I'm just here for the likes

[Black Plaid]

Seeing as there wasn't a proper PS Friday post, and ya'll seem like a splendid bunch, I thought I'd share my collection of joy and their stories.

As I am wont to be verbose, feel free to skip the exposition.

First off, my one and only for years and years. As I mentioned in my intro post, I ordered it from Chuck Levin's back in 1990, and while it wasn't quite what I thought it was going to be, it's never let me down.

I had seen the first generation foil finishes in the shop, but by the time I went back to order one, they were no longer there. I tried to describe the finish to the sales person, but they kinda just said, 'Oh, that's metal flake'

So I got this PRS Special, an all mahogany, HFS/Vintage, rosewood board, 24 fret, wide-thin neck, Trem up-route shred machine:

"Gold hardware", I thought, "that's a great idea!"

Why, Paul, why did you take so long to fix the tuner attachment problem? The D/G tuners never would fit to gather correctly. I've seen this on a LOT of these.

Hard to see, but it says "Bob" in there, who's Bob? I hope he's still there and sees this pic and know I think of him every time I change strings. Also, do they still write the SN in the trem area? My other trem PRS doesn't have this.

 

[Black Plaid]

My second one.

It took me 15 years to eventually be able to buy another. I had actually wanted one for a while, but didn't feel like I could justify spending that much money on a guitar.

I tried buying a much cheaper Ibanez instead, didn't work out, had to sell it and get this anyway.

This was my first Maple top one, got it at Gelb Music in Redwood City. I thought it was expensive at the time, but it seems cheap compared to what they go for now

It's an 06 Custom 22 with a "10" top, never really thought it was a 10, personally. Has a black painted back, which I'm not into these days. Actually probably my least favorite at the moment, but it gave me a special appreciation for 22 fret stop tailpiece models.

I made this copper backplate and put it on, thinking it would help with the noise .. it didn't really, but I left it on anyway.

I really like the non-outline birds they used to put on the instruments.

I really should have waited for better light.

 

[Black Plaid]

The Rosewood neck McCarty

My local guitar shop, River City Guitars, gets PRS in every so often. I picked this one up, like I do all of them, and the neck spoke to me. It told me things. I was unable to resist.

My first natural finish back! I love the look of the one piece mahogany. This one seems to have the burst on the back as well.

I'm actually not a fan of the color, at all. It's a beautiful piece of wood though. I've seriously considered getting it refinished. Don't hate me.

I'm kinda bummed that they are doing this plastic outline on the birds these days, kind feels like they are cheating out on the shell, but maybe that's just me, it's not actually shell any more, is it?

In every way though, this guitar is wonderful to play.

 

[jxe]

i like how you have a little problem with each one.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I believe the inlays are still shell. This was an upload by our own dear Shawn.

 

[Black Plaid]

This one isn't mine.

I'm, umm ... holding it for a friend.

This one came from Righteous Guitars, they had done a run of a couple of custom colors I am guessing. It's a CE 24.

I feel like perhaps they should have just stuck with moons instead of plastic birds for the CE line.

What even are these tuners?

 

[Black Plaid]

The #1

For obvious reasons, this is my go to.

My local pusher had this one in. They had it in the case behind the counter, literally waiting for me to walk in. Which I do every Saturday.

I fell in love.

It has this unbelievably smooth rosewood neck. Even the back of the guitar has a bit of figure. This is the only guitar I own that I have no complaints about.

I love this figure, it's not flame, it's not quilt, it's just a cool curl, I think it has tons of character. I thought I would only like stop bridges before I got this, but this sounds fantastic even acoustically. Better than my others. Maybe that's my eyes talking, but ... dang.

The inlays are white gold, and they are etched. Tried to take some detail photos of that. Not really succeeding.

Another attempt.

Thanks for joining me on the tour. Please ask if you have any questions, or let me know if there are any angles you think I should add for the photos!

 

[Black Plaid]

I believe the inlays are still shell. This was an upload by our own dear Shawn.

This is what made me think it's not shell. I don't think oysters come that large.

 

[ScottR]

WOAH! That's quite a bevy of beauties you have there...kudos!

 

[donbroco84]

Omg....too much Guitar Porn ! Great Guitars, especially the Private Stock!

 

[Black Plaid]

PS: @sergiodeblanc - Sorry about the blue guitars.

 

[bodia]

That's a righteous harem! Love that PS! So, I have to ask; what's next?

 

[veinbuster]

Great picks.
I’d be happy to have any of them.

 

[toothace]

Great collection. Sweet tops!!

This is what made me think it's not shell. I don't think oysters come that large.

It's a shell laminate. More inlay per the amount of material. I suppose you could say it's shell "plywood". Plyshell? IIRC the outline birds are usually paua centers and MOP outlines

 

[markie]

143 total likes .................... Yah-mon!

 

[Black Plaid]

That's a righteous harem! Love that PS! So, I have to ask; what's next?

https://reverb.com/item/20237233-paul-reed-smith-modern-eagle-2005#description-tab :grimace emoji:

 

[Black Plaid]

143 total likes .................... Yah-mon!

\o/

 

[dogrocketp]

I believe the Material they use for shell is abalam, which is indeed a laminate.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

PS: @sergiodeblanc - Sorry about the blue guitars.

It’s all good. The Standard has a kinda fabulous midshipmen vibe going on with the blue and gold, which is cool for an Annapolis made guitar.

 

[László]

May I say that they are all fantastic? Yes? They’re ALL fantastic!!!

Heck, I even like the table they’re on.

The PS is to DIE FOR.

A connoisseur’s collection, my friend.