Paul Reed Smith Guitars will be showcasing new and updated models at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA from January 19 – 23, 2017 at the PRS Guitars room 210A. Stop by and take a look!
PRS Guitars 2017 Maple Top SE Models
to Receive Significant Updates
New Pickups, New Branding, and an Artist Model Brought Closer to Home
PRS Guitars introduced the SE Series in 2001 in an effort to bring high-quality, high-value guitars to the market. Popular with professional, casual, and beginning players alike, the SE Series has grown considerably since its introduction both in the style of models offered and in the detailed quality of the instruments. The evolution continues with all maple top models in the SE lineup getting a new look, sound, and feel for 2017.
New Look
The PRS SE headstock is getting a striking remake for 2017. The new design features Paul Reed Smith’s signature with the SE logo on the headstock, while model names are moving to the truss rod cover. This change is a bold endorsement of the series, directly reflecting the company’s sense of pride in the brand and the instruments.
New Sound
2017 maple top PRS SE’s are also being updated with carefully-spec’d, new and redesigned pickups. New pickups include 85/15 “S,” 245 “S,” Tremonti “S,” and Santana “S” pickups. The new PRS 85/15”S” pickups are modeled after the 85/15 pickups Paul Smith designed for the company’s 30th Anniversary and offer remarkable clarity and extended high and low end. The SE 245 pickups have been updated to deliver more clear, warm tones. Mark Tremonti and Carlos Santana signature models are also getting new pickups. Both artists worked with PRS to enhance their signature model pickups and bring them more in line with the PRS-wound pickups of the same name.
New Feel
Finally, the SE Santana is being updated with 24-frets and a new electronics layout to better reflect the legendary artist’s Core model. The SE Series developed largely from Santana’s desire for more young players to be able to afford the instrument he was playing. With these updates, his signature SE model allows for that now more than ever. “We sweat the details on our SE guitars the same way we do with anything else. We wanted to bring the SE ‘closer to home’ to reflect that and bring more fluidity across our product offerings,” said Jack Higginbotham, PRS Guitars President.
With everything from the company’s flagship Custom 24 and some significant artist models to styles not typically offered through the Core and S2 lines, like baritones and 7-string guitars, the SE Series is a great way for players to break into the PRS brand and for PRS aficionados to expand their toolbox. The SE Series is designed at PRS Guitars in Maryland, USA. Instruments that ship in the USA are checked and play tested at the PRS factory by a dedicated QC team to assure PRS design, quality, and dependability.
To check out the 2017 SE Series lineup, visit www.prsguitars.com.
PRS Guitars Unveils 2017 Updates for
Core and S2 Series Electric Guitars
Last month saw the release of the 2017 PRS SE Series, which included new pickups and a new headstock design. PRS Guitars has now unveiled the Core and S2 Series electric guitar line up for 2017, which brings with it both entirely new models and some subtle refinements that highlight the company’s innovative spirit and dedication to the details. The highlights for 2017 include the introduction of the McCarty Singlecut 594, 509, Santana Retro, and Gen III tremolo bridge in Core and new pickups for the S2 Series.
Singlecut McCarty 594
With endorsements from artists like John Mayer, John Wesley Dearth, and Jimmy Herring, the McCarty 594 saw a great reception in 2016. For 2017, PRS has introduced a single- cutaway version of the 594 as both the November Private Stock Guitar of the Month and a new Core model. The 594 family embodies vintage tone and feel while incorporating modern manufacturing techniques that deliver superior playability. Here is what some artists have been saying about the 594:
“To hear that old PAF sound but be able to articulate the notes in a way that only modern manufacturing could allow is so exciting,” said John Mayer.
“It’s kinda freaking me out a bit. Causing me to re-think my touring set…I am a bit stunned. The 594 sounded like a good concept on paper, but, just wow. This is killer,” reacted John Wesley Dearth (Porcupine Tree).
“I love the two volume/two tone layout, while still keeping the overall feel of PRS,” offered Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic, the Ringers).
The addition of the McCarty Singlecut 594 will be sure to turn some more heads.
509
The 509 is another new model for 2017 that began as a Private Stock Guitar of the Month. One of the most versatile guitars in the PRS Core line up, the 509 starts with a 5 single coil platform – with the outside four coils grouped as humbuckers. The addition of the 509’s innovative switching system (a 5-way blade switch and two mini-toggle coil-tap switches), gives players an array of humbucking, singlecoil, and blended tones. Additional unique appointments include a longer 25.25” scale length, which adds some upper harmonic sparkle, and the PRS Gen III Patented Tremolo (more on that below).
“The 509 is a “Swiss-army-knife” five pickup/nine sound instrument with a highly-usable switching system that has evolved in recent years through experimentation, feedback, and experience. I believe the 509 will feel right at home to players who want a longer 25.25” scale guitar with this pickup configuration, but also want several more musical sounds,” said Paul Reed Smith.
Players familiar with PRS will recognize this as a marriage of the company’s 513 and 408 models that celebrates the best of those two models in one guitar.
Santana Retro
The last major update to the PRS Core line lies with the company’s longest-running artist signature model: the Santana. The 2017 Santana model has been reintroduced as the Santana Retro, a model previously only available through the Private Stock program. Based directly off of Santana’s “Pre-Factory” guitar, the Santana features several design elements from the early 1980’s, including a deeper body carve and scoop, an original style heel, and the original headstock shape and nut placement. For players interested in historical specs and a guitar that in many ways started PRS, check out the 2017 Santana Retro.
The Details
Throughout the Core line, there are also more subtle details being announced, including the PRS Patented Gen III Tremolo and piezo model shake up. The PRS Patented Gen III tremolo, which will now come standard on all trem-equipped models except for the DGT, maintains the functionality and incorporation of brass and unplated components of PRS’s tremolo, but also has some notable updates that further support the fidelity of the guitar’s tone and maximize sustain. Updates include redesigned mounting screws with larger thread and a larger custom head. This update increases the mass of the screw by 50% and creates 32% more contact from the screw to the guitar’s body, notably increasing the harmonics and sustain of the guitar. Groves have also been added to the bridge plate that match the saddle height adjustment screws’ radius, again for more contact between the components. Also on the Core line, the piezo-equipped P22 and P24 have been rebranded as the Custom 22 Piezo and Custom 24 Piezo respectively, and the popular Hollowbody II is being offered with or without the piezo option.
In the S2 Series, S2 Custom and Standard models will now come outfitted with 85/15 “S” pickups. 85/15 “S” pickups are modeled after the 85/15 pickups Paul Reed Smith designed for PRS’s 30th Anniversary and offer remarkable clarity and extended high and low end. All- mahogany models in the S2 Series (Standards, Mira, Starla, and Vela) are now offered solely with dot inlays. Check out the full line of Core and S2 Series instruments here: http://www.prsguitars.com/products/
PRS Guitars Updates Core Series Instruments for
2017 with Several New Detailed Specs
Throughout the 2017 Core Series, PRS Guitars has made several subtle specification changes, including the PRS Patented Gen III Tremolo, a new value-add for the company’s 10-Top models, and a piezo model shake up. PRS has always paid great attention to the details, never content to stand on ceremony, so that players can have the best tools for the job. 2017 is proving to be no different.
The PRS Patented Gen III tremolo, which will now come standard on all trem-equipped models except for the DGT signature model, maintains the functionality and incorporation of brass and unplated components of PRS’s well-known tremolo, but also has some notable updates that further support the fidelity of the guitar’s tone and maximize sustain. Updates include redesigned mounting screws with larger thread and a larger custom head. This update increases the mass of the screw by 50% and creates 32% more contact from the screw to the guitar’s body, notably increasing the harmonics and sustain of the guitar. Bridge plate groves have also been added that match the saddle height adjustment screws’ radius, again for more contact between the components.
Another new specification for Core comes with PRS’s 10-Top upgrade. For those unfamiliar with PRS-lingo, a 10-Top is a highly-figured piece of maple with no “dead spots.” Players can specify this when ordering a guitar, and guitars with this upgrade could previously be spotted in the store by the “10” handwritten on the back of the headstock. For 2017, 10-Tops will automatically default to hybrid hardware, a handsome upgrade players can flaunt without having to flip their guitar around.
Also on the Core line, the piezo-equipped P22 and P24 models have been rebranded as the Custom 22 Piezo and Custom 24 Piezo respectively, and the popular Hollowbody II is being offered with or without the piezo option. While this does not come with any specification updates (outside of the PRS Gen III Patented Piezo Tremolo now coming standard), the alignment of these models with the Custom family of instruments takes one step to streamlining the company’s offerings.
