Twenty 5 seconds in & you know this man can seriously play. I'm a beginner in every sense of the term but Mr Drew here inspires me to practice every day. 👊🏾
It really is amazing how PRS has such consistency and quality, and this is the first guitar that doesn’t sound like a PRS and that’s a good thing. I do like how the tone control seems much more usable. But I would still take the custom shop because I can’t make logical decisions being a bedroom rocker.
The guitarist in one of my bands (I'm a bassist) has a red silver sky. I took it for a spin myself. It's gorgeous. Other than another bandmate's 1963, it's the best Strat styled guitar I've ever played. And I'm not a strat lover nor a PRS lover.
Got a 2021 maple board silver sky and think it’s perfection. Love my American pro strat but the silver sky is head and shoulders above it and so it should be considering the difference in price. However I won’t sell my strat, be greedy and keep them both
I am a huge PRS fan! I've got two core models; a Tremonti w/stoptail bridge and a 408. Both are the best guitars I've ever owned (would like to change out the neck pickup in the Tremonti - it's a little muddy for me), but I love Fenders and Gibsons as well. While I noticed the pickups in the Silver Sky were definitely hotter, the Strat pickups were cleaner to my ears... which is the beauty of a Strat. This was my first time on this channel and loved how your presented the comparison. IMO, don't get rid of your Strat... they're different guitars. That's why we have GUITAR COLLECTIONS!!!
I've got three PRS too... core 24, CE 24, Chris Robertson, Gibson Les Paul, American standard strat, etc... but I have been intrigued by the silver sky. Not sure it sounds much different than my strat to justify buying... but it does sound great. I replaced the bridge pickup in my strat to the SSL-5 designed by David Gilmore and Seymour Duncan...it's fatter single coil sound without losing the quack and clarity. All these guitars... PRS, strat, etc... great but different...
Incredible video! This pushed me over the edge to purchase the Silver Sky. That will go with my beloved PRS Fiore which is also a wonderful instrument! Got the same color/configuration as you are using as well.
There is something intangible with some guitars like that CS Fender you got. I think I’d describe it as the strat just has “soul” in the tone that the PRS just doesn’t. Both amazing guitars obviously!
Thank you for another great video, personally I prefer the PRS, it has more composure and control giving a more musical sound that I could play and listen to for longer 👌
I may be in the minority, but I think I like the sound of the Fender better. Why, maybe because it sounds more like a Strat. I have a 64 Strat and have often compared it to my friends Silver Sky. I do think the PRS is an amazing guitar and very well built, but, and maybe this is just psychological, I don't feel the PRS has the Mojo of the Strat. I also have Strats from the 80's, 90's, and early 2000's and I would likely choose the PRS over them, but the 64 is just a different animal. You are comparing it to a Custom Shop 62 so I would imagine that that would be closer to my 64 than to any of my other Strats, so theoretically that that makes your comparison closer to mine. Anyway, even in this video I have to say that I like the sound of the real Strat better. Maybe it's because I'm just more used to that sound. I have a 64 Black face Twin Reverb and a 66 Black face Super Reverb and any combination of my 64 Strat with either of those two amps is simply magical to me. Again, though, this might simply be psychological.
I agree with you. The PRS is bright and modern, the Fender has more guts and glory. Also, when you have vintage amps, the range from dark growl to singing bite of a true Strat comes through much more. I compare my Custom Shop Strat into my '64 Tremolux and '66 Super Reverb, with my Tom Anderson Classic into my Divided by 13 FTR37 and there's no comparison to the guts and mojo. Fender moves the soul. Modern stuff moves the ears, but it's short term excitement.
I agree. The bass response of the Fender was sweeter to my ears. But if I'm honest the Silversky still, with eyes closed, sounds like a strat. Just a different one. I wouldn't say, "it's not a strat" except in brand and name. It's a strat totally. Haven't played one though. Don't feel the need either.
@@GraniteSoundtrack I played one and I was very impressed with build quality and overall looks. Plays like a dream but it is just not the same as a fender strat. Which was not their goal to make a strat copy. Would still want one in my collection someday though.
No, you're not alone. My main Strat is an 08 Eric JohnsonI and had a Silver Sky loaned to be for a few weeks. It was a great guitar; played very easy, really well built, good construction and design. That said, it was just missing "something." The only way to describe it is like when Digital started to become how things were made: Digital recording, effects, CDs vs Album, etc. Everything sounds really clear and "pure." After a while though, people recognized that in spite of the added clarity and reduced noise, there was something was lost there, but they can't put a finger on what. The PRS was a CD, my Strat is vinyl.
I have a SS and I’m obviously biased, but I didn’t hear anything from the CS that would make me want to pay the difference. Both are fine guitars and I would be happy with both.
Good video. I put in Xotic hand wound 60's pick ups in my strat. It's just sensational and blows away anything I compare it to. Tried their 50s and don't like them. 60s are the go. Hope that helps.
I bought a Silver Sky and I will say that out of all of my guitars, it is the best sounding/best playing/best everything guitar I own. I will never get rid of it. I might buy another if they come up with some better color schemes.
Great video. SS definitely seems to have more clarity/articulation. I had a Custom 24 that I never bonded with but am thinking of giving of the SS a try. It has that fret induced "sizzle" that all PRS guitars seems to have. It's something I didn't really care for on the Custom 24, but it naturally works on a strat.....
For your High Gain Settings and the intense use of the Vibrato System I would recommend a modern Super Strat like a Suhr. Locking Tuners, Humbucker at the bridge and you are good to go. A Custom Shop 62 Strat is completly wrong here. Everyone in the 80`s with a Strat , who wanted these Sounds, changed Vibrato and Pickups in their Guitar . I remember these times very well 😉
I bought the PRS Silver Sky when they first came out amongst all the controversy. I had been gigging with my Custom Shop Strat for over 20 years and the Silver Sky is my main guitar now. It is a beautiful, rock solid, giggable work horse with every sound unique and usable. My Strat has Texas Specials. Is swamp ash and I locked the trem for the exact reason. I have kept the Strat because I love it, but the Silver Sky is my main guitar. Well done and good purchase..
