"Experience PRS" 2007

PRS Guitars Hosts More Than 700 Guitar Enthusiasts From All Over the World for Very First Open House

(STEVENSVILLE, MD) October 3, 2007— Dealers, distributors, media, guitar enthusiasts and artists from all over the world visited the Stevensville, Maryland manufacturing facility to participate in PRS Guitars’ first ever Open House, “Experience PRS,” September 28 and September 29. The event provided guests with a very personalized view of the factory, PRS archives and the guitar making processes. It also provided a platform for guests to meet PRS artists, to get to know the PRS staff, to learn about the new Mira model PRS guitar and to get to know each other as being part of the ever growing “family” of PRS aficionados. The fanfare also included dynamic musical performances, food, shop talk and shopping for guitars.

More than 700 people attended the in-door, out-door event. Clinics, seminars, factory tours and demonstrations were provided by PRS craftsmen and performances were given by more than a dozen PRS artists such as Al Di Meola, Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge, David Grissom of The Dixie Chicks, Johnny Hiland, Gary Grainger and The PRS Band. The PRS faithful came from all over the world; visitors arrived from United States, Asia, Japan, Australia, Europe and South America. Andy Budd, an “Experience PRS” guest commented, “I’ve always been impressed with the quality of PRS guitars, but to see it all in person, watch them being made and then see all the artists play them…what a hoot! I had the time of my life!”

The Open House officially kicked off on Friday with Al Di Meola’s hour-long seminar where he demonstrated and instructed various playing techniques to an obviously captive audience.

Following Al Di Meola, Paul Smith delivered a guitar-making seminar to an equally captive audience that touched aspects of guitar making including hands-on inspections of pre-historic mammoth ivory, Paul’s personal sorted collection of inlay shell and a collection of wood hand-selected by Paul to demonstrate Paul’s conviction that, “A guitar is only as good as the sum of its parts.” Later that evening, additional PRS artists joined forces for a three-hour set of music that included performances from Dan Toler (Allman Brothers), Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent), Nicky Moroch (David Sanborn Band), Mike Scott (Justin Timberlake), Paul Jackson, Jr. (American Idol).

Photo (left to right): Myles Kennedy, Mark Tremonti, Derek St. Holmes, Mike Ault. Photo by Alexis Somers

Approximately three demonstrations/clinics/seminars were held per hour on Saturday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Scheduled events included Private Stock seminars by PRS Director of R&D and Private Stock Joe Knaggs, Johnny Hiland/Gary Grainger clinics, PRS Archive seminars by Paul Smith, Guitar Making seminars by Paul Smith, DGT/Mira model demonstrations by J. Hayes, Private Stock GG Bass Clinics by Gary Grainger, meet and greets with the artists. The day-long event on Saturday was concluded with a personal question and answer session in the main event tent conducted by Paul Smith and the remaining PRS artists. Dinner and drinks hosted by PRS guitars followed the Q&A, and the event wrapped up just after 8:00 p.m.

Photo: Joe Knaggs demonstrating carving technique during Private Stock seminar. Photo by Alexis Somers

Guitar World Tech Editor Paul Riario said, “’Experience PRS’ was a whopping success. Paul Reed Smith has opened his doors and created a forum for enthusiasts to better understand the passion that goes into the construction of every instrument.” In addition he stated, “The Mira [new model] is not only visually and sonically appealing, but also in line with becoming an instant classic for PRS Guitars.”

Guitar Player Associate Editor Matt Blackett said, “I was happy to be a part of ‘Experience PRS,’ and I think PRS has set a new standard for manufacturer open houses. The clinics from David Grissom and Johnny Hiland were relaxed and informative and packed with amazing guitar playing. The new Mira is a unique, well-made guitar that should attract a whole new generation of PRS players. My favorite part was the factory tour where I once again saw the most skilled and dedicated employees in the business whose commitment to quality is unrivaled. Just a rousing success from start to finish.”