Artist Feature – Frank Pané

Frank Pané – Sainted Sinners, Bonfire, Dark Blue Inc.

BIO

Meet Frank Pané, a PRS Artist from Germany, a lover of Classic Rock and guitarist in the legendary German rock band Bonfire. As well as many solo projects, Frank founded the classic rock influenced band Sainted Sinners and also the progressive rock orientated band called Dark Blue Inc. We caught up with Frank to chat all things music and PRS!

PRS: What first drew you to PRS Guitars?

FP: I remember seeing ads in guitar magazines like Guitar World in the early 90s featuring some of my favourite guitarists like Alex Lifeson, Carlos Santana and many others with PRS guitars. Also, I saw Jim Matheos of Fates Warning live a few times, which has always been one of my favourite bands and he used PRS Custom 24s. That’s what got me really attracted to PRS guitars, and it was around that time when I decided I wanted to take playing guitar more seriously and become a pro musician. A few years later when the Dave Navarro model came out, I really wanted one so bad, but it took many more years and building my experience up until I got my first PRS and proudly became a PRS artist!

PRS: How many PRS guitars do you currently own, and which ones see the most action on stage and in the studio?

FP: I’m fortunate to now have 6 PRS guitars in my arsenal, of which the antique white core PRS Custom 24 ( my first PRS ) is definitely my main one. I have used it on a couple of records and nearly every live show since I got it, it’s my go-to guitar. Also coming back to the Navarro model, I love the look of white guitars and especially the PRS Custom 24 looks awesome on stage in white. I have a goldtop Custom 24, which works as my backup and for dropped D-tunings. A very good friend kindly loaned me his PRS McCarty Single-cut for an unlimited time, which became another favourite guitar of mine. It’s a stunning guitar and the best single-cut style guitar I have ever played.

PRS: As you are in three different bands; Bonfire, Sainted Sinners & Dark Blue Inc, all the while doing your own solo projects. Do you use the same PRS for all these projects?

FP: For Sainted Sinners and all session work I do, which requires standard tuning, I use my white Custom 24 and the McCarty Single-cut. For Bonfire, which tunes down to Eb, I have a beautiful PRS Custom 24 Floyd in Charcoal Burst (awesome colour) and this will hopefully see more action in 2022, when Bonfire returns to the stage and the studio again. For the melodic Metal style of Bonfire you gotta have a Floyd. Even though the non-locking PRS Gen trem works super nice, when if comes to extreme heavy dive-bombs and squeals, a Floyd is the best choice. Also, the Metal pickups featured in the Custom 24 Floyd work perfectly for the Bonfire sound, even if my general taste leans towards more low output pickups like the 85/15, which became one of my fave pickups ever. Dark Blue Inc is a more progressive band and we use a variety of tuning, so this is where my SE Holcomb 7-string gets used for a more modern and proggy approach.

PRS: When it comes to your live rig, are you a “keep it simple” player, or are you in the “more the merrier” camp?

FP: I guess you could call my approach super simple. I’m sort of very old school when it comes to the ingredients for my sound. A good tube amp, a good versatile guitar and a handful of stomp boxes ( Delay, Phaser, Octaver, Treble Booster & a WahWah ), all connected with good cables is all I need. Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a more complex setup, but for me a simple setup always works best and gets me the results I‘m looking for. The best thing with a PRS is, no matter what style or situation, I can purely concentrate on my playing, as I know they will stay in tune and deliver the sound I’m looking for.

PRS: What is the current touring situation in Germany? Any tours coming up in Europe & the UK?

FP: Well, just when Sainted Sinners began to tour again November this year to promote our latest album ‘Taste it‘, things started to fall apart again and unfortunately while being on tour, clubs had to cancel the shows with very short notice as new restrictions came up. This was very unpleasant, but i guess we’ve all learned to live with it by now, that you basically can’t plan anything. These cancelled shows have now been rescheduled for April & September 2022, and we hope that next year things will look better. As for now our schedule includes shows in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Also as mentioned previously, Bonfire should finally tour again including shows in the UK. The new Bonfire tour plan will be released within the next few weeks.

