Feedback please - Nik Huber 2 piece body?

[SonicBlue]

I've never been so conflicted about a guitar before. I have bought and loved many PRS's and thought I'd try a Nik Huber Orca 59. I absolutely love how it plays, sounds and looks. But...

After having a few other issues (1 pickup replaced at dealer, 1 bad tuner it still has, 1 ding/damaged spot on back of the neck of a guitar which I bought as new, mint condition), I took an extra close look to see if any other problems and was shocked to see this is a 2 piece body?

The Nik Huber site and the dealer I bought it from all indicated it was a solid one piece body. I even confirmed with the dealer it was solid before shipping because I needed to be sure it wasn't chambered. Everything I can see online says this model is a solid slab of either mahogany or spanish cedar.

The price point on these is in PRS Private Stock territory, and I've never seen a 2 piece back on a PRS core or especially not a private stock if the model was a LP style which mandates a mahogany slab.

What are your thoughts on this? I have 24 hours to decide whether to return it or not. They won't address the other issues mentioned and refuse any further discounts, it's either keep it or return it. Lame, but those are my only 2 options.

 

[WA Paul]

I sent you a private message as I own two Orca 59s.

 

[SonicBlue]

I'm not sure if this is giving me some peace of mind or a sign that Huber has started to cut corners but I found this listing on Reverb from Wilcutt and it appears to have a 2 piece body as well. It's most visible at the bottom.

 

[Boogie]

A two-piece body is cutting corners??!! In addition to being abundantly kind and honest, his talent - supplemented by PRSh - is at the top of the game. I’d be angling my anger at dishonest private sellers or dealers that mistakenly describe their products.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

This^^^.
I'd think much more about the other issues...bad PU, Tuner, etc...than the 2 pc body...most of my guitars are 2 piece bodies, and it's a non-issue. (For me, anyway.)

 

[Jkater]

This is a gorgeous guitar and the two pieces are perfectly bookmatched. Does this bother you on principles? But at the end of the day this is your hard earned money and you should do what makes you feel better. I'm guessing send it back. This will always bother you unless the guitar turns out to be fabulous.

 

[Tonart]

Honestly to my eyes, there doesn’t seam to be any seem..

 

[Alnus Rubra]

A one-piece back is primarily for aesthetics, I would argue that it makes very little difference tonally.

It’s the quality of the timber and the way in which it’s been prepared, prior to instrument construction that has a greater bearing.

Why else would PRS take so much care with timber drying and selection?

 

[toothace]

(sigh)

 

[Utkarsh]

My ME1 has a two piece body. Just saying

 

[11top]

Wouldn’t bother me in the least. I actually prefer the look, and think tone is unaffected. I still have 2 of Niks SCs; very nice product.

I also used to supply him figured redwood.

 

[garrettb]