Well, the Texas special pickups are very far from the more scooped sound of the Silver Sky pickups. Try CS69 or other low output pickup in your Fender and compare again 😊
@@MrBossei Thanks, however I have no problem with the old Texas Specials, they give the classic Strat quack which I really enjoy. The JM PUP’s on the Silver Sky have their own voice which is very similar and all 5 positions are very useable. It is a great gigging guitar.
@@MrBossei indeed it is and thank goodness for that. It would be awful if we all liked the same stuff, played the same stuff and created the same stuff. Rock on 👍
PRS is amazing!!! Stays in tune even when using tremolo!!! YUGE FAT lows & sweet highs that don’t melt your ears!!! PRS increased signal to noise ratio of pickups for less hum!
Great video Paul! I thought both guitars sounded wonderful. About 3 months ago, I bought a maple neck Silver Sky. I wasn’t looking for one. I had been searching for a strat and had played classics, EJ, custom shop, APII. All were lovely guitars, but I didn’t click with them. Then, by chance, I tried a Silver Sky and I was intrigued. I tested both maple and rosewood neck versions and settled for the maple neck (quite unusual for me as I prefer rosewood). I loved the satin neck. The chunky neck is wonderful in my tiny hands. It is the most comfortable guitar I have ever played and is my go to axe today. This guitar has mojo for me and I love it. This just goes to show that it is such a personal journey with guitars and what suits me, may not suit you. If you can, keep both as they both have their own vibe. Nice one and welcome to the club. Haha.
My Fender CS strat had the Custom Shop 60s strat pick-ups, with the gray backing. They were alnico 2s, and sounded too mellow and soft - a bit murky, perhaps like your CS strat. I changed the pickups to Seymour Duncan Antiquity IIs, and that made the guitar come alive. More articulation and clarity.
Silver Sky is basically an S2 PRS (w/great pickups) - There’s definitely an enjoyable honeymoon period with the Silver Sky but it’s not in the same league as my CS Strats.
@@donefinished More than my Silver Sky … the title of the video is essentially asking if the Silver Sky can replace the Custom Shop strat. For some, yeah the SS is good enough. But most who own both. It’s a stretch to say a Silver Sky is equal to a Custom Shop Strat. There’s a reason a SS is $2499 and a CS strat is $4300 (and it’s not just due to the Fender name). 👍 The SS is a great guitar but ultimately reminds me of a nice Korean made guitar (I.e. Reverend, etc) but ask any CS owner if they will trade you straight up for a SS - they will laugh. Resale definitely plays a part in the whole equation. That all being said, CS guitars are a luxury and your paying a lot for the mojo of owning a CS strat. Can you play & sound just as good on a SS vs CS ? … definitely but the strat has that extra special quality or being the OG. You could have this discussion on many products (I.e. Corvette vs Ferrari).
Been a Fender boy for years. Custom shop strats and teles mainly. I'm also late to the silver sky. But this vid made me try one out at my local dealers. What can I say. Purchased! It was a no brainer as soon as I'd played it. What a guitar. Thank you for this vid.
@@YM_82 I still own it. My most played electric guitar still as well. Really couldn't be happier with it. The pickups are probably the best strat style pickups I've used. Mine is the Tungsten with rosewood board.
@@ashjohnson7165 that's nice to hear. I'm looking for the same one just with maple neck as I already own fender custom shop 1961. just to feel Hendrix sometimes :)
Heard how unbelievably good the silver sky’s are. Was only hearing 10/10s like everywhere, even on this vid. After a long while one pops up at my local guitar store and was completely disappointed by how flat and sterile it was. Judging off sounds alone, The SS is better for John mayers breakup lead lines that he does no doubt, but right after that I picked up an American pro loaded with Texas specials and my strat desires were immediately satisfied. The strat does everything a strat should do at its best form. Sounds way better and fuller in every note IMO (that was also the SE version but I heard there’s no difference in the pickups besides the core SS pups being handwound)
Beautiful Guitar Not Taking nothing away from the PRS Silver Sky But I Just purchased a New Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster I have owned several Stratocasters got my first Stratocaster before I was in Junior High school maybe before I love them and if you play a Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster its a Completely different Guitar A Ultimate Supreme Stratocaster Thanks for this Awesome INFORMATIVE video
I just bought a silver sky without being able to play it first. The fender actually sounded better to me than the silver sky or maybe just warmer although the articulation was tighter on the PRS so I am still excited!
In the beginning of the video I thought omg that sounds looooovely. But when you pulled out the CS, I actually preferred that, because it’s got tons more mojo and attitude than the PRS. However, I do understand your complaints about the CS. I’ve got a 61 myself and here’s what I did and what I can recommend. 1.) Pickups, you said it yourself. You’ve got loads of great opportunities in the UK! I’m currently playing Bare Knuckle mother’s milk. I also prefer scooped mids - which the silver sky allegedly has. 2.) The trem. I replaced the stock Fender trem with a Callaham trem. Better tuning stability and more solid trem arm connection. However, at the end of the day I would understand if you keep the silver sky. Because from a studio/recording point of view, it’s a more reliable instrument. But it’s also kinda too nice and lacks mojo for me. Anyway I enjoyed listening to your playing!
Yes it’s true all in all .. I still have my 91 and 94/57 re issue and love em but the prs are better built better tuning and the pick ups in the Silver sky are much more balanced with a usable bridge pick up - just fact … not a diss
PRS always gets kudos for their quality guitar building, but I think I am more impressed with how good they’ve gotten at building pickups lately. The silver sky and narrowfield pickups are both sensational, and their 58/15 LT and 85/15 TCI humbuckers are both outstanding as well. Their new amps really shocked me too. Paul is not just a wood working genius, he has some amazing electronics people working there now.