PRS: Any exciting projects coming up?

FP: Yes, 2022 seems to be very busy! With Bonfire we just started to record for not 1 or 2, but 3 albums, which are all to be released next year. These are not studio albums with new material, but something very interesting for the fans. A studio album with new Bonfire material is scheduled for 2023. Besides that, material for the 2nd Dark Blue inc. album is in the works and also the writing sessions with Sainted Sinners continue with a follow up to “Taste it“ already in mind. Last but not least, I also plan to release some new instrumental stuff in 2022. Whether it will be in form of an album or just digital singles, I haven’t decided yet, but there will definitely be some new stuff in 2022 in one form or the other!

See Tour dates and more on Frank’s website – https://www.frankpane.com/tourdates

PRS Europe Employee Spotlight – NICK FRASER // Technical Manager

MEET NICK

“I had an interest in guitars since I got my first aged 11, and soon began taking them apart, modifying them, and putting them back together. After a brief attempt at making it big in a band, I started work in the guitar industry in 1987, cutting my teeth teching on Ibanez and Westone guitars. Few years later, I moved job and worked on Washburn, Taylor, and Blade guitars. Around 1993, the company started working with PRS Guitars, and I’ve been working with PRS ever since. I have gained an extensive knowledge and experience of the models produced over the last 30 years, which comes in handy when dealing with enquiries about some of our older instruments. 

My role within PRS has morphed over the years, and I now oversee our team of five techs who set up every PRS SE imported into Europe. I provide advice and training to them and am responsible for overall quality control. I spend some time liaising with the factories too. I supply technical advice to our customers, dealers, and independent repairers on our guitars and amplifiers and work closely with Chris in the Europe PTC, discussing repair options with customers. I still find time to do a few customer repairs and artist set ups, and, occasionally, workshops at the ACM in Guildford and London and ICMP London.”  

1)What’s your typical day working in the Techroom?

Typically it starts with e-mails from PRS HQ in the US, our service centre in Germany, and of course customers and dealers. Over the course of the day, I will be advising and overseeing our techs and answering various technical questions from customers and our dealers. If I have any guitars on the bench, I will generally leave them till later in the day when most people have gone home, and I can concentrate, free from interruption.

2)What is the most important tool for your line of work?

They’re all equally important! However, a set of good quality nut files is essential.

3)You work on a lot of artist guitars, is there one that has been particularly memorable?

The most memorable Artist’s guitar that I have worked on belonged to Dan Weller from Sikth. It was a USA Standard, maybe 15 years ago, and it was covered in blood – he said it was his blood, and he just got a bit carried away at a gig; anyway, I just cleaned it up, set it up and didn’t ask any questions…

I don’t tend to get star struck, but it was a bit of a moment when I got to set up a guitar for John McLaughlin.

4)What’s been the most challenging guitar you’ve ever worked on?

Probably the biggest challenge to date has been fitting a Core Piezo system into an SE Custom for Jakko from King Crimson – that was a bit of a squeeze!

5)What made you want to go into guitar maintenance and repair?

I have always enjoyed taking guitars apart and modding them. In the absence of any sensible career paths ahead, it made perfect sense to follow my dream instead.

6) What’s your favourite PRS guitar and why?

My favourite PRS guitar is the S2 Mira Semi Hollow – it just works for me. The simplicity, the comfortable forearm contour, some extra warmth and fatness from the Semi Hollow body, and that solid workhorse feel that you get from an S2. If I had to choose a Core guitar it would be the Paul’s Guitar for simplicity, feel, and tone.

7) What’s your top tips for setting up a PRS guitar?

My top tip for setting up a PRS guitar is to get familiar with the truss rod. The amount of neck relief can change with the seasons and a small fluctuation can throw the set up and feel out a tad. The factory spec relief at the 8th fret is 0.010” so it’s good to keep it around there. The truss rod is your friend, don’t be afraid of it! Set up details on the main website.

