The only issue with the whole guitar brand and model debate going on here is that Johnny Hiland plays a lot more different styles than just chicken-pickin country. He plays from jazz to blues to hard rock, too. Now, I love tele’s but, his signature model PRS has a lot more versatility than a tele does as far as different tones for different styles without having to tweak your amp between each song! Johnny rocks!!!
Yes, that can be true as not all cheap guitars have really great necks. But I have 30 years experience playing and repairing guitars. As such I can pick out a great guitar in that price range. I just don’t like taking high dollar guitars out to some clubs that have serious party people drinking, dancing on tables and falling into the bandstand. I’d cry much less when my $400guitar gets broken than my $3000 PRS. That is all I am saying.
I agree 100%. I own many guitars at all the price levels, including a ‘91 PRS Custom……a production Paul Reed Smith is worth every dime you spend on it. Private Stock is a bit lofty, but hey, if you can afford it…..heck, some people even buy overpriced Toyotas with Lexus badging…….go figure.
That’s funny. Have you priced Custom Shop ‘Relic’ reissue Tele lately? I just watched Johnny play his PRS signature model at the Experience PRS 2008 event, and I’m here to tell ya, his tone absolutely KILLS. It’s pure chicken pickin’ bliss, period. After hearing him play the PRS in person, I’m glad he’s not playing a Tele. Everyone and their brother plays a Tele……yawn. And I love a good Tele!
I disagree with kronkor…the first thing I thought (in the first 3 seconds) is what happened to his tone?.. of course it is subjective and it may just be this recording (and his taste of the day)…but to my ears there really is no comparison here… a let down (before you even see what guitar hes playing)
I’ve never heard anyone complain though about the fit/finish of a PRS. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fenders and Gibsons. The PRS is one good looking guitar.
By the way, I’ve read about Johnny Hiland so many times but had never heard him. I finally realized I’d probably find him on Youtube – he is even better than I imagined. Great chops, tone, feel -
I agree with you both. The Telecaster is the ONLY country chicken pickin’ guitar and is amazingly versatile to be so simple in design. Johnny is an awesome player and would do well to dump PRS. I am sick of these overpriced guitars! Nowdays you can get a very playable guitar for $300 to $600. If it has a decent neck and plays in tune then the rest is up to the player. The $3000 guitars cannot help. Keep on smokin’ whatever guitar you decide to play Johnny. You are awesome brother!
Hi Johnny,
Glad to talk to u. Just checked out your myspace and website. Looks like everything is going well. I miss nashville. Dont forget to call my son in law. Hope to talk to u soon again. Peggy $
I have a lot of guitars- prs ,teles, strats, a 64 strat ect. I got to say there is no sub for a tele ,the tone is unbeatable if you got a good tele. That being said they play hard, a prs is a way better playing guitar.
It’s not the guitar that matters…it’s what is being played on the guitar. He could play with a BC Rich for all I care but if he sounded good, who gives a flying ****.
that guitar has coil taps, etc., and he can get a twangy tone if he wants, but on a jazz tune like that he’s going more for that hollow-body sound.
PRS instruments are truly great, custom workmanship, they play like a dream. I’ve never liked the way they looked, that sort of heavy metal peghead always bugged me. they are superlative playing instruments though, and are the only guitar I’ve ever heard that can perfectly emulate a strat and a les paul without sound modeling computer circuits.
June 30th, 2009 | 
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I would rather call him “Crossover guitarist” than Rockabilly
his really godsent
Addie
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w/e man when he switched to PRS it was a godsend. I was like wow he has tone now that tele tone was non existant.
PRS lets his tone, his natural tone shine through. With a tele its so bland and singular everyone sounds the same.
