Please talk me out of what I think is a crazy idea...

[Nahguavkire]

Ok... I have a Custom 22 which I love to bits, amber finish, birds. It's been played to death, dings, chips, flakes and all and I love it so much, it sounds perfect and feels perfect to me. It's perfect really except for one small thing.

You guys aren't going to like this...

I've developed something of an aversion to the classic PRS bodyshape... I don't know why but I don't want to play such a pretty guitar, I don't know if it's just the direction my music I'm playing at the moment has taken or just how I've changed since I bought it or what but I find the bodyshape just bugs me...

HOWEVER I really really want a Santana, I absolutely love the more symmetrical shaped double cutaway body...

Seeing as my Cu22 is pretty beat and could probably benefit from a refinish anyway would I be utterly insane to consider the idea of having the bass side cutaway reshaped to match the treble side thus creating a symmetrical bodied Cu22 (Basically a 22 fret Santana) ?

Before you say otherwise I know that in its current state having had a reasonably tough life my Cu22 isn't worth trying to swap or sell to get a Santana, also I prefer the 22 fret neck and I don't really like the body top inlay on the current Santana models...

Have I lost it?

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Have I lost it?

It's your guitar. Own it. If you want to carve the body, knock yourself out.

But... if I were you (afterall, you did ask for our opinions), I'd just get a DC22 and put the CU22 under the bed until you evolve again.

 

[themike]

Hey man, I love modifying my PRS just as much as the next guy but that's an extreme job. I dont know if PTC would even take it on, and I wouldn't trust anyone other than them to do something this extreme so I kind of have to agree with Hans on this one....

 

[László]

Well obviously the guitar won't sound the same. And you know why? Nah, not the changes to the wood, that's only part of the equation.

Because you are going to have one really angry guitar on your hands with that stubby little horn that was once nice and long.

It's going to change how it sounds out of sheer pissed-offedness. And it's going to create some really weird karma. I wouldn't do it without sitting the guitar down for a long talk.

 

[Hopeful Sinner]

You gotta do what you gotta do but I'd implore you to consider the DC22 as previously mentioned or get an SE Santana and upgrade to your heart's content. You'll likely spend around $1,000 going the SE+ route and once the CU22 is shaved, there's no going back...

 

[dantedayjob]

Well obviously the guitar won't sound the same. And you know why? Nah, not the changes to the wood, that's only part of the equation.

Because you are going to have one really angry guitar on your hands with that stubby little horn that was once nice and long.

It's going to change how it sounds out of sheer pissed-offedness. And it's going to create some really weird karma. I wouldn't do it without sitting the guitar down for a long talk.

What he said ^^^

 

[Nahguavkire]

Mother of God, how I did not know the DC22 existed... Well that's the problem solved in a very very big way!! Now all I have to do is find one (and some money). Anyone have some more information on the DC22? Have I been living in a bubble?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

You could also consider a H _ M E R Special.

 

[swede71]

Pics!Thats a crazy idea,dont do it.Keep it as it is!

 

[László]

Or a Mira.

 

[Aldwyn]

Like Hans, I would also suggest a DC22. It might cost you just as much to buy one as it would to cut down that horn, and reshape it, and then refinish the body! :-o

 

[Nahguavkire]

You could also consider a H _ M E R Special.

Hmmm... Goes against my better judgement. My hatred for G*&$0N has denied me a La Paulo Double Cut for years now... Anyone have any experience with Cravin' guitars? DC3/4/6 look like a pretty good option and custom for $1,500? I'm guessing I won't be finding a PRS DC22 for that kind of price judging by the fact that there are none for sale online anywhere it seems... Any other options for a symettrical doublecut 22 fret guitar in the vain of the venerable DC22 however sacriligous it may be...

 

[Nahguavkire]

I'll probably be in trouble for posting this here but I'm loving the Ferrari Red DC4... No Floyd Rose for me thanks but otherwise yes please!

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

How is the balance on that guitar? From the looks of it, I'll bet you hold the neck up while you're playing it.

There is more to the longer upper horn than aesthetics.

I'll probably be in trouble for posting this here but I'm loving the Ferrari Red DC4... No Floyd Rose for me thanks but otherwise yes please!

 

[Nahguavkire]

No I get that obviously but to be honest the Carvin DC is hardly an SG, it's the exact same guitar as their SC shape model but with an extra cut, should be a fairly hefty body, I've read them compared to Les Pauls in weight so there's no way that's all in the headstock


Just specced up on their online builder and $1,518 is a pretty great price! I can't see myself finding a PRS DC22 for that money so it would be a question of how would it compare to a Mira... Which still won't be that cheap...

 

[swede71]

Sorry to say this Nahguavkire but that guitar looks like ****.Personally i just love the classic PRS shape,i think it looks cooler than the Santana shape.What can be cooler than a PRS custom 22 played to death?Show some pics of your guitar.

 

[]-[@n$0Ma☩!©]

Keep it civil please.

 

[swede71]

Sorry Hans!

 

[Nahguavkire]

Actually I feel really disappointed now as I've just given it a really good clean and it doesn't look so bad... Testament to PRS finish quality!!! It has some decent chips and scratches coming along though!! I'll get some pictures up asap though! Have to say I still prefer the Santana shape though...

 

[Nahguavkire]

God I'm so indecisive, I've been looking at the Santana SE (new model)...

It ticks all of the boxes for me:
Santana bodyshape
22 fret neck
HH pickups
Better control layout than the actual USA Santana
Trem bridge (Not that I use it but I actually prefer a blocked trem to the standard wraparound stoptail
Birds


Only things I'm not 100% on are:
Wide Fat neck profile (Just haven't tried one but I'm sure we'll get along)
I also would prefer the proper USA Santana headstock...

Basically though for about €650 I'd be pretty close. Maybe swap in some USA pickups and we're onto a winner here... Now to raid my non-existent piggybank...