nice Video !
My SE was a dog, worst POS nut, why they try to save money on the nut is so stupid to me. I am not saying this to down PRS, I sent it back to PRS and they fixed it no problem. But it gets old reading people talking shit on Gibson. Gibson owns Epiphone, right? My Epiphones blow away the SE shit
For 15 years I forced myself to playing acoustic, after an amps and effects addiction. And I start out, to find my tone in my fingers. I found out, what music really is all about. At least for myself.
6:17 - thats my guitar! Willcutts photo :D
8:15 . Nice guitar .