Prs Serial Number Handwritten Signature

As one of the oldest and most widely recognized brands in music, Gibson has crafted some of the most cherished and valuable instruments of all time. Determining exactly when your Gibson specimen was made can have high stakes attached to it. A difference of only one year - sometimes even several months - can mean a four-figure difference in value.

How to Identify a PRS Guitar. Examine the serial number on the back of the headstock for the letter K. A handwritten serial number indicates that the guitar. List of Acronyms/Abbreviations. Acronym / Abbreviation. Handwritten Analysis Interpretation. International Standard Serial Number. Prs Serial Number Handwritten Letter Cartoon. PRS-600.GB.4-153-621-11(1) About the serial number The serial number is for customer registration purposes. Bold letter indicates that the letter. USPS letter carrier offices give directory service to the types of mail listed below that have. Prs Serial Number Handwritten Letters. PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) Paul Reed.

Our hope is to make the dating process and, in turn, the valuation as easy, accurate and transparent as possible. You should be able to use this guide to determine the year of your instrument and then consult the Reverb Price Guide to find its value, all for free.

For many vintage instruments, determining the date of manufacture involves little more than running the serial number through a reference guide.

Whereas Martin guitars have been using a single, consistent numbering system since the 19th century, Gibson has used several different serial number formats since its inception in 1902, meaning that some formats and numbers overlap across decades. This makes it especially important to first identify the general era during which your instrument was made before pinning down the exact date of manufacture with a serial number.

If you know the backstory around when the instrument was purchased, this can provide some rough clues about its era. The most general physical piece of evidence on the instrument, however, is going to be the logo on the headstock.

1902 to Late-1920s

The original logo featured the words 'The Gibson' inlaid in pearl at a slant, with an almost hand-written cursive font. This is sometimes referred to as the slanted script logo.

Some earlier specimens from 1903 to 1907 did not slant the logo, or went without a logo entirely. Specimens built before 1902 had a star inlay or crescent in place of a logo.

Late-1920s to 1933

The script logo continues without the slant. Some flattop guitars of this era started to omit the word 'The' from the inlay.

1933 to 1947

By 1933 Gibson had dropped the 'The' from all of their logos while retaining the script 'Gibson.' The original thin script was replaced with a thicker font on higher-end models in the mid-’30s, and across the entire lineup by the end of the decade.

From 1943 to 1947, the logo was a thick golden script, known as the banner logo. Some models (LG-2, J-45, SJ, select L-50s) included an actual banner reading 'Only a Gibson Is Good Enough' in the middle of the headstock.

1947 to Present

The block logo debuted after WWII and remains the face of the company. There were minute changes to which letters were connected in the font between 1961 to 1981, but the main logo had the same look.

1968 to 1972

Gibson stopped dotting the i in their logo on some of their instruments. Most models get a dotted i again in 1972, with the rest following suit from 1981 onward.

Aside from the logos, each era of manufacturing included certain identifying traits such as the hardware (tuners, knobs, plates, etc.), the pickups, the type of finish, and the electronics inside that can give clues as to when an instrument was made. But not a final verdict.

Many older instruments may have reproduction or other non-original parts, including a non-original finish. This makes relying entirely on the physical features of a guitar potentially misleading.

The thickness of the headstock, however, is not as vulnerable to modification or replacement. Before mid-1950, most Gibson headstocks were thinner at the top when looked at from a side profile. After 1950, headstocks had uniform thickness.

Dating a Gibson by Factory Order Number (FON)

Gibson has historically used two different alpha-numerical formats to catalog its instruments: serial numbers and FONs (Factory Order Numbers). Instruments will generally have one or both of these numbers stamped or written either inside the body (generally the case on earlier models) or on the back of the headstock.

FONs were Gibson’s way of internally tracking batches of instruments throughout production. These will generally date an instrument earlier than the serial number, as they were typically applied in the early stages of assembly.

Some earlier lower-end models had no serial number at all, making the FON the sole numerical identifier in those cases. A FON usually consisted of a 3-, 4-, or 5-digit batch number followed by one or two other numbers in most cases.

1902 to 1945 FON Overview

YearFON Batch # Range
1902 - 19161 to 3650
1917 - 192311000 to 12000
1924 - 192511000A to 11250A (suffix included)
1925 - 19318000 to 9999
1931 - 19331 to 890
19341 to 1500
19351A to 1520A
19361B to 1100B
19371C to 1400C
19381D to 1000D
19391E to 980E
1940 - 19451 to 7900 (some with letter, some without)

From 1935 to 1942, the FON included a letter suffix. The consistency around this stopped during WWII and resumed in the early 1950s.

To complicate matters further, there was sometimes a second letter from 1938 to 1941 indicating the brand (G for Gibson, K for Kalamazoo, W for Recording King) and sometimes even a third letter indicating 'Electric' (the letter E). The year is indicated by the first letter in any series of letters for these years.

