Paul Reed Smith Interview

In-depth interview with innovative guitar builder, Paul Reed Smith.

[@TCMabe]

Bought mine in 1997 ... saved up all my money from summer jobs and got a PRS CE22 ... played that guitar night and day in and out of bands. Survived a divorce and a long term relationship that went south ... recorded my first album with it in 2011 with various band mates from over the years ... I don’t play much anymore ... but it still sleeps under my bed ... and it still holds tune every time I get in the mood to play it ! Thanks for all the great memories PRS !

[@joseph30007]

"I don't play much anymore" such a sad sentence to hear :( why?

[@Jayyy_Wav]

That’s awesome man. I just bought my first prs 2 days ago. It’s a 1996 Custom 22 in Whale Blue. (5 way switch) and it’s the best guitar I’ve ever played. I’ve owned an epiphone lp then an American strat before this one.

[@GuitarTablatureSkill]

keep playing....PRS can help your spirit :-) just try to #encourage

[@nayaleezy]

Pick up that guitar and let your soul rip bud, let it rip.

[@OriginalZach]

"We have a very unique drying process." Zooms in on a cheap fan around a bunch of wood...

[@tonybroad6465]

And that's how you think they do it ? They dry in sealed autoclaves and measure moisture content to achieve 4-6% and fully crystallise the resin

[@Airtrooper719]

Someday I hope to be fortunate enough to own one of these, such masterpieces, both tonally and aesthically, the most beautiful electric guitars I have ever laid eyes on.

[@45wyatt1]

Airtrooper719 XBL man, I traded my gibson les paul in on a S2, best decision ever, the prs tunes better, the prs has locking tuners, the prs just has better quality!

[@paulpinkham3132]

Anything with the SE designation is a Korean made PRS. They`re the best guitars at their price point that I`ve ever played, and I own several. The Paul Reed Smith guitars are made in Maryland, and have his signature on the headstock. They are the finest guitars I`ve ever played or owned. i`m a senior who still likes to get down and crank it up.

[@dennissutton3767]

Paul Pinkham 68yrs old been playing since, of course, the Beatles influenced me and Dylan.

[@steveshadforth]

Utter shite

[@davemis40]

@@steveshadforth what's your fucking problem?

[@ngoma]

@Lady Grey Wow, exactly opposite of my SE experience. Mine was great, easy to play. I have since purchased a CE 24...best guitar ever.

[@12south31]

Just got a Standard 24 SE and liked it so much I went right back and got a Custom 24 SE Laurel Burl limited edition. Awesome guitars.

[@J1Z06]

I've been a shred guitar fan my whole life. Ibanez, Charvel, Jackson. Great guitars. I still like them and use them. I've purchased a few Les Paul's. I went through 9 of them to find two that stayed in tune and sounded/felt great. Recently, I tried a McCarty PRS hollow body piezo model. WOW! It's light, resonant, stays in tune perfectly. The neck is like sex. Fast, smooth, comfortable. I haven't really played my other guitars as much as when i grabbed the PRS. They're awesome instruments. Save for one, you won't regret it. I'll definitely buy another one

[@evilpandakillabzonattkoccu4879]

An actual Paul Reed Smith guitar....thats something I will never be fortunate enough to own. I'm grateful to have played one! Incredible instruments. If I owned one, half of my day would be dedicated to admiring it and the other half to playing it!

[@ramlathers8182]

I've owned 3 PRS guitars and currently own a McCarty. What I like more than anything is how the neck feels. He has it DOWN. I also just admire Paul's passion for guitar building and talking about it. After all these years he's still concerned about making adjustments to improve his models and it shows right across the board.

[@SuperDsffdsf]

I bet some people knocked on their guitar after this video

[@Adipsia1]

I did. My 1991 PRS Custom 24 rang out beautifully... only the slightest change between body and neck. My 2006 Private Stock PRS sounded the same all the way up from the body and through the neck... as did my Ibanez J-Custom.