Just got my 2nd Silver Sky yesterday (golden mesa and rosewood board too) IMO my SS are a just as great as my masterbuilt strat for less than half the price…
Prefer the Strat on that comparison but I’m not playing them to know what your feeling/ hearing. I’ve tried a few SK’s and like all other PRS guitars I’ve never connected with them. You can’t argue with build and finish but vibe and mojo…mmmm no. I play an original vintage ’57 strat which is the best I’ve ever played but gig with a NAMM special CS ‘64 with hand wound fat 60’s which is the business. Fender all the way for me. But hey, each to their own.
I always wanted to try to play a Fender CS Strat and possibly buy one day. Afyer playing and buyinf a Silver Sky I couldn't care less about a CS Strat anymore. It is just as good and almost half the price
I bought a Suhr Strat with a Gotoh 510 Trem-unit (phenomenal tuning stability) and Lollar Dirty Blondes - then Sold my Vintage Fender Stratocaster. My Suhr is on another Stratosphere (however) I do currently own a 65 Princeton Reverb and a Rumble 100 and I do love them both. I like their Amps better than the guitars now.
Great video. I have 3 CS strats (two 56 Relics and a 60 NOS) and a maple board SS. They all have a slightly different feel and sound. I can’t say one is better than the other though. If I had to pick one…I don’t know what I’d do!
I might be alone here in finding the Silver Sky a little clinical compared to the Custom Shop. However, I am always looking for warmth in my Strats. I have never played a PRS that has persuaded me to part with my money.
Agreed. The Strat purist in him went with the 7.25" radius, but I would have preferred to incredibly playable 10" radius. Everyone skirts around it in videos, but neck radius is HUGE. With the 7.5" you better have a pro setup guy on speed dial or they can get like a trampoline on the high frets. The PRS 10" radius on all their other guitars is the most comfortable and playable neck I have ever found. Don't believe me? Play a stock 594 Single Cut vs. a Gibson Custom shop Les Paul. If you can turn off the "Les Paul is a classic" voice in your head for a minute you will go home with the 594, the pickups are better and the neck is like night and day. If you want a direct comparison play the PRS SS and then play a PRS Fiore. World of difference in the neck.
@@fotoajojo I concur with your opening statement. I bought a AVRII Strat a few months ago - 7.25" radius - and I screwed with the setup pretty much every second day since. Two weeks ago I finally bit the bullet and left it with a pro tech for a week. Now it plays like a dream but the work he had to do to get it there was not for the amateur. It wasn't a cheap operation but totally worth the spend. Had I not gone down that road I think I was close to trading what I now know to be an amazing instrument.
@@nigelsmith721 Samey Same with my Custom House Strat. A very well respected tech in Baltimore kept after it for a month and finally corrected most of it with some work under the fretboard above the 12th fret, but the setup would not hold. Then he found the real culprit - the wood at the head of the neck where the truss rod anchors had a soft spot and any adjustment wound not hold because the wood would give. So rang up Fender Custom Shop and ordered a new neck, maple fretboard this time, and finally got her where she needs to be. That said, I also have a PRS Fiore and if I had to pick one to take into battle it would be that one. The Strat is pretty much my Texas Blues thumb-wrap machine. Fiore is everything else. The 10" neck is butter, but, as it is a 2021 model, it has taller and thinner fretwire like the Strat. The new Fiores have the traditional PRS fretwire which is a bit shallower and wider.
I have a 2019 Golden Mesa and sold a really good Strat after I got it. I also prefer the Silver Sky over my Starplayer TV and Gretsch Sparkle Jet. Just a fantastic guitar! I’m curious about your signal chain/amp setup. Sounds great!
I've said this since day one if hearing the Silver Sky. It has the best sounding single coils I've ever heard. So then it comes down to playability. Right?? Does it play better than the CS. I must say,...that 4 pos on that SS is as good as you'll ever hear.
This is exactly the point PRS fanboys completely ignore. You can literally put any custom pickup on any guitar and find just about any sound you want. You can put aftermarket pickups on a walmart "starcaster" and have it sound similar to this PRS. People need to think about playability and in that area the PRS necks are a total POS.
I had a Silver Sky for about a year. I ended up selling it because I just could not get on with it. I figured a year was enough time to decide as I was way past the honeymoon phase. I loved the neck and the fit and finish was typical PRS excellence but the pickups sounded sterile to me compared to my Strat. I tried to adjust them up and down many times hoping to find a tone I loved but I never got there. I also tried it through multiple high end amps. I finally ended up just sticking with my Fender. 2 other things on the PRS annoyed me. The truss rod cover is a pain to get on and off and those grey plastic tuning buttons seem pretty sorry and cheap on a guitar this expensive. Having said that, your new gold one sounds great. Much better than mine did. Maybe I just had a turd. It’s too much money for me to ever experiment with another one, but I’m glad you love yours.
they changed the pickups at some point. the first set were too compressed for my taste & I sold my silver sky after getting a new k-line. never sold one of my FCS tho.
I have an incredibly beautiful PRS 30th Anniversary Vine Custom 22. It's truly a work of art. But I totally understand where you're coming from about PRS sounding sterile. I have the same issue. I have adjusted pickups but just can't a tone out it I love. My Fender USA Stratocaster Deluxe 50th Anniversary model on the other I fell in love with within about 30 seconds in the shop and it's my favourite player among a collection of 14 mostly high end guitars that includes a Les Paul, two Mike Lipe guitars, two Yamaha, a Fender Japan Modern Telecaster and five PRS models (USA & SE).
I get what they did with the Silver Sky. I'd consider one if the neck came with nicer wood. Your CS Strat sounds way better to me. Not as "modern" as the PRS. Both nice and very usable but in the A/B comparison I thought this specificities Fender sounded better in all positions.
Great video but going to be the dissenting opinion here. John Mayer fan! I played 5 different Silver Sky guitars at a big dealer. I found them all to be thin sounding. Very consistently. My guitar player friend that came along agreed. I also played a Fender CS Strat with Fat 50s pickups in the same shop on the same amp and it was way... More. Strattier. Fuller. Bigger. Warmer but still Strat. It just felt more awesome. I guess I like it warmer. They all played great. The Silver Skies felt newer but the CS was very much relic'ed. Still want one, though. Because I love the styling and... Well... John.
