Mayer obsessed with guitar design

John Mayer says product design ranks equally with making music. He's spent years refining his PRS Silver Sky signature guitar, drawing inspiration from Tesla, Apple, and Leica.

“It's probably my favorite thing next to making music. And when I say next to, I don't mean below it. I mean parallel with it.”

PRS and Land Rover team up

PRS and John Mayer announced a collaboration with Land Rover, creating limited-edition Silver Sky models with Defender paint finishes never before used on guitars.

Black pickguard finally arrives

The collection introduces the first factory Silver Sky with a black pickguard, fulfilling one of the most requested features since the guitar's launch.

Color as design language

Mayer wanted to elevate guitar colors by studying how brands like Rolex use specific hex codes. He drew inspiration from lifestyle brands, not just music gear.

“Color communicates so much. It's the same way, if you're at a restaurant, fonts on a menu can communicate things.”

Using actual Defender paint

PRS received official paint samples and codes from Land Rover, allowing them to use genuine Defender colors rather than pantone-matching approximations.

“We were given the actual paint samples from Defender, and the paint codes. Most people don't have those paint codes.”

Heritage meets contemporary

The US model features four heritage Defender colors no longer offered on the 4x4: Arles Blue, Willow Green, Portofino Red, and Sandglow Yellow, with color-matched headstocks.

SE gets modern Defender shades

The SE models feature contemporary finishes: Petra Copper, Sedona Red, Carpathian Grey, and Woolstone Green. These SE models also get the black pickguard.

Black pickguard debuts on SE

Mayer chose to introduce the black pickguard on affordable SE models first, not the premium Core line, to give something special to budget-conscious players.

“I thought it was nice to give something to the SE. When I was growing up, the more accessible guitar got punished for being more accessible.”

SE deserves respect too

Mayer learned from fans that some players keep SE guitars forever. He decided to give the SE line distinct features rather than treating it as a stepping stone to Core models.

“Some people are going to have an SE forever. It doesn't have to be a consolation and someday you'll work your way up.”

Pickguard logic tied to Defenders

The US model keeps a white pickguard matching 1990s Defender wagons. The SE gets black to reflect modern Defender roof and hood colors.

“The colorway on the modern edition of the Defender has a lot of black accents, which is how we arrived at a black pickguard on the SE.”

Car colors and guitars, historically

Gibson and Fender used custom car colors in the 1950s and 1960s, creating shades like Dakota Red and Lake Placid Blue. This collaboration takes that tradition further.

Mayer's design inspiration sources

Mayer has drawn guitar colors from fashion and everyday objects. The Faded Black Tee Silver Sky matched a favorite T-shirt. Moc Sand came from a pair of shoes.

Story over branding

Mayer emphasizes this is a color story collaboration, not a design mashup. The guitar doesn't feel like it has four wheels. It's called the Defender Color Collection.

“It's not meant to combine the design DNA of a Defender and a Silver Sky. It's telling a color story.”

Limited availability and timeline

Only 500 of each US Silver Sky model will be made. SE variants aren't limited editions but will only be available until mid-year 2027.