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PG's Jason Shadrick is On Location in Stevensville, Maryland, for Experience PRS '11 where he sits down and talks with company founder and CEO Paul Reed Smith.

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Orwell Gibsun on 04/28/2012	It used to bother me a lot that PRS took so many basic features (like the basic outline) directly and obviously from existing guitars -- that's just a fact -- but over many years of playing and owning guitars from all the big makers, I have come to believe that it is Paul's commitment to the way every detail works together, and to executing those details better than any other mass manufacturer that is truly exceptional. His deliberate selection and combination of existing forms with important adjustments and new features of his own (notably, scale length) result in instruments that are genuinely not the same as what others are making. I believe that they are absolutely better built -- my Custom 22 approximates my Collings in its execution of fit and finish -- by far than Gibson or Fender, and mechanically and sonically they are reliable and deeply musical. So while PRS does include some major features that are direct imitations od forms innovated by others, the overall combination is distinctive and better. The SE Series is amazingly well executed, period, and in terms of value-for-money makes Epiphone or any manufacturer's budget line look like the quality compromises they are. So congrats to PRS for maintaining the musical integrity of guitar manufacturing. Others have not.
guitarminato r on 09/30/2011	Mike Seibert, Paul sought out and found Ted McCarty, the visionary at Gibson behind the Flying V, Les Paul, and SG, in retirement and was Paul's mentor for many years before Ted's death. There is a Ted McCarty model. When Ted passed he left all his original patent documents for the above mentioned guitars to Paul. So PRS has a lot of GIBSON influence. Paul has taken what Ted did and take it to the next level. Also, the SE are great instruments for the price, though tye are made in Korea, they are all shipped to Stevensville, MD and inspected before being sold. They are excellent if you replace the pickups with US made pickups.
Guitarcraft on 09/29/2011	The real PRS Guitars are great! the SE just a different thing, and they take vantage from the brand name, I do not think they are worth what they cost.
Mike Seibert on 09/29/2011	I am a 51 year old, and to my recollection never written a comment or response to a video.This interview has impressed me to the point of commenting.I believe the heart and soul of a company can be directly connected to it's leadership.This is the first interview I have seen of Paul Reed Smith and to say that I am impressed is an under statement.Paul Reed Smith not only "gets it" he owns it, knows it, and teaches it.I have historically been a Gibson guy.... Wow, I'm buying a Prs! Great interview.
Justin on 09/29/2011	I don't think he was asking everyone to pay through the nose for an instrument. Their SE models are much better than Mexican Strats in build quality. With that said, if you look really hard you can find a used one for a ton less! I a 25th Anniversary SAS that was purchased only three weeks prior for $800 less than MAP! Just keep an eye out for someone who needs to move one.
bluefade on 09/29/2011	PRICELESS,CHRIS!!!!!
Chris on 09/29/2011	I think some need to go back and listen a little better to what Paul was saying. He wasn't perplexed about some people not wanting to pay "heirloom" prices for guitars. He was speaking about those who expect to get a fine instument for a few hundred dollars. If you've never seen the amount of hand work and dedication that goes into making a good instrument it's understandable the lack of perspective. I own two higher end PRSi and it took saving and working hard to get them. They were around $2500 each and well worth it. I will never sell these guitars and I can guarantee they will be around longer than I will be. So, what's that worth?
JD Bradhaw on 09/29/2011	Excellent!
Monekybutt on 09/29/2011	21 rules is not marketing, its R&D... they all had it but maybe didn't call it rules. PRS are great guitars. You can own a really nice PRS for ~1500 bucks like a used great custom 24, their bread and butter. Surely you can save up for that much. I have a 2005 20th Anniversary Black Cherry that I bought new for 1900 (left over stock), and a used 2001 Custom 22 10 top (purple) for 1600. Best playing guitars I've ever owned except a Collings. Plus and SE version is a killer guitar...seen several pros using those when they could use an Artist. I think once you get past the custom models, it becomes more of a collector's world. I wouldn't feel comfortable playing an Artist series live... just doesn't look right to me.
Tubetwang on 09/29/2011	Prs has 21 rules Trainwreck had 5 rules Leo had no rules Too much marketing for me to be in...

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