PRS pricing opinions wanted. Thank you.

[bhuard75]

Im looking at 2 different PRSs. A core McCarty singlecut 594 and a McCarty singlecut 594 artist.

McCarty core is $3K, McCarty with the artist package is $4.2k, both are new. Is the artist package worth the extra grand to you? Also consider the core model is in stock, the artist is a 8-12month wait if ordered.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[jc986]

Really just depends mostly on aesthetics. Better grade of top, wood selextion, etc. I believe with the artist package there are some exclusive pickup options, but I’d personally go with the core.

 

[Beandust]

Hit or mis in my experience. I have 10 tops that seem nicer or the Top sure jumps out more. I've had a few artist tops that were imho not any better. If you like gold hardware vs hybrid and a paisley case then go artist. The one piece tops are sometimes worth a premium. The wood library 10 tops are a better option imho. I've never understood the artist upgrade from the tops rating perspective personally. To subtle,

 

[bhuard75]

Hit or mis in my experience. I have 10 tops that seem nicer or the Top sure jumps out more. I've had a few artist tops that were imho not any better.

Glad you made that point. Ive been back and forth with chancing the artist package for weeks now. Ive been victim to PRS's suck shit artist top selection for a past guitar order. Ive been leaning toward the in stock core model and your guys points are taking the second guessing out of this. thanks

 

[technomancer]

Never preorder when you can't see the top. I love PRS guitars but even I have to admit their tops can be hit or miss.

 

[Beandust]

Cool. Glad to help. The 10 tops I've had were definitely noticeable vs standard tops. I have 2 currently, owned a standard top and it was definitely nice but there was a noticable difference, so for me from core to 10 is a decent upgrade aesthetic wise. But from 10 top to Artist I'd say definitely say no if you cant see the guitar in person. Some of the Artist tops are a bit nicer but for the money definitely hold it your hands and be sure 1st unless of course a return option exist. I sold a 2003 SC artist trem for 1600 bucks. Posted on here and https://imgur.com/gallery/6TUqen0/ got crickets. Sold it locally. Was a cool guitar. Mint

 

[webrthomson]

Got a core 594 - great guitar, controls are in the right places etc. - love it, get one you will too!

I tend to be a bit skeptical about the whole 10 top thing anyway - in PRS terms that just means the grain runs to the side of the guitar from the middle - Gibson certainly didn't care about that in 1959 on any Les Paul:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg5MtJnVnGA

 

[RugbyBro]

To be honest, it all just depends on the guitar. But as others have stated, artist is supposed to be the next level of aesthetics over a 10 top. To be honest, I've seen 10 tops that look better than some artists, and regular core models that look better than some 10 tops. I've even seen artist models that have the EXACT same spec as my 10 top CU 24 (rosewood neck, ebony board, satin nitro finish) but are considerably more expensive than what I paid and I just scratch my head! PRSi are best judged in hand and there is no guarantee the artist is going to look $1.2k better.

 

[mooncobra]

I have a 408 and it is bad ass!! definitely worth it. plays and sounds spectacular!