PRS SE models are made in Indonesia and go through additional QC in Maryland at the core factory. This explains why these SEs are built so well and playable straight outta the box. I have a silver sky SE and love it!
In Australia they dont go through any QC locally. They are as shipped from the factory and can be really bad. You do need to get them set up which you need to pay for.
I had to do a decent amount of work to get my SS SE playable, but I got it right at the start of 2022 when it was brand new. The neck had tons of relief and the bridge saddles were all way too low to compensate. Someone at the factory or at the PRS QC site could have fixed the truss rod and raised the saddles to fix it, but I had to do that instead.
@Brett to be fair, I had to do a light bit of a set up to get my custom shop strat where I wanted it. I think that’s going to be every single instrument. That said, I know Paul likes to claim that all the SEs get a going over once they get to Maryland, so an issue with the nut shouldn’t be there.
I have had a PRS Silver Sky SE for almost a year now and I’m very pleased with it. Amazing quality, very light weight and the lower output pickups really sound great with overdrive. Very comfortable guitar to play. What a great value.
I love your videos! My PRS story- I’ve worked off and on as a drum tech for Joe Bonamassa since the Vienna Opera House recording, I teched for Lenny Castro on that tour and since then several tours with both Tal Bergman and Anton Fig. In 2021 I went to the main music store here in Vancouver to buy drum stuff and decided I wanted to try all the hyper high end modern Les Pauls they had. I went through 12, all were beautiful but sounded flat (not plugged in). In a dark corner was a beautiful high end US McCarty with a 9 top (looks like a 10) in Aqua blue. I hit one note and it was love. It’s the greatest guitar I’ve ever played ever. I play it every day when home and you can just tell is was made with care. Thanks for letting me share and keep the videos coming! J
I love the way you explained that value means different things to different people. That’s a really insightful observation and you expressed it so perfectly. I recently found a beautiful PRS SE Custom 22 on the used market for sale. I jumped on it even though I didn’t really need another guitar. There’s just something about PRS that appeals to me and I’m not really skilled enough nor is my ear good enough to appreciate the differences and so the SE is, for me, the perfect value. And I am so happy I bought it. It just makes me happy to look at it and even happier to pick it up, plug it in, and play.
OK, I'm gonna be that guy: It looks like the neck pickup of the SE is higher than the one on the S2 (especially on the bass side), which might account for the extra low end you heard. Great work on the video, and I thought both sounded fantastic.
Yeah, I wanted to say the same thing. The SE and S2 with the same pickups sound exactly the same. Country of origin or carve shape doesn't the tone. Even the PRS core line which is more than 2.5x the price of the S2 doesn't sound discernibly different from an S2 or SE. It begs the question, what is the point in buying a PRS core? It seems more like a vanity thing.
Exactly. Too many people overlook pickup height. Wood has no effect on tone that a human ear can hear. Acoustics, yes they sound difference because you are hearing the sound waves bounce off the wood and they react differently based on the density. Even then shape makes more massively difference and that’s based on loudness. Electrics don’t care where or who pushed the CNC button, they are designed off basic physics of magnets and vibration of the magnetic field. Only thing that can effect that is difference in electronics, and setup.
I first played a PRS at Sam Ash in the fall of 1988. Saved up my money and bought my first in January 1990 a custom 24 signature series. PRS has gone through many changes since and they continually to improve their guitars. Currently my favorite model is the Modern Eagle V something you really need to try. They are expensive, but amazing guitars, a Swiss Army guitar of tones. If you are “local” in NY you could try mine, along with my Private Stock 594 one of my favorites. Anyway keep making great videos. Cheers
It's true. I recently bought a S2 McCarty 594 singlecut. If someone had told me a year ago that the first American made guitar I ever owned would be a PRS, or that it would become my favorite guitar I would have told them they were crazy.
I currently have a PRS Standard 24-08. I like that I have the versatility of pick up combinations which makes it very usable. It also has a maple neck which was important to me in terms of feel. It has become my go to guitar. I don't play anywhere near enough to justify one of the higher end PRS guitars as much as I would like to own one. With PRS one can be assured of a quality built guitar, they may not have the personality of other brands but the quality is pretty much assured no matter the price range.
I have the PRS SE Custom 22 and I have no regrets, there's nothing I can't do with this guitar. PRS is probably the best brand for high level gear but with a mid budget.
Agreed. I have the SE 24-08. It is terrific, and not just for the price. It is terrific period. It covers a lot of ground but still has its own voice. This is my only experience with PRS and I am very impressed. I would certainly buy another one.
@@randrothify Yeah, PRS is the GOAT. I can't say other brands make bad guitars; but man, PRS is the one that you know what you're paying for. I like Fender but for real, Fender pricing is pretty trash in my opinion.
I have a CE24-08 semi-hollow. Love it! CE was not a mistake. Super cool guitar. Maybe someday I'll go for a core 24-08 , but for now the CE is doing great for me!
@@shawnmcginnis2508 Exactly, that's what great about PRS - There is no bad gear. The higher you pay, the quality will get higher and even for the low prices it's still gonna be awesome ,those guitars are still awesome no matter the price.
I have a McCarty 594 S2 Thinline in natural that weighs just 6 lbs. 1 oz. that is unbelievably incredible. I would love to own one in Vintage Cherry and one in Antique White. I also have a Custom 24 SE, a 35th Anniversary SE and a Hollowbody II Piezo SE. Everyone of these guitars is a cut above anything else in their price range. PRS knows how to build a guitar!
Great tones from each guitar Mike. If I'm not watching the video, I like both guitars. I had wanted to get a PRS for 30 years, but could never afford it. Until the fall of 2019 when I ordered an SE Standard 24 = the bottom of the line. Incredible guitar. Great tones, very easy to play, plenty of variety, needs no upgrades, tons of value.
I really love this channel. It’s a nice break from super overedited stuff I keep getting recommended. Your voice is nice and the pauses are edited out so no fluff to reach that 10 min mark. Straight to the point
Have had many PRS’s down to one. A Hollowbody II Piezo. Everyone of them played like a dream. A bargain of the century is a used McCarty non 10 top. Amazing guitar for affordable money. Late 90’s if you can find one.
My daughter gave me an SE 24 08 for my 50th birthday last year. My good friend, who has 2 old school core models, couldn't believe how good it was. I LOVE my SE!
Hi Mike, I got my 2nd PRS two days ago. I wanted versatility, so I got a SE 24 standard Cherry Red, alongside a SE 245 I already had. Both two GREAT guitars. But the 24 standard is going to be the nr.1 if I must choose only one guitar to carry with me for a gig. PRS is definitely my favourite guitar brand, amazing good quality and sound for the bucks.
I love the S2’s. Some of the best bang for the buck guitars on the market. I have an S2 Custom 24 that I bought in 2015; it’s broken in now but out of the box was one of the best players I’ve ever owned. Other than putting a set of SD Alnico 2’s in it it’s otherwise stock. Total Swiss Army knife guitar, I grab it when I can only take 1 guitar & need to access multiple tones. Really interested in playing a DGT SE though, I’ve always liked the Core version just not enough to drop $4k on one.
I bought a PRS McCarty SE 594 a few months back. I'm a Les Paul style player mostly, so buying one of those just made sense. I'm in love with the guitar. So much that I sold off a couple of my Epiphones and bought a 2nd McCarty model with the flame top. And then a Silver Sky SE too. Finally PRS came out with some more neutral colors (grey / black) for the Silver Sky models, which I like. Bottom line, 3 out of my 5 guitars right now are PRS.
I've owned three PRSs, two SEs the Mark Holcomb signature and a 24-08, and an S2 McCarty. All of them fantastic, however the one I vibed with the most was the Mark Holcomb. As a metal player, its neck and fretboard specs were more in line with what I would play, thinner neck, really flat fretboard, and a standard 25.5 scale length compared to everything else by PRS being short. The S2 I had was great, but the neck was too chunky for me, even compared to my 7 and 8 string guitars.
