What to expect from a PRS Artist Package Order

[peplogic]

Hello All,

I posted earlier about trying to find a Custom PS Santana, or DC 22....but alas...it is not in the cards. I have instead switched my focus, to either a 2015 Artist package Mccarty, or Santana. all of the options i want are there (with the exception of the 58/15 pickups), but i guess im wondering what i should expect from the wood selection and the (i hesitate to say....) quality.

Is the wood truly a step up Vs the non artist package, or is it just the availability of different woods.....

If anyone has some experience i would appreciate some context

Thank you

-Pep

 

[LJD]

Expect to poop your pants when the guitar arrives.

It's debatable but yeah the wood figuring is usually more impressive than a 10 top. BTW I don't know where you are but try contacting this seller, I've watched this sweet PS Santana on CL for a while: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/msg/5303432849.html

 

[XiXora]

See my NGD to see the quality of top you'll get with an AP.
Expect lovely wood of your choice and tone that lasts for days.

I had to wait 9 months for my order to be finished. Although, if you're ordering a standard build, I wouldn't expect that long a wait.

 

[László]

The quality of an Artist Package is the same as a non-Artist package. PRS quality is the same across the board on Core models. They try to make things perfect, and if something isn't, they stand behind it and will fix it.

The Artist Package is a cosmetic upgrade, with more color choices, neck and fingerboard choices, pickup choices, a nicer case, and an upgrade not in the quality of the wood, but the figuring of the wood; PRS only uses excellent tone woods.

 

[Whitecat]

The quality of an Artist Package is the same as a non-Artist package. PRS quality is the same across the board on Core models. They try to make things perfect, and if something isn't, they stand behind it and will fix it.

The Artist Package is a cosmetic upgrade, with more color choices, neck and fingerboard choices, pickup choices, a nicer case, and an upgrade not in the quality of the wood, but the figuring of the wood; PRS only uses excellent tone woods.

^^ This. I would only order an AP "blind" if I were after an obscure colour or wood combo that I couldn't possibly be happy without, because you won't see the top before you get the guitar, and that's a lot of coin to drop without knowing exactly what you're buying. Would prefer to purchase from dealer inventory where possible so I'd know exactly what I was getting. That's just my 2p though!

 

[László]

^^ This. I would only order an AP "blind" if I were after an obscure colour or wood combo that I couldn't possibly be happy without, because you won't see the top before you get the guitar, and that's a lot of coin to drop without knowing exactly what you're buying. Would prefer to purchase from dealer inventory where possible so I'd know exactly what I was getting. That's just my 2p though!

That's good advice, though I always seem to order Artist Packages blind. I've probably done it ten times or more.

I've never been dissatisfied, but that's really because PRS is pretty darn consistent! :top:

And I like surprises.

 

[peplogic]

Whitecat. You make a good point! I am not going for anything exotic....The body and neck will be mahogany....the fret board ebony....the cap....maple......My expectations are that the artist package will be subject to better wood...and by better i don’t mean tone wise....i just mean aesthetically. Are there any "real" differences (I hesitate to use the word real) that besides the wood that come with the artist package. I must admit my quote has not come back.....I wonder what the uplift will be....;-)

Thanks

-Pep

 

[django49]

Wood on a couple APs, as examples:

 

[Suppalak Klabdee]

This is my only artist package grade top. I love it!

 

[DHW]

I don't forsee anything to worry about. This is the cu24 I bought this past spring. It's just a custom 24... not an artist package, not a 10 top... just entry level core instrument.