"Paul Reed Smith emphasizes the guitar's most vital element, asserting its significance outweighs that of pickups and influencing the instrument's tone"
In an insightful discussion on the PRS YouTube channel, guitar craftsman Paul Reed Smith sheds light on the importance of the neck in producing a guitar's tone. According to Smith, the neck is the most crucial feature of a guitar, as it greatly influences the instrument's resonance, overall feel, and ultimately, its tone.
Smith highlights the neck's unique structural characteristics, such as its a-weighted design, the presence of tuning pegs at one end, and a varying number of frets at each end. These factors contribute significantly to the tonal impact of the guitar. The neck supports the tension from the strings and shapes how the guitar feels in the player's hands, altering the length of the strings during play.
PRS has refined its neck-building techniques over the years through collaboration with artists like John Mayer and Mark Holcomb. This collaboration has led to the creation of a signature guitar for Herman Li and the release of new guitars each month in 2025, including the acclaimed NF 53 SE, which has been claimed as the best sub-$1k electric guitar of the year.
Smith believes that the strength and construction of the neck affect how a guitar resonates, stating that nothing on the guitar is more important than the neck when it comes to how tone is produced. The weight of the neck and the presence of tuning pegs and more frets at one end of the neck significantly impact the guitar's resonance.
Moreover, Smith emphasizes the importance of not putting the neck under excessive tension from the strings. Excessive tension can lead to a lack of sustained low mid-range in the instrument. A player's comfort with a guitar is vital for optimal performance and a superior tone.
In Smith's view, the overdrive pedal, pickups, and tube amp are not the most crucial aspects for good tone in a guitar. Instead, he places a significant emphasis on the neck, believing it to be the most crucial aspect for good tone.
Smith's innovative ideas extend beyond the guitar neck. He has advocated for Guatemalan fence posts as viable tonewoods for guitars, demonstrating his commitment to exploring unconventional materials for guitar construction.
As PRS celebrates its 40th anniversary, the company continues to push the boundaries of guitar design, with a focus on creating instruments that resonate, feel great to play, and deliver exceptional tone. The role of the neck in this process cannot be overstated.
- Paul Reed Smith, discussing on PRS YouTube, stated that the neck on a guitar is the most crucial feature for its tone.
- The neck's unique structural design, including its a-weighted structure, tuning pegs, and varying number of frets, significantly influences a guitar's resonance.
- PRS has collaborated with artists like John Mayer and Mark Holcomb to refine their neck-building techniques, culminating in the release of new guitars like the NF 53 SE.
- Smith believes that the strength and construction of the neck, along with its weight and the presence of tuning pegs, significantly impact a guitar's resonance and ultimately, its tone.
- In Smith's opinion, while overdrive pedals, pickups, and tube amps are important, they are not as crucial as the neck in producing a guitar's tone.
- In exploring unconventional materials for guitar construction, Smith has advocated for using Guatemalan fence posts as potential tonewoods.