8)What do you love most about working in the guitar world?

Pretty much everyone you come across is a creative type to some degree. Having that common thread helps with communication and understanding – there is a kind of family feel at PRS. We all love guitars in general and of course PRS’s! What better place to work?

MARK TREMONTI x JOE FENTON LIMITED EDITION

A Guitar of Earthly Delights

“Making these twenty guitars together is really special,” said Mark Tremonti. “Joe’s artistry is remarkable. I love the guitar he painted for me – I play it all the time. Making a version of that – a guitar that is not only is it a work of art but that plays and sounds amazing – I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my twentieth anniversary working with PRS.” – Mark Tremonti

The Mark Tremonti/Joe Fenton Limited Edition celebrates the 20th anniversary of Mark Tremonti’s first signature guitar with PRS. These twenty guitars were each custom-painted by English artist Joe Fenton. Inspired by surrealist art, Fenton’s designs are monochromatic, gothic depictions that brilliantly blend fantasy and nightmare with logical precision.

“Creating a design for a guitar is really enjoyable. PRS guitars are a work of art in themselves. I approached designing each guitar as if I was embellishing a jewel with the shape of the guitar informing the final design.” – Joe Fenton

Under the artwork, Mark Tremonti’s core specifications are all here, including a 22-fret, 25” scale length, Pattern Thin neck and adjustable stoptail bridge. Tremonti treble and bass pickups with individual volume and tone controls mean these guitars will sound as killer as they look.

Twenty hand-painted Mark Tremonti/Joe Fenton guitars were made. Each guitar is numbered as 1/20. Discover more behind these guitars on our blog.

 

This extremely limited run will be available exclusively at the following EU dealers:

SE P20E LOTUS PINK

Small Body, Big Voice

This limited edition PRS SE parlor acoustic adds a fresh look to the popular Parlor acoustic model with a Lotus Pink solid-mahogany top.

The PRS SE P20E is a parlor-sized acoustic with a big voice. The PRS P20E features all-mahogany construction, and has an organic, warm voice. Featuring PRS hybrid “X”/ Classical bracing, which allows the top to freely vibrate, the SE P20E projects with even, bold tone. Its smaller size makes playing for hours fun and comfortable and allows for more convenient transport.

Parlor-sized acoustics can be miscategorized because of their size but make no mistake this is a professional-grade instrument. Plug in, and the Fishman GT1 pickup system delivers dynamic, organic tone, so whether writing, recording, or performing the P20E is sure to impress. This electronics system features an undersaddle pickup and soundhole mounted preamp with easy-to-access volume and tone controls, which essentially transforms what some may consider a “couch guitar” into a workhorse stage instrument.

Other high-quality features include a solid mahogany top, ebony fretboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, as well as PRS trademark bird inlays and headstock design. PRS SE Parlor acoustics come with a gig bag and are strung with 12-53 strings.

DON BROCO release new studio album ‘Amazing Things’

PRS Artist Si Delaney came in to PRS Guitars Europe ahead of the DON BROCO album release. He brought us up to speed on what the band have been up to…

PRS: How has it been playing shows again after lockdown?

SD: It’s been very cathartic playing shows again after lockdown. I think most musicians would agree, having a year and a half away from playing live, it was pretty tough, and I didn’t really realise how much I missed it until we managed to get back on stage. I was like wow this is what life is all about for me, so it’s just been amazing to get back doing shows.

PRS: You recently recorded a live orchestral version of your new single “One True Prince’ at the famous Abbey Road Studios. How was it playing with a live orchestra?

SD: I could say recording at Abbey Road was on my bucket list, but it wasn’t as I never even anticipated it happening! It came out of nowhere and was an amazing opportunity given to us by Amazon Music UK. And obviously it’s a no-brainer, getting to play and record there is something that every musician would jump at the chance to do. We performed one of our songs with a full orchestra. It was a mind-bending experience that a song we had originally written in our bedroom, is now being performed by 40 people who are all absolute masters of their craft. There’s something about that building when you’re inside it, it feels like you can breathe the history. It was very cool.

