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PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) GUITARS

  1. 2007 PRS McCarty Goldtop, (front/back), (headstock), (bridges), (case/acc.).  A beautiful McCarty - killer player - and unusually lightweight for this model.  The McCarty is probably the most traditional model that PRS makes, with a nod to the 50's LP style, understandably given Ted McCarty's association with this guitar.  Features include a carved maple top with mahogany body, mahogany neck, and rosewood fretboard with moon inlays.  2007 was the last year for McCarty pickups on this model (now features 245 pickups) controlled by a 3-way selector and push/pull tone pot for full selection of humbucker or single coil tones - 6 quality tones in all.   Tailpiece is your choice of the PRS stoptail - or the intonatable stop tail, which is available from PRS Accessories for $239.   Not that it really matters, but this guitar has a beautifully flamed maple top (pic here), underneath the gold finish.  Neck is the wide-fat neck carve, which adds to its vintage appeal.  All I know is, like the whole McCarty line, it's one of the best PRS's made in my opinion and if you're not into the 5-way rotary, this 3-way with push/pull is much easier to get around on.  New discount price on a McCarty II is $2275 ($3250 list) but this goldtop beauty has barely been played and offered in 9.9 condition for just $1499- or $150 more with the upgraded bridge installed, and the original in the case.  (HOLD-Zac 1/28)
  2. 2005 PRS McCarty Standard, (front/back), (headstock), (case).  Rather rare model for me.  I get in a lot of McCarty Soapbars and McCarty's, but very few of these with PAF pickups.  The Standard  has all the features of the maple-top McCarty model, except with a one piece mahogany body.  There's a certain vintage appearance of the McCarty line and especially with this one in Vintage Cherry with a carved mahogany body and a pair of McCarty humbuckers with a PRS Stoptail bridge.  Features McCarty switching with a 3-way and push/pull tone pot for 6 great tones.  Neck is the wide-fat neck carve, which adds to its vintage appeal.  This 2005 model also features the 20th Anniv. truss rod cover.  This model was discontinued in 2006, followed briefly by the PRS Korina, which has also been discontinued.  In our opinion, whether it's the Soapbar model or this model, the McCarty Standards - or older PRS Standards and Studio's - with their all-mahogany construction, are the sweetest sounding guitars PRS has ever made.  Also if you're not into the 5-way rotary, this 3-way with push/pull is much easier to get around on.  I'm not sure why so many people pay $2200+ for a new PRS when there are so many wonderful examples on the used market.  This one is in beautiful condition and, indeed, a very sweet PRS for $1450. 
  3. 2007 PRS McCarty Korina Soapbar with Birds - Brazilian Fretboard - Harmonic Design P90's,  (front/back), (headstock), (fretboard), (case).  One of the lightest McCarty's on the planet at just 6.6 lbs., offered with your choice of stock Duncan Soapbars, or Harmonic Design Z-90, considered by many to be the cream of the crop.  This is one of the "new" McCarty models, using all Korina wood instead of the solid Mahogany or Mahogany/Maple cap of the earlier McCarty's.  Korina is a top shelf tone wood, both lovely looking and a wonderful tone wood.  This guitar also features the optional Soapbar pickups and Bird inlay option.  This one, finished in Vintage Cherry, has some mild flame which isn't all that common with Korina.  With a solid carved Korina body and Korina neck with wide-fat carve, this model ventures even more into the Ted McCarty era as he was at Gibson's helm during production of the original Flying V and Explorer models, both made of Korina.  The first 500 of this model were built with a Brazilian fretboard, making it even closer to McCarty's original classics.  Other features include PRS stoptail bridge, vintage tuners, 25" scale, Full (not outlined) Abalone bird inlays, Seymour Duncan Soapbar pickups, master volume and tone, and a standard 3-way selector.  This guitar plays exceptionally well, is extremely lightweight (6.6 lbs.!), and has excellent acoustic tones.  This is a one-owner guitar, collector owned, and offered in immaculate condition.  For full specs and more info, click here for PRS.  This model as outfitted sells new for $2359 with the standard Indian rosewood but why not get one of the original run Brazilian board models for way less - just $1850 - with your choice of the Duncans or Harmonic Designs.  
