Paul Reed Smith Guitars Custom 22 10 Top

I really don't think "Lou" and "MK" (the reviewers below) know what they're talking about. In fact, I don't think "Lou" even owns a Custom 22 and just blindly follows the "genius" of Ed Roman, the fattest guitar douche in the universe. "MK" says that the neck is too thin which is ridiculous because its neck size is definitely above average, fatter than both my Jackson Soloist and Larrivee D03R. "eddie famine" is complaining about PRS not having a desirable sound but modern guitarists in Incubus, Linkin Park, and even Rush use PRS Guitars.

I have a 2003 model, 10-top, birds, trem. The guitar is still doing great except for tarnishing on both the pickups and bridge. I assume it has something to do with silver content in the alloys PRS uses. The 5-way rotary is amazing and the volume and tone pots are nicely chosen. The locking tuners combined with the graphite nut prevent any tuning problems whatsoever and string changes take 5 minutes tops on this guitar (no locking tremolo to screw with.) Some people don't like the fat heel on the back but it's there to ensure that rigidity is kept at its maximum. Examine the backside of a Fender anything, Gibson Les Paul or ES-335. How come no one complains about those fat heels past the 16th fret on those guitars? Don't blame the PRS for your lack of talent. I don't know why anybody would give the guitar less than a "10" for features unless you prefer separate volume/tone controls for each pickup.

I love every setting on the rotary except don't hear too much of a difference between the two parallel settings. Combined with a good tube amp, you have pretty much the versatility of 3 guitars.

It's a PRS Custom 22 10-top. It's perfect.

...Wish the hardware kept its shine.

Their website is amazing with all the information and manuals you'll ever need on your guitar. It even details the wiring schematics.

I'm can't believe the number of rave "10" reviews this guitar gets. is a good guitar. Maybe very good, but not great. Many of the reviewers seem like they just bought it and are still in the ether about spending that much money, or they only play at "bedroom" volume at the house.
I've owned this guitar since new in 1995. Played through many different amps in many different places. Beautful 10 top, trem,perfect neck, maybe adjust twice in all this time. But here is problem #1 your beautfully tapered neck turns in a 2x4 slab at about the 15th fret. If you play alot that high, this may be a deal breaker. There is nothing you can do about it. If not, see problem #2

Everbody knows what a Strat sounds like. Or a Les Paul, or a Tele or Rick.These classic instruments have a signiture sound. What is the PRS signiture sound? OK, it doesn't have one. Not a knock on the instrument, just a fact. And for each of those classic guitars you have you favorite artist who play it. Clapton/Strat, Page/Paul and so on. Now quick, which of you favorite artists plays a PRS that is NOT a signiture model(Santana, etc)? Right, I can't think of one either. Thats because problem #2, The Sound. The bridge pup is thin and brittle sounding, the neck pup is just muddy and bland. The split coil sounds are OK at low volume, but add volume and a little overdrive, it's the worst of both worlds. Now this you can do something about.

If you have a trem equiped model, you may want to notice that the stock pup at the bridge is 50cm while the strings are 53cm. This means that the only 2 strings that line up with the pole pieces are the D and G! Was mine the only one or has no one noticed? I installed Bare Knuckle Mule pickups, and they made a world of difference. It is much more musical at any volume, not thin sounding.The split coil sounds even better, no Fender, but come on.
The BKP Mule is not a superdistortion pup and gives the PRS much more of a classic sound. Not a Paul, not a Strat, but a more flexible instrument. Now the question is, if it's this easy, why didn't Mr PRS put in better pups himself?

The answer is $$$$$$$.
Why spend it. Judging by most of the reviews in H/C you're in love with jaw dropping tones, blah blah blah. You can't even hear the difference because you spent so much money in the first place, or you're in love with the way it lookes, which is great, and are hearing with your eyes.

Never had any problems.

Would I get another, I don't know. You have to replace the pups .
That makes a big difference. They are a lot of money now.
I've had it for so long I know it very well, I know exactly what I can get out of it. I'm comfortable, I guess. And kinda broke.

