PRS breaks new ground with radical new signature model for DragonForce’s Herman Li – and it’s been four years in the making
PRS Guitars has launched its first signature guitar with virtuoso Herman Li, best known as one-half of the high-speed guitar duo in power metal outfit DragonForce.
Named Chleo, after a combination of his children’s names, the limited-edition axe is as bold as it is technical, packing four years of R&D into just 200 units for 2025.
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At first glance, the Chleo is a seemingly dramatic departure from classic PRS design. But under the hood, the build quality and craftsmanship are pure PRS.
The guitar features a figured maple top on a solid mahogany body with a one-piece maple neck.
Its body has been slimmed down dramatically, making it light enough for high-energy stage performances and comfortable for longer gigs, while a custom neck joint adds structural integrity and enhances tonal transfer.
Built for speed, the neck is “very thin front-to-back” with a slightly taller playing surface and a wide 20” fretboard radius. The upper frets are fully accessible thanks to a revised scoop and scalloping at the last four frets.
Glow-in-the-dark side dots round out the build, alongside a striking custom “Eclipse Dragon” inlay pattern across the ebony fretboard.
Credit: PRS
At the heart of the Chleo is a custom HSH pickup configuration powered by the Li’s signature Fishman Fluence Signature Series Omniforce set.
These copper-free pickups use layered PCBs to deliver a consistent, noise-free performance. With three distinct voices and a versatile switching system, players can access up to 13 unique tone combinations.
Whether you’re after fat, aggressive rhythm tones, crisp single-coil sparkle, or searing high-gain leads, Chleo adapts with ease.
The guitar’s performance-friendly control layout – featuring a single push/pull volume, a push/pull tone, and a 5-way blade switch – also makes it easy to switch between tones on the fly.
Even the bridge has been rethought. The Chleo features a Gotoh locking tremolo, upgraded with a custom stabiliser developed by PRS.
This clever design gives you the freedom and feel of a floating tremolo while maintaining the tuning stability you’d expect from a hardtail bridge.
Credit: PRS
“With the PRS Chleo, I wanted to create a guitar that combined effortless playability, precision craftsmanship, and a versatile tonal range,” says Li.
“It brings together modern innovation with timeless style, giving players the freedom to explore both classic sounds and new creative possibilities. The Chleo isn’t just a signature model – it’s a guitar built to inspire.”
Rob Carhart, PRS’s Director of New Products Engineering, adds, “This guitar represents a new evolution for PRS. We spent more than four years in research and development, working closely with Herman to get everything exactly right.”
At $6,850, the Chleo doesn’t come cheap, though it clearly isn’t meant to. Available in Orchid Dusk and Charcoal Purple Burst finishes, with just 200 units (100 each) planned for global release, this is a high-performance, limited-edition instrument for players who demand precision, playability, and standout style in equal measure.
Learn more at PRS.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