There are many other guitars that has an amazing sound, but Strat specially custom shop, brings you back to the harshly clean sounds that only in that era were found.
Still prefer the fender sounds there isn't enough break up for my taste and I love the mids/lows on the fender always will. It's a bit fatter sounding imo.
I think the ability to make these guitars sound almost identical is a tip of the hat to you! Bravo sir. I have multiple CS Fenders and can only dream about playing at your level. I will look into PRS Silver Sky stratocasters.
I prefer the Silver Sky's treble pickup but the Fender on all the other positions. After 30 years the only Strat I owned which had everything was a Tom Anderson Classic with Lindy Fralin pickups. I regret seeling it.
I love that gold color. that prs is a keeper for sure! If I didn't have so many guitars, I'd buy one...maybe one day :) excellent sounds ..love the intro
For me on the Silver Sky the Middle and Bridge positions are just killer the positions often lacking on the many Strats I have owned, Ive set both of mine to float :)
I actually do not agree that the middle position on a Fender sucks. I am almost always on the middle position, I think it is the positon where the string vibrations have certainly the most harmonics. The bass position and treble position are less rich voice, for when you want to limit the harmonic frequencies. Playing on the middle position has the advantage you can also flip your hand and get too clearly distinct voicings. When you are always on the bass pickup, like 99% of players then you just flip to the treble. And you essentially have two voices, the cello voice and the violin voice. A matter of taste, for me the middle pickup on any proper guitar should be the true voice of the instrument and the other two positions are meant accentuate rythm or notes.
Beautiful playing! The Silver Sky is the only guitar that I would trade my main one for. But most everybody who gets one will usually keep it. And there is a reason why the Silver Sky outsold any American made Strats in the last year, as shown by Reverb. But some people are die hards and can't conceive replacing their CS, mostly just because, which is alright too! You can find people doing blind tests on those two and it's much more eye opening when you don't see them. Cheers!
The only reason it sold well is because of a bunch of mindless John Mayer suck boys bought them😂. Without John Mayer they would have never sold this because it wouldn’t sell. The truth is the pickups are inferior they are less capable they don’t have the bright tones of the strat. The Ibanez azes is better than the silver sky that’s just a fact but you prs fanboys don’t wanna hear it
Sire guitars beat everything all to hell. Sire is the real deal strat and tele and 335 and jazzmaster and les paul. They are all leaps and bounds ahead of anything I've played in a long time. Been a guitar tech for over 47 yrs and I fell in love with Sire guitars. I think you will too!
Twenty 5 seconds in & you know this man can seriously play. I'm a beginner in every sense of the term but Mr Drew here inspires me to practice every day. 👊🏾
It really is amazing how PRS has such consistency and quality, and this is the first guitar that doesn’t sound like a PRS and that’s a good thing. I do like how the tone control seems much more usable. But I would still take the custom shop because I can’t make logical decisions being a bedroom rocker.
The guitarist in one of my bands (I'm a bassist) has a red silver sky. I took it for a spin myself. It's gorgeous. Other than another bandmate's 1963, it's the best Strat styled guitar I've ever played. And I'm not a strat lover nor a PRS lover.
The intro piece was gorgeous. Pop sensibilities with great chops and tone. Fab.
Thanks so much.
I sold my Silver Sky to fund a 63 custom shop strat. Nothing wrong with either of them. I think the ultra strat is as good as either as well.
Got a 2021 maple board silver sky and think it’s perfection. Love my American pro strat but the silver sky is head and shoulders above it and so it should be considering the difference in price. However I won’t sell my strat, be greedy and keep them both
That just sounds so amazing! Best sound demo of the PRS Silver Sky that I've heard so far.
You can hear what you wanna hear but there is not enough difference to make a difference.Strats are strats they sound straty!😊
I am a huge PRS fan! I've got two core models; a Tremonti w/stoptail bridge and a 408. Both are the best guitars I've ever owned (would like to change out the neck pickup in the Tremonti - it's a little muddy for me), but I love Fenders and Gibsons as well. While I noticed the pickups in the Silver Sky were definitely hotter, the Strat pickups were cleaner to my ears... which is the beauty of a Strat. This was my first time on this channel and loved how your presented the comparison. IMO, don't get rid of your Strat... they're different guitars. That's why we have GUITAR COLLECTIONS!!!
I've got three PRS too... core 24, CE 24, Chris Robertson, Gibson Les Paul, American standard strat, etc... but I have been intrigued by the silver sky. Not sure it sounds much different than my strat to justify buying... but it does sound great. I replaced the bridge pickup in my strat to the SSL-5 designed by David Gilmore and Seymour Duncan...it's fatter single coil sound without losing the quack and clarity. All these guitars... PRS, strat, etc... great but different...
I just feel like the Fender has more character and sparkle. Both are cool I’d go with the Fender all day
I LOVE THIS INTRO RIFF ALMOST brought me to tears cause of stuff on my mind. Absolutely excellent
That intro was pure magic!
Incredible video! This pushed me over the edge to purchase the Silver Sky. That will go with my beloved PRS Fiore which is also a wonderful instrument! Got the same color/configuration as you are using as well.
There is something intangible with some guitars like that CS Fender you got. I think I’d describe it as the strat just has “soul” in the tone that the PRS just doesn’t. Both amazing guitars obviously!
Sound like the amps and effects/ reverb was set diffrently for each guitar
Silver Sky for me all day, every day. Thanks for this.