"07" Custom 22 10/top in deep cherry sunburst. Guitar has DOTS instead of birds, (even though the box it came in said "w/BIRDS").
Has the trem system, silver hardware, and Schaller locking tuners, (the CHEAP ones). Neck is on the thin side, and feels like a Fender 7.25 radius, but flatter. Frets are medium, and nicely done. Nut is graphite, and perfectly cut (height and spacing). The finish on the guitar is spectacular. Has 2 "Dragon 2 humbuckers, one volume, one tone, and a 3-way toggle.

I have played Fenders and Gibsons only, for the past 35 years. It seems to me that Mr. Smith set out to combine the tones of a Strat, and Les Paul, in one guitar. Sadly, no cigar. Every PRS Ive tried, (and thats alot of different high-dollar models), fail miserably at getting the crunch of a humbucker, or the sting of a single coil from the before mentioned brands, reguardless of ANY amp or effect you put them through. The scale length of his necks is odd, and feels rather short when wearing the guitar, but it does ballance well. I opened it up and found the electronics to be a bit cheezy, but thats an easy fix for most of us. Where these guitars shine, is their finishes, and the detail that is put into getting things right the first time. I have NEVER seen one with a bad nut, bad string allignment, poor harmonics, or any finish flaws right out of the box. After playing this guitar along side a stock strat, and Les Paul,I will tell you that it DOES NOT cut through anywhere close. Its really a shame, because as I said, its one of the most beautiful guitars you'll ever see.

This catagory gets a 10 (flat-out).

I dont know as yet how it will fare in years to come. The hardware seems to fog over pretty easily, and Im guessing that this perfect finish wont stay that way forever with constant giging, (even being very careful. So far, it has towed the mark reliability-wise, stayed in tune ect. (so yes, at this point I would say that you can depend on it).

Here's a "Ripley's" for you.....THEY SHINE! Dont find that anymore with the other two.

Quite a few Fenders and "Gibbys", Marshall, Fender, Vox, and Sunn amps, an array of studio effects (hardly used anymore). I bought this guitar based on how it felt (different, but comfortable), its stunning looks, and (thinking) it would fit in the mix (blues, and rock). Unfortunately, it didnt deliver in the sound catagory. Way too thin (clean, or overdriven). There is NO DOUBT that these guitars have better production QUALITY than the two "You know Who's", but I play for a living, and tone and dynamics are the bottom line.
The Les Pauls are nothing new, and the only thing keeping them alive at this point are all the new FINISHES, (but they still have no competition for that crunch). Fender went the opposite way, with their "BATTERED" look, ( but again, nobody comes close to their single coil sound). Personally, Id like to see a battered Les Paul, or a Strat with a finish similar to one on these PRS's.

2001 Model purchased in 2003. Beautiful amber 10-top, best looking guitar I've ever owned. Wide fat neck with bird inlays. Dragon II pickups and 5-way rotary swithch (would prefer the toggle, but no big deal). Amazing tuners that stay rock solid even after a night of playing and aggresive string bends.

Played mostly through a Fender Deluxe (clean tone) and Rivera Chubster (overdriven) and have been very satisfied. You can pretty much get any sound out of this guitar you're looking for, yet it has it's own unique tone that is hard to mimic.

I purchased this guitar used, but all the new PRS guitars I've played locally have been set up pretty well. The finish on my guitar is beautiful and along with the bird inlays make it look like a piece of art. The bridge and pick-ups tend to oxidize quickly and need to be wiped down after played and polished regularly. Tuners and controls have been perfect, no issues.

The guitar seems durable enough and the reliability would not be an issue. However, this would not be my first choice to play live. This guitar looks great in mint condition, but would not look as good with the nicks and dings as say a Strat. Strats look great with those character scars that come with years of use.

Never needed to contact them.

I've owned many guitars over the years, and this is one of the keepers. Great sound, unique tone, excellent playability and intonation, and stays in tuner better than any guitar I've ever owned. I still own a Gibson Les Paul and a 1987 Stratocaster, both of which are better for some applications, but the PRS is easily the most versitle.

