Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 Artist Package

The artist package speaks for itself. It is a little extravagant for a working guitar but mine was not so it's cool. Dragon II pickups, locking tuners, split coils, 5-way rotary pickup selector (that I do not like). Would give it a 9 for features except for the rotary pickup selector which is a bad design and popped whenever I switched pickups.

I tried to like this guitar's sound especially considering how much I paid for it. But, fact is that the Dragon II pups are sterile and have no soul. I have several boutique tube amps but was never able to dial in a sound that really spoke to me. The neck humbucker did a decent job of distorted lead tones, but that is about it. I have been told that the new 57/08 piickups are excellent but when I contacted PRS about getting a set I was bluntly told that they are not for sale. Too bad. Pissed me off enough that I have recently sold the guitar.

These things are beautifully built considering they are mass produced. Everything fits perfectly, the action is great, and the trem stays in tune no matter how hard you use it. I didn't use it a lot but when I did it was nice to have the guitar stay tuned...something I could rarely achieve with a Fender. It is a beautiful guitar to look at and to hold, but it is too bad the sound is mediocre.

No real opinion. Owned the guitar about three years before I sold it and there were never any quality or reliability issues.

Given their response to my question about buying the 57/08 pickups, I can only rate them as average. PRS needs to realize that many people want to upgrade their older PRS guitars to something that sounds better. If they can't do that, then the guitars get sold as mine did and former owners no longer have the desire to own another PRS since the company will not help them upgrade an existing guitar. If you look on most websites or in most stores that carry the PRS line, you will see lots and lots of PRS guitars hanging around unsold. Some have been there for years. The reason is that no one wants to spend over 3k for a guitar that doesn't sound great. If PRS wakes up and makes their better pickups available to existing ownere as an upgrade, it will create goodwill and generate repeat sales.

This could have been a great guitar. Playability, looks, workmanship, and feel are first rate but then there is that soul-less tone thing. I've been playing for 40 years and own over a dozen guitars. Few are better built than the PRS but all of them sound better. It is a paradox to be sure. If I could have upgraded the pickups, I would have kept it butit is gone now and the truth is I don't miss it.

2007 guitar. This is a standard Cust 22 w/ Artist Package which means you get the nicer top, nicer birds, gold hardware, nicer case etc. Everything else (frets, pickups, knobs, etc) is just like the regular cust 22. In my mind the nicer top and birds was worth the price (for me it worked out to be about $250.00 more but I think it could be as much as $400.00 in some cases).

I like blues, classic rock, a little jazz. This guitar does a fantasic job on all of those genres. From my research with a couple different knowledgeable CG managers, vintage sounds are right in the the custom 22's (dragon II pick-ups) wheel-house where as if you want a more high gain, modern, nu-metal sound the Cust 24 is the way to go with hotter pick-ups. For me, this guitar sounds chock-full of the tone I want.

Well, what can I say ...it's a PRS. Some people say PRS's do not have their own unique sound and that may be true, but I say in return..."Who Cayers" (referencing SNL's impression of Joy Behar). Just look at this thing!! It's a work of art!! The Action, Fit and Finish are simply as good as it gets for a guitar under $10K . Yes, it sounds a little bit like a Les Paul at times and a little bit like a Strat at other times (depending on the settings) but in my mind that is a good thing!! And you'll never hold a Strat or a LP that feels as nice (good wt and balance - which a lot of times does not get discussed).

Everything about this guitar tells me it's built very solid and will withstand massive amounts of giging. I personally haven't even taken mine out of the house but maybe 3 or 4 times.

During my "which guitar to buy" research period I took the tour of the PRS factory. There were only 4 people on the tour so it was very good for seeing/learning. The company was super friendly and the tour that was supposed to only take 45 minutes took about 1 1/2 hours because they wanted to make sure we saw everything and answered all of our questions. Paul Reed Smith walked by us during the tour (he was working) and later our tour guide Shawn Nuthall went above and beyond to track him down for us (he was getting ready to hop in his car to head home for the night). Mr Reed signed our PRS books (I wish I had my camera). I subsequently talked to Shawn many times to get some clarifications on the different models, capabilities etc. He was always very helpful. Nothing has gone wrong since my purchase but I would say they are an extreamly customer oriented company. Mr Reed himself was very gracious and took the time to talk to us and ask us what we liked etc. - customer focus starts at the top!

Fantasic Guitar! Customer focused company and management. What can I say? I don't spend over $3K lightly. I did massive amounts of research and I'm convinced I made a very good purchase and everytime I play my PRS I'm glad i didn't lower my standards.

I have a quilt top Custom 22 Artist Package in Amber. I ordered it with the HFS/PRS vintage bass combo. I also have a trem bar, and ordered it with the wide thin neck. 5 position rotary. Penty of sounds to choose from.

I use this for some of my hard core rock passages, and it completes my arsenal, beside a Fender Eric Johnson and a Gretch 6120 in tiger maple. I run it through a Fender Twin with BK Butler, Keeley compressor and TS808 mod, also with a TC electronics Vintage delay and Chorus/Flanger OR my Soldano SLO100. It sounds killer

Awesome fit and finish. Best I have ever seen on an electric guitar.

Solid as a Rock

Never needed them

Worth every penny. Too bad they don't offer the quilt top with the Artist package any more.

Beleive it or not, I purchased this guitar new in April 2003, but have only got round to posting this review, but then, I've lived with it for well over three years, so hopefully, I can give prospective owners some real insight. My particular guitar is a Custom 22, Artist Pack, eye-poppingly beautiful red cherry sunburst quilt, obviously a '10-top,' gold hardware, tremlo bridge, wide-fat neck, fitted with McCarty electronics (ie the Les Paul style 3-position switch).

PRS's are built with the player in mind in the same way a Porsche 911 is build around the driver - small details like a tiny tensioning bolt, adjustable with an allen key on the tremelo bridge, to adjust the tightness of the tremelo bar, so it doesn't swing around like a loose Strat bar would. Another example, string changes take no time at all...simply slacken off the strings, and use your pick to loosen the screw-cap on the tuning post, remove, insert your new string (no winding necessary), re-tighten the screw-cap, tune to pitch and your playing....how thoughtful, in a word, quality.

All the bits pieces came with it - smart but tough & protective leather case and owners literature & tools. Its a stunning guitar and on rare gig appearances, many (evidently)knowledegable folks have sked me whether or not its Private Stock, yes, its that eye-catching.

I play a range of jazz, funk, blues music and this guitar does it all. Pair it up with my main amps (Fender Twin and a 1983 Concert) and it will play Lukeather-like dirty when you want it to, throttle back on the volume and you can play cool Carlton chords. Does a lovely, warm and vibrant clean tone, as well. Also, I've added a Keeley compressor to my board, which, incredibly, makes it even sweeter. Great range of sounds, its an amazingly versatile guitar.

The neck is immensely comfortable, the wide-fat variety giving lots of warm sustain (owing to the greater mass) and playing lead breaks and difficult chords at all speeds if far easier than on other guitars I can mention. In fact, I will mention them - would never part with them but it comprehensively outdoes my Les Paul Standard (which equipped with Vintage Seymours, so its an enhanced LP) and it puts my Custom Shop Strat in the shade.

It's a nice weight as well - if you think of something which has the lightness and playability of a REALLY good Strat, but the creamy sustain of a good Les Paul,but looks to beat them both, then you have a Custom 22.

I really cannot fault this guitar - looking at todays prices, I probably paid very sightly over the odds for it at the time, jeez, I'm SO glad I did. I've yet to see one which looks-wise at least, can match this one,

Paul RS prides himself on producing instruments which don't require extensive setting up post-sale, that you can take it straight out of the case and use it live. This is very much the case with my example, it felt 'right' straight out of the box.

PRS's are like Ferraris in that over time, you need to tweak them & give some TLC to a little to keep them singing, but thats part of the pleasure of owing one. The top E string height dropped a bit on mine, but talking to the guys at PRS, it was suggested I use the allen key to raise the height again, which solved the problem.

Finish - absolutely perfect, no flaws whatsoever, just fantastic craftsmenship all round. To anyone who has seen the PRS DVD, it won't come as any surprise - on the DVD, they show you what they do with guitars that have even minor cosmetic flaws (that other big manufacturers would actually pass for sale)- they cut them in half and throw them away!!!

No complaints here, either - PRS build quality really does stand the test of time. Gigs, rehearsals, you name it, its reliable. I have no problem using it without a back up, though my LP, Strat & Martin 000EC get regular outings - no point having these other beauties and not playing them, after all! The PRS does win though, as its such a light weight guitar compared to the LP that you can stand and play for a few hours at a time, with much less fatigue than when holding a Gibson for that period of time.

Harware seems robust, three-and-a-half years of regular use and no sign of any disclouration. Also, strap buttons are slightly bigger, so the likelihood of it falling off the strap is very low.

Never had to have it repaired, but have asked them a few maintenance questions by e-mail and these guys are right back to you within minutes, with the info you need, but politely and with alot f humour. They are a very friendly & knowledgeable bunch who take a real pride in their product, irrespective of how old it is.

PRS remind me of Mesa Boogie, another extremely customer-focussed business - in fact, have a piece from each of these two and you're most unlikely to have any issues!

Paul Reed Smith himself is very friendly - he sent me a signed electronics compartment cover shortly after I purchased my instrument - all I asked for a was a signed letter head!

Warranty is lifetime for the original purchaser, which is very generous.

Overall, after 3.5 happy years together, I have nothing but praise for this guitar. My band mates and audience love it, as well. I will never part with it, but should it ever get stolen, I will track the thief down and brutally torture him....in addition to retrieving my guitar, of course.

I love my other electrics, of course, but this one is absolutely in a different league and any other PRS will know what I mean.

I'm 43, been playing since aged 8 and presently play in a jazz funk band, so like to think I know my gear.

2001 Whale Blue Custom 22, USA MADE. 22 Frets, Artist quality Maple top on mahagony body. Mahogany neck, paua birds, rosewood overlay on headstock. Dragon II pickups, volume, tone, 3 way switching, stoptail. Was made during the transition period in 2001 between the old winged locking tuners and the Phase ii. This particular guitar did not come with any locking tuners, and wide fat neck. I recently ordered the Phase II from Magdon Music and they work perfectly.

I like to play rock hard rock and some metal, PRS are perfect for all kinds, but the Dragon II seem to have a sonic limit when it gets to a higher gain and don't really give you that extra push. For older rock and medium gain, they are excellent. Mainly play, Collective Soul, Pearl Jam, Candlebox mostly humbucking rock.

My rig goes from the PRS > Cry Baby > Sabine tuner > Mesa Single Rectifler. The Cu22 sonds very full and the bridge pickup sings. With the coil tap on, you get a decrease in signal strength, but sounds very good clean. I would say its very versatile for all kinds of rock and blues, but just ok for metal. I love the 3 way switching and will never go back to the 5 way rotary. The wide fat neck is splendid, although it took a while to get used to the painted finish. The problems I have with PRS is that they have alot of midrange and sounds very boxy to me when I have the mids turned up on my amp. them.

PRS are held to high standard and I wasn't dissapointed at all. When I fist opened the case, the whoa factor was there. Beautiful flame on the maple top, with gold hardware that complemented the black back. I had to raise both the treble and neck pickups and it sounded 10 times better. The stoptail was not adjustable, but I have never had a problem with intonation.
The only problem was that mine came with nonlocking tuners which didn't stay in tune, but that problem was resolved by putting on Phase ii . Funny that you pay an extra charge for those but they didn't include them, but I checked the PRS Web page and they confirmed that in 2001 some PRS were made without locking tuners. Weird.

I previously had a PRS CE 22 from 1995 and have only played PRS for 11 years, within that time. I have never, ever had anything go wrong with any of my PRS. The only minor flaws were the tarnishing on chrome and gold pieces, but hey, that shows that it's actually been played and which is what they were meant to do. I play at home and PRS are built like tanks, but everyone should have a backup for gigs.

I've heard nothing but good things about their customer service. One of the few places that revere their product.

Been playing for 17 years this month, my first real guitar was a PRS CE 22 and now the Custom 22. I plan to but a McCarty, Singlecut, Singlecut SE and a SRV Strat in the future, but I will always be a devout PRS fan. If it were stolen or lost, i would definitely miss it, but I would want to try the McCartys and Singlecuts to keep my tone journey going. I chose PRS because when you first pickup and strap it on, you know instictively if it feels right. That's how I've felt with all PRS, they feel like home. Comfortable and yet still exciting. I absolutely love the neck pickup with the tone rolled back a little. Beautiful, warm singing lead tone. The necks always feel perfect in every way and the Paua birds are extremely cool, my favorite is the Coopers Hawk on the 12 fret, it's so cool in Paua. I don't really like the gold hardware, and my next PRS won't have it. Also again, 3 way switching is so much better than the 5 way rotary, just flick it instead of grabbing and clicking to the other position. In conclusion, I am a PRS devotee for life. i will never have the money for Private Stock or Modern Eagles, but those are kinda superficial anyway. Do you really think about how much your guitar costs when you're caught up in the music and bending the G string up an entire note? Nah, It's all about what feels right to you and PRS guitars are my soulmates.

They could be a little cheaper so I could buy more :D

2001 Model. Five way selector. Artist grade top. Trem. I am giving it a 7 on features because I do not like the 5 way switch. I plan on switching it to the McArthy electronics. I also plan on having the bridge blocked.

I am writing this as in initial review. I just got the guitar a few days ago and I wanted to do an initial thoughts review an then another in about six months. I have to say that I do not like the sound of the dragon II pickups. They are rather harsh with no meat behind them. I am not sure what I want to switch to but I do know they have to go. My previous main axe was a MIM strat with a Jeff Beck humbucker at the bridge and Schaller locking tuners. It's pretty disappointing to me that it sounds better for both distorted and clean than the PRS. On the other hand the fit and feel of the wide thin neck and the balance of the PRS are worlds better than any strat I have played.

Right now my live setup consists of an A/B/Y box to go between a JCM900 half stack for dirty and a Rolland Jazz Chorus 120 for clean. I also have a POD Live XT that I plug into the JC120 for practice. I play in both an alternative cover band and an original rock band. I think once I swap out the pickups and the electronics this guitar will cover everything that I need.

I was looking at the Custom 24's but since I am the singer I do mostly rhythm playing so I went with the 22 as I have heard that the neck pickup in the 22 is in the sweet spot, whereas it isn't on the 24.

Action is perfect. I LOVE the wide thin neck. I don't think I can go back to playing a standard neck now. That along with the balance of the guitar are the main reasons why I bought it. The violin top leaves something to be desired though. The finish is way too thin. The tuners work OK. They are a lot more touchy than I thought they would be, and the headstock kind of gets in the way of the low and high E string tuners.

I'm sure it will withstand live playing. I'm not exactly going to beat it around given how much it cost. In fact this guitar is so beautiful I am considering buying another PRS custom 22 that is beat up so I don't feel bad about playing it live!

I would gig without a backup. The strap buttons are awesome, why doesn't everyone use these big ones?

N/A

I've been playing for about 12 years. My main guitar (as well as my first guitar) before this was a MIM strat with Jeff Beck at the bridge and standard single coils for the rest. On that guitar I have the bridge blocked and schaller locking tuners. The strat NEVER goes out of tune, EVER. I can also get any tone I want to out of it however after about 6 years of solid giging and 12 years of playing it is time for me to retire it. I have wanted a PRS since highschool and now that I have graduated from college I can finally afford one. I plan on keeping this guitar until I die, it is the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen. I just need to sort out the pickup problem.

2005 Custom 22 adorned with the Artist package. Paul Reed Smith wanted to do something extra special for the 20th anniversary edition guitars besides the birds in flight inlay pattern very special all of the 20th Anniversary Artist package customs would receive special highly figured Brazilian rosewood headstocks & fretboards some actually pulled from the private stock pile.WOW and of course the extremely high Artist/Private Stock grade figured top, all Gold hardware and the custom 22's have the Dragon 2 pickups. My 20th anniversary Artist is in Blue Matteo extremely amazing color changes in different lighting situations looks beautiful onstage! and presented in a Leather and Gold Artist Presentation Case

Produces a Thick Fat and Juicy Tone! I play in a top 40 cover band requiring many different sounds everything from blues,country,modern rock & metal. Guitar sounds great with all my amplifiers Mesa 2:90/Triaxis Rig, Mesa Recto half stack & Line 6 Flextone 3 XL.

Action was set a little high for my taste requiring me to have my guitar Tech do a setup. But the perfectly bookmatched Artist/Private Stock grade top made me smile & the insanely high figured Brazilian rosewood headstock and fretboard had me slobbering. So I can overlook the setup

PRS quality goes without saying I have played the stores for years with no issues of course I always add strap locks.

I have used customer support in the past they are extremely helpful probably the best I have ever dealt with!

I have been playing guitar for 20 years and playing PRS guitars for 16 of them. This is by far one of the finest PRS guitars I have ever played. I initially purchased his guitar as an investment I own a 10th anniversary PRS as well and I have been offered triple what I paid for it. But I started playing this guitar and bonded instantly this is my main go-to guitar in the studio and @ bigger live shows.



These 20th Anniversary Artist Customs are special not just because of the highly figured Brazilian Rosewood and special birds in flight inlay pattern.

2001,artist option,antique violin finish ,gold hardware,ebony tuning buttons,3 way toggle,,dragon 2 pu,s,quilt top,paua inlay,s,,the works

this guitar plugged into a soldano slo,,wow ,fat sound and sustain for days,i use a tc g force but have toned down my effects cuz this guitar,s tone is so good ,,used to be an ibanez,guy but after purchasing this ,those guitars feel like junk,sorry ibanez,,

the quilt top on this guitar is probobly the nicest i have seen on a prs including there private stocks ,i bought it used from someone who had played it maybe twice ,so i basically bought a fve year old brand new guitar so it was in need of a setup ,after the setup the guitar played like butter ,,low action no buz and georgous string bending,the nicest guitar i have played

gold hardware will surely ware ,i always take a backup and when i can afford another i will have another prs for that backup

never had to deal with em,,that says something

prs builds quality instruments no doubt,i will definitely purchase another,it will probobly be private stock,,expensive ,,yes ,worth it ,,absolutely

2003 WIDE THIN NECK, BEAUTIFUL MATTEO BLUE QUILT TOP, PAUA BIRDS, GOLD HARDWARE, DRAGON II PICKUPS, LOCKING TUNERS, TREMELO, VOLUME, TONE & 5 WAY SELECTOR. ALL ARTIST MODEL GOODIES

I PLAY ROCK,BLUES AND R'N'B AND THIS IS JUST AWESOME. AFTER 6 MONTHS THIS FEELS LIKE AN OLD FRIEND. RUNNING THROUGH A MARSHALL TSL100 THE TONE NEVER FAILS TO MAKE THE HAIRS ON THE BACK OF MY NECK STAND UP. I HAVE OWNED GIBSONS, FENDERS AND ALL MANOR OF OTHER GUITARS BUT THIS ONE IS STAYING.

THE SET UP IS SPOT ON STRAIGHT FROM THE SHOP. HAD A PROBLEM SNAPPING B STRINGS BUT THIS WAS CORRECTED UNDER WARRANTY - VERY FAST TURNAROUND. THE 5 WAY POPS IF CHANGING POSITION WHILE NOT PLAYING BUT WHAT A SMALL PRICE FOR ALL THE OTHER BENEFITS

THIS GUITAR IS GIGGED REGULARLY AND YES I WORRY ABOUT DAMAGE, THEFT AND DRUNKEN BUMS FALLING INTO MY GEAR BUT IT IS A WORKING GUITAR. I ALWAYS USE TAKE A SPARE GUITAR BUT WOULD DO THIS REGARDLESS OF WHICHEVER MODEL I WAS USING. ALL THE HARDWARE IS TOP QUALITY, FINISH FLAWLESS BUT I EXPECT THAT ON A GUITAR AT THIS PRICE.

THE FEW DEALINGS I HAVE HAD WITH PRS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH IN A FIRST CLASS WAY. NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THEM.

I HAVE BEEN PLAYING 26 YEARS, I ALSO OWN FENDER, CHARVEL, IBANEZ AND SQUIRE GUITARS. IF THE CUSTOM 22 WAS STOLEN I WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY GUTTED AS IT WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO GET THE MONEY FOR ANOTHER - BUT IF MONEY AVAILABLE I WOULD BUY AGAIN WITHOUT WORRY. THE SOUND IS INCREDIBLE.

2004 wide fat neck, brazilian rosewood fretboard, stopbar tailpiece, 5 way rotary switch, dragonII's, quilted tiger eye, you guys know the features.

Seems pretty flexible. Playing thru '78 Marshall JMP 2x12 50 watt combo, fender 50 watt bassman head w/ mods, fulltone fulldrive 2, dunlop univibe, crybaby wah, ross phaser, etc...I'm used to Les Paul sound. The Dragon II's are a little hot for me right now but I'm trying to get used to them. I hate the 5-way switch. Like I said I'm used to standard Les Paul 3 way. The settings seem to have a wide range of output, i.e. not very balanced. The level of output decreases dramatically on a few of the settings. Also, the knob says 1-10 as in stock volume knob. No indicator, what setting am I on again? Seems a little bright I assume due to the beautiful maple top. Really though you don't need a distortion pedal as the guitar has a lot of growl to it. I amd real curious to hear it thru a real clean fender as I have a hard time cleaning it up on my rig. All in all a mean sounding guitar. It also doesn't really have the fatness I'm used to in the bridge position. I play a lot of blues, classic rock so it's almost too hot. I played a McCarty right after I bought this one and it had the sound and the looks. Thinking of replacing my pups and switch with McCarty stuff. At least the switch, I'm really scared I'll turn this one too far and break it.

Excellent, for $3500.00 it better be.

I'm sure this guitar is reliable, but to tell the truth I'm hesitant to use it playing out. It's a VERY nice guitar.

Lifetime warranty if you turn in your card w/ in 30 days. Haven't used the company yet, doesn't really look like I'll have to.

Playing for 17 yrs. If it were stolen I would want to buy another one but could not afford to. As it was this one was gift. Also let me add that I definitely wake up at night worry about someone stealing this guitar. It is truly a work of art and superior craftsmanship. I have a 95 LP standard, a 75 LP custom, an 80's japanese paisley strat reissue, 72 telecaster deluxe reissue, johnson dobro, etc...I would like to get a 335 or a firebird ( I am a gear junkie and if you are reading this you are too.) I gave a no opinion because the nice paul reed smith's are relly too far out of reach unless you are a spoiled kid or well off middle aged. Kind of reminds me of Harley Davidson...