PRS Guitars debuts Acoustics, Amps and More at Winter NAMM 2009

PRS Guitars is to announce the first in a series of acoustic guitars manufactured in its Stevensville, Maryland facility. Nearly four years of design and prototyping with acoustic artist Ricky Skaggs and luthier Steve Fischer have culminated in the Angelus Cutaway and the Tonare Grand models, which are appearing officially for the first time at Winter NAMM. Full production will commence in early 2009.

Newly designed with direct input from distinguished artists, PRS acoustic models come standard with features that are typically considered upgrades within the industry – German spruce tops, beautiful dark rosewood or curly mahogany backs and sides, rare Peruvian mahogany necks, red spruce and mahogany bracing, exotic inlays and rosettes, and thin shatter-hard all nitro finishes. Options include Celtic knot rosettes and inlays, Adirondack red spruce tops, and ebony fretboards and bridges. These instruments incorporate a proprietary hybrid bracing pattern designed to maximize volume, provide a musical balance between the bass, mid-range and warm high-end and give an articulate tonal response. Also uniquely PRS is a super high strength, high modulus graphite truss rod that enhances sonic vibration and an optional proprietary pickup system producing a natural acoustic sound that rivals vintage condenser microphones.

PRS Acoustic product line supporters also include Cody Kilby, lead guitarist for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder and dubbed by Guitar Player magazine as having “outrageous solos that push the envelope of acoustic lead guitar” and Martin Simpson, renowned English guitarist and winner of the 2008 BBC Radio 2 Folks Awards “Album of the Year” and “Song of the Year.”

The PRS line of acoustics will be prominently displayed at NAMM in PRS booth #5320 and demonstrated at performance volume in the PRS Studio (on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center - room # 212). PRS Acoustic demonstrations are scheduled in the PRS Studio at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. A special press only new product demonstration is scheduled in the PRS Studio (room #212) at 3:00 p.m. directly following the PRS Guitars new products press conference scheduled for 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Friday in booth #5320.

PRS Guitars Debuts Tube Amplifier Line at Winter NAMM 2009

After nearly four years of close collaboration with master amp designer Doug Sewell, PRS Guitars introduces the highly anticipated PRS tube amp line at Winter NAMM.

Paying homage to both classic American as well as British amps, Sewell and Smith directed the PRS team to produce a line that covers the needs of varied playing styles while providing some uniquely different tonal possibilities.

The Dallas, Blue Sierra, and Original Sewell models make their official appearance at 2009 NAMM in Anaheim.

Producing clean tones that overdrive nicely, the Dallas harkens to the classic American reverb amps with more useable gain and slightly fuller midrange. Its percussive attack, sweet highs, and solid lows produce open, three-dimensional tone and huge sounding cleans.

Guitarists seeking classic British and American tones with what Doug Sewell calls “Texas attitude” will likely latch on to the Blue Sierra. With gain structured for equally great cleans to medium gain overdrive tones, the Blue Sierra works well with both single coils and humbuckers. Medium gain settings allow aggressive cleans to crunch easily and are controllable with pick attack.

Recalling ‘50’s American amps but with very wide gain structure, the Original Sewell model PRS amp provides expressive tone centering in the medium to medium high range. Tones are warm and harmonically rich giving an expressive quality to lead work. Smoothness is emphasized with sweet highs and tight lows surrounding a fat, warm midrange.

The PRS line of amps will be prominently displayed at NAMM in PRS booth #5320 and demonstrated at performance volume in the PRS Studio (on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center - room # 212). Amp demonstrations are scheduled in the PRS Studio at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. A special press only new product demonstration is scheduled in the PRS Studio room #212 at 3:00 p.m. directly following the PRS Guitars new products press conference scheduled for 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Friday in booth #5320.

Paul Reed Smith Debuts New Sunburst Series Nitro Finished Guitars at Winter NAMM

Incorporating the highly acclaimed 1957/2008 pickups and finished in never before offered PRS proprietary nitro-cellulose burst colors, the Sunburst 22, Sunburst 245 and Smokeburst McCarty make their debut at NAMM 2009. The guitars feature custom grade curly maple tops, wide/fat mahogany necks, mahogany backs, 22-fret East Indian Rosewood fretboards and abalone bird inlays.

The Sunburst 22 is a 25” scale-length double-cutaway model with PRS Tremolo bridge and phase II low mass locking tuners. The Sunburst 245 features a 24-1/2” scale length with single-cutaway body, stoptail bridge and vintage style tuners. The Smokeburst™ McCarty incorporates a 25” scale-length with double-cutaway body, stoptail bridge and vintage style tuners. The Sunburst 22 and Smokeburst™ McCarty each have a 3-way toggle pickup selector, volume knob and push/pull coil splitting tone control; while the Sunburst 245 utilizes a re-configured volume and tone control per pickup and three-way pickup selector.