My model is a 2004 Custom 22 10 top with bird inlays. I have the dark cherry sunburst finished that I picked up in July of 2005 at a Guitar Center used. It was in like new condition so I think I got a pretty good deal on it. The neck is wide fat, the pickups are Dragon 2s, it has the 5-way rotary switch. The guitar is solid and sounds amazing. I walked into the store not planning on buying a guitar that day. My dream guitar had been a Custom 22 for some time but then I changed my mind. I had seen too many punk acts playing PRS and decided it wasn?t for me before playing one. I went into Guitar Center and tried out a few Les Pauls. I was really digging the Standard and the Classic. I saw the PRS behind the counter and thought, ?What the heck?!?? I plugged it in and instantly fell in love. The tone was more refined and modern. The sound was so different that even my wife noticed (that is really something!). Well, after a couple of hours I left Guitar Center with the guitar. Though I love the sound of Les Pauls this guitar just sounded better to me and covered so much more ground. I think all my nice guitar purchases in the future will probably be PRS. The build quality is just excellent, and the sound is amazing.

For most of us, this is the defining characteristic of the guitar. The Custom 22 sounds amazing. I?m in a band that plays a lot of covers as well as originals. We cover everything from classic rock to modern rock to country. The Custom 22 covers those sounds easily and helps in creating my own unique sound. I run my Custom 22 into a Peavey JSX head into a Genz-Benz G-flex cab. I also use a variety of effects. The guitar plays nice with everything. I love the sound of the bridge pickup. It is raw but not too brittle. It is great for lead work and sounds good for rhythm as well. I do wish it was a little better with harmonics though. The neck pickup is really where it is at for me. It gets very bluesy and the tone control does a lot for the sound. This guitar is just so versatile. I can cover everything from classic rock, to modern rock, to metal, to (heaven forbid) country, to pop. It will do anything and do it well. My only complaint with the pickups is the split coil sounds don?t stand out as well as the full humbucker sounds. It isn?t quite strat single coil but it still sounds great.

The action is just right. The finish is amazing. The 10 top looks great under lights and up on stage. The bird inlays are pretty cool as well. The guitar feels solid and feels good. It sounds good unplugged. You pick up the guitar and it just feels like a quality instrument. I?ve played Gibsons and Fenders and other big name guitars and this just feels like they put more time and attention to detail into it. The guitar plays like it should, it is reliable, and it sounds like it should. Custom 22s cost a lot of money but you can tell that you are getting quality craftsmanship for the price you pay. To me, it is worth how much I paid.
My only complaint about the finish is that they pickup covers get hazy easily. I clean them off after each time I play but bridge pickup cover is really hazy. I also sweat a lot and that probably doesn?t help.

This guitar is very reliable and durable. I would gig without a backup, given the strings are fairly new. The only issue I've had is the 5-way selector knob came off. I emailed PRS and they told me how to fix it. Really easy fix. PRS just makes a top notch guitar that you don?t have to worry about.

I?ve emailed PRS a few times with questions and they have always been prompt. They have given me concise answers to my questions in a timely manner.

I would definitely buy this guitar again if it were lost or stolen. It is my single most important piece of gear. PRS has done an excellent job of making me a loyal customer. Hopefully my next purchase will be a McCarty. Most other guitars I play just can?t compare with the craftsmanship and the sound of my PRS. That being said, this guitar isn?t for everyone. Some people will not like it. Some people will love it. Strat players may not find it gives them enough of a single coil sound. Les Paul players may say there isn?t enough of a ?chunk? to the sound. The guitar has a sound of its own but it will be convincing in the Strat and Les Paul territory as well.

2002 PRS Custom 22 10 Top Tobacco Sunburst Tremolo

Original Dragon II Pickups upgraded to Gibson Burstbuckers. 5 way rotary changed to 3 way rotary (the music store guy told me an original Gibson switch, not sure about that but works well, anyway)

Wide-Fat Neck w/ Birds

Full warm tone. The neck pickup really rules. Perfect combination for this guitar. Neck pickup's sound is somewhere between Gary Moore and Santana. Warm and singing.
The bridge pickup is a little too muddy for my kind of music (Rock, Hard Rock w/ metal-elements. Looking forward to replace it with a Tremonti Treble or a PRS #7 Treble.
The Burstbuckers are way better than the Dragon II's. More full tone but, as mentioned, on the bridge position a little too bassy. Neck-PU is perfect and will never be replaced.
Because I've owned a stoptail Cst22 before I can say that the tremolo has no negative effect on the tone as mentioned so often. I really don't hear any differences in sustain or anything.
The volume pot is very well defined. You can do some nice crunch sounds with it.

