Editing PRS Guitars

{{short description|American guitar and amplifier manufacturer}}
{{use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox company
 | name             = PRS Guitars
 | logo             = PRS Guitars logo.svg
 | logo_size        = 
 | image            = 2009 PRS McCarty Trem Killer Quilt LTD - Black Slate.jpg
 | image_caption    = A PRS McCarty with a quilt maple top.
 | type             = [[Privately held company|Private]]
 | foundation       = {{Start date and age|1985}}
 | founder          = Paul Reed Smith
 | location_city    = [[Stevensville, Maryland]]
 | location_country = [[United States]]
 | area_served      = Worldwide
 | key_people       = 
 | industry         = [[Musical instrument]]s
 | products         = [[Electric guitar|Electric]] and [[steel-string acoustic guitar|acoustic]] guitars, [[bass guitar|basses]], [[guitar amplifier|amplifiers]]
 | revenue          =
 | operating_income =
 | net_income       =
 | num_employees    =
 | parent           =
 | divisions        =
 | subsid           =
 | caption          =
 | homepage         = {{URL|https://prsguitars.com/|prsguitars.com}}
 | footnotes        =
}}
'''Paul Reed Smith Guitars''', also known as '''PRS Guitars''' or simply '''PRS''', is an American [[guitar]] and [[Guitar amplifier|amplifier]] manufacturer founded in 1985 in [[Annapolis, Maryland]] by Paul Reed Smith.  After dropping out of college, Smith began making guitars by hand and found early customers like [[Peter Frampton]] and [[Carlos Santana]].  Smith achieved wider success with his namesake company's first production model, the Custom, and the ornate Dragon series.  PRS has continued to build its reputation with models like the vintage-inspired McCarty, affordable SE range, and signature models for players including Santana, [[Mark Tremonti]], and [[John Mayer]].  PRS also produces [[steel-string acoustic guitar|acoustic]] guitars, [[bass guitar|basses]], and [[guitar amplifier|amplifiers]].  The company is currently based in [[Stevensville, Maryland]].

==History==
[[File:Paul Reed Smith.jpg|thumb|left|Founder Paul Reed Smith]]

=== Pre-factory era ===
'''Paul Reed Smith''' (born February 18, 1956) built his first stringed instrument, an electric bass, in 1972 while a student at [[Bowie High School (Maryland)|Bowie High School]].<ref name=gazette>{{cite news|last        = Virginia|first       = Terhune|title       = Bowie High grad, guitar maker and band perform at scholarship fundraiser Saturday|url = http://www.gazette.net/article/20130103/ENTERTAINMENT/701039947/1154/bowie-high-grad-guitar-maker-and-band-perform-at-scholarship&template=gazette|access-date  = March 19, 2013
|newspaper   = [[The Gazette (Maryland)]]|date = January 3, 2013
|url-status     = dead|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141220022952/http://www.gazette.net/article/20130103/ENTERTAINMENT/701039947/1154/bowie-high-grad-guitar-maker-and-band-perform-at-scholarship%26template%3Dgazette|archive-date = December 20, 2014
}}</ref>  After graduating, Smith briefly attended [[St. Mary's College of Maryland]],<ref name=forbes>{{cite news|last=Strauss|first=Karsten|title=PRS Guitars -- Chasing Perfection
|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2013/03/27/paul-reed-smith-guitars-chasing-perfection-profits/|access-date=December 19, 2014|newspaper=[[Forbes]]|date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> where he completed his first electric guitar at the age of 19.  The college awarded Smith four credits for the guitar, which was deemed "of professional quality."<ref name="30years">{{Cite web |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/30-years-of-prs-30-landmark-guitars-616464 |title=NAMM 2019:30 years of PRS: 30 landmark guitars |website=www.musicradar.com |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=2019-05-06}}</ref>  Smith dropped out of college to open his own repair and luthier shop in Annapolis, from which he and several employees built on average one guitar per month.  In 1976, Smith built a custom guitar for [[Peter Frampton]] and took it to several concerts, where he knocked on backstage doors to try and show it to guitarists.  [[Ted Nugent]] bought an early guitar from Smith.  [[Al Dimeola]] ordered a 12-string model.  [[Howard Leese]] bought Smith's first maple-topped guitar, the Golden Eagle.  [[Carlos Santana]] requested a guitar similar to the one owned by Leese, and it was delivered in 1980.<ref name="30years"/>

