PRS neck carve question

[JB_From_Hell]

Which PRS neck carve is going to be the most similar to a late 80's USA Strat? Wide-thin?

Why am I asking? My wife and I were talking finances last night, and decided it's time for me to try to put my degree to use and get a better job. I like a lot of things about my job, but I've gotten rather complacent the last few years. Long story short, she offered up buying a PRS (I've wanted one for 20+ years) as a consolation for leaving my current gig, and maintaining a Chris's Music Toys fund. So, of course I'm guitar shopping before I've even dropped a single resume

Since it was never in the cards before, I quit paying attention to new PRS offerings a long time ago. My favorites over the years have been CEs, Swamp Ash Special, plain black top Custom with binding, and above all, a rosewood neck McCarty.

Obviously once I get a few bucks saved up, I'm gonna go start playing everything, but after playing that Strat for a few years, I've really gotten to love that profile.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: PRS neck carve question

The old CE with the bolt on maple neck would be the one that most reminded me of a Fender. I had a used one around 1990 or so.

Those are nice but I prefer the glued in PRS mahogany neck.

For the most part, they remind me of nice Gibson’s.

Some of the McCartys reminded me of certain thick necked 50’s Gibson’s I owned when I was younger and they were cheap.

I talk about PRS but I only own two real USA ones...both Custom 22’s from ‘95 and ‘02.

The ‘95 has the shorter, more desirable neck heel...but the ‘02 is my favorite.

Both came with Dragon pickups (giggable but bland) which I replaced with Duncan Antiquitys in both.

I also replaced the old style rotary switch in each with a nice Gibson SG style selector switch.

You can find beautifully flamed and finished CU22’s for $1500 and well under that. Think I traded a Strat I valued at $1300 for my ‘02.

They’re my favorite double cutaway PRS guitars and I like those earlier years.

I do have three Korean made PRS SE Singlecuts...$350 used.

I really like them but they did need fret and nut work and set up, plus new Duncan pickups, before I could think of them as being professional instruments.

Seth Lovers and Antiquitys are my favorite Duncan’s in a PRS.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: PRS neck carve question

Awh heck you are in luck
PRS has started making strats

The John Mayer Skye

Google it

Should be exactly what you want

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: PRS neck carve question

Thanks, Lew. I'm really thinking an old CE is what I'll probably end up going after, but I LLLLLLOOOOOOOOVVVVVVEEEEE those solid rosewood necks. Maybe I should just build a sweet Strat with a rosewood neck...

I don't hate the PRS Strat, and wouldn't pass up a killer deal on one.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: PRS neck carve question

One of the things that makes a Strat ring the way it does is the bolt on maple neck.

The CE is the only PRS I can think of that has a bolt on maple neck.

You can find CE’s on Reverb for about $1500 - 2000.