PRS Sunburst 22
| Posted in Guitar
The PRS Sunburst 22 is one of three models launched last year, the others being the Sunburst 245 and the Smokeburst McCarty. What made them special? They were all finished in nitro-cellulose, a solvent based laquer that once applied, results in a thinner finish. Guitar makers have been using this since the 1920s but it has been used less and less as other synthetic, water based and less volatile finishes were found to do the same job. For PRS, this was something never offered before on any model, and brought a new look to the brand.
When Paul Reed Smith talks about finishes, his mantra is one word: ‘durability’. Every finish that PRS uses is designed to last, to never peel off or crack and to never feel sticky when sweated on, even in extreme circumstances. He wants to produce guitars that look as though they are dipped in glass, and with a certain amount of transparancy .
Appearance wise, the nitro finish is a class act, enhancing the sheen or ‘patina’ to give the guitar a vintage look even though it’s brand new. It works best on sunburst and natural topped guitars, giving the wood grain its very best chance to show off, hence this guitar is only available in one finish, a double sunburst.
The Sunburst 22 is a 25″ scale length double cutaway model with a PRS Tremelo bridge and low mass locking tuners. It has a two piece maple top on a mahogany body and East Indian rosewood fingerboard. The neck is wide-fat with abalone birds inlays and the pickups are 57/08s on the neck and bridge. It is designated ’22′ on the truss rod cover. The tone pot is a push pull, facilitating a split coil option.
The now discontinued Custom 22 on which this guitar is based was different in a couple of ways; first off it featured the Dragon II pickups and secondly, it had a five way rotary pickup selector. This would be a problem for some, just glancing down isn’t going to tell you where you are and the actual switching must take an instant longer. It had no coil tapping either, unlike the Sunburst. This is becoming a standard feature on humbucker equipped guitars and is so useful.
The Sunburst 22 may not be around much longer – a relaunch is on the cards and when that happens we hope to be the first with the news. Meanwhile, if you can find a PRS Sunburst 22 still around unsold, it’s a PRS that’s just unusual enough to be that bit more interesting.
Tags: Paul Reed Smith, PRS, sunburst 22