Just bought a '97 CE22!

[Lewguitar]

Originally i thought it was a '93. Turns out it's a '97. I was matching the serial number based on a dating chart for set neck PRS guitars. Not CE's. I found the correct chart and my new guitar is actually a '97.

Seems to be all original, although the tuners are not locking. Original hardshell PRS case too. $1300. Seemed like a good deal.

I had a CE24 from this era and couldn't get used to the neck pickup being in the "wrong" place.

But this 22 fret CE22 has it in the "right" place.

It's a beauty! Love the flame and finish.

Doesn't have locking tuners. Maybe too old for that? They seem to be original tho.

Is it old enough for the fingerboard to be Brazilian?

I don't have any humbucker guitars with a vibrato, so this is a nice add to my little stash.

https://imgur.com/wb6bekH

https://imgur.com/ro2zoZv

https://imgur.com/mqeRRDW

 

[tbp0701]

Groovy! It's stunning. Did those have coil taps yet?

I'd say that's a score, as I was checking out guitars earlier today (needed strings and of course had to try out a few guitars) Used and new prices were a bit of a shock. You paid less for that than a 2010 Mira I saw. (I noted it, as I have an 08).

 

[garrett]

Those tuners are aftermarket. It would've had PRS branded wings.

Good score, though.

 

[Lewguitar]

Groovy! It's stunning. Did those have coil taps yet?

I'd say that's a score, as I was checking out guitars earlier today (needed strings and of course had to try out a few guitars) Used and new prices were a bit of a shock. You paid less for that than a 2010 Mira I saw. (I noted it, as I have an 08).

Thanks! I think it was a great deal.

It has the five position rotary switch. It doesn't really split the coils. In positions 2 and 4, it puts them in parallel which gives a single coil tone that's still humbucking.

Notice how the neck pickup is reversed? The adjustable screw poles are closer to the middle of the guitar than to the neck. I guess that helps helps achieve the tones the five position rotary switch gives,

• Position 1: Humbucking treble (bridge) pickup alone
• Position 2: Outside coils of both pickups in parallel for what PRS calls a “deep and clear” sound
• Position 3: Series single coils – PRS describes this as a “warm version of the classic in-between the bridge and middle pickups”
• Position 4: Parallel single coils – Here PRS describes the sound as a “crisp version of the in-between the treble and middle pickups”
• Position 5: Humbucking bass (neck) pickup alone

What you don't get is the neck humbucker and bridge humbucker combined as humbuckers, as you would in the middle position of a 3 way switch on a Les Paul.

 

[Lewguitar]

Those tuners are aftermarket. It would've had PRS branded wings.

Good score, though.

Really? They're Schallers. Look just like those on my '95 CU22. Except those on my '95 do say PRS on the back.

 

[DISTORT6]

Definitely not the original tuners.
Should be Phase 1 “wings”.

 

[Jimi D]

Lovely top! Congrats!

 

[DISTORT6]

Well that's a little disappointing. From the back they do look just like the tuners on my '95 CU22. Just don't say PRS. They say Schaller.

Schaller manufactured the PRS tuners at that time. As you said, same case, but different gear cover. Early PRS guitars did actually have the Schaller labeled covers, but installed on the locking wing type tuners.
The version installed on your CE should have the locking wing type of tuner.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

A 93 would have a water slide decal.

 

[Lewguitar]

Schaller manufactured the PRS tuners at that time. As you said, same case, but different gear cover. Early PRS guitars did actually have the Schaller labeled covers, but installed on the locking wing type tuners.
The version installed on your CE should have the locking wing type of tuner.

Well that's interesting. The G and D tuners do have the wings and they're cut off in exactly the same way as they are on my '95 CU22 so that they're held on by only one screw. You certainly could be right. I only know what I know based on the older PRS guitars I've owned.

 

[Lewguitar]

A 93 would have a water slide decal.

Interesting. The serial number on the neck plate is for a '93. (EDIT: my guitar is actually a '97)

What do I have here then? I can return it if it's some kind of fake.

Doesn't appear to be though.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Interesting. The serial number on the neck plate is for a '93.

What do I have here then? I can return it if it's some kind of fake.

Doesn't appear to be though.

It looks legit for sure.

They switched logos in 94, but it could have been a really early example? It’s pretty rare to find a CE22 before 1994 anyway.

 

[Black Plaid]

A 93 would have a water slide decal.

Uh oh.

Would it have also had moons?

 

[jxe]

lewg my man, are you not sposed to be selling guitars??

sell this one to me.

 

[DISTORT6]

Uh oh.

Would it have also had moons?

Just dots on CEs.

 

[Lewguitar]

It looks legit for sure.

They switched logos in 94, but it could have been a really early example? It’s pretty rare to find a CE22 before 1994 anyway.

Well that feels a little more reassuring! Thanks!

 

[jxe]

between sergio and plaid there’s so much great hair on this page im a have to change my icon to my actual head.

 

[Lewguitar]

lewg my man, are you not sposed to be selling guitars??

sell this one to me.

I'll keep you posted! lol Actually I am selling a bunch of stuff. On both Reverb and Ebay.

 

[toothace]

Congrats! Great find!


Sweet top!

 

[Senor Verde]

Very cool score! I really enjoyed my '95 CE22 maple top. Congrats!