Why is that not a 10 top?

Arek said:
I am about to buy/ that PRS.
The top looks very nice (in pics).
Why is it not 10 top?

2019 PRS Custom 22
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How do you know it is not a 10 top? I don't see any pix there of the back of headstock. Maybe seller does not realize what a 10 top is! I know one of the criteria they use to determine 10 tops is when there is a "dead" space in the grain of a certain size or larger. It would appear we have a slight break in the grain just right of the bridge pickups, so maybe that is it. Whatever the case is, it's a beauty and it being a 10 top or not won't affect how great it sounds or plays!! Go for it!!!
 
Moondog Wily said:
How do you know it is not a 10 top? I don't see any pix there of the back of headstock. Maybe seller does not realize what a 10 top is! I know one of the criteria they use to determine 10 tops is when there is a "dead" space in the grain of a certain size or larger. It would appear we have a slight break in the grain just right of the bridge pickups, so maybe that is it. Whatever the case is, it's a beauty and it being a 10 top or not won't affect how great it sounds or plays!! Go for it!!!
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Seller sent me the pics of the back.
 
So the definition of a 10 top isn't what many think it is. It means that less than 10% of the top is not uniform. It's about the pattern being complete, not that it is prettier than others. So look at the pattern and see if you can find places where more than 10% of the visible area is not patterned the same as the rest. Maybe the black paint covered it up. The 10 top is decided before the finish is applied.
 
Essentially its an aesthetic upgrade charge - for having a guitar with 'consistent' curl across the top, but that doesn't mean a non-10-top will be poor or even not more interesting/appealing to you. Personally, I don't really like the fine even flame across a guitar (looks more like a barcode) and often find non 10 tops to be more interesting, more character - but that just means I don't care that none of my guitars are 10 tops.

I'm sure that if the 'right' 10-top guitar happened to appear in a shop at the right time, I'd pay the extra for it, but so far, all the guitars I own have their own characteristic look that makes them individual and most importantly, are superb instruments that sound great. As long as you like the top, that's all that matters and be thankful that some 'criteria' has deemed it aesthetically cheaper to buy...
 
Beautiful Guitar, be glad you won't pay for the up-charge :)

Look at mine, why is this not a 10 top? It’s not, and I saved money because of it’s not and it is stunning top.


zEqOtnZ.jpg
 
dmatthews said:
10 stamp or not, I'd own that any day!
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Yup, I'd hit that any day :)

Ok if I'm getting really, really picky, I think it may be because the pattern fades out a little bit when looking from the bottom of the bridge pickup ring to the volume knob and running up towards the bottom of the neck pickup ring....maybe.

This pic seems to show it best

1699d3d8-17dd-4acf-9dd1-5a75b14e1544



I'd buy it and never look back. Stunner.
 
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I've had the opposite happen to me. I had a ten top that I would not have rated it as one...
Loved the sound of the guitar though...
1HjYPcR.jpg

ARdOhtt.jpg
 
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Jazzedout said:
I've had the opposite happen to me. I had a ten top that I would not have rated it as one...
Loved the sound of the guitar though...
1HjYPcR.jpg

ARdOhtt.jpg
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It would interesting to find out if it’s the same person who grades them all?
 
nac said:
Yup, I'd hit that any day :)

Ok if I'm getting really, really picky, I think it may be because the pattern fades out a little bit when looking from the bottom of the bridge pickup ring to the volume knob and running up towards the bottom of the neck pickup ring....maybe.

This pic seems to show it best

1699d3d8-17dd-4acf-9dd1-5a75b14e1544



I'd buy it and never look back. Stunner.
Click to expand...
This. If there is a patch of "non-flame" it gets de-rated to non-10-top. I have a couple of non-10-tops that have similar mild fades, and frankly I don't care, and am glad I saved the differential.

Ruffone said:
It would interesting to find out if it’s the same person who grades them all?
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Unless it is PRSh, I don't think anyone has been there the whole time to have such a role.

It also seems to vary with the wood batches over the years.

AP515 said:
So the definition of a 10 top isn't what many think it is. It means that less than 10% of the top is not uniform. It's about the pattern being complete, not that it is prettier than others. So look at the pattern and see if you can find places where more than 10% of the visible area is not patterned the same as the rest. Maybe the black paint covered it up. The 10 top is decided before the finish is applied.
Click to expand...
While I think that is one interpretation, I could have sworn that the "10 top" designation came about because the top was in the top 10% of the the typical wood they receive. But it also needed to have uniform flame. The flame didn't have to be super deep or curly, just uniform. I hadn't heard about it being defined as something as specific as "less than 10% not uniform".
 
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