Introducing the Charcoal Phoenix Limited Edition
Posted Feb 18, 2025
Limited to 150 pieces worldwide, meet the Charcoal Phoenix Limited Edition! This instrument was crafted to honor our ongoing 40th Anniversary celebrations and offer the world Paul Reed Smith's personal instrument of choice on stage and in the studio.
Watch Paul discuss the story behind the model below:
"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
Here are a few of our favorite specs:
Over the past year, Paul has road-tested this guitar, refining its design and tone. The Charcoal Phoenix features newly updated PRS TCI pickups for 2025 and two EQ mini-toggle switches. Aside from its sound, this guitar offers a visually stunning deep crimson back which contrasts beautifully with the Private Stock grade figured maple top in a charcoal microburst finish. An incredibly strong Chaltecoco neck is adorned with a ziricote fingerboard and ripple abalone “Old School” bird inlays - adding a beautiful and vintage touch.
Watch Paul put the Charcoal Phoenix Limited Edition to work at our 40th Anniversary Celebration Concert, where he performed a cover of Jeff Beck's "Cause We've Ended as Lovers."
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