PRS: A Step Ahead of the Rest
Back before the dawn of the “boutique” gear industry, Paul Reed Smith boldly positioned himself in between the two major American solid-body guitar builders and changed music history forever. He took the sleek contours of Gibson, combined them with the pragmatic simplicity of Fender, and added a 25” scale length that he felt best complimented standard tuning. The result was an instrument that won over everyone from John Mclaughlin to Carlos Santana to Peter Frampton to John Mayer.
Paul started out as a guitar player who always got an “A” in shop class. He decided to put his woodworking skills to use and design a new kind of solid-body that perfectly suited the era. A gigging musician, he would finish a design, and then play it out live. Over the years, he refined his instruments to the point where he was confident enough to present them to famous players passing through Annapolis, Maryland. By 1985, he was approaching dealerships and taking note of what did and didn’t sell. He recognized that in order to compete with the big, established names, he would have to surpass them in tone, feel, and sheer aesthetics. Over time, PRS guitars developed a reputation for effortless playability, gorgeously figured woods, and stunning tone. By no means an easy process, Paul had to build Santana four instruments before receiving his endorsement. This endless drive towards innovation and perfection remains a crucial characteristic of the company. He may not have invented the wheel, but many would say he built a better one.
After firmly establishing PRS in the world of rock and fusion, Paul Reed Smith embarked on his next venture: acoustics. By combining the bracing system used on classical guitars with that of a steel string, he was able to create a full, balanced tone that’s both lush and precise. He still adheres to the traditional dovetail neck-joint, but takes enormous care to ensure that the body slot is an exact “carbon copy” of the neck joint. The private reserve acoustics feature some of the finest grade tonewoods available and their new SE series offers manageable, giggable price points for working musicians.
Having spent so much of his life guitar building, it was only a matter of time before Paul turned his attention to what lay on the other end of the ¼” cable: the amps. In 2009 he met Doug Sewell of Sewell amps and convinced him to join the PRS family. Today they offer four basic models (available in different wattage and cabinet options) which cover tones ranging from crunchy to crystalline, vintage to modern, American to British.
Solid-body electrics, however, remain the bread and butter of the company. Here at Midwood, we hold Custom 22s, 24s, and their more traditionally inspired “McCarty” guitars in the highest esteem. These are instruments that can take you wherever you want to go, on stage or in the studio. It’s uncanny how easy it is to find one that perfectly suits your sound. The hard part is deciding on the finish. With so many glorious options, we try and offer a wide range, from the earthy trampas green to the ominous charcoal smoke wrap. Stop by the shop and we’ll show you why PRS has always been one step ahead of the rest.