By the end of 1984, Smith had refined his early designs, creating what would become his brand's signature design elements, including its [[Fender Stratocaster|Strat]]-meets-[[Gibson Les Paul|Les Paul]] body shape, headstock design, birds-in-flight fretboard inlays, and dual humbuckers with rotary, five-way pickup switching.<ref name="Blenkinsop">{{cite web |last1=Blenkinsop |first1=Richard |title=A brief history of PRS Guitars |url=https://guitar.com/features/a-brief-history-of-prs/ |website=Guitar Magazine |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref><ref name="Reverb">{{cite web |last1=Gross |first1=Grant |title=A Brief History of PRS Guitars |url=https://reverb.com/news/a-brief-history-of-prs-guitars |website=Reverb |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>  Smith debuted his new guitar model, the "Custom," at the 1985 [[NAMM Show]], and afterwards traveled to retailers along the East Coast, collecting enough preorders to open his own [[Annapolis]] factory that same year.<ref name="Blenkinsop"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=The PRS guitar book : [a complete history of Paul Reed Smith guitars]|last=Burrluck, Dave.|date=2007|publisher=Backbeat|isbn=978-0879308988|edition= 3rd|location=Milwaukee, WI|oclc=71808403}}</ref>

=== Breakthrough ===
[[File:PRS Headstock Close-up.jpg|thumb|right|PRS's primary headstock style]]
Paul Reed Smith Guitars launched with two factory production models, the Custom and what was then simply known as the "PRS Guitar," an all-mahogany version of the Custom—which would be renamed the "Standard" in 1987.<ref name="30years"/>  Demand escalated quickly, and the brand produced its 1,000th guitar in June 1986.<ref name="Blenkinsop"/>  With its reputation growing, a friend remarked to Smith that he was not charging enough money for his guitars, so Smith went upmarket with the "Signature" series, which was produced from 1987 until 1991 and cost so much that PRS started developing a reputation among critics for building guitars for "doctors and dentists."<ref name="30years"/>

In 1988, PRS introduced a more affordable option, their "CE" (Classic Electric) models, which were characterized by bolt-on necks, alder bodies, and maple necks, similar to Fender guitars.  The CEs were originally produced until 2009, and then reintroduced in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/behind-the-prs-ce-how-the-classic-electric-guitar-returned-637764 |title= Behind the PRS CE: how the Classic Electric guitar returned |website=www.musicradar.com |date= 16 May 2016 |access-date=2019-05-06}}</ref>  These were followed in 1990 with the even more affordable, 22-fret "EG" (Electric Guitar) models and the more successful "EG II" of 1992, which included PRS's first left-handed offering.<ref name="30years"/>  PRS introduced the "Dragon 1" model in 1992, with only 50 units made and an $8,000 price tag. It featured an intricate dragon [[inlay]] which ran down the fretboard, a wide 22-fret neck, a non-vibrato stop-tail bridge, and a new pickup design. The changes from previous models added a noticeable tonal improvement, which led the company to create a mass production model in 1993, the Custom 22.<ref name="Electric Guitars" />  PRS then launched the "McCarty" model in 1994, offering a more vintage-feeling and sounding PRS guitar in honor of former [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]] president [[Ted McCarty]], who had become a friend and mentor to Smith.<ref name="30years"/>  The following year, PRS began producing a signature model for Santana, who became the brand's first formal endorser.  In 1996, the company moved to its present facility in [[Stevensville, Maryland|Stevensville]] on [[Kent Island]], launched its website, and opened its "Private Stock" custom-build service.<ref name="Reverb"/>

