Music Instruments: Paul Reed Smitth guitar newsletter
March 30, 2008
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Music Instruments: Paul Reed Smitth guitar newsletter
Instruments are different than people. As soon as they’re born, you have a pretty good idea of what they’re going to be for the rest of their lives. Even though a guitar does mature some, that first moment you play it is a good indication of its innate personality and sound.
We strive to make the kind of guitar that speaks to you as soon as you pick it up, the kind of guitar that, even though brand new and full of possibilities, somehow feels as comfortable as an old friend.
I believe that guitars that make this kind of intimate connection come only from talented designers and craftspeople who love the long, painstaking process of creation as much as the resulting instruments. At PRS, we love guitars. Most of us play every day. We listen, we compare, we analyze, we debate.
And we evolve. One constant over the entire history of PRS is change, the desire to make our already fine guitars a bit more responsive, a bit more toneful. This year, we’ve revised and improved a lot of things. The birds are only the most obvious change. Other improvements may be subtle, and some are unseen, but they matter. They add up.
I believe 2008 will be a landmark year for us and hope that after holding and playing and hearing these instruments, you’ll feel the same.
If you’re looking for a professional quality, high-performance instrument, we strive to build that guitar for you, one that makes you realize, from the moment you pick it up — this is a guitar to cherish for a lifetime. 
New Product Demos From Paul Smith - Soon to be Released on YouTube
Paul Smith recently recorded a series of detailed video demonstrations with fellow band mate Michael Ault showcasing the “individual talents” of select PRS guitar models and Paul’s unique perspective of each of these models. Recorded at his in-home studio in Annapolis, Maryland, Paul Smith takes a slightly different approach to traditional demonstrations by offering a candid and conversational delivery filled with a-typical tips and techniques. The first batch of demos will be posted in the coming weeks and will include the Mira, SC 245, SC 250 and a Custom 24. Please check our website regularly for updates.
Be sure to stay in touch with your authorized PRS dealer for a full list of new models scheduled to make appearances in your town this spring. Many PRS dealers already have the new Mira and are now receiving DGTs. Other 2008 models will also begin to hit retailer shelves in April…like the brand new Singlecut Hollowbodys, CE Alders, McCarty Korinas, SE Soapbars, SE Singlecut Trems and SE Custom Semi-Hollow Soapbars. Inventories will vary by dealer of course, but we wanted to give you a heads up…new 2008 models are on their way.
Our new product catalog for 2008 is hot off of the presses but take a sneak peek now electronically by visiting http://www.prsguitars.com/prsguitars2008.pdf. The catalog includes details and images for all of the newest PRS models including the Santana MD, the Mike Mushok SE Baritone, the McCarty II and many more. Please contact a dealer near you for details on when the new catalogs will be available.
Experience PRS 2008 - Save The Date!
Experience PRS 2008 is scheduled for Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20 at our Stevensville, Maryland manufacturing facility. We had a great time last year and are very excited for this year’s event. PRS hotel blocks will be announced soon and space is limited. Be sure to check out the photos and videos from Experience PRS 2007 (link) on our website and check back regularly this spring for registration updates and accommodation details.
Development is well underway for the expansion…some of the old walls have been demolished and news walls are taking shape as the addition, which will more than quadruple the size of the existing manufacturing and office space located in Stevensville, Maryland, nears completion. It is business as usual at PRS during the new construction, and we are busier than ever!
Waves Releases GTR3 and Wins MIPA Award for Third Version of PRS - Waves Computer Based Amplifier and Effects Software/Hardware
GTR3 was the recipient of this year’s Musikmesse International Press Award (MIPA) for Best Recording Effects Software. MIPA presents manufacturers with awards considered by many in the industry to be the "Grammy” of the musical instrument/pro audio industry.
The Waves/PRS Guitar Interface Available a Stand-Alone Item
In cooperation with PRS Guitars, Waves Audio has released the third installment of the award-winning GTR virtual guitar amp and effects software with “GTR3”. The PRS-Waves Guitar Interface has been a central tool in maintaining the highest possible guitar tone as an input device into a computer-based recording workstation. Now, the PRS-Waves Guitar Interface is also available as a stand-alone product, allowing one to use it as a critical input device for any guitar signal chain.
