John Mayer partnered with Land Rover's iconic 4x4 brand to create this limited–edition colour series, translating four heritage Defender paint finishes onto his signature PRS electric guitar model. Only 500 examples of the Portofino Red variant exist worldwide, part of a 2,000–piece run spanning Arles Blue, Willow Green, Sandglow Yellow, and this vibrant crimson hue. The finish extends to a colour–matched painted headstock, a detail reserved exclusively for special Silver Sky releases, whilst the numbered neck plate carries the inscription “Portofino Red” and “1 of 500” to authenticate its place in the series. A custom ATA moulded hardshell case with embossed Defender badging accompanies each instrument.
Beneath the automotive–inspired aesthetic sits the core Silver Sky platform Mayer and PRS developed around the response and playability of revered vintage bolt–on designs. The body contours and neck profile were refined through PRS's manufacturing precision to reproduce the tactile experience of the reference instruments that informed the model's creation. PRS's proprietary pickup voicing delivers the clarity and dynamic range Mayer required, housed in a traditional three–single–coil configuration with five–way switching. The tremolo system maintains tuning stability under aggressive pitch manipulation whilst retaining the fluidity required for Mayer's melodic vocabulary.
This collaboration emerged directly from Mayer's personal collection of Defender vehicles, with his own Arles Blue 4x4 serving as the initial proof of concept for translating automotive colour palettes to guitar finishes. The contrasting roof treatments found on classic Defender two–tone schemes influenced the visual direction of the entire series. Each colour carries decades of association with adventure and exploration in the Defender lineage, now applied to an instrument already recognised for its connection to vintage American electric guitar design refined through contemporary standards.
Features
- Limited edition: 500 instruments in Portofino Red finish worldwide
- Colour–matched painted headstock exclusive to limited Silver Sky models
- Numbered neck plate inscribed with colour name and edition number
- Custom ATA moulded case with embossed Defender badge included
- PRS Silver Sky bolt–on maple neck with signature profile
- Three single–coil pickups in traditional five–way switching configuration
- PRS–designed tremolo system with enhanced tuning stability
- Based on Defender heritage automotive colour palette and finishes