[@jonnelson5881]

That's one hell of a guitar collection

[@wearashirt]

I still haven’t heard it in some PRS guitars Ive encountered though

[@Swoop180]

I always thought I wanted a Les Paul and have looked at many at my local guitar shop (Guitar and Banjo Studio in Beaumont, Tx,) but the ones I've seen lately were real iffy on QC. I decided to take a look at the Paul Reed Smiths and was thoroughly impressed, and after much thought i called to put it on hold till i get home. Not sure about others but I grew up in a family of diamond settlers/ goldsmiths and naturally became one myself, that being said i pay meticulous attention to detail and the PRS's blew the Gibson's out of the ball park when considering fit and finish, and in my opinion they sound much better also. Would still love to get a Les Paul, just not willing to part with the money that would be necessary to get a vintage model.

[@daveywiles6412]

@@Swoop180 yeah but Gibsons sound much better but harder to play

[@Jaso0n1986]

I really love the way he thinks, not only about the guitars but the way he works with his employees and actually works on his own product. He is the real deal in my eye's.

[@samiam7342]

this is the best interview ive seen with paul, he knows a hell of alot about guitars...........

[@matthewpaluch777]

Way to go Paul! You & your staff should be very proud as well as commended! Your a great guy, it was a genuine honor and pleasure meeting you here in Chicago!

[@hamishgrylls6195]

I play a 94 Mexican fender stratocaster and love it to bits and recently bought psr Dave Navarro and it is on par with the fender. People can say whatever they like about their guitar preference but at the end of the day we are all musicians with a unique and personal taste for guitar.

[@alexcorll90]

"We have a unique drying process for our woods here" *cut to shot of a table fan running

[@killsing01]

bwahaha!!

[@fenderstrat8838]

hahaha

[@brewerfan100]

one small oscillating fan. lololol

[@JackMasonLive]

take a tour to the factory. Even online you can do it. well worth the time of a serious guitar player....

[@Creed_fan_69]

@@Artguitars you are just no fun.

[@humblegeorge]

after 52 years playing Guitar I just got his 2007 West street ltd 24 after an eleven year search . Totally amazing and just a joy to play Thanks Paul :>)

[@tel5690]

This really awesome....Some of the reasons why I play PRS

[@Turboy65]

I build guitars myself, and am planning to turn it into my business. I have great respect for Paul and fully appreciate his real commitment to making the guitar a better, more toneful instrument. I always try to equal PRS levels of quality and tone. Sometimes I get pretty close. His quality standards are DEMANDING on a builder.

[@Freedom89984]

Well now I understand what John Mayer means by developing a guitar together with Paul. This is working with the man himself. Impressive!

[@randysnewbiebluesrockguita7782]

Thank you Mr. Smith for producing the best guitar's IMO around. I just bought an SE custom 24" in Trampas green and I LOVE the guitar. I am a beginner at 55 years of age and I can already tell the difference between a well made, cared for instrument when I play it, from a cheap, mass produced sloppy guitar, like I've been the unfortunate person to have bought a couple of not so great guitar's but NO MORE, when I got my SE custom 24" I was blown away at how much better it played than the other guitar's I own. My playing got so much better so much faster now than before. This guitar just feels like "My" guitar, like it was made just for me. I never liked my sound before and I have pretty good Marshall amp's. I almost just gave up and chocked the guitar up as just another bucket list thing I couldn't pull off, then I bought the guitar that changed all of it and I am on my way to becoming a great guitar player because I wanted it and you and your awesome guitar's brought me back. Thanks.

[@Cvglevi123]

He's like the Steve Jobs of Guitar.

[@usoppbarbosa981]

+Levi Anthony he doesn't sell chinese made PRS for 5 times the price of US ones ^^

[@Cvglevi123]

+usopp barbosa True.

[@Megadeth6633]

+Levi Anthony he just talks and looks like steve jobs... don't confuse that

[@Megadeth6633]

+usopp barbosa different products different context, use your head

[@usoppbarbosa981]

Megadeth6633 you obviously didn't get my exageration here. try not to use your head too much, it's a joke :)

[@sublyme2157]

I grew up in DC/MD, it's so cool to hear him talk about different people and guitar shops that I used to visit. Took it for granted when I lived there!

[@boogiejos]

Nice guy, beauuutiful guitars and killing tone..Here you see a guy with a passion. That is always great to see.. and hear.

[@J1Z06]

I met this great man today. He's a cool dude! 👍😎🎸. Be well, Paul. All the best to You and Your crew. Enjoy my cd.

[@humblegeorge]

Say what you want,I got a 1980 west st ltd last year and I LOVE IT :>) I have great other Guitars too but this is by far the best I ever saw or played period.And sound ? clear ,strong,and brilliant.

