How I Broke a $30k Guitar! :(

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I broke my PRS guitar! It's a PRS Private Stock custom guitar! It happened on the main stage of Hellfest 2022, in front of over 70k people during the DragonForce show.
DragonForce is a Grammy nominated platinum selling metal band. For over 20 years, DragonForce have toured around the world and shared the stage with many amazing bands including Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Helloween, Sabaton, Nightwish, Powerwolf, Amon Amarth, Hammerfall, Amaranthe, Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, Avenged Sevenfold, Five Finger Death Punch, Rhapsody and many more bands on Nuclear Blast Records, Napalm Records.
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[@gyrozeppeli4862]

Imagine breaking your guitar then just walking off the stage and grabbing another like nothing happened

[@tobyzk1730]

happens more than you imagine (to a lot of artists)

[@Ottophil]

I have done it. Thats why backups exist. I snapped a headstock right off behind the lock nut. It stayed in tune for a little while

[@usuallyclueless4477]

@@Ottophil Snapped headstock? Was it a Gibson?

[@audhen1]

Its like snapped sticks or broken snare heads. Switch and go on. (I always have a backup snare)

[@a_gg-5559]

Perks of being a rockstar

[@yah5o]

Imagine the price of this very guitar when it goes on auction at Sotheby’s in a few decades…this thing has a special history

[@waranghira]

Best takeaway

[@nickboxer7147]

Honestly, that was such a cool rock n roll moment, it would almost be worth it even if you can't fix it. You played it off so perfectly too! Props to your crew for getting you back on stage so quickly!

[@remingtonatcheson8106]

Guitars rarely ever break at the glue joint. It broke because the wood grain ran parallel to the neck and there was only 3 inches or so holding it together. Basically broke just like a Gibson headstock but at the opposite end.

[@lifeofalex9199]

The grain wouldn’t be parallel because PRS uses quarter sawn necks except on the bolt on maple neck models. It only would be parallel if the neck was flat sawn. It broke in this way likely due to 1 the body being so thin therefor the heel was thin as well and 2 in order for him to have easy access to the higher frets they probably moved the whole neck further out of the neck pocket and shortened the heel which shortens the heel relative to the length of the neck providing more leverage to cause the break.

[@AlphaMaximus808]

Those headstock breaks happen quite often actually on Gibsons. It's just the angle that really works against them. Luckily, when they break, it's easily fixed with some high quality wood glue and someone who knows what they're doing. Once set, it will never break in that spot again.

[@remingtonatcheson8106]

@@lifeofalex9199 you said the same thing without mentioning grain direction..

[@fitzeflinger]

the way this broke i dont think it was quartersawn. but i can‘t see the woodgrain clearly in the video

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

Or a short tennon les Paul or SG neck pocket break. Which is also a thing.

[@jiebaef]

I would love to see a vlog of you going to PRS and work with them on the new design / build. I think that's something not many people had the chance to experience and documenting it would be really awesome

[@Jupiter2ignite]

Herman: we're pushing guitar design to the limits with this PRS neck joint. Every modern Ibanez: am I a joke to you?

[@sportidiots6587]

Ironic he went to a Ibanez right after that

[@0megalul309]

Do you see Ibanez this thin with a set neck?

[@truescotsman4103]

An insult to every Gibson headstock ever made.

[@sportidiots6587]

@@truescotsman4103 he said neck joint not headstock plus 3x3 headstocks are trash at staying in tune

[@truescotsman4103]

@@sportidiots6587 Its a neck break I see what happened. I was just making a joke about how easy Gibson headstocks break. You don't have a sense of humor?

[@Zushikikato]

I just love listening to him talk, he's always so positive. More power to you Herman. Wish I can play like you. Greetings from the Philippines!

[@Knocker420]

That guitar hasn't reached its final form yet lol. Dragonforce kicked ass in Baltimore!! Hope to see you all again soon.

