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GALLERY: Experience PRS 2011

New gear, performances, and festivities from PRS'' annual event.


Acoustic Roundtable
"On Friday, historian Tom Wheeler lead a roundtable discussion with Tony McManus, Cody Kilby, and Ricky Skaggs about acoustic instruments."
Al Di MeolaHeadlining the Thursday night concert was the Al Di Meola band. Al played his signature Prism PRS guitar and wowed the audience with his blazing technique. Watch our video of the performance at premierguitar.com/video.
Frederik │kesson of OpethFrederik │kesson of Opeth lets loose on his signature SE model during their set.
Miles Schon"Miles Schon (Neal's son) performed on Friday night and impressed the audience with his cover of Hendrix's ""Fire."""
Donna GrantisExperience PRS favorite Donna Grantis brought her brand of Canadian blues-rock to the stage on Friday night.
Custom FinishesThe attendees were also allowed to try their hand at staining. Here are a few of the attempts drying before going home.
Finished PickupThis pickup is finished and ready to be installed.
Dave Weiner"Dave Weiner, who also does time in Steve Vai's band, reached for his DC3 for a cover of Hendrix's ""Wait Until Tomorrow."""
David Grissom and Davy Knowles"The highlight of Saturday afternoon was David Grissom and Davy Knowles performance on the clinic stage. The set featured tunes from both artists and ended with Grissom's ""What Passes for Love."""
Emil Werstler"Daath guitarist Emil Werstler showed off his PRS during his take on Billy Cobham's ""Stratus."""
Mikael │kerfeldt of OpethClosing out the Saturday night show was Swedish prog-metal group Opeth. Frontman Mikael │kerfeldt made some heads turn with his signature SE model.
Cody KilbyThe performances are always a highlight of Experience PRS events. Thursday night opened up with bluegrass picker Cody Kilby performing a set of duets with Ricky Skaggs. Watch our videos of the performance at premierguitar.com/video.
PRS SE Amps"The big news around Experience PRS 2011 was the new line of SE amps. They are available in 20-, 30-, and 50-watt versions and as either a head or combo. All of the amps feature two channels, an effects loop, and reverb. Each amp uses a different set of power tubes with the SE 20 using 6V6s, the SE 30 using 5881s, and the SE 50 sporting EL34s. Prices will range from $799 to $1049, depending on the model. Watch our demo of the amps at premierguitar.com/video."
Mikael │kerfeldt and Frederik │kesson from OpethPaul Reed Smith asks the guitarists from Opeth a question during their afternoon clinic.
Robert Lee ColemanColeman happily accepts his gift.
Body SandingMarcus Garner walks us through his process for sanding the body of the guitar.
Swamp Ash Studio"Based on the Studio model, the Swamp Ash Studio features PRS' 57/07 Narrowfield pickups in the middle and neck positions with a 57/08 in the bridge. The swamp ash body has a bolt-on figured maple neck with the PRS bird inlays. Orders will be accepted until October 14th. "
Paul Reed Smith and Davy Knowles"British blues guitarist Davy Knowles talk about ""Ellie,"" his #1 guitar that previously was Paulуs personal guitar. Davy told the crowd with a smile that he рnicked itс from Paul. Davy's Ellie was a prototype and the beginning of the Paul's 28 and Violin guitars."
PRS SE Angelus"PRS also expanded its acoustic offerings with this SE Angelus model. The SE Angelus will be available in both Standard and Custom models. The Standard model will include mahogany back and sides, solid mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The Custom model features rosewood back and sides with an ebony fretboard and bridge. Both are pure acoustic instruments, but PRS plans to introduce models with electronics in early 2012. The MAP for the Standard is $650 and the Custom is $750. Watch our demo of the guitar at premierguitar.com/video."
Pickup Winding Machines"All the pickups that are made in the factory go through one of these two machines. The machine on the left is nicknamed ""Guido"" and the one on the right is ""Betsy."""
2-Channel H in Progress"Throughout the weekend, attendees wandered through every inch of the PRS factory and were able to see some products in various stages of completion. Here, you can see the final stages of wiring for a 2-channel ""H"" series amp. "
Gary Grainger"Along with his signature 5-string PRS bass, Gary Grainger donned a purple felt hat during the Friday night performance."
David Grissom"One of PRS' most recognizable endorsers, David Grissom, takes a solo during his afternoon set with Davy Knowles on his signature DGT guitar."
Robert Lee Coleman and Paul Reed Smith"One of the most touching moments of the weekend happened when Paul Reed Smith brought up Robert Lee Coleman, former guitarist for Percy Sledge and James Brown, to present him with a Hollowbody II. It was the first guitar that had ever been given to Coleman and he asked Paul to sign it for him. "
PRS Stripped 58"During Experience '11, PRS also introduced a few limited edition electric models. This is the ""Stripped"" 58 in an Eriza Verde finish. It has a maple top with a mahogany back and neck, 57/08 pickups and PRS' newer 2-piece bridge and Phase III locking tuners. Orders will be accepted for this guitar until October 14th. "
Mikeal │kerfeldt and Young FanA very young fan checks out Mikael's signature SE model.
Davy Knowles, Gary Grainger, Michael Ault"The PRS band featuring Davy Knowles blew the roof off the tent with a cover of ""Fiyo on the Bayou."" Watch our video of the performance at premierguitar.com/video."
Fret DemonstrationPRS employees were on hand to demonstrate and walk through each step of the construction process.