I've been on the hunt for a new gigging guitar for a little while as none of my current "working" guitars are quite doing it for me at the moment. I took Francine to rehearsal a couple of weeks ago and loved the tone I was getting, but can't gig her regularly in Manc pubs for obvious reasons! All my other guitars are a bit brighter and zingier (Tele, Esquire, Richardson SCR and SGR, PRS Swamp Ash Special and Modern Eagle) and in a one guitar band I'm after something a bit thicker sounding.
The apologyThe first idea was to get another Les Paul, preferably a Custom Shop. The cheapest one I could find was £1800 for an R7 Goldtop than weighed a ton with a very large neck. Hmmm, maybe not then. The USA models are so variable in quality that I decided it wasn't worth travelling around trying a bunch out.
I then checked out the two Lions that our very own Jonathan at Feline has for sale, and after a few email chats about it the spec of his Amber Lion seemed absolutely perfect for me. Unfortunately, I just can't stretch to the asking price. I'll probably regret not snapping it up in the future, but for now:
Sorry again Jon :(
The PRSSwitching tactic a little I found a few PRS SC245 and McCarty models on the web, but they seem to have crept up in value. They were also mostly new ones, so no real bargains. Then I came across a model I've owned before - the PRS McCarty Korina. I've had two of these in the past, remembered the great tone I got from them, and decided to grab a third. So I've got this incoming in a few days, obtained for the princely sum of £1000! I'm told it's like new and has a one-piece body, gold hardware and bird inlays:

The secretBeing the guitar geek that I am, I had a inkling this guitar might be a little bit special before I agreed to buy it. I don't want to divulge why just yet, until the guitar is winging its way to me, but some of the PRS fans might spot what I did???
I'll add a hint if you get stuck ;)