Prestige NYC Jazz Archtop

**sicourtjon** · 12-11-2021, 07:51 AM

Hi everyone!

In 2008 I decided to get into Jazz guitar. One day I was surfing through Ebay for an affordable Jazz guitar and I was hard pushed to find one new for less than a grand. Suddenly, I spotted something that I'd never seen before: a Prestige NYC Jazz archtop for £475.00 from Canada.
It looked just the job, so, I purchased it!
It is now 2021 and I still have the guitar and love it. Yes, I know, it's probably not up there with the equivalent brands but I've made it my own needless to say. Its Seymour Duncan P90's given it a beautiful tone.

I was just wondering if anyone else owns, uses or had one of these guitars? It would be interesting to hear comments good or bad.
I will get around to posting a picture.

Ps- I haven't changed the strings yet!! It's odd, but they still sound great. Not sure what they are.

**Archie** · 12-11-2021, 12:31 PM

Hi sicourtjon.

I've never head of this make, or model. You should post some pics so we can see this fine guitar. Congrats on your purchase.

**sicourtjon** · 12-11-2021, 05:49 PM

I have included some pics as requested.
The only only mods I've undertaken are: volume and tone controls; toggle switch knob and pickguard.

**Hammertone** · 12-11-2021, 07:06 PM

https://www.prestigeguitars.com
NYS, not NYC. Prestige is based in Vancouver. They import decent guitars from Korea, IIRC, and sell them at competitive price points. They use a "Duesenberg move": use some ambiguous wording to create the impression that they build the guitars in Canada. Hey, I think there are some excellent-quality Korean-made guitars - too bad Prestige doesn't have the backbone to do what Reverend does, which is to clearly indicate the Korean origins of their instruments.

Here's the current line of Prestige BS. I've bolded the key part:
".... In order to ensure the greatest quality figuring and consistency throughout our line, we take great pride in hand selecting every piece of wood that goes into each instrument. Our Heritage Series electrics feature Solid carved Flame, Quilt, Burl and Spalt Maple Tops; while our Eclipse series acoustics feature Solid Spruce, Cedar, Khaya, Rosewood and Koa.

Our wood vault houses anything and every- thing from Brazilian Rosewood, South American Cocobolo, Hawaiian KOA, African Zebrawood; to any type of Maple you can imagine. Being situated in Vancouver, Canada; we are fortunate to have access to some of the highest quality Maple right in our back yard and we take full advantage.

Our custom shop approach to building guitars has led us to join forces with the best known and most respected OEM and component manufacturers on the planet. We exclusively use Seymour Duncan USA Pick-ups, TonePros Locking Bridges, TUSQ XL nuts, Alpha Pots, Grover Tuners, and Bigsby USA Vibratos, on every one of our instruments.

[In the catalogue:]
At Prestige, we build guitars with the player in mind. We strive to raise the bar and continually outdo ourselves with the guitars that bear our name. Our passion and dedication to our craft can be found in every single instrument leaving our shop.Whether you are on stage, in the studio or at home honing your craft, your Prestige will deliver, each and every time you pick it up.

**sicourtjon** · 12-11-2021, 07:25 PM

I have now posted some photos.

**Doug B** · 12-11-2021, 09:30 PM

https://www.prestigeguitars.com/

**sicourtjon** · 12-12-2021, 03:56 AM

Great website with some beautiful guitars!

**Woody Sound** · 12-12-2021, 07:12 AM

It kinda looks like it might be a semi, with stud tail.

**Jim Soloway** · 12-12-2021, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

https://www.prestigeguitars.com
NYS, not NYC. Prestige is based in Vancouver. They import decent guitars from Korea, IIRC, and sell them at competitive price points. They use a "Duesenberg move": use some ambiguous wording to create the impression that they build the guitars in Canada. Hey, I think there are some excellent-quality Korean-made guitars - too bad Prestige doesn't have the backbone to do what Reverend does, which is to clearly indicate the Korean origins of their instruments.

Here's the current line of Prestige BS. I've bolded the key part:
".... In order to ensure the greatest quality figuring and consistency throughout our line, we take great pride in hand selecting every piece of wood that goes into each instrument. Our Heritage Series electrics feature Solid carved Flame, Quilt, Burl and Spalt Maple Tops; while our Eclipse series acoustics feature Solid Spruce, Cedar, Khaya, Rosewood and Koa.

Our wood vault houses anything and every- thing from Brazilian Rosewood, South American Cocobolo, Hawaiian KOA, African Zebrawood; to any type of Maple you can imagine. Being situated in Vancouver, Canada; we are fortunate to have access to some of the highest quality Maple right in our back yard and we take full advantage.

Our custom shop approach to building guitars has led us to join forces with the best known and most respected OEM and component manufacturers on the planet. We exclusively use Seymour Duncan USA Pick-ups, TonePros Locking Bridges, TUSQ XL nuts, Alpha Pots, Grover Tuners, and Bigsby USA Vibratos, on every one of our instruments.

[In the catalogue:]
At Prestige, we build guitars with the player in mind. We strive to raise the bar and continually outdo ourselves with the guitars that bear our name. Our passion and dedication to our craft can be found in every single instrument leaving our shop.Whether you are on stage, in the studio or at home honing your craft, your Prestige will deliver, each and every time you pick it up.

I agree with what you're saying but I came across their guitars at the Vancouver Guitar Show several years ago and I have to admit some of them were very nice, in fact nicer than I was expecting given their marketing and they really seemed to care abut their designs and their quality. I came away with a lot more respect than began with.

**Doug B** · 12-12-2021, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

It kinda looks like it might be a semi, with stud tail.

From the Prestige website:"The NYS Standard is a classic vintage style semi-hollow body guitar. Featuring an arched maple top and back, and a solid center block ."

**Hammertone** · 12-12-2021, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I agree with what you're saying but I came across their guitars at the Vancouver Guitar Show several years ago and I have to admit some of them were very nice, in fact nicer than I was expecting given their marketing and they really seemed to care abut their designs and their quality. I came away with a lot more respect than began with.

Jim: I do like some of their guitars as well.

Whichever factories in Korea (and elsewhere) are making them for Prestige are doing a great job. Lots of decent Les Paul copies. Not that many companies offer thinline semis with a 25 1/2" scale, and their Musician Pro DC models look quite interesting.

Their acoustics look interesting as well, but I have not yet tried any of them.

**sicourtjon** · 12-28-2021, 05:13 AM

If I was a pro player I would most definitely approach the company and request a custom shop signature model. My guitar (the NYS Jazz) was shipped with a standard setup, from Canada to Plymouth, UK and it played perfectly first time; I've never tweaked it (or changed strings!?) in 13 years! I have no idea what strings are fitted. Ive emailed Prestige but they haven't replied. When I first played it having played solid body guitars (Strats, Teles and Les Pauls) it felt strange but I've grown into it now.

**Christian Miller** · 12-28-2021, 05:58 AM

Korean built guitar with Seymour Duncan pickups for under 500 squids? Id say you got a bargain. Did you buy from the website then? Guitar seems more expensive there.

I like the spec on that guitar. P90s are a great vibe.

**Christian Miller** · 12-28-2021, 06:11 AM

Ooh they do a les paul ES style model. Interesting…

EDIT: actually it’s not is it? It’s a small body hollowbody guitar.

Semis that look like 175s and hollow bodies that look like Les Paul’s…. Curiouser and curiouser….