The Story: 30th Anniversary Vine Collection

2015 30th Anniversary Vine McCarty

​​To compliment the elegant fretboard design, each of the 30th Anniversary “Vine” Guitars feature a highly figured Artist Grade Maple top along with a highly figured Artist Grade Maple neck.

​With this guitar, serial # 15 222297, we present one amazing guitar in new condition. It is a McCarty model in Makena Blue with a one piece quilted top, and offers a wide variety of tones. ​Again, from the Inside PRS archive:

David's Notes: For 2015 Paul reintroduced his McCarty model, which was his way of paying homage to his mentor, Ted McCarty. For a bit more background, allow me to quote from the PRS website, "In 1994, PRS released the first McCarty, an instrument that incorporated the full spectrum of techniques and knowledge Paul had gained from Ted as well as his own experiences as a guitar builder.  It is in honor of Ted McCarty – his knowledge, his friendship, and his memory – that PRS reintroduces the McCarty model."  This particular instrument is furthermore special in that it is from the limited and sought after 30th Anniversary Vine collection, which adds the Vine fretboard inlay, a stunning one piece quilted maple top, a quarter sawn flame maple neck, and Gaboon Ebony for the fretboard itself. Only fifty McCarty Vine models were made worldwide and I had the distinct honor of being able to view and play a number of them and pick two that I thought were the best examples. The top on this particular guitar, serial #222297, is like looking down on the surface of a tidal pool. Simply mesmerizing, as is the instrument's tone. This is one that a number of people tell me I should never sell, but I believe it too should go to someone who will play it.

Purchase This Guitar!

​​Inspired in part by our Tree of Life inlay designs, the 30th Anniversary Vine is an elegant inlay made from Mother of Pearl, Paua, and Paua Heart. This special inlay is being offered on two models: the Custom 22 and newly reintroduced McCarty. The McCarty model pays homage to Paul’s mentor, Ted McCarty. The PRS McCarty model features a slightly thicker back for enhanced tone and sustain and the new 58/15 treble and bass pickups, which were personally designed by Paul Reed Smith. This guitar honors a legacy of innovation.

Specifications:

​Top Wood: Artist Grade Figured Maple
Back Wood: Thick Mahogany
Number of Frets: 22
Scale Length: 25"
Neck Wood: Figured maple
Fretboard Wood: Gaboon Ebony
Fretboard Inlays: Mother of Pearl 30th Anniversary Birds with Paua/Paua Heart Vine
Neck Shape: Pattern
Bridge: PRS Stoptail w/ Brass Inserts
Tuners: PRS Phase III Locking Tuners
Hardware Type: Hybrid
Treble Pickup: PRS 58/15 Treble
Bass Pickup: PRS 58/15 Bass
Controls: One Volume and One Push/Push Tone Control with 3-Way Toggle Pickup Switch

​Mother of Pearl and Paua was carefully assembled and placed in the Gaboon Ebony fretboard by hand.

Images of PRS serial # 15 222297

​At PRS we care a lot about the art of guitar making. Things like quality, innovation, and a guitar’s aesthetic beauty keep us excited about our next build.

To celebrate our 30th Anniversary of guitar building and continue our love of the art we are releasing the 30th Anniversary “Vine” guitars. Two of our popular core models, the Custom 22 and McCarty, will be adorned with Mother of Pearl 30th Anniversary Bird Inlays and Paua Vines down the fretboard. This elegant new design will be crafted in a small batch of only 100 guitars.

The design came to life through a brainstorm with our friends at Aulson Inlay, the same company PRS worked with to produce the 30th Anniversary Private Stock Dragon. Soon a rough “Vine” sketch came to life.

This guitar has found a new home with Frank M. Congratulations Sir!

For the story behind this particular limited collection series, let us turn to the following article from Inside PRS: