THE FUTURE OF GUITAR

Meet the experts…

“EVERY TIME I THINK WE KNOW ENOUGH, SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS THAT EMPTIES OUR CUP”

PAUL REED SMITH, PRS GUITARS

Paul Reed Smith is a uniquely successful and influential figure in the world of guitar. A man who founded his own company back in 1985 to realise his radical vision for the future of electric guitar, and in the 35 years since has earned a place at the very top table of our industry. And he’s done it all without ever losing his passion for getting his hands dirty, still as obsessed with refining and improving his instruments all the time.

As we move into the next decade, we spoke to the man himself about the journey PRS has been on over that time, and as the company gets ready to celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2020, what the future might hold for the Maryland firm…

Of all the technology changes in guitar building over the last decade, what do you think has had the most significant impact?

“To put it succinctly, precision. Most notably, in CNC (computer numerical control) and metal moulding. When I started out building guitars, it was a slow and laborious process to make a high-tolerance body and neck. Large scale, accurate production – at least at the level of accuracy we aimed for – was not possible with the woodworking CNC machines of the day.

“FOR PRS, CHANGE IS TO MAKE THINGS BETTER, NOT JUST TO MAKE THINGS DIFFERENT”

“The modern CNC machine has not only allowed us to make guitars more accurately than we could by hand, but it also allows us to make them faster, which means they are more affordable than they would be otherwise. From a parts point of view, metal moulding techniques have also advanced which is a major contributor to the guitars we can design here in Maryland, and the guitars that we can have manufactured under license abroad. Technology allows us to make things the best they can be, so a luthier starts with the best parts.”

What do you suspect will be the next significant innovation might be in the guitar world?

“I probably look at this a bit differently. Innovation can happen in steps – in my experience, it is usually a summation of steps that play a larger role in pushing the instrument as a whole forward. The whole becomes more than the sum of the parts.

“So, to me, something that has been turning in the industry and I think is about to tip over, is the very real possibility that brand-new guitars will be able to outmanoeuvre classic vintage instruments. ‘Vintage’ guitars can be like unicorns to some players, but if you think about it, those same guitars were brand new in the moments that made them so beloved, so it’s not that sacrilegious of a thought!”

Are there any ‘red lines’ in guitar manufacture that you think will always need to be done by hand or by a human being?

“There are scores of