PRS is shaking up the guitar world with a new material—and has already incorporated it into its MANGO signature model
April 20, 2026, 9:15 a.m.
“What is that?! PRS introduces a striking new tonewood – and it’s already in a signature model”
PRS (Paul Reed Smith) has once again drawn attention across the guitar world with a new limited run of electric guitars featuring an unconventional and highly distinctive material: Mangifera Indica, better known as mango wood.
The company has long been associated with experimentation and forward-thinking design choices. Founder Paul Reed Smith has repeatedly explored non-traditional materials and construction methods over the years, from unusual tonewoods to reimagined hardware components. In the past, PRS even experimented with chaltecoco wood, a material traditionally used for fence posts in Guatemala.
Now, the brand is turning its attention to mango wood — a sustainable material that is increasingly gaining traction in the musical instrument industry.
Mango Wood: Sustainable and Visually Distinct
Mango wood has already seen use in acoustic instruments, particularly ukuleles and percussion instruments. In the electric guitar world, however, it remains relatively rare, though a few boutique builders have started exploring its potential.
One of the key advantages of mango wood is its sustainability. The trees are harvested at the end of their productive fruit-bearing life cycle, meaning the material is a byproduct of agriculture rather than a dedicated logging industry resource.
Tonally and structurally, it is often compared to maple, although it tends to be slightly lighter and less dense.
Visually, mango wood is highly distinctive, often featuring a striking figure pattern commonly referred to as “bee wing,” giving each instrument a unique aesthetic identity.
A Limited Core Series Release
The new PRS lineup includes six Core Series models, each produced in extremely limited quantities of just 200 units per model.
The selected models are:
- Custom 24
- Custom 24-08
- Studio
- Special Semi-Hollow
- McCarty 594
- Paul’s Guitar
Each model is offered in two carefully selected finishes designed to complement the natural character of the wood, including standout options such as:
- Faded Blue Whale
- Cobalt Smokeburst
Alongside the new tonewood tops, the guitars feature standard PRS hardware and pickup configurations specific to each model, as well as ziricote fretboard and headstock veneers for added visual refinement.
Artist Adoption and Factory Buzz
Interest in the new material has extended beyond design discussions and into active artist adoption.
According to Bryan Ewald, PRS Product Specialist, the reaction from players has been immediate:
“The exciting thing is seeing artists actually play it. Mark Holcomb has already adopted mango wood for his signature model. He’ll be out on tour with it, and people are going to say, ‘What is that?!’”
Meanwhile, Paul Miles, Director of Manufacturing at PRS, highlights the enthusiasm inside the factory:
“We’ve got a lot of these running through the shop right now, and there’s usually a crowd gathered around them every day.”
Signature Model Momentum
One of the most significant developments is the inclusion of mango wood in Mark Holcomb’s signature model, marking a strong endorsement from a high-profile artist and helping push the material into the professional spotlight.
With this release, PRS combines sustainability, visual innovation, and its signature craftsmanship approach, expanding both the aesthetic and sonic possibilities of modern electric guitars.
