PRS Dragon Guitars

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1992: 1993: 1994: "The complete edition"
All 3 Made by Hand in the Original PRS Factory

PRS has built many Limited Edition Guitars,  In fact they seem to have a new Limited Edition model every time I turn around. The fact is the Dragon series is the king of all the PRS Limited Editions.  The Dragon is the one that started the entire PRS success story.  Personally I like the original 1989 through 1995 Classic series better but they don't seem to have the investment potential of the Dragons. In my opinion those were the most versatile and best playing guitars PRS ever made. (If you liked those you will like Quicksilvers)

The Dragons are in the Smithsonian Institution and they are also in the Museum of Modern Art.  There are only 50 1992 Dragons, 100 1993 Dragons and 100 1994 Dragons.  All hand made before the factory was completely automated.

It is my firm belief that the older PRS Guitars are far superior to the new ones.  It is also my firm belief that the hand made pre 1995 Guitars will be the only ones to really escalate in value.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Added 09/01/2001:
I wrote this article back several years ago in 1999. At that time I felt the Dragon's were a decent investment. Today however PRS has taken a back seat to several other brands.  These brands appeal to the PRS crowd.  This has created a mass Exodus from PRS.  It has pushed the prices down.

PRS's salespeople will try to tell you that the newer models are 1, more precise because of the high technology employed in the construction. They will tell you that the newer guitars are 2, more stable than the older guitars, and they will even try to tell you, 3, The new ones sound better. Poppycock!!!!

These claims may be partly true
But I think these are carefully orchestrated and engineered claims.

1. Precise

Yes the computer controlled routers and robotic machines are more precise than the old hand made way.  I just object to paying hand made prices for computer made products.  I would always prefer hand made to computer made except in a $300.00 to $500.00 price range.  Don't forget that it costs a fraction to computer build a guitar Versus hand making it.

2. Stability

Ok maybe the new ones are more stable. I have never ever had a stability problem with any PRS guitar. If you overbuild something just so you can say it's more stable is OK I guess, But the problem is the new "Supposedly more stable ones" play like tanks in comparison to the old slender neck non heeled models.

3. Sound
As for sounding better I simply don't believe that anyone in their right mind could make a subjective statement like that.  I could easily believe that if someone said it with enough conviction and confidence that a weak minded or inexperienced person would believe it.   Just remember how a guitar sounds is totally subjective.  Think for a minute how ridiculous a statement like "it sounds better" actually is.  In effect what these people are saying is the old ones sounded bad.