PRS Mandolin

[jtsc]

Bringing this old thread back with a discovery! I believe this is the one she brought you (Private Stock #299). Based on the date, it seems to make sense (the only purple one I've found that PRS made). Can anyone confirm? Note, the image of the mando back is the 2nd to last one on the calendar - the deep purple one. This was made I think in '04 (as it's from the '04 PRS PS Calendar)

[delsbrother]

No one mentioned it had STARS! That changes everything!

[Jim Garber]

Back in 2005 PRS was primarily an electric guitar company. Now they also make high quality acoustics. I wonder tho if they would make mandolins.

[MikeEdgerton]

There's nothing I like better than to see a 10 year old thread revived. Sometimes we actually learn something. Carry on

[jtsc]

And here is one... it lives!!! One of the rarest of rare birds... yep as expected, in Japan where they collect everything... Available in Tokyo for about $7500 w/shipping. Man oh man - would be great if a cafe member got this one and gave us a thorough audio review!!! I wish my funds were liquid at this very moment but alas - it ain't so. It's #1175, from 5/28/09.


Check out j-guitar.com for best pics.

[Jeff Mando]

The PRS brand has some of the most loyal fans. I would also be interested in an audio review and/or comparison with something more well-known in that price range, such as a Gibson F-5, for starters.

[Petrus]

Maybe Orianthi will scoop up one of these PRS mandos. She seems to have some sort of contract with the company. I don't know if she plays mandolin though.

[billy_v]

With (an apparently) FLAT fretboard? Huh? Ack.

[jtsc]

No stars on this one but this PRS mandolin is finally back in the States! Dollar is strong against the Yen and Ochanomizu stores really looking to make a deal this Golden Week. Who needs guitars anyway! It's all mandolins these days! Could never get this one out of my head, and I tried. They did a nice set up and really friendly, knowledgeable and passionate musician/sales staff (with fairly good English spoken). Carved Red Spruce top and Curly Maple sides and back, Ebony board (flat, not radius but I like both). Customs was easy too - no Rosewood species concerns. Breaking it in now and can offer more insight on playability and sound shortly. Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome in remission (hmmm...seems awful quiet here though without any gear now...).

[MikeZito]

My personal opinion --- American PRS made some really nice $500 guitars back in the 90's - but unfortunately they charged $2,000 for them . . . so the fact that there is a (supposedly) $30,000 PRS mandolin that probably has a players worth of 1% of that, doesn't surprise me.