[@pedalfr3ak265]

This was such a cool video. I've watched a bunch of Herman's videos and he's just a cool, chill dude. I was seriously wondering what was different about this PRS but after looking at the build, it's insane! That joker is so slim and curved! It's an absolute work of art and deserves its own place in the history of R&R

[@treewisemenllc7281]

Congratulations, my jaw just dropped for a solid ten seconds. I almost cried for you, Herman.

[@Timetofly8888]

"Pushing the limit of the guitar...." With my knee being dropped from height. , Im shocked that thought could have ever happened. Still, it looked great ! Nice work, mate.

[@HarrierHawk-iq5ik]

I love how you just bounce back to the fun and you smile again.

[@Shiznitt_]

The show must go on! As they say, you get what you pay for and there’s no gain without some pain. The detail and craftsmanship that went into that guitar is incredible. The design will only improve. Guitar equivalent of an F1 race car right there. 🤘

[@DuhRake]

Thanks for sharing, what a wild thing to happen!

[@renegadesofanarchy289]

My favourite thing about this is the fact that it happened during your cover of My Heart Will go on. Like it’s just hilarious to me that you break the guitar and as you walk past Alicia to get your replacement, all I hear is Marc singing the funni titanic song and the rest of the band playing. It couldn’t be any more perfect.

[@KemalUygurlu]

You're a great man, Herman. The breaking of the guitar is your violence and your skill.

[@metalhead_1996]

I like how Herman just calmly says “no big deal, easy fix”

[@DeadmeatDarkdaylight]

OH MY!!! Great to hear that it can be fixed!

[@paulmdevenney]

In two pieces and that guitar still looks gorgeous :D

[@KaldraJayd]

Herman has become too powerful

[@R.Nashoba]

Very nice break

[@Sybex82]

Ooooh shit how that happen 😱 but on the other hand indeed a good opportunity for inprovements on Herman Li's bulletproof guitars 💪🏾😂👌🏾

[@ReubenGuitars]

IBANEZ WOULD NEVER. Multi-laminate neck with a volute is the way to go for you Herman.

[@thebuck1152]

I've seen tons of footage of you dropping the neckbreaker on your axe and always wondered how you would handle it.....like a boss and with a smile lol

[@jonborrmann3124]

You were in beast mode dude... Legend status..

[@Metal_Auditor]

2022 has been a bad year for Herman’s guitars.

[@salvacionlight9712]

he is now a poor youtuber without a real band now

[@theArchive1O]

let me know when you come to maryland herman!!!

[@davidcampbellii6342]

Wow Herman, that is unreal!?!?😲

[@theBejourn]

Love a colab or jam session with Nita Strauss that would be cool! Crazy you broke it like that. Two guitars down in a year!

[@thisisshaun1]

rock and roll baby

[@jerryfraker377]

You had a spinal tap moment. Would have been awesome if the mini Stonehenge monument would have been coming down from the ceiling when that happened.

[@arvindpuryag8515]

Cool . Only Herman lee breaks guitar with style!!!

[@OurWorldinChaos]

Thats insane i didnt even know PRS had a guitar worth that much. You are truly the man. Not everyone can get away with drop kicking a 30,000 dollar guitar on stage, I mean damn not only is the guy an excellent guitar player but now he does martial arts while playing thats some Bruce Lee shit right there in heavy metal

[@w13rdguy]

Glad you weren't injured, in any case.

[@GhettoWxzrd]

I love how you walk back on stage with another guitar in seconds, and acted like nothing even happened lol.

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

0:38 you can hear that all guitar strings got snapped there which the body and the fret break apart separately. Nice detail sound effect from Guitar Hero 3 when you missed the note.

[@Shuv80]

Wild

[@dragongamer4753]

Can't wait to see the next version of this guitar. Still holding out hope for a production model someday. I put finger holes into my warmoth kit because of the egen 18. Maybe try walnut or a multi piece neck on the next revision.

[@marklnz]

Yeah I feel that the Ibanez multi-piece neck is the reason he never had this happen to an EGEN....