[@ShawnBudden]

Expensive? Yes, but after you own one, you’ll feel that you got a bargain regardless of what you paid. They play like a dream and are visually a work of art. Their attention to detail is second to none.

[@mariastone5104]

what makes PRS guitars so good is the fact that the creator of PRS guitars is still alive and still working on PRS guitars just like when Leo fender was working for fender and G&l and music Man those guitars that were made while he was alive and working for those brands were some of the best damn guitars ever made I have a se-custom 24 and after watching this video I want to go jam out on mine so that's exactly what I'm gonna do!

[@jasonhutchison2050]

8 years on... I still love his story. I love his ecclesiastical personality.. Drive, Desire, and Dedication!! The Gibson, Fender, Martin, and Gretsch families would be proud of PRS and Taylor.. Don’t own one, sold several, look outrageously beautiful.. Love my Lesters and Strats.. When Paul has passed on.. Hopefully, nobody screws it up like Henry J., Norlin, or CBS... After all, we all like a song or two that has a PRS Guitar in it.... Pretty Amazing

[@austinboschen]

Used to think PRS's were just another tweaked les paul copy but I must say I have a lot more respect for him and his company now knowing the attention to detail they go to to make a right proper instrument

[@AboutTheCloud]

Dang...now i want to own a PRS. Just because of Paul and his love for the instrument...

[@777Lemmy]

Just traded my 2013 Derek Trucks SG in on a 2003 PRS 24 Custom... couldnt be happier. The PRS is so much more versatile and well built, I am blown away.

[@MingTwoG]

I think the reason why those 59, 60, 61's are soooo expensive because back then the quality control was really good at Gibson and they actually made awesome guitars back then

[@zukacs]

nostalgia and very rich people with nothing else to do who chase "tone" drive prices stupidly

[@michaelglass3993]

So you really don't think they've made a good guitar since '61?? 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@a68rebel]

Paul proved If you're playing the back of your guitar with drum sticks, then the type of wood matters.

[@MrAllstar]

*Very informative video, that guy knows what he's talking about!*

[@ffrederickskitty214]

That guy has given me so much pleasure. I tried my first PRS in 2000, and I just had to own one. Have owned two Custom 22s and one McCarty. Wish I could afford a private stock

[@danrease7505]

The greatest ever! I’ve known him since I was 17 and he had a repair shop only on West Street Annapolis called the Ark! He completely overhauled an old Epiphone guitar I’d just about given up on! He explained to me stuff like that bridge nut that came off Alex Lifeson’s Guitar only one I had that fit and I re wired those pick ups and lowered the action! After he was done with a Epiphone guitar that’d been ignored for two years it sounded as good as any guitar on tour with a major band. Just so happy for Paul. Humble as can be! Can be seen eating crabs and drinking beer at Cantlers in the summer with his old high school buddies. He only hangs with stars on business at home his purely a homeboy! Rather spend a day with an old bud than Clapton any time. Actually all this star business irks him. He’s not about that at all. Just a nice Maryland Native (he ain’t gonna ever leave) and lives to make quality guitars!

[@highcourtcounty6389]

Been a fender guy for over 25 years. Picked up a used DGT about 8 months ago. I get now what all the fuss is about. I feel safe playing it. Never worried about a note choking off. Stays in tune. No worries about sounding too shrilly on the bridge. Just a great playing guitar. Mine is a beat up gold top so it's not even a fancy one.

[@anotherstart1]

Best Guitar out today. He took Gibson and Leo Fenders vision and made the best playing/sounding guitars from se to core at any price point today hands down.

[@md500f]

I have owned three PRS guitars, made in Maryland models. None of them were spectacular in sound. All were beautiful. For me, the 52 telecaster and the les Paul custom stand alone. I have never needed anything more. I sold all of my PRS guitars. Don't miss them at all.

[@J1Z06]

md500f to each their own. 👍use what works for You. You can't please everyone.

[@mediastarguest]

No electric guitar is spectacular in "sound" - it is all about the "feel" of the guitar; you could give me the finest, hand crafted Fender or Gibson made in the fifties and I could plug it in to the cheapest, shittiest transistor amp and make it sound shit - you'd think it was a 100-dollar job.

