Luthier Paul Reed Smith devised an electric guitar that became very influential in the 1980s. With the success of the electric guitars, Smith decided to move into other markets, including the amplifier business. Because of the tube scare during the late 1980s, Smith thought amps with solid-state chassis was the way to go. Eric Pritchard developed these amps with the Harmonic Generator circuit, which is where the amps got their name "HG." The HG Series of amps were first released in 1989, but despite initial good reviews, high prices and lack of interest in solid-state models, the project lasted less than a year. Only 350 units were shipped and they were discontinued in 1990.
As boutique tube amplifiers became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Smith decided he wanted to offer a guitar amplifier again with a tube chassis. In 2006, Smith met amp designer/builder Doug Sewell at the Dallas Guitar Show and after getting to know each other, Smith asked Sewell to design a line of guitar amps for Paul Reed Smith. Sewell declined at first, but later on accepted the offer and began working for Smith full time in June 2008. At the 2009 NAMM Show, PRS introduced three new guitar amplifiers called the Original Sewell, Dallas, and Blue Sierra that were all covered in a gold/black paisley fabric covering. In mid-2009, PRS introduced two smaller amplifiers with a more traditional white covering called the 30 and the Sweet 16. In late 2011, PRS introduced the SE line of amps that are built in Korea. Source for early PRS amplifier history, Dave Burrluck, The Paul Reed Smith Book
Amplifiers currently produced in Stevensville, MD since 2009 and in Korea since 2011. Previously produced in Annapolis, MD between circa 1989 and 1990. The PRS trademark was established in 1985.

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) Guitar Amplifiers Models

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HG-70 Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HG-70

- 70W, head-unit guitar configuration, solid-state chassis, two separate preamps to create a "Vintage American" and a "Vintage English" sound, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input, 14 black knobs...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DALLAS II HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DALLAS II HEAD

- 50W, guitar head unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X 6L6, solid-state rectifier, single channel, reverb, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (v, r, t, m, b, MV), power/standby switch, blac...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 25th ANNIVERSARY HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 25th ANNIVERSARY HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, hand-wired to military spec, tube chassis, power: 2 X EL34, two channels (Treble/Bass), top black control panel, single input, seven black knobs (Treble Ch. g, Bass Ch. g, t, m, b, p, wattage attenuator), rear panel...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SE 20 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SE 20 HEAD

- 20W, guitar head-unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X "JJ" 6V6, solid-state rectifier, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front white control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b,...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ARCHON 25 COMBO Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ARCHON 25 COMBO

- 25W (switchable to 13W), 1-12 in. Celestion G12-75T speaker, guitar combo, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 2 x 5881, two channels, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, Clean Ch.: v,...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 20 COMBO Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 20 COMBO

- 20W, guitar combo amp, 1-12 in. speaker, power: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, 1 X 12DW7, power: 5881 tubes, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, MV, Clean Ch.: v, t, m,...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HXDA 30 COMBO Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HXDA 30 COMBO

- 30W, 1-12 in. speaker, guitar combo amp, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6L6, one channel, top black control panel, single input, seven black knobs (HXDA g, Bass g, t, m, b, p, MV), three HX/DA switches, rear panel: power swit...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DG CUSTOM 30 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DG CUSTOM 30 HEAD

- 30W, guitar head-unit, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AT7, power: EL84 tubes, one channel, top black control panel, single input, six black knobs (v, reverb, t, m, b, MV), bright switch, rear panel: power switch, standby switch, f...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 20 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 20 HEAD

- 20W, guitar head unit, power: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, 1 X 12DW7, power: 5881 tubes, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, MV, Clean Ch.: v, t, m, b, MV, All: r, pre...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ARCHON 50 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ARCHON 50 HEAD

- 50W (switchable to 25W), guitar head unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 2 x 6L6GC or EL34, two channels, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, Clean Ch.: v, t, m, b, All: p, d, Lea...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HXDA 30 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HXDA 30 HEAD

- 30W, guitar head-unit, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X 6L6, one channel, top black control panel, single input, seven black knobs (HXDA g, Bass g, t, m, b, p, MV), three HX/DA switches, rear panel: power switch, standby switch...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DG CUSTOM 50 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DG CUSTOM 50 HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, 1 X 12AT7, power: EL34 tubes, one channel, top black control panel, single input, six black knobs (v, reverb, t, m, b, MV), bright switch, rear panel: power switch, standby switch, f...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HG-212 Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HG-212

