Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Andrew W on May 17, 2012, 09:56:17 PM

Title: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: Andrew W on May 17, 2012, 09:56:17 PM
Well I've not been around here for a little while because I've been in Turkey for two months on a very gruelling film shoot. My "self gift", purchased with the heroic amounts of overtime I racked up is this second hand 2011 PRS DGT:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7217667562_bc705e7477_o.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/7217667562/in/photostream)

I put in a low bid on eBay during one of the dark times on the shoot (about 4 a.m. near the Syrian border I think) and the auction failed to make reserve and so I thought no more of it. Then, last week when I had got back, it was relisted and again, I put in a low bid thinking the same thing would happen. Again the auction didn't make reserve but I was the highest bidder and I was offered the second chance purchase which I jumped at.

I went and collected it this evening and I'm thrilled. I think it must have been played only a handful of times as it's immaculate, everything was still in the case: the trem bar hadn't even been taken out of its plastic bag! The previous owner had restrung it with 10s so I've just taken them off and put a set of 11s on and in the brief thrash about I've had on it, it's sounding really good. I need to have a play with the pickup heights but I'll have to wait for the weekend to do that. I'll also try and take some photos of my own (the above is from the auction listing) as it's very pretty (I think).

This does mean that I may now get a set of Mississippi Queens to put in my McCarty as I don't think I need 2 hum-bucking PRSs so there may be further developments...
 
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: TheyCallMeVolume on May 17, 2012, 10:11:26 PM
Great find! I LOVE the top on that too!
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: 38thBeatle on May 17, 2012, 11:31:13 PM
excellent- I do like a bargain.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Kiichi on May 17, 2012, 11:40:34 PM
One of those cases where it is not that evilbay...
Congrats!
And yes, we want more pics!

I feel like being pressured into buying a RPS myself by all these nice PRS NGDs around here.^^
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Philly Q on May 18, 2012, 01:50:48 AM
Excellent!  There are definitely some bargains available on PRS guitars at the moment - shame for the seller but good for the buyer!

What's the colour?  Is it just a deep orange or is there a slight burst?
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Andrew W on May 18, 2012, 07:19:59 AM
It's a Solana Burst apparently, it's quite subtle but I guess since the maple top is quite busy that's no bad thing. I also agree that it's not a good time to be selling guitars but, as you say, there are bargains to be had: an effectively new DGT 10 top for less than half new price is something I never thought I'd find.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Mr. Air on May 18, 2012, 07:49:47 AM
That guitar is looking mighty fine. Congrats on the purchase. It's always lovely to do a nice buy on ebay. I actually got an ebay buy arriving soon (hopefully it will be as good as yours) so there's another NGD in the air from air  :D
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Philly Q on May 18, 2012, 10:32:28 AM
Quote from: Andrew W on May 18, 2012, 07:19:59 AM
It's a Solana Burst apparently, it's quite subtle but I guess since the maple top is quite busy that's no bad thing. I also agree that it's not a good time to be selling guitars but, as you say, there are bargains to be had: an effectively new DGT 10 top for less than half new price is something I never thought I'd find.

Ah yes, that colour name rings a bell!

Less than half price, that's excellent!  There are loads of PRS bargains on eBay, but the only issue for me is that I like PRS guitars to be perfect (like yours).  I don't mind the odd ding on a Gibson or Fender, but I hate it on a PRS because they're just so nicely made in the first place.... and it always seems to be a chip on one of the points of the headstock!

My Standard 22 actually does have a few battle scars, but in that case I wasn't so bothered because the satin finish makes it a far more rough 'n' ready guitar in the first place.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: dave_mc on May 18, 2012, 02:11:25 PM
oooh very nice :D
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Thrull on May 18, 2012, 04:39:04 PM
I've never fallen in love with the way a PRS feels, but man i love the wood they select.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: PhilKing on May 18, 2012, 07:19:03 PM
Congratulations - it looks like you got a good deal
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: juansolo on May 18, 2012, 09:06:06 PM
ooooh pretty!
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Andrew W on May 18, 2012, 10:12:21 PM
Thanks everyone!

Further playing suggests that it's a much different beast to the McCarty than I'd thought given its heritage. I'd say the DGT has more chime and a really pleasant bloom on the notes I don't hear on the McCarty and that the string/note separation is clearer. The clean tones are better (I think) on the DGT and when fully wound up there is more clarity than I hear in the McCarty even fully overdriven. The McCarty on some settings could be mistaken for a Les Paul but I don't think you'd ever say that about the DGT, it's very much its own thing. It's a really versatile instrument, probably the most versatile guitar I've played and I love the full spectrum of beautiful shimmering cleans to pure filth I can get through my Cornell just by using the guitar controls, it's very impressive.

