PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

[Gearjoneser]

Since the new Gibson/PRS lawsuit has resulted in the halt of further Singlecut models, do you think this short 3 or 4 year run will become the 59 LP of the future? I can only imagine that the demand for that short supply will grow.
I'm also wondering which will be more desireable, the thinner Singlecut Trems, or the fixed tailpiece traditional version? What do you think?

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I think you're probably onto something.

I don't think that it will be the 59 LPs of the future mainly because they weren't new and they didn't revolutionize anything, they copied Gibson. However, since they're gonna be rare, it's going to make it more desireable. They'll probably skyrocket in price 50 years down the road.

Hmmm... more desireable model? I'd go with the thinner Singlecut Trems. They're close enough to make Gibson sue them and yet still have their own unique touch to it with a trem system so I think that it's unique looks will garner some extra attention.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I have actually been considering selling my LP for a Singlecut since buying my PRS McCarty and falling in love with PRS guitars! I can't get over the absolute clarity and articulation and the over all design of PRS guitars. Like playing melted butter. I am starting to appreciate the longer scale and wider neck. I feel like I have more room to breathe or move on the fretboard.
I hope they appeal the situation and continue making SCs. I think it is a crime that Gibson can get away with that and I almost sold my LP based on that lawsuit alone. I can think of plenty of guitars that are closer in design to an LP than the Singlecut!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mrfjones]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

hhhhmmmm i think the fixed bridge model will go up more simply because i think the ones i have plyed have been better sounding, more musical and more sustain, than the one i played with a trem, but i could have just played a dud with a trem.

 

[Bludave]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I think anybody who thinks a PRS will command the $ that a '59 LP does is nuts. The primary reason why 59LP command such a high $ is they sound amazing, somethng to do with something called a PAF.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

Another reason the late 50's Pauls command so much $ is because of they are associated with players like Clapton, Page, Beck, Green, and others that made them popular in the 60's AFTER the model was discontinued in favor of the SG design.

As far as I know, there are no players of the same caliber as those I previously mentioned that play the PRS Singlecut. Perhaps some will come along, but I doubt that players the likes of Mark Tremonti can singlehandedly bring the Singlecut to "Holy Grail" status.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I think anybody who thinks a PRS will command the $ that a '59 LP does is nuts. The primary reason why 59LP command such a high $ is they sound amazing, somethng to do with something called a PAF.

Yeah, I guess the 59 Paul analogy was stretching it a bit.

Papersoul, I'm glad you're digging your new McCarty. Personally, I think THAT guitar is PRS's gift to the world, moreso than any other. At least it's an original design, yet still appeals to Gibson players. I think LP's would have been better if they'd had that added coil splitting feature.

McCarties are the new "Classic" ....even better if it's a rosewood neck model.

I do want a Singlecut too. I think I'd get the fixed bridge, thicker one.
I remember it sounding better than the trem version, also. I still feel a stronger bond with Les Pauls, tho.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I hear ya Gear,

I went home over lunch and played my LP and I agree....I can't part with it. I am starting to feel the same about my McCarty in that I won't be able to part with it. Maybe some day I'll buy a used Singlcut but won't rule out the CU22 because they sound so aggressive. Hmmmmm, maybe an SG?

 

[Norman_T]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I am buying up all the (PRS) singlecuts in the UK and then going to sell them at a great fat profit for anyone who wants them. Might even start doing this on the forum and making a real business out of it. Anybody want to join me in my new venture? :saeek:


Rich - keep both the LP and the McCarthy in 20 -25 tears time they will be worth something. Seriously if you enjoy them and don't have to get rid of them, keep them.

Norman

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

Another appealing factor about the Singlecuts is that their era was the beginning of this millenium. I'm not sure of the exact years, but Singlecuts arrived around 99 and left in 2004. Both my McCarties are 2000's. I'd love to find an amber flametop Singlecut with birds and natural binding made in 2000. If I ever see one, I'm jumping on it. I'll sort out the finances later. Right now is the time to be buying Historic Gibsons, Singlecuts, early McCarties, and Ltd edition Fender Custom Shops.
They don't really go down in value, and over time, THOSE will be the guitars that fetch the collector dollars. Most mass produced midline stuff will stay at face value.

 

[aleclee]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

Though they're fine guitars, I don't see PRS Singlecuts holding any kind of historical cachet. From what I can tell, they weren't selling all that well anyway. Contrary to what a certain judge in TN might think, nobody was confusing 'em with Les Pauls and most folks who want a singlecut guitar want the name "Gibson" on the (somewhat fragile ) headstock.

