Jeff Beck secretly played a PRS guitar at home

Renowned guitarist Jeff Beck, typically associated with playing Fender, Gibson, and even Jackson guitars on stage, had a surprising affinity for a PRS guitar at home. While Beck’s public performances mainly featured his well-known roster of instruments, including Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters, and legendary Gibson Les Pauls like the Oxblood and Yardburst, it was revealed that he cherished a PRS guitar for private use and recording.

Acknowledging the unconventional choice of PRS for Beck, a brand not typically linked to his name, Paul Reed Smith disclosed that Beck had a deep appreciation for his PRS guitar. Despite Beck’s insistence that he would never showcase the PRS publicly, it held considerable value for him in recording and leisurely playing at home.

In a recent interview, Smith shared intriguing details about the lesser-known phases of PRS history and his interactions with legendary guitar icons. When asked about guitarists he desired to build for, Smith hinted at surprising connections, revealing Beck as one of them. Although Beck’s specific PRS model remains undisclosed, speculation suggests possibilities like a Custom Silver Sky due to Beck’s affinity for Strats, or a more experimental Private Stock McCarty or Custom 24.

The current whereabouts of Beck’s beloved PRS guitar are unknown, prompting the company to embark on a quest to retrieve it. Despite missing out on inclusion in a recent Jeff Beck auction, efforts to trace the guitar persist in hopes of bringing it back into the PRS fold. Smith expressed determination in recovering the instrument, emphasizing Beck’s affection for it.

Beck’s ownership of a PRS guitar joins a list of surprising connections between renowned guitarists and the brand. Smith also recounted his experience constructing a guitar for Eddie Van Halen at the request of Kramer. The prospect of Beck’s PRS resurfacing or the company reacquiring it remains uncertain, leaving the fate of the instrument shrouded in mystery.

As guitar enthusiasts await potential revelations regarding Beck’s PRS guitar, the latest issue of Guitar World offers an in-depth exploration of the best of Guitar 2025, featuring the full interview with Paul Reed Smith. The unexpected bond between Beck and PRS adds a new dimension to the guitarist’s musical legacy, showcasing his open-mindedness towards experimenting with different guitar brands, including the lesser-known PRS.