Paul Reed Smith answers the PRS dentist-guitar stereotype

Paul Reed Smith has addressed the familiar joke that PRS guitars are made for dentists. Guitar World reported his response on October 9, following a viewer question during Andertons’ October 6 livestream.

Guitar World quotes Smith’s reply: “I didn’t know Carlos Santana and John Mayer were dentists.”

SE, S2 and Private Stock

In the report, Smith points to the SE and S2 ranges when discussing PRS’s efforts to make its guitars accessible to more players. He also defends Private Stock pricing in terms of the work and expertise involved. These are his assessments of affordability and value.

The artists behind the answer

Both musicians have established PRS partnerships. The company’s John Mayer profile traces his collaboration from the Private Stock Super Eagle, designed for his work with Dead & Company, to the Silver Sky and SE Silver Sky.

PRS describes Carlos Santana’s relationship with Smith as predating the company itself. Santana signature instruments have appeared across the range, from SE to Private Stock.

The SE connection also has a longer history. In its overview of SE signature models, PRS dates the series’ beginning to the Santana SE in 2001. It places the original Silver Sky’s introduction in 2018, with the SE version following four years later.

Watch the full Andertons Q&A with Paul Reed Smith here.