As usual, I've gotta stir up the pot with my disagreement! I have been a Les Paul guy for many many years when I needed a heavier sound. The other guitarist in my band got a PRS back in 97 or so...I played it, to me it was "OK" but nothing to switch my Lester over.
I am lucky to have a fantastic local music store here, and I've been buying from the owner for over 25 years. He knows me (too well) and will call me to have me come in and try this or that....
Over the years, I've lost count of all the PRSi he had me try...dozens of them...none of them impressed me all that much. Beautiful, yes, but nothing to write home about as far as tone or playability.
Back in 06, he called me to tell me about this McCarty he had...really nice he said....quilt top, a rarity for a production McCarty...and solid Rosewood neck...something special about this guitar, he said....well...I'd heard that before.
A week or so later, I happened by and tried it out briefly. Woah. Hold on...this one's gooood....but nah...can't be that special.
Went back a few days later...played a little longer. Man, something about this one...tone is just awesome....resonance coming off that rosie neck is something....
Thought about that guitar every day. Finally called him and told him to set me up in a studio room with a RK and the McCarty, that I'd be in to compare with my Lester.
Sat there for 2 hours A/B comparing the McCarty to my Lester....back and forth....discovered that this McCarty had every bit the low end chunk and growl of my Lester...but the top end and high mids were sweeter...a little more "soaring" and open.
The guitar was beautiful (pic below) and sounded every bit as good, even better than my Lester...and was a few pounds lighter....I was hooked. And I got it. Immediately.
Been my main axe for that type sound ever since.
So...I have to disagree that PRS are just status things. Like any other brand, you've just gotta find the "one" that fits you and your style the best...after playing so many and walking away unimpressed, it just took the right one to stop me in my tracks.
That's the great part about being a guitarist right now...there's so many great axes out there waiting for us. You just gotta find the right one.
RB