1935 to 1942 FON Letter Suffixes

YearFON Letter Suffix
1935A
1936B
1937C
1938D, DA
1939Ex (x being any other letter)
1940F, FA
1941E (with no other letters)
1941G
1942H

Throughout the war and even for some time after, each year had its own quirks around FON batch numbers and letters

1942 to 1951 FON Info

YearFON or Letter Code
1942907, 910, 923, 2004, 2005, 7000s (all with banner logo)
19439xx to 22xx
194422xx to 29xx (some without FONs)
19451xx to 10xx (many without FONS)
1947700s to 1000s
19481100s to 3700s (move from script to block logo)
19492000s
19503000s to 5000s
19516000s to 9000s

From 1952 to 1961, a consistent letter code resumed, with the letter appearing before the batch number.

1952 to 1961 FON Letter Prefixes

YearFON Letter Prefix
1952Z
1953Y
1954X
1955W
1956V
1957U
1958T
1959S
1960R
1961Q

Acoustics and Electric Archtops 1902-1961

1902-1947

Gibson’s earliest serialization system was more or less sequential, where each new instrument was assigned the next highest available number. Below is a table of the the highest known number for each production year.

YearLast Numbers
19031150
19041850
19052550
19063350
19074250
19085450
19096950
19108750
191110850
191213350
191316100
191420150
191525150
191632000
191739500
191847900
191953800
192062200
192169300
192271400
192374900
192480300
192582700
YearLast Numbers
192683600
192785400
192887300
192989750
193090200
193190450
193290700
193391400
193492300
193592800
193694100
193795200
193895750
193996050
194096600
194197400
194297700
194397850
194498250
194598650
194699300
1947999999

1947-1961

Handwritten Signature Generator

When the original serial system reached 999,999 in 1947, Gibson started over with an ‘A’ prefix

YearLast Numbers
1947A 1305
1948A 2665
1949A 4410
1950A 6596
1951A 9420
1952A 12460
1953A 17435
YearLast Numbers
1954A 18665
1955A 21910
1956A 24755
1957A 26820
1958A 28880
1959A 32285
1960A 34645

Solid Body Electrics 1952-1961

Early Gibson solidbody electrics received a serial stamp on the back of the headstock, with the first number indicating the year of production. The serial number on this Les Paul Junior indicates that it was made in 1956.

1961-1969

Starting in 1961, Gibson implemented a new serialization system designed to cover its entire lineup. However, while the intent was to maintain a more organized catalog, this system in practice achieved the exact opposite.

Numbers from this era were flipped, reused, and in many cases can date an instrument to several non-sequential years. The general system was as follows, though with instruments from this era it’s important to consult key features to get a more accurate age approximation.

Fortunately, Gibson was making more changes to its instruments during the ‘60s and ‘70s than any other period, so dating these instruments by features alone is relatively clear-cut in most cases.

YearApprox Serial Range
1961100-42440
196242441-61180
196361450-64220
196464240-70500
196271180-96600
196396601-99999
1967000001-008010
1967010000-042900
1967044000-044100
1967050000-054400
1967055000-063999
1967064000-066010
19670670000-070910
1967090000-099999
1963, 1967100000-106099
1963106100-108900
1963, 19671090000-109999
1963110000-111549
1963, 1967111550-115799
1963115800-118299
1963, 1967118300-120999
1963121000-139999
1963, 1967140000-140100
1963140101-144304
1964144305-144380
1963144381-145000
1963147009-149864
1964149865-149891
1963149892-152989
1964152990-174222
1964, 1965174223-176643
1964176644-199999
1964200000-250335
1965250336-291000
1965301755-302100
1965302754-305983
1965, 1967306000-306100
1965, 1967307000-307985
1965, 1967309848-310999
1965311000-320149
1967320150-320699
YearApprox Serial Range
1965320700-321100
1965322000-326600
1965328000-328500
1965328700-329179
1965, 1967329180-330199
1965, 1967-68330200-332240
1965332241-327090
1965348000-348092
1966348093-349100
1965349121-368638
1966368640-369890
1967370000-370999
1966380000-385309
1967390000-390998
1965-68400001-400999
1966401000-407985
1966408000-408690
1966408800-409250
1966420000-426090
1966427000-429180
1966430005-438530
1966438800-438925
1965-66, 1968-69500000-500999
1965501010-501600
1968501601-501702
1965, 1968501703-502706
1968503010-503110
1965, 1968503405-520955
1968520956-530056
1966, 1968-69530061-530850
1968-69530851-530993
1969530994-539999
1966, 1969540000-540795
1969540796-545009
1966550000-556910
1969558012-567400
1966570099-570755
1969580000-580999
1966-69600000-600999
1969601000-601090
1969605901-606090
YearApproximate Serial Range
1966-67700000-700799
1968-69750000-750999
1966-69800000-800999
1966, 1969801000-812838
1969812900-814999
1969817000-819999
1966, 1969820000-820087
1966820088-823830
1969824000-824999
1966, 1969828002-847488
1966847499-858999
1967859001-880089
YearApproximate Serial Range
1967893401-895038
1968895039-896999
1967897000-898999
1968899000-899999
1968900000-902250
1968903000-920899
1968940000-941009
1968942001-943000
1968945000-945450
1968947415-956000
1968959000-960909
1968970000-972864

1970-1975

Despite being purchased by the Norlin corporation in 1970, Gibson maintained the same confusing 6-digit serial system through 1975, meaning instruments with the same serial number could be from either the ‘60s or the ‘70s.

Fortunately, there were two notable changes to the entire lineup that occurred during the transition that make differentiating ‘60s and ‘70s Gibsons straightforward.

The Volute: c. 1969-c.1981

In 1969 Gibson began carving volutes-- small bumps of additional wood where the neck transitions to the headstock-- to cut down on warranty repair work.

'Made in USA' Stamp: 1970-current

Starting in 1970, ‘Made in USA’ was stamped on the headstock below the serial number.

The serial numbers from this period are generally as follows:

NumberYear
000000S1973
100000S1970-1975
200000S1973-1975
300000S1974-1975
400000S1974-1975
500000S1974-1975
600000S1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975
700000S1970, 1971, 1972
800000S1973, 1974, 1975
900000S1970, 1971, 1972

1975-1977

NumberYear
99XXXXXX1975
00XXXXXX1976
06XXXXXX1977

1977-Current

Starting in 1977, Gibson adopted the current date-based serial system which codes for the year and day of production. The first number of the sequence indicates the decade of production, followed by the three digit day of the year, and finally the year.

For example, the serial number 90237XXX corresponds to a production date of 1/23/97. The last three (or four as of 2005) digits signify the location of production and batch number, respectively, but this information isn’t necessary to accurately dating your instrument.

Working with a potentially very valuable old Gibson can be intimidating, particularly for someone who doesn’t have experience with vintage instruments.

Serial Number Prs Guitars

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An Introduction

All guitars and basses have serial numbers which start with a year prefix. The prefix is the last one or two digits of the production year, and it applies to all models below.
You can also look up your PRS guitars MODCAT code. Which is the long strange number that looks like this: SLM2FAHFIET_FR_HB-BS
You can enter your MODCAT to find the details about your guitar. To do so, follow this link:
http://www.toragraphics.com/modcat/

What you’ll Need

Prs Serial Number Handwritten Signature Card

Serial Number
Modcat Code
PRS Hang Tag
Any of the above

Prefix Number Year or Years
0 1990 2000
1 1991 2001
2 1992 2002
3 1993 2003
4 1994 2004
5 1985 1995 2005
6 1986 1996 2006
7 1987 1997 2007
8 1988 1998
9 1989 1999
08 2008
09 2009
10 2010
11 2011
12 2012
13 2013
14 2014
Set-Neck Serial Numbers

The serial number of a set-neck model is located on the back of the guitar’s headstock.

After the year prefix, the remaining digits indicate the sequential order of set neck models built.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
0001 – 0400 1985
0401 – 1700 1986
1701 – 3500 1987
3501 – 5400 1988
5401 – 7600 1989
7601 – 10100 1990
10101 – 12600 1991
12601 – 15000 1992
15001 – 17900 1993
17901 – 20900 1994
20901 – 24600 1995
24601 – 29500 1996
29501 – 34600 1997
34601 – 39100 1998
39101 – 44499 1999
44500 – 52199 2000
52200 – 62199 2001
62200 – 72353 2002
72354 – 82254 2003
82255 – 92555 2004
92556 – 103103 2005
103104 – 114940 2006
114941 – 132401 2007
132402 – 146419 2008
146420 – 159132 2009
159133 – 170591 2010
170592 – 183862 2011
183863 – 196410 2012
196411 – 206059 2013
206060 – 2014
S2 Models

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
S2000001 – S2003820 2013
S2003821 – 2014
CE Models

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
7 0001 – 0270 1988
7 0271 – 1830 1989
7 1831 – 3200 1990
7 3201 – 4540 1991
7 4541 – 7090 1992
7 7091 – 8820 1993
7 8821 – 10700 1994
7 10701 – 13000 1995
7 13001 – 14680 1996
7 14681 – 17130 1997
7 or CE 17131 – 19580 1998
CE 19581 – 20749 1999
CE 20750 – 21599 2000
CE 21600 – 23199 2001
CE 23200 – 25389 2002
CE 25390 – 26399 2003
CE 26400 – 27900 2004
CE 27901 – 29377 2005
CE 29378 – 31800 2006
CE 31801 – 32783 2007
CE 32784 – 33881 2008
EG Models

The year of manufacture is determined the same way for the EG models. Like the CE models the serial number is located on the neck plate on the back of the guitar. The following number determines the model: 5 or EG for the EG models, then the sequential number for that particular model.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
5 0001 – 0920 1990
5 0921 – 1290 1991
5 1291 – 2070 1992
5 2071 – 2870 1993
5 2871 – 3190 1994
5 3191 – 3300 1995
Swamp Ash Special Models

The year of manufacture is determined the same way for the Swamp Ash Special. Like the CE and EG models the serial number is located on the neck plate on the back of the guitar. The following number determines the model: 8 or SA for the Swamp Ash Special, then the sequential number for that particular model * the first 200 Swamp Ash Specials were given a CE serial number.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
8 00001 – 00410 1997
8 or SA 00411 – 00760 1998
SA 00761 – 00969 1999
SA 00970 – 01179 2000
SA 01180 – 01399 2001
SA 01400 – 01899 2002
SA 01900 – 02099 2003
SA 02100 – 02287 2004
SA 02288 – 02700 2005
SA 02701 – 02800 2006
SA 02801 – 03055 2007
SA 03056 – 03256 2008
SA 003257 – 03312 2009
Bolt-On Bass: Sequential Serial Numbers

After the year prefix, these models use a code digit of “4”, indicating a bolt-on neck bass. This is followed by the sequential number for that particular model. The serial number will be located on the neck plate on the back of the bass.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
4 0001 – 0030 1989
4 0031 – 0140 1990
4 0141 – 0200 1991
Set-Neck Bass: Sequential Serial Numbers

After the year prefix, these models us a code digit of “9”, indicating a set-neck model bass. This is followed by the sequential number for that particular model. The serial number will be located on the back of the headstock.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
9 0001 – 0230 1986/87
9 0231 – 0350 1988
9 0351 – 0680 1989
9 0681 – 0730 1990
9 0731 – 0800 1991
Electric Bass: Sequential Serial Numbers

After the year prefix, these models use a code of “EB”, indicating Electric Bass. This is followed by the sequential number for that particular model. The serial number will be located on the back of the headstock.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
EB 00007 – 00072 2000
EB 00073 – 00199 2001
EB 00200 – 00422 2002
EB 00423 – 00501 2003
EB 00502 – 00650 2004
SE Model Serial Numbers

The serial number on SE model guitars can be found on the back of the headstock.

The year of manufacture for SE guitars can be determined by the letter prefix prior to the sequence of numbers that follow.

Prefix Letter Year
A 2000
B 2001
C 2002
D 2003
E 2004
F 2005
G 2006
H 2007
I 2008
J 2009
K 2010
L 2011
M 2012
N 2013
O 2014
Acoustic Serial Numbers

The serial number of an acoustic is located on the label inside the sound hole of the guitar.

All acoustic serial numbers begin with the letter “A”, and are followed by the two digit year prefix.

Prefix Letter Year
A09 2009
A10 2010
A11 2011
The remaining digits indicate the sequential number of acoustics built to date.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
0001 – 0190 2009
0191 – 0517 2010
0518 – 2011
Amplifier Serial Numbers

The serial number of an amp is located on the back of the amp in the upper right corner.

All amplifier serial numbers begin with the code “AMP” and are followed by the two digit year prefix.

Prefix Letter Year
AMP08 2008
AMP09 2009
AMP10 2010
AMP11 2011
The remaining digits indicate the sequential number of amplifiers built that year. This sequence resents each year.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
0001 – 0052 2008
0001 – 0912 2009
0001 – 0575 2010
0001 – 2011
Speaker Cabinet Serial Numbers

The serial number of an speaker cabinet is located on the back of the cabinet in the upper right corner.

All cabinet serial numbers begin with the code “SPK” and are followed by the two digit year prefix.

Prefix Letter Year
SPK09 2009
SPK10 2010
SPK11 2011
The remaining digits indicate the sequential number of cabinets built that year. This sequence resents each year.

Approximate Serial Numbers Year
0001 – 0366 2009
0001 – 0260 2010
0001 – 2011

Model History

This list has been partially compiled through the collective memories of long-term employees at PRS Guitars and may not be 100% accurate.
Excerpt from The PRS Guitars Book, written by Dave Burrluck
Models currently in production are underlined. Click on the model name for more information.

SET-NECK MODELS

Basic Features By 1985

Back angled 3 on-a-side non-veneered headstock
One-piece mahogany glued in neck, regular shape
25” scale length, 24-fret
Single-action truss rod (double action truss rod fitted from late ’91).
10” radiused Indian rosewood fretboard. (Brazilian rosewood was standard until it was phased out by early 90 – 91 on all but top-line limited models such as the Dragons, etc.)
Mother-of-pearl/Abalone moon inlays (birds optional).
One-piece mahogany body or back.
Pickups were originally Standard Treble and Standard Bass. End slugs on E & B changed in ’87 to reduce high end. Changed on CE, Custom and Standard to HFS Treble and Vintage Bass by November ’91.
PRS Tremolo System, Schaller/PRS locking tuners, low friction nut.
PRS: 1985 – 1987. Evolved from pre-’85 all-mahogany guitar, became Standard in 1987.

CUSTOM: 1985 – Current. The definitive original PRS, figured maple top, 10 top option from ’87, mahogany back and neck, volume, sweet switch and 5 way rotary offered until 1991, Brazilian rosewood fretboard until 1991, PRS Tremolo and cam-style locking tuners, stoptail offered from 1993 (or so) – 2001, Phase II tuners form 2002.

METAL: 1985 – 1987. Heavy metal version of the PRS Custom/Standard with custom striped finish. Appeared on the cover of the first color catalogue.

SIGNATURE SERIES: 1986 – 1990. The first ‘ultimate quality wood grade’ PRS, hand-signed by Paul Reed Smith and based on the Custom, extremely figured (artist grade) maple top, bird inlays, only 1,000 made.

STANDARD: 1987 – Current. See ‘PRS’.

SPECIAL: 1988 – 1991. Developed for the ‘hard rock/metal player’, wide-thin neck, trem-up routing for a full tone up, volume and tone controls with 5 way rotary, HFS Treble pickup, PRS single coil in middle, HFS Bass pickup (changed to Vintage Bass humbucker by 1989).

STUDIO: 1988 – 1991. Specs similar to the Special but with standard neck profile, Hot Vintage Treble pickup and two PRS single-coils. The studio’s single/single/hum pickup configuration was offered as an option until 1997.

LIMITED EDITION: 1990 – 1991. Signature grade woods, semi-hollow body with cedar, redwood, or maple top, gold hardware, tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece (a few tremolo equipped guitars were made), signed and numbered, only 300 made.

DRAGON SERIES I: 1991 – 1992. This was the first 22-fret PRS, featured new PRS stop-tail (wrap over bridge), increased headstock angle, Dragon pickups, wide-fat neck and gold hardware. Dragon inlay on fretboard made from 201 pieces of abalone, turquoise, and mother of pearl, limited production run of 50. Click here for a picture of a Dragon I.

PRS ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC: 1992. Three models introduced – Mahogany Cutaway; mahogany back and sides, spruce top, rosewood fretboard, rosewood bridge and headstock veneer, natural finish, and optional gold hardware. Custom Cutaway; 3-piece figured maple back and sides, spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, Brazilian rosewood bridge and headstock veneer, bird inlays, abalone rosette, and optional gold hardware. Rosewood Signature; rosewood back and sides, master grade spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, Brazilian rosewood bridge and headstock veneer, bird inlays, abalone rosette, abalone trim around top, wooden marquetry backstrip, gold tuners and endpin, antiqued natural finish. Only 11 prototypes ever made.

CUSTOM 22: 1993 – Current. Based on Dragon Series I without the inlay, tremolo or stoptail options, wide thin or wide fat neck profiles available, 10 top option, Artist Package introduced in 1998, birds optional, non-locking tuners on stoptail outfitted guitars from March 2001 – January 2002, changed all Custom 22 instruments to Phase II locking PRS tuners 2002, left handed version offered in ’99

DRAGON SERIES II: 1993. Specs similar to the first Dragon, with a Dragon inlay on fretboard made from 218 pieces of gold, coral, abalone, malachite, onyx, and mother of pearl, limited production run of 100. Click here for a picture of a Dragon II.

DRAGON SERIES III: 1994. Specs similar to the first two Dragons. Dragon inlay on fretboard made from 238 pieces of gold, red and green abalone, mother of pearl, mammoth ivory, and stone, limited production run of 100. Click here for a picture of a Dragon III.

STANDARD 22: 1994 – Current. A 22-fret version of the Standard, wide thin or wide fat neck profiles available, tremolo or stoptail options, birds optional.

ARTIST SERIES I: 1991 -1993. Replaced Signature Series, Inlaid headstock logo on rosewood headstock overlay, wide-fat neck, exceptional woods including artist grade maple top, abalone bird inlays, special thin finish, Volume and tone control with 5 way rotary, Artist Series pickups, semi-hollow, gold hardware and stop-tail options. Click here for a picture of an Artist Series I.

Handwritten signature samples

ARTIST SERIES II: 1993 – 1996. Specs similar to Artist Series but with maple bound headstock and fretboard, 22 frets, stop-tail, gold-plated hardware, semi-hollow, PRS tremolo options, leather/hard-shell case. Click here for a picture of an Artist Series II.

