See for yourself how PRS build their guitars and amps at the Stevensville Maryland Factory via a guided factory tour.
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This guided factory tour is described as detailed and technical, giving you a first hand look at the various building processes that the company uses in producing their various guitars and amplifiers.
If you are a fan of Paul Reed Smith guitars, or you are interested about guitar building, the PRS Factory Tour should satisfy your curiosity. You will get a glimpse of the process of building acoustic and electric guitars, from raw planks of wood down to the finished product. They even opened up their amplifier building department so you can see how they craft their amps.
The guided tour is expected to last for an hour and a half, which is quite lengthy for a factory tour. It goes to show how much first hand information you can get from the tour, which will guide your through their electric guitar manufacturing line, amplifier department and acoustic shop. PRS’ goal is to give visitors a unique view into the quality of their products along with the dedication of the people that build them.
The company said that though not physically demanding, the tour will include walking and climbing a flight of stairs, note that there are elevators available for guests with special needs. Because of its technical nature and lengthy duration, the tour is not recommended for children under 10 years of age.
PRS President Jack Higginbotham said, “We have a passion for building instruments and also for the music that these instruments help create. Most here are dedicated players, refining our craft as builders and musicians. There is a special kind of pride and individual ownership surrounding our instruments. From our experience, there is no better way to see this unique aspect of PRS than to walk through the shop.”
After impressing you with their technology, quality and people, the factory tour will conclude at the company’s new “West Street East” store and museum room. This is where you can pick from a wide range of PRS guitars for testing, and ofcourse for purchase. The museum section features PRS guitars with historic significance, they tell the story of how Paul Reed Smith and his company grew and developed. Finally, the store will also let you shop for PRS memorabilia including apparel, parts, and accessories.
This factory tour is part of the company’s 30th Anniversary celebration, a tribute to their humble beginnings in a small shop located on West Street in Annapolis, Maryland.
Guided factory tours will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00AM EST and 1:00PM EST. You can also schedule group tours by request; although certain restrictions apply.
For more information about West Street East and tours of the PRS Guitar factory, visit PRS Guitars.
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