"Paul Reed Smith received a phone call from someone asking for assistance in building a guitar, with the caller saying, 'Paul! Paul! I need your help. Eddie's coming up', referring to Eddie Van Halen"
In the world of guitar manufacturing, few collaborations have left as lasting an impression as the one between Paul Reed Smith and the legendary Eddie Van Halen. This tale begins with a panicked phone call from the top brass at Kramer, who urgently requested Smith to prepare a guitar for their iconic frontman.
Smith, the founder of PRS Guitars, recalls assembling the guitar with the pickups he made, and mentions Eddie’s involvement in customizing the guitar feel. The guitar they built was influenced by Eddie’s iconic "Frankenstein" guitar style, and Smith remembers Eddie spending considerable time testing and checking components to meet his standards.
The collaboration resulted in the assembly of the famous 5150 guitar and pickups, with Eddie personally involved in the process and the guitar’s innovative design. The 5150 guitar featured aluminum pieces on the back, allowing Eddie to manipulate it in unique ways, transforming it into a lap steel and a piano.
Although a signature PRS model for Eddie never officially happened, Smith remembers Eddie as very kind and the experience as special. This collaboration is considered a notable "almost" in guitar history.
Fast forward to today, PRS Guitars is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is releasing at least one new guitar per month. The Maryland-based brand, known for high-end electric guitar designs, has also announced that it will be selling its electric guitar pickups, allowing customers to modify their electric guitars with US-made pickups from Smith.
In another exciting development, Mark Holcomb's signature guitar has been added to the Core US-made lineup of PRS Guitars for the first time. Previously, this guitar was only available as a limited edition model.
Notable players such as John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, and Zach Myers are among those who swear by PRS electric guitar designs. The crew at the Van Halen concert was excited to hear Eddie Van Halen play, describing him as a musical and powerful guitar player.
As we reflect on this unique collaboration, we can't help but marvel at the innovative spirit that drove two giants of the guitar world to work together. Eddie Van Halen's guitar, made by Paul Reed Smith, remains a testament to their shared vision and the enduring legacy of both musicians.
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