New member here; I've been on other gear forums years ago and am returning to playing after a ten year hiatus. Started playing in the late 80s, and had several pre-95 CEs (and an EG) many years ago. I like the pre-90 guitars as they show the company still defining the aspects of the core instruments, and the 1988 and 1989 CEs I used to own really ripped. Sounded, played and looked fantastic.
I live about 100 miles north of the factory. Me and a buddy (who has owned my old 89 CE for 20 years) toured the factory in 97. Really great experience. I remember in the early 90s, all kinds of interesting early PRS models were in the local shops. All were out of my budget then except for the CEs. I owned a red metallic 91, a transparent blue 94, pearl white 88, tobacco burst 89, and a brown burst 93 EG1.
About a dozen years ago, I sold off my last PRS (pearl white all original 1988 CE) and focused collecting other brands (mostly 1940s/50s Fender). In 2009 I found a 1995 CE on Ebay, player's condition (wear, factory pickups replaced by Ice Buckers, rotary replaced with 3 way toggle) but included ohsc and original pickups and rotary for a good price. That was the last guitar I bought for six years.
A week ago I decided to start looking for an affordable 88 or 89 CE. Found a white pearl 88 CE yesterday at a Guitar Center. Paint chips, pickups replaced by SD P Rails, strap buttons missing, but a hardshell case is included, and the trem bar was there also. Found a pair of NOS 1988 unmarked pickups - what might be Vintage Treble, and Single Coil Bass. I also have a spare Dragon 1 bridge, and the HFS/VB pair from from my 95 CE to test.
So - with some luck - next weekend, a first year CE will be returned to something close to stock. I'll post pics once the guit arrives.
I live about 100 miles north of the factory. Me and a buddy (who has owned my old 89 CE for 20 years) toured the factory in 97. Really great experience. I remember in the early 90s, all kinds of interesting early PRS models were in the local shops. All were out of my budget then except for the CEs. I owned a red metallic 91, a transparent blue 94, pearl white 88, tobacco burst 89, and a brown burst 93 EG1.
About a dozen years ago, I sold off my last PRS (pearl white all original 1988 CE) and focused collecting other brands (mostly 1940s/50s Fender). In 2009 I found a 1995 CE on Ebay, player's condition (wear, factory pickups replaced by Ice Buckers, rotary replaced with 3 way toggle) but included ohsc and original pickups and rotary for a good price. That was the last guitar I bought for six years.
A week ago I decided to start looking for an affordable 88 or 89 CE. Found a white pearl 88 CE yesterday at a Guitar Center. Paint chips, pickups replaced by SD P Rails, strap buttons missing, but a hardshell case is included, and the trem bar was there also. Found a pair of NOS 1988 unmarked pickups - what might be Vintage Treble, and Single Coil Bass. I also have a spare Dragon 1 bridge, and the HFS/VB pair from from my 95 CE to test.
So - with some luck - next weekend, a first year CE will be returned to something close to stock. I'll post pics once the guit arrives.