I bought my first PRS an S2 Satin Standard 22, I fell in love immediately. I had to get the next step up, so I bought a CE. I still love both of my PRS and the CE has became my main guitar. It just feels like.. luxury.
I got a Silver Sky SE a couple months ago and it is an awesome guitar. Plays incredible and sounds great through my tube amp or solid state. It sounds better than my Fender Strat.
I have a PRS SE Zach Myers and man, it's incredible!! I just replaced the bridge pickup for custom pickup I had around with more gain and definition (kept the one on the neck because I like low gain pickups on the neck). The finish, the neck, the fret work, everything from factory is set to play. I just adjusted the bridge to lower the action a bit but no problems at all. 🤘🤘🤘
I have a CE24 that I LOVE - Yeah, I could hear some subtle tonal differences for sure but like you said, if you’re not put off by the SE on the headstock it’s a phenomenal bang for your buck.
CE Semi Hollow guy here. Those 2 in vid sound very similar. Pretty close to my semi hollow even. I think the bottom line is you really can’t go wrong with PRS. Just solid guitars.
Funny, I almost bought a used McCarty 594 S2 yesterday, then I considered the SE, which are hard to find in stores, but then I ultimately bought a Gibson Les Paul Tribute instead as they're currently on sale at Guitar Center for $1040. So far, I love the GLPT, it plays great, and the minimalist aesthetics and vibe fit with me more than glossy high-end flame maple top guitars. May upgrade its pups tho, which are great but not awesome, once I exit the honeymoon phase.
When I graduated from college like 20 years ago, I bought a McCarty Standard. I eventually sold the guitar to purchase my AVRI Jaguar, but the construction of the guitar was phenomenal.
I just picked up a custom se 24 and i love it. I tried one out at a local music shop and it felt ok. Nothing crazy. But then i tried another one at a different place (exact same guitar) and it felt and sounded so good and i ended up taking it home. So yeah i def believe every guitar is just a little different lol. This is also my first "higher" end electric guitar, so for me i think it's great.
I adore PRS guitars. My favorite guitarist at the time I was thirteen years old swore by then. I made it my mission in life to acquire one. Fast forward to my mid twenties, I was able to secure a PRS SE 22 custom. Absolutely blew my LTD KH202 out of the water. Spent $750 on a trade-in to get it. Just this year, I walked into my local guitar center. Much in a similar fashion to the first one, I happen to look up and see this phenomenal looking axe. Something was different this time. It was a PRS, sure, but this one had seven strings. It was a 2020 Mark Holcomb SVN. Once again, on a trade-in, I managed to snag it for a few hundred dollars below the listed price. I had been happy with my Ibanez RGA7 up until I tested the Holcomb. Basically, I went broke to buy it, and there are no regrets. Hands down, my favorite brand of guitars. I may make poor financial decisions, but my music sounds glorious.
I think I want a McCarty for my next PRS. I just bought a 2018 Custom 24 SE for $590 and am hooked. I went into Guitar Center and they showed me a brand new McCarty Core in the Yellow Tiger finish. They were all super excited and in awe over it just coming in. One of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen.
I've had the cores, the S2's and the SE. Cores are custom shop quality instruments, it's beyond a great guitar, it's an experience. S2's are your normal production guitars and run with the best of them, solid and won't let you down for as long as you own them. The SE line are the epitome of value. Exceptional quality for the price you pay. You could easily be a pro musician with either line.
Great video. I haven't seen any mention of the SE Starla. I bought one a couple of months and absolutely love playing. It's different, it's great value for the money (well under $800). It features DS-02 humbuckers, a very unique sound and it has the coil split.
I love my Silver Sky SE. I bought and returned several Fender player strats and Squier classic vibe models from Guitar Center, never feeling like they were quite right for me, until I tried the SE in a boutique shop and knew immediately it was the answer (for my price range). The only guitars that have felt comparable to me are $2000+ Fender American strats. Setup was near flawless out of the box. The neck finish and the fret work are immaculate, and the pickups sound excellent. The neck shape and radius are super comfortable as well. It stays in tune forever. It's fun to play, I don't feel like I'm fighting it at all. It's nice that it comes decked as well, since I do a lot of bends on higher strings over open bass strings. The biggest difference has to be the fret work though - it's just so comfortable compared to every player strat.
It's funny I just decided I wanted a Strat because I played a Silver sky SE at my local music store. It really felt different, it felt amazing. I wound up building up a Affinity, paint, pickups and all for 200 bucks and it's close. But I just keep thinking about that Silver Sky. I want it so fkn bad
PRS has not worked with World in Korea for a long time. Everything they have electric comes from Cortek in Indonesia. Then the acoustic and hollow body come from China also from Cortek.
I’ve had many guitars over the years, and currently only have one electric. It’s a PRS CE 24 that I bought new not long ago, and it’s so incredibly nice to play. Hands down the best I’ve ever played or heard, as much as I love Gibson les Paul’s, fender American standard strats and teles, and even the Ibañez RG prestige’s, they don’t even come close to this PRS. I’m afraid to try a silver sky because I’m almost certain I will want to buy one if I do. Lol. 😂
I put PAFs in my SE custom 24 that I bought for around 500 dollars. The alnico 5 was just too clear and bright for me but the alnico 2 magnet really makes a warm difference and gives It insane mojo. I've played gigged with it constantly since and despite having a large SE on the headstock nobody has ever noticed that it wasn't a core PRS. I've been in studios where studio guitar players with 2 and 3 grand guitars sitting right there have asked to play my SE and are just completely blown away by the feel and the sound I get from my made in Korea PRS. The seymour Duncan's I swapped into it were 200 USD making my baseline SE build only add up to 700 USD. You tell me where I find guitar that I can gig with and take into a studio and blow people away with for less and I'm all ears.
hahah, exactly the same thing happened to me!! I had Gibsons, and ESP's and Fenders and one day tried a PRS... that was it... I very hardly touch the other guitars these days, even sold the strat! It's the playability for me and of course the insane tone. Even with strings like 1 year old it still sounds great!!
Never played a PRS until now. My wife got me the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN for my birthday and I love it. Sounds great, plays great and looks fantastic. I was never really into PRS guitars before seeing Mark Holcomb’s signature guitars and even then I was like, eh…. But when the new 2023 SE Mark Holcomb SVN in Holcomb blue burst (I think that’s what they’re calling the color). I had to have it. And now I get why PRS players are so into PRS. They’re high quality instruments all around. Now only if they made 8 strings I might be a full on convert. Lol
Mike, great video,thanks! For what it's worth I thought the SE had a greater clarity than the S2. Guys I know who record always talk about "cutting through the mix." I'm not familiar with the price difference but as you pointing out value can be paramount to those on a tight budget. Hats off to PRS for their entire guitar lineup.
I’m not a spontaneous shopper. I was at the store trying a Fender Player Strat, I liked it except for the glossy neck. I saw the Butter Creme PRS strat, tried it, loved it and purchased it. It holds its tune really well.
I think, either guitar is equally acceptable depending on personal preference. Done guitars we just click with. I'm in my 50's now, and there has been only a handful of guitars that I felt like I had a connection with. The rest were good, but fit me they didn't have that thing we all look for. That feeling we get everytime we pick it up that says, "yeah, this is the one". Good luck. Love your videos Peace ✌️
Great video! I upgraded from my SE Standard 22 to an S2 McCarty. It's a great guitar, but I did ultimately change the pickups to Fralin Pure PAFs. Now I think it measures up to core PRS and nicer Les Pauls.
I just test drove a 2015 True Historic Gibson Les Paul that was aged by Tom Murphy at my local vintage guitar shop. I have had them all folks and I have tried PRS's and everything in between. If you have not picked up a Murphy Les Paul you haven't lived!!! This thing was like holding the holy grail before I even plugged it in! Unbelievable! I don't know how I'm going to do it but I will make this thing mine! All I need is 15K ! And yes they are worth every cent!!
I have some comments to make I reckon that to compare the guitars you need to listen to the clean tone, otherwise it’s really the amp that’s dominating the sound. It would make sense to give details of the audio setup that you’re using to compare them. I don’t think it’s helpful to compare them with backing track because 1. it’ll sound better with the guitar that is used to set up the audio balance or 2 you’ll try to adjust the balance for each, but then it’s not a direct comparison 3. Maybe one guitar is suited better to the type of music in that particular track but could be less effective for other genres Finally I really don’t think the audio quality of TH-cam is sufficient to hear any fine differences between such similar guitars, especially with a distortion/overdriven effect. I’m happy to accept your opinion on how they feel and sound. Both look great!
I have a CU24. It is expensive but it makes me feel good. I play it every day and it is my only guitar other than an acoustic. I have had up to like 7 or 8 guitars at once but now I just have the 1 guitar and I think that is ok. I love it and I'm motivated to practice.
I saw Alter Bridge live a few months ago, and they brought Paul Reed Smith himself onstage. He's from Maryland, and they were playing in Maryland, so it made sense. They called him a living guitar legend, and he played with them on their last song. Thought that was cool.
Im a certified prs fan boy. Ive got a 245 single cut and a mccarty 594 se double cut. That 594 is the best guitar ive ever played. Period. It just fits my hands perfectly and checks all the boxes i want in a guitar.
Love my Fenders. They have the sound I want from an electric guitar but I've fancied getting a PRS for quite some time. I wanted a humbucker machine in my arsenal but never been a massive fan of the Les Pauls - just far too heavy and the quality has, historically, been a little questionable. The PRS range look superb, seem extremely playable and the words "quality" and "consistency" have always been present in the reviews I've read. So, a few months ago I bit the bullet on a beautiful Wood Library Custom 24-08. The Coil Tap switching gave me the ability to make it sound a little more Fenderesque but I had that solid, higher output from the Humbuckers to play with. I agree entirely with what you say about value. Like most "luxury" items, they do the same job as their cheaper counterparts but there's no denying the added magic of playing and experiencing what, in my opinion, is a real work of art. The build quality and finish is second to none, the unique design gives it that air of exclusivity that makes every time I pick it up an occasion to immerse myself into. I still love my Fenders but I now love my PRS too.
I own the S2 McCarty 594, I love it. It was smart of PRS to have the 594 across their full range for every budget, its one of the best models they have ever made. .... one of the best guitars ever.
I honestly chose the SE because I like the more Les Paul style body as in less curvature. Knowing it has features no other SE has and parts used on the Core model is pretty awesome
I don’t have much experience playing the S2’s , but the SE’s are an incredible value. I had a Santana SE that was REALLY nice. In fact, the only thing I didn’t like about it was the funky vibrato set-up (the vibrato screws were so long that they were poking out the bottom of the body route… something I’d NEVER seen before). On the other hand, I was NOT impressed at all with my USA made Custom-22. I just could not get it to work for me no matter what I tried. I ended up selling that and getting a Yamaha AES-620HB instead (which is a GREAT guitar).
This only goes to show what great value the SE lines seem to be! I am a beginner, contemplating what my next guitar will be now I am starting to figure out what I like and don't like about my current guitar. The PRS SE Paul's Guitar and PRS SE CE are definitely on my watch list. Currently play a Gretsch G5220.
My favorite or go-to PRS is an HSH PRS Silver Sky. You've read that correctly. SE's have come a long way in the last 7 years. Especially in the last 2-3 years. The S2's have been solid from the jump. My introduction into PRS was with an SE. Which I modded up with all USA parts. Then I jumped to an S2 Singlecut. Modding it with all USA parts. After that, it has been all CORE PRS guitars for me. I just love the build and the aesthetics of the inlays and the beautiful figured tops. As far as the Silver Sky SE goes, it's absolutely the best guitar at that price point. It's an incredible instrument that punches above its weight class.
I was gonna get a silver sky se, but found a 2012 american standard strat for 750, and at that price, i went with the strat. But otherwise I was going to get the SE
@Otto Phil Nice! Sounds like you have a great guitar. That would have been a tough choice for sure. For me, at least. I would highly suggest an SS SE over any other "entry" level guitar. Because the SE punches above its weight class. More bang for your buck. I prefer my SE over my 2003 American Standard. And my American Standard is a great guitar. But the SE feels and sounds much better.
My main guitar since 2014 has been a PRS single cut s2 semi hollow, hands down one of the best guitars I have ever owned. But I also have a Custom 24 SE in Bonnie Pink that I love dearly. Years ago I owned an original run Singlecut in violin amber. And a Custom 24 Brazilian rosewood limited edition in Emerald Green with a backplate singed by Paul 170/500. Your guitars sounded fantastic. I hear a slight difference in the pickups with the S2 maybe slightly clearer.
I have a few mid-range Strats and Les Paul guitars, but a couple of months ago, I got a Custom 24 SE, just to try something different, and I love it! The McCarty is next on my list.
IMHO the Mccarty SEs are the best looking, and overall some of the best SEs they make and that is saying a lot. The finish choices, specs, neck profile, etc. it's all there. They look just like the S2 models and feel and sound just as good.
I have a spalted maple SE Custom 24, with 57/08 pups, straight 500k CTS pots (having removed the split coil push/pull switch) and added a 0.015 bumblebee capacitor. It’s become my go to for that vintage Sister Rosetta tone for a fraction of the cost of a Gibson Custom Shop SG with their notorious breakable headstocks.
Got a Tremonti SE on Reverb, and it's amazing. And people comment how gorgeous it is on my wall with the charcoal burst. I really thought being an SE would be kind of cheap sounding, but it sounds so great
I have a 2008 SE Custom 24 in whale blue. I got it used a year ago for $450, and it was in fantastic condition. Really great to play! I played a SE semi-hollow and it sounded really good clean. I really want to try out a S2 standard, especially the one in Tobacco Sunburst!
It's very personal. It really is. Hype can take over and the ShinyNewThing(TM) can be everywhere, and PRS has been made the ShinyNewThing(TM) over and over again. Truth is, they're versatile and beautifully made and deserving of the accolades, but I know plenty of guitarists who find them soul-less and lacking in character. If YOU get on with them, great, if you don't it doesn't matter how well-made they are, you won't get on with them.
By coincidence I walked into a music store that were closing in a few days and the prices were dropped 40%! An american Silver Sky with mable neck and in dodgem blue was haning there and I just had to take it home. I own a custom shop Fender Stratocaster with mable neck that I completely love. However, the build of the PRS just keeps impresing me. It is such incredible craftsmanship and its a pleasure to play. I changed the strings to 9th but then back to 10th as the change required adjustment of the neck which I was not up for right now. I do think that the Silver Sky sounded better with the 9th. More clarity and better definition, so I will eventually get the adjustment and change to 9th. So - before walking into that store I had already decided to buy a Silver Sky SE but will stay with the US build for now 🙂 It is difficult to compare to the Stratocaster. They feel like 2 completely different instruments although bery similar from the looks. Then again, I have picked up other Strats that also feels completely different from my own stratocaster. I suppose it means that if you bond with the instrument, the headstock probably doesn't say that much...? Thanks for great and informative videos Mike!
I own a Left PRS LTD Custom 22. It’s a very nice, well built beautiful guitar. The one thing I would say about it is it’s a very polite guitar. The pickups are slightly reserved and not very bassy or trebly, perfect weight and balance, and I find I play it with a lot of respect, whereas when I play a Gibson it’s more of untamed sound that I dig into more and find more fun to play. It’s the difference between Carlos Santana and Gary Moore.
