FEATURE: PRS Experience 2009
November 16th, 2009 by Mitch GallagherFor the past two years, Paul Reed Smith has thrown open the doors of his company and invited dealers, distributors, artists, and customers to a grand event held at the PRS factory. The 2-day event, called “Experience PRS,” has been a highlight of the year for me — I bought my first PRS guitar after attending the Experience in 2007, then purchased a second after attending the Experience in 2008. Needless to say, I was looking forward to what PRS had in store for Experience 2009!
This year, Paul and PRS didn’t let us down! The weekend began with a private concert for dealers and PRS Signature Club members on Thursday night — and it was an incredible night! The Experience “officially” opened on Friday afternoon, with clinics, workshops, tours, and performances by Johnny Hiland, David Grissom, Tony McManus, and other PRS artists, as well as a phenomenal concert on Friday night. Saturday included more clinics and workshops, more performances, another big concert, and more!
Both days included a healthy dose of all the new guitars and amps PRS is bringing out for their 25th anniversary in business. I could go on and on in words about this amazing event, but as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy, and hope to see you at the Experience in 2010!
The legendary Buddy Guy jamming on a 305
Carlos Santana
The Sweetwater team works with PRS Private Stock experts to choose wood for unique custom guitars.
This wood has been earmarked for a family of four incredible one-of-a-kind guitars with burl maple tops.
David Grissom giving a workshop on his DGT signature model
Factory tour
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The brand-new Modern Eagle 3 model, with its Narrow-Aperture pickups.
Paul Smith and his Paul Reed Smith Band.
Sweet 16 and PRS 30 tube amps
Tony McManus and Johnny Hiland jamming on PRS acoustics
The amazing PRS Wood Library
Beautiful maple for a guitar top
Imagine this as the back of your acoustic guitar.
This incredible spalted maple will become the top for a special Sweetwater custom guitar.
Zappa Plays Zappa put on an incredible show at the Experience.
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The PRS factory staff continue to exceed customer expectations with this event. Paul and his crew have really developed a sales and marketing masterpiece with this concept. I have been a PRS enthusiast since 1985 and these annual “Experience” events really show the company culture and its products to be first rate. Living here in Maryland and having visited the factory numerous times, it is impressive to see how the business has developed over the years.
The ability to learn about guitar lutherie, enjoy professional entertainment, receive gracious hospitality and hear and see all things related to PRS electric guitars, acoustic guitars, amplifiers and accessories for free for two days in a live setting is a unique opportunity that I certainly appreciate. Anyone seeking their own guitar tone should consider the “Experience” event for a wealth of creative ideas and cutting edge products. The display of of 2010 twenty-fifth anniversary models was a real treat!
Always a pleasure to see you guys. Mike, Mitch, David, hope to see you again next year. It’s turning into an annual gathering of certain friends as much as clinics and concerts. I’ve been a PRS enthusiast for quite some time as well, and pretty much haven’t played anything else since I got my first one in 1989. I can only imagine what Paul has in store for the 25th anniversary experience.
I can’t believe I’ve missed this event so far. Can you tell me when it is held, especially when in 2010? Thanks!
I was there…had lot’s of fun.
Joseph
That’s an interesting read. I have never seen pictures behind the scenes of a guitar manufacturing company before, so I learned stuff.