Paul Reed Smith tells the Carlos Santana story.

Paul Reed Smith tells the story of his first encounter with Carlos Santana. From the Paul Reed Smith Clinic at The Guitar Store, Seattle WA, March 26, 2014. Video by Stevenflow -- stevenflow.com, guitar instructor at The Guitar Store www.seattleguitarstore.com. Email [e-mail] for lesson availability.

[@cgr88m]

Paul isn't trying to make santana sound like a jerk, he's just telling us how he basically auditioned as a new guitar maker to a major artist and gained respect through his work and effort. Imagine you went up to steve vai or bonamassa and said "hey ditch your guitar i made a better one, can you play it at your show?" Yeah goodluck with that.

[@jdiggitty]

Paul's filter seems to be plugged into a WahWah. He's not intentionally trying to make Santana out to be an asshole, but the way he tells the story makes Santana look even worse than that. And Paul's so egotistical now he thinks that story sounds good.

[@xXAscendingPhoenixXx]

@@jdiggitty Egotistical how? 🤔

[@franklopez3687]

I guess it make since the way you explained it. I was little mad at Carlos since I’m a big fan and Mexican but I’m starting to settle down 😅

[@rudymikula7129]

Great story. I met Carlos Santana on stage once and he was one of the most gracious human beings I have met.

[@orwellsgoatatemyradishes4358]

Gracious.Are you kidding?After hearing Paul tell is story about him I'm left with the impression he's totally up his own arse.

[@jettsom]

C. Santana’s puts both Mesa Boogie & PRS on the map. We should thanks him!

[@daveglander1]

The more and more I listen to Paul and the more I hear his interviews, the more I like him. He runs rings around people and is never short of a funny story or a quick response.

[@juanfichtl2011]

I could listen to him tell stories all day long

[@chilitoday]

Santana created colors with his tone and feel on the early stuff. He's not a speed merchant but is all about texture.

[@auntjenifer7774]

Sounds like he tried to 'Thug life' Paul for his guitars !? That's dirty and not very catholic of him, or is it !?

[@NisseOhlsen]

that sound of the SG with the P90's on 'Samba Pa Ti' is still unbeaten to this day.

[@stratcat9432]

​@NisseOhlsen I absolutely agree! I also love the period where he used his Ibanez Artist. Never been too much of a fan of the PRS tones

[@aum3.146]

Santana is one of the top rock guitarists of all time.

[@michaelheller8841]

Paul knew exactly what he was doing. You have to fall in love with it to pay me. Santana is a legend even at that time. Santana was well known at age 17 and on. It took a few shots to get Santana but it all worked out very well. You only see Santana play PRS only now. Great story. BTW Carlos is a very humble guy but he wants the best equipment can't blame him.

[@zenbookseries9129]

Paul used to work for Chuck Levin Music in his repair shop. Chuck told me Paul used to ask Chuck for spare guitar parts until he had enough parts to build a guitar. Then he kept going and at some Paul point started his own company. Mr. Levin was an awesome humble man I was honored to get to know.

[@futureisscary246]

What a riot, i saw both concerts mentioned here!

[@lcor2009]

I have a Yamaha SG2000 because of Santana. Probably if I started playing later on I would have gone PRS. But the Yamaha is my best guitar, and I have 9. Definitely Santana knows his gear

[@mauriziomoli2064]

When I was a teen-ager, I bought Santana's Shango (released 1982). In the back cover you can see Carlos playing a gorgeous guitar, maple top, walnut coloured, unknown brand. The moment I saw it I knew I wanted it exactly the same. A dozen years later I bought a custom 24, royal blue. Few weeks ago I bought a 35th anniversay, identical to the Shango PRS. Only 40 years have passed, but the longer the wait the greater the joy! 😊 Long live Santana and Paul.

