New PRS Tekton guitars: PRS’s most progressive models to date

• PRS Tekton guitars: key features
• The PRS Tekton guitar range
• PRS Stylus pickups: a dream for digital rig users
• What does ‘Tekton’ mean?
• PRS Tekton vs. Custom 24

Over the years, players (particularly metalheads) have been pushing PRS to make more modern guitars. We’re talking instruments with shredder-thin necks, durable stainless-steel frets, longer scale lengths optimised for drop tunings, plus pickups that play nicer with modelling amps. Well, they’ve ticked all those boxes with the new PRS Tekton. And there’s not one, not two, but four different models to choose from.

Built in PRS’s Maryland factory, these stunning new electric guitars are all about speed, precision and versatility. They boast the thinnest body and neck the company has ever made, with a fresh ergonomic shape that’s a mashup of the cult-fave Vela and flagship Custom.

Along with the Herman Li Chleo model released last year, these are some of the most forward-thinking axes Paul Reed Smith has ever produced. Scroll down for our full breakdown of the PRS Tekton series, the story behind the guitar’s name and how it stacks up against the iconic Custom 24.

PRS Tekton guitars: key features

Before we take a closer look at each Tekton model and how they compare, let’s quickly go over some of the standout specs you’ll find on all of ‘em:

• Sleek offset body: A hybrid of PRS’s Vela and Custom 24 shapes, but with a thinner, more sculpted silhouette and a deeper cutaway to reach all 24 frets.
• 25.5 scale length: Instead of its classic 25″ formula, PRS opted for a 25.5″ scale length that’s better suited to fast rhythm playing, speedy lead work and drop tunings. The 7-string model stretches this even further with a 26.5″ scale.
• Bolt-on Maple neck with Hormigo strength rods: This wood and construction combo gives the Tekton a snappy response that’s perfect for tight, technical riffs. The rods increase the neck’s stability for more consistent, reliable performance.
• Modern “D” neck profile: A new PRS carve that’s slim yet supportive, with a silky satin finish for fast, friction-free playability.
• 16” radius Ebony fingerboard: A beautifully smooth material with a flatter radius that allows for a low string action and choke-free bends.
• 24 jumbo stainless-steel frets: Glassy, effortless and built to last. The Tekton is the first PRS model to feature stainless frets as standard since the limited-run Joe Walsh model in 2021. PRS retooled its factory to make it happen!
• Offset dot inlays: A cool, minimalist design added after the prototyping stage at the request of early Tekton testers.
• Luminlay side dots: Blue glow-in-the-dark markers that make navigating the fingerboard easy, helping you stay locked in on the murkiest stages.
• Optimised string spacing: Matched to the PRS Silver Sky and Fiore, the wider string spacing allows for cleaner sweeps and more precise picking.
• PRS Stylus pickups: Proprietary alnico V humbuckers that deliver clear, punchy tones. Their slightly lower-output design keeps even the filthiest gain settings tight and defined, while a push/pull tone knob unlocks sparkling split-coil sounds.
• Included gig bag: Every Tekton ships with a premium gig bag to keep it protected on the go.

The PRS Tekton guitar range

Four models make up the Tekton lineup at launch, with hardtail, two-point tremolo, Floyd Rose and seven-string options available. Each comes in six finishes drawn from an entirely new PRS colour palette too. Here’s how they compare…

Tekton: primed for heavy, palm-muted riffs

This is the standard PRS Tekton model, featuring a fixed bridge and a Mahogany body adorned with a luxurious figured Mango top. If you’re a player who loves chugging big riffs with a solid foundation and plenty of sustain, this should be your go-to pick. It also comes equipped with lightweight PRS Phase III locking tuners, which help reduce neck dive and make string changes quick and hassle-free.

The Tekton is available in six fab colours that really make the Mango top pop: Bloodstone Red, Black Tourmaline, Violet Tourmaline, Fuchsia Aura, Slate Blue and Imperial Topaz.

