A Legacy Reborn – The PRS Limited Edition Charcoal Phoenix Electirc Guitar
The PRS Charcoal Phoenix Limited Edition represents Paul Reed Smith’s current personal instrument choice as a guitar maker and a guitar player. Designed with meticulous
attention to detail and crafted to celebrate PRS Guitars’ 40th Anniversary, this model is
limited to only 150 pieces worldwide.
“When we released the Private Stock John McLaughlin Limited Edition in 2023, I was
inspired by its exceptional sound and playability. For the Charcoal Phoenix, I wanted to
create something equally remarkable but with a stoptail bridge. Using chaltecoco for the
neck and ziricote for the fingerboard, I achieved an instrument that sustains beautifully
and rings with clarity. The deep crimson back and the charcoal microburst top inspired
the name ‘Charcoal Phoenix,’ evoking the imagery of a phoenix rising from fire and
ashes.” – Paul Reed Smith
Over the past year, Paul has road-tested this guitar, refining its design and tone. The
result is an instrument that delivers aesthetic arrest and unparalleled performance. A
visually stunning deep crimson back contrasts beautifully with the Private Stock-grade
figured maple top in a charcoal microburst finish. The ripple abalone “Old School” bird
inlays on the ziricote fingerboard add a touch of vintage elegance. The Charcoal Phoenix
also features the newly updated PRS TCI pickups for 2025 and EQ mini-toggle switches.
The TCI pickups are crafted with American Alnico magnets and slightly modified winding, wiring, and electronics specifications. These pickups have a clear, beautiful tone
based on Paul’s experience playing this guitar live and in the studio for more than a year.
The EQ mini-toggles act as tuned high-pass filters when engaged, removing shelved lowend and allowing the high frequencies through for more clarity and musical highs.
Introduced on Paul Reed Smith’s birthday, the PRS Charcoal Phoenix Limited Edition is
part of PRS Guitars 40th Anniversary celebration. Only 150 of these instruments will be
available. Hand-signed 40th Anniversary certificate included.
SPECIFICATIONS
Body
- Body Construction: Solidbody
- Top Wood: Private Stock Grade Figured Maple
- Back Wood: “Fat Back” Mahogany
- Top Carve: Violin
- Finish Type: High-Gloss Nitro
Neck
- Number of Frets: 22
- Scale Length: 25”
- Neck Wood: Chaltecoco
- Neck Construction: One Piece
- Truss Rod: PRS Double-Acting
- Neck Shape: Pattern
- Neck Depth at the 1/2 Fret: 7/8”
- Neck Depth at the 12 1/2 Fret: 61/64”
- Neck Width at the Nut: 1 11/16”
- Neck Width at the Body: 2 1/4”
- Fretboard Wood: Ziricote
- Fretboard Radius: 10”
- Fretboard Inlay: Rippled Abalone “Old School” Birds
- Headstock Veneer: Ziricote
- Headstock Logo: Rippled Abalone Pre-Factory Eagle
- NBA Type: Set
Hardware
- Bridge: PRS Stoptail with Brass Inserts and Steel Studs
- Tuners: PRS Phase III Non-Locking Tuners with Wing Buttons
- Hardware Type: Nickel
- Nut: Bone
- Truss Rod Cover: “40th Charcoal Phoenix”
Electronics
- Treble Pickup: PRS TCI Treble
- Bass Pickup: PRS TCI Bass
- Controls: Volume and Tone Control with 3-way Toggle Pickup Switch and Two Mini-Toggle EQ Switches
Miscellaneous
- Strings: PRS Signature, 10-46
- Tuning: Standard (6-String): E, A, D, G, B, E
- Accessories: PRS ATA Multi-Fit Molded Case, D1
Manufacturer: PRS Guitars
Model: 114855::19:
SKU: I814517-N-0-WHXC
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