First post: NGD

[mjreardon]

Hello guys and gals. Due to a recent anniversary gift, I am able to participate in this forum. This is not my first PRS, but it's been a while. Bought my first Custom 22 (whale blue) back in 98. However, I primarily played bass and it seemed like a waste having such a nice guitar and never playing it. So I sold it to a friend who quickly moved it to number 1 in his stable. Then, back in 2011, I bought a used 2006 CE22 in antique gold that I just never got along with. I didn't own it for very long, nice guitar but not for me.

My wife had resolved, back when I sold my Custom 22, that if she could ever get me a guitar, it would be a PRS. I had always remained aware of what was going on with the brand and she paid attention when I would talk about guitars or go to a store. She was able to find a NOS 2012 P22 in McCarty Sunburst. It has quickly become not only my favorite PRS, but my favorite guitar that I've ever owned. I am really enjoying the tones of the 53/10 pickups much more than the Dragon IIs on my previous PRSi. The acoustic tone is gorgeous. I am still experimenting with all the different tones that are available. It is also prettier than my previously owned PRSi.

I thought I wanted a LP but I'm now glad that my wife made the decision to get me this one. She really outdid herself and I will have to bust my butt trying to pay her back.

Here she is:

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Beautiful! And those 53/10s aren't exactly the easiest thing to find these days. That's a great gift and a great woman there!

 

[Egads]

Welcome and congrats. Both the guitar and the wife are total keepers!

BTW, I have your guitar's twin! Love it.

 

[Tag]

Beautiful guitar, and it sounds like your wife is a beautiful person! Congrats!

 

[WEDGE]

Beautiful story! Keepers!

 

[JustRob]

Congrats on the guitar and the anniversary. Welcome to the forum!

 

[randy]

very nice guitar and one that is on my wish list too.

 

[veinbuster]

You don't need a PRS to hang out here.
But its nice that you have a winner.
Welcome.

 

[László]

Great guitar!

 

[tiboy]

Welcome. Congrats on the anniversary, great wife and new guitar. The P22 is one very sweet guitar. Enjoy!

 

[Sage]

Gorgeous. Nice subtle figure in the maple that doesn't distract from the contours of the carved top. I bet those 53/10s are killer, too. It's a real shame the wire used to wind them is so rare.

 

[GTinSpanishFort]

That's awesome. congrats.

 

[mjreardon]

Thanks for all the responses. I usually hang out on another guitar forum where some noses are turned up slightly to PRS. I never got what the issue was there so it's good to be among folks who appreciate what PRS is doing.

Anyways, I will play my first show out with it on Saturday and I'm looking forward to discovering some great tones there. Especially since I will be able to run the piezo through my LR Baggs DI to the PA. Should be a great time.

 

[Danerada]

Great guitar! Have a blast Saturday.

What amp(s) are you running through?

Oh and, a nice dinner or a nice pair of shoes are not going to pay her back...LOL

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Congrats on the guitar AND the wife!

 

[toothace]

Nice one!

 

[mjreardon]

What amp(s) are you running through?

I run through a simple Fender DRRI with pedals for my dirty tones. The pedal I use most is the Barber Direct Drive, which is a great amp-like distortion...turns my Fender into a Plexi (not really, but close enough for my needs). I also use a Wampler Pinnacle Deluxe for the more aggressive tones. I get a nice variety of tones which keep me from getting bored.

 

[Rider1260]

Congrats
Nice guitar !!!!
welcome to the forum

 

[mjreardon]

Update: Gig report and pickup questions

So the show went very well Saturday night, lots of admirers for the P22 in both looks and sound. Sounded very nice on clean stuff, but it really shined with a moderate amount of drive...just a great classic rock tone. The acoustic sound was wonderful as well, it didn't sound out of place paired up with our lead singer's Taylor acoustic. It covered all the bases I needed it to and has me questioning whether I even need other guitars. Of course, I'm not ready to sell off the arsenal just yet, but I am very pleased with it so far.

One issue I have to work out is that the neck pickup seems to dominate the guitar, it is noticeably louder than the bridge pickup. So, I have to get the pickups heights balanced out so that my output stays somewhat consistent. Speaking of pickups.....

Before the show, I changed the strings from the stock PRS 10s to DR Tite Fit 11s. While doing so, I took an opportunity to look "under the hood", something I had never done with my previous PRSi. Mostly, I wanted to verify exactly which pickups it is loaded with. Unfortunately, this seemed to create more questions than it answered as the pickups are stamped "P22 Bass" and "P22 Treble" with the codes "3610-N" & "3609-N", respectively. So I am still not sure whether this has 53/10s or 57/08s or something else entirely. Not that its a matter of life or death, I'm not planning to ever change the pickups out. I would just like to know what I have. It's a late 2012 build, could they have switched at some point in late '12? Maybe some of you experts could chime in and clear up my confusion.

Here are the pics of the backs of the pickups for reference: