NGD: PRS SC245 Artist - WOW!!!!! (pics inside)

[Deaj]

I arrived home from work this evening to find a UPS package waiting for me - sweet!!! I've been looking forward to this for a week now though to be honest I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I made the trade decision for this guitar with my eyes mostly (though I was looking for a short scale guitar and I generally like PRS guitars - my #1 is a PRS I've owned for 22 years). I hadn't played an SC245 when I agreed to the trade. I did get out and play a couple SC245's while waiting for this to arrive though none with the 245 pickups. My hopes were that this guitar would be just as the early SC245 was described - 'similar to a 50's LP but more midrange focus and a more refined sound'.

After playing it for an hour or so all I can say is WOW!!!!! It's everything I'd hoped it would be and more! I think the description above fits very nicely. It's what I wanted the LP's I'd owned in the past to be. From shimmering blackface cleans to gained-out Mesa Mark lead tones this thing sounds beautiful!

I haven't played it enough to post any kind of a review but I can say I really like everything about it so far.

Here are some pics I took this evening:

 

[Tone Zone]

HAPPY NGD!

It does feel extra special when you go in for a guitar purchase half-blind and for it to ultimately fulfill all the hopes you had for it. I've been there myself on a particular purchase (Carvin CT-3), bought it blind from the Carvin store online and it ended up meeting all my expectations! Rare moments indeed! Congratulations!

 

[Motorpud]

Nice

 

[nighttrain69]

sweet, congrats

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Is that a macassar ebony fret board and headstock overlay?

If so, I have a SC250 AP with the same wood, and it kills.

Nice score.

 

[Deaj]

Thanks everyone!

Is that a macassar ebony fret board and headstock overlay?

If so, I have a SC250 AP with the same wood, and it kills.

Nice score.

Yes it's macassar ebony. It's stunning! Would you mind posting a pic of your SC250 here?

 

[JTyson]

That sir, is a fine speciman, congrats

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

Thanks everyone!

Is that a macassar ebony fret board and headstock overlay?

If so, I have a SC250 AP with the same wood, and it kills.

Nice score.

Yes it's macassar ebony. It's stunning! Would you mind posting a pic of your SC250 here?

Sure...

The fret board is much darker in person. The macassar ebony really adds a nice sharp attack to the tone. Really a great wood combo.

 

[Deaj]

Thanks everyone!

Is that a macassar ebony fret board and headstock overlay?

If so, I have a SC250 AP with the same wood, and it kills.

Nice score.

Yes it's macassar ebony. It's stunning! Would you mind posting a pic of your SC250 here?

Sure...

The fret board is much darker in person. The macassar ebony really adds a nice sharp attack to the tone. Really a great wood combo.

Wow! That's gorgeous!! That top kills! Love the headstock too.

I agree. The SC245's I demo'd with rosewood boards had less 'snap' in the attack and a touch less top end. The ebony board seems like the perfect choice for this guitar.

 

[stratotone]

Nice guitar Wiz, but I figured yours would have hamburger inlays.

 

[Digital Jams]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....burgers.

 

[Deaj]

I'm diggin' the 245 pickups a whole lot! They have a cool midrange character thats sweet and clear and they bark when I dig in!

 

[FourT6and2]

Very nice! I have an Artist Singlecut. How does the scale-length affect the tone/feel compared to my Singlecut, for example, with the 25" scale length?

 

[stratotone]

All kidding aside, beautiful guitars! Congrats to all you jerks

 

[Deaj]

Very nice! I have an Artist Singlecut. How does the scale-length affect the tone/feel compared to my Singlecut, for example, with the 25" scale length?

Wow - that's gorgeous!! What a top!!

My '88 PRS CE is a 25" scale length so I have some frame of reference. Other than the reduced string tension I don't notice any difference in playability. The reduced tension does add some expressive possibilities with a heavier attack. There's a perceived 'growl' when you dig in to the strings. I really like the short scale length.

 

[jlbaxe]

Very nice! I have an Artist Singlecut. How does the scale-length affect the tone/feel compared to my Singlecut, for example, with the 25" scale length?

Smokey midnight blueeeeeeeeeeeeeee WOW

 

[FourT6and2]

Very nice! I have an Artist Singlecut. How does the scale-length affect the tone/feel compared to my Singlecut, for example, with the 25" scale length?

Wow - that's gorgeous!! What a top!!

My '88 PRS CE is a 25" scale length so I have some frame of reference. Other than the reduced string tension I don't notice any difference in playability. The reduced tension does add some expressive possibilities with a heavier attack. There's a perceived 'growl' when you dig in to the strings. I really like the short scale length.

I need to try a 245. I like my Les Paul's sound more than my PRS, but I prefer the PRS in terms of playability.
Also your new 245 looks to be a lot thicker than my Singlecut. Maybe it's just an illusion since you don't have "natural binding." But I swear your's is like 1/4" thicker or something.

Very nice! I have an Artist Singlecut. How does the scale-length affect the tone/feel compared to my Singlecut, for example, with the 25" scale length?

Smokey midnight blueeeeeeeeeeeeeee WOW

It's not really blue. That's probably just the angle and lighting of that shot. It's actually black/grey. The grey gives it a blueish hue under certain light:

 

[tweed]

Damn that's nice!!!

 

[Les Zombie]

Beautiful, prs are great.

 

[jlbaxe]

Very nice! I have an Artist Singlecut. How does the scale-length affect the tone/feel compared to my Singlecut, for example, with the 25" scale length?

Wow - that's gorgeous!! What a top!!

My '88 PRS CE is a 25" scale length so I have some frame of reference. Other than the reduced string tension I don't notice any difference in playability. The reduced tension does add some expressive possibilities with a heavier attack. There's a perceived 'growl' when you dig in to the strings. I really like the short scale length.

I need to try a 245. I like my Les Paul's sound more than my PRS, but I prefer the PRS in terms of playability.
Also your new 245 looks to be a lot thicker than my Singlecut. Maybe it's just an illusion since you don't have "natural binding." But I swear your's is like 1/4" thicker or something.

Very nice! I have an Artist Singlecut. How does the scale-length affect the tone/feel compared to my Singlecut, for example, with the 25" scale length?

Smokey midnight blueeeeeeeeeeeeeee WOW

It's not really blue. That's probably just the angle and lighting of that shot. It's actually black/grey. The grey gives it a blueish hue under certain light:

seems like the grey will pick up different stage light. Bet it looks cool under a red light. Really cool guitar!