[@nonebnone2749]

In Carlos defense having your guitar brand played by him at the time was probably better then paying for an add and PRS has probably been paid back by branding more then the initial cost of a guitar. How many people here that build guitars would love to have just a famous guitarist play your instrument, I think it was about the passion on PRS and Santana regarding the guitar. Honestly I bought a PRS cause Santana had one.

[@gagslovedotcom]

I agree. At the time PRS was an unknown. A friend of mine referred to his PRS as the "go-to" out of his 20+ collection of guitars.

[@user-kb8fe4vd4j]

gagslovedotcom you really think that?? At that time, more past time, PRS is already known as famous guitar brand.

[@gabrielm5724]

probably? I'm willing to bet that unless you're one of the odd 'PRS fanboys' than you only know PRS as 'the guitar that santana plays'

Still not cool. What a jerk.

[@prpapas]

Didn't Hendrix tell Jim Marshall upon their introduction: 1) we have the same name, how cool, and I'm gonna be the greatest and I wanna use your gear and 2) I intend to pay for it all. I think that's better form.

[@MCJaccard4music]

Dude reminds me of Micheal Keaton and Steve jobs!

[@pedroalagos9771]

with trump's voice!

[@TheEarCandy]

Good Grief ! he does look a lot like Michael Keaton... LMAO. Only Michael Keaton isn't a total dick.

[@TheAdadadada]

JJ Jaccard b

[@kcave23]

He reminds me of Peter Frampton

[@ChrisBlackTV]

He's got a lot of Steve Jobs in him, especially in terms of perfectionism and his zero-fucks-given attitude.

[@robertblanks9602]

AWESOME story!! Love this!!🤯

[@j.dtruths5577]

That was a Great Story, Loved It..

[@sirgerbilmacintosh9101]

A great story of 2 legends.

[@michaelluczak3019]

Paul owes Carlos big time!

[@MikeBradleyofficial]

Love it!!

[@almartinez3690]

Just an old tale from back in the day.🎸🎛️

[@chozeh]

Errata: The Miles of Aisles album cover by Joni Mitchell was a photo/painting of the Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston Michigan (not Merriweather Post Pavillion)

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Incredible story...

[@iplayloud2]

Thx for the image stabilization. Is it a pro software or an app?

[@mikeflores625]

Love that story!

[@RavnerRavner]

PRS looks like he's in a good mood here. A great storyteller.

[@bluesdog88]

That's gold!

[@RH-vl2wy]

Genius.... that sums it up!!!!

[@twizasichilima7392]

Yeah this guy is like the Stevd Jobs of guitars

[@clemdewitt687]

Jeff Adams, the guitarist in Face Dancer..Paul made two matching guitars one Lefty, one Righty...in curly maple. I have a photo of them somewhere, courtesy of my brother in law when he and Jeff were in Savoy Brown.

[@masterhorax]

great story!

[@pacificislander8503]

lovely story and very inspiring

[@PhilSowden]

Great video to watch if you're trying to decide which color to get!

[@fluffytoaster427]

9:40 Guy: "When did he start paying you?" Paul: *angrily scans crowd* "Who said that?" Guy: "shitshitshitshitshit"

[@TheAdadadada]

fluffytoaster427 has

[@caesaro.2286]

People: Carlos has an ego! Gene Simmons: Hold my beer.

[@MAIIVIIOTH]

what book was he referring to when Paul said he asked Carlos if the story in the book is how he remembered it?

[@infowazz]

damn great storytelling

[@15eman]

I wonder if there is a video of him playing that song. Santana has recordings of everything from what I read.

[@tresdanator]

I love that store man. I went to buy a pedal, tried it out with the cheapest prs they had, you know, $1900.

[@ddkeegs]

I remember seeing Santanas' Zebop tour in Boston at the Boston Commons. And before Santana took the stage a skinny guy with long dark curly hair walk through the crowd toward the stage with this guitar I had never seen before. I think that may have been Paul. It looked a lot like Paul.

[@EM-km8em]

The Yamaha Santana played before switching to PRS was pure tone magic compared to anything he played PRS after that.

