Embargoed for Release Until January 19, 2015 -- New PRS

-- Embargoed for Release until January 19, 2015 --

New PRS Private Stock 30th Anniversary Dragon Features Fantastical Inlays and Extraordinary Tone Woods

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) January 19, 2015 – As a teenager, Paul Reed Smith dreamed of building guitars decorated with European-style dragons. Paul’s dream became reality in 1992 when he unveiled his first limited edition Dragon guitar. Since that time, PRS Guitars has introduced only seven Dragon editions, each in very limited numbers. These guitars have become among the most desirable instruments in the company’s history, earning their place in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, the Museum of Musical Instruments, in Phoenix, Arizona, and the National Guitar Museum, a traveling exhibit now located at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey.

Each version of the Dragon guitar has featured a culmination of advancements in design with some of the most elaborate inlay work available. The new Private Stock 30th Anniversary Dragon, the eighth in the Dragon series and the first Private Stock Dragon model, uses this combination of innovation and artistic flair to commemorate the company’s 30th Anniversary.

The Private Stock 30th Anniversary Dragon nods toward history with a “pre-factory” style carved top and a pre-factory style Pattern Regular neck. The extraordinary Private Stock grade tone woods were hand selected for this very limited series and include a curly maple top, African ribbon mahogany back, and mahogany neck with a 24 fret Madagascar rosewood fingerboard. Newly introduced 85/15 treble and bass pickups define the tone with power, versatility, and clarity. The 30th Anniversary Dragon’s gold-plated hardware includes PRS Phase III locking tuners and the PRS patented tremolo system.

The visual star of the guitar is the elaborate, fantastical dragon inlay designed by Jeff Easley, a fantasy artist famous for some of Dungeons & Dragons rulebook covers. PRS Guitars engaged Aulson Inlay, to deconstruct Easley’s artwork and recreate it into several distinctive sections that have been embedded into the body of the guitar and conclude with the dragon’s tail whipping up the fretboard. The finished product includes more than 285 parts fashioned from a wide array of inlay materials including most prominently: jade, azurite, lapis, pyrite, abalone, and mother of pearl. 30th Anniversary Dragons are available in two PRS high-gloss colors: Honey Gold and Nightshade.

The Private Stock 30th Anniversary Dragon will be limited to 40 pieces, with the initial prototype already committed to be a significant feature in the Museum for Musical Instruments guitar exhibit in Phoenix, Arizona.

Combine the quality and playability of this guitar with its fire-breathing collectable value and it is easy to see why the new 30th Dragon will be highly sought after by guitarists and guitar enthusiasts alike. Pictures of the PRS Private Stock 30th Anniversary Dragon along with complete specifications and a link to a commemorative Dragon t-shirt (I wanted the guitar but all I got was the T-shirt) can be viewed at: http://www.prsguitars.com/30thanniversarydragon

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, Linkin Park, Orianthi, Opeth, Zach Myers of Shinedown, Mark Tremonti of Creed and Alter Bridge, Ricky Skaggs, Cody Kilby, Martin Simpson, Tony McManus, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks are among the artists currently playing PRS instruments and/or amplifiers.

PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com ###

Images are available via the following link: http://www.prsguitars.com/media/30thanniversarydragon

PRS Contacts: Judy Schaefer, Marketing Manager | [email protected] | 410-64309970 x 6873 Jeanne Nooney, PR & Events | [email protected] | 410-643-9970 x 6854

Visit our Media Room @ http://www.prsguitars.com/mediaroom/

-- Embargoed for Release on January 14, 2015 --

PRS Guitars’ Archon Amp Family

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) January 14, 2015 – In December of 2013, Paul Reed Smith unveiled a new 100 watt amplifier called the “Archon.” Initially designed and positioned to be a “high- gain” amplifier, the Archon’s aggressive overdriven tones and ample headroom with sparkling cleans immediately caught the attention of guitar wielding heavyweights including Dustie Waring (Between the Buried and Me), Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge and Tremonti), Emil Werstler (Chimaira), and Zach Myers (Shinedown). The amp debuted in a high-design, 100/50-watt package (via a half power switch). Later in 2014, 50/25-watt and 25/13-watt versions were added to the line.

The Archon’s fierce, rich, and articulate gain tones are notable, but with the introduction of these lower wattage versions, the Archon has taken on a life of its own because of its versatile and dulcet clean tones, which have unanimously become the true differentiating feature that sets Archon apart. This is best realized with the lower wattage settings (25 and 50 watt combos especially) when applied to volume dynamics, power amp response, and the resulting tones coaxed by this sheep in wolf’s clothing. By approaching the amp from the clean channel and working toward the lead side, starting with the lowest possible gain setting, jazz, blues, rock and country players will find the Archon to be capable of “vintage” inspired tones on the clean side with the added benefit of being able to access to all the gain one could desire on the lead side.

