A DESIGN FOR LIFE
Guitarist|June 2020
When the first Paul Reed Smith guitar found its way into the Guitarist office many, many years ago we knew we were looking at something really special. Suddenly, there was a new kid on the block and, boy, could he make guitars… Coming back up to date and that passion for design and sonic excellence continues apace as the brand celebrates its 35th anniversary…
- Dave Burrluck
A DESIGN FOR LIFE

THE HIT MAKER

While 2020 marks 35 years of PRS Guitars, the Maryland guitar maker has experienced massive growth since its 30th anniversary in 2015. With the help of Paul Reed Smith and his team, we look back to celebrate these unprecedented past five years

Words Dave Burrluck

Guitar makers are little different from artists writing songs, making albums and touring the world. They have their successes and they have their failures; they fall out due to musical differences while their drummers spontaneously combust. Okay, so while that last bit might be a thing of fiction, for many the definition of a successful guitarist is simply one who sells records. It’s just as true of a guitar maker, large or small.

PRS Guitars has long since been considered the ‘third’ guitar brand after the icons that are Fender and Gibson. It’s not something that stacks up from production numbers, but there is plenty to support the perception. There’s the quality proposition for starters. From day one, PRS’s focus on quality signalled a call to arms and helped restore the craft of the luthier. There are few contemporary electric guitar makers who haven’t been influenced or inspired by PRS’s obsessive drive to produce the highest quality instruments with little or no compromise – something that’s easy to claim but not easy to do. Then there’s the fact that the man who has his name above the door is still the driving passion behind the brand 35 years on, considerably longer than Leo was at Fender or Ted McCarty at Gibson. Indeed, in guitar making terms, Paul Reed Smith is a virtual deity to his legion of dedicated followers.

この蚘事は Guitarist の June 2020 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は Guitarist の June 2020 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

GUITARISTのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
QUICK CHANGE
Guitarist

QUICK CHANGE

As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar

time-read
6 分  |
November 2024
Return Of The Rack
Guitarist

Return Of The Rack

A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
Pure Filth
Guitarist

Pure Filth

This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.

time-read
2 分  |
November 2024
Reptile Royalty
Guitarist

Reptile Royalty

From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion

time-read
2 分  |
November 2024
Tradition Revisited
Guitarist

Tradition Revisited

Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
Ramble On
Guitarist

Ramble On

Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?

time-read
5 分  |
November 2024
Redrawing The 'Bird
Guitarist

Redrawing The 'Bird

A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
Guitarist

1965 Fender Jazz Bass

\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.

time-read
3 分  |
November 2024
Boss Cube Street II
Guitarist

Boss Cube Street II

Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
STILL CRAZY
Guitarist

STILL CRAZY

One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more

time-read
8 分  |
November 2024