=== Expansion ===
All of PRS's guitars were produced in the company's Maryland factory, but this changed in 2000 with the introduction of the "SE" (Student Edition) range of guitars, which offers more affordable versions of many of the brand's popular models.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.prsguitars.com/csc/year.html |title=Year Identification |website=www.prsguitars.com |access-date=2017-08-30 |department=Customer Support Center}}</ref>  SE models are manufactured in [[Korea]] by World Musical Instrument Co. Ltd.  In 2008, PRS expanded its catalog to include acoustic guitars.  Two years later, despite the economic downturn, PRS released 20 new models, 13 of which were anniversary editions, alongside new models like a singlecut McCarty and SE versions of the Singlecut and Santana models.  With the S2 range introduced in 2014, PRS began offering less expensive, American-made versions of their guitars.  The S2 range launched with an S2 version of the Custom 24 and two new models, the Starla and Mira.<ref name="30years"/>

In 2007, PRS began offering amplifiers with its Archon model and subsequently added to its lineup signature models for [[Mark Tremonti]] (MT series) and [[David Grissom]] (DG Custom 30).  PRS also produces the HDRX series, an amp series based originally on a [[Marshall Super Lead]] used by [[Jimi Hendrix]] and housed at the [[Museum of Pop Culture]] in Seattle, Washington.<ref name="HDRX">{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Art |title=How PRS Channeled Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock Tone to Create the Fire-Breathing HDRX 100 Amp |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/how-prs-channeled-jimi-hendrixs-woodstock-tone-to-create-the-fire-breathing-hdrx-100-amp |website=guitarplayer.com |publisher=Guitar Player |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>

PRS offers multiple signature model guitars and amplifiers, most notably designing the [[PRS Silver Sky|Silver Sky]] with [[John Mayer]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/27086-prs-guitars-announces-the-john-mayer-silver-sky|title=PRS Guitars Announces the John Mayer Silver Sky|website=Premierguitar.com|date= March 5, 2018 }}</ref>

==Construction==
{{multiple image
|perrow = 
|align = right
|direction = vertical
|total_width = 250
|header = 
|image1 = 2009 PRS McCarty Trem Killer Quilt LTD - Inlays.jpg
|caption1 = 
|image2 = PRS SE Custom 24 Inlay.jpg
|caption2 = Examples of PRS's signature birds-in-flight fretboard inlays.
}}

=== Fretboard inlays ===
{{quotebox|quote=If there is a guitar brand that is best known for its exquisite build quality and stunning custom finishes, it's PRS. [...] Paul Reed Smith has [become] a pioneer of modern manufacturing techniques, creating guitars that perfectly balance form and function.|source=Daryl Robertson of ''[[Guitar World]]'' (May 24, 2023) [https://www.guitarworld.com/features/best-guitar-brands]|width=25%|align=left}}
One of PRS's signature design elements are its birds-in-flight fretboard inlays.  Smith first used bird inlays in a guitar he built for [[Peter Frampton]] in 1976, prior to PRS's official launch.<ref name="Robertson1">{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Daryl |title=Best PRS Guitars 2024: Our Top Pick Of The Finest Guitars From Paul Reed Smith |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/best-prs-guitars |website=Guitar Player |access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>  Smith credited his mother's love of [[bird watching]] for the choice, with most of the designs inspired by a bird book he purchased for the task.  He has stated the birds featured in the smaller upper frets were the most difficult to design, and several friends helped with their depiction.  Once designed, the inlays for Frampton's guitar were cut by hand from pearl [[piano keys]].<ref name="PRSbirds">{{cite web |title=The Story of the PRS Bird Inlays |url=https://prsguitars.com/blog/post/the_story_of_the_prs_bird_inlays |publisher=PRS |access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref>

The birds shown are a [[peregrine falcon]], [[northern harrier]], [[ruby-throated hummingbird]], [[common tern]], [[Cooper's hawk]], [[kite (bird)|kite]], [[New World sparrow|sparrow]] (landing), [[storm petrel]], hawk (landing), and [[screech owl]] (perched).<ref name="Robertson1"/>  Over time, the inlays have undergone several revisions, with the standard solid birds joined by hollow versions, as well as more artistic depictions.<ref name="PRSbirds"/>

