A little bit about the Paul Reed Smith behind "PRS"...

[Anderton]

Regardless of whether you love PRS guitars or not, here's something that gives a little insight into the man behind the company.

Yesterday, I was surprised when UPS pulled up with a guitar-shaped package from PRS. I already have a PRS, and my daughter has an SE, and I hadn't ordered anything. So I opened it up, and found this note:

"Season's Greetings.

"Certain seasons bring with them certain memories and traditions. This time of year I am reminded of childhood and the feeling of opening presents and believing in the possibilities that Christmas Day and Hannukah brought with them. I find it heartwarming to be able to give memorable gifts to children and young adults.

"The PRS SE guitar accompanying this letter is a gift from Paul Reed Smith guitars intended to help 'pay it forward.' In the spirit of the season, please donate this guitar to a charity, child, young adult, or someone less privileged than we are fortunate enough to be.

Sincerely,

Paul Reed Smith"

If that's not a working definition of "class act," I don't know what is. Major :thu: to Mr. Smith, who apparently is more interested in fixing the world than whining about it. The world needs more people like him.

[DStreur]

That's awesome. Major props to Mr. Smith

[Lopp]

Wow. Thumbs up!

[larryguitar]

I've never heard a negative thing about PRS (the man.) In the music business, that speaks volumes, IMHO.

[Anderton]

I've never heard a negative thing about PRS (the man.)

And frankly, I don't think you will.

When he went through a temporary rough spot a few years ago when sales dipped, he only talked about it in terms of making sure he didn't have to lay anyone off. It seemed that was all he cared about, not his income or overall sales.

[HeatherAnnePeel]

Paul is awesome! I definitely plan on getting a PRS of some kind in the future.

[Anderton]

To the person who said "I'm sure it has nothing to do with a certain someone doing product reviews for Harmony Central."

The guitar wasn't for me. The guitar was to give to someone who wasn't as fortunate and who would benefit from it.

There's a school here that teaches music and technology to kids. They've been having a hard time with funding in the current economic climate, and this guitar will be auctioned off to the highest bidder - who doesn't get the guitar, but gets to give it to the deserving child. One has already been chosen, she's a really cool kid, very promising musician, and this guitar will make all the difference in the world. The person buying it will get a plaque at the school.

As to me, I've never reviewed any PRS gear here on HC. I own two PRS guitars (one for studio, one for road) and paid for both of them.

You can be as cynical as you want, but thankfully, there are some people in this world with really good hearts. I feel sorry for someone whose worldview can attribute only self-serving motives to someone who's decided to make a difference.

Oh yes, and if you heard Fox news today, there was a motorcycle club doing a toys for tots thing and had collected a trailer of toys that got stolen. Worse yet, the guy doing it had his guitar stolen in the process. Paul heard about it, and gave the guy a guitar.

He didn't do it because I've never reviewed any of his gear on Harmony Central. Trust me on this one.

[tacdryver]

I play out with a PRS SE. I play blues, I play lead. It works.

[aliensporebomb]

Paul is a class act. That's just amazing.

[ymb]

Yesterday I got home to find a christmas card from PRS in my mailbox. It was signed by everyone and looked like an original except there were no indents from the pen marks.

Still I haven't recieved anything like it from any other gear places.

Indded he seems to be a pretty solid guy.

peace

[cmhuston]

That is awesome. First time I've heard of a company doing that. What are you going to do with the guitar?

[Anderton]

Funny you should ask. We talked to some teachers and schools in our area, and one teacher pointed us to a 13-year-old girl who was showing a lot of talent on guitar but was limited by her guitar and her family's finances. After doing a little bit of a background check, she seemed like EXACTLY the kind of person Paul would want to have receive the guitar.

My daughter and I drove over on Christmas day to her house, guitar in hand...it was immediately obvious she was way into music, from the acoustic guitar lying against the couch, to the Beatles book on the coffee table, to the Sublime T-shirt she was wearing. When she saw the guitar, she started smiling and was basically in a state of shock. She started playing it and the smile didn't leave her face the whole time we were there. She was totally flipped out and totally appreciative. I mean, c'mon, a PRS shows up your door on Christmas out of nowhere just because Paul wanted to "pay it forward" to someone who deserved it?

