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PRS Guitars company history timeline

1985

By the end of the convention, Smith’s order book was entirely filled, providing enough cash to back the construction of the company’s first factory in Annapolis in 1985.

1987

For example - 7 3559 would be a guitar manufactured in 1987 and was the 3,559th Glued on neck guitar made.

1988

Also, in this year, at the NAMM Show, they showcased the PRS Custom and three years later, in 1988, PRS were employing 45 people and were producing 15 guitars daily.

1989

Developed for the ‘hard rock/metal player’, wide-thin neck, trem-up routing for a full tone up, volume and tone controls with 5 way rotary, HFS Treble pickup, PRS single coil in middle, HFS Bass pickup (changed to Vintage Bass humbucker by 1989).

1990

The company began using its first CNC machine in 1990.

1992

And there were other innovations. It released its first dragon-inlay guitar, the Dragon I, in 1992.

1993

DRAGON SERIES II: 1993.

1994

Ted McCarty became a mentor and consultant to PRS and the company debuted its popular McCarty series in 1994.

1995

In 1995 as most of us already know, PRS expanded their facility and went close to a full year being unable to supply the demand for the products.

The vast majority however lost their butts on the post 1995 guitars.

McCarty Standard: 1995 - Current.

1996

While 6 29475 would be a guitar manufactured in 1996 and was the 29,475th set-in neck guitar made.

After more than a decade in business, 1996 was a big year for PRS. The company moved to a new factory in Stevensville, Maryland, launched its first website, and introduced its Private Stock custom-build service.

1998

McCarty Hollowbody: 1998 - Current.

1999

Mortimer has been focusing on PRS--one of only 3 brands he carries--since 1999. "If you've got 20 children it's difficult to read them all a bedtime story and kiss them all good night," he says. (In addition to PRS, Headline will continue to carry Visual Sound pedals after the acquisition.)

BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD McCARTY: 1999.

2000

The PRS Electric Bass models introduced in 2000 will also be numbered with the year as the first number, followed by the prefix EB indicating Electric Bass, then the sequential number for that particular model.

Santana III: 2000 - Current.

2001

2001 PRS starts importing Korean Guitars EEEEEEKKKK

2003

BRAZILIAN SERIES CUSTOM 24: 2003.

2004

A district court sided with Gibson in 2004 and ordered PRS to stop selling Singlecut guitars.

2005

But an appeals court overturned the lower court in 2005, famously saying “only an idiot” would confuse the two guitars at a retailer.

20th ANNIVERSARY DOUBLE NECK DRAGON: 2005.

2006

Dixon, Tyeesha, “Local Guitar Maker Triumphs in Court,” Baltimore Sun, June 6, 2006.

By 2006, exports accounted for some 70 percent of total company sales, which topped $19 million that year.

2008

PRS ACOUSTIC: 2008 - present.

2009

In 2009 the company diversified and began selling amplifiers and acoustics.

2012

But with 2012 revenues of $43.5 million, it's difficult to be heard over bigger rivals Fender Musical Instruments ($350 million) and Gibson Guitar Corp. ($325 million). Smith must try to squeeze out profits wherever he can.

2012 Same as Modern eagle, but with Singlecut body and tremolo bridge.

2013

PRS rolled out its mid-priced, United States-made S2 line in 2013, and the company has added to the models available, rolling out a series of satin-finished guitars for less than $1,100.

2015

Stoptail option discontinued in 2015.

2018

SANTANA RETRO: 2018 - present.

2022

"Paul Reed Smith Guitar Company ." International Directory of Company Histories. . Retrieved June 21, 2022 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/paul-reed-smith-guitar-company

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Founded
1985
Company founded
Headquarters
Stevensville, MD
Company headquarter
Founders
Paul Smith
Company founders
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PRS Guitars may also be known as or be related to PRS Guitars, Paul Reed Smith Guitars, Paul Reed Smith Guitars LP, Paul Reed Smith Guitars, Ltd. and Prs Guitars.