Washburn Paul Stanley Preacher PS9200

Thanks to the good folks at Washburn, I was able to get my hands on a top-of-the-line Paul Stanley Preacher PS9200 guitar --perfect for classic 70's rock.  Everything about this guitar is heavy duty, from the tone, to the weight, to the list price of $3900.   Admittedly, you can get it for a street price near 3 grand, but it's still the most expensive guitar I've ever played.  Heck, I've bought cars that cost less than this.  So what the heck, if someone gives me the opportunity to test drive a $100K Tesla sports car, I'm gonna say yes, even if couldn't afford to buy one. Like the Tesla, the PS9200 is very cool, but its out definitely beyond my budget.  Still, it's a nice day dream to own a high-end guitar like this.

  Here's da specs:

• Mahogany body
• Mahogany set neck
• Tone Pros Bridge
• Stop Tailpiece
• Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups
• Rosewood fingerboard with Pearl trapezoid inlays
• 22 jumbo frets
• 24.75" scale
• 12" fingerboard radius
• Double action truss rod
• Graph Tech nut
• Chrome hardware
• 18:1 GroverR tuners

I don't know exactly how much this beast weighs; all that mahogany adds up.  It's the heaviest guitar I've played; certainly heavier than a Les Paul, and just over 9 pounds according to my bathroom scale.  So you better make sure you spring for a nice padded strap.   But having a nearly 2 inch thick slab of mahogany also gives you great sustain and a beefy tone.  You can also forget about playing this guitar sitting down; it's just not shaped for balance in a seated position.  But these are minor nits.  Lets face it, this guitar is about being cool and playing loud.  And it more than does the job in terms of looks, tone and playability.

I think the Preacher is one of the finest looking guitars I've seen, especially in black with a cream pick guard.  It just oozes classic rock and roll style.  Think of it as a Les Paul / Paul Stanley / Washburn love child and you're not far wrong.  In a stand, the left bout looks odd, but it looks great when you're playing it and it's unique style grows on you.  Hat's off to Washburn and Paul Stanley for coming up with a something that stands out among all the Gibson and Fender clones out there.

In the tone area, the guitar packs plenty of punch with its Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups.  It's more of a 70's rich rock tone than the over-distorted super-hot pickup sound of 21st century metal.  It's a classic, warm humbucker sound, perfect for rock, blues and jazz.  The bridge pickup is plenty sharp for solo work and the neck pickup gives you extra smooth tone for rhythm guitar and Paul Stanely riffs.  You might not get the searing tones of a Keith Richards solo, but its still pretty versatile.  The hardware and controls are all high quality, as you would expect at this price.  The neck is comfortably slim and fast, though not as slick as the carbon glass fretboard on a Parker guitar or Washburn's WM526.

If you're looking for twangy rock sound or a budget clone guitar, look elsewhere.  But if you want a luxury high-end guitar to rock and roll all night, this is the real deal. 

• Washburn: Paul Stanley Series Guitars, Paul Stanley Press Release
• Official Sites: Paul Stanley, KISS

Comments

[Ovidiu - GuitarFlame.com]

It's nice to test various instruments, however probably when coming back home to your guitars you will feel a bit frustrated...like when coming back from that drive test with the $100k car to your old car...

[zontar]

It may be heavier than any Les Paul you have played, but mine's over 10 pounds--and that's no problem for me--so 9 pounds is nothing.

[Blogfixes]

Wow thanks for this post! It is really helpful.. best regards,

[Eric McKenna]

Hey folks -

I've been working personally with Paul on various versions of the Preacher. And I can attest - it's one amazing guitar.

We have a tremendous amount of information and pictures at our website at www.BoogieStreet.com

thanks,

Eric McKenna
www.BoogieStreet.com
eric@boogiestreet.com
412-716-3150

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[Skyler]

hey Im a stundent that go's to Rockland music and i read your page if you can pleace send me some of your songs

peace

[kolies]

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