PRS Silver Sky John Mayer Signature

The Silver Sky is a fascinating blend of Fender's 1960s Stratocaster tradition and PRS's more exacting, modern design ethos. Developed closely with John Mayer, it's become one of the more talked-about guitars in recent years – and not always for the reasons PRS probably expected.

At a glance it looks like a Strat, but the devil is in the details. The 635JM pickups are voiced for a slightly rounder tone, pulling back some of the chime and glassiness of a typical single-coil. The headstock shape and neck carve are PRS through and through. The result is a guitar that's both familiar and off-kilter – and for many, that's exactly the point.

Notable Players:

• John Mayer