PRS Fans, advice?

TRex

TRex

New member
S2 vs Core?

I am looking to pick up my first all american guitar. PRS seems to make beautiful, lavish guitars with supurb necks and fretwork. I liked the S2 Custom 22 i played in a shop while i was on vacation over the summer. Very nice neck.

I actually prefer the down to earth styles of many of the S2 guitars, and pickups don't bother me as much, as Duncans can always be put in. I just want a guitar the feels good, sounds good, and plays smoothly. I can live without a super-flamed top, while they are nice.

In your experience, should i seek out a used Core model instead? Are they a good deal nicer? Are the necks actually the same (besides construction method)?

Im guessing i should try both side by side, but searching for a dealer that stocks more than just the SE is proving difficult.
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

Got to play a used core and a new S2. Surprisingly, i loved the S2 more overall. The core was prettier, but was really thin sounding. Necks were almost indentical profile, but the S2 had a more natural feeling neck, more like a satin finish.

Both were Custom 24s with pattern necks, so they are not exactly what i want.

S2 rocks though. Pickups may be a tad less 3d than the core, but for less than $1500..hard to beat.
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

Hard to go wrong...build wise...with a PRS. I've played them for 2 decades mostly because I needed an axe that came correct from the get go. I don't live where a guitar guru can fix things. Any PRS I've ever seen was correct from the start. The one I own now has only needed new strings and the odd tweak of the truss rod.
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

I love love love PRSi, but you may consider a Carvin/Kiesel CT if money is an issue.
 
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Re: PRS Fans, advice?

rumblebox said:
baseball bat necks or what?

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They didn't feel as comfy as a core line PRS. Also, these days you can tell Kiesel what type of carve you want, so I wouldn't rule out one due to neck size
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

jmh151 said:
They didn't feel as comfy as a core line PRS. Also, these days you can tell Kiesel what type of carve you want, so I wouldn't rule out one due to neck size
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I haven't played one personally, just the core PRSi, and if money werent an issue, PRS would be what i chose. Since Paul is still a very active part of the business, they are still built with passion for workmanship and tone instead of just numbers and profit alone(I know it's still a business). The same seems to be true for Jeff Kiesel too though, although i havent played one of their recent builds.

I'm still kicking myself in the ass for passing up a new 2013 P22 in Santana Yellow. The 53/10 pups are glorious. It was marked down to $1800 at GC.

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Re: PRS Fans, advice?

Well the S2 does have import parts so if All American is what you're going for just be aware.

That said I love my S2 Mira. The pickups were pretty weak, at least the bridge anyway, but otherwise it is a really sweet guitar.

Happy shopping!

Sam Ash in Atlanta should have a full line unless they treat PRS differently than in NY
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

I think build-wise, the S2 models are fantastic. A very good value. And I love some of the satin and/or thin nitro fnishes they use. The hardware is definitely a noticeable step down from Core as are aesthetics...the beveled tops really bug me and I can't really get past them. They look very un-elegant.

Ultimately, I'm a core guy, the S2 and SE models just don't click with me. I'm so mad they came out with the new Single Cut 594s cos I am GASing hard for one. Those SC594s have solved the (small) issues I have with my SC245.
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

I was really impressed with the S2 models. A couple of years ago I was in the market and I tried the Mira. I really liked the look of the Starla, and was close to getting one when I found a superb deal on an '05 20th Anniversary McCarty. Ultimately that's what I went for, but I didn't feel that an S2 would be a compromise purchase, although I prefer the models that are a bit different to the CU22/CU24 etc.
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

JeffB said:
I think build-wise, the S2 models are fantastic. A very good value. And I love some of the satin and/or thin nitro fnishes they use. The hardware is definitely a noticeable step down from Core as are aesthetics...the beveled tops really bug me and I can't really get past them. They look very un-elegant.

Ultimately, I'm a core guy, the S2 and SE models just don't click with me. I'm so mad they came out with the new Single Cut 594s cos I am GASing hard for one. Those SC594s have solved the (small) issues I have with my SC245.
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The S2 Singlecut and Mira has an American bridge, so all American besides tuners and pickups. Im not really Tremolo guy, so ill take a core bridge over an SE trem.


Wattage said:
Well the S2 does have import parts so if All American is what you're going for just be aware.

That said I love my S2 Mira. The pickups were pretty weak, at least the bridge anyway, but otherwise it is a really sweet guitar.

Happy shopping!

Sam Ash in Atlanta should have a full line unless they treat PRS differently than in NY
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I guess i should give them a call. Forgot we had one of those

rumblebox said:
I love love love PRSi, but you may consider a Carvin/Kiesel CT if money is an issue.
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Ill look into Carvin again, i hear a lot of varying opinions if i remember correctly.

SlyFoxx said:
Hard to go wrong...build wise...with a PRS. I've played them for 2 decades mostly because I needed an axe that came correct from the get go. I don't live where a guitar guru can fix things. Any PRS I've ever seen was correct from the start. The one I own now has only needed new strings and the odd tweak of the truss rod.
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Exactly what i want :)

While i have a local guru, i rather not shell out money to get the guitar to where it should have been from day 1.

Sounds like the S2 and Carvins are two good ways to go for me. Ill look at carvin some more.
 
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Re: PRS Fans, advice?

stevie_bees said:
I was really impressed with the S2 models. A couple of years ago I was in the market and I tried the Mira. I really liked the look of the Starla, and was close to getting one when I found a superb deal on an '05 20th Anniversary McCarty. Ultimately that's what I went for, but I didn't feel that an S2 would be a compromise purchase, although I prefer the models that are a bit different to the CU22/CU24 etc.
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Im the same way

Though i may get a Custom 22 at some point for fun. Tremolo aren't my thing for the most part.
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

I know the S2s are really good guitars. However, I've played many, and then go home and play my Custom 24 and, for me, I would not by an S2. Something is missing. I'd save my money for a used core, or even an older CE model.
 
Re: PRS Fans, advice?

Jeff5 said:
I know the S2s are really good guitars. However, I've played many, and then go home and play my Custom 24 and, for me, I would not by an S2. Something is missing. I'd save my money for a used core, or even an older CE model.
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Used Core is on the radar, but CEs seem to be most common with a pattern thin neck. A tad to thin for me.

Used McCarthys seem reasonably priced. There is a sweet black candy one for $1500. Hmmm....

S2 by most accounts (by owners of both) say they play and feel almost identically to an old Core.

It maybe the tops. I did notice the deep dish tops of the core felt nicer, but when i avoided touching the top at all, the neck really felt almost identical to the S2. So a new S2 is right up my ally.
 
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Leaning towards the CMG. The neck really seems to be almost identical, its cheaper, and gets full blown electronics out of the case.

Emailing a small dealer that carrys S2, core, and CMG guitars to ask about his opinion of the fretwork.

Though those PRS are looking good....
 
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Re: PRS Fans, advice?

I have two Cores and an S2. I like all three.

IMO, PRS cut the right corners when making the S2s. The neck is great, there's nothing wrong with the pickups, and although I'm not a fan of the look of the beveled top it's functionally more comfortable than the carved top on a core. When I play my S2 I don't feel like I'm playing a lesser guitar... it's just another variation on the same theme.
 
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