PRS Time line - Help needed

[Shawn@PRS]

We are developing a time line of significant events in PRS history and we thought it would be best to ask you, the PRS player, which events you feel are the most significant. I think 2008 was a big year for PRS because the plating was removed from key areas of the hardware but again, this is about what YOU think. So let's start in 1985 with the founding of the company and go all the way up to present day. What are the PRS milestones?

 

[AaeCee]

Am I really first in on this?

Anyway, here are a few of my picks (in no particular order):

Introduction of the __/__ pickup line.
Establishment of the PTC.
Santana endorsement.
Private Stock program.

 

[Buildermike]

SE, S2, CU22 and McCarty introductions.

 

[Tosca]

Introduction Of 408 Pickups
Collaboration with Doug Sewell/introduction of CAD amplifiers
Collection Series

 

[DISTORT6]

2000 Singlecut

 

[HANGAR18]

The time of the original Singlecut guitar was quite interesting for a couple of reasons.
1. PRSh applying everything he learned from Ted McCarty in an attempt to make the best single cut designed guitar possible. One might look at the original PRS Singlecut as the PRS equivalent of what many consider to be the Holy Graille of electric guitars... the 1959 Les Paul.
2. Emerging favorably from the G lawsuit. (And for those of you reading who aren't familiar with the original PRS Singlecut guitars, there is no such thing (difference) as pre-lawsuit or post-lawsuit. They are all the same regardless of what month they came out of the factory.) That event not only made the PRS company breathe easier but many others in the guitar industry as well.

 

[HANGAR18]

2000 Singlecut

hahaha You clicked the post button before I did.

 

[László]

After the CU24, for me the McCarty, the 5x/0x pickups, V12, and the 408 pickups are significant milestones (though not the only ones) in the electric line. The acoustics are so superb that they are also important, and it was a brilliant idea to have Doug Sewell join up as the amps are wonderful.

 

[sleary]

Dgt
408
V12

 

[DISTORT6]

hahaha You clicked the post button before I did.

You were too busy typing! :laugh:

 

[garrettb]

Intro of the McCarty
Move to Stevensville
Intro of the Hollowbody and Archtop series
Intro of the Singlecut
Intro of the SE line
Intro of Private Stock program

I think those all had a major impact on what makes PRS Guitars what it is today. I don't have much of an opinion on the last 10 years or so, so I'll let others speak to the more recent stuff.

 

[justmund]

First Exp
Forum becoming active(!)
Neck shapes
Tuners (Phase II/IIIs)
Maybe some key employees too?

 

[Jazzedout]

I would like to see a year to year timeline, recording the changes that happened from one year to the next.
I understand that some years won't have so many changes, but it would be nice to see how the guitars/company changed through the years.

Then (IMHO), I would like to see a video dedicated to the evolution of the Custom 24 starting from 1985 and recording every change that happened up to 2014. From pickup changes (T & B, HFS etc...) up to nut materials, tuners, trem parts, electronics, inlays etc...

My 2p...

 

[MikeD]

Although not related to guitar playability, I'd say the introduction of Experience PRS was a pretty big step to connect with fans.

 

[alantig]

Wow - late to this party. But...

- Ted McCarty's involvement
- Experience PRS
- Bringing Doug Sewell aboard for the new amp line
- DGT
- The 57/08 pickups, leading up to the 408s and a step up in the pickup line
- Introduction of the SE line

 

[cwhenke]

I agree with the others that a timeline should address the innovations in pups, new models, etc, but I'd also like to see milestones on the list...when guitar #100,000 was made, for example.

 

[slang05]

These are all great suggestions, can't really think of anything to add except maybe when what colors were offered year to year.

 

[AP515]

...(And for those of you reading who aren't familiar with the original PRS Singlecut guitars, there is no such thing (difference) as pre-lawsuit or post-lawsuit. They are all the same regardless of what month they came out of the factory.) ...

While I agree that the word pre-lawsuit should be dropped, this isn't exactly true. There is a small difference. Post lawsuit SC's are weight relieved and pre lawsuit ones are not. Unless I have been miss-informed.

 

[watelessness]

for me, the most significant date was when my local dealer became a PRS dealer.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Switch to tone knob
Switch to alder
Artist
22frets
Stevensville
Changed heel
Rosewood LTD.
McCarty
Swamp Ash........

NO MORE WINGED TUNERS!!!!!!!