I was so excited to get a McCarty SE Singlecut, and I was not disappointed. I'd always wanted one of the S2's but I couldn't spend $1800 or whatever to get it. It's heavy, like a Les Paul-alike should be, and it's a blistering rock and roll machine. Plus I can get up to the 22nd fret, unlike a real Les Paul LOL BTW it's not just close the S2 sound, it really is the S2 sound. The S2 guitars all use the same 58/15 "S" pickups of the SE line, not the 58/15 LT of the core.
My first and only electric guitar was a PRS SE Custom 24. It does everything I need, is comfortable to play, sounds great, and looks slick. I do want to try the silver sky SE, but for now my custom 24 SE is great!
ปีที่แล้ว
I dig your post! I just subscribed right now! Greetings from Hollywood, California!
i got my burgundy colored left handed prs se edition and i love it. ernie ball slinky strings on it the metal disortion is heavy and clear and the clean is creamy, coming out of my marshall half stack and i am a happy player
I definitely could notice the difference. The S2 had a clarity the SE didn't and it's in the high end. In a mix, it won't really matter too much. For me sitting around jamming alone like I normally do, I can tell.
My favorite PRS i ever played was a McCarty Core. That was way back in like 1999-2000. I would go to a guitar store that had some and play. Finally, this last year I started getting PRS SEs. I got a 245 SE to start. Its good. Better than most guitars I had played over the last 20 years. Then I got a Standard 22 SE. Thats my favorite guitar I have. It's light. I swapped the pickups for Alpha and Omega SDs with coil splits. I love it. Then I got a Zach Myers with 85/15s. I like how it feels, but hate the sound. I'm installing some Lace Dually humbuckers in it eventually to see if that fixes it. And Santa is bringing a Custom 24 SE this year. I'll honestly probably never go back to other brands.
Yep, I agree. PRS guitars are fantastic. I own a lot of guitars. I looked for an affordable on ramp to the Paul Reed Smith family, like for 2 years. The one that did it for me is a Paul Allender ( quilted maple top, purple burst) model. And it has bats in flight instead of birds. It's beautiful, but I didn't buy it for that reason. The Paul Allender designed pickups sound amazing! That's why I bought it. There's a PRS/ Paul Reed Smith guitar out there for everyone. Great video! Thanks for all your hard work.
I have a McCarty s2 single cut, an s2 double cut thinline, and an SE McCarty single cut. They’re all awesome, I can’t really pick which one I like the most. Yes the S2s are “better” when you really obsess over the details, but there’s just something about the SE model that grabs me too. My only complaint with the SE is the tuners suck but I replaced those with some vintage style locking Kluson tuners. Whether it’s the S2 or SE lines, the guitars punch way above their respective price points. You truly can’t go wrong.
PRS is definitely cool, but my nomination for best bang for the buck would go to Reverend. Those play and feel like they’re over $2000 and you can get them new for half that price or used for less than a third.
Your SE in the mix, sounded just a little more distant. But being am SE owner, I totally agree with your summary of why someone would choose one over the other.
My relationship with PRS guitars has been a slow burn. I have tried many of them, own Silver Sky Se, 245 SE, Custom 24 SE. Their QC on even the SE line is better than most American made premium models. After trying many different models, I did decide the SE line is the right value for me. However, my dislike for them many years ago I couldn’t quite put my finger on it at the time. Looking back, I believe PRS was making pick ups that at least in the guitar sense, was kind of high definition pick ups. This made for great string separation, but the sound was so pristine that they sounded sterile to me. Lacking character, they were almost too perfect. So, I ended up with the models that I have because the silver sky SE and the 245 SE particularly have a lower output pickups that are more like classic pickups which retain the character. it took me many years to appreciate PRS, and what their mission is. Now I finally get it. Most high end hi output models are still too sterile sounding for me, But whenever they do a classic reinterpretation, I love the results. The McCarty 594 SE will be my next purchase.
Hey Mike, love your videos. I have an American made strat and PRS custom 24. I am planning to buy another PRS. Should I go for Silver Sky SE or McCarty 594 SE?
I agree. There is an internet meme about PRS being a guitar for rich guys that can’t play, but nothing could be further from the truth. Their guitars are crazy good. Even the SE’s. If Robben Ford, Joe Walsh, John Mayer, Tim Pierce, David Grissom, Mark Lettieri, Carlos Santana, Mark Holcomb, Zach Meyers, and dozens other professional players all say they are crazy good, that’s good enough for me. I love my S2 and SE as much as the core models.
@@benallmark9671 PRS have a wood library that dealers can custom spec special runs. Some of it is exotic woods not used in mass production models, some of it is highly graded familiar woods. Maybe the closest analogy is Fender Special Run - dealers can deviate from the standard production menu by using custom woods and finishes.
Mike I’ve gotta tell you brother I personally can’t tell that much of a difference in the mix. When you played them back to back I could only tell as you yourself said a difference in the note articulation. But only in the higher mids and the difference is so small in the mix it doesn’t really make that big of a difference. Myself,,, I have a PRS Standard 24 with the same pickups as your Macarty and also with PRS locking tuning keys it has become one of my main backups of my American Performer Stratocaster. I’m such a Strat guy the the humbucking pickups even with coil tap makes the PRS a backup only option for me. I have Tex Mex Custom Shop pickups in my Strat there’s no comparison between the PRS and my Strat. I love a Strat through a Dumble style amp on the edge of breakup with the Single Coil sound I just can’t seem to get with the PRS. Maybe I should look into a Silver Sky ……. Hmmmmmm!?!?!😂😂😂
Bro, I love your channel but I want to tell you the S2 McCartney anniversary edition comes out with a 5815 LT USA made with USA wiring. Some people say that the total difference between those two is the USA models of the one but any PRS model goes to incredible quality control Paul Reed Smith believes that he should be able to walk down his factory line and pick up any guitar and play it and it should sound exactly like the one right next to it. She’s the only owner and operator of a midsize guitar company who is extremely hands-on is a mad scientist, so anything PRS makes even in their lower models is still a better quality and value to me than anyone out on the market
Hi, my name is coincidentally Joe and was I Fender player for years then… I bought a PRS Silver Sky and was sold. It’s an amazing guitar! It’s damn near perfect, for me. I am a PRS player for life. Fender is great but PRS is on another level. My Silver Sky is the top tier one BTW
PRS SE models are made in Indonesia and go through additional QC in Maryland at the core factory. This explains why these SEs are built so well and playable straight outta the box. I have a silver sky SE and love it!
In Australia they dont go through any QC locally. They are as shipped from the factory and can be really bad. You do need to get them set up which you need to pay for.
@@justnik8727 This has been my experience also
@@justnik8727 not just In Australia, mate. They’re like that in the states too. Especially since Covid.
I had to do a decent amount of work to get my SS SE playable, but I got it right at the start of 2022 when it was brand new. The neck had tons of relief and the bridge saddles were all way too low to compensate. Someone at the factory or at the PRS QC site could have fixed the truss rod and raised the saddles to fix it, but I had to do that instead.
@Brett to be fair, I had to do a light bit of a set up to get my custom shop strat where I wanted it. I think that’s going to be every single instrument. That said, I know Paul likes to claim that all the SEs get a going over once they get to Maryland, so an issue with the nut shouldn’t be there.
I have had a PRS Silver Sky SE for almost a year now and I’m very pleased with it. Amazing quality, very light weight and the lower output pickups really sound great with overdrive. Very comfortable guitar to play. What a great value.
I recently got a SilverSky SE and in my opinion it is what a Strat should always have been. I love it.
