Podcast Summary: Know Your Gear Podcast with Phillip McKnight
Episode: Huge Pop Star Gets PRS SE Signature Guitar
Date: January 24, 2026
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode of the Know Your Gear Podcast centers around the intersection of pop culture and the guitar world, specifically discussing the surprising sighting of pop superstar Ed Sheeran playing a custom PRS SE guitar on national television. Phillip explores what this could mean for the industry, the likelihood of a signature model, the potential impact on younger players, and fields a wide array of guitar-related questions from listeners. The show maintains its signature blend of humor, deep industry insights, and open Q&A.
Episode Highlights & Structure
1. A Hilarious Outing Turns into a Guitar Center Revelation (00:00–19:00)
- Phillip recounts a stressful and comical visit to a home and garden show, followed by introducing a total non-guitarist to Guitar Center for the first time.
- The friend's astonishment at the “free-for-all” of guitar stores leads to a larger conversation about how rare it is in retail to be able to freely handle such expensive merchandise.
Key Quote:
[08:15] “There’s no other store I’ve ever walked into where everyone’s just having a free for all for all the products and just doing whatever they want.” — Ralph’s girlfriend, first-time Guitar Center visitor
- Compares music stores to clothing, bookstore, and luxury retail scenarios, and notes guitar shops’ unique openness to customer interaction.
Memorable Visual:
[12:40] “At one point... I picked up a $4100 Suhr, plugged it into a $3,000 Friedman Jakey Lee head into a $1,500 cabinet... That’s like $8,000 worth of gear, and I’m just allowed to handle it!”
2. The Sale of Norm’s Rare Guitars & the Corporate Vintage Shift (19:00–31:00)
- Discussion around the acquisition of Norm’s Rare Guitars by the company owning Carter Vintage Guitars.
- Phillip reflects on visiting vintage stores, generally not being a “vintage guy,” and noticing higher prices at Carter since its sale.
Commentary:
[24:30] “Old retail is going corporate... Owning a bunch of vintage stores is to diversify, to always have inventory to offer collectors.”
3. NAMM Show, Early Releases, and the Changing Industry Calendar (31:00–36:00)
- Phillip mentions passing on the NAMM Show in favor of the Kiesel Connect event.
- Notes that big releases are no longer tied to NAMM, especially post-COVID, and how brands are revealing gear on their own schedules now.
4. Ed Sheeran and the PRS SE Hollowbody: A Pop Star’s Signal to the Guitar World (36:00–44:00)
- Main Event:
Phillip highlights Ed Sheeran’s recent TV performance (with John Mayer and Dave Grohl) where Sheeran played a PRS SE Hollowbody with a custom “splattered” paint job reminiscent of his own artwork. The guitar clearly displays the SE logo, hinting at an impending signature release.
Key Quote:
[38:55] “Ed Sheeran just did a major appearance playing a PRS SE... with his signature splattered art. I cannot confirm or deny, but I’ve seen that guitar before. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t have a signature model coming.”
- Explains the potential cultural impact: even if older players aren’t directly interested in pop stars, mainstream artists using guitars can “land the next generation” of new players, just like Taylor Swift did for acoustic.
Reflection:
[42:45] “If it wasn’t for pop music, I’d have never got into guitar. ... Without pop music, I would never have picked it up.”
5. Q&A—Brands, Gear, and Industry Trends (44:00–120:00+)
Notable Segments:
A. Pawn Shops, Vintage Deals & Changing Market (44:00–52:00)
- Pawnshops are no longer a haven for vintage finds; gear is often overpriced.
B. Modelers, Apps, and “Workflow vs. Innovation” (75:00–87:00)
- Phillip discusses fractal, Kemper, Line 6, Quad Cortex, and why he still prefers quick tactile controls.
- Apps are good when additive, but “inserting technology where it’s not needed” (e.g., a BBQ app!) is wasteful.
Notable Quote:
[86:10] “I don’t need you to make something more modern for the sake of being modern. Fix the things that don’t work. That’s all.”
C. PRS Customer Service, Dealers, and the Layoffs (87:00–94:00)
- PRS’s slow support response time is likely tied to recent layoffs; Phillip advises to always start with the dealer for service issues.
