Paul Reed Smith Archtop IV
The first four pictures were taken outside last year.
The next six pictures were taken in harsh light this evening to accentuate the hazing. There is some fret grooving down low, as seen in pictures #5 & #6. The hazing is present on the neck and headstock as well as a little on the high crown of the lower bout (side edge only) as seen in picture #10. Click on the pictures for full view.
The last six pictures were taken a few years ago. The top and back have not changed. The guitar plays beautifully and sounds great. I did not play it a lot. I used it as a back-up while I had my primary Archtop II re-fretted. I had been grinding out gigs on that one for 14 years and wore the frets down. It is still my number one.
I bought this guitar from a guy that lived in Arizona. He played a lot of outdoor festivals with a popular jam band out there. He sent me some videos at the time. I think the time in the desert and in the sun may have contributed to the development of hazing as the guitar aged. I can't say for sure. It happens to some of their 2000's guitars and doesn't happen to others. It can be refinished at the factory but it's not cheap. I'm in the $3400 range for this one, as-is.
1998 Archtop I - Two Color Burst
The first picture is from the listing that you've seen. It summarizes the cosmetics. I've added a shot of the frets, a tiny ding filled on the back corner at the top and another view of the primary area seen in the listing photo. I've looked the guitar over and reviewed the details in the original listing. The description is rock solid as written.
2002 Archtop I - Tri-Color Burst
This guitar has a beautiful fretboard. There is no discernable wear up or down the neck. After looking the guitar over I re-visited my listing text. I had made no mention of the frets, good, bad or otherwise. Sorry for that. I was surprised to see the references of two little nicks at the edges. I did not notice them at all as I held the guitar in my hands and inspected it today. I don't doubt that they are there, but they must be pretty insignificant if they avoided my current inspection. I'll Bring the guitar back and have another look, if only in curiosity.