I love your videos! My PRS story- I’ve worked off and on as a drum tech for Joe Bonamassa since the Vienna Opera House recording, I teched for Lenny Castro on that tour and since then several tours with both Tal Bergman and Anton Fig. In 2021 I went to the main music store here in Vancouver to buy drum stuff and decided I wanted to try all the hyper high end modern Les Pauls they had. I went through 12, all were beautiful but sounded flat (not plugged in). In a dark corner was a beautiful high end US McCarty with a 9 top (looks like a 10) in Aqua blue. I hit one note and it was love. It’s the greatest guitar I’ve ever played ever. I play it every day when home and you can just tell is was made with care. Thanks for letting me share and keep the videos coming! J
I love the way you explained that value means different things to different people. That’s a really insightful observation and you expressed it so perfectly. I recently found a beautiful PRS SE Custom 22 on the used market for sale. I jumped on it even though I didn’t really need another guitar. There’s just something about PRS that appeals to me and I’m not really skilled enough nor is my ear good enough to appreciate the differences and so the SE is, for me, the perfect value. And I am so happy I bought it. It just makes me happy to look at it and even happier to pick it up, plug it in, and play.
OK, I'm gonna be that guy: It looks like the neck pickup of the SE is higher than the one on the S2 (especially on the bass side), which might account for the extra low end you heard. Great work on the video, and I thought both sounded fantastic.
Yeah, I wanted to say the same thing. The SE and S2 with the same pickups sound exactly the same. Country of origin or carve shape doesn't the tone. Even the PRS core line which is more than 2.5x the price of the S2 doesn't sound discernibly different from an S2 or SE. It begs the question, what is the point in buying a PRS core? It seems more like a vanity thing.
Exactly. Too many people overlook pickup height. Wood has no effect on tone that a human ear can hear. Acoustics, yes they sound difference because you are hearing the sound waves bounce off the wood and they react differently based on the density. Even then shape makes more massively difference and that’s based on loudness. Electrics don’t care where or who pushed the CNC button, they are designed off basic physics of magnets and vibration of the magnetic field. Only thing that can effect that is difference in electronics, and setup.
And it always amazes me with PRS and Paul talking about wood in electrics, ever notice how much wood is carved out on a PRS?
Be that guy……👍🏻
It's the wood... the us ones use khaya, the asian ones meranti or nyatoh. (Cor-tek meda 5000 guitars a Day)
I first played a PRS at Sam Ash in the fall of 1988. Saved up my money and bought my first in January 1990 a custom 24 signature series. PRS has gone through many changes since and they continually to improve their guitars. Currently my favorite model is the Modern Eagle V something you really need to try. They are expensive, but amazing guitars, a Swiss Army guitar of tones. If you are “local” in NY you could try mine, along with my Private Stock 594 one of my favorites.
Anyway keep making great videos. Cheers
It's true. I recently bought a S2 McCarty 594 singlecut. If someone had told me a year ago that the first American made guitar I ever owned would be a PRS, or that it would become my favorite guitar I would have told them they were crazy.
I currently have a PRS Standard 24-08. I like that I have the versatility of pick up combinations which makes it very usable. It also has a maple neck which was important to me in terms of feel. It has become my go to guitar. I don't play anywhere near enough to justify one of the higher end PRS guitars as much as I would like to own one. With PRS one can be assured of a quality built guitar, they may not have the personality of other brands but the quality is pretty much assured no matter the price range.
I have the PRS SE Custom 22 and I have no regrets, there's nothing I can't do with this guitar. PRS is probably the best brand for high level gear but with a mid budget.
Agreed. I have the SE 24-08. It is terrific, and not just for the price. It is terrific period. It covers a lot of ground but still has its own voice. This is my only experience with PRS and I am very impressed. I would certainly buy another one.
@@randrothify Yeah, PRS is the GOAT. I can't say other brands make bad guitars; but man, PRS is the one that you know what you're paying for.
I like Fender but for real, Fender pricing is pretty trash in my opinion.
I have a CE24-08 semi-hollow. Love it! CE was not a mistake. Super cool guitar. Maybe someday I'll go for a core 24-08 , but for now the CE is doing great for me!
@@shawnmcginnis2508 Exactly, that's what great about PRS - There is no bad gear.
The higher you pay, the quality will get higher and even for the low prices it's still gonna be awesome ,those guitars are still awesome no matter the price.
I have a McCarty 594 S2 Thinline in natural that weighs just 6 lbs. 1 oz. that is unbelievably incredible. I would love to own one in Vintage Cherry and one in Antique White. I also have a Custom 24 SE, a 35th Anniversary SE and a Hollowbody II Piezo SE. Everyone of these guitars is a cut above anything else in their price range. PRS knows how to build a guitar!
They sound very similar, but the S2 seemed to cut through the mix better when you played against a track. Great video as always dude.
That could have just been based on EQ settings on his DAW.
Great tones from each guitar Mike. If I'm not watching the video, I like both guitars. I had wanted to get a PRS for 30 years, but could never afford it. Until the fall of 2019 when I ordered an SE Standard 24 = the bottom of the line. Incredible guitar. Great tones, very easy to play, plenty of variety, needs no upgrades, tons of value.
I really love this channel. It’s a nice break from super overedited stuff I keep getting recommended. Your voice is nice and the pauses are edited out so no fluff to reach that 10 min mark. Straight to the point
Your editing style has gotten ridiculous. So good man. Keep it up!!
Have had many PRS’s down to one. A Hollowbody II Piezo. Everyone of them played like a dream. A bargain of the century is a used McCarty non 10 top. Amazing guitar for affordable money. Late 90’s if you can find one.
My daughter gave me an SE 24 08 for my 50th birthday last year. My good friend, who has 2 old school core models, couldn't believe how good it was. I LOVE my SE!
Hi Mike, I got my 2nd PRS two days ago. I wanted versatility, so I got a SE 24 standard Cherry Red, alongside a SE 245 I already had. Both two GREAT guitars. But the 24 standard is going to be the nr.1 if I must choose only one guitar to carry with me for a gig. PRS is definitely my favourite guitar brand, amazing good quality and sound for the bucks.
I love the S2’s. Some of the best bang for the buck guitars on the market. I have an S2 Custom 24 that I bought in 2015; it’s broken in now but out of the box was one of the best players I’ve ever owned. Other than putting a set of SD Alnico 2’s in it it’s otherwise stock. Total Swiss Army knife guitar, I grab it when I can only take 1 guitar & need to access multiple tones.
Really interested in playing a DGT SE though, I’ve always liked the Core version just not enough to drop $4k on one.
I have a McCarty S2 and I love it. A great fit for my playing style and taste.
I bought a PRS McCarty SE 594 a few months back. I'm a Les Paul style player mostly, so buying one of those just made sense. I'm in love with the guitar. So much that I sold off a couple of my Epiphones and bought a 2nd McCarty model with the flame top. And then a Silver Sky SE too. Finally PRS came out with some more neutral colors (grey / black) for the Silver Sky models, which I like. Bottom line, 3 out of my 5 guitars right now are PRS.
I've owned three PRSs, two SEs the Mark Holcomb signature and a 24-08, and an S2 McCarty. All of them fantastic, however the one I vibed with the most was the Mark Holcomb. As a metal player, its neck and fretboard specs were more in line with what I would play, thinner neck, really flat fretboard, and a standard 25.5 scale length compared to everything else by PRS being short. The S2 I had was great, but the neck was too chunky for me, even compared to my 7 and 8 string guitars.
The S2 and SE have the same pickup’s. Dropped core pickups in my S2. This made a big difference.
I put Tremonti pickups in mine
New S2s actually use USA pickups.
I bought my first PRS an S2 Satin Standard 22, I fell in love immediately. I had to get the next step up, so I bought a CE. I still love both of my PRS and the CE has became my main guitar. It just feels like.. luxury.
I got a Silver Sky SE a couple months ago and it is an awesome guitar. Plays incredible and sounds great through my tube amp or solid state. It sounds better than my Fender Strat.
