By: Staff
Nick Moroch demoing some new PRS boutique amps
Experience PRS 2011 proves once again that the company is not standing still in the face of daunting economic conditions around the world. With a new line-up of SE acoustic guitars and high quality, yet affordable, SE amps they’re targeting the younger set, yet given the current recessionary times allowing those watching their budgets closely to pony up for some new gear. Still, it’s a forward leaning strategy that must weigh risk with potential gain. And these days, gain means retaining market share almost as much as expanding it.
We checked out the new SE 20, 30 and 50 amps and test ran them. We couldn’t help but grab some of the SE electrics hitched up to the amps and take them for a ride. On the second deck of the facility, we found the amp clinic with ace session guitarist, Nick Moroch, who demonstrated several PRS amps, while acoustics and sound expert, Peter Denenberg, led a discussion. Peter offered up a background story that relayed how PRS analyzed one of Duane Allman’s work horse amps in the company’s quest for the best tone, as well as checked out a Hendrix amp of the same vintage to find the magic. PRS turned the insight they gained from these two iconic amps into their new boutique amp, the PRS HXDA. You can guess what the HX and the DA stand for, and by god, with a good guitar in the right hands plugged into this bad boy, it’s like both are back from the dead.
After the sound presentation, we waded through the crowd of PRS fans as they played a gauntlet of PRS guitars with more than a few picking up two SE Angelus acoustics. Nearby was the acoustic guitar building work area where we saw all kinds of woodworking tools, machinery and contraptions, as well as got a kick out of seeing how some employees personalized their work spaces.
Paul Reed Smith SE 20 head, hooked up in the Amp Demo Room at Experience PRS 2011
A tiny portion of the array of guitars on display at Experience PRS 2011
Peter Denenberg, producer/studio wizard, talks about PRS amps
