This has been happening to PRS in recent years. A '10 top' is definitely not what it used to be. I have seen some absolutely horribly matched/figured tops being marked as '10', so it has become very clear that their standard has shifted. I understand that their production numbers/desire in market has gone up significantly in recent years, and they likely had to start doing this to still make their quantity demands/profits, but it does make me scratch my head a bit, especially with their prices consistently creeping up every year.
I'm a huge PRS fan, and own a bunch of them, but seen this happening has kept me from EVER ordering a PRS sight unseen. The used market has way too many good ones for SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper with actual 10 tops, if not absolutely fantastic Artist grade tops.
I think we see stuff like this happen to builders all the time. They likely paid a premium for this top, because it showed potential when it was still a raw piece of maple. However, when they matched/carved/stained it, something definitely went south in the process. It's always bit of a guessing game when you work a raw piece of maple, and this one did not go in their favor. Back in the day, PRS either would have scrapped the guitar, or just sold it cheaper as a 'non-10-top'. However, they're clearly driven for profit now, and have enough backing in their name for dealers to take the instruments anyway, even if it's a small hit to them in perception of quality.
At the end of the day, PRS still makes their money, and GC/MF will eventually be blowing this guitar out, like they were with their huge unsold stock of PRS guitars not too long ago. Circle of life for a guitar like this
