It must be said, just “Thinking Out Loud”, that this guitar is close to “Perfect”. Fans of Ed Sheeran are certainly going to agree with that sentiment, which is a given.
So, what about the rest of the guitar playing community across the world? Are they to be forgotten simply because of their musical tastes? Well, I think it’s safe to say that all will welcome this little beauty, and you will too once you lay eyes on it. A photograph simply doesn’t do it justice. Once you’ve had one in your hands, it’s going to be a hard decision to put this guitar down. So, let’s see what Ed brings to the table and why this collaboration with PRS is an instrument for so many musicians of every ilk.
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So, this is a little different. With its 27.7″ extended scale, the Ed Sheeran Baritone guitar is one that might put a few people off when they first take it in their hands, until you start to get a feel for it. Improved string tension without the need for heavier gauge strings means you have to move a little extra up and down the fretboard, but it’s a delight to play. Those of us with large hands and long fingers will appreciate the added reach we have, and will be thankful for the light touch required.
In essence, this is the dream 6-string for down-tuning and alternate scales where much heavier strings are required on 24 ¾” or 25 ½” scale lengths. But it’s not like some baritone guitars, where up to 30″ almost makes you feel like you’re playing a bass. With the body joining the neck at the 21st fret, it feels like a guitar, just with a little more room to move. Whether you’re looking for a deeper sound to layer onto your existing instruments, or you’re going through an Arabic scale existential crisis, or just want to detune considerably for metal, this guitar will cater to your every whim.
A Wide Fat neck profile and a bevelled cutaway on the body make this an easy fretboard to get around, with PRS’s signature Bird inlays marking the way up the rosewood board. However, it’s not just the feel – it’s the sound that will have you hooked. On the electronics side of things, you have a pair of PRS 85/15 “S” humbuckers, with a standard 3-way switching system. These are helped along by the hollow body to give a full, rich tone that really lends itself to the lower notes. Down-tune a step or three, and you still retain clarity and warmth in every note, even the heavier strings. On top of this, you have a piezo pickup with its own dedicated volume control – separate from the magnetic volume and tone controls – letting you blend between the two as you please, and find a wide range of tones for just about any style of music.
It goes without saying that a review of any Paul Reed Smith has to discuss the finish. Yes, the Ed Sheeran Baritone does play beautifully, and it sounds fantastic. But the aesthetic is what attracts many to these instruments first. PRS guitars, and no less PRS SE models, are some of the best presented you’ll find in production, and the Ed Sheeran Baritone is no exception. Available in three finishes – Kaleidoscope, Orange Tiger Smokeburst and Pink Ombre – the flame maple laminate top comes to life across all of them, with each as stunning as the next. Ed fans will probably favour the Kaleidoscope, which fades from green to blue, into red and then amber, and it’s the finish this review model arrives in. In the flesh, it’s striking. Orange Tiger Smokeburst will probably appeal to the traditionalists – it’s my favourite. Then there’s Pink Ombre, which is just spectacular and has that modern metal feel, with a bit of a sensitive side. Whatever takes your fancy, they all look incredible, balanced out with a mahogany back on the hollow body, a rosewood fretboard and ivory binding from the top of the headstock to the strap pin at the base. It’s a luxurious-looking instrument that backs up its image with the tone.
Factory fitted with 14-68 gauge strings and tuned straight out of the box to standard B-standard, baritone tuning (B E A D F# B), it doesn’t feel like you’re fighting a heavy gauge. It’s immediately warm and resonant, which makes sense given the hollow body and scale length working together. That’s the scale length easing the tension, so you get to understand why the bass player always seems so laidback. So, for those of you wanting an easy-playing guitar that is more like a 7-string with only six actual strings, this is an ideal choice. Perfect for heavier drop-tunings, or just experimenting with the sounds in between.
Of course, the elephant in the room is that not everyone is an Ed Sheeran fan. Well, so what!? The fact remains that whether you love his stuff or not, you’ll love this instrument. If you really have a problem with it, the only thing identifying this as an “Ed Sheeran” model is the small name printed on the truss rod cover. That could be swapped out for a plain one if it gives you social anxiety; however, this is hardly likely to affect the instrument’s performance or sound.
That aside, it is easy to see that Ed Sheeran and PRS have come up with a great instrument that you will want to play, especially once you’ve had it in your hands for a few minutes. With that in mind, you probably should get down to your local PRS dealer and try one out. I think you’ll agree that this is a real winner in both feel, looks and tone!
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