PRS 2010 Private Stock Violin McCarty | #49/50 | Pernambuco Neck & Celtic Knots

Get for £19,160 (+P&P) by paying via Bank Transfer (U.K. only). Email ed@smokestackguitars.co.uk and follow instructions in "Bank Transfer" section below - we will respond to you ASAP.

Have a guitar to trade-in? We can accept trade-ins of top condition instruments for part-exchange, please get in touch via the above email address for a valuation.

PRS 2010 Private Stock Violin McCarty #49 of 50 (Private Stock #2560) in Black Gold Leese/Lutz High Gloss Nitrocellulose with Pernambuco Neck, Madagascar Rosewood Fretboard, Celtic Knot Abalone, Paua Heart & Banded Melon Inlays, European Curly Maple Top, South American Mahogany Back and Abalone Headstock Inlay

Serial: 158463

The "Holy Grail" Private Stock - Exceptionally Rare - 1 of Only 50

Paul Reed Smith sourced the European Curly Maple for the top from the same forest that the legendary luthier Antonio Stradivari used in his Stradivarius violins.

"We've found Stradivarius' maple supplies. We found where the forest is, right near his shop. I mean look at it, it looks like an old violin. It is European ridiculous curly maple..." - Paul Reed Smith

It also features an extremely rare, solid Pernambuco neck. A highly revered tonewood, found in the world's most sought after violin bows.

| 57/08 Treble & Bass Humbuckers (w/Coil-Tap) | Black Gold Leese/Lutz High Gloss Nitro Finish | European Curly Maple Top (From The Same Source as Stradivari Used) | Pernambuco Neck (Wide-Fat Profile) | Madagascar Rosewood Fingerboard & Headstock Veneer | Abalone Headstock Inlay | South American Ribbon Mahogany Back | Celtic Knot Abalone, Paua Heart & Banded Melon Inlays | Nickel PRS Stoptail Bridge with Gold Studs | Locking Tuning Pegs | 25" Scale Length | 10" Radius | 22 Frets | Certificate of Authenticity | Private Stock Leather Case |

Overview

Considered as one of, if not the finest stallion to ever leave the Stevensville stable, we are thrilled to have got our hands on this most venerated of "holy grail" Private Stocks, the exceptionally rare Violin McCarty.

Cited by authorised dealers as being "widely regarded as the best sounding PRS ever", this is the magnum opus of Private Stock. It's not hyperbole to say that it almost certainly features the most exclusive tonewood selection PRS has, or ever will be, able to offer.

Paul Reed Smith sourced the outstanding European Curly Maple from the same forest used by the legendary violin luthier - Antonio Stradivari. Just as outstanding is the neck, crafted from solid pernambuco (no longer available). This heavily restricted and rare wood is much sought after by the world's top violinists and cellists. It is commonly found in the most expensive bows, selling in the $50,000s and much, much higher! 

It is extremely rare to find a guitar made with a solid pernambuco neck, and it's part of the reason why the Violin I is so highly sought (pernambuco was notably no longer featured in the later, more prevalent, Violin II Private Stock). Revered for its high density, strength, dimensional stability and precise attack, pernambuco is a perfect addition to the Violin.

“Pernambuco sounds great. Have you heard a piece of it ring? It’s really expensive! It’s South American. It was used as a dye wood but the violin guys worked out somehow that it made great violin bows but it was never thought of as a musical instrument wood: it was thought of for making dyes. They used to chip it up into powder and make dyes out of it. So if you saw an old English dress from way back that was bright purple, it was probably pernambuco.” - Paul Reed Smith

It is a bitterly cold day in hell when one of these guitars comes on the market. Well, Satan must be ice-skating to work as we've just taken in two of these outstanding guitars here at Smokestack (see our inventory for the other). The original owner was so enthralled with the first Violin that when an opportunity to own a second came along, they snapped it up!

This particular Violin for sale here is #49 of only 50 from this limited release. These guitars almost never come up for sale and disappear into collections very quickly, so if you would like to secure one, please get in touch at your earliest convenience. 

"If it was up to me, all we’d make would be ‘Violin’ guitars...Violins don’t come in different colours. They have different characters — some are subtle, some are not so subtle but they make a huge difference to the musician, right? I mean this is a musician’s guitar but guitars are such art it’ll probably end up in an art collection.” - Paul Reed Smith

The fingerboard is made from a beautiful piece of Madagascar rosewood (w/matching headstock veneer), which serves as an exquisite canvas for another of the Violin's most unique features - the striking Celtic Knot inlays. Realised here in a wonderful mix of Abalone, Paua Heart & Banded Melon, the rare Celtic Knot inlays are fan-favourite with PRS aficionados and artists alike (such as John McLaughlin) and are a true showcase of Private Stock's peerless marquetry.

The guitar is presented in a superbly lustrous Black Gold Leese/Lutz High Gloss Nitrocellulose finish, bringing out the figuring of the European Curly Maple Top in a very classy aesthetic. Elsewhere on the body, a deeply characterful piece of South American Ribbon Mahogany has been selected for the back; we think it's a perfect complement to the figured top and black-flecked pernambuco neck.

As the photographs attest, the guitar is in truly excellent condition throughout. The guitar has had only minor use, as evidenced by the frets, which show limited signs of any wear. We have given the guitar a thorough inspection and can confirm that there are no chips or dings present anywhere. As it is a used instrument, there are some small signs patina and wear from play; however, the guitar's condition is best described as excellent. The right Stoptail Bridge Stud has a small surface scratch. If you felt the need to change it then PRS Guitars Europe do supply direct replacements for a reasonable fee. In short, we know whoever ends up with this Violin will be thoroughly happy with it and viewing is most welcome.

The weight of this guitar is 3.486kg (7.685lbs).

The case candy includes the Private Stock Certificate of Authenticity, PRS Sticker, Registration Card, truss rod wrench and allen key, Prestolock card, etc. Please note that some corners of the COA have creased during storage. 

The original Private Stock leather hardshell case is included, with the MODCAT sticker still present on the side. This case has a few external marks/scuffs from storage.

This Private Stock Violin McCarty has come from one of the UK's very finest collections; as such, the case has been numbered and features the model name "PRS Violin" in marker pen on the front spine, between the left-most latches. 

Consigned goods: Pre-owned item sold on behalf of a private client. No VAT is charged and no VAT invoice is available