The Waves/PRS Guitar Interface 
Find balance and the full dynamic range of your guitar signal using the latest Waves/PRS GTR hardware. The interface features:
• Transparent Pre-Amplifier
• Custom-Designed Circuitry
• Audiophile-Quality Components
• Studio-Grade Jacks
Visit http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=2590 for more details.
Waves GTR3 PRS High Gain Tone Pack Available 
PRS and Waves have continued their close relationship with the release of a new set of Amplifier models, the PRS High Gain Tone Pack. Available as a special add-on release, these custom PRS Settings for Waves GTR3 are now available courtesy of Waves and Paul Reed Smith. The custom sounds were personally selected and developed by Paul Smith from his rare boutique and vintage amplifiers.
Since its release last fall, the Mira has been making major waves with artists, the press and guitar players the world over. We are happy to expand upon our pallet of tones and are thrilled to offer an American made PRS accessible to a larger audience without sacrificing quality or aesthetics. But, don’t let us decide. Please visit a dealer near you to demo a Mira yourself, and feel free to share your comments with us on our MySpace page! Please, let us know what you think! Here’s what some of our artists and the press have shared with us so far.
“The Mira is beautifully warm, superbly detailed and predominantly sexy through a caramel-sweet midrange. This is a bold statement but, if I could own only one Paul Reed Smith guitar, it would be the Mira.” – Erik Kirkland, Guitar World
“It sounds great. The tap switch makes the guitar very versatile. The single coil mode has a lot of shimmer, very pleasing highs.” – Joey Santiago, The Pixies
“The Mira does everything I need it to do, whenever I need it to do it.” – Brian Craddock, Daughtry
“Truth be told, I couldn’t coax an unpleasant sound out of this guitar.” – Chad Johnson, Guitar Edge
“…designed to appeal to guitarists seeking an authentic, made-in-the-U.S.A. PRS guitar with top-quality workmanship and aesthetics, but who would willingly forego some luxury appointments in exchange for a more affordable instrument.” – Jon Chappell, Harmony Central
“The Mira from Paul Reed Smith is their solution for a “retro” sound, with the amenities of now.” – American Songwriter
PRS has been working behind the scenes with an entrepreneurial group from Atlanta known as iVideoSongs. The site works on several levels including free technique instruction, complete song tutorial by session players for $4.99 and complete song instruction by the original artists for $9.99. More than 100 videos are posted with a library that ranges from the Beatles, to Rush to the Allman Brothers, and plans are in place to continuously expand their library for as long as they can. iVideoSongs has made it possible for you to download a video of Rush’s Alex Lifeson showing you how to play "Tom Sawyer" completely and accurately…as it is intended to be played (and Alex shows you how using a PRS). He is one of many musicians wielding PRS guitars on the site. Several PRS artists are also in queue to launch instructional videos on iVideoSongs in the near future, and PRS guitars are used on every electric guitar tutorial currently featured. iVideoSongs CEO Tim Huffman has been a great partner with PRS and the site has been receiving tremendous amounts of national press from ABC, CNN Radio, the Wall Street Journal and the USA Today among others. While guitar is the site’s primary focus, percussion and keyboard lessons are included in the catalog as well. We’ll keep you posted as lessons from additional PRS artists are added to the site.
PRS Guitars will head down to Dallas, Texas again this year as a proud sponsor of the 31st annual International Guitar Festival April 18, 19 and 20 at Dallas Market Hall. Paul Reed Smith will be onsite demonstrating many of the newly released 2008 PRS models with Michael Ault and a PRS sponsored rhythm section. Many new guitar models will be on display, and Doug Sewell will be on hand with some of his specialized amps. PRS signature artists David Grissom and Johnny Hiland will be on hand at the show in addition to Texas legend Bugs Henderson. There artists will be playing daily at the show and at the concert Saturday night…which is an event that is not to be missed.
The cameras have been rolling at PRS, and lots of great new video footage has been captured during the last few months. The new PRS DVD is in the final editing stages and upon completion, you will have first-hand insight into PRS directly from the personalities that love to play, build and create PRS guitars. From Carlos Santana to Paul Allender, interviews with many talented PRS artists paint a very clear picture of why they have come to rely on PRS guitars. Many of our key executives and designers have also contributed thoughts on what it is like to have a part in creating instruments known the world over for their distinct style and quality. The DVD quickly cuts to the chase and conveys the spirit of PRS as experienced by the people that count on these guitars to make their living. PRS has also included an additional hours worth of artist interview footage and candid commentary that gets to the heart of what our guitars are really all about. Updates about the DVD’s release will be posted on our website. Check back soon for more details.
