|
 PAUL REED SMITH GUITARS (PRS) |
| PRS HISTORY: 1975-PRESENT |
| Paul Reed Smith built his first guitar for a college music class. Drawing on his high school shop classes and his musical experiences, his first attempt gained him an A. Working out of his home attic in Annapolis, MD during the mid-1970s, Smith began designing and revising his guitar models while involved with the guitar repair trade. He continued to work out of a small repair shop for the better part of eight years, and was selling a number of handcrafted guitars between 1976 through 1984 without any major advertising. By 1982, he had finished designing and building a guitar that combined traditional design with his original ideas. In 1985, Smith received some major financial backing and was able to start limited handmade production of the PRS Custom model. This limited partnership business arrangement guaranteed his high quality products would finally be marketed and advertised within the guitar industry. One major difference between PRS and other guitar companies of the 1980s is Smith made, or had exclusively made, all of his own components for his own guitars. Of course, choosing highly figured woods for construction also helped to ensure his instruments maintained a high level of quality and eye appeal. Through the years, Smith has continued to experiment with pickup design, body and neck variations, and even amplification and speaker systems. In 1990, a PRS amplifier was introduced. The HG-70 Harmonic Generator amplifier head and 4 x 12 in. cabinet had a retail price of $2,208; the 212 combo version had a list price of $1,795, and less than 400 total were manufactured (please refer to the Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers for more information on this model). In addition to the various Limited Edition models, PRS continues to offer the Private Stock instruments which are very limited in production, individually made to order and handcrafted. Over 1,200 instruments have been manufactured since April 19, 1996. In 1994, PRS introduced the McCarty Model as a tribute to Ted McCarty, Gibson's president from 1950 to 1966. Entering the new millenium, PRS continued to expand its model lineup with a new Singlecut Series. During 2001, the company introduced an entry-level, fine quality Santana SE Model, manufactured in Korea per PRS specs. During 2002, PRS introduced its new Dragon 2002, the first new Dragon since the Dragon 2000 in 1999. Additionally, PRS improved the Santana SE Model with new cosmetics, features, colors, and pickups, in addition to providing its extensive lineup of instruments manufactured in Stevensville, MD. During late May of 2003, the company launched the Brazilian Series, with only 1,500 instruments being made in the Custom 22, Custom 24, and McCarty models. This new series features Brazilian rosewood fretboards, headstock veneer, and truss rod cover. The Santana Brazilian was also released at the same time, with Brazilian rosewood neck and fretboard. During winter NAMM of 2004, PRS introduced new models, including the Modern Eagle, Custom 22/12, 513 Rosewood, SE EG, and SE Soapbar. In 2005, PRS celebrated its 20th Anniversary by producing both a 20th Anniversary Standard and Custom 22/24 model with "20th" engraved on the bell, and birds in flight inlays. During the 2006 winter NAMM show, Paul Reed Smith introduced its new satin finishes (in both Standard 22/24 models, in addition to some Singlecut variations.) Additionally, the following models were also introduced: the Singlecut Trem Modern Eagle, four new variations of the SE, and the Johnny Hiland. PRS continued to launch new models during the 2007 winter NAMM show, including the Chris Henderson Signature model, Mark Tremonti Signature model, the Singlecut SC 250 and SC 245, the SE One, Semi-Hollow SE Custom Option, and the SE Paul Allender model. Additionally, the 513 Rosewood model became available with a mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, and 10-top options. During summer NAMM 2007, PRS introduced the DGT - Dave Grissom Tremelo. |