[@BEBOP268]

I was at that show .

[@Adipsia1]

That's how someone with a talent and passion gets through to the egos in this world... by persistence and unflinching faith in his own ability. What's also interesting is that Carlos Santana - with all of his Christian beliefs and incense - would be more than willing to squeeze a clearly talented guitar-maker until his pips squeaked. Kudos to Paul...

[@Adipsia1]

Peter Marshall 'If you don't fall in love with it, you don't have to pay me'. The signature story of a true entrepreneur and a master of his craft in the making.

[@jackbenimble99999]

Well, he did pay him. As far as saying, we're keeping the guitar and not paying you, if I was Paul and hadn't borrowed the guitar, I would've said absolutely. The positive publicity generated by Santana's star power would've exceeded the 2K or whatever by orders of magnitude. Anyway, I got a PRS SE Angelus a few months ago and it's great.

[@Estuardino71]

Santana started from the bottom just like Paul.

[@BloodBoughtMinistries]

Those are not Christian beliefs, they are catholic.

[@willmercury]

@@BloodBoughtMinistries Go pray in your stable.

[@geisterfer]

Wow, a lot of haters in the peanut gallery. If Santana is so overrated and his playing so simple, why has he played with so many great musicians? Why have greats like Clapton, Garcia, Prince, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, McLaughlin, Beck, Guy, Vaughan etc sung his praises? Europa, Samba Pa Ti, Song of the Wind, Bella, Aquamarine, Guru's Song, Hong Kong Blues, Blues for Salvador - Many can play music, but only a few can create music.

[@Poppafunkband]

geisterfer amen bro

[@LawrenceTan]

100% agree!

[@luthiervandros]

I’m not a fan of his tone or otherwise, but I respect him as a guitarist and a performer. No hate.

[@JRoss-zxzx]

Forget those jacka$$es. Carlos helped write what electric guitar is today.

[@guillermog.hernandez3931]

WOW!!!

[@oldgit4260]

I tried the Santana PRS in Rose Morris many years ago, it was 6K and weighed nothing, like holding air, was so surprising..

[@SixStringflyboy]

I have an older SE Santana (2005 maybe). Lightest guitar I own, and my absolute favorite to play.

[@MattKibblehouse]

Carlos has a high bar, I like it.

[@RWulff007]

When was this? Gr8 story by the way :) PRS guitar seems to be the real deal. Next on the list :)

[@SixStringflyboy]

I own 4 PRS electrics and one PRS acoustic. Definitely the real deal, even the SE line. Been playing my Les Paul more than anything lately, but PRS are still my favorite.

[@Joe_Yacketori]

The guy with the white beard in the background looks like András Arató, who is Harold in the stock image meme.

[@ferramirez4570]

Such a great story. and i have a rule, i don't hate on people if i haven't done anything better than what they just did. I think people should stop hating on Carlos Santana, at the end of the day he's making more millions than the rest of us, while most of you don't even have a single, thousands of people are streaming his songs right now, while you are bullshitting on him. He is not my favourite player but i respect him and i recognize his contribution. Same applies to kirk Hammet.

[@bluehappyscrap]

AWESOME !!!!!!!!😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈

[@luthiervandros]

And Carlos said, “man this thing boogies!”

[@GuitarlosCarlos]

WAS THAT THE GARAGE ON SILVER AVENUE IN THE OUTER MISSION DISTRICT IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF CARLOS GUITARLOS 90042

[@i.p.knightly149]

Should tell the story about how his Yamaha sounded way better.

[@buickmonte]

I.P. Knightly Agree brother,loved the yammie sg 175

[@fortyninelicks]

YESSSS

[@santosavila7784]

I agree,he played better on the yamaha

[@chrisrva710]

this comment and it's thread is on crack

[@dannyjr831]

I love PRS guitars!!! My favorite is The New Silver Sky!!!

