Today’s announcements are focused across the PRS Guitars’ line up from Core to the SE Series and represent both electric guitars as well as a new amp.
The PRS Modern Eagle V Officially Joins the Core Lineup
The first Modern Eagle instrument was introduced in 2004 and represented the pinnacle of the Core manufacturing at that time. Previously only offered via limited runs, the PRS Modern Eagle V now continues that tradition in the core lineup with its innovative pickup and electronics system offering a vast array of highly usable, musical tones in one guitar. The Modern Eagle V utilizes a hum/single/hum (five-coil) pickup layout and features a 5-way blade switch that selects the pickups in intuitive groupings: treble, treble and middle, middle, middle and bass, and bass. There is a single volume and a push/pull tone control that activates both humbuckers when engaged, which allows players to access all three pickups simultaneously. Finally, the mini toggles allow players to individually separate the pickup coils, turning the humbuckers into true single coils. This electronics design provides a whole set of classic and new tones.
“Modern Eagle models have always been built to stand up to history while celebrating tonewoods and the discovery of new tones. The Modern Eagle V is a sophisticated instrument not only in its craftsmanship but in its electronic and mechanical design,” said Paul Reed Smith. “We’ve refined the pickup tones and are pleased to now add it to the Core lineup.”
The Modern Eagle V | Demo | PRS Guitars
Vintage-Inspired McCarty and DGT Models Come to the PRS SE Series
For 2023, PRS is introducing four new models in the SE Series: the PRS SE McCarty 594, SE McCarty 594 Singlecut, SE McCarty 594 Singlecut Standard, and the SE DGT (David Grissom Trem), and it’s no accident that these models are coming to the SE Series at the same time. The original McCarty design (released in 1994) was highly influenced by Grissom and was designed to infuse vintage specs in a reliable, modern guitar. In 2007, Grissom’s signature DGT model was released, which added a tremolo bridge, tweaked pickups, and a refined neck shape to the McCarty platform, creating a guitar that rivals Grissom’s personal vintage favorites. PRS recently released a three-part video series documenting the development of the SE DGT model, which can be seen on the PRS Guitars YouTube channel. These introductions continue the SE’s recent promise to bring more PRS DNA and value into the more affordable line.
“I didn’t just rubber stamp this. This guitar is something I have been very involved in and am really proud of. The SE Series is lightyears ahead of anything I could get my hands on when I started playing - it’s amazing how far the quality has come – and I am proud to be able to offer this guitar to more people.” - David Grissom
The SE McCarty 594 | Demo | PRS Guitars
Dustie Waring Limited Edition CE and Artist Model Updates
Dustie Waring’s signature PRS starts with the CE 24 platform and includes a satin-finished maple neck, maple fretboard, a slightly modified Pattern Thin neck carve, and (on this limited edition version) a hardtail bridge. The Between the Buried and Me guitarist finishes the model with his signature Mojotone Dustie Waring Gen 2 Tomahawk pickups that offer articulate, clear, high-output sounds.
“I tracked a whole record with this guitar. It performed amazingly and just had a different flavor from my Floyd model. There’s way more body – it definitely has a full sound. I’m able to use it for 99% of my session work in Nashville,” said Dustie Waring, Between the Buried and Me.
Periphery’s Mark Holcomb signature SE is also being updated with a new color – Holcomb Blue Burst – and all-new signature Seymour Duncan pickups. The new “Scarlet & Scourge” treble and bass pickups were designed to work with modeling amps in mind and bring full tone with slightly less drive, offering more articulation than ever. Zach Myers of Shinedown’s signature model is also getting a new spec, updating the scale length from 24.5” to PRS’s 24.594” scale length.
The DW CE 24 Hardtail Limited Edition | PRS Guitars
10th Anniversary of the S2 Series
The PRS S2 Series began in 2013 as a way to offer the fit, feel, and attention to detail of PRS craftsmanship in a fresh, straightforward design. Meaning “Stevensville 2,” the S2 Series was named for a second manufacturing line that was created inside the PRS Stevensville, Maryland shop that blended new manufacturing techniques with practiced quality control and workmanship to create instruments at a new price point for players. Over the last ten years, the S2 Series has grown from three to more than a dozen models and has become a powerful part of PRS Guitars. Today, the S2 Series is more integrated into a single production line with PRS Core and Bolt-On instruments.
