preparing for my first PRS purchase. let's talk about necks.

[rumblebox]

I plan on making my first PRS purchase(or 2) fairly soon after I sell one of my cars.

I know i want a CU22/ST22/McCarty style guitar with a hard tail, but there are 2 areas that concern me:

1. I'm used to independent volume controls, and pretty much all the DGT's i see have tremolos and are beyond my budget.
2. I prefer thinner necks, but I don't HAVE to have a thinner neck.
3. My price cap is $1500 used

I'm just wondering if there are any medium/thin neck profiles on any similar models, since I've only played a hand-full of PRSi ever.

i'm also thinking about getting a 7-string SE.

 

[Sage]

Stoptail DGTs are indeed very rare. The "T" in the DGT stands for "tremolo." I think the stoptail is only available on private stock guitars, and you're looking at upwards of $7k for that.

Keep in mind that the DGT and McCarty have thicker bodies -- more akin to the Les Paul thickness -- than the Custom 22 or Standard 22.

If you can forego the independent volume controls, the Custom 22 is available with a Pattern Thin neck profile and a stoptail. That's not exactly a common configuration, but it's doable. I prefer the thin neck profile myself, so I know where you're coming from.

 

[John Beef]

If you want independent volume controls and don't ever use the tone control, you could rewire it for two volume no tone.

 

[rumblebox]

Stoptail DGTs are indeed very rare. The "T" in the DGT stands for "tremolo." I think the stoptail is only available on private stock guitars, and you're looking at upwards of $7k for that.

Keep in mind that the DGT and McCarty have thicker bodies -- more akin to the Les Paul thickness -- than the Custom 22 or Standard 22.

If you can forego the independent volume controls, the Custom 22 is available with a Pattern Thin neck profile and a stoptail. That's not exactly a common configuration, but it's doable. I prefer the thin neck profile myself, so I know where you're coming from.

Considering all the positives of the mccarty and other 22's, i can probably live with shared volumes. The thicker mccarty body sounds good too.

If you want independent volume controls and don't ever use the tone control, you could rewire it for two volume no tone.

I did that on two of my ESP's for a while and eventually drilled and added a tone control, because i use it a lot.

 

[jfb]

You can get a Custom 22 with a thinner neck. PTC could add an extra volume. You sound pretty handy though so maybe you could do it yourself and save some cash. It's not something I would ever try that's for sure.

 

[rumblebox]

You can get a Custom 22 with a thinner neck. PTC could add an extra volume. You sound pretty handy though so maybe you could do it yourself and save some cash. It's not something I would ever try that's for sure.

i would just use stacked pots if i could find stacked knobs with numbers.

 

[Egads]

Is a Singlecut an option? Two volumes...

 

[rumblebox]

Is a Singlecut an option?

Not really. The custom style bodies are the ones I'm in lust with. To buy a SC, it would have to be a steal of a deal and have just the right quilt top and finish. As much as i despise gibson with a burning passion, les pauls are the only SC'e that really look right to me..... Maybe if i put a switch chip on a SC...... I dunno... Maybe.

 

[wardog]

i think a stacked pot is your best bet. i have seen it done on 1 vol-1 tone setups to give individual tone and volume.

 

[Sage]

So you want a Pattern Thin neck, stoptail bridge, and if possible a McCarty-thickness body.

Have you considered the 408? Those specs can be had on that guitar. The pickups are not really replaceable since they're an odd proprietary size, but it might be what you're looking for.

 

[rumblebox]

So you want a Pattern Thin neck, stoptail bridge, and if possible a McCarty-thickness body.

Have you considered the 408? Those specs can be had on that guitar. The pickups are not really replaceable since they're an odd proprietary size, but it might be what you're looking for.

I have to have the option to change pickups if i want, and they're too new to be in my budget anyway.

it looks like a mccarty with stacked pots is going to be the way to go for me. That way i get the looks i want with the versatility of a single-cut.

 

[Sage]

The double-cut design of the McCarty is also much more playable on higher frets than the singlecut, in my opinion. McCarty is a good choice. I don't know if they were ever available with the Wide-Thin neck profile, though. Anybody know for sure?

 

[iounothing]

Get a CU22. You will get over the lack of individual volume controls almost immediately.

Just understand that whatever you get will be an entry level drug.

 

[rumblebox]

So i raised my budget to $2k. So now I'm considering the 408 after watching the videos on the pickups. It's a pretty awesome concept.

 

[jfb]

So i raised my budget to $2k. So now I'm considering the 408 after watching the videos on the pickups. It's a pretty awesome concept.

Nice. I love 408's.

 

[rumblebox]

So i tried about 6 different PRSi this week, and i like ALL the neck profiles. The wide-fat neck still feels thin to my hands compared to my 71 les paul's baseball bat neck. So it's all good.

my mind may change by the time i get the cash, but right now I'm set on getting a DGT and tremol-no'ing it.

talk to me about the DGT pups. I LOVE the 53/10's and 57/08's i tried out.

 

[gush]

A used DGT can be had for 1500.00.

 

[rumblebox]

I have my eyes on a few in that range. Although i usually prefer stains, the seafoam green isnt bad at all.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

A used DGT can be had for 1500.00.

This.

 

[DISTORT6]

So i raised my budget to $2k. So now I'm considering the 408 after watching the videos on the pickups. It's a pretty awesome concept.

Yeah, you fit in well here! :biggrin:

My advice, try as many different models and neck shapes as you can. What you think you really want may change once you start getting them into your hands.