[@jerryx2000]

man I am so hyped up. Just ordered my PRS custom 24 Sapphire

[@XMetalChefX]

I'm so happy to be on this train. PRS just calls to ya man.

[@gsxerwhite]

When I worked there in the late 90's the quality control was insane, even on the low end models. Every little detail was inspected throughout the entire process. Every neck I sanded I thought was perfect would come back with little pencil marks showing a rough area about the diameter of a pencil eraser that needed to be smoothed. Not sure if they're still like that but it was impressive.

[@J1Z06]

for what the cost is,it SHOULD be that way!

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

After 49 years of playing and the purchasing and building of 20 plus guitars I finally mad the purchase of a gently used left handed PRS Custom 24 SE. I have been resistant for years to get a PRS but I finally gave in.

[@rccarsandmusic2641]

My PRS rings like a bell. I have a Jackson slx and it rings also, my DK2 does not ring, my JS 32 rings a little and my 47 year old Les Paul sings. No joke Im serious. PRS wood sound is amazing

[@EchoesofRhythm]

I love the music at the end, it makes Paul sound like a hero.

[@ericshay1142]

One of the best in the business. PRS owner for life. 🎸🤘

[@rayclark483]

Listening to this guy talk it's clear that he cares about what he's doing and makes me want to go buy his guitars

[@zososhep]

Incredible guitars made by incredibly taleneted craftsman who actually care about quality vs profit.PRS qaulity control is second to none. They are the best sounding, looking and playing instruments on the planet IMHO. I have been playing PRS guitars for the past 20 years and have never looked back. Peace.

[@dustoff85]

I have been playing guitar since 1967. My inspiration was and still is Richie Blackmore. My first guitar I made in wood shop. I found a neck in a dumpster behind a music store in Covina Calif. After watching the factory tour of PRS guitar makingIm totally impressed. I am a retired US Army Blackhawk pilot and I am now a civilian EMS helicopter pilot. I only wish I had the time to play more :(. Maybe someday I will break down and buy me a PRS Cherry wood, Bird Inlay Ax. High 5 2 U Mr. Reed!

[@jlr022159]

man, i've got a killer private stock PRS DGT guitar and it's an amazing piece of work.

[@STP-dh9gd]

Finally...Paul does an interview that makes me want to buy a PRS...

[@NICKWAPPERER117]

thank you Paul Reed Smith, i couldve chosen a Gibson, a Fender, An Ibanez, a Jackson, An Explorer But i chose a PRS and im Damn proud of it.

[@billbozly]

this guy is the coolest! I love his guitars, I have a 513 and a Hollowbody 2 (employee guitar) and i can't bring myself to play any of my other guitars! They are truly the best! Thanks Paul!

[@Icepacalapse]

That's the guy I met in the early 80s at the patent office. I had photocopied them the day before to enlarge into posters for my room. I was patent searching for a device I thought I had invented first but, after many visits searching, I found "Heet's" onboard version of his "sustainer". Still not sure how two other companies secured patents for almost identical devices.

[@outoworkdreamer]

This interview has me thinking of buying a PRS instead of a Les Paul, wow.

[@MrKjohnson123]

+mike Braxus ,do it,you'll never go back.

[@outoworkdreamer]

+Ken Johnson I bought a Tremonti SE. It's a beautiful, flame maple guitar. When I first played it at GC I was amazed at its playability. I got so excited that I bought it without playing it for long enough to realize that it would not stay in tune. I have since had Grover 506c locking tuners put on it, but it still won't stay in tune. I'm gonna take it to a locally owned store(instead of GC) to see what they recommend. If I trade it in, I'm gonna lose alot of money, but I'm not sure I want to put $300 more into it for an authentic PRS bridge and nut. I'm just not sure what to do at this point. All I know is that it was a mistake to buy an SE, and maybe a mistake to buy the Grovers. I owned a CE back in 2000 and had no problems with tuning at all. Back then you could get a new CE for about $1100, but now they are so much more expensive. Still I wish I'd saved my money for one. I hated to admit that, but I bought a money pit when I bought the SE. I still think that PRS are the best guitars out there, just not the SE line, it's definitely not for seasoned players.

[@MrKjohnson123]

+mike Braxus ,change the strings first. I have an SE Singlecut in action to 2 USA guitars and it does NOT go out of tune at all.

