Truck on into CME to Soar Off with this Ultra-Rare Bird

When it comes to the wall space CME devotes to the premium guitars we have in-store, perhaps no premium guitar brand has gained as much real estate as PRS since CME got into the business of buying, selling, and trading guitars collectible and player-grade instruments over 30 years ago.

While CME has come to devote an entire wall to standard PRS lines, like the Core, SE, and S2 series—as well as a wide array of exclusive offerings from Wood Library and Private Stock—there’s one model we’ve never been able to get our hands on and play: the PRS Super Eagle. But, now, with the arrival of The CME Collection, we have two!

A Rare Sight to See

Founded by luthier Paul Reed Smith in 1985, the Maryland-based gearhead got his start in the guitar-building by crafting first-class, handmade electric guitars known for their distinctive styling and high-performance features.

While PRS has made a number of signature models for artists over the years—from Santana, Mark Tremonti, to Mark Lettieri—the PRS Private Stock “Super Eagle” was borne out of a close collaboration with Grammy-winning musician John Mayer, with the goal of creating a highly sophisticated and unique instrument, paying homage to the history of guitar-making tone while pushing the boundaries of materials, design, and craftsmanship.

Among the distinctive features and personalized specs Mayer and Smith chose for both special runs of the Custom Shop “Super Eagle” models include specially-wound 58/15 JM treble and bass pickups with a specially-wound Narrowfield JM pickup in the middle position (with three individual coil-tap mini-switches), which delivered a bright, clear tone heard in venues across the US in Mayer’s performances with Dead & Company throughout the band’s early tours. Additionally, both models feature: 

PRS Super Eagle I Tobacco Smoked Burst Limited (1 of 100)

Among the other extraordinary guitars we acquired with The CME Collection, PRS Super Eagle I Tobacco Smoked Burst Limited (1 of 100) became available for order in March 2016 and sold out immediately, well before John took the stage with Dead & Company for the band’s 2016 tour with his Super Eagle I in hand, with which Mayer seemed to effortlessly channel the sounds of the Grateful Dead’s late, beloved guitar player, Jerry Garcia. 

During Dead & Company’s tour in the summer of 2016, PRS made Mayer another version of the guitar, which the guitarist received before the end of the tour and played on the very last show, then continued to play throughout the entire 2017 tour the following year.

The PRS Super Eagle II Hemp Green Limited (1 of 120) is among this later batch made available to fans and collectors, featuring many of the same specifications but with updated woods—including a one-piece Private Stock curly maple back, African blackwood fingerboard and headstock veneer—as well as aesthetic appointments like the paua birds, and a green ripple abalone 12th-fret violin bird and Private Stock eagle.

See More PRS Guitar Highlights:

SHOP CME COLLECTION | PRS COLLECTION

SHOP THE FULL CME COLLECTION

Related Posts

Fender | Limited Edition Vintera II Road Worn

In the ‘50s and ‘60s, Leo Fender’s guitar and bass designs sent shockwaves through the musical landscape, giving players in emerging musical genres the tools needed to shape a new world of sound! The new Limited Edition Vintera II Road Worn Series pays homage to the look and feel of those original instruments, bringing their designs to a new generation of movers and shakers. Now available on our showroom floor and on our website, each guitar and bass captures the magic of a well-loved musical companion, thanks to period-correct specifications and subtly aged finishes.

Read more

Staff Picks

Staff Picks is where each of our experts share their FAVORITE GEAR! It's always changing, always updating with the latest and greatest. Enjoy CME Staff Picks!

Read more

EarthQuaker Devices | 2025 One-of-A-Kind Series

Make your pedalboard pop with the 2025 EarthQuaker Devices One-of-a-Kind Pedals, available exclusively at Chicago Music Exchange! For the fourth year in a row, CME is teaming up with the legendary Akron-based pedal builders to deliver a limited run of truly one-of-a-kind stompboxes. Each pedal showcases EarthQuaker’s most beloved circuits—like the Avalanche Run, Hoof, and Plumes—reimagined with fresh graphics, bold colors, and unique finishes. Built by hand in Ohio, EarthQuaker Devices pedals are known for their innovative tones, player-friendly controls, and eye-catching aesthetics. Every pedal in this collection is one-of-one, making it as unique as your sound. Shop CME Exclusive EarthQuaker Devices One-of-a-Kind collection now and grab the pedal that will set your board apart in 2025.

Read more