PRS Guitars

Where were you when Paul Reed Smith launched his company no fewer than four decades ago? We sit down with the maestro to discuss the first 40 years of his iconic brand

- AMIT SHARMA

FORTY YEARS AGO, Maryland native Paul Reed Smith took a chance on starting his own guitar company with no idea how things would pan out. It's a good thing he chose to roll the dice. He's since become one of the world's most respected builders – someone whose creations encapsulate the very notion of a well-crafted and custom-made boutique instrument. Early on, he'd made guitars for Peter Frampton, Al Di Meola and Carlos Santana, and having witnessed firsthand how well his innovations had been working out for them, he launched PRS Guitars at the 1985 NAMM Show, debuting the newly designed Custom 24.

It'd be fair to say a lot has happened over the four decades since then, with top-shelf musicians like John Mayer, Orianthi and John McLaughlin signing up to become signature artists, as well as the more metallic players from bands like Alter Bridge, Opeth and Periphery. While it'd be fair to say Smith's output has taken some degree of influence from the classic formulas pioneered in the Fifties, models like the Custom 24 are notable for having their own kind of identity – from the 25-inch scale length that sits right in between the original Gibson and Fender designs to the custom bird inlays, jaw-dropping flame finishes and highly dependable tremolo system.

With the U.S.-made Core line retailing for several thousands of dollars, there were many years where these guitars were generally regarded as instruments for doctors, dentists and lawyers. That all changed in 2001 with the launch of the overseas-produced SE Santana, which kick-started a whole line of models marrying quality with affordability. Since then, the line has expanded with various semi-hollow, extended range and piezo options – building up a fierce reputation as the best guitars you can find within their price range. It's been one hell of a journey, says Smith, whose company now stands as the world's third bestselling brand.