  4. 2008 PRS McCarty Korina,  (front/back), (headstock), (case).  The new McCarty model, all Korina wood, which is both lovely looking and a wonderful tone wood.  With a solid carved Korina body and Korina neck with wide-fat carve, this model ventures even more into the Ted McCarty era as he was at Gibson's helm during production of the original Flying V and Explorer models, both made of Korina.  Other features include Rosewood fretboard, PRS stoptail bridge, vintage tuners, 25" scale, Abalone bird inlays, McCarty Treble and Bass pickups, master volume and tone, and a standard 3-way selector.  This guitar plays exceptionally well, is extremely lightweight, and has excellent acoustic tones.  It appears to have seen no actual playing time but there were a few clear coat dings which were beautifully drop filled by Martin - shown in before and after pics on the headstock here and neck here (the vertical lines are reflections).  They are now nearly invisible, re-lacquered, and wet sanded flush with the finish.  Overall, its an exceptionally nice guitar.  For full specs and more info, click here for PRS.  This model as outfitted sells new for $2859 ($4177 list) but this one has almost no actual playing time and is $1100 less at $1759.  Note:  This model was discontinued in July 09 after a brief run so there won't be many circulating on the used market. 
  5. 2006 PRS Custom 24 20th Anniversary Artist Quilt with Brazilian Fretboard, (close-up), (front/back), (headstock), (fretboard).  What a beauty.  Quilted maple finished in Tortoise Shell and gold hardware...what a combination!  2006 model with beautiful "10" *quilt* top with the upscale Artist package which includes premium top woods, gold hardware, bird inlays, rosewood headstock overlay with inlaid Paua signature, and a leather hardshell case.  To commemorate their 20th anniversary, PRS offered this distinctive “birds-in-flight” inlay on their Customs and Artist package models, and only a small number of these were offered with Brazilian fretboards.  The unique fretboard inlays are a slight departure from PRS' normal bird inlays and feature green ripple abalone with brown lip mother of pearl wisps.  These beautiful instruments bearing the anniversary fingerboards were only produced through early '06. This one is outfitted with wide-thin neck, PRS tremolo, 14:1 Phase II low mass locking tuners, Black anodized “20th” truss rod cover, HFS and Vintage Bass pickups, and McCarty switching with a 3-way toggle combined with push/pull tone pot.  Although the  top on this guitar is a real stunner, with some of the nicest bookmatched quilted maple you'll see, it does have a finish imperfection visible upon close inspection - some milky spots near the back edge, shown here.  Otherwise, this guitar is exceptional.  Set-up is how you want a PRS to be, nice low action and a fast, thin neck.   List price on a Custom Quilt with Artist Package is over $5K, not counting the Brazilian board, and I would normally sell this in mint condition for around $2800.  If you don't mind a slight finish imperfection, this one is otherwise a beautiful guitar and a chance to own a top of the line Artist model--with a rare Brazilian board-- for just $2250(HOLD-David F 2/2).  Includes Leather PRS Artist case and all the case stuff.  
  6. 2001 PRS Singlecut - Amber Flametop, (front/back), (headstock), (case).  Beautiful example of a 2nd year Singlecut, now called by many a "Pre-Lawsuit", as I predicted a few years ago.  Some people say the first issue of the Singlecut are the best.  Personally, I think the 2nd series were just as good and it's just another example of the "older is better" hype that usually has little to do with reality.  About this guitar:  this is one of the nicer non-10 tops, with fairly consistent flame side to side, extending from the butt to the top of the upper bouts.  Singlecuts are great guitars, much like the Custom 22 except in a more timeless body shape, slightly thicker mahogany back, but the features are undeniably PRS including the flamed maple "binding" where PRS leaves the maple unstained, perfectly bookmatched maple top over mahogany body and neck, and vintage Kluson-style tuners.  This one features the wide-fat neck which isn't as chunky as the name might suggest - for many it's the perfect size, and just slightly thicker than their wide-thin profile. Pickups are PRS-7 with nickel covers and it features the PRS Stoptail wraparound tailpiece.  25" scale and 10" fretboard radius.  This guitar is, overall, in beautiful shape, with the only real flaw being a small finish flaw by the selector switch where there's some milkiness in the finish (shown here).  Every PRS fan likes low action and this one will not disappoint - it's fantastic.  The current Singlecut, now called SC-245 (24.5" scale) or SC-250 (25" scale), lists for $4105 and selling for $2815 without options.  Most of them do not have a flame top this nice and, more importantly, they're almost twice as much as this beauty which is going for just $1559.  Includes form fit PRS case in similarly nice condition. 
