TFC
That guitar really tied the room together
I had been looking for a good deal on a used SC58 or SC245 for quite a while. I came really close to buying a couple, but when I found one I wanted I just couldn't get it for a price I was comfortable with. I was also looking at less expensive shorter scale LP-type guitars, but nothing jumped out at me. At some point, the PRS Akesson model appeared on my radar and I really liked the specs: thick body and neck, ebony fret board and large frets.
I managed to find a nice one relatively quickly and despite its shortcomings, it has exceeded my expectations. I had to update the nut to a USA PRS nut to stabilize the tuning, and I replaced the 245 pickups (which were OK) with a set of Duncan JB/Jazz humbuckers. It's no Core model, but it's better than any SE model I've played. I love the fat neck and body.
The top is subtle, and very nice. It looks better in person. I like the bridge, despite the slight hassle when changing strings, which isn't bad once you get the hang of it. I'm sure it contributes to the excellent sustain and resonance of the guitar.
Even the birds are cool. Better than the normal SE birds and the birds on the new CE24 (I had to get that dig in here
)
It scratches that LP itch pretty good. Who needs a Core model, right?
Well, need has nothing to do with anything. Having this guitar didn't prevent me from continuing to browse Craigs List. And we all know what happens when you keep looking at guitars for sale. A couple weeks later I saw a smoking deal on an SC245 and snagged it that same day.
This is a 2009 SC245 Sunburst with "Paul's Finish". It's a thin satin/nitro finish on the body and neck. It seems about 80 guitars with this finish were built for the 2009 PRS Experience. (If anyone has more info on this model I'd be interested to learn about it.) And it's got the 57/08s. I can see why people rave about them, though I still need to "figure out" the bridge pickup, as it's not as hot as what I'm used to playing.
I love this top.
And here's the current family shot. These cover a lot of ground: 24.5", 25" and 25.25" scales; wide/thin, pattern regular, smallish wide/fat (SC245) and fat wide/fat (Akesson); NF3, 59/09, 57/08, and Duncan pickups; Strat, PRS and LP shapes.
I managed to find a nice one relatively quickly and despite its shortcomings, it has exceeded my expectations. I had to update the nut to a USA PRS nut to stabilize the tuning, and I replaced the 245 pickups (which were OK) with a set of Duncan JB/Jazz humbuckers. It's no Core model, but it's better than any SE model I've played. I love the fat neck and body.
The top is subtle, and very nice. It looks better in person. I like the bridge, despite the slight hassle when changing strings, which isn't bad once you get the hang of it. I'm sure it contributes to the excellent sustain and resonance of the guitar.
Even the birds are cool. Better than the normal SE birds and the birds on the new CE24 (I had to get that dig in here
)
It scratches that LP itch pretty good. Who needs a Core model, right?
Well, need has nothing to do with anything. Having this guitar didn't prevent me from continuing to browse Craigs List. And we all know what happens when you keep looking at guitars for sale. A couple weeks later I saw a smoking deal on an SC245 and snagged it that same day.
This is a 2009 SC245 Sunburst with "Paul's Finish". It's a thin satin/nitro finish on the body and neck. It seems about 80 guitars with this finish were built for the 2009 PRS Experience. (If anyone has more info on this model I'd be interested to learn about it.) And it's got the 57/08s. I can see why people rave about them, though I still need to "figure out" the bridge pickup, as it's not as hot as what I'm used to playing.
I love this top.
And here's the current family shot. These cover a lot of ground: 24.5", 25" and 25.25" scales; wide/thin, pattern regular, smallish wide/fat (SC245) and fat wide/fat (Akesson); NF3, 59/09, 57/08, and Duncan pickups; Strat, PRS and LP shapes.
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), not to mention afford. The Akesson was sort of a placeholder until I found what I really wanted, which was the SC245. I had planned on selling the Akesson once I got a 24.5" core guitar to help offset the cost, but the SE has grown on me. I may end up keeping it around for a while.
