PRS MC58 Artist... Custom?

[auriemma]

There is a PRS MC58 with an artist package for sale on CL... $3500

The seller specs it out as:
artist flame top in vintage burst
coil tapped 57/08s
wrap around bridge
double inlaid birds (pearl inlays with abalone inlaid within), brazilian (?)
koa headstock veneer with abalone inlaid logo
pattern neck
v12 finish

My question is... was there ever a MC58 Custom Artist? Mine looks just like his and almost specs the same (brazilian?) and I paid $1500 less for new.
Am I missing something?

 

[vchizzle]

It's possible it has braz board. I've seen one with an ebony board, which is typically an artist pack upgrade. Thing is, the MC58 has most of the artist pack features already, so unless you're after a different fretboard wood or out the norm color...I don't get it. I've never heard of any stock model coming with Koa veneer. Price looks very high for a used guitar, going by what the market has been.

 

[tabl10s]

Price is high by about a grand. GC was clearing them out at $2600+.

 

[auriemma]

That is what I figured. $1000-1500 high. Makes me wonder if he really wants to sell it, or just looking for a windfall.

 

[tabl10s]

I think he took the Paua for Abalone and jacked-up the price. Any pics? BTW, I've researched the different types of seashell and have no idea how PRS comes up with the different names the ones they use.

 

[Steve B]

Yeah I picked mine up on ebay back in October 2014 and paid $1990 for it. Mine looks almost identical to the one he is offering and mine came with the Paisley case. The one I got looks brand spanking new with not a scratch/swirl to be found.

My fretboard looks the same as the one he is offering as does my headstock. I'm not aware that my headstock is KOA, nor am I aware that KOA was offered on these. I'd be reasonably skeptical on his description. He could be pulling a "Brian Williams" I fear.

Close up of my headstock...

body shot...

I see many MC/SC58's on ebay trying to sell at retail. Not many moving at that price though.

PRS must have flooded the market with these back in 2011 and demand just never caught up to the supply. Fine by me as I think it's a heck of a PRS for under $2K!

Steve

 

[auriemma]

Try these:

 

[justmund]

BTW, I've researched the different types of seashell and have no idea how PRS comes up with the different names the ones they use.

Do you guys get abalone where you are? Lots of it here (I've dived for it and eaten lots) and paua is just the New Zealand "species" of what we call abalone in Aus. I've also dived and eaten it, there is difference in the colours of the shell.

 

[Spikedog007]

I've seen quite a few ads claiming MC58's and SC58's are artist packs but from what I can tell, most are not but I could be wrong because they did make some of these as artist packs. I think the spec stating "Artist grade top" makes some assume it's a complete artist pack.