22 Fret, Missing the owl - Solution!

[meidinad]

Hey all,

I can't help but wish and wish that my Special Semi Hollow had an owl. Although it's everything I want in a guitar I feel like something's missing.

I think I came up with a solution and I wish wish wish PRS would do this.

Observation: All bird inlays are flying except the owl. I always thought it would look great if, on 22 fret guitars, the owl was "perched" above the heel of the neck.

Attached is a picture of my solution. A small extension of the neck pickup ring (could be adapted to any of the PRS pickups) with the owl on it. It could be color matched or inlay matched to the other birds on the neck or it could just be a solid color.

If I had this pickup ring with the owl on my Special I'd be so satisfied. Could be an upgrade option instead of standard. If it makes PRS a little extra money, that's great.

I know, kinda weird but I feel PRS does have some aesthetic thing that matters to PRS players and this is the one thing that stood out to me.

Anyway, what do y'all think of the idea?!? @prsguitars , Could this be a thing?!?!

Owl Pickup Ring

 

[DarkskyZ]

Well, to each his own and cool idea if this is what you like..
To me and probably many others though, Owl is to be present on 24 frets models only.
I doubt PRSi will move your way on this.

 

[tedtan]

If I needed an owl inlay on a 22 fret guitar, I’d probably go for a custom truss rod cover rather than this. But more power to you if it works for you.

 

[meidinad]

Well, to each his own and cool idea if this is what you like..
To me and probably many others though, Owl is to be present on 24 frets models only.
I doubt PRSi will move your way on this.

My question though is, why? Why only on 24 fret models? "Status?"

 

[meidinad]

If I needed an owl inlay on a 22 fret guitar, I’d probably go for a custom truss rod cover rather than this. But more power to you if it works for you.

I thought of that but I actually like the standard truss rod covers.
I like this because it brings the owl close to where it is on the 24 fret models but makes it different in its own way.

Just thought it was something fun. I still believe incorporating one on to 22 fret models would be a fun change for PRS.

 

[tedtan]

My question though is, why? Why only on 24 fret models? "Status?"

Because on 24 fret guitars, the 24th fret traditionally has an inlay, though some manufacturers, like Jackson, leave it without an inlay. It’s not about status, there’s just no 24th fret to inlay on a 22 fretter.

 

[aamefford]

I like dots and moons. My Santana does have an owl though. Still, moons are my favorite.

 

[Tony M.]

Truss Rod Covers - PRS - WEC Inlay

 

[meidinad]

Because on 24 fret guitars, the 24th fret traditionally has an inlay, though some manufacturers, like Jackson, leave it without an inlay. It’s not about status, there’s just no 24th fret to inlay on a 22 fretter.

Got it. Totally understand that. I've heard some kinda "boast" about "having the owl" basically saying they're "cooler" because they play a 24 fret. And while, maybe!!! I think PRS is/ needs to continue to recognize they aren't just metal/ rock guitars for shredders and that they're amazing blues and country guitars as well. The DGT was a huge step in this direction.

I think my Special Semi Hollow is the best blues rock guitar I've ever played (came from playing strats). And would love if the 22 fritter players "got an owl!" ha

 

[meidinad]

I like dots and moons. My Santana does have an owl though. Still, moons are my favorite.

Actually, I concur. If I could change ANYTHING about my Special Semi Hollow... I wish it had moons...

 

[rwandering]

I do really like the owl, but don't have a 24. I don't think putting it on a 22 would do it for me.

 

[Elias Prieels]

I think there is only one option: getting a CU24!

 

[tedtan]

Got it. Totally understand that. I've heard some kinda "boast" about "having the owl" basically saying they're "cooler" because they play a 24 fret. And while, maybe!!! I think PRS is/ needs to continue to recognize they aren't just metal/ rock guitars for shredders and that they're amazing blues and country guitars as well. The DGT was a huge step in this direction.

I think my Special Semi Hollow is the best blues rock guitar I've ever played (came from playing strats). And would love if the 22 fritter players "got an owl!" ha

I’ve never heard that, but I wouldn’t worry about it if I did. 22 (more traditional) vs 24 (more modern) frets is more about the neck pickup tone than anything else, though a 24 fret guitar does make accessing the 20th through 22nd frets easier due to the cutaways and/or neck placement.

I think there is only one option: getting a CU24!

Also, this!

You always need another guitar!

 

[meidinad]

I’ve never heard that, but I wouldn’t worry about it if I did. 22 (more traditional) vs 24 (more modern) frets is more about the neck pickup tone than anything else, though a 24 fret guitar does make accessing the 20th through 22nd frets easier due to the cutaways and/or neck placement.



Also, this!

You always need another guitar!

Yes, I actually have a Custom 24-08! It's a 2024 and I wired the switches to 2025 spec. But it might go up for sale just due to some family financials.

The Special Semi Hollow actually has the neck pickup flipped (from factory) bringing it closer to 24 fret neck tones. I love that they did this.

And yes, the access up in to the 20th fret is nice. It's a big difference but for me it only marginally changes my playing.

 

[Glide-bpm]

You always need another guitar!

That's NOT what she said....

 

[aphantomvaper]

Just bend it...

 

[RobRiggs]

Just bend it...

But the kid with all the tattoos said bends are for boomers