I've never been drawn to PRS guitars for some reason, but based on this I'm going to find a store where I can try a few out. Nice video. Thanks
My main guitar is currently my '07 PRS Custom 24, but I picked up a DGT Core recently, and really dig that one too.
I have a PRS SE Zach Myers and man, it's incredible!! I just replaced the bridge pickup for custom pickup I had around with more gain and definition (kept the one on the neck because I like low gain pickups on the neck).
The finish, the neck, the fret work, everything from factory is set to play. I just adjusted the bridge to lower the action a bit but no problems at all. 🤘🤘🤘
I have a CE24 that I LOVE - Yeah, I could hear some subtle tonal differences for sure but like you said, if you’re not put off by the SE on the headstock it’s a phenomenal bang for your buck.
CE Semi Hollow guy here. Those 2 in vid sound very similar. Pretty close to my semi hollow even. I think the bottom line is you really can’t go wrong with PRS. Just solid guitars.
Funny, I almost bought a used McCarty 594 S2 yesterday, then I considered the SE, which are hard to find in stores, but then I ultimately bought a Gibson Les Paul Tribute instead as they're currently on sale at Guitar Center for $1040. So far, I love the GLPT, it plays great, and the minimalist aesthetics and vibe fit with me more than glossy high-end flame maple top guitars. May upgrade its pups tho, which are great but not awesome, once I exit the honeymoon phase.
When I graduated from college like 20 years ago, I bought a McCarty Standard. I eventually sold the guitar to purchase my AVRI Jaguar, but the construction of the guitar was phenomenal.
Indonesia actually. Great video. ❤
My favorite PRS guitar is my 1989 CE 24.
I just picked up a custom se 24 and i love it. I tried one out at a local music shop and it felt ok. Nothing crazy. But then i tried another one at a different place (exact same guitar) and it felt and sounded so good and i ended up taking it home. So yeah i def believe every guitar is just a little different lol. This is also my first "higher" end electric guitar, so for me i think it's great.
I adore PRS guitars. My favorite guitarist at the time I was thirteen years old swore by then. I made it my mission in life to acquire one. Fast forward to my mid twenties, I was able to secure a PRS SE 22 custom. Absolutely blew my LTD KH202 out of the water. Spent $750 on a trade-in to get it. Just this year, I walked into my local guitar center. Much in a similar fashion to the first one, I happen to look up and see this phenomenal looking axe. Something was different this time. It was a PRS, sure, but this one had seven strings. It was a 2020 Mark Holcomb SVN. Once again, on a trade-in, I managed to snag it for a few hundred dollars below the listed price. I had been happy with my Ibanez RGA7 up until I tested the Holcomb. Basically, I went broke to buy it, and there are no regrets. Hands down, my favorite brand of guitars. I may make poor financial decisions, but my music sounds glorious.
I think I want a McCarty for my next PRS. I just bought a 2018 Custom 24 SE for $590 and am hooked. I went into Guitar Center and they showed me a brand new McCarty Core in the Yellow Tiger finish. They were all super excited and in awe over it just coming in. One of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen.
I've had the cores, the S2's and the SE. Cores are custom shop quality instruments, it's beyond a great guitar, it's an experience. S2's are your normal production guitars and run with the best of them, solid and won't let you down for as long as you own them. The SE line are the epitome of value. Exceptional quality for the price you pay. You could easily be a pro musician with either line.
Great video. I haven't seen any mention of the SE Starla. I bought one a couple of months and absolutely love playing. It's different, it's great value for the money (well under $800). It features DS-02 humbuckers, a very unique sound and it has the coil split.
Fantastic vid. You are a super presenter. I learned so much. Huge thnx. All the best to you and yours for 2024❤.all the very best from Romania
I love my Silver Sky SE. I bought and returned several Fender player strats and Squier classic vibe models from Guitar Center, never feeling like they were quite right for me, until I tried the SE in a boutique shop and knew immediately it was the answer (for my price range). The only guitars that have felt comparable to me are $2000+ Fender American strats. Setup was near flawless out of the box. The neck finish and the fret work are immaculate, and the pickups sound excellent. The neck shape and radius are super comfortable as well. It stays in tune forever. It's fun to play, I don't feel like I'm fighting it at all. It's nice that it comes decked as well, since I do a lot of bends on higher strings over open bass strings. The biggest difference has to be the fret work though - it's just so comfortable compared to every player strat.
It's funny I just decided I wanted a Strat because I played a Silver sky SE at my local music store. It really felt different, it felt amazing. I wound up building up a Affinity, paint, pickups and all for 200 bucks and it's close. But I just keep thinking about that Silver Sky. I want it so fkn bad
PRS has not worked with World in Korea for a long time. Everything they have electric comes from Cortek in Indonesia. Then the acoustic and hollow body come from China also from Cortek.
I’ve had many guitars over the years, and currently only have one electric. It’s a PRS CE 24 that I bought new not long ago, and it’s so incredibly nice to play. Hands down the best I’ve ever played or heard, as much as I love Gibson les Paul’s, fender American standard strats and teles, and even the Ibañez RG prestige’s, they don’t even come close to this PRS. I’m afraid to try a silver sky because I’m almost certain I will want to buy one if I do. Lol. 😂
I put PAFs in my SE custom 24 that I bought for around 500 dollars. The alnico 5 was just too clear and bright for me but the alnico 2 magnet really makes a warm difference and gives It insane mojo. I've played gigged with it constantly since and despite having a large SE on the headstock nobody has ever noticed that it wasn't a core PRS. I've been in studios where studio guitar players with 2 and 3 grand guitars sitting right there have asked to play my SE and are just completely blown away by the feel and the sound I get from my made in Korea PRS. The seymour Duncan's I swapped into it were 200 USD making my baseline SE build only add up to 700 USD. You tell me where I find guitar that I can gig with and take into a studio and blow people away with for less and I'm all ears.
hahah, exactly the same thing happened to me!! I had Gibsons, and ESP's and Fenders and one day tried a PRS... that was it... I very hardly touch the other guitars these days, even sold the strat! It's the playability for me and of course the insane tone. Even with strings like 1 year old it still sounds great!!
Never played a PRS until now. My wife got me the PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN for my birthday and I love it. Sounds great, plays great and looks fantastic. I was never really into PRS guitars before seeing Mark Holcomb’s signature guitars and even then I was like, eh…. But when the new 2023 SE Mark Holcomb SVN in Holcomb blue burst (I think that’s what they’re calling the color). I had to have it. And now I get why PRS players are so into PRS. They’re high quality instruments all around. Now only if they made 8 strings I might be a full on convert. Lol
Mike, great video,thanks! For what it's worth I thought the SE had a greater clarity than the S2. Guys I know who record always talk about "cutting through the mix." I'm not familiar with the price difference but as you pointing out value can be paramount to those on a tight budget. Hats off to PRS for their entire guitar lineup.
I’m not a spontaneous shopper. I was at the store trying a Fender Player Strat, I liked it except for the glossy neck.
I saw the Butter Creme PRS strat, tried it, loved it and purchased it. It holds its tune really well.
I think, either guitar is equally acceptable depending on personal preference. Done guitars we just click with. I'm in my 50's now, and there has been only a handful of guitars that I felt like I had a connection with. The rest were good, but fit me they didn't have that thing we all look for. That feeling we get everytime we pick it up that says, "yeah, this is the one". Good luck. Love your videos
Peace ✌️
Great video! I upgraded from my SE Standard 22 to an S2 McCarty. It's a great guitar, but I did ultimately change the pickups to Fralin Pure PAFs. Now I think it measures up to core PRS and nicer Les Pauls.
I just test drove a 2015 True Historic Gibson Les Paul that was aged by Tom Murphy at my local vintage guitar shop. I have had them all folks and I have tried PRS's and everything in between. If you have not picked up a Murphy Les Paul you haven't lived!!! This thing was like holding the holy grail before I even plugged it in! Unbelievable! I don't know how I'm going to do it but I will make this thing mine! All I need is 15K ! And yes they are worth every cent!!
