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What is the difference between the Paul reed smith and the Les Pauls? The Les Paul's always sound brighter and warmer to me. I don't like the Paul Reed Smith's as much. Owen or one of you gurus want to break it down? I've only been playing the accoustic guitar.

I don't play but my husband has 4 PRS's and prefers them over the Les Paul’s because they are a more versatile guitar. His "main axe" is the PRS CE 24 and with that baby, he can play anything from jazz, to heavy metal and anything in between without skipping a beat.

A lot of the sound has to do with the pickups and electronics though I think the Les Pauls do have a little smoother tone though not as much sustain. That said there are so many models of the LP that it takes an expert to keep them straight. My LP is the worn mahogany model but has very bright pickups. Others are maple with dull pickups so forth and so on. I've played the AlDi model PRS and thought it sounded very nice though (Sorry Al) at $3000 I would probably buy a Johnny A signature Gibson for the same $$. Right now, no money for either one. Also listen to some of the 335 players like Larry Carlton, very versatile with lots of sustain for a hollowbody.

Having owned both GLPs and PRS's, my humble opinion has been that the PRS's are more versatile and articulate. Not to mention lighter and not nearly as "blocky" feeling. For me, personally, the GLP is more of a "niche" guitar, where you're looking for a particular sound that only a Les Paul can accomodate. Whereas my Custom 22 as cover more styles of music with various tones that I'm looking for. Between that and an original 1958 Fender Stratocaster that my Dad handed down to me, Just about every tone I ever drooled over is right there. Just one guy's humble opinion.

Btw. DiMarzio still offers the custom Al Di Meola pickups:

DP201 - Al DiMeola Model™ Neck - Available from DiMarzio Custom Shop
DP202 - Al DiMeola Model™ Bridge - Available from DiMarzio Custom Shop

I found this pretty interesting website - Ed Roman Guitars - Yes he sells guitars but he also discusses this specific topic amongst other things...
http://www.edroman.com/techarticles/22vs24.htm

From the link:
an early 24 fret PRS Classic can sound just like a Les Paul plus get the added attraction of a 335 a Strat, a Tele and even a Jazz Guitar. PRS has taken that guitar off the market around 1995....

Factoid 1: A typical Les Paul will always sound muddy when you play chords !!!!!

Factoid 2: A Typical Les Paul is NEVER capable of sounding like a Strat or a Tele. !!!!!

Factoid 3: PRS broke that barrier in 1984 with the introduction of their 24 Fret, 25" Scale handcrafted guitar,

Factoid 4: PRS further improved on it in 1989 with the introduction of the Classic 24.