It was great to see the joy in her eyes. She's going to do very well with it, I think. Oh, and it seems my daughter made a new friend, too :)

[thork86]

My little sisters' friend here in MD was hand-given a Santana SE from Mr Smith himself at school. Sisters' friend is a less-priveleged kid (16 yrs old, into rock n roll), real good guy, and he talked to Paul for a few minutes about playing and guitar.

A free guitar like that is a precious gift to those who aren't fortunate enough to receive something as nice this time of year.

Three cheers for Paul Reed Smith, the man, and the company.

[Dances w/carp]

"Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment."

[cmhuston]

Funny you should ask. We talked to some teachers and schools in our area, and one teacher pointed us to a 13-year-old girl who was showing a lot of talent on guitar but was limited by her guitar and her family's finances. After doing a little bit of a background check, she seemed like EXACTLY the kind of person Paul would want to have receive the guitar.

My daughter and I drove over on Christmas day to her house, guitar in hand...it was immediately obvious she was way into music, from the acoustic guitar lying against the couch, to the Beatles book on the coffee table, to the Sublime T-shirt she was wearing. When she saw the guitar, she started smiling and was basically in a state of shock. She started playing it and the smile didn't leave her face the whole time we were there. She was totally flipped out and totally appreciative. I mean, c'mon, a PRS shows up your door on Christmas out of nowhere just because Paul wanted to "pay it forward" to someone who deserved it?

It was great to see the joy in her eyes. She's going to do very well with it, I think. Oh, and it seems my daughter made a new friend, too :)

:thu:Very cool.

[cmhuston]

***

[prsisbest]

100% class act, and it seems that Paul surrounds himself with employees that are the same way,

[Anderton]

Well, before we move this forum to the archives, I thought I'd post some pics of the lucky girl with her guitar...I talked to her mom yesterday, and she said her daughter has pretty much not put down the guitar except to eat and sleep since she got it :thu:

This is so cool. Hats off not only to Paul, but to ALL the people who bring joy into the hearts of others.

[SingLoco]

Wow, i have to say that i really wish there were more people that are that high up in the music business and actually give something back to the community. I have a PRS 513 and so far I have loved every minute Ive spent with my guitar.

[MikeStatic]

Paul is a class act all the way, and from my experience he surrounds himself with the same type of people. That's a company that I feel good doing business with.

The SE story was great, what a Christmas!

[Mikeo]

Regardless of whether you love PRS guitars or not, here's something that gives a little insight into the man behind the company.

Yesterday, I was surprised when UPS pulled up with a guitar-shaped package from PRS. I already have a PRS, and my daughter has an SE, and I hadn't ordered anything. So I opened it up, and found this note:

"Season's Greetings.

"Certain seasons bring with them certain memories and traditions. This time of year I am reminded of childhood and the feeling of opening presents and believing in the possibilities that Christmas Day and Hannukah brought with them. I find it heartwarming to be able to give memorable gifts to children and young adults.

"The PRS SE guitar accompanying this letter is a gift from Paul Reed Smith guitars intended to help 'pay it forward.' In the spirit of the season, please donate this guitar to a charity, child, young adult, or someone less privileged than we are fortunate enough to be.

Sincerely,

Paul Reed Smith"

If that's not a working definition of "class act," I don't know what is. Major :thu: to Mr. Smith, who apparently is more interested in fixing the world than whining about it. The world needs more people like him.



This is the first time I have seen this.

way cool.

I have a PRS CU 22 with all the bells and whistles on it, I must say it is very nicely made.I may some day ever have the chance to buy another.

[StratsRule07]

Always enjoy reading about kind acts like this. Two thumbs up!

[El Glom-o]

I've never heard a negative thing about PRS (the man.)


Then you've never communicated with forum member and former PRS employee bernardo gui.