This spectacular volume showcases the stunning designs, technical innovations, and ingenious workmanship of Paul Reed Smith Guitars -- today's most important maker of electric guitars. It portrays every facet of this cutting-edge company's evolution, and spotlights outstanding PRS models. A breathtaking photographic gallery displays the Signature, signed by Smith; the Dragon, featuring opulent shell inlays; the Swamp Ash Special and Rosewood Limited, using non-standard materials; and the Santana models, honoring the best-known player of PRS guitars, Carlos Santana. A special section highlights exquisite examples of PRS' penchant for guitar building with the finest maple woods to create striking "flame-top" and "quilt-top" designs. Featuring 200 color photos, 5 fold-out spreads and a handsome slipcase, this book joins a line of lavish numbered limited Collector's Editions.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Smith is the only manufacturer so far to successfully blend the design characteristics of the Les Paul and Stratocaster guitars into a wholly new and different model that borrows from both, but copies neither.... This book is a fitting tribute to a company which has, in a short time, come to symbolize a quality alternative to the 'big two' American electric guitar manufacturers." -- Vintage Guitar Magazine, February 2000
About the Author
Dave Burrluck is Reviews Editor of The Guitar Magazine (UK). The author of The Player's Guide to Guitar Maintenance, he contributed to The Electric Guitar and Classic Guitars of the 50s.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must for PRS Fanatics,
By Peter S. Cotsis (Chester, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of Paul Reed Smith Guitars (Hardcover)
All the beautiful guitars are here, in a lavishly photographed, well documented and thoughtfully laid out narrative. Everything you ever wanted to know about PRS. Detailed, helpful appendices in the back for serial numbers/dating, model breakdowns/production timelines. Complete overview of every pickup (and their respective sounds). Fascinating insight into factory production line/methods. A wonderful look at the most innovative American guitar builder of his generation, and the stunning works of art he creates, both in mass production and his custom shop. Very pleased with the book, and well worth the money.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful and informative,
By C.K. Leung (Hong Kong China) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of Paul Reed Smith Guitars (Hardcover)
This is a very beautiful book - beautiful in itself and the PRS guitars showcased here. The photographs are large and clear. The PRS models are comprehensive. The quality of the book is very good. It's large-sized and it's thread bound in the spine. Unlike those bound with heat glue, this book will surely last. According to the publisher's information, it's a limited edition in quantities of 6000 only. This is a book that a PRS guitar owner should consider buying. For those who admire the workmanship and the beauty of quality guitars, this is a very good book to read. Shortcomings: the photos are up to a professional standard, but many of them are accompanied with a white bar in the upper body of the guitar due to shinny reflection. This effect can illustrate how shinny the guitar can be, but can be quite obstructive to the eyes. A final word of caution: Beware of the temptation that one would buy a PRS guitar right after reading this book - which can be far more expensive than the book itself!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The one guitar book you must own!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of Paul Reed Smith Guitars (Hardcover)
If you are a guitar player, a PRS owner, or just a fan of fine craftsmanship, this is the one guitar book for you. Anyone interested in the history of the Paul Reed Smith guitar will find this book to be all you need. The photography is magnificent. The text is informative and comprehensive. The information is current and interesting. Yes, this book is expensive, but it is beautifully laid out. All the models are here, along with Paul's philosophy on instrument making and sound characteristics. There is even a step by step illustrated description on how a guitar is made. I have one small complaint - the fold out pages should have been cut just a tad shorter on the outside edge. Careless re-insertion upon closing the book will lead to unwanted creases. Other than that, you will be more than happy with this book.
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Not many 24-year-old guitar-makers are commissioned to build a working instrument for their hero. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
toggle pickup selector, rotary pickup selector, abalone bird inlays, dark cherry sunburst, dragon guitar, moon inlays, inlaid signature, sweet switch, locking tuners, ebony tuner buttons, piezo bridge system, abalone dot inlays, dragon inlay, figured maple top, quilted maple top, eagle inlay, rosewood fingerboard, bridge humbucker, covered humbuckers, year prefix, signature logo, rosewood neck, gold hardware, production guitars, two humbuckers Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Les Paul, Paul Reed Smith, Private Stock, Carlos Santana, Pearl Works, West Street, Joe Knaggs, John Ingram, Virginia Avenue, Guitars Of The Month, Classic Electric, Seymour Duncan, Swamp Ash Special, Artist Limited, Eric Pritchard, Larry Sifel, Mike Deely, Rosewood Ltd, Peter Frampton, Deep Dish, Doug Chandler, Howard Leese, Sam Ash, Vintage Bass, David Grissom New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Not many 24-year-old guitar-makers are commissioned to build a working instrument for their hero. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
toggle pickup selector, rotary pickup selector, abalone bird inlays, dark cherry sunburst, dragon guitar, moon inlays, inlaid signature, sweet switch, locking tuners, ebony tuner buttons, piezo bridge system, abalone dot inlays, dragon inlay, figured maple top, quilted maple top, eagle inlay, rosewood fingerboard, bridge humbucker, covered humbuckers, year prefix, signature logo, rosewood neck, gold hardware, production guitars, two humbuckers Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Les Paul, Paul Reed Smith, Private Stock, Carlos Santana, Pearl Works, West Street, Joe Knaggs, John Ingram, Virginia Avenue, Guitars Of The Month, Classic Electric, Seymour Duncan, Swamp Ash Special, Artist Limited, Eric Pritchard, Larry Sifel, Mike Deely, Rosewood Ltd, Peter Frampton, Deep Dish, Doug Chandler, Howard Leese, Sam Ash, Vintage Bass, David Grissom New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 5
books:
4
books
cite this book:
- International Trade (The Real World Series) by Kenneth H. Smith on page 46
- Day Tripper: Guitar Ensemble Series by The Beatles on page 2
- Van Halen! by J. D Considine on page 76
- Paul Smith: You Can Find Inspiration in Everything*: (*and if you can't, look again) by Paul Smith in Front Matter
- South America (Bridgestone Books) by Gibson on page 44
- Electric Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia by Tony Bacon in Back Matter, and Back Flap
- Guitar: A Complete Guide for the Player by Dave Hunter in Back Matter
- How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great (Softcover) (Guitar Player Book) by Dan Erlewine on page 102
- The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide, 2003 Edition by Alan Greenwood in Back Matter
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