PRS introduced the Santana III model in 2000.  It was like the flagship Santana II model but used more affordable materials and less ornate decoration, putting the Santana III within the reach of more guitarists (although 10-top flame was an option on this model).  The PRS Santana III had a one-piece South American mahogany body with a two-piece curly maple top, a 24 fret, 24.5" scale length,  East Indian rosewood fretboard (with 10” radius), PRS hallmark abalone bird inlays, Santana wide fat neck carve, PRS Tremolo, locking tuners and rear covers for the electronics and tremolo cavity. The Santana III pickups, personally approved by Carlos himself, were controlled by a simple 3-way selector, master volume and tone controls.