Further pictures will have to wait I'm afraid. I have been summoned back to Turkey for more filming at very short notice and I shan't be back for at least a week, so there'll be no photos, and even worse for me, no playing, until then. Boo.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Telerocker on May 19, 2012, 12:04:12 AM
That's a very nice catch! Congrats!
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Philly Q on May 19, 2012, 12:29:20 AM
Quote from: Andrew W on May 18, 2012, 10:12:21 PM
Further playing suggests that it's a much different beast to the McCarty than I'd thought given its heritage. I'd say the DGT has more chime and a really pleasant bloom on the notes I don't hear on the McCarty and that the string/note separation is clearer. The clean tones are better (I think) on the DGT and when fully wound up there is more clarity than I hear in the McCarty even fully overdriven. The McCarty on some settings could be mistaken for a Les Paul but I don't think you'd ever say that about the DGT, it's very much its own thing. It's a really versatile instrument, probably the most versatile guitar I've played and I love the full spectrum of beautiful shimmering cleans to pure filth I can get through my Cornell just by using the guitar controls, it's very impressive.

Do you think that's mostly down to trem vs. stoptail, or is it just the different pickups?  I don't know much about the DGT pickups, but the McCartys do seem to be a bit lacking in clarity.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Andrew W on May 19, 2012, 07:38:37 AM
Quote from: Philly Q on May 19, 2012, 12:29:20 AM
Do you think that's mostly down to trem vs. stoptail, or is it just the different pickups?  I don't know much about the DGT pickups, but the McCartys do seem to be a bit lacking in clarity.

I think the chime and note blooming feels like it comes from the trem whilst the overall extra clarity/punch is the pickups. Ultimately it's all a complex system each bit influencing everything else but overall I think that's how I'd explain the differences based on feel alone.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: keith on May 19, 2012, 12:42:46 PM
Nice :)
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Slartibartfarst42 on May 20, 2012, 11:37:55 PM
I know it's hardly the same but I can never get over how good my Custom 24 is and it's only an SE version! I'd LOVE to get an American Custom 24 but it's a lot of money I sadly don't have, though I'm always tempted to sell my SE and my Jackson to fund it I like them so much. Your guitar is absolutely stunning.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Andrew W on May 21, 2012, 01:46:09 PM
Quote from: Slartibartfarst42 on May 20, 2012, 11:37:55 PM
I know it's hardly the same but I can never get over how good my Custom 24 is and it's only an SE version! I'd LOVE to get an American Custom 24 but it's a lot of money I sadly don't have, though I'm always tempted to sell my SE and my Jackson to fund it I like them so much. Your guitar is absolutely stunning.

Thank you! It took me a while to warm up to PRS guitars as I've been a Fender (and copies/derivatives) fan for so long. It was Twinfan's evangelism that eventually persuaded me to try a McCarty and I haven't looked back. They really are extraordinary players' instruments and, as I found out, now is a good time to get great prices second hand. I'm still not sure I could bring myself to pay full whack for a new one.
Title: Re: NGD
Post by: Andrew W on May 27, 2012, 01:06:02 PM
So I'm finally back from Turkey (again) and as the weather's good I've taken a few photos. I really like this guitar.


(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7278839092_a3e871eb7c_c_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/7278839092/in/photostream)


(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7278832562_130fced768_c_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/7278832562/in/photostream)


(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7278843344_1d7898b957_c_d.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_atrocity/7278843344/in/photostream)



Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: AndyR on May 27, 2012, 01:09:28 PM
That does look pretty damn fine :D
Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: Philly Q on May 27, 2012, 01:58:15 PM
Wow, great photos, wish I could do that! :o 

I'm loving the colour, and although I'm not usually swayed by a bit of flame maple I must admit it's wonderful to look at!  :D
Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: Kiichi on May 27, 2012, 03:30:59 PM
That is utterly gorgeous. Especially the first pic. Now that is what I call flamed maple. So warm and inviting (and classy!!!).
Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: keith on May 27, 2012, 04:29:15 PM
Beaut.....enjoy it  :D :D
Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: Mr. Air on May 27, 2012, 04:48:29 PM
It is a beauty. The flome top is really good looking.
Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: Telerocker on May 27, 2012, 06:04:48 PM
It's a fotomodel for sure!
Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: 38thBeatle on May 27, 2012, 06:59:22 PM
Yep, thumbs aloft Macca stylee from me.
Title: Re: NGD (Now with added pictorial goodness)
Post by: Andrew W on June 18, 2012, 01:24:34 PM
I did a bit of recording with the DGT yesterday. I thought it would interesting to experiment with how extreme a range of tones I could get using the guitar straight into the amp and not changing the amp settings, adding any effects or any post-processing. Here's the result of fiddling only with the volume and tone controls, pickup selection and the coil-split:

Linky. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0301t5ytRw)

I think it's quite intersting (to me anyway) if not very musical.