PRS 40th Anniversary Charcoal Phoenix Limited Edition

DESCRIPTION

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 low end 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.

Weight: 7.9 lbs 

Case: PRS ATA Multi-Fit Molded Case, D1

Year: 2025

Body Construction: Solidbody

Top Wood: Private Stock Grade Figured Maple

Back Wood: "Fat Back" Mahogany

Top Carve: Violin

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

Neck/Body Assembly Type: Set

Finish Type: High-Gloss Nitro

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"

Treble Pickup: TCI

Bass Pickup: TCI

Controls:Volume and Tone Control with 3-way Toggle Pickup Switch and Two Mini-Toggle EQ Switches

Strings: PRS Signature 10-46

Tuning: Standard (6 String): E, A, D, G, B, E

SETUP & INSPECTED BY OUR TECH TEAM

All of our guitars come with a FREE professional setup to a comfortable action as specified by that instrument’s manufacturer. Our setups always include inspection of (and necessary adjustment to): action, intonation, tremolo angle, truss rod, frets, nut, bridge, and more. We can accommodate special setup requests - additional charges and/or shipping delays of 1-2 business days could occur.

INDIVIDUALLY PHOTOGRAPHED

After 15 years of innovation in our photography process, Ish Guitars has developed a way to get you the most accurate true-to-life color of every instrument we sell. We never embellish, oversaturate, or misrepresent our images, so that your buying experience can be as much like visiting our showroom as possible. Keep in mind that various computer screens can show colors a bit differently, so the color on your screen may not match the real thing perfectly no matter how hard we try. Also, unless otherwise noted, we individually list and photo every piece of gear that comes through our doors.

HEAR A LIVE DEMO

Experience our innovative Video Appointment service! Connect with our Gear Experts to hear this instrument played live over Zoom and receive one-on-one guidance. Contact us to schedule your appointment!