Paul Reed Smith Guitars unveiled three new models at the recent Experience PRS event. The newly updated Modern Eagle II builds on the original with premium-grade wood, classic Modern Eagle frets, and a wide-fat neck carve, then adds to that updated finishing techniques, new colors, and a Modern Eagle case. Brand-new 1957/2008 pickups allow players to achieve both vintage and modern sounds. PRS obtained exclusive rights to the original pickup wire used in the most revered pickups in the 1950s. “We’ve found a new kind of rosewood we call black rosewood that we’re using for the necks and fretboards,” explained Smith. “It feels like the most beautiful piece of rosewood you have ever held, because we’ve also come up with a way of finishing the neck and fingerboard where it goes down into the grain and you actually buff out the wood.” This buffed out finish is achieved using a finishing process developed by PRS and is being debuted on the Modern Eagle II. The high-gloss nitro finish is available in four colors: Faded Blue Jean, Charcoal, Red Tiger, Yellow Tiger.
The company also introduced Al DiMeola’s first signature model PRS guitar. Officially called the “Al DiMeola Prism,” the model features a stained top with a full spectrum of colors unlike any finish PRS has ever offered. The Prism features a curly maple custom “9” top with mahogany back, 25″ scale length, 22-fret Mexican rosewood fingerboard, custom Al DiMeola neck carve, grommet-style locking tuners, standard abalone bird inlays, and a tremolo bridge.
Finally, there’s the Starla, the newest addition in a line of retro-inspired solidbody electrics from PRS. Similar in spirit to the double-cutaway Mira model introduced at Experience PRS 2007, the single-cutaway, mahogany-body Starla has many vintage-themed appointments and is PRS Guitars’ first solidbody electric guitar featuring a standard Bigsby B5 tailpiece and a Grover Tune-O-Matic bridge. The guitar also includes exclusive double-screw Starla Treble and Bass pickups. Proprietary alnico magnets incorporated into the pickup design contribute to the guitar’s unique sound. Color options include Vintage Cherry, Vintage Mahogany, Vintage Orange, and Black.
By the way, a contingent of Sweetwater staffers made the trip to Stevensville, MD, for the Experience PRS event, and, as with last year, have come home with an incredible assortment of hand-picked guitars – stay tuned for more information on these spectacular guitars!