Significance of the Birds
The bird inlays are one of the most iconic trademarks of a PRS guitar. The origin of the bird inlays traces back to Paul’s childhood. His mother was an avid birdwatcher and enthusiast, with a young Paul often accompanying her on her birdwatching ventures.
When it came time for Paul to inlay the guitar he was building Peter Frampton in April of 1976, he felt the birds were a no-brainer; he went right to the store, bought a bird guide, and began designing the now-iconic inlays.
Starting from the nut the birds are:
Peregrine Falcon
Marsh Hawk
Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Common Tern
Coopers Hawk
Kite
Sparrow Landing
Storm Petrel
Hawk Landing
Screech Owl On A Branch (24-fret models only)
To read a more in-depth history of the birds, read The Story of PRS Bird Inlays on our blog.
Inlay Materials
Paul cut the first bird inlays for Frampton's guitar from old pearl piano keys by hand with a fine-tooth saw. Paul soon filed paperwork to copyright and trademark his unique design.
Today, the birds are crafted from a variety of materials. Many PRS Core models have their inlays cut from sheets of green abalone. S2 and bolt-on models, along with some of the more artistic variations of the birds (such as the “brushstroke” birds), are cut from acrylic.
Variations on the Designs
Over time, the PRS bird inlays have experienced a number of re-draws and artistic variations, but the foundation of Paul’s original designs have remained consistent.