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katana-edge skills!!!
and PRS are just perfect guitars
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The only issue with the whole guitar brand and model debate going on here is that Johnny Hiland plays a lot more different styles than just chicken-pickin country. He plays from jazz to blues to hard rock, too. Now, I love tele’s but, his signature model PRS has a lot more versatility than a tele does as far as different tones for different styles without having to tweak your amp between each song! Johnny rocks!!!
johnny Hiland
Yes, that can be true as not all cheap guitars have really great necks. But I have 30 years experience playing and repairing guitars. As such I can pick out a great guitar in that price range. I just don’t like taking high dollar guitars out to some clubs that have serious party people drinking, dancing on tables and falling into the bandstand. I’d cry much less when my $400guitar gets broken than my $3000 PRS. That is all I am saying.
johnny Hiland
a fender with a 57 neck blows any tele out of the water. The weight distribution on the tele is awful and unbalanced.
johnny Hiland
I agree 100%. I own many guitars at all the price levels, including a ‘91 PRS Custom……a production Paul Reed Smith is worth every dime you spend on it. Private Stock is a bit lofty, but hey, if you can afford it…..heck, some people even buy overpriced Toyotas with Lexus badging…….go figure.
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That’s funny. Have you priced Custom Shop ‘Relic’ reissue Tele lately? I just watched Johnny play his PRS signature model at the Experience PRS 2008 event, and I’m here to tell ya, his tone absolutely KILLS. It’s pure chicken pickin’ bliss, period. After hearing him play the PRS in person, I’m glad he’s not playing a Tele. Everyone and their brother plays a Tele……yawn. And I love a good Tele!
Mike
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I disagree with kronkor…the first thing I thought (in the first 3 seconds) is what happened to his tone?.. of course it is subjective and it may just be this recording (and his taste of the day)…but to my ears there really is no comparison here… a let down (before you even see what guitar hes playing)
johnny Hiland
Noah sings country?!
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Usually those 3000 $ guitars have decent necks and stay in tune… You can’t be so sure about 300-600 $ guitars.
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I’ve never heard anyone complain though about the fit/finish of a PRS. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fenders and Gibsons. The PRS is one good looking guitar.
By the way, I’ve read about Johnny Hiland so many times but had never heard him. I finally realized I’d probably find him on Youtube – he is even better than I imagined. Great chops, tone, feel -
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I agree with you both. The Telecaster is the ONLY country chicken pickin’ guitar and is amazingly versatile to be so simple in design. Johnny is an awesome player and would do well to dump PRS. I am sick of these overpriced guitars! Nowdays you can get a very playable guitar for $300 to $600. If it has a decent neck and plays in tune then the rest is up to the player. The $3000 guitars cannot help. Keep on smokin’ whatever guitar you decide to play Johnny. You are awesome brother!
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Hi Johnny,
Glad to talk to u. Just checked out your myspace and website. Looks like everything is going well. I miss nashville. Dont forget to call my son in law. Hope to talk to u soon again. Peggy $
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His playing reminds me of Danny Gatton sometimes. Im a fan of both.
Appreciate the upload.
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i played one and it ROCKS!the neck felt like a telecaster BIG TIME.the coil taps made it very versatile.its like they merged a tele with a les paul.
johnny Hiland
I have a lot of guitars- prs ,teles, strats, a 64 strat ect. I got to say there is no sub for a tele ,the tone is unbeatable if you got a good tele. That being said they play hard, a prs is a way better playing guitar.
Kansieo.com
It’s not the guitar that matters…it’s what is being played on the guitar. He could play with a BC Rich for all I care but if he sounded good, who gives a flying ****.
johnny Hiland
For a country/blues player like Johnny, yes, I consider it a step down. The Telecaster is THE country icon.
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Are you nuts? You consider a PRS Signature a step DOWN from a Tele? Wow…
johnny Hiland
I’ve played Johnny’s PRS. It smokes
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that guitar has coil taps, etc., and he can get a twangy tone if he wants, but on a jazz tune like that he’s going more for that hollow-body sound.
PRS instruments are truly great, custom workmanship, they play like a dream. I’ve never liked the way they looked, that sort of heavy metal peghead always bugged me. they are superlative playing instruments though, and are the only guitar I’ve ever heard that can perfectly emulate a strat and a les paul without sound modeling computer circuits.
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i’ve heard plenty of prs’s and they all sound amazing. i just think that most prs’s make for better rock/metal guitars.
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Thats the tone Johnny wants and he should know
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I agree PleiadianTom, Johnny’s tone was far superior on the Telecaster. PRS just don’t cut it! I’ve never heard a PRS justify the price tag.