prs guitars discontinuing products evolution headstock logo eagle

An unfinished headstock shows the new eagle logo.

Stevensville, MD (September 30, 2009) -- In a surprising announcement at Experience PRS, PRS Guitars discontinued 13 models and a number of finish options in their product line. This year, the company is celebrating their 25th anniversary, and is releasing 11 new 25th anniversary models.

"We're coming to the end of an era," said Paul at the Experience PRS press conference. "Within a year from now, almost everything we make except artist models will have been changed...almost like when Marshall when from small logo to large logo, or when Fender went from blackface to silverface, though I hope not with those long term connotations," Smith said with a smile.

The new models feature a new headstock design that departs from the Paul Reed Smith signature. The 25th anniversary models feature a silhouette of the company's famous eagle symbol with a small "25th" logo.

The models discontinued as of yesterday are:
• Custom 22
• Swamp Ash Special
• CU22/12
• ME 2
• 513 MT
• SC 245
• SC 250
• Sunburst 22
• Sunburst 245
• HB I
• SC HB I
• 513 STD
• Santana MD

The company is also discontinuing the colors Blue Matteo, Tortoise Shell, Orange, Scarlet Red, Black Sunburst, Natural, Vintage Yellow and Gray Black. As of January 1, the famous paisley amp pattern will also be discontinued.

New models include many 25th anniversary variations of the discontinued models:
• 25th Modern Eagle II
• 25th Modern Eagle III
• 25th Santana
• 25th 305 Limited Edition (305 pieces)
• 25th Hollowbody II CB
• 25th Singlecut Hollowbody II CB
• 25th Swamp Ash Special - NF
• 25th Custom
• 25th McCarty - NF
• 25th SC 245
• 25th 513 MT
• 25th Mira 245

New finishes are Black Slate, Fire Red Burst, Matteo Mist, Charcoal Burst, Evergreen (with natural back), and Grandma Hannon Pink (305 and 513 Swamp Ash only).

For more information:
PRS Guitars