Description
A Modded Version of Mayer’s Signature Axe
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 axe 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
Surface-Mounted Bridge
Essentially a hardtail adaptation of the PRS patented tremolo, this bridge adds warmth and promotes the resonance of the guitar.
Brass Nut/Retainer Bar
The brass nut and retainer bar bring warm, piano-like tone while promoting string vibration and resonance.
Alembic Blaster
This preamp increases output with 3-14dB of adjustable gain and lowers the effective capacitance of your cable, so you can play with courage.
- 7 lbs
- Body Construction Solidbody
- Body Wood Swamp Ash
- Top Carve Flat Top
- NECK
- Number of Frets 22
- Scale Length 25.5″
- Neck Wood Maple
- Neck Construction Scarfed
- Truss Rod PRS Double-Acting
- Neck Shape 635JM-R (Rosewood Fretboard)
- Neck Depth at the 1/2 Fret 55/64″
- Neck Depth at the 12 1/2 Fret 63/64″
- Neck Width at the Nut 1 21/32″
- Neck Width at the Body 2 15/64″
- Fretboard Wood Rosewood
- Fretboard Radius 7.25”
- Fretboard Inlay Birds
- Headstock Logo Signature, Decal
- NECK/BODY ASSEMBLY
- Neck/Body Assembly Type Bolt-On
- FINISH
- Finish Type Satin Nitro
- HARDWARE
- Bridge PRS Patented Tremolo, Gen III, Surface-Mounted
- Tuners Vintage-Style, Locking
- Hardware Type Nickel
- Nut Brass w/ String Retainer
- ELECTRONICS
- Treble Pickup 635JM
- Middle Pickup 635JM
- Bass Pickup 635JM
- Controls One Volume and Two Tone Controls with a 5-Way Blade Pickup Switch
- Preamp Alembic Blaster, Brass
- ADDITIONAL INFO
- Strings 10’s
- Tuning Standard (6 String): E, A, D, G, B, E
- Case Hardshell Case
