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Davy Knowles

Back Door Slam

PRS recently began working with a talented young player hailing from the Isle of Man in the UK, Davy Knowles, who is using a PRS McCarty Smokeburst as his main guitar. Davy was inspired to pick up the guitar a scant 10 years ago after hearing Mark Knopfler’s guitar work on Dire Straights’ “Sultans of Swing”. Since then he has received a great deal of praise and respect from the industry affording him the opportunity to tour with Jeff Beck, have a record produced by Peter Frampton and sit in with Warren Haynes.

“Davy is very young but he already has got a recognizable style. He’s definitely the gunslinger guitarist of the 21st century,’’ says Frampton. “What a thrill it was to work with him. He’s a phenomenal talent. He knows just what he’s doing and where he wants to go and what he wants to sound like.’’

When asked about his PRS McCarty Smokeburst, Davy had this to say:

“What I love most about my Smokeburst McCarty is how well thought out it is. Normally with a guitar you find it does one or two things really well, but there is always some glitch you just have to live with and get used to. Not the PRS, it makes performing my music far more hassle-free! I use the volume pot for violin swells an awful lot during my solos, and it's good to know there are no uncomfortable stretches or fumbling - it's right there. Also being able to coil tap the pickups make this guitar so versatile, no more guitar changes, I use one guitar the whole show. Not only is this guitar wonderfully functional, but it's also gorgeous. The Smokeburst finish looks like a great vintage burst - retaining a really classy vibe - but in typical 'modern classic' PRS fashion. I can't put it down!”

Davy’s band “Back Door Slam” will be touring with Chickenfoot late this summer and fall on one of the largest and highest profile tours of 2009. For complete information on Davy, his music and his touring schedule, go to www.davyknowles.com.