[@MrKjohnson123]

In addition to 2 USA******* durn autocorrect

[@outoworkdreamer]

+Ken Johnson The only conclusion that I could draw from that is that they are woefully inconsistent at the Korean facility. I only had about $800 to $1000 to spend at the time. I had previously played an S2 which was $1000 but was disappointed in the volume knob placement. Heck, now I'd rather have a volume knob that is too high from the body than a guitar that just will not stay in tune. I've been playing for 37 years and my ears are trained really well to proper tuning. Oh well, I knew I was taking a bit of a chance by buying low end. However, like I said, the guitar's playability is excellent. It's sound is acceptable, but the tuning is much less than satisfactory.

[@lone-wolf-1]

I like his love to details! That alone makes a PRS special, beside the beautiful sound. Interesting: I knocked on my five cheap guitars: the one with second most sustain was the one, with the biggest difference in sound between the body and the neck (poplar with maple/rosewood neck)... and the one I play the most, very nice sound with pretty good sustain, had a dead sounding body (basswood, by coincidence)... and identical to the knocking sound of his PRS, sounded my very resonant „Slick 57“ (ash body with maple/rosewood neck) hahaha edit: just measured all- the dead basswood body one= the less sustain (clean, 10 sec, with steel nut, brass saddles, locking tuner), the neckthru B.C.Rich mockingbird koa= most sustain (clean 18 sec, graphite nut, roller bridge, locking tuner), best on knocking=Slick 57“ (stock, but sustain 12 sec.)... The Poplar body= 14 sec (steel nut, brass saddles) Oh, and the strings are all 4-5 years old, all played 3 hrs per week at least so, knocking on the woods says almost nothing....

[@turockandar]

I congratulate PRS for his amazing achievement; creating high quality superior electric guitars with unmatched ergonomics and versatility of sounds BUT for me nothing can replace a really good Strat. and Les Paul although it took me many Les Pauls to get to a perfect action on a Gibson and shedding 10,000$ for a Collector's Choice number 4...shame on Gibson for not having great action on every model! So PRS really did something quite extraordinary as Carlos Santana quickly realized. Thank you!

[@abellalawr9978]

This man makes beautiful guitars

[@Nomisdor]

Prs have the most smooth bodies and the headstock is just beautiful.

[@gyrperegrine]

Great video. I’m retiring and I want a second career for the next 40 years.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Today is October 2018 and I was at my local Guitar Center last week and they got in a PRS from 1987. I had no idea there were PRS's that old. It's an all black painted double cut with the rainbow "racing" stripes down both sides. It's listed @ $22,000 and kept way up high so no kids can play with them. You gotta ask to get it down, and they're real attentive to who gets it. And once it is is your hands, they don't leave your side. I never plugged it in but it played just wonderful and rang out like crazy. Very cool.

[@ricklewis5804]

00UncommonSense00 Got his start in 1985

[@k1kevin619]

Very cool stuff! Hope that PRS keeps rolling on with the great achievements.

[@johnybh]

somehow when he said: Something moved, and then going over tiny details, he made me think of steve jobs :P

[@1gitarz]

Original owner of a 1989 custom 24.....stills plays and sounds great and it stays in tune!

[@delphinoaleon6436]

Wow. I am so glad I watch this video. Even though I don't have a PRS sort of makes me want to get one now.

[@ALtheDoctorWho]

I think that many not all guitarist will pull there instrument apart at one time or another to make it better I know I did. I started playing on a 59 Les Paul Junior as simple as the guitar appeared to be there was nothing I could do to make it better O I stand corrected I install tone locks on the bridge that eliminated the guitar going out of tune.Its great to hear Paul express his passion for the instrument. c];-D

[@BreadandFaxes]

First time I heard Paul speak I knew he was from the eastern shore of Maryland lol. That accent is so defined.

[@bowslap]

Folks like Paul Smith are rare.......exemplary instruments, everything you read about the company gives the impression that the employees really enjoy what they do...and the man with his name on the door/headstock still takes part in every aspect of the company. Make mine an SC 58 with a bound neck(rounded edges, please), in a McCarty burst. :)

[@Drumaboiiii]

My dad said this guy started his shop in Annapolis around the corner from his business. Interesting that this guy made it with hard work

[@ricklewis5804]

Drumaboiiii He was known to take 3 wood-shop classes in the same semester in high school.