Using this understanding of the Archon’s set-up, it is easy to see how each member of the Archon family can be applied to a player’s needs.

 The Archon 100 offers the most head room at the highest decibel level. PRS Amplifier Sales Manager, Jon Croft, suggests, “If you need it loud, tight and clean, the 100 Watt head is your animal.”

 The Archon 50 head serves up all of the fierceness of the 100W with the comfort of a little power amp clip for a slightly different feel. Clean tones remain clean until the power amp is pushed, at which point the amp turns into a more “vintage” inspired amp.

 The Archon 50 combo brings the package home to the smaller stage, the living room, and even to jazz and blues clubs. Using the amp as a “clean” amp that breathes when pushed, the open back 1x12 combo really comes to life as a versatile 50W tube combo. Punchy, deep and shimmery all at once, the 6L6 power amp section delivers all of the warmth one would expect from some of the “classics” but with the added benefit of an effects loop and a lead channel. Switch it down to 25 Watts, and this small combo takes on another life. Less headroom equals more awesome power amp clip and again nods to “vintage” type tube tones.

 The Archon 25 combo continues down the path where the Archon 50 combo left off. Again using wattage as a way to achieve a “tone,” the clean channels provides a wide variety of tonal possibilities and still there is a 2nd channel with plenty of gain at one’s disposal if desired.

So when asked if the is Archon a “high-gain amplifier with a really good clean channel” or a “luscious, warm and tubey clean amp with a really good lead channel?,” PRS Amplifier Sales Manager Jon Croft responded, “Regardless of your demands and your tastes you will find that the Archon is both.”

For complete specifications and video demonstrations of PRS Archon amplifiers, visit www.prsguitars.com/products.

PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com ###

Images are available via the following link: http://prsguitars.com/media/archon_family/

PRS Contacts: Judy Schaefer, Marketing Manager | [email protected] | 410-64309970 x 6873 Jeanne Nooney, PR & Events | [email protected] | 410-643-9970 x 6854

Visit our Media Room @ http://www.prsguitars.com/mediaroom/

-- For Immediate Release --

PRS Guitars Announce Limited Edition Signature Model with Periphery Guitarist Mark Holcomb

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) January 6, 2015 – The band Periphery has become a force to be reckoned with in the progressive metal scene with their unique “djent” sound, poly-rhythmic patterns and soaring melodies. Guitarist Mark Holcomb helps achieve this full, lethal sound with PRS guitars loaded with Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Signature Pickups dubbed “Alpha” and “Omega.” In conjunction with Periphery’s 2015 Juggernaut tour, Holcomb and PRS have joined forces to produce a limited edition signature model based on the company’s flagship Custom 24 model and personalized with some unique, artist-specified features that deliver a bold, impressive sound.

Features unique to the Mark Holcomb Custom 24 include a 25.5” scale length rock maple neck with ebony fretboard and 20” radius, a newly designed PRS plate-style bridge, green abalone “J” birds, black Hipshot O-ring controls, glow in the dark side dots, and the guitarist’s signature Seymour Duncan “Alpha” and “Omega” pickups. Holcomb designed these pickups to be captivatingly clear and punchy – perfect for driving the Periphery sound. The Holcomb Custom 24 also comes standard with a carved, figured maple “10” Top, mahogany back, 24 fret Pattern Thin neck, PRS Phase III locking tuners, and volume, tone, 5-way blade switch control layout.

"As someone who's been obsessed with PRS since my youth, it has been an absolute dream to be able to develop my own PRS signature guitar. For nearly the past year, we've designed this instrument with the intention of making it not only unique, but something that would satisfy my every taste as a guitarist, from both a technical and aesthetic standpoint. The result is something that truly stands on its own in the PRS lineup, and a guitar that I can undoubtedly say is the best instrument I've ever laid my hands on," Mark Holcomb, Periphery

Full specifications and a video with Holcomb can be found at http://www.prsguitars.com/markholcomb, and you can check out a short Q&A with Mark Holcomb on his signature model, advice for aspiring musicians, and more http://www.prsguitars.com/artists/profile/mark_holcomb.

There is no limit to the number of Mark Holcomb signature guitars that will be made, but the order window is limited to January 6, 2015 through March 6, 2015 to coincide with the band’s Juggernaut tour. Contact your Authorized PRS Dealer to place your order.

