Paul Reed Smith (born February 18, 1956) is an American luthier and the founder and owner of PRS Guitars, a high-end guitar maker. Early life Smith graduated from Bowie High School in 1974. He also attended St. Mary's College of Maryland where he began his guitar-making career. He subsequently left the college. Mentorship under Ted McCarty Smith contacted Ted McCarty, former president of Gibson and creator of the Explorer, ES-335, and Flying V guitars, and McCarty became his mentor and advisor. The result of their collaboration was the current line of PRS Guitars, which include solid and hollow-body guitars. The Private Stock line of PRS guitars are made utilizing a range of exotic materials including various stones, elaborately figured tonewoods, and intricate shells for inlays. References American luthiers Businesspeople from Maryland People from Bowie, Maryland 1956 births Living people St. Mary's College of Maryland alumni People from Stevensville, Maryland