[@snap-off5383]

I'd rather have an off the shelf custom 24 than that thing.

[@chilitoday]

I remember Rickenbacher gave Lennon and Harrison each new guitars..think that might have helped sell a few?

[@dingalarm]

It certainly did, and by the way, it's Rickenbacker not Rickenbacher 😔

[@stevenking2980]

My eg and CE were stolen years ago. I'm broken. This is the only musical joy I get, watching folks playing and speaking about these thoroughbred wonderful godly instruments. If I won the lottery, half to my kids, half to charity less three PRS guitars to me. I'd even love to have one! God I miss my babies...

[@embreesmith7613]

they are both 'bags supreme

[@metricdeep8856]

He knows that stories sell.

[@jonathananthony1901]

I really hate to say it......... but man this story makes Carlos sound like a total jerk! I mean seriously "ok I'll try out your handmade guitar...... wow it's amazing so I'm basically going to steal it now".... what the heck man???

[@gnordache4405]

Jonathan Anthony Carlos is notorious for being veeeery tight. Also for paying his musicians. According to Chepito Areas, his band members used to leave the band because he wouldn't pay them right.

[@bob733333]

Jonathan Anthony Promotion of his guitar..??

[@probusexcogitatoris736]

+Gnor Dache Which is particularly ironic, since the band did all the actual work while Santana noodles a few melodies and licks on top of the recorded tune. The only reason Santana has a career at all is because he has surrounded himself by great musicians and songwriters. On most of his records he's not even the main songwriter and on many records (especially the more recent ones) he hardly writes anything. A lazy fucker and a true asshole.

[@tushar8998]

@@probusexcogitatoris736 Those people weren't forced to work with him. Think about what you are saying.

[@ramses1401]

​@@gnordache4405 Yeah, right. His band mates left the band and then they decided to do a new album together...SANTANA IV..There's a lot of shit out there, do not buy it so easily.

[@Musiciamaniac]

Paul seems to be a good good person.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Carlos played a variety of guitars.

[@deptofdesign]

Yngwie could have played whatever he wanted. What a testimony to the Stratocaster. "Nuclear Violin" Awesome. 🤘

[@MAIIVIIOTH]

Another thing. I have heard that both Paul and Carlos can be jerks. I've seen Paul being kind of rude in interview videos, here on youtube. However, when you get men and women who are this talented and hardworking, there is a determination and a passion to achieve perfection that most of us don't understand. Most people who are extraordinarily successful in their field are also extraordinarily in control of their surroundings and often their surroundings include people. People like this are destined to be a little dickish. But they need to be a little bit to achieve this sort of greatness. I'm cool with dudes like these being a little rude if they can provide me great music and rad guitars.

[@bob733333]

MAIIVIIOTH That is why I quit working. I can't handle being a dick.

[@zakkwyldesliver]

Think about what Paul has done compared to Gibson or Fender. No huge corporate boards. No sellout to a larger company in order to grow the business. Paul's vision of what a guitar should be has pushed his company to be one of the biggest guitar companies in the world with a reputation for unyielding craftsmanship and quality. That narrow focus on excellence is why he is where he is today.

[@davidkornblatt991]

Carlos and Hammet are fine

[@heybuddy6794]

Paul has a cilantro/coriander quality to him, most people like him just fine but he seems to leave a real funny taste in the mouths of many. Either way, playing a Santana III, it wails!

[@elohimembroidery]

Santana has earned the right to be as picky and as demanding as he wants. And just for the record Mr. Smith, I bought my SE and fell in love with it. I won't play any other brand going forward. I am an official PRS fanboy.

[@Gutzan]

a bunch of subjective opinions about Carlos Santana in these comments. At the end of the day, these guys (PRS-Santana) still doing businesses together nowadays so ask yourselves why? before state such a kiddies opinions.

