The PRS Custom 24: A Short History

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First, I am a fan of PRS Guitars, having played them for years, but this video was not in any way sponsored by PRS. I'll amend that now by saying that the folks at PRS were very generous with their time answering my questions while working the script and video.
As with all the Short History videos, it is a labor of love with a time limit, so I may not have covered every detail you desire. This is a "detailed introduction" only but for more information I highly recommend Dave Burrluck's books on PRS history linked below in Amazon affiliate links (affiliate payments help keep the channel going, thanks).

The PRS Electric Guitar Book

The PRS Guitar Book: A Complete History of Paul Reed Smith Guitars

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Thanks for being a part of the five watt world.
Keith

***Five watt world participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commissions by linking to Amazon. In simpler language, this means that whenever you buy something from Amazon from a link on here, I receive a small percentage of its price.

[Andluth]

Having worked at PRS from 88 until 94 this was a real walk down memory lane. Thank you for this unique video.

[jkinthewind]

I got an early Christmas present from my wife this year ... A Custom 24 and a PRS t-shirt that says "Maryland Made". It's an SE but I don't have the heart to tell her, I just gave her a big kiss and said "Thanks!". It's a beautiful guitar and it plays like a dream. She's a keeper!

[RickBeato]

So great Hypes! It makes me appreciate my PRS ‘s even more.

[captaintrips]

At age 16, I bought my first “nice” guitar, a PRS Custom 22 through Thoroughbred magazine. I worked so hard for years to finally come up with the cash for it, thinking I would receive it the next week after ordering it. Little did my naive mind think at the time. When the customer service guy said it would be at least 9 months, I begrudgingly ordered it anyway. And I couldn’t have been happier or more pleased with a guitar. Not a single flaw and it plays like a dream, even 25 years later. Kudos Keith for such a great in depth look at gear and kudos for Paul making remarkable instruments.

[jacobcerniglia]

My dad got me a SE single cut when I was sixteen for Christmas, because to him I was good enough to graduate from the first act I was playing since I was 9. I know it's not a real expensive PRS, and the joy I felt and still do, I don't think any other joy has come close in my life.

[greekfreak]

One thing you missed to mention, is that Ted McCarty played a big role in the early days of PRS Guitars.
Yes, the legendary CEO of Gibson, who designed the SG, ES, Flying V, Explorer, Thunderbird, Firebird and co-designed the Les Paul.
Paul Reed Smith seeked him out when he started making guitars and convinced him to come out of retirement.
He was a ''special consultant'' and Smith credits the success of PRS Guitars to his collaboration with McCarty.
Smith always mentions McCarty in interviews and how much he learned about guitar building and design from him.
To honor him, Smith named the most expensive boutique model of PRS after McCarty, meanwhile Gibson has pretty much done nothing to honor the man.

[Dhani_Nerrh]

All right, that does it. One kidney has to go, I'm buying one.

[jakem]

I say it every time. Best content on the internet. I have a wood library custom 24 that my wife bought me as a welcome home gift from a deployment to Afghanistan. It is the most amazing instrument I have ever held.

[schuylerjohnston]

I went to Paul’s dorm in the late 70’s. He showed me his guitar and said he was going to give it to Carlos Santana. Years latter I learned that he had he done just that. It’s pretty amazing what he has created.

[mboyer]

I'm watching this again, it's that good! I'm a manufacturing engineer so I do many experiments on raw materials, machines, setups, etc. When I heard that Paul at PRS did extensive testing to determine what total thickness of paint and clear coat is optimum for sound, it made me smile! How many other people would've even thought of that, and how many less would've acted on it? But it's something that matters, I'm not sure how much, but that kind of mindset is what it takes to come into the ultra mature guitar industry with these almost 100 year old guitar companies...and eat their lunch. PRS has done an incredible job eating away at the market share of middle and high prices guitars..which is the sweet spot of profit in the industry. They've eclipsed Ibanez (one of my personal favorites!) among others, and their guitars are known across the globe as super high end..you get what you pay for with a PRS.

[emeritusiv]

Paul Reed Smith might not be the easiest person to talk to, but his passion on guitars is undoubtedly huge and it represented well in his products. You can buy PRS guitars from any shop at anywhere in the world and you’ll find a flawless finish and set up from the get go, they have such a high standards on their qc compared to other major brands. Great videos by the way, I’m a fan!

[mrsconley]

Having met Paul Reed Smith himself, I can say that he is a brilliant man who BLEEDS passion, and you are correct, we have all benefited from Paul's brilliance/obsession. I love my PRSi

[stephanematis]

You sir are class act. This and the other Short History segments are a wonderful way to get even more emotionally attached to the instruments and their impact on all of us.

[JackTheSkunk]

I consider the the PRS story to be one of vision, goals, dedication and craftsmanship. Paul started small and successfully took on Gibson and Fender....no small feat !!
Kinda like a guy building a beautiful car in his garage that gets 100 mpg, opens a factory, and captures a significant portion of the automotive market.
I cannot afford their US built guitars but by all accounts their SE line is of high quality at more down to earth prices.

