PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

[iamthesuck]

So here I am, starting to look at a new guitar as a present to myself after I graduate next year. I have a supper poopy epiphone SG that could use a refret, but that would cost more than the guitar is worth by a big margin. I also have a PRS Paul Allender SE that causes me some headaches, but overall I really like both. The teeny neck on the sg works with my hands very well. The wide thin SE allender is okay but a little wide from E to E string. I was looking at the Vela; I like the idea of a fresh and versatile guitar. Pickups are no concern to me, I enjoy swapping them and wouldn't mind spending money. What matters is looks, quality and most important feel and play-ability. Do you guys know much about this series?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

Smith usually describes the PRS S2 range as intended to fulfil two briefs.
1) fill the price point gap between the SE and the "core production" US-made products.
2) provide an opportunity for more experimental designs.

In my opinion, some of the S2 models suffer from the same cost-cutting disappointment factor as the original Classic Electric (later, CE), EG and EGII series. Nice guitars, nice prices but, understandably, less gratifying to the ego than the top-of-the-range figured maple top items.

I have not tried the new Vela. I will say, however, that the Dynasonic lookalike pickup is part of what will make the design "fresh and versatile". Why would anyone want to change that?

Finally, at which end of the neck do you find the string spacing on the PRS SE PA model too wide?

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

Just the overall neck width in that dimension is a little big. I could deal with a slightly thinner e to e dimension distance and wider the other way. I'm not worried about my ego, I was actually going to try to get another epi sg due to the fact that Id rather have a good guitar for me than a good guitar based on price and features. I can work with something as long as it feels good. Unfortunately the only guitar center within 50 miles that has any s2 model is pretty damn far. I'll try to check the local options before I go back to school but there's no music stores there that carry prs

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I think the beauty of the S2 line is that you get PRS consistency and quality without paying an arm and a leg for a 12 top that you're afraid to touch and it carries all of the things people have come to expect from a professional USA PRS instrument (namely, top of the line hardware and electronics). I've played some great sounding SEs, but I just can't wrap my head around the fact that it's PRS' budget line.

The Vela thing is probably the most exciting design I've seen from them in some time. My favorite guitar uses DynaSonics (they're my favorite pickups and I've used a lot of stuff over the years), so the prospect of a guitar that uses a Starla bridge with a neck DS style looks pretty enticing.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

Just the overall neck width in that dimension is a little big.

I had imagined that the issue might be nut slot spacing. (i.e. Something that could be removed. Have a revised nut cut from a suitable blank.)

If possible, stick at it with the PA model. I have several PRS SE guitars. My (singlecut) Soapbar has a chunkier neck than my One. It sounds considerably the better for it.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

Oh I'll absolutely keep my PA. But now that I'm getting into the real world I want to get a good solid American made guitar that will be my "adult" guitar. I can't seem to find a satisfying guitar from Gibson or fender, and the metal aesthetics of Bc rich and shechter go too far for me. I was also dabbling around ibanez and esp's higher end instruments, but overall I like the prs because it just feels solid and dependable

 

[jmh151]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

The original SE line was OK, but not great. Quality and price were better than Epiphone, but nowhere near the USA made PRS's. I know this since I did a setup and pickup replacement on one. The frets were prematurely worn, like many import guitars, and the electronics were a bit cheap but still good. Hardware was good.

The fretwork and fret work on the USA core line in impeccable. While the S2 series uses some of the hardware of the SE line, I'd be curious to know if they use the same fretwire as the core line.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I know they use the same wood. I played custom 22 semi-hollow today and it was a damn dream. I need to try the vela and see if the semi-hollow is worth that much more

 

[B2D]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I think the S2 line is a step up from the SE. But somehow... they just don't feel like a real-deal full on PRS. :\

I don't get it. I can pick up a Mexican Strat and it will still feel familiar and endearing and very close to it's American brothers. But I pick up these S2's and SE's and they just don't have any of the qualities that make me love my Custom 24 so much.