PRS: The new Don Broco album is called ‘Amazing Things’. Tell us about the writing and recording process of the album? 

SD: Recording our new album ‘Amazing Things’ was definitely a very different process to how we’ve recorded before and writing as well. We wrote the entire album over lockdown. We were on zoom constantly, streaming our live sessions so we could be in real time.. Just working in a very different way to how we’ve ever worked before, but it was super productive, and we definitely achieved a result through working in that way that we wouldn’t have achieved if we’d just been sitting in a room together. Even though it wasn’t something we would’ve chosen to do, I think the result we’ve achieved from doing so is actually something really special and I’m really glad we got forced into the position where we had to go through with that method. We recorded in between lockdowns, we took our demos and recorded live drums, guitars and vocals at a studio in Suffolk called Decoy Studios. It was lovely after being in lockdown for so long as the studio is in the most idyllic country setting with a lake and fields, it was great to get away and get back with the boys and have that breath of fresh air.

PRS: What PRS do you play on the new Don Broco album?

SD: I played an awful lot of PRS on our new album! This particular PRS (holding his Custom 22 pictured below) has been on everything I’ve ever done with Don Broco. I’ve had it 14 years and it’s has been on everything we ever recorded, every live show we’ve ever played. It really is part of the life blood of our band, you know we wouldn’t be the band we are if this guitar wasn’t in the mix somewhere. This guitar is on every song of the record.

PRS: Do you have a favourite guitar solo on the album?

SD: I’ve got probably one kinda traditional guitar solo on the album. One moment where I get to pull out the 80s heavily wet-reverbed guitar solo! On a song called ‘How Are You Done With Existing’, the solo is kind of indulgent and slow moving but there’s a lot of feel behind it and it was really fun to record. I played that solo on this guitar (Custom 22) and it’s one of my favourite parts on the record.

PRS: You guys have an upcoming UK Tour this Autumn, anything special planned you can giveaway? 

SD: We’re doing a full UK tour, two nights in most of the major cities which is really exciting. We’re bringing a kinda sci-fi themed production with us, because our album has a very sci-fi aesthetic and we’ve always been a big fan of any kind of imagery from that genre. Creating a stage show based around some of our favourite sci-fi like Star Trek and Star Wars is something that’s really fun for us, so we’ve got quite an exciting and colourful stage show this time round!

 

Watch Si Delaney perform their new single ‘Gumshield’ live for PRS Guitars at Headline Music Studios, on his CE 24 bolt-on:

Check out the new DON BROCO album, and more about the band and their UK Tour here:

https://www.donbroco.com

Meet the HDRX Amplifiers

The design of our newest amplifiers, the HDRX 50 & 100 was a passion-project inspired by Jimi Hendrix and the modifications that were done to his legendary touring amplifiers.

Paul Reed Smith and PRS Senior Amp Designer Doug Sewell got a chance to go study one of Hendrix’s personal touring amps at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington. Laying eyes on this modified circuit and the parts used helped inspire Paul and Doug’s work to meticulously design the HDRX.

jimi hendrix touring amp

“We had to take what we were seeing and consider the guitars and the pedals that were being used with it as well as the fact that this amp was significantly modified – in part to work on American power in the 1960’s without blowing up and in part to further dial in the sound. Still, designing the PRS HDRX was not an exercise in over engineering – it’s a fairly straightforward build. We kept the historical specs where it made sense, and we made substitutions based on availability, safety, and experience. In the end, I think we have made an authentic sounding amplifier with exceptional build quality and enough power to blow your pantleg when you play it.” – PAUL REED SMITH

Paul Reed Smith and Doug Sewell

Watch PRS Artist Simon McBride play Little Wing through the amp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq-j_vwyncw

For full HDRX specs visit the model pages here.

