PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

[Ascension]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I own a 07 Custom 24 and have played the S2 Custom 24's. I don't care for them and IMO the SE is the better buy.
The 1st S-2 I picked up was in Black and every single screw and nut on the guitar was so loose I had the GC tec tighten the pots and jack before I played it for fear that I would snap the wiring when I rolled the volume control up and down. Not a good way to start.
Looks the solid colors are OK but the so called flame tops are super cheap looking frankly the SE looks better.
Now the hardware the S2 uses the cheap pot metal import trem and the import pickups from the SE instead of using the real USA stuff which to me is really not cool.
Playability was ok but the neck was chunky as the carve was the standard carve instead of the wide thin I have which is also used on the SE.
Overall way below what a real USA PRS is and not much up from the SE in any area but price.
Better deal on a USA PRS is to find a used USA standard in the Custom 24 for about the same $ as a S2!!

 

[Wattage]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

Yeah I like the SE's I have played for the most part and I loved the SE One I had to screw around with for a while, much preferred it to the S2's I played.

I'll be on the lookout for an original Mira soon enough. Had my hands on one I really liked and didn't go thru with the deal for some reason but it was a considerably more appealing guitar than these S2's.

 

[soulforger]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

This may have been said but for the price of the S2s you can buy a used core CU24 or Singlecut, you can buy a used Mira or Starla for considerably less if you look around. I think an SE especially one of the sigs is a better buy. A used Bernie Marsden or Fredrik Akesson can be had for $400-$500 and are just as well built imo. They are indeed excellent guitars!

 

[rwfelton]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I have the S2 custom 24 in the antique white. this thing is a screamer. i think of it as like a jr. or a studio version of a les paul. even like an SG special with the flat top, easy upper neck action, and fat 50s style neck. it never loses tune. even if you hammer down on the trem.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I wish they would make one of the new S2 Standard 22's with a stoptail like the one on the Mira. I still love the old SE Santana models with stoptails more than about any guitar I've owned. I'd love to have an S2-line version of one.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I tried several of the S2 models but knew I'd always see photos of Custom 24s and feel like I'm missing out on the flagship model.

 

[jmh151]

PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

With this economy, PRS says their biggest sellers are the SE line first, then the S2 Line, then the core series.

 

[Inkstained]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

With this economy, PRS says their biggest sellers are the SE line first, then the Line, then the core series.

You mean the S2 line is the company's second biggest seller? That would make sense.

Paul is not just a guitar nerd. He's an intelligent businessman. I like the option of an American-made PRS that doesn't force me to take a second on the house. And today's economy *is* different. Unless you're a working pro, a guitar is essentially a luxury item.

We can quibble about the S2 line -- personally, I think at minimum the semi-hollow models need hard-shell cases -- but bottom line, they come from a company I feel I can trust.

I'm thinking an S2 Singlecut is in my future.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I've been considering an S2 singlecut. I don't like that shape enough to buy the core model but it would make a nice backup.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

The core range PRS Singlecut is the reason why I do not own a humbucker-equiped Gibson Les Paul.

I am enormously fond of PRS SE series guitars with aftermarket P90s. Most recently, I treated a pre-owned Custom Semihollow to a P-Rails neck and Hot P-Rails bridge pair plus Triple Shots and American-made control parts. Just needs better machineheads.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

UGH

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

That is a cheap version. The top carve and the positioning of the control knobs are "wrong".

 

[astrozombie]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

it's the S2 version of it. Although I think my backup guitar will be a Santana SE.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

UGH

LEE

 

[astrozombie]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

LEE

:lmao:

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

Frankie Says, "Shut Up 'N Buy Yer Guitar".

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I had two of the S2's, a pair of Starlas. First one was in the brown finish with dot inlays. It was replaced because the pickup selector was worn out from being a demo model. It had too much play in it, going side to side (not up and down like it supposed to do). So I sent it back and purchased a Starla in Cherry with the birds inlays... After a few months, the push/pull pot for splitting the coils was getting really loose, so much so when I split the coils I'd end up altering the tone knob every time. If you read carefully, PRS imports the hardware and the electronics. Only the body and painting are made in the USA. While I did like the sound and the tuners/bigsby were nice, the pots and switch were junk. Also, the wood quality was not as good as nicer PRS. There was a knot in the wood in the middle of the neck and finishing flaws in the paint. Finally, the Bird inlays were mold injected plastic. The import SE models with birds looked better. There are a lot of corners cut to provide a USA made PRS. Needless to say, I traded it for a 2004 50th Anniversary American Deluxe Strat and haven't looked back.

Oh, and for anyone who's never played a PRS. Their necks are not fat at all, the Wide/Fat profile is just a bit fuller than a Gibson Slim Taper D. If you're going to buy a PRS, spend the money and get a real PRS... Not the S2 line. I nearly picked the Zack Myers SE when I chose the S2.... Looking back, maybe I should have?

But let me finish this on a positive note. These were nice guitars and sounded fantastic. They were very light and they only need some electronic upgrades to be trustworthy, gigable guitars.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

What pickups are in those?

I dare say that TV Jones' humbucker-sized EM Filter'Trons would fit nicely.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I tried the Starla. It was the guitar I liked best out of the whole S2 lineup. No ****. It was solid and alive. I'd love to think that the mira is the model id like...but no. the ugly vintage white starla was the one.

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

The pickups are stock Starla S2's... Wish I could find a decent aftermarket set....