Bought it used and it was dead-mint. Kept in the case most of the time by the pre-owner. Had to set it up to my specifications. A little more difficult due to the tremolo than on the Stoptail Cst 22 I owned before.
The 10 Top is not bookmatched. Don't know if that should be? Seen an artist package Cst and it wasn't bookmatched too. Anyway, great finish as well. When polished the clear coat looks like it is a hundred meters deep. Really really nice. No errors in the lacquer or the wood.

No fear using it without a backup. Never disappoints me. The strap buttons delivered ex work are pretty good with a high rim. I usually use strap locks but no necessarity on this one.
The tremolo rocks!! It never goes out of tune even when doing monster divebombs. Never seen that on non-Floydrose guitars.
The finish is very sensitive for pick scratches. But with a good polish that is no problem, too.

No repair or contact to the company.

I'm playing since 1993. I've owned some Les Pauls, Strats, Peavey Wolfgangs and ESPs. That PRS is definitely the best of all. It doesn't have to hide behind the Les Paul and is as versatile as the Strats. It is a guitar to keep for the rest of your life or at least stay with the company. You don't want a Les Paul back when you've played a PRS Custom for months. Only thing I could imagine is to sell it for an Artist Package Custom.

This is an update from the last review. The Tortise Shell Custom. I believe a new review is in order after 2 full months. My opinion has changed a bit.

While Im in the Features part, the tuners are rock solid. No tuning issues, easy string changes.

Last time I complained about that bridge. Well I gotta tell you. I am very impressed at how the bridge works with the guitar. I can put either 9's, 10's, or 11's, in any tuning (I've tried Drop-C and everything above Drop-D and Standard style) and the intonation is SO ON!!! Its stupid!!! Most times I didnt even have to make the adjustments that ARE available on the bridge. It stays rock solid. Its easier to clean because there are no little spaces for dirt to build up!

I may still someday replace it with a fully adjustable bridge. But honestly, I am in NO rush whatsoever. Im actually thinking about maybe since the bridge is a one piece of solid metal, instead of having individual saddles, that string vibration is transferred even better to the 2 main studs which run into the body.

I am impressed.

I had mentioned last time how it took me a while to start to REALLY like my PRS. Well...I basically have kept liking it more and more everyday I play it. I've since played a few shows out with it as well. As time goes on I love it more and more. I was playing it for a solid hour right before I stopped to write this new review.

It sounds amazing. Same compliments as last time but Wow. I mean Wow.

So far it has been a pleasure to clean and re-string. A pleasure to setup. I dont even have to set it up! So far its done nothing but perform beautifully.

I DO still believe my top is not a 10. But you know what? Its still beautiful!!! And what this guitar does makes what color it is not even matter.

Awesome. Shows were great. Playing it is just awesome. It so much fun playing something that feels so solid!!

THIS is a freakin' guitar ladies and gents!

I recently took a tour of the PRS factory in Maryland!!! It was AWESOME!!!

Drew the accessories guy took me through and showed me everything from where the bare wood is kept to where the guitars finally ship. He was awesome and all the employees there kicked ass.

I have SEEN these guitars being made. They LOVE making these guitars. They only use CNC machines for very rough parts. Mostly the parts you want to use a computer anyway!! Eveything else is hand done. Finishing, frets, inlays, the list goes on and on.

They ligit work hard on these guitars. I take away my statement that these guitars are not worth the $$$. After the way I've grown with my PRS, I would pay 3 times what I payed!! This is what I have been waiting 13 years for.

I know this review seems way to good and glowing. But please. I am being completely honest. Truth is, I'm used to playing somewhat mediocre guitars. All Ibanez. Which Im not gonna bash. They were GREAT guitars for the money. Which was like 400$ each. Great for the money. But PRS is ALSO, great for the money. And a whole lot of money at that!!!

You know guitarists' evolve and change. We grow to like different things after time. But I would be willing to bet PRS is my guitar of choice for a long long time. If not forever. Until something comes along and does better what my PRS does. Which I doubt is gonna happen.

I have really fallen in love with my PRS.

2004 Custom 22 in Tortoise Shell. You know the other specs. If you don't, read the reviews above, their accurate.

I originally bought a trem-equipped model. After a month I exchanged it for the exact same model with the hardtail. Problem was it came from another store and I basically didn't see it before accepting it. I trusted on PRS quality reputation to go ahead and have it sent. Well PRS held their reputation just fine. The replacement guitar I received was excellent.

Now. I do think its absolutely absurd that they don't include the adjustable bridge on all their American models. It fact, a very very small part of me is somewhat offended. I love my PRS. But it is not fun spending 2700 dollars on a guitar with a bridge that is not the best for it. The guitar loses 3 points stock because of this very very important feature. Shame on PRS for making a cost-cutting move like that. Pa-leeze. Fine for your Korean(SE) models. But not your Americans.

Its funny. It took a little time for me to finally hear the quality. Usually people pick up a PRS and in a second go, "WOW!!", I didn't. Oh sure I could hear it sounded better then most other guitars I've played, but it wasn't until I could get some slightly heavier strings on it and "broke it in" a little to really make it scream. When I get my poweramp tubes hot its gets even better. It sounds full, it sounds correct. It sounds like the strings are playing with each other in harmony instead of sounding different and somewhat off. Of course it probably helps to mention I switched out the Dragon II with a Duncan JB. But the Dragon was a GREAT pickup. Just didn't have enough output for my own tastes.

Well the setup seemed great from the factory. But everytime I buy a new guitar I already begin messing with it to suit my own taste. I like slightly higher then average height, while retaining very accurate intonation. This guitar performs beautifully.

This is a "10-top" model. BUT. I do not consider my top a 10. I rate my top probably a 7 or 8. It looks great don't get me wrong. But I have seen MUCH better. But I didn't buy the guitar for the top (although I did pay for it!)

The finish itself is exceptional. It looks like glass, and at a certain angle is like a mirror. Thats a good laquer finish. To bad I'll probably scratch it up a decent amount. But hey you only live once. And sadly when you die, you can't take your PRS with you. ;)

I don't understand people who buy PRSs, and won't play them out live. C'mon man! You need to shine when your onstage!! Its no fun having an excellent guitar like this and only playing it at home. Where no one can hear it. Or only using it for recording. I understand if you had three or four PRSs and decided to keep one or two for home and studio use only. But most can't afford that many of these.

So yes. I believe these guitars are very reliable and durable.

O.K. I have heard some good things about PRS customer support. I have also heard some bad things. I will tell you only of my encounter with them. When changing the Dragon Treble out for a Duncan JB, I e-mailed PRS asking if I should get the pickup f-spaced(for the trem) or regular spaced(which is spaced for tune o matic style bridges).

The response I got was absolutely no help. It seemed like it was written in 5 seconds without even being thought of and just sent to me. Actually I can write the whole email. I asked if I should be using f-spaced, and the ENTIRE response was-

"Yes f-spaced should work fine. Thanks for your interest in PRS guitars."

Thats it. Thats all. Are you kidding me?? So I called PRS and spoke with someone there. What did they tell me? "No dont use f-spaced. We use regular spaced."

My customer support experience was not very good at all. Its like they say, first impressions are very important.

Ok so Ive gone into detail about alot of things with this guitar. My overall rating is as follows.

PRS are great guitars. They are of high quality. Everybody knows this. It is my opinion that they are not worth the price they charge. I believe a model like mine should be sold for about 1,500-7,000. That to me would be more reasonable. But. With demand comes price increases. Reason why I plan on keeping my PRS is simply because I decided to put quality and preference before cost. I decided I only live once, I should own a really nice guitar. Period.

If you love guitar enough, and have the funds available, then I could never say PRS is a bad choice.

Custom 22 Ten Top, Birds, Tremolo, Amber Finish, All -Stock Pickups Dragon II T/B.. The only thing I needed to install was some Dunlop Straplocks. It's got the Wide-Fat neck which is the way to go.