PRS Guitars Debuts the Mira X at Winter NAMM 2009

PRS continues to expand its guitar concepts with the introduction of the Mira X, the first 22-fret, 24-1/2” scale-length guitar in the Mira series of PRS guitar models. Appearing for the first time at this year’s Winter NAMM in Anaheim, the Mira X’s retro inspired design and appointments compliment others in the Mira series, but the flatter, streamlined Mira X top and lighter weight body gives new options to players in search of instruments with PRS craftsmanship, but with subtle and understated style.

The unique X wood palette includes a solid African basswood body, a Sipo mahogany neck and a Pau Ferro fretboard that contribute to the light-weight understated look and feel of this guitar, as do the dot inlays, vintage style tuning pegs and nickel hardware. Mira X Treble and Bass pickups, volume and tone controls and a three-way pick up selector on a black pickguard round out the electronics package. Color packages are Vintage Cherry, Black and Sepia Burst.

PRS Guitars Release the SE Custom 24

Underscoring the notion that quality guitars need not be prohibitively costly PRS adds to its highly successful SE series with the introduction of the SE Custom 24 electric guitar.

Featuring mahogany body, maple top and neck, plain maple veneer, three-piece wide-thin neck, rosewood fretboard and moon inlays, the SE Custom 24 provides utility and quality at a reasonable price.

Incorporating PRS designed HFS Treble & Vintage Bass pickups, the SE Custom 24 produces a wide range of tonal possibilities enhanced by a variety of switching options including master volume, master tone, and 3-way toggle pickup selector. The SE Custom 24 is only available with a tremolo bridge.

The SE Custom 24 is available in Black Cherry, Grey Black and Whale Blue.

1957/2008 Paul Reed Smith Pickups

Paul Reed Smith acquired exclusive rights to the original pickup wire from the original machine used to make the most revered ‘50s era pickups in 2008, and 1957 was the year the humbucker was first commercially available, giving rise to PRS Guitars’ newest and most exclusive pickup, the 1957/2008.

The new PRS Sunburst Series, the McCarty II, the Al Di Meola Prism and a limited run of solid body electrics introduced at Experience PRS 2008 are presently the only models that come standard with 1957/2008 pickups.

Three models are offered as part of a 1957/2008 Limited Run: the Custom 24, the McCarty and the SC 245. Limited to 750 guitars, the limited run and the new Sunburst Series are the only place outside of Private Stock where brand new “old style” McCarty PRS models are currently available.

PRS Guitars Modern Eagle II on Display at Winter NAMM 2009

Paul Reed Smith Guitars’ Modern Eagle II officially debuts at Winter NAMM 2008 after making its initial appearance during Experience PRS 2008. The newly updated Modern Eagle II builds on the tradition of the original Modern Eagle with premium grade wood, classic Modern Eagle frets and a Modern Eagle wide fat neck carve and adds to that an all new exclusive pickup system, updated finishing techniques, new colors and a Modern Eagle case.

The 1957/2008 pickups offered standard on the Modern Eagle II allow players to achieve both vintage and modern sounds. PRS obtained exclusive rights to the original pickup wire used in the most revered pickups in the 50’s. PRS obtained an exclusive to the wire in 2008, and 1957 was the year the humbucker was first commercially available, giving rise to the 1957/2008 name. “We’ve found a new kind of black rosewood that we’re using for the necks and fretboards,” said Paul Smith. “We’ve come up with a way of finishing the neck and fingerboard where it goes down into the grain, and you actually buff out the wood.” This buffed out neck finish is achieved using a finishing process developed by PRS and only available currently on the Modern Eagle II.

Curly Modern Eagle grade maple tops with premium mahogany backs and select Dalbergia wide fat necks are standard on all Modern Eagle II guitars. Other features include 22 frets, 25” scale length, custom Modern Eagle II birds with select green abalone bird outlines and iridescent Paua heart filled centers, tremolo or stoptail bridge and a special paisley case with a maroon crushed velvet interior. The high gloss nitro finish is available in four special high-contrast colors: Faded Blue Jean, Charcoal, Red Tiger and Yellow Tiger.

PRS Guitars Debuts Al Di Meola Signature Model – The Prism

The Al Di Meola Prism, world renowned Jazz guitarist Al Di Meola’s first signature model PRS guitar, will appear for the first time at NAMM during the winter trade show in Anaheim. The model, which unofficially debuted during Experience PRS 2008, features a stained top with a full spectrum of colors unlike any finish PRS has ever offered. The Prism prototype was completed just in time for Di Meola to play the new model on stage alongside legendary jazz band mates Chick Corea, Lenny White and Stanley Clark during the Return to Forever world tour in 2008.

The Al Di Meola Prism features a highly figured curly maple custom top with mahogany back, 25” scale length, 22 fret Mexican rosewood fingerboard, custom Al Di Meola neck carve, grommet style locking tuners, standard abalone bird inlays, the new 1957/2008 pickups and a tremolo bridge.

When discussions about this new signature model began, Al and Paul Reed Smith were both adamant that the guitar maintained the highest quality and tonal integrity. Al also suggested a tie-dye like finish for the guitar to give it a truly unique look. Paul Smith and the PRS R&D team combined Al’s favorite guitar appointments and a full spectrum of colors to create a one of a kind PRS Guitar.

