Continually refining our craft since 1985.
“It’s amazing how quickly 40 years can pass when you’re doing something you love. I’m grateful for our employees, artists, dealers, customers, and guitar players around the world that have given us their support and permission. Our mission hasn’t changed since day one in my first garrett workshop - we want to build the best tools for musicians to do their jobs. This page serves as a time capsule of our history, but as the saying goes: ‘windshields are larger than rearview mirrors for a reason.’ What drives us most is what comes next as we continue the journey of refining our craft. Thank you for your support.”
- Paul Reed Smith
Limited Edition Models
Private Stock 40th Anniversary McCarty Dragon - 165 Pieces
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40th Anniversary Custom 24 Limited Edition - 400 Pieces
Learn MoreHistoric Moments
Historic Moments
Paul Builds His First Guitar (1976)
Paul Reed Smith made his first guitar as an extra credit project studying at St. Mary’s College in Maryland. He got an “A” and that’s when Smith decided to follow his dream and make guitars for a living.
Historic Moments
PRS Open For Business (1985)
After attending his first winter NAMM show in January of 1985 with a small selection of guitars, Smith returned to Annapolis, Maryland and moved into the PRS Virginia Ave factory. For four months, a small team of fewer than 15 employees began building 20 un-serialized guitars.
Historic Moments
Dragon 1 Introduced (1992)
When Paul Smith was 16, he dreamt about a guitar with a dragon inlaid down the neck. 20 years later, the first PRS Dragon guitar was born. With a list price of $8,000 it was an ultra-high-end "collector" guitar.
Historic Moments
McCarty Model Introduced (1994)
In 1993 and 1994, PRS introduced the Custom 22 and McCarty Models (respectively). Paul believed that the shorter neck provided a fatter, more vintage tone, and with the McCarty model he was paying tribute to his teacher, Ted McCarty, a master of the vintage market.
Historic Moments
PRS “Private Stock” Founded (1996)
Based off of the 1995 "Guitars of the Month" program, Paul Smith, Joe Knaggs, and a small team of talented luthiers began building custom guitars for musicians under the Private Stock program. The Private Stock team remains small and highly talented, constantly striving to create the best guitars money can buy.
Historic Moments
PRS SE Series Introduced (2001)
The SE line began in 2001, made with the goal of providing an affordable instrument with the high-quality and dependability players love from PRS. Carlos Santana played a large role in bringing the project online and the Santana SE was the first model to be introduced.
Historic Moments
Acoustics, Amplifiers, and PTC (2009)
In 2009, PRS Guitars introduced several new ventures, including: PRS acoustics, PRS amplifiers, and the PRS Tech Center (PTC). The PRS acoustic introduction brought the PRS Angelus Cutaway and Tonare Grand instruments to the world. PRS Amplifiers brought all-tube designs to players thanks to a close collaboration with Texas amp designer Doug Sewell. And the PTC opened for business as the only authorized PRS service and repair center.
Historic Moments
PRS S2 Series Introduced (2013)
After a lengthy R&D process, the S2 Series was introduced in 2013 and aimed to fill the gap between PRS’ affordable line of SE instruments and the renowned US core line. The American-made line of guitars has grown from three instruments to more than a dozen and caters to a new breed of player.
Historic Moments
Silver Sky Introduced (2018)
After years of development and collaboration with John Mayer, PRS introduced the Silver Sky, a three single-coil guitar inspired by Mayer and Smith’s favorite 1963 and 1964 instruments. The launch created waves in the guitar community and traffic unexpectedly crashed the PRS website for a brief period on launch day.
Historic Moments
PRS Hits 500 Employees (2024)
As demand for PRS Guitars grew, new employees were brought on and trained up. In 2024, the overall headcount rose to more than 500 employees for the first time. Previously, the 100-employee mark was passed in 1997.
Historic Moments
PRS Celebrates 40th Anniversary (2025)
2025 marks 40 years since Paul Reed Smith founded “PRS Guitars.” Now over 500 employees strong, PRS offers a wide range of products to players across the world. Limited edition model releases and unique anniversary content will be spread throughout the anniversary year to celebrate this special milestone.
PRS Factory Tour
From our first workshop in 1985 to more recent scenes from our Maryland headquarters, explore inside the walls of PRS manufacturing over the years!