PRS Serial Number Formats
Sequential 1-5 digits(1985-1993)Early PRS production used simple sequential numbering.
YY + sequential(1997-present)Two-digit year prefix followed by a production sequence number.
Letter + YY + digits(2000-present)SE series (import) models with factory letter prefix.
Where to Find Your PRS Serial Number
- ▶On the back of the headstock
- ▶On the truss rod cover (some Private Stock models)
Tips
- ▶Early PRS guitars (serial numbers under 1000) are highly collectible.
- ▶The PRS factory moved from Annapolis to Stevensville, MD in 1996.
Spotting Counterfeit PRS Guitars
PRS counterfeits have become increasingly common, especially fake Custom 24s and McCarty models. PRS guitars have several distinctive features that are difficult for counterfeiters to replicate accurately.
Serial Number & Headstock▼
- ▶PRS Core serial numbers are always hand-written (engraved) on the back of the headstock — never printed, stamped, or applied as a sticker.
- ▶The PRS eagle headstock inlay on Core models should be precise and detailed. Blurry, blobby, or poorly shaped eagles are a dead giveaway.
- ▶The "Paul Reed Smith" signature on the headstock should be clean and accurately shaped. Compare it to verified examples from the PRS website.
Hardware & Tuners▼
- ▶PRS Core guitars use PRS-branded Phase III or equivalent tuners with "PRS" stamped on the back. Unbranded or third-party tuners on a Core model are a major red flag.
- ▶The PRS tremolo bridge (on models that have one) is proprietary. Fakes often use Floyd Rose copies or generic tremolos that don't match the PRS design.
- ▶Control knobs should be PRS-branded lampshade-style knobs. Generic speed knobs or Les Paul-style knobs are wrong.
Inlays & Fretboard▼
- ▶PRS bird inlays should be genuine abalone or mother-of-pearl with fine detail. Fake birds look flat, lack depth, and have simplified outlines.
- ▶The moon inlays (on McCarty and some other models) should be perfectly round and flush with the fretboard.
- ▶Fretboard binding (on models that have it) should be clean and tight. PRS is known for exceptional fit and finish.
Body & Finish▼
- ▶PRS maple tops have a carved, three-dimensional contour that's difficult to replicate. Flat or poorly carved tops are suspect.
- ▶The backplate (electronics cover) on PRS is recessed into the body with a tight fit. Fakes often have poorly fitting or surface-mounted backplates.
- ▶PRS finishes are flawless. Any orange peel texture, runs, or uneven color on a claimed "new" PRS Core guitar is a red flag.
Verification▼
- ▶Contact PRS customer service with the serial number — they will confirm whether it's a genuine PRS guitar and can tell you the model and year.
- ▶Check the PRS Experience section on prsguitars.com — they have resources for verifying authenticity.
- ▶Buy from authorized PRS dealers whenever possible. The PRS dealer network is listed on their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year is my PRS guitar?▼
For modern PRS guitars (1997+), the first 2 digits of the serial are the year — for example, a serial starting with 05 was made in 2005. For earlier models (1985-1993), the serial is a sequential number that can be cross-referenced with known year ranges. Numbers under 1,000 from the Annapolis era are highly collectible.
What is the difference between PRS Core, S2, and SE?▼
PRS Core models are made in Stevensville, Maryland with the highest-quality figured maple tops, US-made pickups, and extensive hand-finishing. S2 models are also US-made but with some cost-saving measures including simpler tops and fewer binding details. SE models are made in Korea or Indonesia and are the most affordable tier, with similar body shapes but different materials and construction.
What makes PRS guitars distinctive?▼
Paul Reed Smith guitars are known for three design signatures: figured maple tops (often with dramatic "10-top" flame or quilt patterns), the "bird" fretboard inlay motif, and the PRS tremolo system designed by Smith himself. The company's position between Gibson warmth and Fender clarity has made them popular among rock and fusion players including Carlos Santana, John Mayer, and Mark Tremonti.
PRS Links & Resources
PRS Gallery
More About PRS
Paul Reed Smith founded PRS Guitars in Annapolis, Maryland in 1985, after spending much of the previous decade hand-building guitars out of a small workshop and selling them directly to working musicians. His early customers included Carlos Santana, Peter Frampton, and Al Di Meola — endorsements that gave the young company immediate credibility in the professional market.
PRS instruments were distinctive from the start: figured maple tops over mahogany bodies, the "bird" inlay motif on the fretboard, a vibrato system designed by Smith himself, and meticulous attention to fit and finish. The guitars occupied a middle ground between Gibson's warmth and Fender's clarity, and quickly attracted a following among players who found neither the Les Paul nor the Stratocaster fully suited to their needs.
The company relocated to a purpose-built factory in Stevensville, Maryland — on Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay — in 1996. A 90,000-square-foot expansion in 2008 significantly increased production. PRS introduced the SE (Student Edition) line in 2001, manufactured in Korea, bringing PRS design to a broader price range. The company remains family-owned and privately held, one of the few major American guitar manufacturers to have never been acquired by a conglomerate.