Paul Reed Smith Artist III Custom

The PRS Artist III is a limited edition instrument that comes with the very best that the PRS factory has to offer. However, my guitar was ordered with a number of special order options which makes it a true One OFF custom guitar. Standard appointments on the Artist include a mahogany body, maple top, rosewood fingerboard, shell bird fret markers, shell inlay on the edges of the neck and on the headstock of the guitar, and gold hardware. Electronics include Artist Pick-ups, a master tone control, master volume, and the PRS five way rotary pick-up selector knob. Special orders on my guitar: a semi-hollow body construction, a wide/thin neck, a quilted maple top color matched to a jewelery box I sent in with my order (Dusty Rose), neck adjusted to "10's" instead of the standard "9's", and most important of all, an "Electronics Change". In older model PRS guitars, they were equipped with a "Sweet Switch", which was a very subtle treble boost. This Sweet Switch was install on my Artist III in the master tone knob. The Sweet Switch is activated by PUSH/PULL activation. With this electronics change, instead of getting the standard Five tones from the PRS, I am able to get TEN distinct and useful sounds from this guitar. The electronics change is available on ANY PRS order, and I highly recommend this option to anyone considering getting a Paul Reed Smith.

With the Electronics Change and the guitar being a semi-hollow body, I am able to get some very warm Jazz tones like a Gibson ES-335. I can also reproduce some Gretch twang, as well as Fender Strat single coil tones. No matter what position the rotary knob is in, the guitar is very quiet. There are no hums or buzzes whatsoever. I do not use any FX, and I play this guitar through a Paul Reed Smith HG-70 Amplifier. The amp is somewhat rare in that they were only produced between 1990 and 1991 with only 250 total units ever produced. The amp can best be described as a combination of old Fender and Mesa Boogie. I play Jazz, Country, Rock, and New Age, and this one guitar seems to cover all of my musical bases.

PRS guitars are all well made, but they really go all out on their limited edition series. The quilted maple top in Dusty Rose is Brochure Cover quality. The guitar played like a dream right out of the box. The frets are well seated, but I would like to have seen the frets polished. And why can't a guitar manufacturer install Strap Locks as standard equipment?

I use this guitar for playing and recording and I have not had any problems. I believe this guitar will last and last as long as I do my part like wipe it down after playing and keeping it out of the rain. I do use a PRS CE-22 as a backup, but only because on some songs I need the tremolo system of the CE-22.

I have not had to contact PRS about the guitar. The warranty is only one year, but I would think a guitar like this would be lifetime. Just one thing. After the guitar was color matched to the jewelery box, I never got the box back. I have e-mailed PRS, written letters, called on the phone, and have even spoken to customer service at the Los Angeles NAMM Show. Still no box. On the bright side, the company I ordered the guitar from was great! My requests and special orders were met with a professional attitude, and I received a good price. My thanks to Mandolin Brothers in New Jersey. They rightfuflly deserve the "10" grade in this catagory.

I have been playing for twenty-eight years, and I cannot say enough about this guitar. I would replace it if it were lost, but that would not be possible. The limited run on the Artist III has been met and they can no longer be ordered. There are those who feel that the PRS is too expensive. For me, this one guitar expresses all of my musical moods and captures my "Voice" in musical expression. I don't know if you can put a price on something like that. I am very pleased with my Artist III.