A bit lost with specs on my new guitar.

DarkskyZ

DarkskyZ

Forever noodling but loving it.
Joined
Aug 10, 2020
Messages
119
Location
France
Hi all,

This is my first post here as I am a first time PRS owner. I read the rules and searched a lot without finding what I am looking for so I figured I would just ask. I hope it's OK ?

I was looking for a semi hollow guitar (335 or such) when I stumbled upon the Special 22 hollow body and fell in love with it. So I ended up buying what appears to have been the last one available at Andertons, no 10 top but to me it's better this way, you know, colors and tastes...

I just love it and I am now considering selling a few guitars that were my gotos like my Larrivées RS-4 and RS-2. This SSH is such a joy and it does exactly what I am into. Perfect fit.

I do have questions though, I can't seem to wrap my head around the MODCAT as this model is far too recent for the data I managed to find anywhere.

Here is my MODCAT : SQM2FNHFI63_UZU4/KY/N

The questions I have :
  • what kind of finish does my guitar have ?
  • any way to get exact wood species used ?
  • what kind of frets are they ?
  • what is the black nut made of ?
  • what are factory setup specs ? Relief, action, pickups heights and such. I had Anderton's set it up with my usual D'Addario 10s so I just wonder what it was before that.
Any clue on any of these I would really enjoy getting. That is my nerd side I guess but I bet I am not alone :)

For good measure, here it what it looks like :
O5MF8ctl.jpg



Also, I am French so please bare with my miserable English. Thx again
 
Thank you to both of you.

Does PRS actually gives this kind of infos to users ?
 
I have one, as well. It's going to be Maple top, mahogany back, unless it was a Wood Library model, then woods could vary as they are spec'd by the dealer. The frets are PRS proprietary. They're hard, that's for sure. As for the black nut, it is some type of super secret formula. Jokingly on the forum, we call the material Unobtanium. Great nut, that's for sure.

Set up specs can be found here.

https://www.prsguitars.com/support/setup
 
It also would have PRS Signature 10s on it. They are made by D'Addario, but may not be the same as what D'Addario packages.
 
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Reactions: jfb
bodia said:
I have one, as well. It's going to be Maple top, mahogany back, unless it was a Wood Library model, then woods could vary as they are spec'd by the dealer. The frets are PRS proprietary. They're hard, that's for sure. As for the black nut, it is some type of super secret formula. Jokingly on the forum, we call the material Unobtanium. Great nut, that's for sure.

Set up specs can be found here.

https://www.prsguitars.com/support/setup
Click to expand...

This setup info was hidden in. plain sight for me thank you !
I agree with the woods, this is a "plain Jane" core model. The nut is just a bit too narrow I have to say, even my Fenders and Gibsons have better flushed nuts on the sides and that is not a compliment but hey...
 
So I sent en email to PRS. We'll see.

Thanks to all of you who chimed in and helped
 
OK so PRS CS got back to me really quick (quicker than it the time it took me to post this here actually) and I got my answers :

Acrylic Urethane finish finish => I don't know if this is the finish or the wood that smells so good but damn :cool:
Maple top, mahogany body and neck, Indian rosewood fretboard (not really more specific that what I already knew on these)
Standard PRS fret wire. I guess I have to do my own research on this.

I also asked if PRS actually does non plastic tipped trem arms and the answer is... no. :confused:

I gave up and installed Schaller strap locks like on pretty much all my guitars but I have to admit the PRS strap buttons looks way better when no strap is on. They really say "PRS" in a way. Oh well, better play on the safe side with this.

And I do really really love that guitar, honeymoon is not over for sure but so many sounds I love from one guitar and so easy to play. Quite a revelation and my other guitars are sure frightened about their future now !
 
DarkskyZ said:
OK so PRS CS got back to me really quick (quicker than it the time it took me to post this here actually) and I got my answers :

Acrylic Urethane finish finish => I don't know if this is the finish or the wood that smells so good but damn :cool:
Maple top, mahogany body and neck, Indian rosewood fretboard (not really more specific that what I already knew on these)
Standard PRS fret wire. I guess I have to do my own research on this.

I also asked if PRS actually does non plastic tipped trem arms and the answer is... no. :confused:

I gave up and installed Schaller strap locks like on pretty much all my guitars but I have to admit the PRS strap buttons looks way better when no strap is on. They really say "PRS" in a way. Oh well, better play on the safe side with this.

And I do really really love that guitar, honeymoon is not over for sure but so many sounds I love from one guitar and so easy to play. Quite a revelation and my other guitars are sure frightened about their future now !
Click to expand...

A regular version and standard specs for a Special Semi-hollow made before the '2020' specs - otherwise it would have the Nitro CAB finish that all Core models have now.

PRS Fret wire is the 'hardest' nickel-silver Fret wire alloy and 'standard' across all Core guitars too. Personally, I also like the Strap Buttons too - slightly larger than standard and I feel are secure - but I do understand that it can be a bit more of a pain to put on and/or remove straps. As for the trem arm, I am sure you could find a replacement without a plastic tip if that really matters - just maybe not from PRS themselves.

I certainly love mine - a regular version with 'standard' specs for a pre-2020 version.

BPJsCNH.jpg


Welcome to the Special Semi-Hollow owners club - Hope she brings you a lot of pleasure...
 
DarkskyZ said:
Hi all,

This is my first post here as I am a first time PRS owner. I read the rules and searched a lot without finding what I am looking for so I figured I would just ask. I hope it's OK ?

I was looking for a semi hollow guitar (335 or such) when I stumbled upon the Special 22 hollow body and fell in love with it. So I ended up buying what appears to have been the last one available at Andertons, no 10 top but to me it's better this way, you know, colors and tastes...

I just love it and I am now considering selling a few guitars that were my gotos like my Larrivées RS-4 and RS-2. This SSH is such a joy and it does exactly what I am into. Perfect fit.

I do have questions though, I can't seem to wrap my head around the MODCAT as this model is far too recent for the data I managed to find anywhere.

Here is my MODCAT : SQM2FNHFI63_UZU4/KY/N

The questions I have :
  • what kind of finish does my guitar have ?
  • any way to get exact wood species used ?
  • what kind of frets are they ?
  • what is the black nut made of ?
  • what are factory setup specs ? Relief, action, pickups heights and such. I had Anderton's set it up with my usual D'Addario 10s so I just wonder what it was before that.
Any clue on any of these I would really enjoy getting. That is my nerd side I guess but I bet I am not alone :)

For good measure, here it what it looks like :
O5MF8ctl.jpg



Also, I am French so please bare with my miserable English. Thx again
Click to expand...

I just dropped by to say that I think your English is perfect. My French, on the other hand, is atrocious.

Unfortunately I don’t have the answers for your other questions. If it were me, just to be 100% certain, I’d send an email to PRS customer service.
 
jfb said:
I remember that site!

I know rugerpc was hosting it or made it, or both.

Do we need a new version with updates? I will gladly make it happen.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I think so. Someone, in another thread, I think, mentioned another Modcat site. I had never heard of it, and can’t remember what it was.
 
As @bodia says the nut is a secret formula, made of a proprietary material. There is certainly a metallic content, I know because I bought two and when they arrived they made a clinking sound, almost musical!

I believe there is a graphite content in there too, to help with lubrication, to prevent the strings from sticking in the nut slots.

I’m useless as far as all your other information is concerned. Sorry!

Congratulations, you have a very beautiful instrument that will keep you tonally satisfied!

Warning. It’s difficult to only own one PRS. Especially if you hang around here tor too long.
 
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