Please help identify my PRS model and year

[viasuki]

Hello all,

Nice to meet you.
I'm in need of help. I've recently inherited a PRS from my brother.
And i wish to find out what model/year it is. I tried look up the serial but it only says "Set-neck model".
I think the features on the guitar are quite uncommon too (ex. the tuners).. that's why i can't easily identify it.
If anyone has any idea about what this guitar model is.. please help me

Thank you.

 

[toothace]

That is a 1999 model. Looks to be a Custom 22.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Pretty sure 1999 Custom 22, that's been rewired for a 3-way toggle...but not 100% positive.

Sup with the tuners...Serg…???? (mix n' match??)

 

[viasuki]

Issue solved! I also emailed PRS for the info and just got a reply.
I was so sure that it's a custom 22 too. But it's a McCarty according to their database.
Thank you for the replies!

 

[John Beef]

You looking to fix that thing up or sell it?

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Aaaaahhh, somebody swapped the tuners...
great guitars...Enjoy.

 

[viasuki]

You looking to fix that thing up or sell it?

fix it up ^^

 

[garrettb]

1999 McCarty Trem. Cool! Those aren't very common. I was also going to guess Custom 22, since I thought the McCarty Trem would have the "McCarty" truss rod cover. The two models can look almost identical depending on options. The main identifiable feature is the McCarty has a thicker body than the Custom.

The neck pickup has been rotated 180 degrees. If you remove the pickup ring screws and lift out the pickups, you can get some information from the bottom of the pickup routs. The bridge pickup rout will be most helpful. It will either have hand-written serial number and model name, or this may be an early one with the MODCAT sticker which contains a code with model info.

You can also check the bottom of the pickups for model names to see if they're original.

The tuners are stock. The McCarty Trem version came with the winged tuners. The black plastic buttons were the norm from around '99 until the Phase II keys came out in '02.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

So this might sound weird, but do the older McCarty PUs have more "rounded" corners...than other PRS covered PUs???
Trem threw me a bit...But Killer Guitars!!!!! Congrats again!!!!

 

[jak3af3r]

So this might sound weird, but do the older McCarty PUs have more "rounded" corners...than other PRS covered PUs???
Trem through me...But Killer Guitars!!!!! Congrats again!!!!

Yes. My 97 has those. I almost traded it at a well known guitar store here in Nashville and got into it a little with the guy trying to tell my the pickups weren't original. It's one of those details you can't unsee.

 

[garrettb]

So this might sound weird, but do the older McCarty PUs have more "rounded" corners...than other PRS covered PUs???
Trem threw me a bit...But Killer Guitars!!!!! Congrats again!!!!

Yes. My 97 has those. I almost traded it at a well known guitar store here in Nashville and got into it a little with the guy trying to tell my the pickups weren't original. It's one of those details you can't unsee.

That topic came up at the last PRS clinic I went to. Paul got excited talking about the early ones with the rounded corners. He said something along the lines of those are the good ones.

 

[jak3af3r]

That topic came up at the last PRS clinic I went to. Paul got excited talking about the early ones with the rounded corners. He said something along the lines of those are the good ones.

I haven't played a newer one to compare it but these do sound VERY good.

 

[gush]

That topic came up at the last PRS clinic I went to. Paul got excited talking about the early ones with the rounded corners. He said something along the lines of those are the good ones.

REALLY?!?!?!? another pickup set for me to watch for. Ugh

My pickup drawer is about full geeez

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Fix that baby up and make some great music.

The tuners make me cry at the moment, but it will all be good when it’s done.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

My pickup drawer is about full geeez

Do tell...

 

[AaeCee]

Well it certainly looks well loved, and while it's missing some bits and pieces, the one thing it's definitely not missing is that elusive thing called mojo!

Looks like it'll be a fun project.

 

[viasuki]

Another issue arises. As you can see the tuners are missing...
I emailed a local shop and they suggested two options for the replacements (that they think will fit without drilling any more holes) :
1. Schaller
2. Hipshot (Locking Tuners)

What do you guys think I should go for?
I like Schaller because they come with black tuning knobs and because of the fact that they used to produce for PRS (is that correct?).
But the problem is they don't lock.. with a tremolo do you think that could be problematic?

 

[CandidPicker]

https://us.prsaccessories.com

Be sure and check before you buy whether a certain model tuner will work for your guitar. Contact info is on the https://prsguitars.com website.

 

[viasuki]

https://us.prsaccessories.com

Be sure and check before you buy whether a certain model tuner will work for your guitar. Contact info is on the https://prsguitars.com website.

Thank you so much!

 

[Stephen J.]

Do it right.

https://reverb.com/item/33703445-pa...r-locking-tuners-american-core-press-standard