[@larsheuker]

It all comes down to set neck vs bolt on. The bolts are tougher then glue, i suppose for his stage playing bolt on or neck through would be better

[@jiilaa_with_randomness]

Just a big smile after breaking an expensive guitar... I love your attitude: "That's just money! Everything else is more important." \,,/

[@jamesvannguyen5659]

I think maybe you could figure out some kind of combination of woods to create a laminate neck. Maybe you could come up with a combo that has strength and flex to absorb such impacts.

[@PhilippeArantesTina]

I was there in the front. It was fun too watch XD

[@spaomalley]

I’ve always like the Ibanez s series. Recently returned one and now have an Ibanez RGA iron label but needs to be seriously properly setup

[@zacharyjames4121]

That perfect break lol

[@thebigcrushergd8772]

good thing it was at the end of the solo

[@aquilamxp6267]

Yes we saw you doing it, and we have it on camera :P :P :P

[@matarnold1371]

that is so awesome

[@metalvisionsongcontest7055]

Every time I saw Herman hit a guitar on his knee, I always knew this was bound to happen one day. 😂 I just wasn’t sure whether it would be the knee-hitting part, or the weight of the entire guitar dangling from the whammy bar.

[@twintriode]

Dangling the guitar from the whammy bar was most certainly ripped off from when Steve Vai did it in the 80's....before this kid was probably even born. Didn't you ever see the movie Crossroads? EDIT: My bad that guy is older than he looks. haha. Looks good for his age damn.

[@metalvisionsongcontest7055]

@@twintriode Yep, I’ve seen Crossroads, and yes, I’m aware Herman was born in the 70s.

[@Peturious]

I was there! Definitely one of the most memorable moments of hellfest 2022!

[@firstnamelastname5435]

I love seeing guitars (or really anything) break like that because I always tell people wood glue is stronger than wood and they never believe me

[@lastnamefirstnameshame]

Damn, that recovery on point.

[@lastnamefirstnameshame]

Edited to make it not an insult

[@danielsaturnino5715]

I have to love your technical and positive aproach to such a bad event. Thumbs up

[@hazepheno925]

With all that weight of the guitar from you holding it up by the Tremolo bar putting strain on the neck, on top of your Boss level strength it was just too much for that wood grain to handle. I think the only long term fix is some strong Velcro, which would allow you to pack it in your carry on luggage for impromptu In-Flight jam sessions.

[@TheThunderwars]

Underated comment

[@anguslee9678]

Every guitars from now on will have a kick test in the factory.

[@unnamedunnamed7121]

Herman after literally splitting his guitar in half: No big deal its an easy fix

[@hughjarrse]

I could believe it if the neck was mahogany, but maple that's insane. Maybe a little bit of over seasoning left it a bit brittle

[@CSLBRK]

you should have it made a 3 or 5 pieces laminated neck it's way stronger look at benedetto's neck construction the look is also insane! Have it set neck further in the body would also help!

[@frankthebaldguy9819]

Legend

[@JustARandomPersonLol69420]

Herman is definitely my favorite guitarist now. Not only does the guy play like a god, he casually splits a 30k guitar in half and says “No big deal, easy fix.”

[@JP_Hatecrew]

Hellfest 2023. Interesting ^^

[@paulorageshreds]

OH MY!!! I love Ibanez S shaped guitars. I have an old Prestige S5470 I can't seem to part with. So comfortable to play... but I love PRS nowadays. And now Fishman pickups from a new LTD M guitar I have. A Herman Li signature from PRS would be amazing!!!! I'd have to get one!!!

[@F4ngel]

You broke that guitar like bane broke the bat's back. Very metal

[@wesleywilliams8111]

That was crazy.

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

This type of failure is part of why Fender invented bolt on necks (or at least used them widely first). The neck plate puts the neck pocket in what’s known as a ‘double shear’ arrangement, which strengthens it massively.

[@bitburg40]

Damn it Herman !! I told you to knock that shit off but I didn’t mean knock the neck off.🤪🤣

[@thetravisparker5259]

I guitar pickup recently stopped working and this video somehow made me feel better 🤣

[@carenoid]

Ouch! That video made me want to see if you have any US tour action coming back around. Why is your website down?!?

[@probe81fs]

Herman is so metal, he can overpower the very grain in the wood.

