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

BODY

• Body Construction: Solidbody
• Body Wood: Swamp Ash
• Top Carve: Flat Top
• Finish: Satin Nitro

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

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