- 70W, 2-12 in. speakers, guitar combo, solid-state chassis, two separate preamps to create a "Vintage American" and a "Vintage English" sound, two channels, reverb, front black control panel, single input, 14 black knob...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) BLUE SIERRA HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) BLUE SIERRA HEAD

- 50W or 100W, 2 (50W) or 4 (100W) X EL34 or 6L6 power tubes, single channel, optional reverb, top black control panel, single input, five black knobs (v, b, m, t, MV) or six black knobs (v, r, b, m, t, MV), bright switch, rear panel: power...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) PRS 30 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) PRS 30 HEAD

- 30W, guitar head unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 4 X EL84, solid-state rectifier, single channel, reverb, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (v, r, t, m, b, MV), power/standby switch, b...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HXDA 50 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) HXDA 50 HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, tube chassis, preamp: 3 X 12AX7, power: 2 X el34, one channel, top black control panel, single input, 3-band EQ, seven black knobs (HXDA g, Bass g, t, m, b, p, MV), three HX/DA switches, rear panel: power switch, st...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 50 COMBO Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 50 COMBO

- 50W, guitar combo amp, 1-12 in. speaker, power: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, 1 X 12DW7, power: 6L6 tubes, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, MV, Clean Ch.: v, t, m, b...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) Archon 50 Combo Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) Archon 50 Combo

- similar to the Archon 50 Head, except in combo configuration with 1-12 in. Celestion G12-75T speaker, available in black tolex covering with black grille cloth, black tolex covering with wheat grille cloth, or gray tweed covering with bro...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SE 30 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SE 30 HEAD

- 30W, guitar head-unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X "Tungsol" 5881, solid-state rectifier, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front gray control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t,...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 50 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) 2 CHANNEL CUSTOM 50 HEAD

- 50W, guitar head unit, power: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, 1 X 12DW7, power: 6L6 tubes, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, MV, Clean Ch.: v, t, m, b, MV, All: r, pres...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ARCHON 100 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ARCHON 100 HEAD

- 100W (switchable to 50W), guitar head unit, eight-tube chassis, preamp: 6 X 12AX7, power: 4 x 6L6GC or EL34, two channels, front black control panel, single input, 12 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, Clean Ch.: v, t, m, b, All: p, d, Le...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DALLAS HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) DALLAS HEAD

- 50W or 100W, 2 (50W) or 4 (100W) X 6L6 power tubes, single channel. reverb, top black control panel, single input, six black knobs (v, r, b, m, t, MV), bright switch, rear panel: power switch, standby switch, bias adjustments, five speake...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SE 50 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SE 50 HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X "JJ" EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front purple control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m,...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SWEET 16 HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) SWEET 16 HEAD

- 16W, guitar head unit, six-tube chassis, preamp: 2 X 12AX7, 2 X 12AT7, power: 2 X 6V6, solid-state rectifier, single channel, reverb, front black control panel, single input, six black knobs (v, r, t, m, b, MV), power/standby switch, blac...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) TWO CHANNEL "C" HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) TWO CHANNEL "C" HEAD

- 50W, guitar head unit, power: 2 X EL34, solid-state rectifier, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front black control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, Clean Ch.: v, t, m, b, All: r, Lead MV, Clean MV), channel sw...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) TWO CHANNEL "H" HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) TWO CHANNEL "H" HEAD

- 50W, guitar head unit, power: 2 X 6L6, solid-state rectifier, Heyboer transformer, two channels (clean/lead), reverb, front black control panel, single input, 11 black knobs (Lead Ch.: v, t, m, b, Clean Ch.: v, t, m, b, All: r, Lead MV, C...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ORIGINAL SEWELL HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) ORIGINAL SEWELL HEAD

- 50W or 100W, 2 (50W) or 4 (100W) X EL34 or 6L6 power tubes, single channel, optional reverb, top black control panel, single input, four black knobs (v, t, bass/boost, MV) or five black knobs (v, r, t, bass/boost, MV), bright switch, rear...

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) PRS RECORDING AMP HEAD Image

PAUL REED SMITH (PRS) PRS RECORDING AMP HEAD

- 50W, guitar head-unit, hand-wired to military spec, tube chassis, power: 2 X EL34, Cinemag output transformer, two channels (Treble/Bass), reverb, top black control panel, single input, seven cream knobs (Treble Ch. g, Bass Ch. g, t, m, b...