 

[Kostas]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I don't like the less curved S2 bodies and there are not cheap. The MIA factor is not important for me. I bought my '12 SE new with discount, it was an absolute steal and I have kept the guitar stock. Then I found a mint McCarty second hand for the price of an S2. I don't see the point of buying an S2 when the prices for used PRS are good.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

The point is supply and demand.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I've always been leary of secondhand PRS guitars. The place I live isn't very musical at all, and I'm well outside of a city at school. When I move out I can look wherever I get a job at, but then that assumes I get sent somewhere where people play guitar more. I will not buy one off eBay, I think that is asking for trouble. When you buy secondhand, it's a guitar someone doesn't want anymore. And if I can't play it beforehand there's no way I'd risk it being lemon or damaged. I would like a nice real american PRS custom, but I don't think you can get semi-hollow, even used, for less than 2000 from what i've seen. That's what sends me toward the S2

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I think that if I were in the middle of nowhere needing a guitar, a USA PRS is one of the very few brands I feel I could order online and have delivered to my doorstep, and be assured that I'd be getting a great playing guitar.

That said, I will admit that my drug of choice is Gibson, and I don't own any PRS guitars at the moment. The PRS I AM lusting for is one of the original Miras, which might fill my desire for a double-cut LP Special and an SG in one fell swoop. (My fave SG is the '61 Reissue, with the Slim Taper neck, btw. Great guitars!) I have not played many of the S2 models, but it seems to me that the original Mira is a bit better and nicer than the S2 version. The SE guitars are nice for the money, but I think I would rather have a USA-made guitar. I think the design of the Vela is very attractive, and I hope I can try one soon.

If you're not crazy about Gibson, and have some misgivings about the PRS line, I might look elsewhere. The Leo Fender designed ASAT Deluxe is a 2HB, 25.5" bolt neck beauty. Gorgeous finishes on these maple-over-mahogany guitars and a lot of neck options to choose from. If your not set on 2HB, there are several other pickup configurations in the ASAT line. The USA G&Ls are top quality, and definitely a guitar that I would buy off the net, sight unseen or even used--and if buying used they can be great bargains. I have a bunch of G&Ls, most based on the strat body style, and a G&L Legacy is my Number One. So, if your not limited to just PRS, there are other options out there.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I wouldn't say I have misgivings. I think I'd rather not buy a used guitar I can't play first for sure. But my concern was that the S2 line was just a more expensive, made in USA with no change in quality, SE line. I will say that although some things feel a little "cheap" on them, they are solid guitars from my playthrough. I really like the custom 22 semi hollow, and for me it would be between that and the vela. The differences between the s2 line and the SE line is the lack of artist signatures, which I really like, the american standard woods are used, and a big thing is the neck just feels more grown up. The wide thin was cool when I thought I needed it to shred, but the better I've gotten the more I like a bit of a traditional neck shape. The pattern regular is still pretty thin which works with my hands, but it's full and round feeling. It feels like a good, normal guitar neck which actually appeals to me.

The pickups don't worry me, as I like to mess with them to find my own sound. The bridge on the vela is awesome looking, and I wouldn't even mind the trem on the custom semi-hollow, although I wouldn't use it. Locking tuners rock, american made rocks, and overall prs seems to rock. But I have a good while before I need to actually put the money down, and I'd like to play that vela first

 

[Ascension]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I think the S2 line is a step up from the SE. But somehow... they just don't feel like a real-deal full on PRS. :\

I don't get it. I can pick up a Mexican Strat and it will still feel familiar and endearing and very close to it's American brothers. But I pick up these S2's and SE's and they just don't have any of the qualities that make me love my Custom 24 so much.

I feel the same way. The S2 in some ways seems a little step up from a SE but just not that much and uses to much cheap Chinese junk hardware and electronics. Frankly I would buy a new Carvin CT before I would buy a S2. I own both Carvins and real US PRS's and IMO a Carvin CT3 flat nukes a S2 for about the same $!!!

 

[bloodswords]

Re: PRS S2 series - that much better than an SE?

I own two S2s, one of them is the Singlecut depicted here. Absolute value-for-money instrument but I'm not a fan of the default pickups. Had the Singlecut pickups swapped out to Duncans.