NGD - 2008 Al DiMeola Prism

[shinksma]

I've been stalking the Al DiMeola model on Reverb for a while, and this specific guitar for the last few months. It sold, and then became available again, so I snagged it at what I thought was a fair price. (There are some Al Ds on Reverb at stupid asking prices.)

Sorry about the reflection from/of the bubble wrap - it is a bright day out there right now!

This photo shows the red tinge of the cocobolo fretboard - it is actually even redder under indirect light / indoors.

I guess other than the cocobolo FB this is "just" a CU22 with a nice rainbow-ish finish.

Oh, and I like the unrealistic "prism" color scheme - to me, I see a green field near the ocean, with the setting sun just above the water. I wouldn't sniff if it was one of the ones in the proper physics-based rainbow order, though.

This particular staining did a nice job of not making the purple/violet too dark - I have seen some where the purple (and sometimes the green) look far too dark, almost black. Might be just the photography of those other guitars, though - mine looks even lighter in person (indoor lighting especially) than these photos depict.

Al has gone back to playing Gibsons from what I understand, revisiting his Elegant Gypsy material. He should try a SC594...

Anyone seen him recently? Does he use any PRSi for anything any more?

 

[Rider1260]

Nice grab always thought an AL-D would be cool to have !!!!
I believe he is playing a 594 at the moment also

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Outstanding!

 

[goat-n-gitter]

Very Cool!

 

[WD 3D]

My son and I went to see Al about 1 year ago and he played PRS exclusively the entire evening... I went to the meet and greet with him and ironically asked him if he had given up on his Gibsons (we got to watch the "sound check" which was really a band rehearsal - he was brutally breaking in a new drummer). We talked for a few minutes after the meet and greet (he was incredibly accommodating and nice) and he said he still plays both, not really preferring one over the other, more a matter of what mood he's in as he can dial in the sound/tone he wants from either now.

One of the hand outs was a flyer of "Al's guitars" - his keepers and it was pretty interesting looking at his collection. I kept it and have it in my guitar room... somewhere.

 

[shinksma]

So here's a photo I just took under office lighting, and mildly edited it to brighten it up to match what I see with my own eyeballs.

The purple/amethyst is much closer to "reality" in this image than the ones above.

I believe he is playing a 594 at the moment also

Ah, that's interesting to know.

My son and I went to see Al about 1 year ago and he played PRS exclusively the entire evening...

@WD 3D , that is a really cool story! If you ever dig out that flyer, please post a photo here!

 

[WA Paul]

I've been stalking the Al DiMeola model on Reverb for a while, and this specific guitar for the last few months. It sold, and then became available again, so I snagged it at what I thought was a fair price. (There are some Al Ds on Reverb at stupid asking prices.)

Sorry about the reflection from/of the bubble wrap - it is a bright day out there right now!

This photo shows the red tinge of the cocobolo fretboard - it is actually even redder under indirect light / indoors.

I guess other than the cocobolo FB this is "just" a CU22 with a nice rainbow-ish finish.

Oh, and I like the unrealistic "prism" color scheme - to me, I see a green field near the ocean, with the setting sun just above the water. I wouldn't sniff if it was one of the ones in the proper physics-based rainbow order, though.

This particular staining did a nice job of not making the purple/violet too dark - I have seen some where the purple (and sometimes the green) look far too dark, almost black. Might be just the photography of those other guitars, though - mine looks even lighter in person (indoor lighting especially) than these photos depict.

Al has gone back to playing Gibsons from what I understand, revisiting his Elegant Gypsy material. He should try a SC594...

Anyone seen him recently? Does he use any PRSi for anything any more?

I came close to buying that one (not according to my wife though) because as you mention, the price was reasonable and this particular one had a nicer blend of colors of the purple/violet spectrum. Glad it went to a good home! Oh yeah, dibs!

 

[Rockmark]

NIce guitars. That one has a great blended finish. Enjoy!

 

[toothace]

Nice score! You've had some great additions to the stable recently!

 

[veinbuster]

Score!

 

[bodia]

Sweet as sweet! Nice grab!

 

[markd21]

That's killer. One of these days.....lol. Enjoy that sucker!!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Aye, she’s a bonnie lass!

 

[Tucson Thump]

I've been stalking the Al DiMeola model on Reverb for a while, and this specific guitar for the last few months. It sold, and then became available again, so I snagged it at what I thought was a fair price. (There are some Al Ds on Reverb at stupid asking prices.)

Sorry about the reflection from/of the bubble wrap - it is a bright day out there right now!

This photo shows the red tinge of the cocobolo fretboard - it is actually even redder under indirect light / indoors.

I guess other than the cocobolo FB this is "just" a CU22 with a nice rainbow-ish finish.

Oh, and I like the unrealistic "prism" color scheme - to me, I see a green field near the ocean, with the setting sun just above the water. I wouldn't sniff if it was one of the ones in the proper physics-based rainbow order, though.

This particular staining did a nice job of not making the purple/violet too dark - I have seen some where the purple (and sometimes the green) look far too dark, almost black. Might be just the photography of those other guitars, though - mine looks even lighter in person (indoor lighting especially) than these photos depict.

Al has gone back to playing Gibsons from what I understand, revisiting his Elegant Gypsy material. He should try a SC594...

Anyone seen him recently? Does he use any PRSi for anything any more?

You got a really nice one. Some are way too dark at the bottom and just look like mud but your stain job looks fantastic.

 

[shinksma]

I came close to buying that one (not according to my wife though) because as you mention, the price was reasonable and this particular one had a nicer blend of colors of the purple/violet spectrum. Glad it went to a good home! Oh yeah, dibs!

I will note that "dibs", should I ever, for the first time in my life, sell a guitar.

You got a really nice one. Some are way too dark at the bottom and just look like mud but your stain job looks fantastic.

Yeah, that's what made me pull the trigger - probably the nicest Al D prism finish I recall seeing available on the used market.

Played it a bunch tonight - plays really smooth, good tones from those "Al D" (57/08) pups. Coil tap sounds nice too. Neck carve is supposedly pattern regular, but seems to have a slight V feel on the treble side which makes it feel nice and comfy.

 

[shinksma]

Nice score! You've had some great additions to the stable recently!

I have been on a bit of a roll with acquisitions. In my defense one was 50% paid on pre-order last September. But the CE, Special Semi-hollow Ltd, and this Al D are all guilty as charged.

 

[Tosca]

Very nice AlDi...enjoy!
You’re on a roll...keep it going.

 

[László]

What a cool guitar! Nice going, Shinksma!

 

[g.wizz]

I guess we're not in Kansas anymore Shinksma

That is a fantastic find, Congrats enjoy riding the rainbow

 

[WD 3D]

@WD 3D , that is a really cool story! If you ever dig out that flyer, please post a photo here!

Kinda forgot how cool it is... it is a 5x5 booklet really... sorry for the somewhat crappy scans. The booklet is copyright 2016 so it isn't that old...