Serial Number Question

[MJL18]

Hi All,

I have just joined this forum.

I am about to acquire my fourth PRS guitar. It is a used one and it has a serial number that doesn't make sense.

The guitar is a 2008 Custom 24 with a quilted top. Serial Number 8 132222
The PRS Serial number lookup says that there is no such serial number. Based on my understanding, this would be a 2008 guitar, but references I find say that the 132222 series number should have been manufactured in 2007. I've not seen the guitar in person as it is a 3-1/2 drive each way to get the guitar. I have a friend who can make the transaction in person. He is an experienced musician and a bit of a guitar and gear geek, but is not that familiar with PRS guitars. He could assess the quality of the guitar, but not verify if it is or is not a fake. I have links to a few photos below.

Anyone have any idea if this guitar is legit?

Images:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aj6LtQnf_cKrjN9upvX73rxaTx2mTQ
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aj6LtQnf_cKrjN9vweG3vhL-eLPuTQ
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aj6LtQnf_cKrjN9wIiFW_rGgy0gflQ

BTW... trying to insert images directly into the message from OneDrive seems to produce broken links.

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Michael

 

[gush]

Looks like serial number falls into the end of 2007 but saw production beginning 2008.

Probably legit but pics would help.

 

[MJL18]

There are three links in my original message to photos, including the hang tag.

Here is a OneDrive link to ten images: https://1drv.ms/f/s!Aj6LtQnf_cKrjN94dgxzXSZ5cXkkJw

Thanks!

Looks like serial number falls into the end of 2007 but saw production beginning 2008.

Probably legit but pics would help.

 

[Ironwolf]

ask the buyer to take off the back plate, very simple very easy.
the catalog code should be inside, on a sticker.
if it's not in the control cavity, it is definitely underneath the treble pickup.
once you have a catalog code enter into the mod cat decoder on this forum.
I do that on many many of the online purchases.
heresthe code structure on a sticker on every late-model PRS guitar such as this one
A sample MODCAT: SLM2FAHFIET_FR_HB-BS

https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/modcat-decoders.6650/

as

 

[MJL18]

There is a red banner above my post that states "

You need 3 posts to add links to your posts! This is used to prevent spam."

So I guess that I am not yet able to provide links. Maybe this, being the third message, I will now be able to add links.

Michael

 

[MJL18]

Hopefully this OneDrive link works:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aj6LtQnf_cKrjN9upvX73rxaTx2mTQ

Michael

 

[dmatthews]

Looks legit to me. Nice guitar!

 

[MJL18]

Thanks!

I think that it is bit of a bargain, which of course makes me concerned. The deal we have struck is $2,000 CAD - about $1,465 USD. Any idea how that compares to fair market value for this guitar?

Michael

 

[dmatthews]

 

[MJL18]

Hey - thanks for posting the photos for me!

Michael

 

[Ironwolf]

that would be one hell of a knockoff, somebody spent $5,000 to make a knockoff.
looks beautiful

 

[MJL18]

It would be ironic though, because the date on the COA appears to be April 1st, 2008.

Michael

 

[László]

It’s certainly a beautiful guitar!

 

[dmatthews]

It would be ironic though, because the date on the COA appears to be April 1st, 2008.

Michael

Or is that Jan 4th?

 

[veinbuster]

It would be ironic though, because the date on the COA appears to be April 1st, 2008.

Michael

Really nice guitar and a much better price than I would have given you.

 

[gush]

I think for the price you stated probably better jump on it.

 

[bodia]

Dude, that top, for that price....ridiculous! Love it!

 

[Boogie]

That’s the real deal for a steal. Watching for a NGD!

 

[shinksma]

Yep, looks legit, and there's plenty (pah-lenty!) of PRS guitars that have SNs that are a bit off, officially, from their official date range, because either they got made faster or slower than expected. Looks like this one needed a bit more time on the bench, and it was worth it! That top is amaze-balls!

 

[garrett]

Legit, and really nice.

The SN ranges they give on the site are approximate. It takes some guitars longer than others to get through production.