[@Ray-go1ny]

Nice karate kick man

[@tvstaticjumperz5439]

*me preforms in my bedroom to no one* "see this is why you gotta have spares!

[@Woody103]

The “se” version will be this exact guitar that beaks on stage without the upgraded neck joint

[@JakobStrand]

That´s true Dragonforce!

[@rileyxxxx]

still quicker to solve this scenario than to restring a broken string mid-song :D

[@dhplayground]

My guess would be the extra tension that was added with the tremolo pull first was most likely where some of the structural damage occurred.

[@g.o.a.t5975]

But he's been doing the same thing on the ibanez for a long time.

[@lifeofalex9199]

It’s related to the design of the neck joint itself. It was redesigned to allow for more fret access higher up and in doing so they allowed for more leverage to be applied to the neck in such a way that this type of break could occur. If you take any guitar and hit it on your knee like that you’ll feel the neck vibrate pretty aggressively. Couple that with the thinner, smaller heel and it was just too much force for the wood to handle

[@arcreehysteria9805]

I was there and saw it live ahahah

[@yayayaokoksure]

I dropped a strat from a couple feet off the ground flat onto its back. Split the body right down the middle. From the neck joint to the trem. I also tried to break a cheap one once and it took a ridiculous amount of force.

[@combopybrosharkfrenforhire6420]

damn that was badass, it looked like it was on purpose

[@leogolive]

“When I kicked it with The Force”🤣🤣🤣

[@Emolga2225]

you need a stronger material like carbon or something. so awesome!

[@albe23]

HERMAN SMASH!!!!

[@redfurydubstep]

That’s such a beautiful guitar

[@HANDBALLDIEHARD]

yea i did see that whammy action before , but what you did to that guitar after is equivalent to a WWF body slam against your knee ! och you need to reglue it and keep it going !

[@Fausto_4841]

hard to get a clear frame by frame, but it looks like the knee strike made contact right on the joint, well past the center of gravity. i'm completely guessing here but i would imagine than Herman usually makes contact more towards the center of the body.

[@TheMinusXer0]

“When I kicked it with the force…. THE DRAGONFORCE”

[@user-eo6mw4ud6p]

久々にKZbinみました。ドラゴンフォースは私の青春でした。感動をありがとうございます。

[@mikhailkuchukhidze8295]

I have been there. It was a blast! The guitar break made this experience even more unique

[@adamkontra4677]

That's why laminated necks are great idea.

[@thetetchy]

Buy a Buckethead Signature Les Paul!

[@moihawk666]

2023? wow that intense McFly

[@christianboddum8783]

Graphite inserts ASAP !

[@cesarherediaaguirre4419]

I love how he looks kinda pissed after breaking the guitar (what did you expect from kicking it, LOL) and then just comes back with another guitar.

[@CharlesEBusa]

Taking splitting mode to a whole other level XD

[@Jeffrey_Tyler]

You're a rock god when you rock so hard that you break your guitar unintentionally 😂

[@nogitsunehanzo02]

HOW DID THAT EVEN HAPPENED?! THE. NECK SNAPPED?!

[@pate7179]

Id just walk home in silence and stare at a wall for few days after doing that

[@frankthebaldguy9819]

Your martial arts skills are very advanced

[@TheMidgardViking]

I bet his guitar tech loves him!

[@xurism]

always hurts losing a guitar but this isn't really a loss when you get to actually go into PRS and work with them. Very rare break, probably impossible to have seen that coming without actually playing the guitar on tour and really testing it's limits. You did good as a rockstar, guitarist, showman and guitar head. You kept your cool too, I know for sure I would've been mad enough to smash the rest. Well, maybe not if I had known it's a $25k guitar... Next one gotta be worth $50k, double or nothing!

[@truehuskym]

I love how when Herman is doing cat screams he actually looks like a cat

[@avalles3]

Herman used that dragon knee 🐉🐲

[@mrlizardtx]

According to Paul Stanley, when you break your guitar in half onstage, you are supposed to throw it into the crowd.

[@sportidiots6587]

That guitar was being tested so that would have been a bad idea