NAMM’s Museum of Making Music Welcomes Celebration of PRS Guitars With Exhibit ‘Roots & Wings: 40 Years of PRS Guitars’

CARLSBAD, CALIF., July 24, 2025 – NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, and the Museum of Making Music (MoMM) have welcomed the celebration of PRS Guitar’s 40th Anniversary with an exclusive exhibition “Roots & Wings: 40 Years of PRS Guitars.” This special exhibition furthers MoMM’s mission to illuminate the full journey of a musical instrument—from its inspiration, creation and craftsmanship to its distribution, performance, and cultural impact.

Presented by PRS Guitars, who for four decades has been crafting what founder Paul Reed Smith calls “magic guitars” — the exhibit features instruments that blend stunning tone, incredible playability, and jaw-dropping visual appeal. Through pivotal artifacts, immersive display, and interactive learning, this exhibition invites visitors to explore one of the most influential companies in the music products industry. 

“Preserving and sharing the history of iconic music industry brands, such as PRS Guitars, is critical – not just to honor the past but to inspire the future of music professionals and we are pleased that NAMM’s Museum of Making Music can be a platform to showcase their historic journey,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. “We are thrilled to present this new PRS exhibition as it isn't just a display of musical products, but a journey through time, inviting museum visitors to connect and engage with the past and reflect on the present of such an innovative company.”

“It’s an honor to see the story of PRS Guitars shared through the lens of NAMM’s Museum of Making Music,” said Founder Paul Reed Smith. “The Winter NAMM Show is where we launched the company four decades ago and continues to play a significant role in our business. This exhibition captures the passion that drives every guitar we make as well as our history, from its humble beginnings in a small workshop to building instruments played on the world’s biggest stages. We hope it inspires the next generation of innovators and instrument makers.”

The limited-time exhibit features: 

• Iconic PRS instruments on display 

• Interactive media stations that tell the PRS story 

• Exclusive videos and interviews with Paul Reed Smith and the PRS team 

• A look at the full life cycle of a PRS guitar—from block of wood to stage-ready sound

The Museum of Making Music is located at 5790 Armada Drive in Carlsbad, California and open to the public from Tuesday-Sunday from 10AM to 5PM www.museumofmakingmusic.org. 

About PRS Guitars - PRS Guitars is a leading manufacturer of high-quality instruments in Stevensville, Maryland and has provided some of the world’s most renowned musicians with instruments since 1985. The PRS team of highly skilled craftspeople design and build a wide variety of musical instruments and gear for worldwide distribution, including electric and acoustic guitars as well as boutique-style guitar amplifiers and effects pedals. The PRS SE Series complements the Maryland-made PRS line by offering highly approachable and more affordable electric and acoustic guitars. Carlos Santana, Mark Tremonti, John Mayer, Jimmy Herring, Myles Kennedy, Zach Myers, Mark Holcomb, Tim Pierce, Orianthi, David Grissom, Mark Lettieri, and Rhonda Smith are among the artists currently playing PRS instruments and/or amplifiers.