I don't believe that the "unobtanium" factor is gonna be enough to demand a significant premium. The way I see it, the SC and its variants are just another collection of "lawsuit models", at least as far as collectibility goes. Assuming PRS loses its appeals, I figure that the SC will be just another somewhat obscure discontinued PRS model, kinda like the EG.

My $0.02, IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc.

 

[Dills]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I think PRS guitars look so mint!

 

[Wattage]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

Well I can't see the guitar really being a big collectible, they're nice but they don't have any sort of cache to establish them as a significant. Maybe it'll help them keep their value a bit better over time. Stores by me were having a hell of a time moving them so I don't see the demand for them. If there was the demand for them PRS would have worked something out with Gibson instead of ceasing production. I'd look elsewhere for values in collectible guitars before I'd pop the bucks down for one of the SC's.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

That's a fair enough answer aleclee and Wattage. The market is pretty saturated with high end, supposedly collectible guitars, so it wouldn't be surprising if the desire for Singlecuts just flatlines. You never know.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I am buying up all the (PRS) singlecuts in the UK and then going to sell them at a great fat profit for anyone who wants them. Might even start doing this on the forum and making a real business out of it. Anybody want to join me in my new venture? :saeek:


Rich - keep both the LP and the McCarthy in 20 -25 tears time they will be worth something. Seriously if you enjoy them and don't have to get rid of them, keep them.

Norman

Thanks Norm! I do like 'em both. You said McCarthy?

I platyed another singlecut the other day and still prefer the LP. The SC doesn't feel as nice as the McCarty or CU series.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

Another appealing factor about the Singlecuts is that their era was the beginning of this millenium. I'm not sure of the exact years, but Singlecuts arrived around 99 and left in 2004. Both my McCarties are 2000's. I'd love to find an amber flametop Singlecut with birds and natural binding made in 2000. If I ever see one, I'm jumping on it. I'll sort out the finances later. Right now is the time to be buying Historic Gibsons, Singlecuts, early McCarties, and Ltd edition Fender Custom Shops.
They don't really go down in value, and over time, THOSE will be the guitars that fetch the collector dollars. Most mass produced midline stuff will stay at face value.

I don't really buy gear with that kind of value in mind. As long as it holds decent value, I am happy with the guitar. I tried some Historic LPs and couldn't justify buying over my Standard. I also would normally pick up my LP over a Singlecut so I would have a difficult time justifying the buying of a SC just to sell in the future. You would think the Singlecut would sound great, but I think the CU22 and McCarty sound and feel better.

I guess an early McCarty would be mid 90s but mine is a 2001 and I love it!

I have played lot of singlecuts and the Les Paul is the only one that grabs me. I thought I was going to end up a Hamer and Dean guy but couldn't vibe with those in the end. I couldn't get into how Hamers play and the fretboard is a little too flat.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily buy one as an investment, but at least it's a great, rare guitar by the only company that will be considered classic status next to Gibson and Fender. At very least, it'll hold face value. At best, it'll rise in value every 5 years.
The problem with buying investment grade guitars is that you're always tempted to make it your number one guitar and play it to death. I'm having that problem with my LP Custom 35TH Anniversary. It's a collectible, but it plays and sounds so dang good, I can't bear to leave it in it's case.

 

[strat_master]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

i see them as being collectable but no where near as collectable as a 59 les paul or an old strat designs like prs are copies of the originals, that doesnt mean the guitar is bad, but it probably means it will be less collectable and far less vintage on the vintage market.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

Well, PRS squeezed them out for four years, so there's going to several thousand of them around. I'm sure they'll go up in price, but they don't have the low producation numbers to warrant massive leaps in value. 1984-87 PRS Customs and early custom orders will continue to be the ones to hunt for.

There are several factors that make the 59 Les Paul Standard the benchmark for high priced vintage guitars. One is the look, another is the premium, lightweight tonewoods, especially the grade and lightness of the mahogany used, another is the PAF pickups, and perhaps most critically, the last is there are less than 200 worldwide. That's not a lot to go around.

 

[captain cavman]

Re: PRS Singlecuts. The Next Big Collectible?

I just bought one of those !

Not to speculate upon further resale value or collectible potential but because I tried this axe a couple of monthes ago at my pal's guitar shop and it sounded really good. I always thought I'd buy one sometimes but now they announced the production stop I said go for it !

And I don't regret it ! It's a great sounding axe with a lighter weight than a LP.

I will post pics soon (when I get my bro's camera !)

And also ... I loaded it with '59s !!! :biglaugh: