Apparently, PRS are finally working on a mutli-scale 7-string guitar for a client. And it seems to be available for purchase in Japan: https://www.digimart.net/cat01/shop3800/DS04119315/
Only 2,160,000 yen which is about $19,800 USD!
![[Image: 65ff60c94853d38af0d9c9a734d324fe90ad9b.jpg]](https://img.digimart.net/prdimg/m/6e/65ff60c94853d38af0d9c9a734d324fe90ad9b.jpg)
In predictable PRS fashion, you don't even notice it because it's a very small fan of 0.75" - from 24.75"-25.5". What you do notice is what the PRS Private Stock is known for -- those extreme figured tops and finishes. And this certainly has it. Also, the client apparently paid a large amount to do this multi-scale development for PRS.
On another forum, someone familiar with the guitar commented that it took PRS 1 year to get the CNC programming right for the the multi-scale. I thought this was ridiculous. Maybe it should have been worded differently -- like perhaps it took a year to develop the whole guitar. But for CNC programming? That makes no sense unless they are incompetent. In fact, if it's a one-off, someone skilled at the shop could do that by hand much faster -- just like any competent one-man shop luthier could.
There were all sorts of examples brought forth on why it takes 1-2 years or longer for a custom guitar to get delivered. Apparently people don't read very well or lack understanding of details. It isn't the issue that it takes a year or more to develop a new guitar -- that makes sense on mass-produced guitars. It could go through multiple iterations and be subject to sales, marketing, and all sorts of design reviews before it's released. Or it could be lower priority for the staff. But the actual construction time is usually far less unless it is a very new concept requiring new design, materials, construction, etc.
But that does not apply to this case because it isn't a new model other than the multi-scale as far as I can see. No new materials, construction, etc. And it's done as a custom one-off -- not mass produced. So all the arguments as to why it takes years to produce a custom guitar go out the window in my opinion because one guy can cut the multi-scale frets probably in a week if they wanted to. So why you would need 1 year to program a CNC to do this job ONCE does not make any sense. Most likely, they programmed it to do different multi-scales and offer it later as an option. This makes way more sense. But still -- 1 year to do the programming? That is pretty pathetic. Again -- maybe it took a year to get executed because the team had other things to do and it was low priority. That makes more sense. But to say it took a full year just to get the programming right? That does not show confidence and skill in my opinion. Or ultimately what it shows is that the original statement isn't correct. The devil is in the details.
Anyways, it got me thinking on two very different subjects:
Only 2,160,000 yen which is about $19,800 USD!
In predictable PRS fashion, you don't even notice it because it's a very small fan of 0.75" - from 24.75"-25.5". What you do notice is what the PRS Private Stock is known for -- those extreme figured tops and finishes. And this certainly has it. Also, the client apparently paid a large amount to do this multi-scale development for PRS.
On another forum, someone familiar with the guitar commented that it took PRS 1 year to get the CNC programming right for the the multi-scale. I thought this was ridiculous. Maybe it should have been worded differently -- like perhaps it took a year to develop the whole guitar. But for CNC programming? That makes no sense unless they are incompetent. In fact, if it's a one-off, someone skilled at the shop could do that by hand much faster -- just like any competent one-man shop luthier could.
There were all sorts of examples brought forth on why it takes 1-2 years or longer for a custom guitar to get delivered. Apparently people don't read very well or lack understanding of details. It isn't the issue that it takes a year or more to develop a new guitar -- that makes sense on mass-produced guitars. It could go through multiple iterations and be subject to sales, marketing, and all sorts of design reviews before it's released. Or it could be lower priority for the staff. But the actual construction time is usually far less unless it is a very new concept requiring new design, materials, construction, etc.
But that does not apply to this case because it isn't a new model other than the multi-scale as far as I can see. No new materials, construction, etc. And it's done as a custom one-off -- not mass produced. So all the arguments as to why it takes years to produce a custom guitar go out the window in my opinion because one guy can cut the multi-scale frets probably in a week if they wanted to. So why you would need 1 year to program a CNC to do this job ONCE does not make any sense. Most likely, they programmed it to do different multi-scales and offer it later as an option. This makes way more sense. But still -- 1 year to do the programming? That is pretty pathetic. Again -- maybe it took a year to get executed because the team had other things to do and it was low priority. That makes more sense. But to say it took a full year just to get the programming right? That does not show confidence and skill in my opinion. Or ultimately what it shows is that the original statement isn't correct. The devil is in the details.
Anyways, it got me thinking on two very different subjects:
- PRS Private Stock. I already have an article on these as being more bling than anything. And this multi-scale just reasserts that. I think the serial numbers are at 6700+. They are not rare. In fact, they are pseudo-production now, which is probably why they need CNC to do everything they can. Sadly, I don't see any new ideas in design, construction, materials. It's a custom options shop driven by clients' wishes on how much bling they can afford -- crazy inlays, tops, exotic woods, etc. None of those contribute to playability or tone from a normal PRS. I doubt the doctors and lawyers buying these could tell the difference in a double-blind listening test. :-) If PRS were really forward looking, they would have spent all the money they are making into developing multi-scale instruments and other designs and options rather than have their clients pay for this development! Ah -- true businessmen indeed.
- Forum intelligence. My discussion on the incredulity of a one year CNC programming window apparently got lost on many. The arguments were laid out clear and concisely, with examples. Yet the counter examples had no bearing and were not relevant. I kept giving concrete examples and presented my point -- to the point that the moderators told me to stop (though they kept commenting negatively). People just took the original info presented and accepted it as fact, without any critical thinking. No wonder the world has so much fake news and a world leader who generates so much of it. They so easily accept it without questioning and no critical thinking.
