Paul Reed Smith Tremonti, charcoal burst, made in USA 2009. Mark Tremonti doles out the riffs for USA stadium-fillers Creed and Altar Bridge, delivering some of the most recognisable guitar lines of the 2000s. This dark handsome stranger bears his name, albeit subtly on the truss rod cover only. First, that finish: the charcoal burst over the outrageous detail and depth of the '10 Top' is truly something to behold. PRS's wood selection has always been a strong suite, and this really shows off what they can do. The build and  hardware are of formidable quality, so this holds tune like a legend, responds enthusiastically to the lightest touch and plays amazingly evenly all the way up and down the neck. The pickups are a Mark signature set, and they're good: smooth and fat down low, articulate and balanced through the mids and highs. This delivers that bell-like clarity PRS is known for in spades. At time of writing, the only brand new Tremonti 10 Top I could find currently available in the country was listed at A$8.7k, which makes this a bargain. Can you take me higher?

Model: PRS Tremonti 10 Top 
Made: USA, 2009, Maryland SC
Serial: 09147079
Finish: charcoal burst, gloss nitro
Body: mahogany, carved flame maple top
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 25" scale, 10" radius, 'Wide Thin' profile
Weight: 4.125kg
Mods: none
Pickups: PRS Tremonti humbucker x2
Accessories: original case and docs

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of chips on the end, scuffs and some surface scratches on the front around the posts and some dimples on the back near the neck join. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has dimples on the horns and along the belly carve, scuffs in the elbow area and back edge and a few dimples around the control cavity. The sides have minor dimples on the top horn and elbow area and some dimples and scuffs near the jack and on the bottom horn. The front has a couple of dents along the binding in the elbow area, dimples up from the bridge and some play wear on the horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 9/42 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 8/10, minor wear only