Final inspected in August 2024 and supposedly only played 3 times (it looked that way - totally mint!). Came with all the original case candy from Sweetwater (except the bag of candy), which included a lower height saddle (which I installed and still need to lower a bit). Made in China.
True to PRS, it is a looker as well as a player. The Ziricote (in the rosewood family) has beautiful strawberry blonde streaks. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. Bone nut and saddles. Abalone appointments, reminiscent of a Martin D-28 with curly maple binding. A solid Sitka spruce top and all the bracing looks clean. It smells like Nitrocellulose, and I am wondering if it isn't the PRS 'Nitro over catalyzed acrylic.' No info available, but I've painted so many guitars in Nitro, I know the smell well (which explains the brain damage).
I am a neck snob, and this neck feels and plays amazing. PRS strings are okay, but not as good as the DR Sunbeams or Rare that I normally use. Electronics are useable. A little bright through a guitar amp, but probably passable through a PA (I'll find out this weekend). I like the sound hole controls - a way better design than my '86 Takamine. Tuners are 18:1 and I suspect the same found on the SE electric guitar line.
The acoustic tone is deep with the reflections one would expect from a rosewood back and sides dreadnaught. The top is not torrefied or ARE. so it will require some ageing and playing to reach full potential. Which if it only gets better, than I am in for a treat!