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the S2 Series, PRS is offering two celebratory models: the 10th Anniversary PRS S2 Custom 24 and 10th Anniversary PRS S2 McCarty 594 Limited Edition guitars. These special models will retain the guitar’s standard specs and add a Cuban mahogany neck, mother of pearl bird inlays, and – most notably – USA-made PRS 85/15 and 58/15 LT pickups and electronics (respectively). PRS has been on an inspiring journey studying pickup tone and design for many years now. These pickups have been fine-tuned using their TCI process for rich, clear, and balanced tone. Only 2,000 total 10th Anniversary S2 Series instruments will be made.
The 10th Anniversary S2 Custom 24 | Demo | PRS Guitars
The PRS Sonzera Returns
Returning to the lineup after a brief reprieve, the PRS Sonzera is a moderately powered 20 watt 1x12 combo amplifier. The Sonzera offers mid-1960’s American-style tone with two independently controlled, footswitchable channels designed for maximum versatility. The Sonzera’s gain channel can be set as a boosted clean channel or with heavy distortion, and the spring reverb and built-in effects loop allow players to easily expand their tonal palette. This is a distinct amp in the PRS line up, which also boasts the Archon, HDRX, DG Custom, and MT-15 amplifiers.
“I am very happy to re-release the new Sonzera 20 combo with improved construction techniques, refined voicing, and fresh cosmetics. Their design inspiration draws from the purity and tonal beauty of vintage American reverb amps of the 60s. The two-channel design is currently unique to the PRS lineup in that the Gain channel is simply the Clean channel with additional gain stages and its own tone stack inserted for discreet lead voicing control,” said PRS Amp Designer, Doug Sewell. “The 12 to 35-watt classic American reverb amps were very inspirational to me as a beginning amp designer in Texas. I consider the Sonzera amps an homage to those early days, and it was especially satisfying and nostalgic to be a part of their development and production.”
The Sonzera 20 | PRS Guitars
For more information, please visit prsguitars.com.
Featuring dual-engine processing, dynamic room modeling, and classic mic/speaker pairings, this pedal delivers complete album-ready tones for rock and metal players.
Built on powerful dual‑engine processing and world‑class UAD modeling, ANTI 1992 High Gain Amp gives guitarists the unmistakable sound of an original "block letter" Peavey 5150 amplifier* – the notorious 120‑watt tube amp monster that fueled more than three decades of modern metal music, from Thrash and Death Metal, to Grunge, Black Metal, and more.
"With UAFX Dream, Ruby, Woodrow, and Lion amp emulators, we recreated four of the most famous guitar amps ever made," says UA Sr. Product Manager Tore Mogensen. "Now with ANTI, we're giving rock and metal players an authentic emulation of this punishing high gain amp – with the exact mic/speaker pairings and boost/noise gate effects that were responsible for some of the most groundbreaking modern metal tones ever captured."
Key Features:
- A complete emulation of the early '90s 120‑watt tone monster that defined new genres of modern metal
- Powerful UAFX dual-engine delivers the most authentic emulation of the amp ever placed in a stompbox
- Complete album‑ready sounds with built‑in noise gate, TS‑style overdrive, and TC‑style preamp boost
- Groundbreaking Dynamic Room Modeling derived from UA's award-winning OX Amp Top Box
- Six classic mic/speaker pairings used on decades of iconic metal and hard rock records
- Professional presets designed by the guitarists of Tetrarch, Jeff Loomis, and The Black Dahlia Murder
- UAFX mobile app lets you access hidden amp tweaks and mods, choose overdrive/boost, tweak noise gate, recall and archive your presets, download artist presets, and more
- Timeless UA design and craftsmanship, built to last decades
For more information, please visit uaudio.com.
- YouTube
The legendary Queen guitarist shared an update on his social media that he noted as a "little health hiccup." "The good news is I can play guitar,” he said.
Brian May revealed that he was rushed to a hospital after suffering a minor stroke and temporarily losing control of his left arm. In a message to his fans, May addresses the events of the past week:
“They called it a minor stroke, and all of a sudden out of the blue, I didn’t have any control of this arm. It was a little scary, I have to say. I had the most fantastic care and attention from the hospital where I went, blue lights flashing, the lot, it was very exciting. I might post a video if you like.”
“I didn’t wanna say anything at the time because I didn’t want anything surrounding it, I really don’t want sympathy. Please don’t do that, because it’ll clutter up my inbox, and I hate that. The good news is I’m OK.”
An Inspired by Gibson Custom recreation of the guitar that Jimi customized and played extensively from 1967-1969.
As part of the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection, the Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V is now available at Authorized Epiphone dealers and worldwide on www.epiphone.com.
“Jimi’s artistic expression was all-encompassing. It went far beyond creating magical music and expanded into another dimension of art that allowed us to see the beauty of his music,” says Janie Hendrix, Sister of Jimi and President and CEO of Experience Hendrix LLC & Authentic Hendrix LLC. “When he hand-painted his Flying V, which was an expression of his love for his instrument and his music. With the Epiphone series, Gibson has recreated Jimi’s artwork beautifully! We are excited to partner with them! Seeing Jimi’s handiwork come alive in this spectacular collection is extremely gratifying.”
The Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V with custom hardshell guitar case.
Originally a Sunburst, Jimi Hendrix customized his Ebony-refinished Gibson Flying V with striking psychedelic graphics that he hand-painted on the original guitar, which are carefully recreated here on the Flying V. As a fitting tribute to one of the world’s most legendary and famous lefty guitar players, the Epiphone Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V is available in right and left-handed versions. The Jimi Hendrix “Love Drops” Flying V also features a mahogany body, a one-piece mahogany neck with a Rounded C profile, a laurel fretboard, and 22 medium jumbo frets.
An Inspired by Gibson Custom logo and reproduction of Jimi’s signature adorn the back of the 1967-style Flying V headstock. Epiphone Deluxe tuners anchor the strings at the headstock, while a short Maestro Vibrola anchors them at the other end. The electronics are first-rate, with a pair of Gibson Custombucker humbucker pickups wired to CTS potentiometers, a Mallory tone capacitor, and a Switchcraft 3-way pickup select switch and 1/4” output jack. An Epiphone hardshell guitar case with Inspired by Gibson Custom and Authentic Hendrix™ logos is also included.
Learn more: www.epiphone.com.
Introducing the new Seymour Duncan Billy Gibbons signature offerings: The Hades Gates Humbucker set for a mid-forward punch with extra heat, and the Red Devil for Tele, capturing his hot Texas tone.
Billy Gibbons Red Devil for Tele
When Seymour Duncan first introduced the Signature Billy Gibbons Red Devil set, his fiery sound was captured in Strat-sized humbucker pickups. Now, that hot Texas tone is available as a drop-in replacement bridge pickup for any Telecaster wielding guitarist.
Approved by Reverend Willie G himself, the Red Devil for Tele is built with an Alnico 5magnet, 4 conductor cable, and a hot wind that drives amps and pedals harder than a traditional vintage humbucker. Whether you’re looking for cutting leads, tight pinch harmonics, or thick rhythm tones, it’s all at your fingertips with the Red Devil for Tele.
Billy Gibbons Hades Gates Pickup Set
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.From scorching lead guitar to his own line of hot sauces, Billy Gibbons has never been afraid of a little extra heat. The Pearly Gates pickup set from his coveted 1959 Les Paul has been a favorite among P.A.F. purists for decades. For the Reverend, some guitars in his collection benefitted from additional output to deliver his signature sound.
This demand for a hotter wind forged The Hades Gates humbucker set – a fiery take on the mid-forward, punchy sound Billy is known for. Alnico 2 magnets and this added output drive your amp into some hot, blue, and righteous territory.
Hades Gates Humbuckers are hand-built in Santa Barbara, California with 4-conductor cables and short mounting legs.
For more information, please visit seymourduncan.com.