Artist Feature – Richard Shaw (Cradle Of Filth)

We interviewed PRS Artist Richard Shaw about PRS and the new Archon Amp:

 

Cradle Of Filth’s new album, ‘Existence is Futile’ is out this October 22nd.

Richard Shaw: “For ‘Existence is Futile’, I used my main touring PRS, my S2SC250, for all the rhythms and leads. It’s perfect for the kind of music wemake. Great tone, feel, and playability. I don’t need to worry about tuningstability and intonation issues. I know I can rely on PRS”.

Get to know more about Richard Shaw in this new episode of Feedback Loop!

Click here to watch Richard play the new Cradle Of Filth song ‘Necromantic Fantasies’ and more live artist videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel. 

⁣Pre-order the new Cradle Of Filth album here: https://linktr.ee/cradleoffilth⁣

The New SE Santana Abraxas Limited Edition

Announcing the new SE Santana Abraxas Limited Edition. A 1,000 piece limited run celebrating the 50th anniversary of Santana’s sophomore album, Abraxas. Featuring Santana “S” pickups, a wide fat neck, and the album’s iconic artwork.

“It is an honor to co-join with PRS Guitars in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Abraxas with a new Santana SE Abraxas 50 guitar. Abraxas represents beauty, power, grace and the mystical, and PRS allows you to access this vocabulary at your fingertips with the universal tone that delivers power and clarity, allowing you to find your own voice in your heart’s music. We invite you to spread your wings and find your voice with this beautiful instrument!” -Carlos Santana

Click here to learn more

Refinishing a Custom 24 – Tales of the Techroom

Our “Tales of the Techroom” series takes you inside our PRS Europe Techroom so you can see the guitar modifications we’re currently working on. In this video we show you the complete process of refinishing an older Custom 24 model. Watch Chris, our Repair and Refinishing Manager update this PRS Custom 24 from a McCarty Sunburst finish to Violet Blue Burst!

Artist Feature – Roberto Restuccia

BIO

With every new era comes a fresh mindset, and no contemporary urban jazz track captures the hopeful spirit of 2021 like “Arrival,” the soulfully melodic, seductively grooving and instantly infectious debut single debut single by Roberto Restuccia that ever so subtly reflects the fast-emerging UK guitarist and composer’s lifelong passion for the blues. One of the most added new tracks according to the Billboard National Smooth Jazz Airplay chart, the perfectly titled song marks an auspicious launch for Trippin N’ Rhythm Records’ latest signee – who has dropped his label debut With Every Turn. Featuring all original songs penned by Restuccia, the rhythmically and harmonically eclectic 10-track collection showcases his dynamic collaboration with veteran keyboardist, #1 Billboard artist and fellow Brit Oli Silk, who produced the album.

MEET ROBERTO

PRS: Your single ‘Arrival’ has been in the billboard charts, and your album ‘With Every Turn’ has been very well received. How has it all been?

ROBERTO: It’s been awesome, I’ve been very privileged. It all came about, writing the songs, getting the production done and joining Trippin N’ Rhythm Records. My first single has been in the charts for 15 weeks now and I’m super happy with everything that’s gone on. It’s been perfect.

PRS: What PRS Guitars did you play on the album?

ROBERTO: I actually used one guitar for the whole album, rhythm, everything – My hollow body II. It just had everything and blew everything else out the water. It has the tone, the look, the feel and I just gravitate towards that. I just love that thing, I’ve been playing it for 8 years now, it’s amazing.

PRS: What first drew you to PRS Guitars?

ROBERTO: I came across the guitar by accident actually. I was after an F hole style jazzy guitar, then this one popped up (Hollowbody II) and when I played it, immediately I was drawn to it. The way it looked was so beautiful and when the sound came in it was “bingo”, this is the sound I’m looking for. I’ve been playing it ever since!

https://www.robertorestuccia.com

Hear PRS artist Roberto Restuccia;’s single ‘Arrival’ performed live below.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel PRS Guitars TV to see more videos of our European artists!