Colour of usa serial number

[evan47]

I am looking at a 2004 McCarty soap bar gold top advertised locally to me for a reasonable price and have noticed from the pics posted that its serial number seems to be written black rather than the gold on my 2007 custom 22.
Is this normal?
The guitar is said to be in near mint condition and I am thinking of putting in an offer.
The seller seems genuine and has a small number of PRS items for sale.
Also, it does not mention if tags and 2case candy" is included. Will this affect its value by much, if anything?

 

[Black Plaid]

I've seen serial numbers in white/gold/stamped in various thicknesses. I think it's black on maple necks.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Don't buy it for resale, buy it for life!

 

[RickP]

I’ve seen them in black on finished wood necks. Don’t take this as gospel, but it think they use whichever color they think shows up best, and I do know they don’t write them at all on rosewood... they’re stamped! Other things are better identifiers. A photo or link would help the experts here (which I’m not!).

Tags and candy are good to have, and it’s another incentive when a guitar has all of that, especially if it’s a special edition. For me, condition is king, and I’ll do without the candy for a better maintained guitar. Nothing makes me shake my head more than looking at a guitar because it had a decent used price only to find it’s an overpriced beater.

 

[bodia]

It’s good. Serial color varies. I have black and gold on the same finish neck colors on two separate guitars.