The PRS DGT in Orange Tiger is David Grissom's highly refined take on the classic PRS Core formula, combining carved maple and mahogany construction with a unique neck carve, large frets, specially voiced DGT pickups and a control layout built around real-world stage use.

This particular guitar is especially noteworthy for its beautifully vibrant flamed maple top. It is not officially classified by PRS as a 10-Top, but every now and again a standard-grade PRS leaves the factory with figuring that looks far more dramatic than its designation might suggest. This guitar typifies exactly that, with strong, vivid flame running across the Orange Tiger top and the kind of visual impact normally associated with significantly more expensive PRS top grades.

Offered in Mint condition and supplied with a hardcase, this is a particularly desirable example of one of PRS's most respected signature instruments.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Mint Condition

This PRS DGT Orange Tiger is offered in Mint condition.

Mint condition means the guitar is virtually indistinguishable from new, with little to no meaningful evidence of previous use and an exceptionally clean overall presentation.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ PRS DGT Orange Tiger
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This is an exceptionally clean example and has been graded Mint.

The real visual highlight is the carved figured maple top. Although this guitar does not carry PRS's official 10-Top designation, the figuring is unusually bold, vibrant and consistent for a standard-production top.

Some non-10 PRS guitars simply get particularly lucky with the piece of maple selected at the factory, and this DGT is a superb example.

A Non-10 Top That Demands A Second Look

PRS formally grades its figured maple before production, with 10-Top instruments reserved for pieces displaying clearly defined figuring without obvious dead areas.

That does not mean every exceptional-looking piece of maple receives the 10-Top designation.

Every now and again, a regular-production guitar emerges with a top that visually punches well above its official grading.

This Orange Tiger DGT is one of those guitars.

The flame is vibrant, strongly defined and particularly effective underneath the Orange Tiger finish. For a player who wants the visual drama associated with a premium PRS maple top without specifically needing the factory 10-Top designation, this individual guitar has enormous appeal.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned PRS DGT has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• DGT neck and bridge pickups
• Three-way pickup selector
• Individual volume controls
• Push/pull coil-split function
• Master tone control
• Output socket
• Frets
• Rosewood fingerboard
• Neck condition
• Locking tuners
• PRS tremolo
• Saddles and hardware
• Tuning stability
• Intonation
• Overall playability

The supplied hardcase is also checked for basic usability.

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes action, neck relief, fret condition, intonation, tuning stability, electronics, pickup balance, tremolo setup, hardware and overall playability.

Please remember that wooden instruments can respond slightly to temperature and humidity changes during delivery.

Why Choose The PRS DGT?

Designed With David Grissom

The DGT – David Grissom Trem – was not developed as a cosmetic signature model.

Grissom worked extensively with PRS to refine the neck dimensions, frets, pickups, electronics, tremolo response and string specification around the requirements of a professional working guitarist.

The result is a PRS that feels distinctly different from a conventional Custom or McCarty.

Dedicated PRS DGT Humbuckers

The DGT pickups were developed specifically for David Grissom and aim for a vintage-inspired response with enough clarity, definition and output to work effectively on stage.

They deliver warm rhythm tones without becoming muddy, while the bridge pickup has enough bite and articulation for expressive lead work.

Individual Pickup Volumes

Unlike many twin-humbucker PRS models, the DGT provides a separate volume control for each pickup.

That means you can preset two different volume levels and move between them using the pickup selector – an extremely useful feature for switching from rhythm to lead sounds during a live performance.

Push/Pull Coil Split

The master tone incorporates a push/pull coil split, expanding the DGT beyond conventional humbucker sounds.

The split tones provide brighter, leaner textures that are especially useful for clean rhythm, blues, country and roots-oriented playing.

DGT Neck Profile

The dedicated DGT neck carve was developed around Grissom's preferences and differs from PRS's standard Pattern-family profiles.

It has enough substance to feel reassuring without becoming cumbersome, making it equally comfortable for chord work and expressive lead playing.

Jumbo Frets

The DGT uses larger fretwire than many conventional PRS Core models.

This helps bending and vibrato feel particularly fluid and is an important part of the instrument's distinctive playing experience.

PRS Tremolo And Locking Tuners

The PRS tremolo provides smooth pitch movement while retaining excellent tuning stability when correctly set up.

Combined with PRS locking tuners, it creates a highly usable performance system rather than a tremolo intended purely for subtle decorative effects.

For players who use vibrato regularly but do not want to move to a double-locking system, the DGT offers an excellent middle ground.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

PRS DGT vs PRS Custom 22

Both share the classic PRS 22-fret double-cut platform, but the DGT has its own neck shape, larger frets, dedicated pickups and twin-volume control layout. It feels much more purpose-built around blues, rock and live performance.

PRS DGT vs PRS McCarty

The McCarty leans more heavily towards vintage-inspired construction and traditional switching. The DGT feels slightly more performance-oriented, particularly through its tremolo, separate volumes and Grissom-specific pickups.

PRS DGT vs Gibson Les Paul

Both provide carved maple over mahogany and twin-humbucker power, but the DGT has a 25" scale, double-cut access, tremolo and coil splitting, making it considerably more versatile for players who cover several styles.

PRS DGT vs PRS SE DGT

The SE DGT delivers an impressive interpretation of the concept at a much lower price point. This USA Core model moves considerably further in materials, hardware, electronics, finishing and overall refinement.

Who Is It For?

Blues And Blues-Rock Players

The DGT excels with edge-of-breakup amplifiers, dynamic overdrive and volume-controlled lead playing.