[howdydoughty]

PRS makes me proud to be a Maryland native

[peterpedersen]

Great video, Keith!! My PRS story. I was heading over to jam with an old Guitar dude in Brooklyn NYC. I arrived at this place, knocked on the door. No one answered. I rang Cousin Vinny up on his cell phone to wake his ass up. I heard his phone ringing, but no answer. Tried a few more times. No answer. Got worried, Ran downstairs from the 3rd floor to the Manager's apartment. He answers the door and refuses to open Vinny's door. I said, "If Vinny is dead on the floor in there, your dead!" So I run back to my place in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, a 20-minute ride. Get my set of keys to Vinny's apartment.. I know, I should have had them with me. Damnit! Our other buddy had said to me the night before, that Vinny wasn't feeling that great jamming the night before. And try to get there a little early, which I did.

I get back to the apartment around 40 minutes after arriving the first time. I open the door and Vinny is lying on the floor in his apartment, flat on his back, unconscious, foam coming out of his mouth and one eye partially open. I sense no breathing.... SUCKS!!! I immediately began compressions, slapping the son of bitch across his face, on the phone with 911 to get here as quick as they can. I have cleared his mouth, gave him a few breaths, kept pumping on his chest. Not much response, but a bit of weazing. 4 of the biggest black EMT dudes show up. 6 and a half foot tall, 230-pound Dudes! They take over. Strap Vinny on a rack and vertically take him down the elevator and off to the hospital. Vinny laid in a coma for 2 months and another 2 months in critical care, But the MF'r survived!! He deserved to. He was the lead guitar player in The New York Bums back in the mid 70s. A sort of beginning punk band. I know, I tried to get him back to Rock and Roll and Blues, Which, after a couple of years prior to this note, he did.
I forgot to mention, Vinny has the best collection of vintage guitars in his one-bedroom apartment I have ever seen. Many are his original guitars from the late 60's and early 70's. Triple White SG with gold trim.1967. Gibson 335, 1976. Firebirds, Telecasters, Custom guitars he had made. Around 65 guitars last count. Anyway, while hanging out, helping him convalesce a year later, he opens a case, with a never-played Santana III guitar! He says, in his Brooklyn accent, Petaww. (My name is Peter) I wanted to give you this guitaww for saving my life last fall. I have around 20 guitars myself. So I said, you don't need to give me anything Vin. He made me take it. I have to say, I never played a PRS before. Or noticed one, for some odd reason. I immediately fell in love with the guitar. I don't know why Vin didn't play it. He just never did. It is now my go-to guitar in the Studio I have here in the Poconos, PA. And now, 6 years later, Vinny is doing pretty good. Oh, one day, a couple of years ago, he hands me another guitar case. He says, "I don't play this one either. Why don't you take it, you're a finger picker...." So I open that case, well, that was a 1969 Gibson SJ200 Mustache Bridge... WTF! Vinny is a great guy. a great friend. He didn't have to give me anything. But he gave me my two best go-to guitars I have today! Even better than my 57 Telecaster, and 64 Gretsch Chet Atkins. Ok, now I have to go plug in the Santana III and give it a workout. Thanks for the video Keith!!. Say hey to Rick B! for me. Vinny is coming out to a jam we are having here in a couple of weeks. Still kicking it at 67 years old. Oh, our birthdays are one day apart, July 13, and July 14.... Crazy stuff, eh?

[south]

I'm lucky enough to own quite a few guitars. I was always a Gibson guy. Hated Fender anything. I got aggravated with the quality of Gibson a few years back and just started buying top end Epiphones like the Custom Pro and Tribute Plus. Great guitars. Then as a joke I picked up a Fender Telecaster at the guitar store, my wife thought it was funny as she knows I hate Fender. I instantly fell in love and bought it right there. I couldn't put it down for weeks, until I tried a PRS Custom 24 SE. I wanted something different than all my Les Paul's and SG's and semi hollow bodies like my ES339 and of course the Tele. I wish I would have tried the PRS sooner. I feel sorry for all those guitars that are now locked away in their cases now that I have a PRS. I absolutely love it. Feels like butter in my hands. Sounds warm and clean when I want it to and really chugs when i crank up some gain. The neck and fretwork are amazing right out of the box. You can tell right away that they put a lot of care into each guitar whether it's made in Maryland or Indonesia. Its my new favorite! The Standard SE line is a steal at $500! Just don't tell Paul!!!!

[nets]

Over the years as a finisher, I've done a number of guitars including Gibson, Gretsch and Fender. I can't play but love the art of guitars. The variety of colors, visual depth and polish can be as hard to accomplish as playing. I'm here to drool with the rest of you, but through different eyes. Outstanding site with commentary matching the quality of the instruments.

[texpig]

Outstanding insight to a phenomenal guitar maker. I play nothing but SE's they are fantastic. I hear people saying the SE isn't a PRS, I say BS to that, not everyone can afford $2, 500 + guitar. Keep the great info coming 5 watt world you rock!

[tball]

Been playing for over 4 years now. I have 2 PRS SE guitars and absolutely love this brand.