Paul Reed Smith Review: Custom 22

History:

Purchase: This was a case of being in the right place at the right time. The guitar was on sale by Tokyo's main PRS dealer as a "slightly damaged demonstration model", after the recent Japan Musical Instrument Festival. The"slight damage"amounted to two small nicks in the finish where it had been repeatedly taken on & off the stands, otherwise it was perfect, with a 3 month old manufacture date,and a 40% price reduction! How could I resist it,especially seeing it had the"Artist Package" cosmetic upgrades.(better top, gold hardware etc). I paid 360000yen for it, which roughly converts to US$2950.

What I Like About This Paul Reed Smith Custom 22: The wide,thin neck is wonderful! Probably the finest I've ever played, or likely to play. Marvellous low,fast action. Through Soldano's Astroverb 16 amp, this instrument sounds incredibly warm,especially through the bridge pickup. The P/U's on this model are PRS Dragon II's,and although I'd never had any past experience with them, I've grown to love their sound very quickly. Although others have said that they dislike the rotary p/u selector, I for one like it. It's very positive,and noise free,and its wiring configuration gives the guitar a very wide range of tones.It responds very well to delicate finger-style as well as the usual over-driven tones many players desire. Even standard PRS models are beautiful instruments, but with this AAA+ top, gold hardware and a deep amber finish, it takes my breath away just standing in the corner! I love it, and that's saying something after 36 years of playing, and trying just about everything on the market! It's everything the Les Paul aspires to be, only better.

What I Do NOT Like About The Paul Reed Smith Custom 22: The tuners are a bit fiddly, but I think it's just a matter of getting used to them. After all, my other guitar is a Parker Fly, and it uses the best(and quickest) tuners of all. Sperzel locking-type. Perhaps my only concern is the durability of the gold hardware. It looks gorgeous at the moment, but it hasn't been exposed to the elements for any length of time as yet. I guess only time will tell.

Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 Quality Rating: Construction can be summed up in two words. QUALITY and STRENGTH. It's built to last, and put together flawlessly. These guys know their stuff! The Holy Grail as far as I'm concerned. BLOODY MARVELLOUS!

Review Summary: If you really want one, and can afford it, it's everything you expect it to be.Great sound, a high level of playability, and a work of art all rolled into one.Say no more!

Rating of this Paul Reed Smith product: 5

This Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 Electric Guitars Review Submitted By: Steve Tracy

Review Date: 2001-11-28