PRS Employee Spotlight - Brad Bowman // Spray Booth Technician

In our latest Employee Spotlight get to know Spray Booth Technician Brad Bowman! As a member of the PRS family for nearly 15 years, Brad has worked in multiple different areas of manufacturing, from top coat sanding to fret leveling, but for the past 11 years he's been painting guitars.

We sat down with Brad to chat about what his day-to-day looks like, along with the exciting opportunity for him to flex his skills and creativity through "Sprayers Choice" guitars. Enjoy our Q&A with him below!

What does a day in your life look like here at PRS?
Brad: My routine after I clock in is pretty simple: put my headphones on, listen to music or books on Audible, and paint 60-75 guitars every single day. Rinse & repeat!

When were you hired at PRS? Any early memories that stand out?
Brad: I started here at PRS in October of 2010. As for the memory that really comes to mind, I would say the first time I dropped a guitar while buffing, it was so embarrassing and didn't help me escape the title of "new guy!"

What tools do you use, and which one is the most important for your work?
Brad: Siphon fed spray guns, tack rags, sand paper, air hose, and my mixing cups are the main items I use on a daily basis. But of course the spray guns are the most important tool I use!

What is the process for spraying a burst, and what are the margins for error?
Brad: Spraying a burst can be very tricky. You have to carefully trace the edge around the top of the guitar without getting too much overspray in the center. If you make the burst too wide in one spot you have to widen the whole burst, but we keep pretty tight tolerances for what makes an "acceptable" burst size!

Do you have any background in the arts before you came to PRS?
Brad: My father's best friend owned an Autobody shop so I grew up around automotive painting. I really credit that for sparking my interest for painting and it's stuck with me ever since!

Could you tell us a bit about the "Sprayers Choice" guitars you've made recently?
Brad: PRS is allowing me to use my expertise and creativity to create some really wild paint jobs! Anything from crazy crackle colors to stunningly beautiful metallic flake finishes. I’m extremely excited to be able to put my paint skills and knowledge together and create some awesome guitars that will catch peoples' eyes!

What's your favorite PRS finish?
Brad: I’m a huge fan of Boyd Burst & Livingston Lemon-drop.

What is your favorite part about your role?
Brad: My favorite part is probably turning a blank guitar into a beautiful piece of art. There’s just something about turning bare wood into a striking Sunburst!

How do you spend your time outside of work?
Brad: I try my best to stay active, so I go to the gym daily and make every effort to be outside as much as possible, whether that's hiking, hunting, boating, biking, or just going for walks.

What do you love most about working at PRS?
Brad: I love working for a company that shows their appreciation for the employees and PRS goes above and beyond in that regard!