Looking for history/info on my Bourgeois PRS Prototype #11

[invictuz]

I am researching the history, travels and general info on my Bourgeois PRS Prototype #11 (of 11 made from what i have read recently).

It was acquired at the beginning of the year from a previous owner that had not opened the case since 2012.

Until Saturday all i knew about it was that it was a cutaway snakehead with no internal tag/label (or so i thought).
While taking the pictures below i stuck my camera in the body and was taking pictures of the interior to post here and on reddit.
As i reviewed them i saw a couple of handwritten letters on the top under the bridge/saddle.
Further pictures revealed:
Bourgeois PRS Prototype #11 08/15/92

I am trying find any info i can beyond the PDF history of Bourgeois that discusses the PRS prototypes.
@justmund mentions one of the 11 in another thread here.

some additional pictures:

the case it came in seems to be more valuable than my other guitars...

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

DIBS

 

[bodia]

DIBS

Get it in early!

 

[11top]

DIBS

 

[invictuz]

Someone from Bourgeois reached out to me a couple days ago.
They offered to restore the finish, authenticate (though they were confident based on the pix) and document it.

In my limited/amateur research i saw some Bourgeois history articles that indicated there were only 11 of the PRS prototypes like this...The rep from Bourgeois said there were originally 20 but few are known to have survived this long.

 

[Moondog Wily]

I'll take sloppy seconds on the dibs being that nobody else has! If you are ever parting ways with this item, contact me via PM after giving Hans a first crack at it!! Looks like it could be a legendary score, congrats!!! As for any history, sorry but I can not help but will be following what you find!!!!

 

[László]

gorgeous instrument, my goodness!

 

[dmatthews]

I know nothing about it, but I want it.

 

[vchizzle]

Nice! I remember the talk of them possibly making guitars for PRS and then it not coming to fruition as far as production goes. I saw maybe 1 or 2 back around that time and likely played one but it was out of my league as I was pretty young. Was still dreaming about my first PRS electric in the early 90’s.

 

[invictuz]

My research has taught me this guitar is "above my pay grade".
I play just to play, with no audience.
The notes this beautiful instrument produces deserves to enlighten others.

If interested, PM me,

 

[Cobailer]

Nice guitar

 

[Boogie]

The most appropriate brand name for this forum…frequently accused of being a bit bougie.

Hmm, that could be my new forum name. Bougieman.

 

[invictuz]

interesting bit of info recently discovered while researching this guitars history:

On page 69 of the PRS Guitar Book it mentions this guitar specifically with "it was recently stolen, so if you find it..." by author.
This rabbit-hole is deep!

image from Archey from The Gear Page

 

[invictuz]

Left a vmail today in P. Smiths box, hoping that may get some traction in my search for the meaning of:
"Number 11 was recently stolen, so if anyone finds it..."

(this is the twin thread i created on TheGearPage.net:
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/i...-my-bourgeois-prs-prototype-11.2299539/page-3 )

 

[Sonic Blue 55]

Dana's shop builds great guitars. Fabulous find!

 

[invictuz]

looks like PRS has no relevant info...wish i could get ahold of the PRS Guitar book author and the learn the root source of that "# 11 was recently stolen, so if it you see it..." sentence...


email from PRS customer service manager

 

[invictuz]

this is for sale...if i can find a buyer that appreciates the rarity of this beautiful instrument

 

[Greywolf]

pm me with a price .... I've had the pleasure of talking with Dana several times , he's amazing.

 

[Jo-]

What an interesting piece of history and story, hopefully we will find out more soon.
Lovely guitar, I look forward to hearing how it sounds from your friends playing.