Al Di Meola was one of the very first artists featured on a magazine cover playing a PRS guitar and has supported PRS Guitars for more than 20 years. Not only is the Al Di Meola Prism one of the most striking guitars PRS has ever developed, it pays tribute to a legendary musician who helped lay the frame work for PRS Guitars as a company.

PRS Guitars New Classic – The Starla

The Starla, still a newbie in a line of retro inspired solid-body electrics from Paul Reed Smith Guitars, will be on display for the first time in PRS Guitars NAMM booth #5320. Unofficially unveiled as part of the Experience PRS 2008 open house event, the guitar is similar in spirit to the double cutaway Mira model introduced at Experience PRS 2007. The single cutaway Starla has many vintage themed appointments and is PRS Guitars’ first solid-body electric guitar featuring a standard Bigsby B5 tailpiece and a Grover bridge. The guitar also includes exclusive double-screw Starla Treble and Bass pickups.

The solid mahogany Starla body is accented with a 24 ½” scale rosewood fingerboard, a solid mahogany neck and dot inlays or optional bird inlays. Proprietary Alnico magnets incorporated into the pickup design contribute to the guitar’s unique clean and crisp sound, but are also capable of rich harmonic overtones when driven. Other features include a uniquely shaped black plastic pick guard, tone and volume pots and a three-way pickup selector. Color options include Vintage Cherry, Vintage Mahogany, Vintage Orange and Black.

Hailed in a recent Vintage Guitar review as “simply badass,” Starla models have made their way onto retail shelves and into players’ hands all over the world.

PRS Guitars Mira Maple Top

The Paul Reed Smith Guitars Mira Maple Top is making its NAMM debut in Anaheim this January. First unveiled during the Experience PRS 2008 event in Maryland last fall, the instrument combines the retro vibe of the PRS Mira with the figured maple tops that PRS customers have come to expect. This new model is an evolutionary instrument stemming from the increasingly popular Mira. The maple top provides the guitar with both a distinctive visual and tonal identity.

New colors and optional gold hardware are also part of this new model’s offerings. The new finishes are all wrap-around and include Tri-Color Sunburst, Dark Cherry Sunburst, Whale Blue/Black Burst, Violin Amber Burst and Vintage Natural.

Like all PRS guitars, the Mira Maple Top is comprised of the finest woods and materials available. In addition to the mahogany and maple top body, the mahogany neck and East Indian rosewood fingerboard come with either moon inlays or optional bird inlays. This instrument is a 24-fret, 10” radius, 25” scale length guitar with either regular or wide-thin neck carve. Locking tuning pegs, Mira treble and bass pickups, volume, tone, 3-way blade, and a mini toggle coil tap round out the features.

PRS Guitars’ National Sales and Marketing Manager Larry Urie said, “It is a smoking guitar that appeals to a lot of players.”

Paul Reed Smith Guitars Signature Club

PRS enthusiasts from all over the world can now sign up online for the Paul Reed Smith Guitars Signature Club. Open to anyone with an interest in PRS Guitars, Signature Club gives people who want to learn more about the guitars, the artists, and the people who make the instruments a place to develop a closer connection. Benefits include a special welcome pack, a subscription to the Signature Club e-newsletter featuring "Paul’s Tech Tips", admission to "Members Only" sessions as they are scheduled throughout the year and much more. Visit www.prsguitars.com/signatureclub to register today.

Signature Club Benefits:

- Member Welcome Pack - includes “Members Only” Signature Club t-shirt, strings, guitar picks, Member Certificate, PRS lanyard, PRS Signature magazine, Signature Club truss rod cover (will be shipped 6-8 weeks after enrollment)

- 10% off on all accessories in PRS Accessory Shop; US Signature Club members only - PRS Accessories are currently only sold to US residents. We are working toward making accessories available for purchase through our online accessories store worldwide in 2009. International members will be notified when the updated accessories site is live.

- Subscription to Signature Club e-newsletter that includes special features as well as “Paul’s Tech Tips”

- Admission to future “Members Only” sessions as they are scheduled

- $55 plus shipping & handling

Signature – The Official Magazine of Paul Reed Smith Guitars

Signature, the official magazine of Paul Reed Smith Guitars, published in conjunction with Future US, is the first of its kind for PRS Guitars and features interviews with signature artists such as Carlos Santana, Dave Navarro, Mark Tremonti and Al Di Meola as well as Ricky Skaggs and American Idol house band guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. Available seasonally at select Borders, Barnes & Noble, Guitar Center and Sam Ash retail locations across the US, Signature provides a sneak peak into artist and new product line news specific to PRS Guitars. The next issue of Signature is tentatively scheduled for Summer 2009.

PRS Guitars Director of Sales & Marketing, Peter Wolf said, “Signature provides PRS owners, enthusiasts and guitarists with an in-depth look into our company, our current and future product lines and our relationship with many of today’s most renowned artists. PRS is blessed with a very loyal customer base, and this is a cool new way to speak to them directly.”

For more information, please visit www.prsguitars.com

This is a Press Release