Santana ....three versions.

[Tucson Thump]

I've noticed that the Santana model often has designations of I, II, or III.

What are the differences, and are there other versions?

What's your personal favorite?

Thanks

Mark

 

[dmatthews]

The difference between a 1 and a 3 is 2. The diff between a 2 and the others is 1.
That's all I got.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

The biggest differences are pickups, purfling, switching, and woods. But there are a few other Santanas like the MD, the years with the different knob configuration, and the Retro.

Hypothetically, my fav is the I because of the mini toggles.

 

[dmatthews]

Decided to not be a smartass... for a while...


CARLOS SANTANA MODEL: 1995 - 1998. Reproduces Santana’s original. First 100 signed and numbered. Pre-’85 body shape and headstock (with eagle inlay) 24 1/4” scale, 24-fret (11.5” radius) fretboard, bird inlays, maple top (with paua shell purfling) Santana humbuckers, tone, twin mini-switches.

SANTANA II: 1999 - 2007. Specs similar to Carlos Santana Model, but features 3-way toggle, volume and tone, artist grade woods, Brazilian Rosewood fretboard and headstock overlay, eagle inlayed on headstock.

SANTANA III: 2000 - Current. Mahogany back, Carved maple top, 24 fret, 24 1/2” scale, 10” radius, East Indian rosewood fretboard, Abalone bird inlay, Santana wide fat neck carve, PRS Tremolo, 14 to 1, low mass locking tuners, Electronics and tremolo cavity cover, New Santana pickups with covers, 3 way toggle pickup selector, Volume control, Tone control.

 

[bodia]

You could always toss the MD in. That has the pots and toggle up closer to the bridge instead of down near the jack. And then there's the West St. LTD.

Just stumbled across this:

http://www.ultimatesantana.com/PRS-Paul-Reed-Smith-Guitars-Specs.html

That should answer a lot of your questions.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

..And then there's the West St. LTD.

Then you'd have to include the KL33 then too.. And then I may have to change my answer.

 

[WeFixFlats]

I've got a question.

What model years did PRS move the volume control towards the bridge(where I like it on my 2012) as opposed to the volume/tone being placed together closer to the bottom edge where it's now?

 

[Rider1260]

It was a short time I believe between 2011 thru 2013 all other years have the rearward knob placement

I've got a question.

What model years did PRS move the volume control towards the bridge(where I like it on my 2012) as opposed to the volume/tone being placed together closer to the bottom edge where it's now?

 

[Tucson Thump]

Thank you, gentlemen.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Thank you, gentlemen.

So... When does it arrive?

 

[Tosca]

You could always go for a "Santosca"
(Sorry, couldn't resist....)

 

[Tucson Thump]

So... When does it arrive?

I'm lookin' for something that speaks to me. Have an eye on a few.

Is there an emoticon for a draining wallet?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I'm lookin' for something that speaks to me. Have an eye on a few.

Is there an emoticon for a draining wallet?

Just let us help you! You can see how well that turned out for Bodia.

 

[CatStrangler]

Thank you, gentlemen.

be sure to post pics in the appropriate thread.

 

[László]

Is there an emoticon for a draining wallet?

It should be like in the cartoons, where the wallet opens and moths fly out.

 

[bodia]

Just let us help you! You can see how well that turned out for Bodia.

Yea, I only have one kidney now. My eyes are mortgaged, and someone has dibs on a lung! Youz guyz are the bestest

 

[Tucson Thump]

Yea, I only have one kidney now. My eyes are mortgaged, and someone has dibs on a lung! Youz guyz are the bestest

Excuse me while I hook up to give another pint ....

 

[bodia]

Excuse me while I hook up to give another pint ....

Now you're getting the hang of this place!

 

[shinksma]

Decided to not be a smartass... for a while...


CARLOS SANTANA MODEL: 1995 - 1998. Reproduces Santana’s original. First 100 signed and numbered. Pre-’85 body shape and headstock (with eagle inlay) 24 1/4” scale, 24-fret (11.5” radius) fretboard, bird inlays, maple top (with paua shell purfling) Santana humbuckers, tone, twin mini-switches.

SANTANA II: 1999 - 2007. Specs similar to Carlos Santana Model, but features 3-way toggle, volume and tone, artist grade woods, Brazilian Rosewood fretboard and headstock overlay, eagle inlayed on headstock.

SANTANA III: 2000 - Current. Mahogany back, Carved maple top, 24 fret, 24 1/2” scale, 10” radius, East Indian rosewood fretboard, Abalone bird inlay, Santana wide fat neck carve, PRS Tremolo, 14 to 1, low mass locking tuners, Electronics and tremolo cavity cover, New Santana pickups with covers, 3 way toggle pickup selector, Volume control, Tone control.

So where does my 2011 fall into that mix - is it just a "regular core" Santana? Because it doesn't look like a Santana III (which has the "typical" PRS horned headstock and the PRS Signature instead of eagle, and lacks body purfling). Or did the III series run out in the late-2000s / early-2010s?

 

[sergiodeblanc]

So where does my 2011 fall into that mix - is it just a "regular core" Santana? Because it doesn't look like a Santana III (which has the "typical" PRS horned headstock and the PRS Signature instead of eagle, and lacks body purfling). Or did the III series run out in the late-2000s / early-2010s?

I believe yours is just referred to as a "Santana Model". It's kinda its own thing in a way that continued some of the changes of the 25th Anniversary model, like the binding, knob placement, and dirt birds. The 25th had that different headstock eagle though.