=== Hardware ===
Nuts are synthetic and tuners are of PRS's own design, although some models feature Korean-made Kluson-style tuners. PRS guitars feature three original bridge designs: a one-piece pre-intonated stoptail, a vibrato, and a wrapover tailpiece. The vibrato was designed with the help of guitar engineer John Mann. It was an update on the classic Fender vibrato and used cam-locking tuners, which offered wide pitch bending with exceptional tuning stability.<ref name="Electric Guitars" />

=== Pickups ===
[[Pickup (music technology)|Pickups]] are designed and wound in-house. While most of the brand's pickups are humbuckers, some are a pair of [[Single coil guitar pickup|single coils]] wound in opposing directions, one intended for the neck and one for the bridge position. Through the use of a unique rotary pickup selector switch, PRS pickups offer five different sounds: a combination of thick [[humbucking]] [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]]-like tones, and chimey single-coil [[Stratocaster]]-like tones.<ref name="Electric Guitars">{{cite book|last=Bacon|first=Tony|title=Electric guitars, the illustrated encyclopedia|year=2000|publisher=thunder bay press|location=San Diego| isbn=1-57145-281-8| pages=250–267}}</ref> The standard [[Treble (sound)|treble]] and standard bass pickups use magnetic pole pieces in the non-adjustable inner coil, and a rear-placed feeder magnet in order to achieve a more authentic single-coil tone when split by the rotary switch.<ref name="Electric Guitars" />

PRS developed pickups for the aggressive rock market, offering pickups such as the chainsaw, and the Hot-Fat-Screams (HFS) initially used on the Special model.<ref name="Electric Guitars" />

In 1998, an electronic upgrade kit was released for pre-1993 instruments which included lighter-weight tuner buttons, nickel-plated brass screws for saddles and [[intonation (music)|intonation]], a simulated tone control, and high-capacitance hookup wire.<ref name="Electric Guitars" /> In 2012, PRS released the 408 pickups used on the 408 and Paul's Guitar models. These pickups include innovations that feature no loss of volume when in coil split mode.<ref name="PRS 408 Pickups">{{Cite web |url=http://www.sweetwater.com/insync/why-dont-prs-408-pickups-lose-volume-in-single-coil-mode/ |title=Why Don't PRS 408 Pickups Lose Volume in Single-coil Mode? |date=April 16, 2013 |publisher=Sweetwater}}</ref> They have an exclusive agreement to use wire drawn from the same machine that made wire for Les Paul and Stratocaster pickups in the 1950s.<ref name="PRS Pickup Wire">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qedQp9-kLv0#t=1m50s  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/qedQp9-kLv0 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=PRS Talks PAF Pickups, Wire and 408 |date=August 9, 2013 |publisher=MusicStoreLive.com |via=youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Certain models of PRS guitars have also used pickups by [[Lindy Fralin]], notably in the EG II<ref>{{cite book|last1=Buurluck|first1=Dave|title=The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of Paul Reed Smith Guitars |publisher=Backbeat Books |year=2007 | page=151}}</ref> and certain specs of the Custom 22.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Model History | url=https://www.prsguitars.com/index.php/support/article/model_history|website=prsguitars.com|access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref>

== Product series ==
PRS offers many of its models in different product series, each varying in price, quality, and location of manufacture.  They are organized below by price range, from low to high.<ref name="Breakdown">{{cite web |title=PRS Product Series: The Breakdown |url=https://prsguitars.com/blog/post/prs_product_series_the_breakdown |publisher=PRS Guitars |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref>

