PRS Guitars today announced the 40th Anniversary Special Semi-Hollow Limited Edition. Limited to just 280 pieces worldwide, this special edition features PRS McCarty III treble and bass pickups with a proprietary PRS Narrowfield in the center position, along with an artist-grade figured maple top, black limba back and neck, and Honduran rosewood fretboard and headstock veneer. Each guitar features the pre-factory eagle on the headstock and includes a 40th Anniversary certificate hand signed by Paul Reed Smith.
The PRS Special Semi-Hollow delivers twelve pickup combinations to players, thanks to the three-pickup configuration paired with a 5-way blade and two mini-toggles. Roll back the tone control for added growl, turn it up for some shimmer. The volume level between the humbucking and single-coil settings remains even, and the semi-hollow body provides airiness and depth to the guitar’s tone.
“This has been an incredible year of releasing special limited-edition guitars to celebrate our anniversary. The 40th Anniversary Special Semi-Hollow Limited Edition is the culmination of this year’s anniversary lineup. With a dozen pickup combinations, the ability to summon both humbucker and single-coil sounds, and beautiful woods, this instrument will inspire you to play. Have fun exploring this versatile tonal palette," said PRS Guitars Director of Marketing, Judy Schaefer.
PRS Guitars continues its schedule of launching new products each month in 2025. Stay tuned to see new gear and 40th Anniversary limited-edition guitars throughout the year. For all of the latest news, clickwww.prsguitars.com/40 and follow @prsguitars on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
The long-running punk quartet pick prototypes, P basses, and Pauls for their latest live shows.
On tour supporting their 12th full-length record, Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…, California rockers AFI rolled through Nashville’s Marathon Music Works in October. After first running down their rigs in 2017, PG’s Chris Kies linked up again with guitarist Jade Puget and bassist Hunter Burgan to see how their gear has evolved in the past eight years.
Puget found this Les Paul Standard hanging at Guitar Center 15 years ago, and it’s still his go-to live guitar. A surprisingly light specimen, it’s had a Seymour Duncan pickup swapped in, and it’s strung with Ernie Balls—usually .010s.
Throughout AFI’s set, Puget switches between tunings: D sharp, drop C sharp, D standard, and E standard.
Silver Surfer
This new Schecter, a prototype made for Puget, is his first ever silverburst, which saw service in the music video for “Holy Visions.” It’s loaded with a Sustainiac system in the neck position.
Willing and Ableton
Puget has experimented a lot to get his rig to this point. His signal runs through a pair of rack-mounted Line 6 Helix units in a stereo configuration, and also through a computer running Ableton that triggers the exact sound designs he created while recording. The RJM Mastermind and Effect Gizmo are programmed to control all pedals, the Helix, and Ableton.
Jade Puget’s Pedalboard
Most of Puget’s effects come from the Helix, but he also runs a few pedals in his rack, including an MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive and Carbon Copy, Boss DC-2W, RV-2, and BF-2, and a Keeley Compressor.
Another board carries a Boss TU-3, TC Electronic Mimiq, EHX The Clone Theory, TC Electronic Arena, MXR Echoplex, and L.R. Baggs Venue DI.
Blackout
In live contexts, Burgan uses Fender P basses exclusively. This is his No. 1, which he’s had since 2012.
Pinky
This dazzling Fender P was made custom for Burgan before this tour.
Triples is Best
Burgan runs this trio of Ampeg SVT Classics.
Hunter Burgan’s Rack Setup
Burgan uses a RJM Mastermind GT to control his in-show switching. In his backstage rack, there’s an EHX Bass Big Muff, Micro Synth, Satisfaction, Nano POG, Bass Clone, and Graphic Fuzz, and on a second shelf, there’s the rest of the collection: a Bass Soul Food, Battalion, Lizard King, Neo Mistress, and Memory Toy.
