Paul Reed Smith joins Guitar Center’s RockWalk after five decades of guitar building
John Mayer inducted the PRS founder during Crossroads in Austin, placing a living instrument designer alongside RockWalk pioneers such as Les Paul, Jim Marshall and Robert Moog.
Sep 30, 2026
Credit: Guitar Center (via source)
Guitar Center inducted Paul Reed Smith into its RockWalk on September 26 during the Crossroads Guitar Festival in Austin. John Mayer introduced the PRS founder before Smith placed his hands in cement, continuing the Hollywood institution’s tradition of recognizing builders and technology pioneers as well as performers.
The honor spans Smith’s path from building instruments for players including Carlos Santana and Peter Frampton to founding PRS in 1985 and remaining involved in the company’s design work. The completed handprints will be installed at Guitar Center’s Sunset Boulevard flagship alongside those of Les Paul, Jim Marshall, Robert Moog and generations of musicians.
Credit: YouTube
Why it matters
RockWalk is acknowledging guitar design as part of musical culture itself. Smith’s induction puts a still-active builder’s technical and manufacturing influence in the same public lineage as landmark players and inventors.
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