The PRS hate doesn't sit well with me.
Back in 1993, I graduated from high school. Back then, I wanted nothing more than a Les Paul. For my graduation gift, my parents said they'd buy me a Les Paul.
I went to the local music store and played all the LPs in stock. The salesman said I should try this other guitar behind the counter. It was as 1992 PRS CE24. I'd never even heard of PRS before. The ticket price was almost $1400.
I played it and immediately fell in love. It was so much better feeling and sounding than any of the LPs I played that it wasn't even funny.
I ended up with the PRS.
I was 33 years old by the time I bought myself a Les Paul.