Thank you for another great video, personally I prefer the PRS, it has more composure and control giving a more musical sound that I could play and listen to for longer 👌
I may be in the minority, but I think I like the sound of the Fender better. Why, maybe because it sounds more like a Strat. I have a 64 Strat and have often compared it to my friends Silver Sky. I do think the PRS is an amazing guitar and very well built, but, and maybe this is just psychological, I don't feel the PRS has the Mojo of the Strat. I also have Strats from the 80's, 90's, and early 2000's and I would likely choose the PRS over them, but the 64 is just a different animal. You are comparing it to a Custom Shop 62 so I would imagine that that would be closer to my 64 than to any of my other Strats, so theoretically that that makes your comparison closer to mine. Anyway, even in this video I have to say that I like the sound of the real Strat better. Maybe it's because I'm just more used to that sound. I have a 64 Black face Twin Reverb and a 66 Black face Super Reverb and any combination of my 64 Strat with either of those two amps is simply magical to me. Again, though, this might simply be psychological.
I agree with you. The PRS is bright and modern, the Fender has more guts and glory. Also, when you have vintage amps, the range from dark growl to singing bite of a true Strat comes through much more. I compare my Custom Shop Strat into my '64 Tremolux and '66 Super Reverb, with my Tom Anderson Classic into my Divided by 13 FTR37 and there's no comparison to the guts and mojo. Fender moves the soul. Modern stuff moves the ears, but it's short term excitement.
Same feeling here. The Silver Sky is a great guitar but it’s not a strat.
I agree. The bass response of the Fender was sweeter to my ears. But if I'm honest the Silversky still, with eyes closed, sounds like a strat. Just a different one. I wouldn't say, "it's not a strat" except in brand and name. It's a strat totally. Haven't played one though. Don't feel the need either.
@@GraniteSoundtrack I played one and I was very impressed with build quality and overall looks. Plays like a dream but it is just not the same as a fender strat. Which was not their goal to make a strat copy. Would still want one in my collection someday though.
No, you're not alone. My main Strat is an 08 Eric JohnsonI and had a Silver Sky loaned to be for a few weeks. It was a great guitar; played very easy, really well built, good construction and design. That said, it was just missing "something."
The only way to describe it is like when Digital started to become how things were made: Digital recording, effects, CDs vs Album, etc. Everything sounds really clear and "pure." After a while though, people recognized that in spite of the added clarity and reduced noise, there was something was lost there, but they can't put a finger on what.
The PRS was a CD, my Strat is vinyl.
I have a SS and I’m obviously biased, but I didn’t hear anything from the CS that would make me want to pay the difference. Both are fine guitars and I would be happy with both.
Strato is the winner for my ear :)
The intro has the sweetest strat tone I've ever heard.
Good video. I put in Xotic hand wound 60's pick ups in my strat. It's just sensational and blows away anything I compare it to. Tried their 50s and don't like them. 60s are the go. Hope that helps.
I bought a Silver Sky and I will say that out of all of my guitars, it is the best sounding/best playing/best everything guitar I own. I will never get rid of it. I might buy another if they come up with some better color schemes.
Great video. SS definitely seems to have more clarity/articulation. I had a Custom 24 that I never bonded with but am thinking of giving of the SS a try. It has that fret induced "sizzle" that all PRS guitars seems to have. It's something I didn't really care for on the Custom 24, but it naturally works on a strat.....
For your High Gain Settings and the intense use of the Vibrato System I would recommend a modern Super Strat like a Suhr. Locking Tuners, Humbucker at the bridge and you are good to go. A Custom Shop 62 Strat is completly wrong here. Everyone in the 80`s with a Strat , who wanted these Sounds, changed Vibrato and Pickups in their Guitar . I remember these times very well 😉
I bought the PRS Silver Sky when they first came out amongst all the controversy. I had been gigging with my Custom Shop Strat for over 20 years and the Silver Sky is my main guitar now. It is a beautiful, rock solid, giggable work horse with every sound unique and usable. My Strat has Texas Specials. Is swamp ash and I locked the trem for the exact reason. I have kept the Strat because I love it, but the Silver Sky is my main guitar. Well done and good purchase..
Well, the Texas special pickups are very far from the more scooped sound of the Silver Sky pickups. Try CS69 or other low output pickup in your Fender and compare again 😊
@@MrBossei Thanks, however I have no problem with the old Texas Specials, they give the classic Strat quack which I really enjoy. The JM PUP’s on the Silver Sky have their own voice which is very similar and all 5 positions are very useable. It is a great gigging guitar.
@@kenphillips3282 Great. Tried the Silver Sky and it was not my cup of tea but it’s of course a matter of taste 👍
@@MrBossei indeed it is and thank goodness for that. It would be awful if we all liked the same stuff, played the same stuff and created the same stuff. Rock on 👍
PRS is amazing!!!
Stays in tune even when using tremolo!!!
YUGE FAT lows & sweet highs that don’t melt your ears!!!
PRS increased signal to noise ratio of pickups for less hum!
Great video Paul! I thought both guitars sounded wonderful. About 3 months ago, I bought a maple neck Silver Sky. I wasn’t looking for one. I had been searching for a strat and had played classics, EJ, custom shop, APII. All were lovely guitars, but I didn’t click with them. Then, by chance, I tried a Silver Sky and I was intrigued. I tested both maple and rosewood neck versions and settled for the maple neck (quite unusual for me as I prefer rosewood). I loved the satin neck. The chunky neck is wonderful in my tiny hands. It is the most comfortable guitar I have ever played and is my go to axe today. This guitar has mojo for me and I love it. This just goes to show that it is such a personal journey with guitars and what suits me, may not suit you. If you can, keep both as they both have their own vibe. Nice one and welcome to the club. Haha.
Cheers Scoobs.
I agree it's also the most comfortable guitar I have played. It just feels so smooth especially with the satin neck.
Hey Paul, the intro to this video is some of the smoothest playing I’ve heard you do. Great stuff mate!
Mine is coming in January. Got the Pink one :)
That chime is why you get the PRS. I’ve sold most of my Fenders.
Big fender enthusiast here and I have to give it PRS on this god what a killer tone I can’t wait to get my hands on one!