*'''SE''' / '''Student Edition''': Created out of demand for affordable versions of the brand's Core models.  Most SE models are made in Korea or Indonesia.  Compared to other series, SE models reduce production costs in several ways, such as using maple veneers (instead of maple tops) and multi-ply maple necks.  They also employ a "Wide Thin" neck profile as opposed to the more popular "Pattern Thin" profile of more expensive models.<ref name="Robertson">{{cite web |last1=Robertson |first1=Daryl |title=PRS SE vs PRS S2: what's the difference between these renowned electric guitars? |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/PRS-SE-vs-PRS-S2 |website=Guitar World |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref>
*'''S2''': The brand's mid-priced offerings, constructed in the Stevensville factory alongside the Core models, albeit using a faster production line and a combination of USA-made and foreign parts.  S2 models have a stripped-down aesthetic compared to most Core models and feature some design changes, like using asymmetrically beveled tops.<ref name="Robertson"/>  This line contains both "reimagined" versions of existing models and new designs.<ref name="Breakdown"/>
*'''Bolt-On''': Made in the brand's Maryland factory, these models are characterized by their [[bolt-on neck]] construction and include several models with single-coil pickups, like the Silver Sky.<ref name="Breakdown"/>  All CE models have bolt-on necks.
*'''Core''': PRS's standard, American-made production models.  The Core series comprises all of the brand's early designs and features the brand's highest build quality short of Private Stock guitars.<ref name="Breakdown"/>
*'''Private Stock''': Private Stock is a custom-build service and represent PRS's highest-end guitars.<ref name=":0" />

== Notable models ==
{{multiple image
|perrow = 3
|align = 
|direction = horizontal
|total_width = 350
|header = 
|image1 = 2010 PRS McCarty Model.jpg
|caption1 = McCarty with a stopbar bridge
|image2 = 2022 PRS SE John Mayer Silver Sky Moon White.jpg
|caption2 = Silver Sky
|image3 = PRS Custom (1988) Santana guitar, MIM PHX.jpg 
|caption3 = Santana signature model
}}

=== Golden Eagle ===
Paul Reed Smith built his first maple-topped guitar, dubbed the Golden Eagle, using wood from a 300-year-old dresser Smith acquired from a friend's mother.<ref name="Marshall">{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Wolf |title=Howard Leese: Heartless but Guitar Laden |url=https://www.vintageguitar.com/3654/howard-leese/ |website=vintageguitar.com |publisher=Vintage Guitar |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>  The "pre-factory" design was similar to a [[double cutaway]] [[Les Paul Junior]],<ref name="SantanaSE">{{cite web |last1=Burrluck |first1=Dave |title=PRS SE Santana review |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/prs-se-santana-392021 |website=musicradar.com |publisher=Music Radar |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref> with a rounder lower bout and a shorter bass-side horn compared to PRS's later Custom-style silhouette, but used two humbuckers, a carved maple top, and vibrato bridge.  The Golden Eagle had a yellow/amber finish, abalone [[purfling]] strips, darker mahogany neck, [[mother-of-pearl]] eagle on the headstock, and 24.5" scale length.<ref name="Leese">{{cite web |title=PRS to Release Howard Leese Limited Edition Golden Eagle |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/prs-to-release-howard-leese-limited-edition-golden-eagle |website=premierguitar.com |publisher=Premier Guitar |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>  The customer it was built for, however, declined to follow through on the purchase and it was instead sold to [[Heart (band)|Heart]]'s [[Howard Leese]], who bought the guitar based entirely on a photo Smith sent him.  Much of the Golden Eagle's design was later replicated for [[Carlos Santana]]'s own signature models.  Leese also purchased Smith's maple-topped follow-up, the Golden Eagle #2, which featured only a bridge pickup.<ref name="Marshall"/>