I originally hated the 5 way Rotary Knob..cause I'm used to strats and super strats..Jem, Js1, Fender Clapton etc.. But the sounds achieved via this system is amazing.. Rich Neck sound..lots of sustain..clear Bridge.. I play a variety of styles from Satriani to Eddie and even Reggae and Neo Classical and I got 18 guitars from Les Paul Standard to those mentioned to even a Parker Fly Classic..and the funny thing is this I generally would use 3 guitars on a standard gig..the main is the PRS and I generally need 2 guitars to back up that one if I were to break a string..

The absolute Best action and setup ever known to man.. I changed from 9's to 10's though..minor tweaking...good to go...Great top..The guitar fell of a stand and the neck knocked against something and has a little nick at the 5th fret..but I gotten used to it...makes me remember that I'll never sell it.

I never poped a string live with this..but I play alot of guitar dominated music.. Satch, Lynch, Toto, Blah Blah.. and I wont want to feel insecure about making a wide vibrato or bend..

I wrote once about the posibility of have the same pickup combinations via the toggle and push pull..but they said no.. I still think it may be possible.

I've been playing maybe 12 years of intense stuff.. I stated on Randy Rhoads Jake E Lee, Lynch,, Scorpions..so I got some skill I would like to think.. I win lots of Guitar competitions..If it were stolen..I would shove a rusty nail up the bastards dick hole..and run my power amps to the nail and have it arc a bit..then I'll take my guitar and have it blessed.

Mine's a 2001. I love the 5-way knob! I use all 5 settings and I never have to worry about smacking a toggle into the wrong position. It's got the PRS trem which is super solid, although I rarely use it. The PRS locking tuners are tough as well and even though I bend all night, I rarely have to re-tune. It's got a "wide-fat" neck and that's comfy as well. The case is a solid tolex hardshell.

I bought this guitar for its versatility. I play a variety of styles and find that all 5 of the pickup settings are useful for distinctly different sounds. I can get a thin strat-like single coil sound or back up to a round neck-PU. The bridge PU setting gives me the right sound w/out too much treble. The only thing I can't achieve with this guitar is a hollowbody sound, but I didn't expect it.

The intonation and action were perfect from the factory and I've only had to tweak it a couple of times. It came stock w/ 9's and I use 10's, so I had to make some minor adjustments. The top is not a "10-top" and the flame isn't perfectly symmetrical, but all that did was save me a couple of hundred bucks. Likewise for the "moons" inlays rather than the "birds". I don't want to spend hundreds on aesthetic quality just to gig and ding the hell out of it. The PU's were just the right height and I have huge output without obstruction. Again, THE INTONATION WAS AND REMAINS FLAWLESS!

The construction of my guitar is PERFECT and has held up to the beating I give it. My instrument is a TOOL rather than a piece of art, and I toss it around pretty liberally. Hey, that's what the hard case is for! But the guitar has shown its toughness despite my irreverent treatment. PRS finishes are super thick and I think that it would take forever to wear it down. The strap buttons have never seen a second of use, since I threw Schaller's on it the day I got it. The only wear and tear it's seen is on the PU covers, but that's only because I'm a slob and I never clean them. I gig without a backup every week and although I occasionally have to deal with a lightning string-replacement, I don't have the money for PRS #2 and am too dissatisfied with the other guitars I own (A Schecter with crap electronics and an Epiphone)to gig with them.

I used to work at a guitar shop in Baltimore, so I developed a personal relationship with PRS reps. They've always been great to me and my former customers. I have no clue about the warranty and I've never had to have it repaired.

I've been playing for 15 years and I love this guitar. It's my baby and an extension of my playing. I play it through a Marshall JTM60 2x12 combo and the 3 of us get along perfectly. I got an insane deal on it as a GC employee, and it was worth every penny. I would definitely save up for another one if I had to. It feels better than any other solidbody I've ever played, let alone owned. It's perfect for me. Do yourself a favor: Screw the "birds 10-top" price increases. Although it's hard to find a CST22 or CST24 without those features, all they do is empty your wallet for nothing.