ARTIST III: 1996 – 1997. Mahogany back with exceptional (artist grade) maple top, 22-fret wide-fat or wide-thin mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, paua bird inlays, paua purfling on neck, headstock, and truss rod cover, Artist Series pickups, 5-way rotary, volume, tone, gold PRS stoptail and locking tuners, certificate of authenticity, leather/hard-shell case, leather/hard-shell case. Click here for a picture of an Artist Series III.

ARTIST IV: 1996 – 1997. Mahogany back with exceptional (artist grade) maple top, 22-fret wide-fat or wide-thin mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, etched 14 carat gold bird inlays, gold purfling on neck, headstock and truss rod cover, original PRS etched gold bird inlay on headstock, McCarty electronics with gold plated nickel silver covers, gold hardware, certificate of authenticity, leather/hard-shell case. Click here for a picture of an Artist Series IV.

ARTIST LIMITED EDITION: 1994 – 1996. Only 200 made, Specs similar to the Artist Series II but with abalone purfling on neck, headstock and truss rod cover, 14-Carat gold bird inlays, mother-of-pearl and abalone eagle inlayed on the headstock, leather/hard-shell case. Click here for a picture of an Artist Limited Edition.

McCARTY MODEL: 1994 – 2007. First 100 signed and numbered, wide-fat 22-fret neck only, East coast maple top, 1/8th of an inch thicker mahogany back, stop-tail, vintage-style tuners, covered Dragon Bass PRS humbuckers, changed to McCarty Pickups in ’95 and now includes a push/pull coil-tap on the tone control, 3-way toggle pickup selector, East Indian Rosewood Neck option added in 1998

10TH ANNIVERSARY MODEL: 1995. Only 200 made, Artist Limited Edition-style with wide-fat or wide-thin neck, engraved gold abalone birds, 22-fret ebony fretboard. Abalone bound headstock and fretboard., Engraved eagle on headstock, Gold plated hardware including stoptail and McCarty Electronics. Click here for a picture of a 10th Anniversary Model.

McCARTY STANDARD: 1995 – Current. Specs similar to McCarty but with solid mahogany body. Only offered with stoptail bridge option.

CARLOS SANTANA MODEL: 1995 – 1998. Reproduces Santana’s original. First 100 signed and numbered. Pre-’85 body shape and headstock (with eagle inlay) 24 1/4” scale, 24-fret (11.5” radius) fretboard, bird inlays, maple top (with paua shell purfling) Santana humbuckers, tone, twin mini-switches. Click here for a picture of a Carlos Santana Model.

PRIVATE STOCK: 1996 – Current. Non-production instruments. Each guitar is individually made for a specific customer and comes with a letter from Paul Reed Smith documenting the history of the instrument.

ROSEWOOD LIMITED: 1996. Limited production run of 100, PRS etched Tree of Life inlay on fretboard, truss rod cover, and headstock (mammoth ivory, brown lip mother of pearl, abalone, mother of pearl, paua, coral, and gold), 22-fret wide-fat East Indian rosewood neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, mahogany back, curly maple top, McCarty style body, McCarty electronics with gold plated nickel silver covers, gold anodized PRS stoptail and gold vintage tuners or gold PRS tremolo with gold PRS locking machines, leather/hard-shell case, certificate of authenticity. Click here for a picture of a Rosewood Limited.

GOLDEN EAGLE LIMITED EDITION: 1997. Original carving by Floyd L. Scholz of golden eagle or bald eagle on a basswood body, 22-fret curly maple neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, engraved solid gold bird inlays, McCarty electronics, gold hardware, and PRS Stoptail Bridge. Limited run. Click here for a picture of a Golden Eagle Limited Edition.

McCARTY HOLLOWBODY: 1998 – Current. Hollowbody – carved spruce top with carved mahogany back and sides. Hollowbody I – carved maple top with carved mahogany back and sides. Hollowbody II – carved maple top and back with mahogany sides. All models are 1 3/4″ depth at rim, 3″ depth at bridge, 22-fret wide-fat mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, PRS adjustable stoptail bridge, and McCarty Archtop pickups with 3-way toggle. Piezo bridge pickup option added in 1999.

McCARTY ARCHTOP: 1998 – 2001. Archtop – carved spruce top, carved mahogany back and sides. Archtop I – carved maple top with carved mahogany back and sides, Archtop II – carved maple top and back with mahogany sides and rosewood headstock veneer. All models are 2 3/4″ depth at rim, 4″ depth at bridge, 22-fret wide-fat mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, PRS adjustable stoptail bridge, and McCarty Archtop pickups with 3-way toggle. Piezo bridge pickup option added in 1999.