I have some comments to make
I reckon that to compare the guitars you need to listen to the clean tone, otherwise it’s really the amp that’s dominating the sound.
It would make sense to give details of the audio setup that you’re using to compare them.
I don’t think it’s helpful to compare them with backing track because
1. it’ll sound better with the guitar that is used to set up the audio balance or
2 you’ll try to adjust the balance for each, but then it’s not a direct comparison
3. Maybe one guitar is suited better to the type of music in that particular track but could be less effective for other genres
Finally I really don’t think the audio quality of TH-cam is sufficient to hear any fine differences between such similar guitars, especially with a distortion/overdriven effect. I’m happy to accept your opinion on how they feel and sound. Both look great!
I have a CU24. It is expensive but it makes me feel good. I play it every day and it is my only guitar other than an acoustic. I have had up to like 7 or 8 guitars at once but now I just have the 1 guitar and I think that is ok. I love it and I'm motivated to practice.
I saw Alter Bridge live a few months ago, and they brought Paul Reed Smith himself onstage. He's from Maryland, and they were playing in Maryland, so it made sense. They called him a living guitar legend, and he played with them on their last song.
Thought that was cool.
Hey man i really appreciate all the work you do to make these videos
Im a certified prs fan boy. Ive got a 245 single cut and a mccarty 594 se double cut. That 594 is the best guitar ive ever played. Period. It just fits my hands perfectly and checks all the boxes i want in a guitar.
Love my Fenders. They have the sound I want from an electric guitar but I've fancied getting a PRS for quite some time. I wanted a humbucker machine in my arsenal but never been a massive fan of the Les Pauls - just far too heavy and the quality has, historically, been a little questionable. The PRS range look superb, seem extremely playable and the words "quality" and "consistency" have always been present in the reviews I've read. So, a few months ago I bit the bullet on a beautiful Wood Library Custom 24-08. The Coil Tap switching gave me the ability to make it sound a little more Fenderesque but I had that solid, higher output from the Humbuckers to play with.
I agree entirely with what you say about value. Like most "luxury" items, they do the same job as their cheaper counterparts but there's no denying the added magic of playing and experiencing what, in my opinion, is a real work of art. The build quality and finish is second to none, the unique design gives it that air of exclusivity that makes every time I pick it up an occasion to immerse myself into. I still love my Fenders but I now love my PRS too.
SE module sounds much warmer but muddy as well, but compared to the price it means nothing, as a practice guitar the playability of both is AWESOME.
I own the S2 McCarty 594, I love it. It was smart of PRS to have the 594 across their full range for every budget, its one of the best models they have ever made. .... one of the best guitars ever.
I honestly chose the SE because I like the more Les Paul style body as in less curvature. Knowing it has features no other SE has and parts used on the Core model is pretty awesome
I don’t have much experience playing the S2’s , but the SE’s are an incredible value. I had a Santana SE that was REALLY nice. In fact, the only thing I didn’t like about it was the funky vibrato set-up (the vibrato screws were so long that they were poking out the bottom of the body route… something I’d NEVER seen before).
On the other hand, I was NOT impressed at all with my USA made Custom-22. I just could not get it to work for me no matter what I tried. I ended up selling that and getting a Yamaha AES-620HB instead (which is a GREAT guitar).
This only goes to show what great value the SE lines seem to be! I am a beginner, contemplating what my next guitar will be now I am starting to figure out what I like and don't like about my current guitar. The PRS SE Paul's Guitar and PRS SE CE are definitely on my watch list. Currently play a Gretsch G5220.
My favorite or go-to PRS is an HSH PRS Silver Sky. You've read that correctly.
SE's have come a long way in the last 7 years. Especially in the last 2-3 years. The S2's have been solid from the jump. My introduction into PRS was with an SE. Which I modded up with all USA parts. Then I jumped to an S2 Singlecut. Modding it with all USA parts. After that, it has been all CORE PRS guitars for me. I just love the build and the aesthetics of the inlays and the beautiful figured tops.
As far as the Silver Sky SE goes, it's absolutely the best guitar at that price point. It's an incredible instrument that punches above its weight class.
I was gonna get a silver sky se, but found a 2012 american standard strat for 750, and at that price, i went with the strat. But otherwise I was going to get the SE
@Otto Phil Nice! Sounds like you have a great guitar. That would have been a tough choice for sure. For me, at least. I would highly suggest an SS SE over any other "entry" level guitar. Because the SE punches above its weight class. More bang for your buck. I prefer my SE over my 2003 American Standard. And my American Standard is a great guitar. But the SE feels and sounds much better.
My main guitar since 2014 has been a PRS single cut s2 semi hollow, hands down one of the best guitars I have ever owned. But I also have a Custom 24 SE in Bonnie Pink that I love dearly. Years ago I owned an original run Singlecut in violin amber. And a Custom 24 Brazilian rosewood limited edition in Emerald Green with a backplate singed by Paul 170/500. Your guitars sounded fantastic. I hear a slight difference in the pickups with the S2 maybe slightly clearer.
I have a few mid-range Strats and Les Paul guitars, but a couple of months ago, I got a Custom 24 SE, just to try something different, and I love it!
The McCarty is next on my list.
I know the guitar player for Creed uses the PRS and its absolutely AMAZING how good it sounds.
IMHO the Mccarty SEs are the best looking, and overall some of the best SEs they make and that is saying a lot. The finish choices, specs, neck profile, etc. it's all there. They look just like the S2 models and feel and sound just as good.
I have a spalted maple SE Custom 24, with 57/08 pups, straight 500k CTS pots (having removed the split coil push/pull switch) and added a 0.015 bumblebee capacitor. It’s become my go to for that vintage Sister Rosetta tone for a fraction of the cost of a Gibson Custom Shop SG with their notorious breakable headstocks.
Got a Tremonti SE on Reverb, and it's amazing. And people comment how gorgeous it is on my wall with the charcoal burst. I really thought being an SE would be kind of cheap sounding, but it sounds so great
I have a 2008 SE Custom 24 in whale blue. I got it used a year ago for $450, and it was in fantastic condition. Really great to play! I played a SE semi-hollow and it sounded really good clean. I really want to try out a S2 standard, especially the one in Tobacco Sunburst!
It's very personal. It really is. Hype can take over and the ShinyNewThing(TM) can be everywhere, and PRS has been made the ShinyNewThing(TM) over and over again. Truth is, they're versatile and beautifully made and deserving of the accolades, but I know plenty of guitarists who find them soul-less and lacking in character. If YOU get on with them, great, if you don't it doesn't matter how well-made they are, you won't get on with them.
By coincidence I walked into a music store that were closing in a few days and the prices were dropped 40%! An american Silver Sky with mable neck and in dodgem blue was haning there and I just had to take it home. I own a custom shop Fender Stratocaster with mable neck that I completely love. However, the build of the PRS just keeps impresing me. It is such incredible craftsmanship and its a pleasure to play. I changed the strings to 9th but then back to 10th as the change required adjustment of the neck which I was not up for right now. I do think that the Silver Sky sounded better with the 9th. More clarity and better definition, so I will eventually get the adjustment and change to 9th. So - before walking into that store I had already decided to buy a Silver Sky SE but will stay with the US build for now 🙂
It is difficult to compare to the Stratocaster. They feel like 2 completely different instruments although bery similar from the looks. Then again, I have picked up other Strats that also feels completely different from my own stratocaster. I suppose it means that if you bond with the instrument, the headstock probably doesn't say that much...?
Thanks for great and informative videos Mike!