[@followfornothing]

I love Paul Reed Smith guitars!

[@spliffsperlunk]

Its good to see a lot of people working here instead of Robots. People will end up buying product Robots don't.

[@thedadyouneverhadchannel3544]

spliffsperlunk robots love playing guitar. 🤖 🎸

[@nathanherbrand5955]

I been wanting a PRS so bad, yet it's the hardest guitar to pick out. I'm a fan of that dark brown stain and the electric ink color's, that's what makes it so damn hard to choose. I'm a fan of all guitars, soon a PRS will be in the collection.

[@davemis40]

I've not been a big fan of the overly pretty guitars he's made ... but I bought a single cut, with 57/08 pickups in it, with quite a plain single piece maple top on it ... and its a phenomenal guitar ... this guys attention to detail in the design and build process is what drives the company. I've been converted.

[@marqueeco]

Hi Paul, i got one of your guitar with me. It is the Acoustic Electric PRS SE Angelus A15AL Alex Lifeson....and i love it so much

[@johndeer4250]

Love this guitar

[@daliborvajnar8352]

I think all PRS are beautiful guitars. But there is one thing I hate about them - pickup selector is totally out of reach when you need quickly switch it. Whether there is a whammy bar in you way or the bridge, it is ergonomically bad. Did Mr. Smith ever tried such a thing? So I kept only my SE Custom which is really good guitar for the money. But my number one is American Std Strat. Maybe not as beatiful but perfect in any other aspect.

[@r4blanks]

Much respect mr Smith ✅👌👍🎸🎸🎸

[@TheMusicaviator]

I love my PRS hollowbody II. I need to sell some of my guitars but my PRS will stay with me forever.

[@claygillespie2800]

Well I've got to get my hands on one of his guitars and check it out. Never had the privilege of playing one. I've played for 15 years and never came across one

[@MrJOTAMOTA]

dude i know exactly what your talking about, i played a santana se a week ago and was stunned! i mean the strings were so close to the frets that even a person with no finger muscles could play it with ease

[@mastodonseven]

“It’s an art form how you crave a neck” Looked a lot like a CNC machine in the following clip.

[@paulkirjonen1226]

in another video he described the process where they are using a hand-carved neck as a template for the CNC work...but maybe that's just marketing BS

[@whoneedsanation]

Art doesn't always mean an intimate crafting process, throughout the video he's talking about how important it is for things to be done precisely.

[@Zaes223]

Fact of the matter is anytime you can use a CNC machine for part of the manufacturing process you should. A CNC machine does exactly what a human would do. Except it does a perfect job every single time. Any process you can automate you should. The machine will do a better job and free up hands to do the processes that a machine cannot do.

[@samymasta]

CNC makes the cuts, people make the carving and polishing

[@mastodonseven]

@@whoneedsanation Actually CNC's benifit is speed and its cheaper than a chaftsman who could do a more precise job. i learnt about this working in CNC manufacting for 4 years or so.

[@iplayloud2]

0:28 Zap brand crazy glue straight from the radio controlled airplane modelling world 👌

[@aberhan]

Very interesting, just bought my first PRS guitar a couple of weeks ago. Mira SE model. Love it, will never go back to Gibson or Fender. I have owned both. Even Taylor doesn’t live up to the hype. Anyone wanna buy a T3?

[@andreasleonlandgren3092]

Of course the les Paul junior and the fender shape in one. Cool!

[@cadle11]

I love these Guitars!!

[@antoniopaloumusic3914]

Beautiful guitars

[@briantorsell]

Best guitar shape in existence.

[@turockandar]

I bought five in all but my first one was the best bought second hand with a couple of nicks in it.I since resold the others. Test the hell out of them and try to get a great one first time as I did. You may want to consider the Custom 24 with tremolo as you will have pretty much all options on it. I have a Custom 22 an apart from my Les Paul it is fantastic in terms of weight, versatility and ergonomics. In case you don't know the more guitars you have the less you appreciate each one:(

[@chadwr85]

Great guitars but cost way too much. The cost doesn't equal the quality in this case. I would buy one fore like $1300 but not $3000.

