Paul Reed Smith Interviews John McLaughlin | Shakti 50th Anniversary | PRS Guitars

Backstage, Paul Reed Smith sits down with legendary guitarist John McLaughlin before his performance with Shakti. The two discuss Shakti's 50th Anniversary Tour and all things guitar.

“If you find an instrument that becomes part of your body, as a musician, then you’re home. It takes time, it takes work - as with everything - but at a certain point, an instrument will become part of your body. So when you go to play, you’re one unit. You’re not like somebody playing an instrument - the instrument is playing you, music is playing both of you. You are united - where music, you, and the instrument become one. But to do that, you have to have no problems with your instrument, no problems with yourself, and great players around you…and at the moment that’s what we’ve got. But the guitar? Paul Reed Smith. It’s the greatest electric guitar. I can testify to it - I’m holding one right here, and I’ve been holding one for a long time.” - John McLaughlin

Tune in for fascinating conversation about the PRS Private Stock John McLaughlin Limited Edition model, how John and Paul first met, John’s personal relationship to music and his instruments, and why he’s "given away" so many of his guitars. 

For more information on the Private Stock John McLaughlin Limited Edition, please visit https://prsguitars.com/electrics/mode...

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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro / How Do Guitar Players Gravitate Towards PRS?
0:22 - Shakti Soundcheck 1
2:48 - Parallels Between Indian Music & Jazz
3:23 - Shakti Performing “Joy” in 1976
4:11 - Meeting Zakir & the Origins of Shakti
7:15 - Amp Used at Jeff Beck Tribute Concert
7:54 - When Paul & John Met
9:25 - John’s Acoustic Era
10:37 - Getting Back to Electric Guitar & Paul Fixing Guitars
12:16 - Discussing the Private Stock John McLaughlin Ltd
13:18 - John’s Reaction to Playing a PRS for the First Time
14:02 - Being Connected With Your Instrument
15:51 - The Tone of the Private Stock John McLaughlin Ltd
17:27 - Interview Outro
17:50 - Shakti Soundcheck 2