Does this look like a legit 2003 Custom 22 Brazilian?

[bechiverri]

Hi! This is my first time posting, so I apologize for skipping a customary introduction, but I need some expert opinions on a guitar that I am prepared to purchase tonight. It is listed as a 2003 Custom 22 Brazilian, with McCarty "wiring"-- not sure what that means. From the pics, it looks great, but I know there are a lot of convincing fakes out there now. I'm a little concerned b/c the tuners are not what I'm used to seeing on PRS, and also the fretboard doesn't look like other pics I've seen when doing Google searches for Brazilian rosewood. I'm very appreciative of anyone's insight on this guitar, and if it is worth that asking price.

Here is the link the Craigslist ad:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/msg/4881752831.html

Thanks!
B.

 

[Shauncho]

I think the only thing really in question here is whether it's actually Brazilian Rosewood or not. Otherwise everything else definitely looks like a genuine PRS. Headstock shape is right, tuning pegs and their placement on the headstock are right(PRS does offer a vintage tuner option; whether or not those are the actual PRS tuners as opposed to some other brand would be better answered by someone with more experience with them). Fretboard and bird inlays look legit. McCarty wiring just means it was wired similarly to the way a McCarty is as far as pickups and switch selections. I think you're good to go once one of the other guys here can help you to confirm that it is in fact Brazillian Rosewood.

 

[garrettb]

It's not a Custom 22 Brazilian, but a McCarty Brazilian. The McCarty model had the keystone tuners, thicker body, and the McCarty switching--which is a three-way toggle with coil split vs. the five way rotary. The eagle truss rod cover is aftermarket.

https://www.prsguitars.com/csc/models.html

BRAZILIAN SERIES McCARTY: 2003. McCarty, Brazilian fretboard and headstock overlay, pink heart abalone birds and signature, the word “Brazilian” is inlayed on the face of the headstock in green abalone ripple, gold/nickel hybrid hardware configuration, 10 top only. Limited run of 500 guitars all signed and numbered.

The back of headstock photo link is broken. Fix that link if you can so we can double check it. Serial number should start with 3 and then have a number in the 70k to early 80k range: https://www.prsguitars.com/csc/year.html

 

[shinksma]

Honestly, I don't think anyone can really tell the difference in Brazzy wood vs other rosewood from just some pictures. From what I gather, it is a feel/sound thing that helps identify it, and even then I'm sure some non-brazzy rosewood looks pretty well the same as some brazzy rosewood. I assume all PRS guitars with that "Brazilian" on the headstock indeed have Brazzy boards, so really the only question is whether it is a fake - if real, it would have a Brazzy board.

But as Shauncho said, everything about the guitar looks legitimate. Maybe you can get look at the photo of the back of the headstock (broken link for me), for serial number, and call PRS customer support? A fake probably wouldn't get the SN range correct.

EDIT: And I see that garrett already suggested the proper SN range.

EDIT2: the photo of the back of the headstock doesn't work because you provided a link to your Gmail - oddly enough, we're not logged in as you...

 

[garrettb]

Oh yeah, also check the hang tag (looks like it's there in the bag of case candy. It should say Brazilian on it.

And honestly, I've yet to see a fake come even remotely close to accurate.

 

[bechiverri]

Thanks for the quick response guys! I'm not sure why the back of headstock photo isn't displaying-- I can see it on my browser though. The serial # is 3 81481, and there is a 10 in the top right corner, I suppose to indicate it is a 10-top? The truss rod cover also bothered me a little, since it looked a little bit askew, which I doubted PRS would have made that mistake.

We're meeting at Guitar Center tonight so that I can try it out through a couple of amps, and will also have the tech take a look at it. I'll let you guys know how it comes out.

Thanks!

 

[shinksma]

Thanks for the quick response guys! I'm not sure why the back of headstock photo isn't displaying-- I can see it on my browser though.

As I said, it should work for you - you are logged into your computer and your GMail account as you. But we aren't...

The serial # is 3 81481, and there is a 10 in the top right corner, I suppose to indicate it is a 10-top? The truss rod cover also bothered me a little, since it looked a little bit askew, which I doubted PRS would have made that mistake.

We're meeting at Guitar Center tonight so that I can try it out through a couple of amps, and will also have the tech take a look at it. I'll let you guys know how it comes out.

Thanks!

Yes, 10 means 10-top, which they all were. The SN is in the right range. I need some of those aftermarket eagle TRCs...

 

[garrettb]

Yep, it all looks right. Now you can go to the meet and talk like an expert.

And then of course come back and post your New Guitar Day celebration when the deal is done! :beer:

 

[DHW]

davesguitar.com has a ton of brazzy guitars under the new prs/2007 Brazilian heading on their page. That would give you some fair comparisons. Most of them are artist package so the top will be 1 step up from the 10 top.

 

[Jock68]

Had one of these a few years back, looks like the real thing.

 

[markie]

It's real IMHO

 

[Ovibos]

Just stumbled on this one on eBay, which does seem to be a Custom 22, according to the hang tag.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=121588275192
Looks pretty sweet.

 

[HANGAR18]

It's real. Nickname McBLE. That one has a Braz fretboard with a mMahogany neck. I've got one like that too

.

 

[garrettb]

Just stumbled on this one on eBay, which does seem to be a Custom 22, according to the hang tag.
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=121588275192
Looks pretty sweet.

That one is a Custom, but the one in the OP is a McCarty. The tuners give it away.

 

[Brad737]

2L...2L2Q.

 

[garrettb]

2L...2L2Q.

Is it bad that I not only got that, but then did the hand motion as well?

 

[HANGAR18]

I should add to my earlier post that it is a McCarty and not a Custom 22. The main difference between the two would be the bridge. A Custom 22 would have a tremolo bridge and not a fixed, top wrap bridge. The ad was written weird.

 

[garrettb]

Were all the Brazilian CU22s trem guitars? Generally, at the time the CU22 could have either bridge. They could also have rotary or McCarty switching. Therefore, a stoptail CU22 with the three way could easily get confused for a McCarty at first glance. Tuners is the easiest giveaway, then the body thickness. Also, McCarty headstock is thinner with a steeper angle.

 

[HANGAR18]

Looks like there were different but similar series'. I think the OP photo is a McCarty.
Ref: http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/models.html
BRAZILIAN SERIES CUSTOM 22: 2003. Custom 22, Brazilian fretboard and headstock overlay, pink heart abalone birds and signature, the word “Brazilian” is inlayed on the face of the headstock in green abalone ripple, gold/nickel hybrid hardware configuration, 10 top only. Limited run of 500 guitars all signed and numbered.
BRAZILIAN SERIES CUSTOM 24: 2003. Custom 24, Brazilian fretboard and headstock overlay, pink heart abalone birds and signature, the word “Brazilian” is inlayed on the face of the headstock in green abalone ripple, gold/nickel hybrid hardware configuration, 10 top only. Limited run of 500 guitars all signed and numbered.
BRAZILIAN SERIES McCARTY: 2003. McCarty, Brazilian fretboard and headstock overlay, pink heart abalone birds and signature, the word “Brazilian” is inlayed on the face of the headstock in green abalone ripple, gold/nickel hybrid hardware configuration, 10 top only. Limited run of 500 guitars all signed and numbered.

 

[Joern Venaas]

This is 100% legit. I own 3 BLE guitars. One, just like the one on top, a McCarty in natural. The tuners here are McCartys. The other two I have are Custom 22s with stoptails looking much like this one (only in black cherry and blue matteo), but comes with different tuners.