By: Staff
Unveiled at NAMM 2012: The P22, Paul Reed Smith Guitars’ first piezo-equipped solidbody guitar (pics below). It comes standard with a figured maple top, mahogany back, mahogany neck with a 22 fret rosewood fingerboard, and a redesigned PRS/LR Baggs piezo system. LR Baggs and PRS partnered more than a decade ago to design the piezo system found in PRS’s various hollowbody models. This new system has the same circuit design as the original, giving the P22 the same tonal authenticity and real world practicality as PRS hollowbody guitars. The redesign, however, yielded a version that is 60% smaller than the original system, allowing it to fit comfortably on a solidbody guitar. Uncovered 53/10 pickups round out this guitar’s specs and help refine the P22’s voice.
After a recording session, Don McCollister, Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer, said, “I have recorded and mixed hundreds and hundreds of acoustic guitars, including mixing both live and studio cuts, and I have never heard a more musical, more natural sound from an acoustic pickup system. If that had been the only thing special about the guitar I would have been excited, but then to hear the electric tones it creates – I was blown away.”
Piezo systems have long allowed guitarists the versatility of wielding both acoustic and electric guitar tones in one instrument. The PRS Hollowbody II and Singlecut Hollowbody II both come standard with a PRS/LR Baggs piezo and have achieved a great level of popularity in PRS Guitars’ product line. The addition of a solidbody model gives musicians a new and unique tool to add to their own lineup.
“The ability to blend in an acoustic sound along with whatever electric tone you are recording would be a game changer in certain situations. I noticed that it really helped the notes ring clearly through the haze, which is a tough thing to accomplish in a complex mix sometimes. I could see it becoming my go-to session guitar, and I’ll be one of the first in line when it comes out!,” continued McCollister.
After nearly a year of work from concept to completion, the piezo-equipped P22 will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2012.
Paul Reed Smith P22
PRS P22
Paul Reed Smith P22
