[Please see our listing of used PRS guitars following this brief history of the brand.]
Used PRS guitars don't come cheap. This is a testament to their outstanding quality and reputation. Although it will take a reasonable investment to obtain a used PRS guitar, you will have a quality instrument that you can always get your money out of, or even watch it appreciate in value.
Paul Reed Smith, originally from Bowie, Maryland, and born on February 18, 1956, is one of the premier luthiers in the world. He is the founder and owner of PRS Guitars.
Smith built his first guitar while attending St. Mary's College of Maryland, and continued to build about one guitar per month all through his college years.
Together with John "Orkie" Ingram, they formed what would become 'Paul Reed Smith Guitars.'
Smith would often take his guitars backstage at concerts, and got his big break when rocker Derek St. Holmes, of the Ted Nugent Band, agreed to try out #2, the second guitar Smith had ever made. St. Holmes played the guitar for the first few songs of his set. Smith told him that after he showed it to some other musicians, he would fly out to Detroit and give it to him. St. Holmes eventually sold the guitar for $200.
Here's a quote from Paul Reed Smith himself. I think it is evident of the man's dedication and drive to build the best instruments that can be had.
"I remember hanging out at the local concert arenas for six or seven hours before a show to make friends with the roadies. With a backstage pass in hand, I’d peddle my guitars to the stars. One night in ten I’d make a sale. Carlos Santana, Al Di Meola, Howard Leese, and other well known players agreed to check one out. I made deals. If someone gave me an order, made a deposit, and then didn’t love the finished guitar, I’d give them their deposit back even if I couldn’t make my rent the next day."
Smith eventually got in contact with Ted McCarty, developer of the Gibson Explorer, ES-335 and Flying Vee guitars, and former President of Gibson. McCarty became his mentor and adviser.
Their collaboration resulted in the current line of high-quality solid, semi-hollow and hollow body PRS guitars. The beautiful woods, inlays and finishes on PRS guitars, results in instruments that are second to none in their amazing appearance and playability.
The Private Stock line of PRS guitars are made utilizing a vast range of exotic materials including various stones, elaborately figured tone woods, and intricate shells for inlays.
 |
 2011 PAUL REED SMITH PRS CUSTOM 24 MINT NO RESERVE $2,350.00 (19 Bids) Time Remaining: 42m |
 2012 PRS P22 Velvet Rosa Paul Reed Smith $3,116.00 Time Remaining: 29d 20h Buy It Now for only: $3,116.00 |
 PRS Standard 241992Paul Reed SmithEbonyNO RESERVE $910.00 (15 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 25m |
 2012 PRS Custom 24 Nuclear Wasabi Redux Paul Reed Smith $3,399.00 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 48m Buy It Now for only: $3,399.00 |
 PRS Paul Reed Smith 25th Anniversary McCarty 10 Top Charcoal Burst Elect Guitar $2,099.00 Time Remaining: 1h 27m |
 2012 PRS DGT Standard Scarlet OHara Paul Reed Smith $2,397.00 Time Remaining: 29d 19h 10m Buy It Now for only: $2,397.00 |
 PRS Paul Reed Smith 25th Anniversary McCarty Narrowfield $1,650.00 Time Remaining: 3h 32m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 Bid now |
 Paul Reed Smith PRS 2012 Custom 24 Guitar Rare Submerged Blue Crab Finish New $2,850.00 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 26m Buy It Now for only: $2,850.00 |
 HOly Grail 1986 Paul Reed Smith Cu24 Vintage Yellow Birds pre 1000 s n PRS braz $11,500.00 Time Remaining: 9h 27m Buy It Now for only: $12,650.00 Bid now |
 Paul Reed Smith SE One Korina w Humbucker Volume Tone control PRS SE Gig Bag $350.00 Time Remaining: 9h 42m |
 Paul Reed Smith PRS Tremonti Signature Sunburst MINT $2,500.00 Time Remaining: 9d 18h 4m Buy It Now for only: $2,500.00 |
 Paul Reed Smith PRS SE Custom 24 Mahogany Body Neck 24 frets Bird Inlays $405.00 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 34m |