PRS Floyd Custom 24 Neck finishes

[Guitar_Brat]

Hi All, I searched the forum and could not find anything related to my question, but I’m hoping someone here might have some knowledge on my question concerning the Neck finish on the PRS (not SE) Floyd Rose Custom 24. It has been quite highly publicized that the PRS Floyd Custom 24 is offered in a unfinished Satin Flame Maple neck (Some cal it the "speed" neck), but I have also been seeing ones with Finished necks, (Painted and spray sealed). My question is, are these two different versions? Or did they just stop producing the unfinished necks?. I have looked on various websites and publications and there is no obvious answer as to why there are two. If there were two versions I would have expected to see that in the Specs Similar to "Neck: Pattern Regular or Pattern Thin”.

 

[László]

The PRS rock maple neck isn't unfinished. It's finished with a UV cured clear finish that does feel a lot like bare wood, like it's "infused" instead of sprayed on.

But it's not unfinished. PRS does offer unfinished Rosewood necks on some models.

However the Floyd is also available in the Artist package with a mahogany neck that's gloss-finished like most PRS necks. So maybe you've seen some with the Artist package and the mahogany neck.

 

[Guitar_Brat]

The PRS rock maple neck isn't unfinished. It's finished with a UV cured clear finish that does feel a lot like bare wood, like it's "infused" instead of sprayed on.

But it's not unfinished. PRS does offer unfinished Rosewood necks on some models.

However the Floyd is also available in the Artist package with a mahogany neck that's gloss-finished like most PRS necks. So maybe you've seen some with the Artist package and the mahogany neck.

Thanks for the response, But my question really was not focusing on the method of how the necks are finished, but that there are definitely two types out there and I'm not talking about Artist package. Perhaps I need to be more clear with my description. When I said "unfinished" I mean Painted vs. Non painted. The unpainted neck has a nice Flame maple pattern and a different feel than the fully painted and Gloss finish. It is only describes as Floyd Custom 24.

Below are links to an online dealer that carries both. I'm wondering if they are only producing painted necks now, or do they still currently produce both.

I'm really just curious as to why they are producing the two. Was it because there was a customer demand?

Unpainted Flame Neck - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CU24FLMCharBrst
Painted Neck - http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CU24FLBloodOrng


I actually own one that has painted neck.

 

[László]

PRS has lots of "sprayer's choice," special dealer runs, and limited runs of one kind or another. That could be why there are a few different ones floating around.

Is your neck stained and clear coated maple, or stained and clear coated mahogany (most PRSes are stained and clear coated, as opposed to opaque painted)?

The 2015 and 2016 catalogs both list the model with a maple neck, and the AP option. So that hasn't changed at all.

 

[Guitar_Brat]

My neck is definitely painted black along with the entire back of the guitar. I bought mine from Sweetwater it is a 2015. my top is faded Whale Blue. but my back and neck are painted not stained. perhaps this was created special for SW. I guess the only way two ways to find out is to talk to my Sales guy at SweetWater or write PRS customer service to see what they have on my serial number. I assumed that other vendors also carried stained or painted necks.

Here is a picture of my neck.

 

[László]

Yup, there are a few colors that are painted, not stained...charcoal burst is another, and there are others. I asked simply because I was curious to know if you could see the grain through the finish and tell whether it's a maple or mahogany neck. Though you may already know the answer to that question.

 

[dkilpatrick]

I've noticed that they tend to keep similar color combinations with top and back colors. I've been GASing for a faded blue Prs and I see the whale blue with the painted black back more often. The faded blue jean top usually has a natural hog back. I also see more natural (non-painted) backs in combination with 10 tops or wood library tops. I could be way off but this is just what I've observed

 

[Guitar_Brat]

Yup, there are a few colors that are painted, not stained...charcoal burst is another, and there are others. I asked simply because I was curious to know if you could see the grain through the finish and tell whether it's a maple or mahogany neck. Though you may already know the answer to that question.

Hey LSchefman, I appreciate your input and questions in my search for an Answer.

 

[Guitar_Brat]

Okay I Just got my answer, I contacted PRS customer service about my particular guitar including the serial number and here is their response:

Hi


Thanks for contacting PRS Guitars.


In 2015 we switched to finished rock maple necks on the Custom 24 Floyd model. Your guitar has the rock maple neck with an ebony fretboard.

From the serial number your guitar appears to be a 2015 Custom 24 Floyd model with a figured maple top. A pattern thin carve rock maple neck with an ebony fretboard and bird inlays. A solid mahogany back with the Floyd Rose tremolo bridge and nickel hardware. Metal pickups with a 5 way bladeswitch. Finished in Faded Whale Blue.


Thanks for playing PRS,

 

[The Fight]

Dude that guitar is sick!~
I'll be buy another guitar here soon and will be looking into a faded jean floyd. Not sure if I'll go with a custom 24 or single cut.
Awesome guitar , I'd love to try a satin neck.

 

[Spartacus GR77]

You can get the Floyd Custom 24 with the flame maple satin neck for the regular price. There all over the net. I think the 2014 models all had painted neck and then in 15 they offered the satin necks.