National Hardwood Magazine - September 2022

Wood Selection Is Key At

Wood Selection Is Key At PRS Guitars Limited Partnership By Michelle Keller Annapolis, MD–With an official artist roster of hundreds of acclaimed musicians, the soulful guitar riffs from Carlos Santana, melodic notes by John Mayer and electrifying sounds from Mark Tremonti all pour out of guitars made by one guitar manufacturer– Paul Reed Smith Guitars Limited Partnership (PRS). A leading manufacturer of high-end American solid, semi-hollow, and hollow-body electric guitars, pickups, acoustic guitars, and amplifiers, the company purchases at least 100,000 board feet annually in domestic Hardwoods (grades determined by proprietary guitar specific). Domestic species included in the manufacturing process are Red, Sugar, and Big-Leaf Maple, Swamp Ash and Alder. Domestic Hardwoods are used in electric guitars for bodies, tops, necks, fingerboards, head plates, bindings, knobs, truss rod covers and back plates. In acoustic guitars, domestic Hardwoods are used for tops, backs and sides, necks, fingerboards, bindings, bracings and head stocks. “If you have good ingredients and a good recipe you end up with a guitar that looks good, feels good and performs as you want it to perform.” –Jack Higginbotham, Chief Operating Officer, Paul Reed Smith Guitars Limited Partnership Additionally, PRS purchases the following imported species: African, Caribbean and Big-Leaf Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood, Gaboon Ebony and many other imported species. All totaled, PRS purchases over a quarter million board feet annually in both domestics and imports. Inside the doors of the manufacturing facility, Senior Wood Manager Michael Reid said the process of making guitars that produce the best tone and meet expectation starts with wood selection. “All of the wood that we select is carefully examined and chosen for tonal qualities (how will it sound); appearance (how attractive is it visually); and weight (it is generally better to have lightweight body wood and heavier fretboard wood for example). With every increase in factory size or production output, we build tighter quality control to make sure our standards remain extremely high.” As for the equipment used to build an iconic guitar, Reid said, “We use many different kinds of equipment, including a Baker resaw, Hitachi band saw, Pictured is stain touchup being done at PRS Guitars, Annapolis, MD, on a Private Stock guitar made with a quilted Big-Leaf Maple top from the Pacific Northwest. The company purchases at least 100,000 board feet annually in domestic Hardwoods. Grizzly jointer and a Northtech crosscut jump saw. Each year we introduce new products in varying amounts. As an example, in 2021 we had around 14 new product introductions in addition to a handful of more minor product updates.” Reid said PRS is flexible for available wood species Among the domestic Hardwoods purchased by PRS are: Red, Sugar and Big-Leaf Maple, Swamp Ash and Alder. Pictured is a semi-hollow Private Stock guitar by PRS featuring a burl Big-Leaf Maple top. In acoustic guitars, domestic Hardwoods are used for tops, backs and sides, necks, fingerboards, bindings, bracings and head stocks. An all quilted Big-Leaf Maple Angelus Cutaway acoustic guitar with a natural color top and burgundy stained sides from PRS is pictured. but never flexible on the quality and grade. “Our strength lies in the degree of flexibility we have when considering supply options and new wood species,” he said. “It’s in the dedication of our team led by Paul Smith to constantly improve quality. Direct communication with the salespeople is key and above all else, the unparalleled value we place on the relationships we have with all of our wood vendors, no matter how large or small.” During a factory tour, Chief Operating Officer Jack Higginbotham said, “The discovery that comes along with guitar manufacturing is what really drives us every day, that’s the passion for making a guitar, the passion of chasing sound. Every day when we walk into this factory we’re basically walking in on a tightrope and we are performing a balancing act in a lot of ways. Some of the ways are the balance between history and technology and where we’re pushing the art of making guitars. Then there’s the balance of the art of the guitar itself versus manufacturing that leads us to the balance of machines and the craftsmanship and handwork that goes into making a fine instrument. We feel strongly about the ingredients that go into making a guitar. If you have good ingredients and a good recipe you end up with a guitar that looks good, feels good and performs as you want it to perform.” Discussing the manufacturing process he added, “Guitar making is composed of materials, design, Please turn to page 42 Domestic Hardwoods are used in electric guitars for bodies, tops, necks, fingerboards, head plates, bindings, knobs, truss rod covers and back plates. This Private Stock “Koi” inlay guitar is made with a quilted Big-Leaf Maple top with a fade stain. PRS Guitars is a member of the International Wood Products Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association and National Hardwood Lumber Association. Here is a PRS semi-hollow Private Stock guitar made with a Big-Leaf Maple spalted flame and burl top with a tobacco sun-burst stain. 26 SEPTEMBER 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE www.RealAmericanHardwood.org www.RealAmericanHardwood.org SEPTEMBER 2022 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 27