One piece tops

[Le'on Ragdoll]

Hey guys
I'm new to the forum, so I'd just like to start by saying hi! I'm based in Australia and I've been playing PRS guitars for 8 years now. My number one instrument at the moment and the article of discussion is my McCarty; I got the guitar off eBay on a whim and I've been stoked with it ever since. It's been around the world, played in every climate imaginable and generally abused and it's still rock solid. However, the first thing I noticed was that the top is a single piece of lightly figured maple. Here's a picture of it basking in a field somewhere in rural Missouri.

..and a gratuitous action shot \m/.

How common is this, how many people here have a guitar with a one piece top and does anyone have much to say about how this would affect the tone of the guitar?

 

[pjdude]

Nice axe!! I have a y2k McRosie, with a one-piece-top, that I just love to death also! What pickups do you have in yours?

 

[themike]

Welcome to the forum man! Killer guitar and by the action shot it looks like you give her a good run for your money! \m/

One piece tops aren't common, but they do happen. I would say unless its a limited edition guitar, a one piece top would help you retain value instead of adding to it. My only one piece top is on a 513

 

[MOBirds]

My 1 piece Black/Gold Custom 24:

 

[JRod4928]

My 1 piece Black/Gold Custom 24:

That is the only other guitar I'd want other than the charcoal quilt I have! I love 1 piece maples.

 

[toothace]

I had an SC250 with a one-piece quilt top, same finish as yours…traded it for a 408.

 

[veinbuster]

I haven't noticed any impact on the sound with my one piece tops, but they sure look good.

 

[László]

The one piece tops are beautiful. No effect on the tone, though.

 

[ViperDoc]

Hey guys
I'm new to the forum, so I'd just like to start by saying hi! I'm based in Australia and I've been playing PRS guitars for 8 years now. My number one instrument at the moment and the article of discussion is my McCarty; I got the guitar off eBay on a whim and I've been stoked with it ever since. It's been around the world, played in every climate imaginable and generally abused and it's still rock solid. However, the first thing I noticed was that the top is a single piece of lightly figured maple. Here's a picture of it basking in a field somewhere in rural Missouri.

..and a gratuitous action shot \m/.

How common is this, how many people here have a guitar with a one piece top and does anyone have much to say about how this would affect the tone of the guitar?

That action shot is priceless. Nice one, dude!

 

[Daniel]

I like the look of one piece tops (and backs) but can't detect a tonal difference from a two piece.

 

[Spikedog007]

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Le'on - great guitar and great shot. You McCarty has probably seen more action than all of my PRSes will ever see, combined.

There are some sick looking tops here...love the 59/09 ME and the diagonal figuring on that 408MT...

 

[jfb]

Always cool to see the travel a guitar takes owner to owner. Nice axe dude.

 

[Le'on Ragdoll]

Thanks for all the replies guys, there are some absolute stunning guitars here!
@pjdude they're Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers that I've had wax potted. I swapped them out of another guitar and had them kicking around so I thought "why not". They do the job very nicely. I've got them hooked up with a 1Meg volume pot as well, so they're a little brighter as well.

 

[Le'on Ragdoll]

That diagonal quilt! Good lord!

 

[clmazza]

Love 'em....

 

[yankeebulldog]

 

[Tosca]

I only have one...but I want more....

 

[Danerada]

That is INSANE!!!!

I only have one...but I want more....

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

This thread is killing me...