Here is an exceptional and rare guitar produced by PRS when the brand was still a small factory, and especially before the standard specifications of 1987. This rare 1986 vintage guitar has all the specifications of the first PRS produced by the first Paul Reed Smith factory from 1985, and the standardization of production in 1987 left these first two years of production in the annals. 1985 and 1986 are landmarks for PRS Guitars connoisseurs.

These first models produced between 1985 and 1986 have sounds to die for, thanks in part to the woods and above all to the manufacturing quality, almost all handmade. The mahogany and especially the rosewood of the fingerboard, brazilian, are majestic! The original T and B pickups are exceptionally dynamic and by activating the Sweet Switch, you soften the sound of the beast. The guitar is completely original and 100% working, but naturally shows signs of play, on the one hand because it is almost 40 years old, and on the other hand because it is a wonderful instrument and has therefore been played a lot. Small dings, a few deeper marks and scratches in the finish, but in the end it all comes down to playwears and reguar life of a guitar. The photos do not really reflect these small scratches and flaws in the finish but the beast has not suffered or fallen, no breakage, repair or split or anything in the wood.

So, 1986 is already rare for a PRS (less than 1700 guitars built at the end of 1986) but what makes the beauty even rarer is the finish. Black was a standard color, but as you can see our guitar can look like black in one light and then in another it has some nice subtle metallic flakes and highlights. In 1986 this custom color, Pearl Black, cost more because it was optional, and was a real joy to the eye and a nice addition for the PRS Standards of the time. This little marvel is a bomb to play, the neck is crazy, the tone is obviously crazy because the body is only made of mahogany. It still has bite and attack, but above all it has a bump in the midrange, an opening of tone which is magnificent. This guitar sings and everything sounds open and defined.

The frets are original and have received a professional polish, so they are in immaculate condition. The neck profile is “Regular”, which nowadays translates to “Pattern Regular”. The neck is straight and the guitar weighs only 3.47kg. The hardcase shows signs of use and one of the latches needs help latching, but all open without any issues and all latches stay locked beautifully.