#6037 – PRS SC250 Artist Pack – black cherry – used/2007

So 5 key points you’ll probably want to know with regard to this used PRS SC250 Artist Pack model, from 2007 with a lush black cherry finish – 1) It is a very close call to it earning that mint, as new condition tag – Granted, it is not quite there, but exceptionally clean nonetheless 2) All original and includes the appropriate factory tag and  a very clean ‘artist pack’ deluxe case 3) Whole guitar weighs 8lbs and 2oz  4) Brazilian rosewood fingerboard 5) Wide/fat neck profile

Quick history lesson :- When PRS first introduced a single cut model it had a simple name – Singlecut – More of a modern approach to the single cut theme and certainly not a Gibson-esq model – Apart from the aesthetic options, like moon or bird inlays, 10 top or artist pack, there was certainly no additional models available within the range – That all changed after the Gibson v PRS court case – I suppose the fact that PRS won the case, (albeit on an appeal) then it gave them the freedom to expand the single cut theme – Initially PRS went down two routes at the same time – The SC245 was the more traditional model without ever being a copy – But the 250 was closer to the original Singlecut model and was aimed, along with the Mark Tremonti Signature model, at the ‘modern’ guitarist – Hotter pick-ups – 25″ scale length – Whilst a fully adjustable wrapover bridge/tailpiece suited players wanting to detune etc – Locking tuners  – In time the 245 morphed into the SC58 and in time to the 594 model that we see today – But the SC250 always took more of the modern players approach – In time it was dropped from the catalogue, so other than the Mark Tremonti model, PRS have now gone down the vintage route, with regards to single cut models

Additional info on this used PRS 2007 SC250 Artist Pack model :- 

• Sorry that the pics do not do the finish, colour and highly figured maple top justice – Largely due to my poor camera skills – Hard to get rid of any additional glare – To much exposure, in order to show off more of the highly figured maple top and the finish looks to bright – Not enough exposure and whilst you capture more of the lush nature of the black cherry finish, you fail to show the maple top at its best  – But that artist pack graded maple top is seriously loaded with character
• Today the Artist Pack options have effectively morphed into wood library models – Both Artist Pack and Wood Library are aesthetic gradings  that  sit above any regular 10 top models, but below the one off, custom ordered Private Stock models – Artist Pack options include gold hardware throughout, paua shell inlays which beam from the Brazilian rosewood fingerboard
• Rosewood headstock facia + truss rod covers and again paua shell is utilised for the PRS signature inlay
• For a short while Brazilian rosewood was utilised on select Artist Pack models – Dark chocolate character, smooth grained with a hint of that ‘wax’ character that you can often find on such fingerboards
• Quick story on paua shell – The pics alone will tell you how colourful such material is – I’m led to believe that the appropriate USA wildlife and fisheries authorities are now limiting the use of many such shells and quite right as well – But a number of years ago I was fortunate to visit New Zealand – One day, whilst walking on a beach, I noticed a very colourful shell – Asking a local what it was they said paua – This beach was littered with it – Almost like walking on Brighton beach with the stones
• Condition wise, as I mentioned above, this SC250 is exceptionally clean – Even the gold hardware shows little, if any signs of wear – Even where many tend to rest their picking hand, against the string post on the low E side – Look carefully at the highly gloss black cherry finish and you’d be pushed to find any hint of a graze – It might not be 10 out of 10, but it is a strong 9.5 out of 10 – Even the deluxe Artist Pack grade case shows only subtle signs of use
• One piece mahogany body – Whole guitar weighs 8lbs and 2oz – Remember the SC250 models were spec’d with chambered bodies – Maybe in part for weight reasons, but equally in part for a tighter ‘clean’ voice with less moody mids
• Wide Fat neck profile – more on this later – measures .894″ around the top nut end and .970″ around the 12th fret
• 25″ scale length
• 10″ fingerboard radius
• Medium jumbo frets that are effectively the same size as Dunlop 6150  3 way switch
• No coil tap options so volume + tone pots for each pick-up  250 spec’d treble and bass pick-ups
• Re-strung with 10-46 gauge strings and set-up with a slinky and easy to handle action

The C neck profile possesses  similar measurements to many Gibson LP Standard/Custom – Not as chunky as PRS use today on the 594 vintage flavoured models, nor indeed as chunky as Gibson tend to favour on the R7, R8 and R9 Custom Shop vintage models – Same neck profile as PRS have used on models like the Custom 22 and McCarty and effectively similar to the current Pattern profile –  It certainly feels very comfortable, plus slick ‘n’ easy to handle, coupled with easy access to the top end of the fingerboard, so far less of that clubby feel that you’ll find on many LP’s – It is getting that balance right between enough meat to aid tone, sustain and stability v a comfortable feel to deliver the ultimate playing performance – The 22 fret rosewood fingerboard features 22 medium jumbo frets, which are impeccably installed and polished to perfection – The guitar is set up with a well balanced fluid action, so even with a set of 10’s, string bending is smooth and effortless, whilst flashy speed licks can flow effortlessly from your fingertips, which will ensure it is a favourite for the modern rock gymnastics players – Fitted throughout with gold hardware, including the PRS spec’d wrapover bridge/tailpiece with adjustable bridge saddles, whilst a set of  PRS 14:1 ratio locking tuners are now fitted on to the SC250

Tone is provided by a pair of PRS 250 Treble and Bass humbuckers, controlled in the traditional way via a 3 way toggle switch along with a volume and tone pot for each pick-up – The neck pick-up possesses excellent articulation, whilst it still retains its velvet smooth vintage based qualities, so ideal when you wish to drop into the more sultry classic rock blues styles of Moore and Bonamassa – As such the SC250 is not just a modern rock beast – Maybe you weren’t expecting the SC250 to be capable of  performing in a chilled out jazz/blues environment, but that neck pick-up can purrrrr with the best of them  – The bridge pickup, on a guitar like this, will probably end up doing the lions share of the hard work in a modern rock combo – Maybe it is a fine line between a brutal shin kicker and a controlled party animal that has been held back on a leash – The tone from the bridge pick-up is big and thick, with a lot of influences from the Tremonti bridge humbucker, hence full tight lows, clear highs with just enough punch in the mid range region, so no shortage of sustain – Coupled with excellent articulation, string separation is clearly noticeable on chords and arpeggios, even when you wish to add shed loads of overdrive on your amp – Try a few drop tunings and thanks to the tighter 25″ scale length, the guitar still delivers the goods perfectly, with no hint of sloppiness on the thicker strings – From bone crunching riffs to scorching lead work the SC250 is an ideal guitar for the modern rock based guitarist – However with the variation of tone on modern amps, coupled with big variations on gain levels etc, the SC250 can deliver more traditional vintage tones if required, so do not think of it as a one trick pony

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