Periphery’s Juggernaut tour dates are as follows:

01.12 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade 01.13 Tampa, FL @ Orpheum 01.14 Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution 01.16 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues 01.17 Houston, TX @ House of Blues 01.18 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues 01.20 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater 01.21 Phoenix, AZ @ Club Red 01.22 Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues 01.23 Anaheim, CA @ Yost Theater 01.26 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore 01.27 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre 01.28 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon 01.30 Salt Lake City, UT @ In the Venue 01.31 Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall 02.02 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater 02.03 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues 02.04 Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall 02.06 Toronto, ON @ Opera House 02.07 Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre 02.08 Albany, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall 02.09 Rochester, NY @ Waterstreet Music Hall 02.11 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club 02.12 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza 02.13 Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore 02.14 Philadelphia, PA @ District N9ne More info at: www.periphery.net

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, Dustie Waring, Linkin Park, Orianthi, Opeth, Zach Myers of Shinedown, Mark Tremonti of Creed and Alter Bridge, Ricky Skaggs, Cody Kilby, Martin Simpson, Tony McManus, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks are among the artists currently playing PRS instruments and/or amplifiers.

PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com ###

Images are available via the following link: http://www.prsguitars.com/media/markholcomb

PRS Contacts: Judy Schaefer, Marketing Manager | [email protected] | 410-64309970 x 6873 Jeanne Nooney, PR & Events | [email protected] | 410-643-9970 x 6854

Visit our Media Room @ http://www.prsguitars.com/mediaroom/

-- For Immediate Release --

PRS Guitars’ New Piezo-Equipped Singlecut – The P245

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) December 2, 2014 – PRS Guitars’ new P245 is a vintage-inspired single-cutaway guitar with the added versatility of the LR Baggs/PRS piezo system. Perfect for players who prefer short-scale guitars, the P245 provides players with both electric and authentic acoustic tones in one instrument. With two output jacks, the P245 can be plugged directly into an amplifier or plugged into a soundboard’s direct input. By utilizing the separate blend control, the tone of the P245’s 58/15 pickups can be combined with acoustic sounds through a single output. The P245 is one of the first models to feature the new 58/15 treble and bass pickups, which were personally designed by Paul Reed Smith. 58/15’s are a vintage style pickup with exceptional clarity and focused midrange. These pickups paired with a shorter 24.5” scale length and 22 frets, give the P245 a truly classic voice that is imminently recordable and gig-ready.

“Simply put – this guitar has it all… vintage appeal with a modern twist, the feel and reliability needed for live performances with the versatility and breadth of sounds needed for the most demanding studio sessions,” Jim Cullen, PRS Guitars National Sales Manager.

Additional features include a figured maple top and mahogany back with binding, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard with bird inlays, nickel hardware, volume, tone and 3-way toggle switch. Players can upgrade to a P245 Artist Package that features enhanced specifications, including an Artist Grade flame maple top, Artist grade neck and fingerboard woods, and the choice of gold, hybrid or nickel hardware.

Colors: Antique White, Azul, Black, Black Cherry, Black Gold Burst, Blood Orange, Charcoal Burst, Faded Vintage Yellow, Faded Whale Blue, Gold Top, Gray Black, Honey, Jade, Royal Blue, Scarlet Red, Tortoise Shell, Vintage Sunburst and Violet.

The P245 will begin shipping to select authorized PRS dealers and distributers in the first quarter of 2015. The P245 will be on display for the first time at the winter NAMM show in Anaheim from January 23-25 in rooms 210A/B.

Please visit the PRS website for complete P245 specifications and photos: http://www.prsguitars.com/p245

PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com ###

Images are available via the following link: http://prsguitars.com/media/p245/

PRS Contacts: Judy Schaefer, Marketing Manager | [email protected] | 410-64309970 x 6873 Jeanne Nooney, PR & Events | [email protected] | 410-643-9970 x 6854

Visit our Media Room @ http://www.prsguitars.com/mediaroom/

-- For Immediate Release --

PRS GUITARS ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF “WEST STREET EAST” AND START OF FACTORY TOURS

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) January 6, 2015 – PRS Guitars has announced the opening of its new “West Street East” Museum Room and retail store and the commencement of free public tours of the Stevensville, Maryland manufacturing facility.

When touring the PRS factory, visitors will get a firsthand look at PRS Guitars’ processes, instruments, and amplifiers from raw wood or blank chassis form to finished guitar or amplifier. PRS intends to give visitors a unique view into PRS quality and the dedication of the people building PRS instruments. “We have a passion for building instruments and also for the music that these instruments help create. Most here are dedicated players, refining our craft as builders and musicians. There is a special kind of pride and individual ownership surrounding our instruments. From our experience, there is no better way to see this unique aspect of PRS than to walk through the shop,” stated PRS President Jack Higginbotham.