PRS Guitars Unveils New SE Signature
Model with Periphery’s Mark Holcomb
Periphery guitarist and PRS release new mercilessly addictive more affordable guitar:
The SE Holcomb Signature Model
The band Periphery has become a force to be reckoned with in the progressive metal scene thanks to their complex rhythms and soaring melodies. Guitarist Mark Holcomb helps achieve this full, lethal sound with his PRS guitars and signature Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega pickups. PRS and Holcomb have worked closely together to develop a truly unique guitar for the SE Series lineup.”With my SE signature model, we managed to capture all of the defining characteristics of my Maryland-made guitar and turn it into a streamlined, less-costly package. It is an incredibly special instrument, and one that is now the primary focus of my rig in the studio and onstage.” – Mark Holcomb, Periphery
The SE Mark Holcomb model truly stands on its own in the PRS lineup and delivers addictive playability thanks to some unique specifications, including a 24-fret, 25.5” scale length wide thin satin maple neck with 20” radius ebony fretboard. Holcomb’s signature pickups provide the right amount of output and articulation whether you’re playing sophisticated chords or solos and whether you’re playing alone or working in the mix of a band. Other specifications include a quilted maple veneer, black chrome hardware, Mark Holcomb Signature Seymour Duncan “Omega” treble pickup, Mark Holcomb Signature Seymour Duncan “Alpha” bass pickup, and a 3-way blade pickup switch with push/pull tone knob for coil splitting. Ships tuned to drop C.
For full specifications andd additional photos, please visit www.prsguitars.com/semarkholcomb.
PRS Guitars Introduces New Sonzera Amplifier Line
All Tube Tone with a Popular Price Tag
PRS Guitars, known for innovation and quality, is proud to announce the new Sonzera series of guitar amplifiers, which consists of the Sonzera 50 Watt Combo, Sonzera 50 Watt Head, and Sonzera 20 Watt Combo. Destined to be a go-to choice for pros and amateurs, each model features a clean and lead channel with independent controls for maximum versatility.
Featuring a rugged-gauge steel chassis, custom transformers rigorously designed to PRS specifications, and road-ready construction, each Sonzera model is ready to deliver serious tone with maximum reliability. Their highly-versatile twin channel layout with independent controls delivers a wide variety of tones from clean to overdrive. A big, full, 3D clean channel combined with a rich 3-spring reverb produces an abundance of shimmering, ‘chimey’ tones, while the Sonzera’s lead channel carries a punch from edgy overdrive, to a stacked onslaught of full-on soaring lead tone. Both channels are maximized for note clarity and definition. The lead channel’s circuit design makes it easy to set up the lead channel to act like a boosted clean channel if so desired. Conversely, the tone controls can also be manipulated to make the channels sound like two completely different amplifiers. The bright switch feature helps deliver familiar high-end snap, while the presence control and independent EQ for each channel allows players to quickly dial in a classic bell-like chime or warmer, muscular tones at bedroom levels, on stage, or in the studio.
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“I ended up recording the entire new Kentucky album with the amp,” stated Chris Robertson of Blackstone Cherry. “It was my main amp for my rhythm sounds and my solos. It’s so simple. I just love it.”
“The Sonzera combines surprising flexibility with simple design; and produces big, clear tone from a convenient grab n’ go platform,” Mark Lettieri, Snarky Puppy.
Dave Knudson, Minus the Bear offered “In an amp, I’m normally looking for a really great clean tone especially when I’m running a lot of pedals. I really want a bright, clear, pristine tone that’s full bodied with enough bass to move the low-end and enough sparkle on top. The Sonzera’s been perfect.”
The Sonzera sports one JJ ECC835 and three 12AX7 preamp tubes and two power tubes (6L6GC’s for the 20 Watt amp and EL34’s for the 50 Watt amp). The combo versions have 12” Celestion V-style speakers. The Sonzera 50 watt versions have independent reverb controls; 20 watt amp has a global reverb control. The reverb is designed to enhance notes without clouding them and can be turned on or off via the footswitch. The effects loop (great for adding in your time-based effects) was designed as an integral part of the circuit.
“We designed this series with an enormous amount of tone, functionality, and serviceability,” stated Doug Sewell, PRS Amp Designer. “This labor of love has been meticulously tested at every step in product development to ensure that each Sonzera is gig-ready out-of-the-box.”
The Sonzera amplifiers can been seen for the first time at the 2017 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California from January 19-22 at PRS Guitars room 210A.
To see and hear the new Sonzera amplifiers, please visit: www.prsguitars.com/sonzera
For more information and to find a dealer near you, go to www.prsguitars.com
About PRS Guitars:
Paul Reed Smith Guitars is a leading manufacturer of high quality instruments in Stevensville, Maryland and has provided some of the world’s most renowned musicians with instruments since 1985. The PRS team of highly skilled craftspeople design and build a wide variety of musical instruments and gear for worldwide distribution, including electric, acoustic, and bass guitars as well as boutique-style guitar amplifiers. The PRS SE line of products complements the Maryland-made PRS line by offering highly approachable and more affordable electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. Carlos Santana, Neal Schon, John McLaughlin, John Mayer, Linkin Park, Orianthi, Blake Shelton, Mark Tremonti, Zach Myers and Eric Bass of Shinedown, Ricky Skaggs, Martin Simpson, Tony McManus, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks are among the artists currently playing PRS instruments and/or amplifiers.