Discover the Art of Crafting a PRS Private Stock Masterpiece at Chicago Music Exchange

On the east side of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge lies Stevensville, a picturesque bayside community that is home to beaches, seafood restaurants, and one of the world’s foremost guitar manufacturers - Paul Reed Smith Guitars. Since 1996, Paul Reed Smith’s facility has housed PRS Private Stock, a custom-guitar program featuring a massive selection of mind-blowing tonewoods that are set aside specifically for Private Stock Guitars, and stored in their “vault” right outside Paul’s office.

Each year, members of Chicago Music Exchange’s team visit the PRS Private Stock to take advantage of the seemingly endless supply of tonewoods and nearly limitless levels of customization. “We work very hard on these trips and treat them as opportunities to work one-on-one with the people who build PRS and those who source the wood,” says CME Senior Sales Specialist David Azizinamini. Our 2024 selections are nearly here, and we are proud to share the results of our most recent trip, which are now available for pre-order when you call, click, or chat at Chicago Music Exchange!

The Process of Creating Each Guitar

When beginning the process of creating each PRS Private Stock guitar, CME Director of New Product Daniel Bordonaro says we always start by selecting a mind-blowing top. Finding unexpected woods and materials is the cornerstone of his stated goal to make guitars that are not only beautiful and well appointed, but also stand apart from anything else he has ever seen before. Of course, PRS has large amounts of the tonewoods that are traditionally found in guitars, such as curly and quilt maple, and figured mahogany, and our team also works hard to find the highest quality examples of these as well.

From there, the goal is to make each selection flow intuitively into the next, resulting in selections that make each Private Stock guitar a meticulously created work of art. “Beyond materials, the other options seem endless,” claims Bordonaro, “we have the freedom to stretch what a guitar is allowed to be in a way that just isn't possible in a lot of other places.”

In addition to our team, the expertise of Paul Reed Smith’s staff shines through in each decision: “We treat (these trips) as opportunities to work one-on-one with the people who build PRS and those who source the wood” Azizinamini states about the partnership that CME and PRS’ staff has on these trips. “Those who run the shop are helpful in directing us to get as close to our build visions as possible.”

What Sets PRS Apart?

When asked about what sets PRS’ Private Stock Program apart from other custom shop programs, Bordonaro replied: “I can walk into most facilities and find a few of these and a few of those, but at PRS you're deciding between maybe 50-60 pieces of the most insane maple burl we've ever seen.” CME’s storied history of stunning Private Stock Guitars with unique tonewoods proves as evidence to the effectiveness of PRS’ wood-sourcing efforts.

CME STAFF'S FAVORITE BUILDS SO FAR!

Pick Yours Or Spec-Out A Custom Guitar Of Your Own At CME!

Of course, if you look at CME’s PRS Private Stock selections and don’t see the guitar for you, creating that guitar is just a phone call away. “If you want to make your own, please contact us and we will help make it a reality,” says Bordonaro. “We have a ton of experience and we want to make more.” A member of our staff will be happy to walk you through the same decision-making process we go through in Stevensville to bring each PRS Private Stock Guitar to life.

At Chicago Music Exchange, we take pride in every PRS Private Stock selection, ensuring each guitar is a true work of art. From hand-picking stunning tonewoods to collaborating with the skilled team at PRS, we are deeply involved in crafting these extraordinary instruments. Whether you're drawn to our latest offerings or ready to spec out your dream guitar, Chicago Music Exchange is here to help you bring your vision to life. Reach out to us today, and let’s create a custom masterpiece together.

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