Could we really say that this second hand PRS Studio 10 Top, finished in blue crab is used, as in this instance, the term 'used' is a massive understatement - It is only a few weeks old and is still in as new condition, hence it is as 'unplayed' as a used guitar could possibly be - So to all tense and purposes it can be viewed as a new instrument - In fact, I bet this used PRS Studio is in better condition, with a superior set-up, compared to some new Studio's that you'll find in certain UK showrooms

I first sold this PRS a few weeks ago so the details listed below are as per our original web listing

I hand picked this PRS Studio guitar, largely due to the new blue crab blue V 12 finish that sits proudly on an exceptional flamed maple '10' top
So Read on to discover more tantalizing details
One piece mahogany body
Flamed maple '10' top
V12 blue crab blue finish
Bird inlays
22 fret Rosewood fingerboard
Mahogany neck with pattern thin neck profile
Nickel hardware inc PRS tremelo and low mass locking tuners
57/08 Narrowfield pick-ups - neck/middle
57/08 bridge humbucker
5 way blade switch
Master volume and tone control
Push/pull coil tap on tone pot
Includes deluxe PRS case
Set-up with a set of 10's

The PRS Studio was launched late 2010 to deliver a guitar with staggering versatility, coupled with all the regular ingredients that makes that PRS playing experience so wonderful - Tone, emotion, soul, fluid playing action, effortless string bending, impeccable build quality and attention to detail and don't forget smouldering beauty - PRS have taken some of the features from the best selling Custom 22 and McCarty models, tweaked a few details and added a few new components and hey presto the PRS Studio is born - The thicker mahogany body is taken from the McCarty, but weight watchers need not worry as this model barely hit 8lbs on our scales - The additional depth ensures the guitar will retain plenty of depth, warmth and soul - Perched on top of the mahogany body is a delectable flamed maple top, which in turn receives the new V12 blue crab blue finish

The new V12 finish is the result of a 12 year development program that combines a vintage nitro based lacquer with the modern acrylic finishes - The goal was to create an ultra thin lacquer that allows the guitar to breathe and resonate freely, accentuates the guitars beauty, yet at the same time still retains the tough glass like appearance that PRS have become renowned for

The next tweak concerns the neck profile - One of Paul Reed Smith's priority is to ensure that any PRS guitar instantly feels nice and playable the second you pick it up, to deliver a playing experience that does not inhibit your playing technique/potential - This model features the 'pattern thin' profile, which is an updated version of the wide/thin profile - Yes it retains a comfortable amount of girth to it, so as not to compromise tone and sustain, but the slimmer profile ensures a fast, fluid and comfortable playing action along the whole 22 fret fingerboard - The fingerboard edges are 'rolled' to add to the comfort and 'played in' vibe, that you'll no doubt feel as you rip into some tasty licks - 22 medium jumbo frets are correctly installed, profiled and polished to perfection to allow effortless and controlled string bending, so much so that a set of 10's still feel nice and slinky - The fret work, inconjunction with the PRS top nut, ensure excellent intonation, so even complex jazz chords still sound in tune above the 12 fret

Hardware is still the PRS 14:1 ratio locking tuners, which in-conjunction with the PRS modern fulcrum tremelo ensure excellent tuning stability - The tremelo has a nice positive and smooth feel about it, whilst both the saddles and trem block are milled from brass to again enhance tone and sustain - Only serious heavy dive bombers may find any tuning issues with this trem package, so in normal hands it works with out any problem

Now on to the tonal package - The two 57/08 Narrowfield humbuckers, along with the 57/08 humbucker are controlled via a 5 way 'Strat' style switch, along with a master volume and tone pot, with a push/pull coil tap option for the bridge pick-up built into the tone pot - As an overview, the 57/08 Narrowfield pick-ups deliver more depth and body than you'll find on a regular single coil pick-up, yet with far more clarity and smooth clear highs than can be found on a regular humbucking pick-up - The position 2 and 4 settings on the 5 way switch deliver those 'out of phase' quack style tones that Fender players no so well - Roll off the tone pot a touch and the neck pick-up has enough warmth and sultry qualities to deliver chilled out jazz/blues tones, yet with all the controls back on 10, the neck pick-up on its own is clear, rich and warm, with a tight focussed low end that suits both chord work and solo passages - Add some overdrive on the amp and the transparency of the Narrowfield pick-up's ensure it works well on Texas blues shuffles and Little Wing style licks, hence less muddy than a humbucker, but remember the taper of the pots is so good, that as you 'roll off' the tone control, then darker/moody voices are available to you - Furthermore the volume pot works smoothly over the whole 1-10 range, which enables you to clean up an overdrive amp setting, hence so much more soul and emotion is immediately available to you - The PRS 57/08 bridge humbucker has a vintage based output, hence clean tones are warm and smooth with plenty of body and articulation - Add some subtle overdrive for blues and boogie style riffs and again subject to how you work the tone and volume pots, the guitar will respond and deliver a throaty bite that snarls, or it can be softer, as required - Furthermore, for those big Who style power chords that zing and cut through the mix, this pick-up is ideal, or indeed clean up the amp a bit and either on its own or in-conjunction with the middle pick-up you can get some great jangly 60's style pop rhythm tones out of it - Turn up the overdrive into a hi-gain/classic rock setting and this puppy sings with so much musical character and works well with all the regular Gary Moore, Paul Kossoff, Joe Bonamassa, Santana and Van Halen styles - As an overview, the Studio is more of a Gibson guitar than a Fender guitar, but whereas a Les Paul delivers the obvious LP tones and nothing more, the PRS Studio allows you to obtain some of those classic Gibson tones, yet at the same time delve into single coil flavoured tones - Extremely versatile is the key word here and with a suitable amp it will work in many musical enviroments

Equally the PRS 513 is extremely versatile, but I would say that if you want a guitar that is more Gibson than Fender, then go for the Studio, yet if you want a guitar that is more Fender than Gibson then opt for the 513 - Your choice