A& E focus on quality and detail that Rich admires.“ When Paul is dead and gone, he’ ll be known as an innovator.”
A& E focus on quality and detail that Rich admires.“ When Paul is dead and gone, he’ ll be known as an innovator.”
Paul strums a guitar to demonstrate its sound:“ Feel the table vibrate? That string shouldn’ t have enough power to do that. That’ s extraordinary in my mind. We’ re starting to get it to the point where the instruments are as alive as they can be.” Part of the signature sound comes from the finish, which must not muffle the music of the wood.“ Dipped in glass is what I like to call it,” Rich says, and it’ s a look and feel that is accomplished by careful quality control at each step. Guitars are even tuned before going into cases for shipping, meaning they’ re ready to play right out of the box.
THE CRAFTING OF A LEGEND The manufacturing floor is lined with carefully organized shelves filled with inventory. Nirvana’ s“ Smells Like Teen Spirit” plays in the background as craftsmen stand at raised tables carving, sanding, taping and staining instruments, preparing them for their signature glossy finish. In 2009, Rich became manager of the Topcoat division, overseeing 20 employees who have perfected the process that gives each PRS its signature look.“ Dipped in glass is what I like to call it,” Rich says.
PRS guitars have always been known for their finishes, but according to Rich, there’ s more to the method— it“ not only enhances the aesthetic, but also the musical qualities of the instrument. If you put a blanket over a speaker, it muffles the sound. So the guitars need to look good AND sound like a million bucks.” Paul strums a guitar to demonstrate.“ Feel the table vibrate?” he asks.“ That string shouldn’ t have enough power to do that. That’ s extraordinary in my mind. We’ re starting to get it to the point where the instruments are as alive as they can be.”
Rich agrees:“ The one thing that you will notice the moment you pick up a
42 May / June 2013 Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond