Guitar Review: Paul Reed Smith Maple Top Mira

by Staff.

Modern Guitars had high expectations when we picked up the new Paul Reed Smith maple top Mira guitar from the factory in Stevensville, Maryland. We had played an early Mira (unplugged) when the model was unveiled at the 2007 Experience PRS trade show. At that time, we were duly impressed with how the company produced a new distinct personality, while embedding some traditional PRS trademark features like the signature PRS scooped headstock and a glistening finish.

One of the first things we look for in PRS guitars is to see if the company has attained the “Wow” factor or benchmark that Smith reaches for in his instruments. Upon opening the black hard shell case, the new Maple Top Mira shined with success and enough magic or “Wow” to persuade us to give her a go.

Design, Construction and Finish: The MT Mira is built solid with a set neck and tight fit. One of our reviewers raved about it saying, “Amazing construction and beautiful finish, with excellent electronics.” You won’t be sticking your picks between wood components on this one. The clear coat over the maple top and mahogany body and neck was flawless and appeared to be thinner than other PRS models we’ve played, and a personal preference of many guitarists. MT Mira’s come in Tri-Color Sunburst, Dark Cherry Sunburst, Whale Blue/Black Burst and Violin Amber Burst. Our test model was rich looking Dark Cherry Sunburst with the Dark Cherry wrapping around to the mahogany back. Frets were dressed smooth with abalone moon inlays. The neck was spot on in all respects in all positions. The top has a shallow German carved top that adds some dimension and interest to the Mira’s sporty look. Based on the guitar’s size, weight and balance and excellent construction, we consider it a worthy competitor to a Custom Shop grade Telecaster. Paul Reed Smith has managed to build a new model that maintains a vintage vibe, yet still makes its own contemporary statement. The Mira’s hardware was also visually appealing in a highly polished chrome finish, with the tuning peg heads tinted black. Particularly nice is the PRS built chromed bridge that’s got a sleek art deco vibe going. Two black open-faced Humbuckers help complete the retro look, with a small toggle coil tap set alongside the tone control for an easy and intuitive reach.

Playability and Tone: We hooked the Mira up to a vintage 1969 Fender Twin Reverb amplifier, tweaked it with a bit of reverb and attached a Jekyll and Hyde effects pedal.
The axe was set up nicely out of the box with locking tuners and fitted with .10 gauge strings that are a preferred size for most players. The volume, tone and other controls were easily accessed and intuitively placed. The neck was slim and offered tight handling for speed, when needed. The PRS made Mira pickups are responsive and brighter than the McCarty’s and other high-end models the company sells. With some pickup adjustments and a twist of the tone knob, the guitar showed it had enough guts to add crunch as a legitimate backdrop to heavy metal pyrotechnics. We put the Mira in the hands of a shredder friend of ours, who also ventures into jazz, rock, blues and other music expression. He came away from the experience with a very positive vibe, especially liking the coil tap treble that gave the brightness more bite than the standard pickup and tone selections. And unlike many pickups, the Mira’s pups are stone dead quiet with the amp’s volume wound up. Running the Mira out of a Peavey JSX, the guitar held on to its crystal clear tone, had a bit less bite, but more fat and held on to its zero hum quiet sensibilities.

Case and documentation: The Mira includes a solidly built 3-latch hard shell case covered in black Tolex with white piping. The black felt interior was designed to form fit the Mira body, and included a sizable accessory compartment. Materials included with the guitar was a “Guide to Stringing” with graphics showing how to string a guitar, as well as information on truss rod adjustment and how to adjust the locking tuning pegs and a point of contact e-mail address for questions. The opposite side of the document illustrated the location and placements for the Master Volume, the 3-way blade switch, the Mini Toggle Coil Tap and the Master Volume control with operating instructions for pickup selections. A “PRS Guitars Limited Warranty” was included, a format for owners to record basic purchasing information for future reference and a perforated warranty registration mailer. Additionally, the compartment held two small black screws, and two wrenches for adjustments. A nice PRS decal was also placed in the bag for those owners who want to exercise their “bragging rights.” The documents and hardware were placed in a protective clear bag.

Features:

• 24 fret neck
• 25” scale length neck
• 10” radius fret board
• Abalone moon inlays (Birds optional at $420)
• Locking tuning pegs
• PRS stop tailpiece
• Fret board – East Indian Rosewood
• Solid mahogany neck and body
• Maple top
• PRS Mira treble and bass pickups
• Volume and tone controls
• 3-way blade switch
• Mini-toggle coil tap
• Hard shell black tolex case with white piping and black interior. Body fit interior and single accessory compartment.
• Instructional owners manual; two case keys; two screws and wrench. All placed in a protective plastic bag.
• Hardware: Chrome (Gold optional at $480)

Overall, this new edition to the Paul Reed Smith line up keeps the quality legacy stoked. We found the Maple Top Mira design, weight and balance appealing and the build quality outstanding. Tone properties were clean and offered up a solid range of options for all types of music. As tested, the Mira’s Manufacturer Suggested Retail price is a bit of a reach at $2,960, but this is one sweet axe and worth the bucks, even if you have to wait a while to let those greenbacks accumulate. The Maple Top Mira is a welcome new guitar that fits into the high quality and thoughtful “birds and moons” tradition of PRS.

Related Links
The Maple Top Mira at PRS
Michael G. Stewart Photography

---