[@ronaldvaldez5955]

Gutzan well put ignorance runs wild here

[@yellowdart6666]

bunch of nobodies in the comment section talking about nothing. xD

[@rubykaufman5361]

Just a tiny bit boring, and of course everyone has to act like it's great because he's the guy who signs the pay checks. I own one of the custom PRS guitars and I like it, very versatile, kind of like having a Gibson and a Fender both in one package ! Paul does seem like a humble guy and I grew up on Santana's music and everyone has the ability to be a prick from time to time!

[@gebremenfeskidus9567]

"Carlos is overrated because he simply surrounds himself with great musicians and great song writers." Anyone who spouts such foolishness obviously doesn't understand music. It's precisely part of his greatness that he's been humble enough to surround himself with musicians who are just as talented as he is. Santana, probably more than any other rock band in history, has had more musicians play with the band throughout the decades. Carlos has always put his indelible print on every song he's ever played or recorded. As for PRS, I love the sound. I know a lot of guitar purists dis on PRS, but Carlos has made some beautiful sounds with it, so I applaud it. And this is a very cool story by PRS himself. Viva Santana!!!

[@anthonylarson7919]

he should thank Carlos everyday........

[@CoolBreeze2016]

Great story! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jordanpeacock8774]

People, Carlos was not trying to be a jerk. The whole “we’re stealing Howard Leese’s guitar” and “accident of God” bits were nothing more than a test to see if Paul would make him a guitar that would work for his needs. And he passed.

[@BelloBudo007]

Nice story. I think I'd rather share a beer with Paul than the character in his story.

[@eliolopez3107]

I'm glad that it worked out for Paul. He's a great guitar maker and a very ethical luthier. Carlos sounds like an asshole trying to steal a guitar. It just dropped my opinion of him.

[@michaeljamsmithband]

I met him a Paul Rogers concert. He was a real jerk to some kid who bought two of his guitars and wanted to show gratitude. Never liked him a bit after that.

[@Pasillas916]

Paul got super pissed when that guy asked when did he start getting paid by Carlos at the end

[@kaldesjarlais375]

Nick Pasillas big deal

[@kaldesjarlais375]

Nick Pasillas if that was me-- id say back down paul or get knocked down

[@satchfan2010]

Nick Pasillas I don't think he was angry, he saw the funny side.

[@bob733333]

Nick Pasillas Using his axes is payment. ffs

[@oldgit4260]

He wasn't pissed, he saw the joke

[@gypsycat619]

What kind of Horses Ass says we are not paying for it? I had friends who worked in a small custom guitar shop and this happened to them often. They would explain they were not a big manufacturer and they could not afford to give guitars away! There is simply no excuse for arrogance!

[@nathanjones2447]

Pete Waterman or what?

[@johnsmits2494]

Carlos is not a notably talented songwriter( most of his famous songs are covers, or very heavily contributed to by other band members). However, as far as solos go, particularly live in the 70's, Carlos often played very complex solos with a lot of jazz influences and it is preposterous to say he just ran up and down pentatonic scales. Some studio stuff, yes some pentatonics, and I agree, albumwise, not too good after Moonflower. But saying a more talented guitarist would have helped PRS more, !?!?!?!? A guitarist who plays great or amazing solos is the best advert for a unknown luthier, not a rhythm guitarist R.I.P like Malcom Young, great as he was. Remember, Carlos was a prototype, just like Jeff Beck or Pete Townsend.

[@oldgit4260]

And no one has that tone that cuts to the heart

[@KaninTuzi]

Not to mention most guitar players wouldn't express the same kind of love for the guitar. Carlos does all things with love

[@jordanpeacock8774]

I have a feeling like Carlos was kidding when he said he wasn't gonna give the guitar back.

[@gerberbernstein7360]

Howard Leese has lots of PRS prototypes and he's NOT a dick.

[@MM-rr1kp]

cmon paul spit it out

[@natfunk71]

Meanwhile, Carlos Santana hasn't made a worthwhile album since 1971, really 1970 (Abraxas), but there were one or two good songs on Santana III.

