Production of the ARTIST SERIES III began in 1996 and ended in 1997. It was similar to the Artist II model but with a mahogany back and artist grade maple top. The 22-fret wide-fat or wide-thin mahogany neck had a rosewood fretboard, with paua bird inlays and paua purfling on neck, headstock, and truss rod cover, It came with PRS Artist Series pickups which were controlled by 5-way rotary pickup selector and volume & tone controls, Hardware was a gold color including a PRS stoptail bridge and locking tuners, Finish options included Amber, Dark Cherry Sunburst, Indigo and Teal Black finishes. The Artist Series III had optional standard PRS tremolo system, or a semi-hollow body available at no extra cost.