Collection: PRS Guitars

Since 1985, Paul Reed Smith Guitars has grown from a Maryland workshop into one of the most respected guitar brands in the world, standing alongside Fender and Gibson. PRS blends Strat-meets-Les Paul ergonomics, a 25" scale, rock-solid hardware, and meticulous quality control into instruments built for working players and world-class artists alike.

At Chicago Music Exchange, we’re proud to be a featured PRS dealer in the United States. We stock a deep selection of new, used, and vintage PRS guitars across Core, CE, S2, SE, Private Stock, and acoustic lines, including favorites like Custom 24, McCarty 594, CE 24, Silver Sky, DGT, Hollowbody II, SE Custom 24, SE Silver Sky, SE Zach Myers, SE Mark Holcomb, and more.

Why Guitarists Choose PRS

• Hybrid 25" scale length – between Fender and Gibson in feel and playability
• Carved figured maple tops over mahogany bodies on many models
• Outstanding quality control and consistency across all series
• Versatile electronics – coil-splits, blade switching, PRS 85/15, 58/15, TCI pickups
• Iconic bird inlays and PRS tremolo for stability and style

PRS guitars cover rock, metal, worship, fusion, blues, country, studio work, and pop gigs with the same reliability night after night.

PRS Ranges Explained (Core, CE, S2, SE, Private Stock)

Core Series – Flagship Maryland Builds

The Core line is PRS at its most refined, built in Maryland with top woods, flagship pickups, and premium finishes. Core models at CME include:

• Custom 24 & Custom 22 – the original PRS design and flagship models
• McCarty & McCarty 594 – vintage-voiced with 24.594" scale, thicker bodies, and classic control layouts
• DGT (David Grissom Trem), PRS Hollowbody I & II, Core Silver Sky, and artist models like Tremonti or Mark Holcomb

CE Series – Bolt-On Snap

The CE line (“Classic Electric”) pairs PRS bodies with bolt-on maple necks for extra snap and attack while keeping PRS curves, ergonomics, and electronics. CE 24 and CE 24 Standard are classic choices, with SE CE 24 bringing this feel into the SE range at a lower price point.

S2 Series – USA-Built, Streamlined

S2 guitars are U.S.-made PRS with simplified cosmetics and slightly different construction, slotting between SE and Core in price. Models include:

• S2 Custom 24
• S2 McCarty 594
• S2 Standard and S2 signature models

SE Series – PRS Feel at Working-Player Pricing

Introduced in 2000, PRS SE (Student Edition) guitars are built overseas to PRS spec and offer great value. Popular SE models at CME include:

• SE Custom 24 / SE CE 24 / SE Standard 24
• SE McCarty 594, SE 245, SE Paul’s Guitar
• SE Silver Sky
• SE Mark Holcomb, SE Holcomb SVN, SE Tremonti, SE Zach Myers
• SE Hollowbody II, SE A20E, and other SE acoustics

Private Stock & Wood Library – PRS at Its Wildest

Private Stock is PRS’s top tier: hand-selected woods, wild tops, custom inlays, limited runs, and one-off specs. CME frequently stocks:

• Private Stock Custom 24 / McCarty / 594
• Special semi-hollow, artist-driven builds, and limited Wood Library runs

PRS Artists & Influencers

PRS guitars are used by a roster of players including Carlos Santana, John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, Mark Holcomb, Zach Myers, Orianthi, David Grissom, Myles Kennedy, Mark Lettieri, Alex Lifeson, and Dave Navarro.

Why Buy PRS from Chicago Music Exchange?

• Official PRS dealer, listed on the PRS roster
• Deep selection of Core, S2, CE, SE, Private Stock, acoustics, and signature models, plus used & vintage PRS
• Expert staff who gig PRS guitars
• Pro setups, detailed photos, and fast shipping on every instrument

PRS FAQ

Are PRS guitars handmade?
Core, CE, S2, and Private Stock PRS guitars are built in Maryland with varying levels of handwork; SE models are built overseas to PRS spec.

What’s the difference between Core, S2, and SE?
Core – top-tier Maryland builds with premium woods and finishes. S2 – U.S.-made, streamlined aesthetics and slightly different construction. SE – PRS-designed, overseas-built, more affordable but still high quality.

What is the PRS Custom 24 known for?
The Custom 24 was PRS’s first production model (1985), with a carved maple/mahogany body, 24 frets, 25" scale, PRS trem, and versatile switching—a modern classic and flagship PRS.

Are PRS guitars good for metal?
Yes. Models like Mark Holcomb, Tremonti, and many 24-fret PRS with hotter pickups and tight low end are excellent for modern metal and prog.

Does Chicago Music Exchange sell used PRS guitars?
Yes. CME regularly stocks used and vintage PRS Core, CE, S2, SE, and Private Stock models alongside new inventory.