=== Santana ===
While Santana first played a PRS guitar in 1976 when Smith was showing his guitars backstage at concerts, he first extensively used one when he borrowed Leese's Golden Eagle #2 to record his album ''[[Zebop!]]''.<ref name="Marshall"/><ref name="Santana">{{cite web |last1=di Person |first1=Alan |title="I'm Definitely Not a One-Guitar Person": Carlos Santana Pulls out His Favorite PRS, Gibson and Fender Axes |url=https://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/carlos-santana-favorite-guitars |website=Guitar Player |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>  In 1980, Smith brought another prototype to Santana backstage at a concert and an impressed Santana commissioned his own maple-topped model, which was Smith's third after Leese's Golden Eagles.  The guitar was completed in 30 days and delivered that November.  It followed much of the original Golden Eagle's format,<ref name="Marshall"/> with alterations like an ''[[Om]]'' symbol on the [[truss rod]] cover, a single knob (for volume), and on/off mini-toggles for each pickup.<ref name="PGSantana">{{cite web |title=PRS Guitars Unveils the Pre-Factory Santana I Limited Edition |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/prs-guitars-unveils-the-pre-factory-santana-i-limited-edition |website=Premier Guitar |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>  The guitar established a lasting relationship between Santana and Smith, giving the fledgling PRS brand credibility and serving as the template for future signature models for Santana,<ref name="SantanaSE"/> which PRS began making in 1995.  Multiple iterations have since been released, including the Santana II, which was used to record ''[[Supernatural (Santana album)|Supernatural]]'',<ref name="Santana"/> and the first SE model, as the SE series was inspired by numerous requests from players for an affordable Santana signature guitar.<ref name="Blenkinsop"/>

=== Custom ===
The 24-fret Custom was the brand's first production model, released in 1985, and introduced many of what would become the brand's signature design elements, including a body shape that merged elements of the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul, along with a 25" scale length that similarly sits in between Fender and Gibson specs.<ref name="Mullally">{{cite web |last1=Mullally |first1=Tom |title=Vintage Vault: 1985 Paul Reed Smith Custom |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/vintage-vault-1985-paul-reed-smith-custom |website=premierguitar.com |publisher=Premier Guitar |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>  Other features included a revised headstock design that became standard for the brand, a PRS-patented tremolo, a "sweet switch" tone filter toggle, and a unique, five-position rotary pickup selector that switched between full humbucker and split-coil configurations.<ref name="Mullally"/>  A "stoptail" bridge option was offered from 1993 on, while the rotary selector was replaced with a five-way blade switch in 2011.<ref name="MH">{{cite web |title=Model History |url=https://support.prsguitars.com/hc/en-us/articles/4408314531227-Model-History |website=prsguitars.com |publisher=PRS Support |access-date=21 February 2025}}</ref>  The Custom was renamed the "Custom 24" after the introduction of the Custom 22, a production model of the Dragon 1 that removed the dragon inlay.<ref name="30years"/>  Like with many future PRS models, both Customs would see iterations that introduced new features, such as [[Piezoelectricity|piezo]] and [[P-90#Varieties|soapbar]] pickups and [[Floyd Rose]] locking bridges.<ref name="MH"/>

=== Dragon ===
PRS introduced the "Dragon 1" model in 1992, with only 50 units made and an $8,000 price tag. It featured an intricate dragon [[inlay]] which ran down the fretboard, a wide 22-fret neck, a non-vibrato stop-tail bridge, and a new pickup design. The changes from previous models added a noticeable tonal improvement, which led the company to create a mass production model in 1993, the Custom 22.<ref name="Electric Guitars" /> The Dragon 2 was released in 1993, and the Dragon 3 in 1994. Both featured dragon inlays that became more complex with each edition.  Only 100 of each of the two models were made.<ref name="Electric Guitars" />  In 1999, PRS released the Dragon 2000, which featured complex body curves, and a three-dimensional dragon inlay.  Just 50 Dragon 2000's were ever produced.<ref name="Electric Guitars" />  In 1996, the Smithsonian [[National Museum of American History]] included the Dragon 1 with other name-brand guitars as a piece of history regarding American popular music.

=== McCarty ===
Early in his career, Smith had befriended former [[Gibson (guitar company)|Gibson]] president [[Ted McCarty]], who became a mentor to him.  Although McCarty was not involved in the model's design, PRS named it in his honor, with Smith explaining that the design represented the culmination of everything McCarty had taught him. The McCarty departed from the typical PRS design in multiple ways, featuring a slightly deeper body, thinner headstock, and a three-way toggle for pickup selection.  PRS later added a push-pull switch for coil-splitting.  Some of the McCarty's features came at the suggestion of David Grissom.<ref name="30years"/>