McCARTY ARCHTOP ARTIST: 1998 – 2001. Specs similar to Archtop II, but with artist grade figured maple top and back, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, abalone bird inlays with 14k gold outline. Each guitar numbered on back of headstock. Click here for a picture of a McCarty Archtop Artist.

ARCHTOP: 2002 – 2004. Carved spruce top, carved artist grade maple back with carved mahogany sides. 2 3/4″ depth at rim, 4″ depth at bridge, 22-fret wide-fat mahogany neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and headstock veneer, Paua birds and signature, PRS adjustable piezo stoptail bridge, gold hardware, and McCarty Archtop pickups with 3-way toggle and piezo electronics. Click here for a picture of an Archtop.

McCARTY SOAPBAR: 1998 – 2007 Specs similar to the McCarty Model, but with 2 Seymour Duncan soapbar single coil pickups with 3-way toggle.

CUSTOM 22 SOAPBAR: 1998 – 2004 . Specs similar to the Custom 22, but with maple neck and fretboard, (optional rosewood fretboard) regular D neck carve, 3 Seymour Duncan soapbar singlecoils with 5-way blade selector. Click here for a picture of a Custom 22 Soapbar.

SANTANA II: 1999 – 2007. Specs similar to Carlos Santana Model, but features 3-way toggle, volume and tone, artist grade woods, Brazilian Rosewood fretboard and headstock overlay, eagle inlayed on headstock.

SANTANA III: 2000 – Current. Mahogany back, Carved maple top, 24 fret, 24 1/2” scale, 10” radius, East Indian rosewood fretboard, Abalone bird inlay, Santana wide fat neck carve, PRS Tremolo, 14 to 1, low mass locking tuners, Electronics and tremolo cavity cover, New Santana pickups with covers, 3 way toggle pickup selector, Volume control, Tone control.

DRAGON 2000: 1999. Specs same as McCarty. Brazilian rosewood neck and fretboard with no fretboard inlay, Dragon inlay on body made of 242 pieces of mastodon ivory, rhodonite, agoya, coral, onyx, sugilite, chrysacola, red, green, and pink abalone and paua. Limited edition of 50.

BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD McCARTY: 1999. Limited run of 250 pieces, specs same as McCarty, but with Brazilian rosewood neck and fretboard. Each individually signed and numbered.

SINGLECUT: 2000 – 2006. Singlecut body shape with carved maple top, mahogany back and neck, rosewood fretboard, 25” scale length with 10” fretboard radius, optional bird inlays, Wide Fat neck carve, PRS #7 Treble and Bass pickups, two volume and two tone controls with 3-way toggle on upper bout.

MARK TREMONTI SIGNATURE MODEL: 2001 – Current. Singlecut body shape with carved maple top, mahogany back and neck, rosewood fretboard, 25” scale length with 10” fretboard radius, Mother of Pearl bird inlays with “Mark Tremonti” at the 12th fret. Wide Fat neck carve, Tremonti Treble and Bass pickups, two volume and two tone controls with 3-way toggle on upper bout.

BRAZILIAN SERIES CUSTOM 22: 2003. Custom 22, Brazilian fretboard and headstock overlay, pink heart abalone birds and signature, the word “Brazilian” is inlayed on the face of the headstock in green abalone ripple, gold/nickel hybrid hardware configuration, 10 top only. Limited run of 500 guitars all signed and numbered.

BRAZILIAN SERIES CUSTOM 24: 2003. Custom 24, Brazilian fretboard and headstock overlay, pink heart abalone birds and signature, the word “Brazilian” is inlayed on the face of the headstock in green abalone ripple, gold/nickel hybrid hardware configuration, 10 top only. Limited run of 500 guitars all signed and numbered. Click here for a picture of a Brazilian Series Custom 24.

BRAZILIAN SERIES McCARTY: 2003. McCarty, Brazilian fretboard and headstock overlay, pink heart abalone birds and signature, the word “Brazilian” is inlayed on the face of the headstock in green abalone ripple, gold/nickel hybrid hardware configuration, 10 top only. Limited run of 500 guitars all signed and numbered.

SANTANA BRAZILIAN: 2003. Brazilian rosewood neck and fretboard, 11.5” radius, 24.5” scale, Eagle on H.S. Santana fret wire, Green Ripple Abalone birds, 10 top flame, Santana II purfling, Santana III pickups, gold/nickel hardware mix – Limited Run of 200 guitars with engraved numbered backplate.

MODERN EAGLE: 2004 – 2007. Carved highly figured maple top, mahogany back, Brazilian rosewood neck and fretboard, 10” radius, 22-fret, ripple abalone bird inlays, Brazilian Rosewood headstock overlay with inlaid Modern Eagle, a new grommet version of the PRS phase II locking tuners, ultra-thin satin nitro-cellulose finish on body with 8 special colors.

