HISTORY

History

Paul Reed Smith began making guitars in a tiny attic workshop in historic Annapolis, MD driven by the dream of building a beautiful guitar with a dragon inlaid fingerboard. Paul also had the burning desire to make the best instruments that he could.

The original PRS guitars were lovingly crafted for local musicians and have since become highly prized by musicians and collectors as well. Soon Paul's reputation for fine workmanship and innovation attracted a broader audience, from professionals like Carlos Santana to enthusiasts at large. Demand outstripped the ability of the little workshop to supply the guitarists that were hungry to own a PRS.

The original factory on Virginia Avenue in Annapolis started producing guitars in 1985. Over the course of the next decade, PRS Guitars managed to broaden the array of guitars it produced while further developing its reputation for precision and craftsmanship. By 1995, the ever increasing number of guitars coming off the line resulted in a move to the present state of the art facility. Production started in the Stevensville factory in early 1996.

Throughout this steady and deliberate growth of PRS Guitars, Paul Reed Smith has never lost sight of the original standards of quality, design and innovation on which he founded the company. The results of PRS Guitars ongoing investment in the latest machinery, the finest wood and the most skilled and highly trained workforce can be seen in each and every guitar that released from the factory. PRS remains totally committed to making the best instruments it is possible to make.

PRS have taken on the "big two" guitar manufacturers and surpassed them at their own game. It is now PRS Guitars that sets the standards to which all others aspire.