The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of the Paul Reed Smith Guitars - 3rd Edition [Paperback]

Dave Burrluck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2007

The PRS Guitar Book details every facet of the wonderful electric guitars made by PRS, the Maryland-based company founded in 1985 by musician and guitar builder Paul Reed Smith. The paperback edition is updated to include all the latest information on the acclaimed Singlecut models, as well as the intriguing story of the Santana SE - the company's first venture into overseas manufacture. An inviting narrative describes the evolution of this internationally renowned guitar maker, while dynamic color photography spotlights outstanding PRS guitars such as the Signature, signed by Smith; the Dragon, sporting opulent shell inlays; the Swamp Ash Special and Rosewood Limited, using non-standard materials; and ultra-rare models from limited and custom runs. Other featured guitars include the latest acoustic-electrics, and the Santana models that celebrate the partnership between PRS guitars and their best-known player, Carlos Santana. A special section highlights the company's famed use of highly patterned maple woods, displaying the most stunning "flame-top" and "quilt-top" examples. This definitive book also provides an absorbing photo-essay on the making of a PRS guitar, plus specifications for identifying and dating PRS instruments. "The PRS Guitar Book is a must-have for any collector, PRS owner, or anyone who appreciates PRS guitars." -Guitar Digest "Masterful ... tons of gorgeous, full-color photos." -Guitar Player "This hefty volume of brilliantly colorful guitars made by Paul Reed Smith exemplifies the best and the brightest..." -Dirty Linen "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

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books; 3 edition (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879308982
• ISBN-13: 978-0879308988
• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 9.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures-Great book, April 29, 2008

By 

Andreas Karagiannis "luthier" (Greece) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of the Paul Reed Smith Guitars - 3rd Edition (Paperback)

I bought this book just to check the finishings and constructional details.I build istruments.. so the details, are important for a luthier.Pictures are exellent and entire book is a treasure of informations.The history, of Paul Reed Smith as a person and his guitars, it is described with details. I don't like solid body guitars but if i had to buy one, this certenly would be a PRS.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great, Serious Book About Paul Reed Smith And His Guitars, February 29, 2008

By 

The Footpath Cowboy "rockerusa2002" (Kingston, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of the Paul Reed Smith Guitars - 3rd Edition (Paperback)

THE PRS GUITAR BOOK is a great, serious book about the great guitar builder Paul Reed Smith, the company he founded, the wonderful guitars he and his company have built over the years, and the many artists who have played them. It's great that it's now in paperback, and was expanded after its first issue in 2000 to include newer models such as the Modern Eagle and the 513, the latter of which has five actual pickups and thirteen sounds. There is also a section on the Singlecut models and the lawsuit that Gibson filed against PRS concerning them. Finally, the book discusses where Paul Reed Smith is headed for as the first decade of the 21st Century draws to a close. Overall, this book is very nicely done and is a must-own for anyone even remotely interested in guitars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent review of PRS Guitars!, August 3, 2010

By 

Scott Vanderbilt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of the Paul Reed Smith Guitars - 3rd Edition (Paperback)

PRS Guitars begins like any American success story. From humble beginnings of making his first guitar by any means necessary (including for college credits) Paul Reed Smith has built up his company from the ground up to the third largest manufacturer of guitars in the world. His guitars are works of art but they play spectacularly.

Burrluck scripted a well written history of PRS including historical facts, interviews with people who are as much part of the success as Mr. Smith himself, and the guitars, who are and should be the centerpiece. Each line of guitars were created for specific reasons and Burrluck weaves those expertly into the history. He details how Smith persuaded artists to buy his guitars and the innovations that helped launch PRS Guitars along the way including a patented tremolo that was thought impossible until Santana asked specifically for it...and Paul obliged after hard work.

For the history minded person, this is a great American business success story. For the guitarist, this is a great story about the evolution of PRS guitars but also a great picture book of the guitars made to 2007. For the PRS fanatic---this is a must-have book.

The narrative never leaves the reader weary and the pictures of the guitars help provide the reader visuals of the story details. It is a great quick read that feels like someone has narrated it to you in a story-like manner. Ok, it was quick if I didn't take a long time staring at the pictures.

My only complaint as of today...we need a revision since this takes the story to 2007! I'll be happy to help!