Failed New Bass Day...

some_dude

Raging BB Gunologist
Went out to buy a new bass... failed at that job terribly. However, I still consider the day a success.

I found this downtown. There's an old independent guitar store here where the owner passed away a number of years ago. He had a warehouse full of stock and vintage gear that's slowly being sold off in what is probably the worlds longest estate sale. I went there looking for a P Bass and decided to check out the guitars before leaving and came across this;

1997 PRS CE 22 in near mint condition. Just over $1000 out the door.

IMG_2040.jpg



The salesman says it's been in shop possession since at least 2013 since that's when they stopped buying used guitars. I don't think I've never seen it there before, so they must've pulled it out of storage somewhat recently. Except for some corrosion on the bridge and the oldest set of strings I've seen in a long time the guitar looks like it's brand new/never been used before. No damage anywhere, no wear on the frets, pickups, rings or the back of the guitar. The back of the guitar doesn't even have swirls in the finish from rubbing against clothing.

The guitar sounds great and I'm liking the Dragon pickups, which just howl through a wah pedal. The maple neck seems to give it more upper midrange than my other PRS... more aggressive, more cut.... but not as smooth. Combined with the Dragon bridge (19k, ceramic) this thing breaths fire, but still cleans up remarkably well. It's never going to win "best blues guitar"... unless you want to play some pretty aggressive blues.

The 5 way rotary I'm not sold on. I never liked the in-between positions on a Strat, so this feature isn't as appealing to me. That said, the "middle" position on this guitar uses the two outside coils in series, which I'm finding I like better than the sound of two humbuckers in parallel. I may eventually convert it to 3 way switching, but I'm going to leave it as is for now.

The back is so mint there isn't even swirl marks from rubbing against clothes. The guitar appears to have been a closet queen. If it weren't for the corrosion on the bridge this twenty year old guitar would be brand new.

IMG_2041.jpg


IMG_2042.jpg


IMG_2043.jpg


IMG_2037.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

Man, you do suck at buying basses. :)
 
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

I have a '97 with the Dragon 1s too- they really wail.
Sweet guitar, congratulations!

You may get used to the rotary faster than you expect. That middle position tone really is great. Worth sticking with the rotary for, IMO.
 
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

Congratulations with your new guitar! It sure looks in top notch condition for a 20 year old guitar!!
Have fun with it!!
 
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

That would make a sick Appetite for Destruction PRS. Throw some Alnico II Slash models in and call it a day.
 
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

Tempting, but they're long-leg and PRS needs short legs.

Not true. I have Antiquitys in my '02 CU22 and have had Seth Lovers in that guitar as well.

And I have 59's in my '95 CU22.

All of my PRS guitars have Duncans with long legs.

IMG_1098.JPG
 
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

Yeah...as New Bass Day failures go, that turned out sort of a little almost ok.....

:lmao: I was like - damn! That guitar totally brought out your guitar cool - oh, yeah...nevermind.

Still, that's almost a decent substitute for a P-bass. I'm sure you'll do better next time.
 
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

Not true. I have Antiquitys in my '02 CU22 and have had Seth Lovers in that guitar as well.

And I have 59's in my '95 CU22.

All of my PRS guitars have Duncans with long legs.

I trust your opinion, but do you have any idea why does the internet keep telling me long legs won't fit?
 
Last edited:
Re: Failed New Bass Day...

I trust your opinion, but do you have any idea why does the internet keep telling me long legs won't fit?

I dunno!

Maybe there's a problem with some of new PRS imports where the body is flatter and thinner.

But I've had no problems at all.
 
Back
Top