513 ROSEWOOD: 2004 – 2006. Carved maple 10 top, mahogany back, Brazilian rosewood neck and fretboard, 22 (513 fretwire) frets, 25 1/4” scale, 10” radius, 513 neck carve, 513 gold mother of pearl bird inlays, Brazilian rosewood headstock overlay with inlaid gold mother of pearl signature, tremolo bridge, new grommet version of the PRS phase II locking tuners, 513 pickup system.

CUSTOM 22/12: 2004 – Current. Carved figured maple top, mahogany back and neck, 22 frets, 25” scale length, 11.5” radius, East Indian rosewood fretboard, special 12-string neck carve, stoptail, phase II locking PRS tuners with mini pearloid buttons, hum/single/hum pickup configuration with Lindy Fralin singlecoil pickup.

JOHNNY HILAND SIGNATURE MODEL: 2006 – Current. Carved maple top, mahogany back, bolt-on maple neck with maple fretboard and special Johnny Hiland inlays (large dot inlays with 513 bird at the 12th fret). Johnny Hiland Neck carve, JH Treble and Bass pickups, PRS tremolo bridge, one volume, one tone, 3-way blade switch, Phase II low mass locking tuners.

BOLT-ON MODELS

CLASSIC ELECTRIC (CE BOLT-ON): 1988 – Current. 24-fret maple neck, unfaced headstock, dot inlays, alder body, PRS Vintage pickups, tone control, and 3-way toggle selector. Rosewood fretboard, wide-thin neck options by ’89. Black headstock face and 5-way rotary switch by mid-’89. HFS Treble/Vintage Bass finalized by ’91. Maple top version- the CE Bolt-on Maple Top- added in ’89. Mahogany body/ back from ’95 as well as stop-tail option. Solid Mahogany body discontinued in 2000, stop tailpiece & regular neck profile discontinued in 2001. Offered as wide thin, tremolo only from 2001.

EG BOLT-ON SERIES I: 1990 – 1991. New squarer shape. Alder body, maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fretboard. EG3 s/s/s and EG4 s/s/h, scratchplate mounted pickups. Volume, twin tones, 5-way selector, PRS tremolo, Schaller non-locking tuners.

EG BOLT-ON SERIES II: 1992 – 1995. Rounder shape. Alder body, wide thin maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fretboard. Scratchplate mounted pickups in three formats, h/s/h, s/s/h, s/s/s, volume, tone, 5-way selector, coil taps, PRS tremolo, locking machines. EG bolt-on maple top adds three piece maple, ‘10’ option.

CLASSIC ELECTRIC 22: 1994 – Current. 22-fret versions of CE Bolt-on and CE Bolt-on Maple-Top. Mahogany body/ back from ’95 as well as stop-tail option. Solid Mahogany body discontinued in 2000, stop tailpiece & wide thin neck profile discontinued in 2001. Offered as wide fat, tremolo only from 2001.

SWAMP ASH SPECIAL: 1996 – Current. Carved swamp ash body, PRS stoptail (discontinued in 2001) or PRS tremolo with locking tuners, 22 fret bolt-on figured maple neck and fretboard, abalone dot inlays, McCarty Bass, Seymour Duncan Vintage Rails, and McCarty Treble pickups, 3-way toggle, volume, push-pull tone (coil tap).

BASSES

BASIC FEATURES FOR BASSES

PRS pre-amp
5 position rotary
Deep & clear tone controls
PRS hardware
BASS-4/BASS-5: 1987 – 1991. Solid mahogany body, rock maple neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, moon inlay, 3 single coil pickups, 1 hum canceling; optional: bird inlay, gold hardware.

CURLY BASS-4/CURLY BASS-5: 1987 – 1991. Maple top, mahogany back, rock maple neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, moon inlay, 3 single coil pickups, I hum canceling; optional: bird inlays, 10-top, gold hardware, quilted top.

CE BASS-4/BASS-5: 1990 – 1991. Solid alder body, bolt-on rock maple neck, rosewood or maple fretboard, dot inlay, 3 single coil pickups, 1 hum canceling.

CE MAPLE TOP BASS-4/BASS-5: 1990 – 1991. Maple top, alder back, bolt-on rock maple neck, rosewood or maple fretboard, dot inlay, 3 single coil pickups, 1 hum canceling.

ELECTRIC BASS: 2000 – 2005 . Alder, optional swamp ash body, optional inset curly maple top with alder back, bolt-on rock maple neck, rosewood or maple fretboard, 34” scale, 21 fret, 10” radius, 20 to 1 low mass tuners, optional gold hardware, 2 PRS high inductance passive pickups (v/v/t with high end switchable audio pre-amp), optional LR Baggs Piezo bridge system with 3 band active EQ, & selector switch for Piezo (piezo option discontinued in 2001).

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