PRS Guitars is proud to be a sponsor of the 30th annual Creation Festival Northeast and Northwest (www.creationfest.com/) this summer. The Northeast festival, attended by more than 75,000 music enthusiasts, and the Northwest festival each offer four full days of camping, fellowship and music from the top names in contemporary Christian music. This is the second year PRS Guitars has taken part, and the anticipation is already building as more than half of the bands scheduled to perform proudly play PRS guitars. Headlining PRS artists include FLYLEAF, Family Force 5, Kutless, TobyMac, Skillet and many others. Off stage, PRS will have plenty of new guitars on display to check out and will also host new model demonstrations, guitar giveaway contests and the ever-popular artist signings. In commemoration of the festival’s 30th anniversary, PRS is giving away a guitar every night during both festivals…eight guitars total… and will hold a grand prize drawing for a specially designed 30th Anniversary Creation Fest PRS guitar.
Carlos Santana “Live Your Light” Tour 2008
Carlos Santana kicks off the US leg of his “Live Your Light” Tour to welcoming ticket sales in Boston on April 4 and continues through May 4 with more than 20 shows scheduled along the way (tour dates http://www.santana.com/ontour/currenttour.asp). A special t-shirt has been created for the tour that features the new Santana MD model. The shirt will be available for purchase at shows and possibly though our accessories store following the tour (if supplies last). 
For further Santana and “Live Your Light” tour details, please visit http://www.santana.com/ontour/currenttour.asp and http://www.santana.com/
The timing couldn’t be more perfect for the launch of a new star-studded television commercial featuring Carlos. As part of Macy’s latest “star” themed advertising campaign, Carlos Santana is featured playing a PRS guitar and is joined by Mariah Carey for a brief musical duet. The TV commercial [link], which debuted on network primetime television this week, highlights celebrity product lines carried by the department store, including Santana’s edgy and bohemian line of women’s shoes. Donald Trump and Martha Stewart make cameos in the TV spot as well. The commercial is scheduled to air for the next three months…so keep an eye out for it…or an ear.
Al Di Meola and Return to Forever – On Tour This Summer
Return to Forever, one of the most influential groups of the 1970s, with keyboardist Chick Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Al Di Meola and drummer Lenny White will be touring this summer for their first performances together in more than 25 years. More than 30 performances are scheduled in the US and North America this summer and an extensive European tour is planned as well. Al Di Meola has been a part of the PRS family for more than 20 years, and PRS is very honored that our guitars will be played as part of this unprecedented reunion of musicians. In preparation for the tour, the legendary act posted a video teaser (link) that provides a sneak peek of early rehearsals and the band’s pre-tour mojo. "Our first rehearsal together was nothing short of amazing. It felt great to share that connection again," said Al Di Meola.
Full Tour Schedule - link
For further tour details please visit
www.aldimeola.com or www.return2forever.com
Additionally, Al Di Meola has been in constant contact with PRS regarding the possibility of a new Al Di Meola model. Updates to come…
If you’ve tuned into American Idol during the last few seasons, you surely noticed the house band’s multi-talented guitar player… Paul Jackson, Jr. and the various PRS guitars he’s been playing for millions of viewers around the world. Since breaking into the Los Angeles studio scene at age sixteen, Paul Jackson, Jr. has worked with Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson (Thriller, Bad, History), Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Randy Crawford, Ramsey Lewis, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Bobby Brown, Steely Dan, Chicago, The Temptations, Anita Baker, Lionel Richie, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Al Jarreau, and George Duke, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers Barry White and many others. This list alone speaks volumes of his great talent. As if being one of the most sought after studio musicians around hasn’t kept him busy making great music, he’s made time for American Idol and is also part of the new hit show “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.” Some of the PRS guitars in Paul Jackson, Jr.’s arsenal include an orange Tremonti with SC 245 pickups, a 513, two Singlecut Hollowbodys and an EG 3 among many others.
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