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​Since they were first manufactured in 1998, the PRS Hollowbody (& Archtop) guitars have stood above in both natural and amplified tone.  From the day (in ~2003) that I bought my first PRS Hollowbody, I noticed and have often said this about their Hollowbody and Archtop Models:  “They cut right through the mix on stage. Every note of your tone carries and doesn't have to be obnoxiously above the mix to be heard. Each note of a six string chord rings out with clarity and in perfect balance with each other."  I’ve owned more than a dozen since and they never disappoint. 

The original Archtop Bass & Treble pickups are perfectly matched to control the feedback that some associate with hollow body guitars completely.  You can dress your tone with whatever pedals you like, though I’ve never done anything but plug my guitars directly into my amps, going on 50 years.  Also great for playing unplugged around the house.  The solid mahogany back gives it warm, excellent, natural resonance & tone which are really well heard in a quiet room. The Hollowbody I and Archtop I (deeper body) models are built with a one-piece bowl cut mahogany back, which is designed with a center post which supports the bridge and transfers the resonance throughout the body while controlling feedback (see photo above taken through the top f hole of a 1998 Archtop I guitar)….(also for sale on this site).  The Hollowbody II and Archtop II (deeper body) both have maple backs, which is the primarily the only difference between any PRS I and PRS II model.

PRS guitars with a one-piece top are rare.  The physical condition of this guitar would be best described as excellent, conservatively rated at 9.7 on a scale of 10.  There are some extremely minimal finish cosmetics.  The front, back, sides and edges of the body are perfect.  The neck and headstock are as well, with the exception of the high point tip as shown in the picture.  This is not a 10 top.  The flame is very present and it moves from the bout of the guitar to the horns as you turn it in the light.  It is expressive but did not earn the “10”.  The action is excellent and the frets show absolutely no wear at all.  Excellent used / new condition.  Comes with the original hardshell case, also in excellent condition, hang tag and the case candy shown in the listing photos.

I’m a working (weekend) musician who has bought, owned, gigged and sold over 300 different PRS guitars of all models since 2001.  I’ve played a few rather impressive (electric) SE’s that were pleasantly above my expectations for their price point though I've encountered more planks than gems.  That said: The SE Hollowbody models do not come even close to the tone and quality of a core Hollowbody.  Not at any price.

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I’ve heard it said in the forums that a non-Piezo Hollowbody is of less value that a Piezo model.  The piezo guitars surely cost more, but that doesn’t mean you “need” it.  If you know what they are and you know you want one, Piezo is a great option.  You should look for a Piezo PRS.  I have some Archtop Piezo guitars available.  If you’re not likely to ever use the Piezo (most players that own them don’t), then don’t buy one.     Here’s why:   First, the piezo units increase the weight of the guitar considerably.  The Piezo guitars are still quite light, even with the option on board, but they are meaningfully lighter without it. Second, the piezo bridge frame is slightly thicker and the Piezo saddles are a little higher than either the adjustable or non-adjustable bridge that comes on a non-Piezo guitar.  The neck angle is fixed and built right into the guitar. No amount of truss adjustment will change that.  The higher contact point on the Piezo bridge for each string, limits how low the guitars action can be set.  I'm only trying to be helpful.  Please understand that I have both Piezo and non-Piezo PRS guitars.  I love them all and play both versions regularly.  I’m just saying, make sure you’re looking for the guitar that you want, instead of the guitar that you think you want.  The Piezo is an expensive option if you’re not going to use it and it does impact playability in some small measure.

 A Word About Core PRS Guitars:

PRS has always made great guitars and they still do today.  From 1985 until 2002, all PRS guitars were core PRS guitars.  The 2001 Santana III was their first model created as a second-tier instrument.  Basically, a financial decision to explore the lower price point market with an eye on producing off-shore.  Their USA and off-shore guitars are essentially made by two different companies, creating two different families of instruments.  There are the cores in one family and everything else in the other (not to mention the Wood Library pieces or of course Private Stock, both in a league of their own).  In the Forums I see a lot of SE’s with problems right off the rack or that have been so modified by their owner, they could have just bought a core PRS to begin with. PRS still regards the new CE-24 as a core model, but they are less than one-half the guitar that core CE’s were from 1995 to 2016 and one-quarter the guitar that the pre-factory alder body CE-24’s are. Those second (S2) and third tier (SE) guitars lose whatever value they ever had rather quickly.  The new core guitars are fabulous instruments, but sticker north of five or six grand and will be worth far less in 4-5 years.  If you’re casually looking here out of curiosity, while thinking more seriously about buying your sixth SE in a different color, your third S2 or a new CE-24, give some thought and consideration to selling some of what you’ve already got, to buy a Core PRS instead. Core PRS guitars hold their value and every Hollowbody core I’ve owned or played is LEVELS ABOVE every SE Hollowbody that I’ve ever encountered.  Just the opinion of a PRS fanatic that has bought, sold, owned and gigged over 300 PRS guitars across the last 25 years.

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​​​Please be sure to take a moment and click here to look at my ABOUT page or access it from the top menu bar.  I encourage even the smallest of questions so always feel free to e-mail me any time.  Over 140 of my online feedback ratings are from PRS guitar sales.

This guitar is also listed on sites with a starting price of $350 more than I'm asking here on my site, just to put a dent in the seller fees they would charge me for a transaction there. 

Why pay more than you have to?  Check my feedback and buy it here.  It may be gone soon.  Send me an e-mail and we'll talk.  

If you've come to this page directly through an organic Google search, click this link to see a list of all the guitars I currently have for sale before leaving this page.

​$2350.00 plus $50 for shipping anywhere in the lower 48.  

(Shipping with insurance will cost 3-4X that much. I'll pick up the rest)

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I recently heard someone a lot smarter than I am say: 

"Life is short..... Buy the guitar

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