[@mystixr8421]

Send me the pickles

[@rosacortese]

I'm begging now, please listen to the outlaw blues bands guitarist... Phillip John Diaz... maybe start with " plastic man".... Give it a try!

[@grahamhines2994]

entertaining story but sounds like it has a fair amount of poetic licence applied

[@Trotter2320]

99.9999999 BS

[@Trotter2320]

Plus 99.9999999999999 full of himself.

[@fibboobbif]

I guess the deal with Ted Nugent was quite different ;-)

[@BluesLicks101]

Carlos made some of my very favorite music - but (and I say this sadly) the more I learn of him... the less I respect him.

[@ronaldvaldez5955]

BluesLicks101 nobody cares so shut it

[@SensemakingMartin]

Ronald Valdez I care, and i agree with him too. Santana sounds like a dickhead and not at all a role model

[@easilyoffended7772]

Santana is just like a really good person who met up with the right people..... He's a legend because he's Santana not because he's the best.... He's a great performer and has Character....... He is far from a great guitar player he was just around in a time where performing got you famous.

[@dapunkof1975]

Wow, Carlos sounds like a diva. Hey, makes sense since he makes women's shoes.

[@ficknoti]

Them glasses are thick

[@UroboricNate]

You either put up with an egotistical diva and get great business out of it, or say fuck this guy and get nothing out of it, I would have put up with Carlos shit for my business as well, hes a huge name, its good for marketing.

[@OnAComeUpChea]

well don't cry about it than

[@OnAComeUpChea]

is not good business talking about one of your customers

[@rogerwilliams4742]

The story was misleading as far as payment. That was obviously intentional and that would have made Santana the biggest dick in my opinion had he just taken them. On the other hand, the story doesn't work if he leads with "My deal is, If you don't fall in love with it, you don't have to pay me."

[@stevenking2980]

PRS >>>>>> CARLOS

[@gerberbernstein7360]

Carlos has advertised every guitar under the sun. He's used to getting stuff for free, and having people kiss his ass.

[@1Rockstok]

Paul mentioned a band called Face Dancer. I lived in Baltimore at the time and they rocked. They got signed and went away for a while. When they returned their singer was gone and they were watered down to the point where they were done in a master of months. Shame.

[@sonofbarnsey]

I mean, tough love and making you work for something is one thing, but geez, stealing Leese's guitar is a punk move

[@lawsonlawson1504]

Space ghost ...its not carlos is God. Like ur awe of him??

[@Hawkeye--bc2wt]

Carlos can thank Clive Davis.... Carlos didn't write any of those songs he received a shit ton of Grammy's for. Its a joke...

[@garrisonic]

Perhaps a more talented guitarist would better represent a higher end guitar company such as PRS. I'm sure there must be SOMEONE who can really play who is exclusively PRS that would make guitarists take the company more seriously?

[@bryanmannoia8410]

there are few guitar players of carlos' caliber. listen to the first couple of records and then you will change your opinion.

[@garrisonic]

Listen to the first couple of records? My first album my parents ever gave me was Abraxas and I wore that bitch out. When I grew up I moved on to guitarists with talent

[@simeskelin-croat6917]

It wasn't a company but just one guy with not so beautiful handmade guitar who bagged rockstar to try his guitar. Imagine how many luthiers asked the same favor.

[@ahiwalter9153]

garrisounds i don’t think Paul the person seriously & I think that’s why I tend to like him more than most people lol but his guitars are very serious who’s doing better tops than the Mcarty’s or a better S type than the Silver Sky. Even the SE’s are better anything under a grand you can get. It’s subjective sure but I think PRS are at the forefront of manufacturing & making gig ready instruments out the box.

[@nazmoking3171]

I hate to say it because I like Carlos Santana the guitar player but this story honestly makes him sound like an egotistical jerk. Which PRS can be at times himself but in this case he was kissing the ass of Carlos Santana.