For me, this is a strat killer. I love this sound
The Strat is immortal my friend. There is nothing on this planet that can kill a Strat. Lovely guitar is the SS but The Strat is forever King. :)
@@frankzappa951 never can kill a guitar with that immense soul.
@@frankzappa951 HOLY SHIT FRANK ZAPPA
@@adam_michael540 Peaches and Regalia Mr Ricard :)
My Fender CS strat had the Custom Shop 60s strat pick-ups, with the gray backing. They were alnico 2s, and sounded too mellow and soft - a bit murky, perhaps like your CS strat. I changed the pickups to Seymour Duncan Antiquity IIs, and that made the guitar come alive. More articulation and clarity.
Custom shop must stay, Lindy Frahlin pickups for the CS! The headstock of PRS, is it not a little heretic?😂
Silver Sky is basically an S2 PRS (w/great pickups) - There’s definitely an enjoyable honeymoon period with the Silver Sky but it’s not in the same league as my CS Strats.
How much did you pay for your cs strat?
the pickup are very different than what is in a s2
@@tom0ocadoo Yes, Silver Sky pickups are great.
@@donefinished More than my Silver Sky … the title of the video is essentially asking if the Silver Sky can replace the Custom Shop strat. For some, yeah the SS is good enough. But most who own both. It’s a stretch to say a Silver Sky is equal to a Custom Shop Strat. There’s a reason a SS is $2499 and a CS strat is $4300 (and it’s not just due to the Fender name). 👍 The SS is a great guitar but ultimately reminds me of a nice Korean made guitar (I.e. Reverend, etc) but ask any CS owner if they will trade you straight up for a SS - they will laugh. Resale definitely plays a part in the whole equation. That all being said, CS guitars are a luxury and your paying a lot for the mojo of owning a CS strat. Can you play & sound just as good on a SS vs CS ? … definitely but the strat has that extra special quality or being the OG. You could have this discussion on many products (I.e. Corvette vs Ferrari).
@@carpediem4413 I agree it's not equal to a cs strat. I would even venture to say it's a different animal.
I have a USA Pro strat and love it. Played a few Silver Sky’s and just don’t get it. Likely upgrading to an Ultra this year.
Been a Fender boy for years. Custom shop strats and teles mainly. I'm also late to the silver sky. But this vid made me try one out at my local dealers. What can I say. Purchased! It was a no brainer as soon as I'd played it. What a guitar. Thank you for this vid.
still own it? what's your experience with the guitar so far?
@@YM_82 I still own it. My most played electric guitar still as well. Really couldn't be happier with it. The pickups are probably the best strat style pickups I've used. Mine is the Tungsten with rosewood board.
@@ashjohnson7165 that's nice to hear. I'm looking for the same one just with maple neck as I already own fender custom shop 1961. just to feel Hendrix sometimes :)
Lovely review. I sure wish PRS made these Silver Sky's left handed. On the subject, I'd love a DGT also....oh the woes of left-handedness.
Heard how unbelievably good the silver sky’s are. Was only hearing 10/10s like everywhere, even on this vid. After a long while one pops up at my local guitar store and was completely disappointed by how flat and sterile it was.
Judging off sounds alone, The SS is better for John mayers breakup lead lines that he does no doubt, but right after that I picked up an American pro loaded with Texas specials and my strat desires were immediately satisfied. The strat does everything a strat should do at its best form. Sounds way better and fuller in every note IMO (that was also the SE version but I heard there’s no difference in the pickups besides the core SS pups being handwound)
Glad you found something
I liked the strat on the neck and the prs on the bridge.
Neither was better than the other. They are both incredible.
My CS strat built by c Flemming, eats silver skys and suhr's for breakfast, but to be fair it kill other custom shop fenders too
Man idk I may be in the minority but I prefer the lower output sound of the fender pickups. Silver sky is on my list to check out at some point.
Beautiful Guitar Not Taking nothing away from the PRS Silver Sky But I Just purchased a New Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster I have owned several Stratocasters got my first Stratocaster before I was in Junior High school maybe before I love them and if you play a Fender Eric Clapton Signature Stratocaster its a Completely different Guitar A Ultimate Supreme Stratocaster Thanks for this Awesome INFORMATIVE video
How are you getting on with your EC Signature Strat a year on?
I just bought a silver sky without being able to play it first. The fender actually sounded better to me than the silver sky or maybe just warmer although the articulation was tighter on the PRS so I am still excited!
In the beginning of the video I thought omg that sounds looooovely. But when you pulled out the CS, I actually preferred that, because it’s got tons more mojo and attitude than the PRS. However, I do understand your complaints about the CS. I’ve got a 61 myself and here’s what I did and what I can recommend. 1.) Pickups, you said it yourself. You’ve got loads of great opportunities in the UK! I’m currently playing Bare Knuckle mother’s milk. I also prefer scooped mids - which the silver sky allegedly has. 2.) The trem. I replaced the stock Fender trem with a Callaham trem. Better tuning stability and more solid trem arm connection. However, at the end of the day I would understand if you keep the silver sky. Because from a studio/recording point of view, it’s a more reliable instrument. But it’s also kinda too nice and lacks mojo for me. Anyway I enjoyed listening to your playing!
😍😍😍
I sold mine it was a nice guitar but I was just not blown away.
you look more happy, while playing on your Fender😇... I understand why - great video as always!
PRS simply makes superior instruments.
No
Agreed.
Yes it’s true all in all .. I still have my 91 and 94/57 re issue and love em but the prs are better built better tuning and the pick ups in the Silver sky are much more balanced with a usable bridge pick up - just fact … not a diss
Lovely sound in that opening man. 👍🔥🎸🎼🙏
PRS always gets kudos for their quality guitar building, but I think I am more impressed with how good they’ve gotten at building pickups lately.
The silver sky and narrowfield pickups are both sensational, and their 58/15 LT and 85/15 TCI humbuckers are both outstanding as well.
Their new amps really shocked me too. Paul is not just a wood working genius, he has some amazing electronics people working there now.
What a beautiful tone from the Silver Sky.
Wow! Your playing is beautiful!
Your CS 62 sounds like a a great 60’s strat should sound. The SS sounds more like a 50’s strat to me.
Just got my 2nd Silver Sky yesterday (golden mesa and rosewood board too)
IMO my SS are a just as great as my masterbuilt strat for less than half the price…
At the end the PRS SS is what it is...a Stratocaster well made copy....and that's all..a great Strat copy...
Prefer the Strat on that comparison but I’m not playing them to know what your feeling/ hearing. I’ve tried a few SK’s and like all other PRS guitars I’ve never connected with them. You can’t argue with build and finish but vibe and mojo…mmmm no. I play an original vintage ’57 strat which is the best I’ve ever played but gig with a NAMM special CS ‘64 with hand wound fat 60’s which is the business. Fender all the way for me. But hey, each to their own.
Didn't hear too much difference on position 1 & 5 but the other 3 positions sounded much clearer on the PRS
I do love the classic aesthetics of the Fender, but I agree, the SS is a monster.
I would have gone with the Dodgem Blue tho... ;)
dodgem blue is the one I have it’s a lovely color ✨
I’m not a John Mayer guy. This weekend I listened to Continuim all the way through. I’m not sure why I did. Now, I’m a fan.
I always wanted to try to play a Fender CS Strat and possibly buy one day. Afyer playing and buyinf a Silver Sky I couldn't care less about a CS Strat anymore. It is just as good and almost half the price
I bought a Suhr Strat with a Gotoh 510 Trem-unit (phenomenal tuning stability) and Lollar Dirty Blondes - then Sold my Vintage Fender Stratocaster. My Suhr is on another Stratosphere (however) I do currently own a 65 Princeton Reverb and a Rumble 100 and I do love them both. I like their Amps better than the guitars now.
Great video. I have 3 CS strats (two 56 Relics and a 60 NOS) and a maple board SS. They all have a slightly different feel and sound. I can’t say one is better than the other though. If I had to pick one…I don’t know what I’d do!
What has more soul?
🤣🤣@@macauley70
I might be alone here in finding the Silver Sky a little clinical compared to the Custom Shop. However, I am always looking for warmth in my Strats. I have never played a PRS that has persuaded me to part with my money.
You should try a Suhr or Anderson. As clinical as a surgeons scapel.
Consider the vega-trem systems! They are wonderful drop in systems
Wow that SS really sings, what a great sounding guitar!
The Silver Sky sounds absolutely phenomenal!!! I just wish he didn’t go with such a small neck radius.
Agreed. The Strat purist in him went with the 7.25" radius, but I would have preferred to incredibly playable 10" radius. Everyone skirts around it in videos, but neck radius is HUGE. With the 7.5" you better have a pro setup guy on speed dial or they can get like a trampoline on the high frets. The PRS 10" radius on all their other guitars is the most comfortable and playable neck I have ever found. Don't believe me? Play a stock 594 Single Cut vs. a Gibson Custom shop Les Paul. If you can turn off the "Les Paul is a classic" voice in your head for a minute you will go home with the 594, the pickups are better and the neck is like night and day. If you want a direct comparison play the PRS SS and then play a PRS Fiore. World of difference in the neck.
@@fotoajojo I concur with your opening statement. I bought a AVRII Strat a few months ago - 7.25" radius - and I screwed with the setup pretty much every second day since. Two weeks ago I finally bit the bullet and left it with a pro tech for a week. Now it plays like a dream but the work he had to do to get it there was not for the amateur. It wasn't a cheap operation but totally worth the spend. Had I not gone down that road I think I was close to trading what I now know to be an amazing instrument.
@@nigelsmith721 Samey Same with my Custom House Strat. A very well respected tech in Baltimore kept after it for a month and finally corrected most of it with some work under the fretboard above the 12th fret, but the setup would not hold. Then he found the real culprit - the wood at the head of the neck where the truss rod anchors had a soft spot and any adjustment wound not hold because the wood would give. So rang up Fender Custom Shop and ordered a new neck, maple fretboard this time, and finally got her where she needs to be. That said, I also have a PRS Fiore and if I had to pick one to take into battle it would be that one. The Strat is pretty much my Texas Blues thumb-wrap machine. Fiore is everything else. The 10" neck is butter, but, as it is a 2021 model, it has taller and thinner fretwire like the Strat. The new Fiores have the traditional PRS fretwire which is a bit shallower and wider.
Wow Silversky is a great one 😍
I have a 2019 Golden Mesa and sold a really good Strat after I got it. I also prefer the Silver Sky over my Starplayer TV and Gretsch Sparkle Jet. Just a fantastic guitar! I’m curious about your signal chain/amp setup. Sounds great!
To me, the Silver Sky just has more attack. More clarity & life.
I've said this since day one if hearing the Silver Sky. It has the best sounding single coils I've ever heard. So then it comes down to playability. Right?? Does it play better than the CS. I must say,...that 4 pos on that SS is as good as you'll ever hear.
This is exactly the point PRS fanboys completely ignore. You can literally put any custom pickup on any guitar and find just about any sound you want. You can put aftermarket pickups on a walmart "starcaster" and have it sound similar to this PRS. People need to think about playability and in that area the PRS necks are a total POS.
@@zimvader25 So true.
what an intro track.. practising it since video release, thank you so much for this inspiration. Greetings from OverNorthseas
The sound or PRS silver sky!!!!!!! It’s amazing 😨😨😨😨😨!!!
Totally satisfied with my silver sky. I sold my Strat.
Wow!!! Wonderful PRS!!!
In the market for a strat and this helps thanks!
