NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

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NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by HNB » Mon May 20, 2019 6:27 pm

I got the double cut bug from getting that green vintage Melody Maker from Rio. It is awesome, but I am such a humbucker guy I wanted to find something like it, but that had features I like. (Contours, humbuckers, less headstock angle, etc.) I was looking at different stuff and stumbled upon the Mira model made by PRS. I haven't really ever tried a PRS before, but it seems like people who have them think they are pretty good. I found a white Mira for a really good price used and grabbed it. As far as I can tell it is an S2 with bird inlays. (It is 22 frets.) It is in really good shape. It has three small chips and a couple tiny dings on the back of the neck. (Not really anything I feel with my hand when playing.)

Here are my thoughts on it.

Weight is pretty good.

I like the contours a lot. Sitting down I don't care if they are there, but standing I have learned that I pretty much need them to avoid my forearm rubbing the guitar edge in an unpleasant way.

Tuners and bridge seem good. Never seen a wraparound bridge like this with groves for each string to rest in as it wraps around.

Control placement is good. I wasn't sure about a switch between volume and tone, but it is easy to reach and I like the tele style switch more than a toggle you would find on Gibbys.

Neck pickup is pretty nice. Warm but not too bassy. The bridge is pretty wussy in my opinion. I might change that but keep the neck pickup as is.

Pots are a little sloppy and too easy to turn. I will probably update those to CTS pots.

The neck is wider than Fender ones, but not in a bad way. Feels like a nice between acoustic and Fender width.

Action is low without buzz.


Overall I am really happy with it. Here are pictures.

Image20190520_184726 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190520_184733 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190520_184748 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190520_184759 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190520_184809 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190520_184814 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by leokula » Thu May 23, 2019 5:57 am

That PRS is lovely. I had an SE Santana a while ago and it was great, it went on a trade for a bucket list guitar I couldn't pass, but I really want another PRS sometime down the line.

To me they (PRS's) just feel tight, like everything is in the right place, I don't know. Also I think their humbuckers are very articulate sounding in every guitar I tried.
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by wproffitt » Sat May 25, 2019 6:08 am

The volume knob is supposed to feel that way on a PRS. On the more expensive USA models, they feel super loose and I’ve been told at the factory that they spec them this way (from Schaller, I think) for volume swells, etc. As for the S2 models (also USA made), I’m not sure that they’re of quite the same quality, but the feel of the knob is done with purpose. I was just thinking about buying a PRS volume pot for one of my guitars last night for just this reason.
Also, I love those bridges. They feel great under the edge of my hand when I’m doing palm muting.
If I ever get around to buying a double Humbucker guitar, the Mira will probably be it. They just feel and play so nice and for not a lot of money.

Edit: Congrats on this! You are on a real tear with buying instruments that I covet! :)

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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by HNB » Sat May 25, 2019 10:25 am

That is cool that it should be that way. I like them a little more stiff to turn so I don't bump them by accident and mess up the volume.
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by thenewromance » Sun May 26, 2019 7:59 am

Enjoy! :) The Mira, Vela and Starla models are really something.

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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by Larry Mal » Sun May 26, 2019 10:22 am

Cool guitar- and yeah, I like that PRS makes a very good wraparound bridge. That's the best kind of bridge in my opinion but so many other guitar makers half ass it that you'd be forgiven for not thinking that yourself. Done well, it's wonderful.

So, you say that the bridge pickup is a little weak, have you been messing with the height yet?
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by HNB » Sun May 26, 2019 11:43 am

It is pretty high. I think I just like hotter pickups in the bridge like a JB or Super Distortion. It is a pretty good bridge, but doesn't have the bite I like.
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by HNB » Sat Jun 01, 2019 7:17 pm

Made some progress on my Mira. I got the new guard loaded with new pots and switch. Put the Super Distortion in the bridge and the stock pickup in the neck. They were not PRS pickups, but some lower line pickup so no big loss. I still need strings, knobs, and a switch tip. Oiled the neck and put strap locks on it. Progress pictures. :D

Image20190601_195240 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190601_195247 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190601_195252 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by countertext » Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:57 pm

UPGRAYEDD

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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by Embenny » Sun Jun 02, 2019 6:18 am

That looks much sharper with the tort. Good choice.
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by HNB » Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:19 am

Thanks! Black and white are classy enough, but I don't dig it so much with guitars. I prefer white/mint on white or tort. Sometimes gold on white. :)
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by HNB » Mon Jun 03, 2019 6:51 pm

Almost done! Just missing the switch tip! Really happy with the knobs. ;)

Image20190603_184323 by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr

Image20190603_184329_HDR by Hentai No Baka, on Flickr
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Re: NGD Paul Reed Smith Mira (Double Cut)

Post by HNB » Wed Jun 05, 2019 4:45 pm

Switch tip came in! Looks great finished. :D

Image20190605_145436 by Christopher Louck, on Flickr
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