Finally joining the Santana club!

[guitar_man_man_man]

So I’ve been hemming and hawing the past few days over a deeply discounted ($1899) 2002 Santana III 10 top in classic Santana Yellow, but figured I’d just take the plunge today since it’s coming from GC and there’s no real risk if things don’t work out. The description says it comes in a gig bag and has “LOTS OF FADING” which I take to mean clouding of the finish since I haven’t heard much about yellow PRS finishes fading. I don’t see any clouding on the top in the pictures, but not sure I’d be bothered too much by clouding anyway, gives it a little more of a worn look. The pickup covers and bridge appear to have zero tarnishing from the pics, so I suspect it has been well taken care of. It will allegedly be here tomorrow, so all will be revealed soon!

I think all the Santana love from Sergio, Bodia, Alnus, SinSir, etc. plus the great price pushed me over the edge - we’ll see if I end up sharing those sentiments! I’ve been wanting to try a 24.5 scale guitar again since offloading my 594 in favor of an HBII, and I definitely prefer the extra space of 24 frets when it comes to lead work, so there’s a decent chance it’ll all work out.

 

[Moondog Wily]

That is one raw rock machine right there! I love the simple look of it!! Hope you get along with it as others do, I have yet to try one ;~((

 

[veinbuster]

You chose wisely.
Nice top and in the real Santana colour.

 

[Aahzz]

Sweet!!

 

[DISTORT6]

HNSD!
Congrats.

 

[Greywolf]

Welcome to the Chosen !

 

[gush]

Congratulations!!@ the enabling around here is top notch......er....I mean.......just awful.....

 

[Simon Says]

HNGD

 

[SinSir]

Congrats! Santanas rock! There sure is alot of shine in those pics.. I'm m with you probably clouding. You'll know soon enough. If you call the store, GC will look it over. I've even had them send me more pics.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Bangin’!

 

[guitar_man_man_man]

Congrats! Santanas rock! There sure is alot of shine in those pics.. I'm m with you probably clouding. You'll know soon enough. If you call the store, GC will look it over. I've even had them send me more pics.

Thanks! Yeah, the headstock definitely has some clouding and I just noticed it’s actually an “aul Reed Smith” guitar for that extra uniqueness . A little clouding on the back too maybe at the heel?

I honestly don’t mind a little cosmetic wear and tear if the guitar plays, feels, and sounds right - I’ll hopefully be able to determine that tomorrow

 

[dmatthews]

Killer classic colour, congrats!

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Aside from the controls, some purfling, and a few minor details.. My old III was every bit as nice as any of the I&II’s I’ve played.

 

[guitar_man_man_man]

Aside from the controls, some purfling, and a few minor details.. My old III was every bit as nice as any of the I&II’s I’ve played.

The retros and older models are very pretty and I was definitely tempted by more than one of them, but unfortunately just not many out there at the moment around or under 3k in a color I liked. And none under 2k for sure. Something about the Santana model having a little more of a gnarly Les Paul-type vibe to it makes me want it to be a little less refined and worn-looking

 

[bodia]

Hell yeah! Welcome to Club Santana!

 

[Frank McNerney]

Someone (I forget who) once said; regarding Santana's "All other guitars are trash"

That's not trash - well done

 

[aamefford]

NICE! Welcome. I like the III's. Less pretty, more "work-like." OK, maybe it's just because I can afford one.... Love mine.

 

[Prina]

Congrats on a great guitar!

Some good values can come from GC, I bought 4 SEs (returned one) and a Core from them and as you said the downside is almost none.

 

[theDeepender]

So I’ve been hemming and hawing the past few days over a deeply discounted ($1899) 2002 Santana III 10 top in classic Santana Yellow, but figured I’d just take the plunge today since it’s coming from GC and there’s no real risk if things don’t work out. The description says it comes in a gig bag and has “LOTS OF FADING” which I take to mean clouding of the finish since I haven’t heard much about yellow PRS finishes fading. I don’t see any clouding on the top in the pictures, but not sure I’d be bothered too much by clouding anyway, gives it a little more of a worn look. The pickup covers and bridge appear to have zero tarnishing from the pics, so I suspect it has been well taken care of. It will allegedly be here tomorrow, so all will be revealed soon!

I think all the Santana love from Sergio, Bodia, Alnus, SinSir, etc. plus the great price pushed me over the edge - we’ll see if I end up sharing those sentiments! I’ve been wanting to try a 24.5 scale guitar again since offloading my 594 in favor of an HBII, and I definitely prefer the extra space of 24 frets when it comes to lead work, so there’s a decent chance it’ll all work out.

Nice

 

[László]

I like the vibe of that one. Congrats!