I would kill for a McCarty or 594 or SC with a plain top. Don't think I've ever seen a PRS with a plain top though. Why not? It's definitely a great look.
Even though PRS on this particular Earth is known for its figured tops, and selects its maple with the best figure, the PRS on Bizarro Earth is known for its plain tops. All you have to do to get one is travel inter-dimensionally! It's easy! Just put on these new running shoes and this nice track suit, climb into your bunk, and wait for the aliens who run the spice freighters to other dimensions to come for you. They will come if you wish hard enough. As a boring, "this Earth" alternative, you could go Private Stock. Be sure to ask for the "minus ten top option."
There are opaque colours of course, and the tops that go under those are the lowest visual grade (although you can often still see some flame on the scraped binding).
They absolutely make [made] a color called "Natural," which is simply a clear coat. Edit: I just realized that I most likely misread your question. Are you asking is PRS makes guitars with non-figured (i.e. plain, un-bookmatched, etc.) maple tops? The answer to that is no. If you're asking if PRS makes guitars with straight opaque colors... yes, they do. Which did you mean?
I'm hearing Paul's voice from an interview clip saying "because you wouldn't buy it!" But maybe...we would?!? We wood? I suspect that since figured maple is such a PRS staple, it might violate some unwritten brand tenet. But hell, what do I know?
I'm sure there is some wood, someplace in the factory that is plain maple. I believe that it might be a special order, however, as was stated previously in this thread.
I think one of the workshop tables had a plain maple top. Otherwise, even their pencils have figuring.
Every time I type 'maple' on my phone, it offers up 'syrup' as a potential for the next word before I start typing anything. Mmm...maple syrup top...
i think they use the plain maple to help the shy figured maple confidence level ( the non-top 10 ones)
I just thought of something. If someone saw this "plain top" PRS, might they not think it to be a forgery or Asian copy, since all USA made PRS guitars are at least a wee bit figured? Come on...a little figure on the top will not harm you in the least.
My son and I fell in love with the HB bass Eric had in the discussion area near the amp display at Experience. Natural finish. Wanted to buy it on the spot but it was a prototype and I was told I'd have to fight Paul Miles for it. So I'm waiting... And bulking up, just in case.
Speaking of this.....Has anyone spotted a 594 in the wild that has an opaque finish or even a non-10 top?
I have an SE Singlecut in Natural. It has an interesting cross-hatch pattern in the veneer, instead of a true flame or quilt.