  7. 2001 PRS McCarty Standard, (front/back), (headstock), (case).  Remarkable tone in an all-mahogany set neck McCarty.  Somewhat rare, for me at least, McCarty Standard, which I don't get in as frequently as McCarty Soapbars and McCarty's with maple tops.  The Standard  has all the features of the maple-top McCarty model, except with a one piece mahogany body.  There's a certain vintage appearance of the McCarty line and especially with this one in Natural Mahogany with a carved mahogany body and a pair of McCarty humbuckers and PRS Stoptail bridge.  Features McCarty switching with a 3-way and push/pull tone pot for 6 great tones.  Neck is the wide-fat neck carve, which adds to its vintage appeal.  This model was discontinued in 2006 so I'm guessing it wasn't a hot seller, which might explain why I never get them in.  All I know is, like the whole McCarty line, it's one of the best PRS's made in my opinion and if you're not into the 5-way rotary, this 3-way with push/pull is much easier to get around on.  It's somewhat of an anomaly with absolutely no buckle scratches or scratches on the top, but there are finish rubs around the edge and a touch-up to the tip of the headstock (as shown here), plus tarnished hardware.  Overall very presentable but because of these flaws on the edges, not recommended for the anal-retentive sort.  It plays wonderfully and Martin commented on it's excellent airy acoustic tone and remarkable sustain.  For a player, this is a nice deal for $1299.  Includes case in fair shape with all latches in good shape but a replaced handle.   
  8. 2004 PRS SE Soapbar Single-Cut, Serial 00851, transparent red, one of “lawsuit” single-cuts, no longer available, and the shortest run of any PRS from my recollection.  As I’ve mentioned before, PRS imports are the highest quality Korean’s I’ve seen and I’ve yet to come across any that were not top quality instruments.  This feather-weight Single Cut Soapbar features all-mahogany construction, body and neck, and a great sounding pair of Duncan designed P90 pickups.  Fans of chunky necks will appreciate the substantial feel of this baby.  Wraparound tailpiece is beautifully simple, intonates well, and is the best setup I’ve seen for hand muting the strings.  3-way switch is hum canceling in the middle position and you get a quality tone with either—or both—pickups.   PRS has been given the go-ahead to start building single cut guitars again but this one was a pre-injunction model for what that's worth and offered in perfect condition for $575.  Includes very heavy PRS gigbag - or with a quality non-PRS bag at $549. 
  9. 2008 PRS SE Singlecut, (front/back), (headstock), (gigbag). As I've mentioned before, PRS and perhaps Brian Moore, make the best quality Korean imports on the market in my opinion. Fit and finish are impeccable, with excellent pickups and electronics, and good quality hardware. Most of all, I'm impressed with the fact that they have great necks that set up as well or better than most USA models. The "new" Singlecut SE, re-released after the foolishness with Gibson was settled, is a perfect example. This guitar blows me away in terms of looks, tone, and feel. It's a joy to play with low action, super easy and smooth bends, and quality tone with excellent sustain and 3 distinct tones on the pickup selector. With a lot of guitars, most LP's come to mind, I never use the middle position as it seems to lack character. Not the case with the Singlecut SE; it sounds great. The Singlecut SE features a perfectly bookmatched and heavily flamed maple veneer over a maple cap and a mahogany back. This classic blend produces gives the warmth and resonance with excellent bottom end - with plenty of high end snap. It also features a wonderfully simple compensated wraparound stop tailpiece with large studs that is intonated well and does a great job of transferring the energy from strings to body. The PRS-designed humbuckers sound excellent and touches like the moon fretboard inlays, headstock shape, and natural maple top binding make this look like it's USA brother but at around 1/4 the cost. Sells new at the super stores for $665 but this one is barely touched, 9.9 condition, and a fantastic value at $475(SOLD-George D 2/15). Includes a super quality PRS gigbag, unsigned warranty, and sealed accessory bag.  Note:  I've seen some of these with tops that weren't nearly as consistent.  This is definitely one of the nice ones. 

PRS NECK CARVE (width at nut, depth at nut)

PRS Radius: 10” on all guitars and basses except 11 1/2” on the Santana II and Custom 22/12