Rock Guitarists

The bridge humbucker delivers the clarity and punch required for substantial rhythm sounds while remaining expressive for lead work.

Country And Roots Players

The coil-split settings and responsive controls give the guitar a surprising amount of brighter, more percussive territory.

Session Musicians

Its combination of humbucker and split-coil sounds makes the DGT exceptionally flexible in the studio.

Working Professionals

Separate pickup volumes, stable tremolo hardware and straightforward switching are all features that make genuine sense during a live set.

PRS Collectors And Enthusiasts

This particular example has added visual appeal because of its exceptionally figured non-10 Top, giving it a noticeably more individual personality than many standard-production DGTs.

Suitable Genres And Uses

The PRS DGT is particularly well suited to:

• Blues
• Blues rock
• Classic rock
• Southern rock
• Country
• Americana
• Roots
• Soul
• Pop
• Alternative
• Fusion
• Session work
• Studio recording
• Lead guitar
• Live performance

Why Does The DGT Use 11-Gauge Strings?

David Grissom favours comparatively substantial strings, and the USA DGT is factory specified around 11–49 strings with a plain third string.

The combination of a 25" scale, substantial frets and carefully set tremolo means the guitar remains surprisingly comfortable despite the heavier gauge.

The benefit is a firm, responsive feel with plenty of fundamental note strength and control under a heavier picking hand.

String gauge is ultimately personal, however, and a setup adjustment may be required if moving substantially away from the original specification.

Story & Context: David Grissom And The PRS DGT

David Grissom is known for a highly expressive style that combines blues, rock, country and roots influences with exceptional dynamic control.

His career has included work with artists and projects including Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Storyville and the Dixie Chicks, alongside a substantial body of session and solo work.

Grissom's relationship with PRS stretched over many years before the DGT appeared.

Rather than simply selecting an existing model and adding his name, he and PRS refined numerous small details – neck dimensions, fret size, pickup response, control layout and tremolo feel among them.

The resulting David Grissom Trem, or DGT, became one of the most musician-focused signature guitars in the PRS Core range.

Its lasting appeal comes from the fact that almost every distinguishing feature has a practical purpose.

Technical Specifications

Specification Note

No serial number or production year has been supplied for this particular guitar.

PRS has revised certain hardware details on the DGT during its production life, including generations of tremolo and tuning hardware. Those version-dependent details have therefore not been stated more specifically than can be safely confirmed.

The guitar is not factory classified as a PRS 10-Top. Its unusually strong figuring is a visual characteristic of this individual standard-grade maple top rather than an official PRS top-grade designation.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The PRS DGT humbuckers and coil-split circuitry are completely passive.

Connect the guitar directly to an amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or recording interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Individual examples matter enormously when buying a figured-top guitar.

Two guitars of exactly the same model and finish can have completely different visual character because every piece of figured maple is unique.

That makes this particular Orange Tiger DGT especially interesting: you are not simply buying the DGT specification, but an individual guitar whose top has considerably more visual drama than you might normally expect from a non-10-Top example.

Every Pre-Owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually checked and assessed before sale.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The PRS DGT Orange Tiger is already one of the standout instruments in the PRS Core range, but this individual example has something extra.

The combination of its Mint condition and remarkably vibrant figured maple top makes it immediately special.

It is important to be clear: this is not officially a PRS 10-Top.

But judging purely by visual impact, it is exactly the kind of guitar that makes you turn the headstock over to check.

The flame is strong, lively and beautifully enhanced by the Orange Tiger finish, giving this guitar an individual character that photographs – and should look in person – exceptionally well.

Best suited for: Blues, rock, country and professional players wanting one exceptionally versatile premium instrument.

Customers usually upgrade from: PRS SE and S2 models, Gibson Les Pauls, Fender American instruments and other professional-level solidbody guitars.

Most commonly paired with: High-quality valve amplifiers, overdrive, boost, compressor, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Don't overlook the independent pickup volumes. Set the neck slightly cleaner and quieter, then leave the bridge at full output to create an instant rhythm-to-lead switch using only the pickup selector.

Showroom feedback: The DGT is one of those signature guitars that appeals well beyond fans of the artist. This particular example then adds a top that looks far more premium than its official non-10 designation might lead you to expect.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

You can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Birmingham showroom
• More than 6,000 Excellent customer reviews
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• Decades of experience with new and second hand musical equipment

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next guitar could cost less than you think.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges a wide range of guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Your existing gear could help reduce the cost of this PRS DGT. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and we'll be happy to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this PRS DGT a 10-Top?

No. This guitar is not officially factory designated as a PRS 10-Top.

However, its figured maple is unusually vivid for a standard-production top and visually rivals many higher-graded examples.

What makes a PRS 10-Top different?

PRS reserves its 10-Top designation for maple showing clearly defined figuring across the top without obvious dead areas.

The grading is assigned by PRS at the factory.

Is the top on this guitar still figured maple?

Yes. Standard Core DGT guitars use a carved figured maple top over a mahogany back.

What pickups does it have?

The guitar uses dedicated PRS DGT treble and bass humbuckers developed for David Grissom.

Can the pickups be coil split?

Yes. Pulling the master tone control splits the humbuckers for brighter single-coil-style sounds.

Why does the DGT have two volume controls?

Each pickup has its own volume, allowing two output levels to be preset and selected instantly with the three-way toggle.

What scale length does it use?

The DGT uses a 25" scale length.

Is a hardcase included?

Yes. This Pre-Owned example includes a hardcase.

What condition is it in?

This guitar is offered in Mint condition, meaning it is exceptionally well preserved and virtually indistinguishable from new.