Exotic Tops! An SE Limited Run

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PRS flamed maple tops are renowned the world over, but every now and again we are able to find other tone woods that are just as beautiful in their own way…Introducing the Exotic Tops SE LTD run.

 

Choose between the beautiful contrasting stripes of Zebra Wood, the random dark wild figure of Ebony, the dramatic patterns of Spalted Maple, or rare Quilted Swamp Ash. Add in up-grades and features such as Tortoiseshell binding and the Exotic Top SE LTD’s are to good to miss.

These tops are available on the following SE models

SE 245

SE 277 Semi-hollow soapbar

SE Custom 22 Semi-hollow

SE Custom 24

SE Custom 24 Floyd

Tremonti Custom

All Available across Europe now! Visit your local dealer for more information.

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PRS Guitars And John Mayer Team Up For J-MOD 110 Amp

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Having already collaborated with PRS on the fantastic Limited Edition Private Stock Super Eagle, released in the spring of 2016, John Mayer has also been closely involved in the development of the incredible new handwired, made in USA J-MOD 100 signature amp.

And it’s a bit of a beast. The 100w, single-channel bruiser features a switchable gain stage and effects loop and is designed to deliver a huge, spread-out tone that develops rich harmonics and bite when the gain stage is kicked in. It’s a really versatile amp with both single-coils or humbuckers, and with three band EQ and bright switch AND a presence control to lift the power amp high-end, it’s super tweakable as far as tone is concerned.

The amp is based around a four 12AX7 preamp / four 6L6 power amp design and is built on five separate boards, all with over-sized traces for tonal integrity.

Each board is dedicated to a particular part of the circuit: preamp section, power section, front panel controls, bias jacks, and the effects loop. Not only is this an elegant way to build with fewer long wires extending across a larger board, it is also a more robust way to build as there is not a single, large board that needs to flex during transport. The J-MOD 100 also features a “laydown-style” power transformer for build integrity.

It’s s truly stunning piece of high-end audio gear for discerning players – and on its way to Europe soon!

J-MOD 100

PRS Guitars Introduces New Sonzera Amplifier Line

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 Sonzera 20 Combo

All Tube Tone With A Popular Price Tag 

PRS Guitars has announced its new Sonzera series of guitar amplifiers, consisting of the Sonzera 50 Watt Combo, Sonzera 50 Watt Head, and Sonzera 20 Watt Combo. Destined to be a go-to choice for pros and amateurs, each model features a clean and lead channel with independent controls for maximum versatility.

Featuring a rugged-gauge steel chassis, custom transformers rigorously designed to PRS specifications and road-ready construction, each Sonzera model is ready to deliver serious tone with maximum reliability. Their highly-versatile twin channel layout with independent controls delivers a wide variety of tones from clean to overdrive.

A big, full, 3D clean channel combined with a rich 3-spring reverb produces an abundance of shimmering, ‘chimey’ tones, while the Sonzera’s lead channel carries a punch from edgy overdrive, to a stacked onslaught of full-on soaring lead tone. Both channels are maximised for note clarity and definition. The lead channel’s circuit design makes it easy to set up the lead channel to act like a boosted clean channel if so desired. Conversely, the tone controls can also be manipulated to make the channels sound like two completely different amplifiers.

The bright switch feature helps deliver familiar high-end snap, while the presence control and independent EQ for each channel allows players to quickly dial in a classic bell-like chime or warmer, muscular tones at bedroom levels, on stage or in the studio.

The Sonzera sports one JJ ECC835 and three 12AX7 preamp tubes and two power tubes (6L6GC’s for the 20 Watt amp and EL34’s for the 50 Watt amp). The combo versions have 12” Celestion V-style speakers. The Sonzera 50 watt versions have independent reverb controls; 20 watt amp has a global reverb control. The reverb is designed to enhance notes without clouding them and can be turned on or off via the footswitch. The effects loop (great for adding in time-based effects) was designed as an integral part of the circuit.

“We designed this series with an enormous amount of tone, functionality, and serviceability,” stated Doug Sewell, PRS Amp Designer. “This labour of love has been meticulously tested at every step in product development to ensure that each Sonzera is gig-ready out-of-the-box.”

“I ended up recording the entire new Kentucky album with the amp,” stated Chris Robertson of Black Stone Cherry. “It was my main amp for my rhythm sounds and my solos. It’s so simple. I just love it.”

“The Sonzera combines surprising flexibility with simple design; and produces big, clear tone from a convenient grab n’ go platform,” Mark Lettieri, Snarky Puppy.

Dave Knudson, Minus the Bear offered “In an amp, I’m normally looking for a really great clean tone especially when I’m running a lot of pedals. I really want a bright, clear, pristine tone that’s full bodied with enough bass to move the low-end and enough sparkle on top. The Sonzera’s been perfect.”