[@DaleGorham]

those guitars in the 60's etc may have special woods that are now illegal to use now. For example, at a PRS event I went to they had some amazing custom guitars that were around 10-15 years old and one in particular had incredible neck that looked and felt amazing. The fretboard was made from Madagascar Rosewood which is now illegal to use for any purpose it and it was actually illegal for them to sell the guitar. It was estimated £30,000 I think they said. Material is what does it.

[@Adipsia1]

I love PRS guitars, and own three... including a Private Stock 'PS' that I purchased 'second-hand' for a third of the original price, and had been kept 'under the bed' for eight years on the basis that it was an 'investment'. First and foremost, PRS make guitars designed to make music... but at a secondary-level, they also make furniture, because many PRS guitars are never played, they just look beautiful; and then there's a tertiary-level... 'PS' guitars that are essentially sold by retailers as unique, 'investment' pieces. All guitars are unique... but for me guitars are expressive instruments not financial instruments. To those musical-creatives seeking a top-notch, lovingly-made guitar... I'd say go-ahead; and to those seeking a highly-priced piece of quality furniture. But for those seeking investment-returns, I'd say forget 'PS' and look for older pre-90's PRS's that come up for sale...

[@ricklewis5804]

Peter Cooper If you bought it at one third of the original price then it wasn’t much of an investment for the original owner. As long as you pay retail prices and they keep making new ones they aren’t going to hold their value much less increase in value.

[@usernamepl0xx]

I absolutely love this guy.. One day I'll be ordering a Custom 24 Private Stock, mark my words

[@SpiritofEasternAirLines]

You watch this video and it explains exactly why I want a PRS guitar along with everyone else.

[@rmaclema]

Wow - these are some of the dumbest comments I've ever read. Funny how the people who bash PRS are the people who can't afford one.

[@multipipi1234]

Pickets Charge was the dumbest thing ever.

[@GetawaysandGuitars]

After viewing loads of PRS SE and core models, and not hearing a major difference between them. I came across a 2013 Korean made Custom 24 in charcoal grey with the birds on the neck. As it had three holes screwed into it for a GK3 Synth pickup (idiot, use the sticky pads) I got it at a steal, at least $200 less than other ones I'd seen. It also had a hard case so I done the deal. I filled the holes, colored and drop filled them, sanding them smooth. I felt the fingerboard edges a bit too abrupt so I rounded them off, perfect. after playing Les Pauls and Strats for many, many years, I wanted to see what this guitar could bring to the table. Firstly humbuckers, It's a good bit brighter than my Les Pauls, possibly because of the treble bleed capacitor fitted, not the same tone quality, missing the Gibson quack, really a bit generic. Think more Schecter, Ibanez etc! Split coils fare a good bit better, getting a reasonable Strat tone out of each and a nice Tele middle position. Where it falls down of course is Strat positions 2 and 4, everyone's favorites! Maybe a three humbucking pickup version with a five way switch and extra coil split would be the ultimate PRS. Check my video ;0)

[@bowlofarthritus713]

Im not a guitar player, but my dad was and he had an extensive collection that I sold off only because I had no use for them (he died 6 years ago). He had, I think, a Custom 21 with the wood grain finish (i think C21).... either way it was made in their older Factory in Annapolis instead of their newer factory in Kent Island. I got what he paid for. But curious if anything from the old factory has more dollar value in collection terms

[@jerryfraker377]

Ive honestly never played one of your guitars. Could you please send me one to try.

[@scottanderson4175]

Paul my grandfather used to go see your band play I have a CE Bolt on a SE 24 and a SE Tremonti I am saving money for a Silver Sky but next I will need a Tele style PRS and I will be very happy

[@nagi66]

love the way this guy thinks

[@chrisnungester4193]

Watching this video . I see two cross slots in the neck under the fret board . And I think you find that slot near the machine head . Is for a wheel truss rod that adjusts from the neck base (E.B. style) . Thus... is unnessary and will cause a hinge point on the neck near the head . CMN

[@denboe2894]

The neck was actually a whole step lower than the body part but, "similar ringing" in the body and neck as you say and again I get it..

[@ricklewis5804]

Den Boe Yeah, it didn’t sound like the same note to me e

[@duck2587]

I just got a custom 24 in scarlet red with a rose wood fingerboard and mahogany body and neck. It has 57/08 pick ups with a flame maple ten top. It is the best sounding guitar i have every played. worth every penny.

[@garyhux6002]

man i love my SE santana