Tony McManus, who has just joined Peghead Nation’s team of instructors, is recognized throughout the world as one of the leading guitarists in Celtic music. He is also well-known as a connoisseur of fine flattop guitars. His 2009 release, The Maker’s Mark, showcases instruments by 15 different luthiers and he has acquired a sizable personal collection, including unusual creations like Linda Manzer’s custom Sitar-Guitar. But for several years, Tony’s primary instrument for recording and performing has been his PRS Private Stock Signature Model.
Based on the PRS Angelus model, the guitar is built with cocobolo back and sides and a European spruce top. In this video, Tony discusses how he was approached by Paul Reed Smith to help develop the PRS line of acoustic guitars, the philosophy of designing a guitar with stiff rims and a flexible top, and why the guitar is an ideal choice for his fingerstyle and flatpicking styles.
Tony played the guitar that he is demonstrating in this video on his last two CDs, the 2013 collection of classical repertoire, Mysterious Boundaries, and 2015’s duet album with Beppe Gambetta, Round Trip.
To study with Tony, check out his new Celtic Guitar course on Peghead Nation, where you’ll learn to play reels, jigs, airs, and other traditional forms, both fingerstyle and with a flatpick. Tony walks you through melodies and shows you how to bring tunes to life with the ornamentation that defines Irish and Scottish traditional music.
SPECS: Angelus body with 14-fret neck. Solid European spruce top. Solid cocobolo back and sides. Peruvian mahogany neck. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. 25¼-inch scale. 1¾-inch nut width. Rogers tuning machines. PRS pickup system. Made in USA. prsguitars.com
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