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

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

Gearjoneser said:
I can't knock them at all for doing this. Like every other big company, they need to hit all demographics and price points.

But in the back of my mind, I can't help but think the smartest buys right now are PRS classics, just like buying 50's Gibsons and Fenders in the 70's. Rather than shelling out $1500 for a PRS equivalent of Fender CBS/Gibson Norlin, the wise guitar guys will be mining the used market for pre lawsuit Singlecuts, early McCartys, Artists, Brazilians, Eagles, etc. Find the desperate sellers who are letting go of $5000-$10K PRS's for $2500 or less.

Then wait till the early PRS's rise in value like old Gibsons and Fenders. PRS guitars are one of the very few that may get to that level of collectibility.
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True, PRS may be the only one that will rise to that level, but I doubt PRS will make the same mistakes that Fender and PRS did that gave rise to the demand for those early models. If anything, I think a currently produced Custom 24 is made the same, if not a little better than the early ones. The demand for a pre-lawsuit PRS is ridiculous, current PRS single cuts are as good or better. The only one I see that could rise in value is an alder bodied CE 24, since they were cheaper and many prefer the alder over the mahogany.

I bought my Korina PRS knowing it was a limited edition, they sold for 1999, I paid 1599, and I have not seen any go for less than 1599 on the used market- most of the time they're going for more than I paid.

The dragon series will always go up in value . My belief is if you buy a PRS used, you will always get back what you paid for it. If you buy new you're gonna take a hit if you try to resell
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

Idk. I had an early Custom w/ B&Ts and a a braz rosewood board. I have had latter model Cu24s,.an sc250, 25th McCarty, and a Starla...that original custom was a much better guitar, barring the pickups. Thats not to say the newerones I have had are bad, at all. Rather there is noticable difference between the handbuilts and the cnc builts.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/prs-s2-custom-24-581676: The first review(I think) of a PRS S2 guitar.

Apparently the pickups are made in Korea and the control plates are non-recessed. The control plates aren't a big issue but is is that hard for them to recess the control plates? Same for the pickups, it would have been nice if they put their US series pickups on the S2 series.

I'm still sure that they're fantastic instruments and guitarist magazine still gave them a great rating but I find the places where they cut costs a bit odd(pickups,control plates,3-way switch), would it have killed them to wire the pickups to a 5 way superswitch just like the real custom 24s? Or is it just a way to separate the flagship line and the S2 line?

I'd still love to try one though. From what I've heard lots of people this USA PRS is overpriced only until they've tried one.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

Hairmail said:
http://www.musicradar.com/reviews/guitars/prs-s2-custom-24-581676: The first review(I think) of a PRS S2 guitar.

Apparently the pickups are made in Korea and the control plates are non-recessed. The control plates aren't a big issue but is is that hard for them to recess the control plates? Same for the pickups, it would have been nice if they put their US series pickups on the S2 series.

I'm still sure that they're fantastic instruments and guitarist magazine still gave them a great rating but I find the places where they cut costs a bit odd(pickups,control plates,3-way switch), would it have killed them to wire the pickups to a 5 way superswitch just like the real custom 24s? Or is it just a way to separate the flagship line and the S2 line?

I'd still love to try one though. From what I've heard lots of people this USA PRS is overpriced only until they've tried one.
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They want to offer a product worth buying while still giving you an incentive to consider the regular production line.

And yes, PRS guitars get a lot of flack for many reasons, but those who dig them, dig them a lot.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

For 2013 they restarted using 5 way switches, maybe to separate the S2 line from the full USA models.

http://www.prsguitars.com/custom24/specs.php

What I meant is that most other guitar manufacturers would probably spend less shaping or treating the wood and more time on the hardware and pickups.

By the way I heard somewhere that the Core line Mira and Starla are going to be discontinued to make room for the S2 Mira and S2 Starla.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I'm going to go 'guitar shopping' in the next week or so, and I'm hoping to give the Starla and Mira a try.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I think the Starla and Mira S2 models look like a good deal. The Custom model is another story. Have you guys seen some of these on Ebay? I mean the actual guitars, not stock photos. The tops of the S2 Custom models are down right hideous on a lot of them. I would rather have a solid opaque color (I know that's an option.) I think the design of the guitar is actually ok. Not as pretty as a core line guitar but still comfortable, ergonomic, and attractive. I think PRS would be better off using some flamed maple veneers on these to dress up the S2 Customs. The SE models look great with the veneers. I guess what I am trying to say is that a PRS Custom with an ugly top is an oxymoron.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

bpeel said:
I think the Starla and Mira S2 models look like a good deal. The Custom model is another story. Have you guys seen some of these on Ebay? I mean the actual guitars, not stock photos. The tops of the S2 Custom models are down right hideous on a lot of them. I would rather have a solid opaque color (I know that's an option.) I think the design of the guitar is actually ok. Not as pretty as a core line guitar but still comfortable, ergonomic, and attractive. I think PRS would be better off using some flamed maple veneers on these to dress up the S2 Customs. The SE models look great with the veneers. I guess what I am trying to say is that a PRS Custom with an ugly top is an oxymoron.
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I'm withholding judgement until I see one in person.

eBay photos are usually terrible.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

with a couple cheap mods the starla could be a very versatile gig-machine, IMO
i'd look for a used SE over the others though
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

The S2 singlecut looks awesome, a bit like the stripped 58 they did back then, but with a 25" scale, which I think is better. Lets see is these are well recieved....
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

S2 Singlecut. Promising.

I like the 24.5 scale, but hey: Maybe the 25-inch scale is better, will stay in tune better, etc.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

So resurrecting this thread

Looking to change some things up gear-wise and the Mira is on the short list. Had a chance to play a few S2's and I didn't like them at all. This finish feels terrible in fact I would say that they seemed far closer to an SE model than anything else. They didn't feel right, weren't particularly tuneful and they just sort of look "off", I was very disappointed. Have to look around and see what I can find used.
 
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Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

Wattage said:
So resurrecting this thread

Looking to change some things up gear-wise and the Mira is on the short list. Had a chance to play a few S2's and I didn't like them at all. This finish feels terrible in fact I would say that they seemed far closer to an SE model than anything else. The didn't feel right, weren't particularly tuneful and they just sort of look "off", I was very disappointed. Have to look around and see what I can find used.
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You should be able to find lots of good stuff out there. I had a chance to try a couple S2's and while I do think they are good guitars, I don't think they are quite the core line USA PRS's. For the money on one new, you can get yourself an awesome core model used.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

I tried an S2 Mira and Singlecut a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised at what I saw. The publicity shots hadn't grabbed me at all, and it felt quite put off by the chamfer on the Singlecut, which was the one S2 model I'd wanted to appear. In real life though, it looked just fine. The bodies are not quite as thick as the MIA models, but were slightly more substantial than the MIK variety (or at least my SE Korina and SE Soapbar). The weight seemed a comfortable one - I like lighter weight guitars.

As for playing them, both could have used a set-up more to my own tastes, but they felt comfortable in the hand. I'm not sure what profile neck they used, but it seemed familiar. Sound-wise they seemed like they were OK, but bear in mind I played one through headphones and some sort of iPad simulator, and the other through an Archon inside a soundproof booth no more than 5' by 4' 6". So not the best of trial locations for assessing their tonal qualities then. I'd happily audition one under better conditions though, especially that Singlecut. Given a choice though, like most, I'd go with a high-end model first; probably a stripped 58.
 
Re: PRS S2 Series - what do we make of these then?

Really? :deal:
 
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