Watch the Entire Rules of Tone Series Now!
15 Oct 2025
What goes into making a great instrument? According to the "Rules of Tone," a document Paul wrote nearly two decades ago, there's 21 principles that guide the build process of every guitar we manufacture. In this six part YouTube series we asked Paul to share some of the guidelines that shape his guitar making philosophy and have helped the PRS name become known for the highest level of craftsmanship over the years.
Below you can catch up on any installments you might have missed, or watch the entire series for the first time!
Why Wood Matters
Tone Starts Here
Does Bad Hardware = Bad Guitar Tone?
Why Guitar Finish Really Matters
The Secrets Behind PRS Setup & Quality
“The Rules of Tone is a document I wrote around 2006. It was meant to be a guide so that I/we always build the best instruments we can possibly make. There are twenty-one rules – each one the culmination of decades of experience in guitar-making, design, and repair work. While no set of rules can guarantee a perfect instrument, a guitar should improve with each instance of a rule followed – in the end becoming greater than the sum of its parts.” – Paul Reed Smith