=== Singlecut ===
[[File:Main guitar.jpg|thumb|right|A PRS Singlecut, the model at issue in Gibson's trademark dispute.]]
In 2000, PRS debuted their Singlecut model, which notably bore a strong resemblance to Gibson's [[Gibson Les Paul|Les Paul]].  Although other brands producing Les Paul-inspired guitars was not uncommon, PRS's strong market position made the Singlecut a more direct "threat" to Gibson.<ref name="Blenkinsop"/>  As a result, Gibson filed a trademark infringement lawsuit, while PRS countered that it had not violated any valid Gibson trademarks.  The case was of significant interest to the guitar-making industry, as it potentially had serious ramifications for any brand making single-cutaway, solidbody guitar models.<ref name="Blenkinsop" />  An injunction was ordered in 2004 that required PRS to stop manufacturing the Singlecut,<ref name="injunction"><u>Gibson Guitar Corp. v. Paul Reed Smith Guitars, L.P.</u>, 325 F. Supp. 2d 841 (M.D. Tenn., 2004)</ref> with Federal District Court Judge William J. Haynes ruling that the Singlecut was an imitation of the Les Paul.<ref name="injunction" /> However, in 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed this lower court decision, and ordered the dismissal of Gibson's suit.  PRS resumed production.<ref><u>Gibson Guitar Corp. v. Paul Reed Smith Guitars, LP</u>, 423 F.3d 539 (6th Cir. 2005).</ref>  While no changes to the design of the Singlecut occurred as a result of the lawsuit, some Singlecut owners and sellers have adopted the term 'pre-lawsuit' to differentiate their Singlecut guitar from others.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marchisotto |first=Paul Anthony |date=2006 |title=Note: Gibson v. PRS: the Applicability of the Initial Interest Confusion Doctrine to Trademarked Product Shapes |journal=Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal |volume=24 |pages=883–917}}</ref>

=== Silver Sky ===
{{main|PRS Silver Sky}}
The PRS Silver Sky was co-designed with [[John Mayer]] as his signature model with the brand.  The Silver Sky's basic design combines a [[Fender Stratocaster]]-style body with PRS's headstock and signature birds-in-flight fretboard inlays.  Mayer had previously been an endorser of Fender guitars with his own signature model Stratocaster, but Mayer ended the partnership in 2014 to pursue new guitar designs with Paul Reed Smith.  Upon release, the Silver Sky quickly became one of the industry's best-selling guitars, while simultaneously facing backlash among many guitarists over its similarities to the Strat—a combination that led ''[[Guitar World]]'' to dub the Silver Sky a "phenomenon... the guitar that 'broke' the internet."<ref name="Burrluck">{{cite web |last1=Burrluck |first1=Dave |title=The making of the PRS SE Silver Sky: how Paul Reed Smith and John Mayer created the best SE model yet |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/prs-se-silver-sky-making-of |website=Guitar World |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref>

== Artists ==
Italics denote the player has a PRS signature model.

