Paul Reed Smith
PRS Guitars – The visionary luthier from Maryland
Origins and early years
Paul Reed Smith was born on February 18, 1956, in Bethesda, Maryland. Passionate about guitar making from his teenage years, he built his first guitar while in college and quickly caught the attention of professional musicians thanks to the quality of his handcrafted instruments.
The creation of PRS Guitars
He founded PRS Guitars in 1985 in Annapolis, Maryland. His guitars, positioned between the sound of Gibson and the playability of Fender, quickly attracted guitarists such as Carlos Santana, Al Di Meola, and Ted Nugent.
The PRS Custom 24 became the flagship model of the brand, recognizable for its bird-shaped inlays and exceptional flamed finishes.
Legend has it that Paul Reed Smith built a guitar and waited backstage at a concert to show it to Carlos Santana. Impressed, Santana ordered an instrument, giving PRS the credibility needed to launch the brand. The Santana model became one of the pillars of the PRS catalog.
Legacy
PRS is now the third largest manufacturer of electric guitars in the world, behind Fender and Gibson. Artists such as John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, and Zach Myers play PRS signature models. Paul Reed Smith remains personally involved in the design of every new model.
PRS guitars
Discover the brand’s guitars available in our store: PRS at Matt’s Guitar Shop
