When it comes to guitars, not all brands have the illustrious histories of a Martin (founded in 1833) or a Gibson (1894). Leo Fender introduced his first solid-body electric guitar in 1950, Guild didn’t get started until 1952, and Taylor has only been around since 1974.

PRS Guitars, though, is the real newbie on the block, founded a decade later, in the mid-1980s, by Paul Reed Smith. Prior to starting PRS, Smith had been making about one guitar a month since college, where he made his first six-stringed instrument. In his spare time, he played his handcrafted axes with local bands, which paid even less. But whenever a big-name act came to town, Smith would bring a couple of his guitars to concerts, ingratiate himself with the roadies, and try to get a pre- or post-show audience with one of his guitar heroes.

It was Carlos Santana who gave the young luthier his big break in 1976. Santana liked what Smith was doing (Smith had brought along a guitar he’d just built for Peter Frampton) a...

McCarty became a trusted mentor, and thanks to his guidance and Smith’s talents, it wasn’t long before artists from Al Di Meola to Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) to Neil Schon (Journey) became fans of PRS Guitars.

Because PRS is still a young company, words like “vintage” don’t quite apply to used Paul Reed Smith instruments. Still, collectible models include the Custom 24, which was the first guitar that Smith took to a trade show in 1985. The 513 was so named because it featured five pickups and 13 distinct sounds. With its classic f-holes and natural finish, the PRS McCarty Hollowbody from the 1990s is considered another prize, as is the single-cutaway Modern Eagle.

Beyond the models and the exquisite sounds they deliver for some of the best guitarists on the planet, PRS Guitars are also gorgeous to look at. Woods such as quilted and curly maple are routinely used, as is korina and swamp ash. Snakewood, ebony, and rosewood are often found on PRS fretboards, which are frequently inlaid with everything from abalone to onyx to mother of pearl.

Then there are the finishes, which include a variety of “bursts” (charcoal and tobacco, to name but two) and eye-popping colors like aquamarine, raspberry, and emerald.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Interviews & Articles

Martins vs. Gibsons: The Evolution of American Acoustic Guitars

I started playing guitar when I was pretty young and bought my first guitar when I was 10 or 11. Like a lot of people of my genera… [more]

Archtops, Hollowbodies, and Jimi's Legacy

I grew up in upstate New York in Rochester, and started playing guitar when I was about 10 years old. We had this place in Rochest… [more]

Les Pauls, Strats, and Other Cult Guitars

I started out primarily as a collector and the business aspect of it evolved over time, almost by accident. I didn’t start out wit… [more]

Legendary Luthier Rick Turner on Howe-Orme Guitars

I first started coming across Howe-Orme instruments when I was an apprentice guitar repairman in Boston in 1963. Their guitars hav… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Vintage Guitars Info

Vintage Guitars Info

This great reference site features detailed sections for vintage guitar makers including Gibson, Fender, Martin, Gr… [read review or visit site]

Vintage Guitar and Bass

Vintage Guitar and Bass

Want to see all the old brochures and ads for your favorite vintage axe? Check out this great site, which showcases… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Guitars

Other Great Reference Sites: Guitars

Top eBay Auctions

See all 48 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Paul Reed Smith 2000 Prs Mccarty Hollowbody Ii Cherry Sunburst Flame Maple TopNew Prs 408 Artist Package Whale Blue - Indian And Brazilian Rosewood Paul Reed Smith Prs Custom 22 Artist Package Guitar Dark Cherry Sunburst 2001Prs Paul Reed Smith Original Sewell 50 1x12 Guitar Combo AmpPrs Paul Reed Smith Tremonti Ii Charcoal Burst 10 Top W Ohsc And Case Candy2006 Prs - Paul Reed Smith Mccarty Electric Guitar With Hardshell CasePaul Reed Smith Mccarty Ii Prs 6 String Electric Guitar 2009 Tobacco BurstPaul Reed Smith Ce 24 Paul Reed Smith Custom 241998 Paul Reed Smith Prs Custom 22 Gold Top *immaculate *wide Thin *dragon PupsPaul Reed Smith Prs Se Paul Allender Guitar Green Flametop Custom 24 1997 Prs Ce 22Prs Se Soapbar W/ Gig BagPaul Reed Smith Custom 24Prs Santana Se Guitar Excellent+ Condition Beautiful Flame Maple No ReservePrs 245 Se Electric Guitar And Hard CasePaul Reed Smith Prs Se Santana Yellow Guitar/prs Gigbag/ No ReservePrs Se Santana "oklahoma Disaster Relief Guitar" Paul Reed SmithPrs Tremonti Guitar Se VersionPrs Se SoapbarPrs Guitar Pickups 59/09 Humbucker Neck And Bridge(46737) Prs Se Eg 6-string Metallic Blue Electric Guitar W/hard CasePrs Se SantanaPaul Reed Smith Santana Se Electric Guitar- Blue In Gig BagFlamed Maple Prs Santana Se With Gig BagPrs Se Mark Tremonti Guitar Black Electric Guitar + Free StringsetAutographed Paul Reed Smith Se Singlecut Electric Guitar With Soft Gig Bag (ch)Prs Se Orianthi Red Sparkle Finish W/gig Bag2010 Paul Reed Smith 2 Channel "c" Guitar Amplifier Head (first 50 - Signed)Prs Se Guitar With Gig Bag Prs Billy Martin Se Electric Guitar - Black W/green Bat Inlay - W/prs Soft CasePaul Reed Smith Prs Santana Se W/ Gig Bag And Free ShippingPaul Reed Smith Dragon 1 Treble Pickup UsedFlamed Maple Guitar Neck And Fret Board Diy.fender /gibson Or Prs ScaleTonepros Vintage Style Kluson Tuners Nickel Aged Relic 3x3 For Gibson Prs Tulips2008 Paul Reed Smith Chris Henderson Signature GuitarRogue Prs Guitar, Paul Reed Smith Type Guitar By RoguePrs Guitar CasePrs Se Paul Allender Purple Quilted Purple Burst Electric GuitarAfrican Mahogany 2 Piece Body Blank 1.75" Thickness Project Guitar Body PrsPrs Se Santana Whale Blue W/gig BagPrs, Paul Reed Smith Se Gig Bag(new)Prs Paul Reed Smith Original Lock Collars. Vintage 80's Two 2Prs 5310 Black Slate Private Stock Top Limited EditionPrs Dgt Private Stock Tiger Eye New W-case2012 Paul Reed Smith Bg 513 Bonnie Pink GuitarPrs Paul Reed Smith Electric Guitar And Amp Sticker And LanyardPrs Paul Reed Smith Uncovered 57/08