Description
Description
The PRS “Dead Spec” Silver Sky was designed for John Mayer’s prominent work with Dead & Company’s last tour. Paying homage to Jerry Garcia’s iconic “Alligator” guitar tones, the Dead Spec Silver Sky is a modded version of Mayer’s signature ax with significant spec changes.
The foundation of the “Dead Spec” Silver Sky is a lightweight Swamp Ash body (rather than alder) finished in Moc Sand satin nitro that is thin and strikingly sinks into the ash wood grain. The bridge is a modified PRS patented Gen III Tremolo that has been screwed to the body, effectively rendering it a string-through hardtail bridge. Keeping the tremolo’s brass block in the equation adds a musical warmth to the guitar. At the other end of the strings are a brass nut and string retainer bar, which also contribute to the guitar’s resonance and tone.
Perhaps most notably, the Dead Spec Silver Sky’s jack plate has been swapped out for a brass-plate Alembic Blaster preamp. This preamp can be used as a straight boost but has an internal pot that allows players to add between 3 - 14 dB of gain to the guitar when turned on. This not only gives the Dead Spec Silver Sky added punch while maintaining crisp note separation, but it compensates for the capacitance that comes with long stage cables as well. The circuit is bypassed when in the off position.
Only 1,000 PRS “Dead Spec” Silver Skys will be made. Shipping November 2023 – March 2024.
“After playing the Silver Sky designed for the 2023 Dead & Company summer tour, I realized the guitar was special. It quickly became apparent this wasn’t just a tool for one particular job but could be extremely versatile in other players’ hands. I’m excited to hear the music that’s made on these guitars.” – John Mayer
The foundation of the “Dead Spec” Silver Sky is a lightweight Swamp Ash body (rather than alder) finished in Moc Sand satin nitro that is thin and strikingly sinks into the ash wood grain. The bridge is a modified PRS patented Gen III Tremolo that has been screwed to the body, effectively rendering it a string-through hardtail bridge. Keeping the tremolo’s brass block in the equation adds a musical warmth to the guitar. At the other end of the strings are a brass nut and string retainer bar, which also contribute to the guitar’s resonance and tone.
Perhaps most notably, the Dead Spec Silver Sky’s jack plate has been swapped out for a brass-plate Alembic Blaster preamp. This preamp can be used as a straight boost but has an internal pot that allows players to add between 3 - 14 dB of gain to the guitar when turned on. This not only gives the Dead Spec Silver Sky added punch while maintaining crisp note separation, but it compensates for the capacitance that comes with long stage cables as well. The circuit is bypassed when in the off position.
Only 1,000 PRS “Dead Spec” Silver Skys will be made. Shipping November 2023 – March 2024.
“After playing the Silver Sky designed for the 2023 Dead & Company summer tour, I realized the guitar was special. It quickly became apparent this wasn’t just a tool for one particular job but could be extremely versatile in other players’ hands. I’m excited to hear the music that’s made on these guitars.” – John Mayer
Specs
Specs
General
| Series: | PRS Bolt-On |
| Artist Name: | John Mayer |
| Country of Manufacture: | Made in the USA |
| Product Color: | Moc Sand |
| Relic/Aging Level: | Nitro Pristine (NOS) |
| Case Type: | Hardshell Case Included |
| Factory Setup: | E Standard (E-A-D-G-B-E) |
Body
| Body Material: | Swamp Ash |
| Body Finish: | Satin Nitro |
Neck
| Neck Material: | Maple |
| Neck Finish: | Satin Nitro |
| Neck Tint/Color: | Natural |
| Neck Shape: | 6th 35 JM-R |
| Fingerboard Material: | Rosewood |
| Headstock Veneer: | No |
| Nut Material: | Brass w/Stringer Retainer |
| Nut Width: | 1.656" |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 7.25" |
| Scale Length: | 25.5" (647.7mm) |
| Number of Frets: | 22 Frets |
| Neck Joint: | Scarfed |
| Fingerboard Inlay: | Mother of Pearl Birds |
| Inlay Shape: | Birds |
| Side Marker Inlay: | Dots |
| Headstock Inlay/Decal: | Signature Decal |
Electronics
| Bridge Pickup: | 635 JM |
| Middle Pickup: | 635 JM |
| Neck Pickup: | 635 JM |
| Controls and Switching: | 5-Way Pickup Select, Alembic Blaster |
| Electronics Notes: | Alembic Blaster, Brass. - This preamp increases output with 3-14dB of adjustable gain and lowers the effective capacitance of your cable, so you can play with courage. |
Hardware
| Hardware Color: | Nickel |
| Bridge: | PRS Patented Tremolo, Gen III, Surface-Mounted |
| Tuning Machines: | Vintage-Style, Locking |
| Saddle: | Metal |
| Pickguard: | White |
| Knobs: | White |
| Switch Cap: | White |
| Hardware Notes: | Surface-Mounted Bridge - Essentially a hardtail adaptation of the PRS patented tremolo, this bridge adds warmth and promotes the resonance of the guitar. |