I had a Silver Sky for about a year. I ended up selling it because I just could not get on with it. I figured a year was enough time to decide as I was way past the honeymoon phase. I loved the neck and the fit and finish was typical PRS excellence but the pickups sounded sterile to me compared to my Strat. I tried to adjust them up and down many times hoping to find a tone I loved but I never got there. I also tried it through multiple high end amps. I finally ended up just sticking with my Fender. 2 other things on the PRS annoyed me. The truss rod cover is a pain to get on and off and those grey plastic tuning buttons seem pretty sorry and cheap on a guitar this expensive. Having said that, your new gold one sounds great. Much better than mine did. Maybe I just had a turd. It’s too much money for me to ever experiment with another one, but I’m glad you love yours.
Exactly my thought last time I tried one. I liked everything aside from the pickups. Though it's something pretty simple to swap out.
they changed the pickups at some point. the first set were too compressed for my taste & I sold my silver sky after getting a new k-line. never sold one of my FCS tho.
@@TCMx3 That's good to know.
I have an incredibly beautiful PRS 30th Anniversary Vine Custom 22. It's truly a work of art. But I totally understand where you're coming from about PRS sounding sterile. I have the same issue. I have adjusted pickups but just can't a tone out it I love. My Fender USA Stratocaster Deluxe 50th Anniversary model on the other I fell in love with within about 30 seconds in the shop and it's my favourite player among a collection of 14 mostly high end guitars that includes a Les Paul, two Mike Lipe guitars, two Yamaha, a Fender Japan Modern Telecaster and five PRS models (USA & SE).
Yes. Mine leaves all my vintage Strats 56,57,64,65 rest as sleeping beauties in their cases..
I would love to own a CS HSS strat with a new & shiny finish (not a fan of relic). I guess my Ultra is more than good enough :)
I get what they did with the Silver Sky. I'd consider one if the neck came with nicer wood. Your CS Strat sounds way better to me. Not as "modern" as the PRS. Both nice and very usable but in the A/B comparison I thought this specificities Fender sounded better in all positions.
Great video but going to be the dissenting opinion here. John Mayer fan!
I played 5 different Silver Sky guitars at a big dealer. I found them all to be thin sounding. Very consistently. My guitar player friend that came along agreed. I also played a Fender CS Strat with Fat 50s pickups in the same shop on the same amp and it was way... More. Strattier. Fuller. Bigger. Warmer but still Strat. It just felt more awesome. I guess I like it warmer. They all played great. The Silver Skies felt newer but the CS was very much relic'ed. Still want one, though. Because I love the styling and... Well... John.
There are many other guitars that has an amazing sound, but Strat specially custom shop, brings you back to the harshly clean sounds that only in that era were found.
Still prefer the fender sounds there isn't enough break up for my taste and I love the mids/lows on the fender always will. It's a bit fatter sounding imo.
I think the ability to make these guitars sound almost identical is a tip of the hat to you! Bravo sir. I have multiple CS Fenders and can only dream about playing at your level. I will look into PRS Silver Sky stratocasters.
I prefer the Silver Sky's treble pickup but the Fender on all the other positions. After 30 years the only Strat I owned which had everything was a Tom Anderson Classic with Lindy Fralin pickups. I regret seeling it.
Both sound beautiful!
I love that gold color. that prs is a keeper for sure! If I didn't have so many guitars, I'd buy one...maybe one day :) excellent sounds ..love the intro
Give me one , and buy a silver sky.
Doing u a favor😅😉
The best iteration of the stratocaster, the look and the sound is amazing
SS sounds the best.. looks better too… only reason I didn’t buy one was because the tuners look kinda cheap, I did get a new Fiore and love it!
They look essentially the same except for the headstock and the slight cut out in the body. I far prefer the classic Fender headstock over the PRS’.
Both sound great. Win-win.
Strat sounded sweeter for sure
For me on the Silver Sky the Middle and Bridge positions are just killer the positions often lacking on the many Strats I have owned, Ive set both of mine to float :)
Put your middle pickup without reverse polarity and problem solved
I actually do not agree that the middle position on a Fender sucks. I am almost always on the middle position, I think it is the positon where the string vibrations have certainly the most harmonics. The bass position and treble position are less rich voice, for when you want to limit the harmonic frequencies. Playing on the middle position has the advantage you can also flip your hand and get too clearly distinct voicings. When you are always on the bass pickup, like 99% of players then you just flip to the treble. And you essentially have two voices, the cello voice and the violin voice. A matter of taste, for me the middle pickup on any proper guitar should be the true voice of the instrument and the other two positions are meant accentuate rythm or notes.
That's a sweet song. I might need to pick up one of these.
GREAT PLAYING BROTHER AND GREAT REVIEW. THANK YOU FROM NYC.
Cheers Googo
Beautiful playing! The Silver Sky is the only guitar that I would trade my main one for. But most everybody who gets one will usually keep it. And there is a reason why the Silver Sky outsold any American made Strats in the last year, as shown by Reverb. But some people are die hards and can't conceive replacing their CS, mostly just because, which is alright too! You can find people doing blind tests on those two and it's much more eye opening when you don't see them. Cheers!
That's not saying much since there's four or five different versions of American Stratocaster plus the custom shop.
In my opinion, a Silver Sky can’t hold a candle to a custom shop Strat.
The only reason it sold well is because of a bunch of mindless John Mayer suck boys bought them😂. Without John Mayer they would have never sold this because it wouldn’t sell. The truth is the pickups are inferior they are less capable they don’t have the bright tones of the strat. The Ibanez azes is better than the silver sky that’s just a fact but you prs fanboys don’t wanna hear it
Next time tune the low e string on the prs ! Couldn’t you hear it was off?
Anyway the strats sound better imho.
That 3rd position clean tone on Silver Sky sounded incredible. CS Fender still is a magical guitar, so don't part with it. ; )
I think the PRS sounded a bit smoother especially on the bridge pickup
Sire guitars beat everything all to hell. Sire is the real deal strat and tele and 335 and jazzmaster and les paul. They are all leaps and bounds ahead of anything I've played in a long time. Been a guitar tech for over 47 yrs and I fell in love with Sire guitars. I think you will too!
I’m glad you found some you like. Personally I’ve always found them heavy. If they started using lighter weight woods I’d grab one.
I prefer the Fender.