The new Sonzera range are priced at (RRP inc VAT):

Sonzera 20 C combo – £749 / €899

Sonzera 50 C combo – £879 / €1050

Sonzera 50 H head – £749 / €899

To see and hear the new Sonzera amplifiers visit: www.prsguitars.com/sonzera

SE Chris Robertson now available in “Kentucky Blueburst”

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We love Black Stone Cherry at PRS. And Chris from Black Stone Cherry loves PRS. Earlier this year PRS Guitars Europe announced a Limited Run of an SE signature model for the Black Stone Cherry frontman.

The response for the SE was so fantastic that PRS Europe are thrilled to announce a second run of his guitar but in a new unique finish, “Kentucky Blueburst”.

The Black Stone Cherry frontman commented – “I was torn between blue and red for my guitar. Now I have my absolute favorite color on my signature guitar! Ain’t she a beauty!!”

Like the first one, The Singlecut-style SE has a mahogany body and neck, bevelled maple top with flame veneer. The 24.5” scale length, 22-fret neck sports PRS’s Wide Fat profile for a great vintage feel – and the onboard electrics also reflect Chris’s obsession with old-school tone.

A US PRS 57/08 humbucker in the bridge position is partnered with an SE Soapbar pickup at the neck – harnessed to a simple three-position toggle switch and volume/tone for each pickup – to allow access to a wide range of distinctive and characterful rock’n’roll voices. And the guitar’s stripped-for-action vibe is reflected in the rock-solid but highly adjustable PRS stoptail bridge.

The PRS SE Chris Robertson Signature model in “Kentucky Blueburst” is available across Europe now! See the guitar in action with Chris as Black Stone Cherry tour Europe through December & Janurary.

RRP for the new guitar is £995 / €1195 and is limited to 300 guitars worldwide, while stock lasts!

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Paul Reed Smith tours Europe!

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SPECIAL INVITATION TO MEET YOUR MAKER

Paul Reed Smith tours Europe!

From the 7th to the 12th November Paul Reed Smith will be touring Europe to share what’s new and happening at PRS Guitars. For select dates he will be joined by legendary former Whitesnake guitarist and songwriter Bernie Marsden.

Come meet a guitar making legend, hear first-hand the philosophy behind building guitars played by greats like Carlos Santana, John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, Mark Holbomb, Benie Marsden and many more.

These fun, informative events are geared towards guitar fans, and anyone into the artistry craftsmanship and playability behind these beautiful guitars.  At each event there will also be a special handpicked selection of new PRS guitars to check out.

Mark your calendars, tell your friends but hurry  -Space is limited!  Please contact the stores below for further details and ticket availability

 

DATE VENUE TICKETS / DETAILS
7th Nov Guitar Place, Aschaffenburg DE http://www.guitarplace.de/
8th Nov Rockland Music, Witten DE http://www.rockland-music.de/
9th Nov Dijkmans Muziek, Breda NL http://www.dijkmansmuziek.nl/
10th Nov  Guitar Guitar, Gent  BE http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/gent_shop.asp
11th Nov  Hard Rock Café, Madrid ES http://www.adagiodistribucion.es/prs/
12th Nov Born Centre Cultural (Sala Moragues) Barcelona ES http://www.adagiodistribucion.es/prs/

New SE Series Unveiled!

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It’s incredible to think that PRS’s massively popular SE range has been around for 15 years. And it’s been delivering amazing value and great quality to the masses since 2001.

For 2017 there are some significant changes to the SE range that we’re really excited about…

Perhaps most noticeably, the PRS SE headstock is getting a striking remake – the new design features Paul Reed Smith’s signature with the SE logo on the headstock, while model names are moving to the truss rod cover. Looks cool, doesn’t it – and not dissimilar to the US-made models.

2017 maple top PRS SEs are also being updated with carefully-specced, new and redesigned pickups, including 85/15 “S,” 245 “S,” Tremonti “S,” and Santana “S” pickups.

The new PRS 85/15”S” pickups are modeled after the 85/15 pickups Paul Smith designed for the company’s 30th Anniversary and offer remarkable clarity and extended high and low end. The SE 245 pickups have been updated to deliver more clear, warm tones. Mark Tremonti and Carlos Santana signature models are also getting new pickups – both artists worked with PRS to enhance their signature model pickups and bring them more in line with the PRS-wound pickups of the same name.

Finally, the SE Santana is being updated with 24-frets and a new electronics layout to better reflect Carlos’s Core model.

So there we go – better looking, better sounding and all round even more awesome than ever!

To check out the 2017 SE Series lineup, visit www.prsguitars.com.

 

The new PRS SE series carries recommended retail prices between £775 / €910 to £1015 / €1195

Limited Edition Satin Nitro CE Models

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There’s been a lot of love for the PRS CE range since it was reintroduced earlier this year – players love the snap and sparkle of its bolt-on neck construction and its incredible-sounding 85/15 humbuckers.