D. Warmoth Necks, Headless Guitars, and Ergonomics (101:00–108:00)
- Warmoth necks get strong praise.
- Headless guitars are function-first, not just for looks—highlighting comfort and posture benefits.
E. The Value of Neck Repair Guitars (117:00–120:00)
- Phillip will only consider a majorly-discounted, well-repaired neck break guitar for workhorse use.
- Consumer market generally doesn’t discount repaired guitars enough.
6. Industry Commentary: Too Many Choices or Just Right? (134:00–141:00)
- Reacts to Lee Anderton’s assertion that “too many choices hurt the guitar industry.”
- Disagrees, explaining we now live in an era where great gear is accessible at all price points, and “option paralysis” is just the privilege of enthusiasts.
Key Quote:
[139:45] “Arguing with ourselves at night, looking at the same three versions of tube screamers or Klon pedals, is the silliness we enjoy. ... I don’t think non-enthusiasts are overwhelmed at all.”
7. Technical Q&A: Amps, Bass vs. Guitar, and More (143:00–end)
- Explains the functional differences between bass and guitar amps—mainly speakers, cabinet design, and EQ stacks.
- Recommends the Fender Rumble 40 as an affordable and great-sounding bass amp (made in Indonesia at Cortek).
Closing Segment (near 150:00)
- Phillip announces Patreon opportunities—including bonus podcasts and clinics.
- Reflects on industry changes, his approach to content, engagement, and briefly plugs the Tim Pierce course (with a candid disclosure about affiliate partnerships).
Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “There’s no other store... where everyone’s just having a free-for-all.” (08:15, visitor’s shock at Guitar Center)
- “Where do you go and pick up $3,000 things and just walk around and do whatever you want with them?” (13:00, on music stores’ uniqueness)
- “If it wasn’t for pop music, I would have never got into guitar.” (42:45, on mainstream artists’ influence)
- “So many gigging musicians have destroyed guitars that they bought dirt cheap. You work them into the ground.” (118:00, on neck-repaired guitars)
- “Option paralysis” is silliness we enjoy, not stress—we obsess over it for fun.” (139:45, on choice in the gear market)
Tone & Style
- Casual, storytelling, candid, humorous
- Phillip’s deep industry knowledge is blended with real customer stories, honest flaws, and an inclusive Q&A style
- Open and reflective on both the joy and the strangeness of being a “guitar nerd” in 2026
Useful Timestamps for Reference
| Topic | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | Home & Garden Show, Guitar Center Story | 00:00–19:00 | | Norm's Rare Guitars Sale, Vintage Market | 19:00–31:00 | | NAMM/Kiesel Connect Discussion | 31:00–36:00 | | Ed Sheeran PRS SE Sighting! | 36:00–44:00 | | Pawn Shop/Vintage Q&A | 44:00–52:00 | | Modeling Amps, Workflow vs. Menus | 75:00–87:00 | | PRS Customer Service Strategy | 87:00–94:00 | | Warmoth Necks, Headless Comfort | 101:00–108:00 | | Neck Repairs—Value & Usage | 117:00–120:00 | | Choices: Is the Gear Market Too Crowded? | 134:00–141:00 | | Bass vs. Guitar Amps | 143:00+ | | Patreon/Closing Announcements | 149:00+ |
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode uniquely combines pop culture news (Ed Sheeran’s possible PRS collaboration) with meaty guitar talk and open-ended Q&A. If you care about how celebrities can help drive the next wave of young players, want honest retail and repair advice, or love the camaraderie of guitar shop stories and community, this is a must-listen. The episode is as much about reflecting on how guitar culture fits into the wider world as it is about gear specifics.
Listen for:
- The full Ed Sheeran/PRS scoop and analysis
- Retail and repair war stories
- Candid opinions on gear trends and the state of the industry
- Practical, no-nonsense gear recommendations
Skip:
- Ads, intros, outros (not included above)
Original Language & Tone:
Phillip’s dry wit and technical know-how shine throughout, making this episode both accessible to new listeners and packed with value for longtime gearheads.