Harness the same tight low-end and attack Duff is known for with a pickup combination sure to inspire anyone looking for an aggressive bass tone without the hum.
Seymour Duncan is proud to offer this special pickup set featuring:
Combines a Hot Stack Jazz Bass Bridge with a Quarter Pound Precision Neck
Hum Cancelling
Fits most standard PJ routs.
Hand-built in Santa Barbara, CA
Since the mid-1980s, Duff McKagan’s bass lines and songwriting have powered hits from Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, and his other highly influential projects. On classic performances like “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, “Slither”, and “Welcome To The Jungle” his weapon of choice was a Fender® PJ bass loaded with Seymour Duncan pickups. Now you can harness that same tight low-end and sharp attack Duff is known for with the Duff McKagan Signature PJ Pickup Set.
Great bass players know that a PJ pickup combination can give you the punchy, thunderous tones needed for rock, punk, funk and beyond. Chasing that flexibility, Duff used his first record advance to buy a Fender Jazz Bass® Special with a Precision® split-coil pickup in the neck position and a Jazz bass pickup in the bridge. The original single-coil bridge pickup was swapped out for a Seymour Duncan Hot Stack Jazz bass® pickup, nixing the hum in all positions while also adding some extra output.
Years later, Duff was gifted a bass with the Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-Bass® pickup in the neck. The large diameter alnico 5 magnets and high output coils gave Duff an exciting new dimension to his sound, and he began to pair it with the Hot Stack Jazz Bass bridge for a powerful pickup combination with plenty of grit, low end, and attack. This pairing became Duff’s signature sound, and he’s used these pickups on hit recordings and world tours ever since.
Seymour Duncan has partnered with Duff to offer these two pickups as the Duff McKagan Signature PJ Set, bearing his distinctive skull & crossbones logo. This combination is sure to inspire anyone looking for an aggressive bass tone without hum, perfect for stage and studio. Load these high output pickups into your PJ bass to achieve Duff’s trademark sound – noise free and with plenty of attitude.
Elliot® introduces the Trace Acoustic® Clarity™ effects pedal. Designed for use with most acoustic-electric instruments, the pedal is designed to enhance the acoustic sound qualities of an instrument when amplified. The pedal is now available worldwide via online and local retailers.
The Trace Acoustic Clarity is a frequency expansion device consisting of two proprietary variable filters, controlled by separate LOW and HIGH pots, to enhance the existing undertones in both low and high frequencies of an acoustic electric instrument. With input and output fixed at unity, combined with a bipolar 18V internal supply from a standard 9VDC supply or battery, the Clarity delivers dynamic acoustic tones throughout any instrument's acoustic range. The pedal is to be used in line, between an instrument and any PA system, instrument amplifier, or pedalboard setup.
Goldbird, an independent NYC-based music gear brand, has announced the release of its signature line of electric guitar strings. Designed for modern musicians who value reliability, simplicity, and style, Goldbird’s products combine top-tier materials and performance with a community-driven approach.
The new Goldbird electric guitar strings are available in Light (9-42), Medium (10-46), and Heavy (11-50) gauges. Each 6-string set is crafted to deliver durability, balanced tone, and consistent feel across all six strings.
Key product features include:
Made in the USA
Nickel-plated steel construction — the ideal balance of brightness and warmth
Three simple gauges — covers most common playing styles
Thoughtful packaging — rust-inhibiting material extends shelf life
The debut string offerings are a product of the company’s indie energy. Goldbird is a New York–based music gear brand founded in 2025 with a mission to support emerging musicians and the next generation of creators. Goldbird’s products are designed to make gear simple, reliable, and inspiring — whether you’re practicing at home or playing on stage.
Goldbird strings are available at www.goldbirdmusic.com for $10 per set or $25 for three packs.
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![Rig Rundown: AFI [2025]](https://www.premierguitar.com/media-library/youtube.jpg?id=62064741&width=1245&height=700&quality=70&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
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