The guided tour, which lasts approximately 90 minutes, takes scheduled visitors through the electric guitar manufacturing line, amplifier department, and acoustic shop. While not physically demanding, the tour does include walking and climbing a flight of stairs (elevators are available for guests with special needs). The tour is not recommended for children under 10 years old due to its length and technical nature.

Tours will conclude at the company’s new “West Street East” store and museum room where visitors will find PRS apparel, parts, and accessories. The store also features a selection of guitars from the PRS archives for visitors to see as they learn about Paul Reed Smith and PRS Guitars’ history. A broad line up of current offerings will be available for visitors to play test as well.

The start of public tours and the opening of “West Street East” – named as a tribute to Paul Reed Smith Guitars’ humble beginnings in a small shop located on West Street in Annapolis, Maryland – are part of the company’s 30th Anniversary celebration.

Guided factory tours will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00AM EST and 1:00PM EST. Tours will begin Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015. Group tours are available by request.

West Street East Store hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 3:00PM EST.

For more information about West Street East and tours of the PRS Guitar factory, please visit: www.prsguitars.com/about. For more information about PRS Guitars’ 30th Anniversary including a timeline, a Then and Now video and scrapbook, please visit: www.prsguitars.com/30.

PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com ###

Images are available via the following link: ????

PRS Contacts: Judy Schaefer, Marketing Manager | [email protected] | 410-64309970 x 6873 Jeanne Nooney, PR & Events | [email protected] | 410-643-9970 x 6854

Visit our Media Room @ http://www.prsguitars.com/mediaroom/

-- For Immediate Release --

PRS GUITARS CELEBRATES LANDMARK ANNIVERSARY AND INTRODUCES FOUR NEW 30th ANNIVERSARY MODELS

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) November 11, 2014 – In 1985, while the world was focused on the birth of the first .com, a new computer operating system called Windows and “Live Aid” concerts for famine relief, an Annapolis, Maryland guitar repairman that had been steadily making a name for himself by building and fixing guitars decided to take a bold step by creating his own namesake guitar manufacturing company called Paul Reed Smith Guitars. Three decades later, Paul Reed Smith Guitars has risen to become the #3 US electric guitar manufacturer with instruments played by musicians and bands as diverse as Carlos Santana, Periphery, Blake Shelton, Alter Bridge and John Hiatt, to name a few.

PRS Guitars’ approach to manufacturing, still guided by its founder Paul Reed Smith, has maintained a consistent focus: design and create the best instruments possible using the finest materials available including beautifully figured tone woods, proprietary electronics, and patented processes. These instruments, considered collector’s items, stage necessities and amateur guitarists’ go-to instruments are sold in more than eighty countries worldwide through authorized dealers and distributors.

"Since day one it has been our goal to craft the finest guitars and amplifiers possible and I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved over the last 30 years," stated Paul Reed Smith. “But it doesn’t stop here. We will continue our journey, keeping the best of what we’ve learned while experimenting with new advancements and features.”

Honored to celebrate their landmark anniversary and their pursuit of excellence, PRS is offering a series of 30th Anniversary Custom 24 guitar models in each of their electric guitar product families including the US-made Private Stock, the distinguished US-made Core line, the vintage-inspired US-made S2 and the PRS designed SE guitar, each incorporating the visionary design and masterful craftsmanship that has become synonymous with the brand.

Just as Orville Gibson and Leo Fender founded and ran their respective guitar companies in the first half of the twentieth century, Paul Reed Smith is still actively guiding the innovation, evolution, and craftsmanship of his thirty year old company. The passion and dedication of one man still permeates the hearts of the 240+ workers and the walls of the Maryland, USA factory located across from Annapolis on a small island in the Chesapeake Bay.

A company timeline, Anniversary scrapbook stories, Then & Now video and more information on the full array of PRS 30th Anniversary models can be viewed at www.prsguitars.com/30.

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, Dustie Waring, Linkin Park, Orianthi, Opeth, Zach Myers of Shinedown, Mark Tremonti of Creed and Alter Bridge, Ricky Skaggs, Cody Kilby, Martin Simpson, Tony McManus, Warren Haynes, and Derek Trucks are among the artists currently playing PRS instruments and/or amplifiers.

PRS Guitars Info: www.prsguitars.com ###

Images are available via the following link: www.prsguitars.com/media/30

PRS Contacts: Judy Schaefer, Marketing Manager | [email protected] | 410-64309970 x 6873 Jeanne Nooney, PR & Events | [email protected] | 410-643-9970 x 6854

Visit our Media Room @ http://www.prsguitars.com/mediaroom/