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Mikael Akerfeldt]] of [[Opeth]]<ref name="GillPRS">{{cite web |last1=Gill |first1=Chris |title=35 PRS guitarists – including John Mayer, Alex Lifeson, Dave Navarro and Carlos Santana – on why they love Paul Reed Smith's guitars |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/35-players-including-john-mayer-alex-lifeson-dave-navarro-and-carlos-santana-on-why-they-love-prs-guitars |website=Guitar World |access-date=18 February 2025}}</ref>
*[[Martin Barre]] of [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Dickey Betts]] of [[The Allman Brothers Band]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Reed Smith Comments on Dickey Betts' Passing |url=https://prsguitars.com/blog/post/paul_reed_smith_comments_on_dickey_betts_passing |website=prsguitars.com |publisher=PRS Guitars |access-date=31 May 2025}}</ref>
*[[Wes Borland]] of [[Limp Bizkit]]<ref name="Beckner">{{cite web |last1=Beckner |first1=Justin |title=Six unique and important guitars that helped shape nu metal |url=https://guitar.com/features/opinion-analysis/six-unique-and-important-guitars-that-helped-shape-nu-metal/ |website=Guitar Magazine |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
*[[Brad Delson]] of [[Linkin Park]]<ref name="Beckner"/>
*[[Al Di Meola]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Mike Einziger]] of [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Dan Estrin]] of [[Hoobastank]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Peter Frampton]]
*''[[David Grissom]]''<ref name="30years"/>
*[[Chris Haskett]] of [[Rollins Band]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Warren Haynes]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*Chris Henderson of [[3 Doors Down]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Mark Holcomb]]'' of [[Periphery (band)|Periphery]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Paul Jackson Jr.]]''<ref name="30years"/>
*''[[Myles Kennedy]]'' of [[Alter Bridge]]
*[[Larry LaLonde]] of [[Primus (band)|Primus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Rig Rundown: Primus' Larry LaLonde [2017] |url=https://www.premierguitar.com/videos/rig-rundown/primus-larry-lalonde-2017 |website=premierguitar.com |publisher=Premier Guitar |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>
*''[[Mark Lettieri]]''<ref name="Fiore">{{cite web |last1=Burrluck |first1=Dave |title=PRS Fiore Review |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/reviews/prs-fiore-review |website=guitarworld.com |publisher=Guitarist |access-date=19 February 2025}}</ref>
*[[Alex Lifeson]] of [[Rush (band)|Rush]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*Tim Mahoney of [[311 (band)|311]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Brent Mason]]''<ref name="30years"/>
*''[[John Mayer]]''<ref name="30years"/>
*[[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prsguitars.com/artists/profile/john_mclaughlin/ |title=John McLaughlin |publisher=PRS Guitars |access-date=23 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104081442/http://www.prsguitars.com/artists/profile/john_mclaughlin/|archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref>
*[[Gary Moore]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Mike Mushok]] of [[Staind]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Zach Myers]]'' of [[Shinedown]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Dave Navarro]]'' of [[Jane's Addiction]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lower |first1=Alun |title=PRS SE Dave Navarro review |url=https://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/prs-se-dave-navarro-566243 |website=musicradar.com |publisher=Music Radar |access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
*[[Ted Nugent]]
*[[Mike Oldfield]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Orianthi]]''<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Jimmy Page]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*[[Jim Root]] of [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Laing |first1=Rob |title="This is sort of blasphemous and sacrilegious… I might have fibbed a little bit and said 'never' with the digital modelling s***": Jim Root reveals he's using the Neural DSP Quad Cortex live with Slipknot, and adding his old PRS guitars to the rig |url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/this-is-sort-of-blasphemous-and-sacrilegious-i-might-have-fibbed-a-little-bit-and-said-never-with-the-digital-modelling-s-jim-root-reveals-hes-using-the-neural-dsp-quad-cortex-live-with-slipknot-and-adding-his-old-prs-guitars-to-the-rig |website=Music Radar |access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>
*''[[Carlos Santana]]''<ref name="30years"/>
*[[Neal Schon]] of [[Journey (band)|Journey]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Martin Simpson]]''<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''Kanami Tōno'' of [[Band-Maid]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2024 |title=Introducing the Kanami Limited Edition Signature Model! |url=https://eu.prsguitars.com/blog/post/introducing_the_kanami_limited_edition |access-date=27 January 2025 |website=PRS Guitars}}</ref>
*[[Pat Travers]]<ref name="GillPRS"/>
*''[[Mark Tremonti]]'' of [[Creed (band)|Creed]]<ref name="30years"/>
*Dany Villarreal of [[The Warning (band)|The Warning]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2025 |title=Orianthi Gifts Her Lotus Bloom Guitar to Dany Villarreal on Stage! |url=https://eu.prsguitars.com/blog/post/orianthi_gifts_her_lotus_bloom_guitar_to_dany_villarreal_on_stage |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=PRS Guitars}}</ref>{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/paul-reed-smith Paul Reed Smith Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (2013)
* [https://reverbzone.com/prs/ PRS Guitars Database] on ReverbZone

{{Guitar brands}}

[[Category:Guitar manufacturing companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Guitar amplifier manufacturers]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Maryland]]
[[Category:Queen Anne's County, Maryland]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1985]]
[[Category:Kent Island, Maryland]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in Maryland]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1985]]