I own a Left PRS LTD Custom 22. It’s a very nice, well built beautiful guitar. The one thing I would say about it is it’s a very polite guitar. The pickups are slightly reserved and not very bassy or trebly, perfect weight and balance, and I find I play it with a lot of respect, whereas when I play a Gibson it’s more of untamed sound that I dig into more and find more fun to play. It’s the difference between Carlos Santana and Gary Moore.
I was so excited to get a McCarty SE Singlecut, and I was not disappointed. I'd always wanted one of the S2's but I couldn't spend $1800 or whatever to get it. It's heavy, like a Les Paul-alike should be, and it's a blistering rock and roll machine. Plus I can get up to the 22nd fret, unlike a real Les Paul LOL
BTW it's not just close the S2 sound, it really is the S2 sound. The S2 guitars all use the same 58/15 "S" pickups of the SE line, not the 58/15 LT of the core.
My first and only electric guitar was a PRS SE Custom 24. It does everything I need, is comfortable to play, sounds great, and looks slick. I do want to try the silver sky SE, but for now my custom 24 SE is great!
I dig your post! I just subscribed right now! Greetings from Hollywood, California!
i got my burgundy colored left handed prs se edition and i love it. ernie ball slinky strings on it the metal disortion is heavy and clear and the clean is creamy, coming out of my marshall half stack and i am a happy player
I definitely could notice the difference. The S2 had a clarity the SE didn't and it's in the high end. In a mix, it won't really matter too much. For me sitting around jamming alone like I normally do, I can tell.
My favorite PRS i ever played was a McCarty Core. That was way back in like 1999-2000. I would go to a guitar store that had some and play. Finally, this last year I started getting PRS SEs. I got a 245 SE to start. Its good. Better than most guitars I had played over the last 20 years. Then I got a Standard 22 SE. Thats my favorite guitar I have. It's light. I swapped the pickups for Alpha and Omega SDs with coil splits. I love it. Then I got a Zach Myers with 85/15s. I like how it feels, but hate the sound. I'm installing some Lace Dually humbuckers in it eventually to see if that fixes it. And Santa is bringing a Custom 24 SE this year. I'll honestly probably never go back to other brands.
Yep, I agree. PRS guitars are fantastic. I own a lot of guitars. I looked for an affordable on ramp to the Paul Reed Smith family, like for 2 years. The one that did it for me is a Paul Allender ( quilted maple top, purple burst) model. And it has bats in flight instead of birds. It's beautiful, but I didn't buy it for that reason. The Paul Allender designed pickups sound amazing! That's why I bought it. There's a PRS/ Paul Reed Smith guitar out there for everyone. Great video! Thanks for all your hard work.
I got a PRS SE 75th anniversary custom 24 and I couldnt be happier with it.
I have a McCarty s2 single cut, an s2 double cut thinline, and an SE McCarty single cut. They’re all awesome, I can’t really pick which one I like the most. Yes the S2s are “better” when you really obsess over the details, but there’s just something about the SE model that grabs me too. My only complaint with the SE is the tuners suck but I replaced those with some vintage style locking Kluson tuners. Whether it’s the S2 or SE lines, the guitars punch way above their respective price points. You truly can’t go wrong.
I am loving my PRS Zach Myers. It is the best guitar I have ever owned. I've been playing over 25 years.
3:29 this brings me back to my beginner days plugging directly into my Sound Blaster AWE64 Gold❤
I own a PRS SE Korina SC and a SE One, both Korean. Both have the stop tailpiece and perfect intonation.
One of the biggest features I enjoy in the S2 is the finish is more comfortable than me than the SE finish.
Like 2 hours with some sandpapers, polish, and fret end files bring fit and finish to USA levels.
PRS is definitely cool, but my nomination for best bang for the buck would go to Reverend. Those play and feel like they’re over $2000 and you can get them new for half that price or used for less than a third.
Your SE in the mix, sounded just a little more distant. But being am SE owner, I totally agree with your summary of why someone would choose one over the other.
My relationship with PRS guitars has been a slow burn. I have tried many of them, own Silver Sky Se, 245 SE, Custom 24 SE. Their QC on even the SE line is better than most American made premium models. After trying many different models, I did decide the SE line is the right value for me. However, my dislike for them many years ago I couldn’t quite put my finger on it at the time. Looking back, I believe PRS was making pick ups that at least in the guitar sense, was kind of high definition pick ups. This made for great string separation, but the sound was so pristine that they sounded sterile to me. Lacking character, they were almost too perfect. So, I ended up with the models that I have because the silver sky SE and the 245 SE particularly have a lower output pickups that are more like classic pickups which retain the character. it took me many years to appreciate PRS, and what their mission is. Now I finally get it. Most high end hi output models are still too sterile sounding for me, But whenever they do a classic reinterpretation, I love the results. The McCarty 594 SE will be my next purchase.
My humble opinion, PRS is a synonym of QC.
Specially talking about the SEs vs Epiphone's or Squiers.
Hey Mike, love your videos. I have an American made strat and PRS custom 24. I am planning to buy another PRS. Should I go for Silver Sky SE or McCarty 594 SE?
A friend of my brother in law brought an SE McCarty Hollowbody by for me to look at. Unbelievably good quality instrument.
I agree. There is an internet meme about PRS being a guitar for rich guys that can’t play, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Their guitars are crazy good. Even the SE’s. If Robben Ford, Joe Walsh, John Mayer, Tim Pierce, David Grissom, Mark Lettieri, Carlos Santana, Mark Holcomb, Zach Meyers, and dozens other professional players all say they are crazy good, that’s good enough for me.
I love my S2 and SE as much as the core models.
My Core PRS Wood Library models are my favorite out of everything I own. They just FEEL so easy to play and sound great too!
What’s wood library referring too ?
@@benallmark9671 PRS have a wood library that dealers can custom spec special runs. Some of it is exotic woods not used in mass production models, some of it is highly graded familiar woods. Maybe the closest analogy is Fender Special Run - dealers can deviate from the standard production menu by using custom woods and finishes.
@@PaulCooksStuff cool , thanks for taking the time to fill me in. I appreciate that. 🍻 cheers
nice to see a youtube guitar channel where the host has musical talent!
Got a sandblasted custom 24 SE and that thing just slaps. Idk can’t tell you why but it just feels right
Mike I’ve gotta tell you brother I personally can’t tell that much of a difference in the mix. When you played them back to back I could only tell as you yourself said a difference in the note articulation. But only in the higher mids and the difference is so small in the mix it doesn’t really make that big of a difference. Myself,,, I have a PRS Standard 24 with the same pickups as your Macarty and also with PRS locking tuning keys it has become one of my main backups of my American Performer Stratocaster. I’m such a Strat guy the the humbucking pickups even with coil tap makes the PRS a backup only option for me. I have Tex Mex Custom Shop pickups in my Strat there’s no comparison between the PRS and my Strat. I love a Strat through a Dumble style amp on the edge of breakup with the Single Coil sound I just can’t seem to get with the PRS. Maybe I should look into a Silver Sky ……. Hmmmmmm!?!?!😂😂😂
Bro, I love your channel but I want to tell you the S2 McCartney anniversary edition comes out with a 5815 LT USA made with USA wiring. Some people say that the total difference between those two is the USA models of the one but any PRS model goes to incredible quality control Paul Reed Smith believes that he should be able to walk down his factory line and pick up any guitar and play it and it should sound exactly like the one right next to it. She’s the only owner and operator of a midsize guitar company who is extremely hands-on is a mad scientist, so anything PRS makes even in their lower models is still a better quality and value to me than anyone out on the market
The only thing I ever got from a co-worker was a write-up for "fraternizing."
Hi, my name is coincidentally Joe and was I Fender player for years then… I bought a PRS Silver Sky and was sold. It’s an amazing guitar! It’s damn near perfect, for me. I am a PRS player for life. Fender is great but PRS is on another level. My Silver Sky is the top tier one BTW