The Modern Collector

Rick Hogue writes the Modern Collectable Column for Musicians Hotline Magazine. He welcomes questions about Modern Collectable Guitars and can be reached via email at gpguitars@usa.net. Rick is the owner of Garrett Park Guitars in Annapolis, MD (www.gpguitars.com 410-267-6200). Rick has been in the guitar business since 1981 and has traded in vintage guitars, amplifiers was one of the first to buy and sell vintage effects. Rick and Garrett Park Guitars specialize in Modern Collectable Guitars from Fender, PRS, Gibson and others. Notable clients include Jay Mascis of Dinosaur Jr, Chris Duarte, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Gilmore, Robben Ford, Tom Kiefer of Cinderella, Vernon Reid, Marshall Crenshaw, Vernon Reid,Bootsy Collins. Bruce Cockburn, Steve Earle, and Joe Satriani.

PRS Prevails!!!!! Judge Overturns
Gibson Vs. PRS Singlecut Lawsuit

Its official. The PRS Singlecut model lives, and it took an Ohio judge to prove it.

On September 12 a ruling came down from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit allowing PRS to once again produce the Singlecut model in all its various incarnations.

This is a move that many view as a victory, not only for PRS but also for the entire musical instrument industry. The decision suggests that classic shapes and designs will not be off limits to interpretation--indeed, tribute--by builders from other companies.
Players will no doubt be pleased with the decision, since the PRS Singlecut, Singlecut Tremolo and PRS Private Stock SC's will once again be available for sale.

PRS has again skillfully held off Gibson, and many hope this latest decision will put an end to the troubles between two of the industry's most prestigious names.
One thing is clear: PRS is here to stay, and Gibson must recognize that fact.

Almost immediately after the decision, prices for used PRS Singlecut began to come down on eBay and elsewhere in response to the ruling. Many had put steep price tags on SC models in their attempts to cash in on the lack of new models available for sale. This lawsuit may actually renew interest in the SC models from PRS, as the absence of this PRS model seems to have made the heart (and public demand) grow fonder.

The Single Cut model was conceived by PRS as an attempt to provide another choice for players who wanted the crunchy, driving tones that have become popular in many of today's musical genres. The tones, design and ergonomics of the SC were not simply knockoffs of the venerable Les Paul. Indeed, the SC stoptail model had a sound that was unique to PRS. Though it embodied some of the crunchy low end of the LP, it was clearly not the same. PRS went further in terms of playability, designing a heel carve and body shape that allowed for better access to the upper frets, along with increased comfort and balance for the player.

In fairness to Gibson, nothing sounds like a Les Paul. It is an instrument that stands on its own merits, and seemingly the players who wanted a Les Paul were not going to choose the PRS and vice versa. These were decisions made through the collective wisdom of the guitar-buying public. They did not need to be settled in a court of law.

The Gibson Les Paul is an American icon, and the sounds it has created have made an indelible mark on rock 'n' roll. Without it there could have been no "Live at Fillmore East" and no "Led Zeppelin I." Without the Les Paul, the big bad dog that we call "Rock" would have had no balls. It's that simple.

Until next time, thanks for reading and God bless!

Until next time, Take care and God Bless.
Rick Hogue
Garrett Park Guitars
410-267-6200
www.gpguitars.com
gpguitars@usa.net