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PRS Tekton T: a more expressive platform

The Tekton T (for tremolo) shares the same killer core specs as the fixed-bridge model. But as its name suggests, it swaps the hardtail bridge for a two-point trem with a stable mounting design. Combined with the locking machine heads, it gives you the freedom to perform everything from subtle vibrato flourishes to dive bombs without knocking the guitar out of tune.

The vibrato unit can also be set up floated, letting you raise the pitch and even get some flutter action going. It’s fitted with brass saddles too, so it’s got bags of sustain.

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Tekton Floyd: the locking trem-loaded shredder

We reckon this is the Tekton guitar that lead players will dig the most (it’s certainly this writer’s favourite). Fitted with a recessed Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo, it lets you confidently perform dramatic dive bombs and crazy Dimebag-style squeals while staying perfectly in tune.

Unlike the other models, the PRS Tekton “Floyd” has an Alder body without a Mango top. With the Maple neck, that’s essentially the classic ’80s shredder guitar recipe, albeit with a much more modern feature set. You don’t get the gorgeous transparent finishes available on the other Tekton models, but it is available in a range of loud, vibrant colours that are guaranteed to stand out on stage.

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PRS Tekton SVN: a 7-string, 26.5”-scale beast

The mighty Tekton SVN is near-identical to the standard Tekton but adds a low B string and stretches to a 26.5″ scale length optimised for extended-range performance. With that extra tension, low-register riffs, deep chugs and rapid-fire passages all stay nice and tight.

If you’ve been playing 7-string guitars for years and fancy upgrading to something really special, the PRS Tekton SVN should definitely make your shortlist. Or if you’re a PRS fan looking to shake the earth and expand your sound, it’s an equally wicked pick.

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PRS Stylus pickups: a dream for digital rig users

Almost every component on PRS’s latest electric guitars is brand new, including the pickups. Dubbed ‘Stylus’ and developed for the Tekton family, these characterful humbuckers come loaded with alnico V magnets and are deliberately voiced with a lower output than most high-gain pickups. That means whether you’re playing sparkling cleans through a valve amp or pushing saturated gain through a modeller, they remain punchy, clear and controlled without ever turning muddy.

Stylus means an instrument for writing, which reflects PRS’s vision of these pickups as tools for players who create, record and perform. They’re by no means flat-response humbuckers, but their slightly flatter EQ curve and modest output help them pair extremely well with the digital rigs that many modern players are now using.

What’s more, every position has been carefully voiced for maximum usability. That includes split-coil sounds which you can access via a push/pull tone knob, giving you a versatile palette of genuinely inspiring tones at your fingertips.

What does ‘Tekton’ mean?

We’ve told you all about the cutting-edge features these new PRS guitars have and how each model in the lineup compares. But what does Tekton actually mean? It’s an ancient Greek word for artisan, craftsman or builder, specifically a woodworker. We think that’s a pretty fitting name for a series that reflects both PRS’s approach to guitar making and the creativity of the players who wield their instruments.

Developed through extensive listening sessions with PRS artists and hands-on employee testing, the Tekton range directly answers many of the most common requests from today’s technical guitarists: thinner necks, longer scales, flatter fingerboards, stainless-steel frets and pickups that sound equally impressive through digital setups and traditional amps.

In PRS’s own words, the whole process apparently “felt much more like launching the S2 Series than launching a guitar model”, with “the same kind of platform-level commitment”. So yeah, it’s fair to say the Tekton is kind of a big deal for the brand! And we can’t wait to get our hands on one soon.

PRS Tekton vs. Custom 24

If you were in the market for a Core Custom 24, you might now be wondering whether the Tekton is a better choice. The Custom 24 is PRS’s flagship guitar that put them on the map back in 1985, and the current model is more versatile and refined than ever. But the Tekton brings a raft of contemporary features to the party, aimed at players always pushing their technique, chasing new sounds and looking ahead to what’s next.

We’ve stacked their key specs side-by-side to help you choose the perfect PRS:

Want to learn more?

Our comprehensive PRS buyer’s guide breaks down the entire Paul Reed Smith range, so it’s the best place to go if you want extra help finding the right PRS model for you. Or if you’re just after more of the latest guitar gossip, head over to our gear news page.

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