PRS Guitars has launched a six-part video series examining the guitar-making principles in Paul Reed Smith’s Rules of Tone. The first episode, released July 18, 2025, focuses on wood selection.
Smith wrote the original document in 2006, recording 21 principles developed through his experience in guitar making, design and repair. PRS uses the document as a guide for instrument construction and ongoing improvements in its manufacturing processes.
In the videos, Smith joins members of the PRS manufacturing team to explain how those principles are applied on the factory floor. The announced subjects for the remaining episodes include necks, pickups, finish, hardware and setup.
The series presents the company’s approach to the relationship between instrument components and the completed guitar. Smith said he has spent time teaching the principles to PRS teams since writing the document and that those employees have passed the practices on to other guitar makers at the company.
The episodes are being distributed through the PRS Guitars YouTube channel as part of the company’s 40th anniversary activities.
For more information, visit prsguitars.com.