The introduction of a satin nitrocellulose finish option adds a fabulous, sleek tactile edge to the guitar that will age beautifully. And now there’s a very limited edition of three stunning colour options available in the CE Satin Nitro line-up…

Available only in Europe, Japan and Australia (and limited to just 150 pieces worldwide), the new short-run series comes in Faded Grey Cherryburst, Faded Grey Blueburst and Faded Grey Purpleburst and sports all the expected CE appointments. That mean a super comfortable, sleek-feeling ‘black out’ neck (Wide Thin carve), shallow carved maple top, mahogany body (toned to match top)and rosewood fingerboard with birds inlays; hardware includes those magical 85/15 humbuckers with 3-way toggle and push-pull coiltaps, PRS Phase II machineheads and PRS tremolo.

The new PRS CE24 Satin Nitro carries a recommended retail price of £1999 / €2349, which includes a PRS premium gigbag.

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SE Chris Robertson Signature For Europe

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We love Black Stone Cherry at PRS. And Chris from Black Stone Cherry loves PRS.

The frontman’s been rocking PRS guitars for a good while – and now he’s got his own SE signature model, available exclusively in Europe!

The Singlecut-style SE Chris Robertson has a mahogany body and neck, bevelled maple top with flame veneer. The 24.5” scale length, 22-fret neck sports PRS’s Wide Fat profile for a great vintage feel – and the onboard electrics also reflect Chris’s obsession with old-school tone.

A US PRS 57/08 humbucker in the bridge position is partnered with an SE Soapbar pickup at the neck – harnessed to a simple three-position toggle switch and volume/tone for each pickup – to allow access to a wide range of distinctive and characterful rock’n’roll voices. And the guitar’s stripped-for-action vibe is reflected in the rock-solid but highly adjustable PRS stoptail bridge.

The PRS SE Chris Robertson Signature model comes in a single colour choice – Black Stone Cherry Burst, of course!

RRP for the new guitar is £995 / €1195 and the limited edition model will be available in 2016 only – orders for the guitar must be made before 31st December 2016

Chris talking about his new PRS SE signature

PRS_SE_Chris_Robertson

SE Mark Holcomb Unleashed!

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Following on from the success of his Core signature model, Mark Holcomb (Periphery) has now got his own SE model! And it’s an absolute cracker…

The SE Mark Holcomb features a 24-fret, 25.5” scale length wide-thin satin maple neck with 20” radius ebony fretboard, with a mahogany back/bevelled maple top body and stunning quilted maple veneer in ‘Holcomb Burst’. As you’ll see, it’s understated and very, very cool..

As far as pickups are concerned, the new weapon has a pair of Mark’s signature Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega humbuckers harnessed to a 3-way blade selector switch, volume and push/pull tone control. Shipping tuned to drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D low to high), the SE Mark Holcomb is, as you might expect, an absolute tone monster!

“With my SE signature model, we managed to capture all of the defining characteristics of my Maryland-made guitar and turn it into a streamlined, less costly package. It is an incredibly special instrument and one that is the primary focus of my rig in the studio and on stage,” Mark said.

RRP for the PRS SE Mark Holcomb is £899 / €1159 including PRS SE gig-bag.

You can check out Mark and his signature SE below!

 

 

Vintage Heart, Modern Playability From McCarty 594

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Combining the best of the old and the new is something of a holy grail in guitar building.

Vintage tone, worn-in feel, classic looks – we want them all. But we also want modern playability, super-stable tuning and versatility.

Enter the new McCarty 594, a PRS model created specifically to tick all the above boxes. Its 58/15 LT (low turn) pickups and push/pull coil taps provide an abundance of rich, old-school humbucking and nuanced sweet single-coil tones, while the new Pattern Vintage neck carve lends an immediately familiar, “years-old” playability. But typically precise PRS craftsmanship also means class-leading modern levels of intonation along the entire length of its 24.594″ neck (see where the name comes from?) – and tweaked Phase III tuners with a new ‘set screw’ ensure excellent tuning stability and maximum transfer of energy from string to guitar.

Add in a sumptuous spec list that includes figured maple top, mahogany back, bound rosewood fingerboard, Bird inlays, PRS 2-piece stop tailpiece and a choice of Blood Orange, Black Gold Burst, Charcoal Burst, Fire Red Burst, Faded Whale Blue, Gray Black, Honey, Jade, McCarty Sunburst colours and you’ve got another PRS model well worthy of the McCarty name.

So it’s easy to see why John Mayer says, “The 594 is the best new guitar I’ve played in years. It has a vintage heart and soul but without the technical limitations that usually come along with an old instrument. What good is an old guitar if you can’t get all that feel out of the upper frets, or the intonation is off? To hear that old PAF sound but be able to articulate the notes in a way that only modern manufacturing could allow is so exciting.”

 

The PRS McCarty 594 carries a recommended retail price of £4260 / €6659 in the UK/Europe

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