We’re lucky to live in a era where we can have amazing musicians sharing their ideas and anybody in the world can see it. Thank you Tim for being such an inspiration and mentor to all of us! Happy Easter and rock on 🤘

In 1969 I got my first Fender Strat, a used 1965 that my father thought was too expensive at $115. The idea the same guitar today would be $20k I find fascinating. Buyer beware comes to mind.

Paul has always said they could build REAL vintage guitars if they wanted to. This is the proof of that.

@c_loeber

6 жыл бұрын

Well, I disagree...to me it just proves that strat type guitars sound pretty much the same whether they were made yesterday or 50 years ago...

@edgerat

6 жыл бұрын

fair enough. The guitars made by Fender 50 years ago do not sound like the ones made today. The PRS Silver Sky however, does sound like the strats of 50yrs ago

@G53X0Y0Z0

6 жыл бұрын

Old guitars are old guitars, there is nothing magical about them except the nostalgia factor and there is no obstacle to build them with essentially the same details they were built with then.

@wout69

6 жыл бұрын

Paul says a lot...

@maraviyoso8473

5 жыл бұрын

It still sounds like PRS

I think the 2 years went into the smallest details. Silver sky sounds just as good as the 65’.

@bruunm1975

6 жыл бұрын

I have been saying exactly that for a while.... Paul would not just screw an inverted PRS neck onto a Strat... just does not happen!

@DelScully

6 жыл бұрын

he would do anything for John Mayer tbh..

@teslapete4461

6 жыл бұрын

The bridge pickup on the prs was the only thing that sounded just a bit more sparkly

@ilovemyeggs

6 жыл бұрын

Mark Ochoa they are both going through amp modelling... takes 90% of the natural sound away... anything with single coils will sound similar

@yurichen3651

6 жыл бұрын

Do they feel the same while holding on hand?

DAAAAM DUDE, TIM'S PLAYING IS ON FIRE!! 🔥🔥🔥

@davidf8749

6 жыл бұрын

The first 1:15 is awesome. Superb phrasing.

@monkeybooby3

3 жыл бұрын

Correction: Tim’s playing is ALWAYS on fire. Dude is sick!

I'm actually surprised by the PRS. It is like a Stratocaster without the icepick trebles and the general "thin" and rattling sound. Maybe it's the best Strat I've heard in many videos

@musicplaylists59

4 жыл бұрын

i've found a key to getting a really full, rich sound (especially with a strat) that a lot of people wont like is to play with high action. I set my guitars with the strings about 2.5mm at the 12th fret and it sounds SO much better. when your used to playing like that it actually feels harder to play on a guitar with low action, its wierd.

@paulcowart3174

2 жыл бұрын

@@musicplaylists59 No bro they sound so much better with the action up... it's worth the extra work IMO plus you can play slide too One of the guys was saying ice pick/thin tones New stuff maybe but every setting on my 65 is excellent

@petarkosovic6455

2 жыл бұрын

@@musicplaylists59 SRV played like that. It's very woody sounding but a bit more muddy.

I don't hear a $2 difference, let alone an $18K difference. Nice work, PRS and JM. Can't wait to try one out.

@OMGWTFLOLSMH

3 жыл бұрын

To me there a significant difference. The PRS sounds mellower to me, not as harsh or in your face. Listening with Sennheiser 598s.

The PRS sounds just as awesome and will stay in tune. Buy one.

I have replaced my Fender Custom Shop Strat with the frost white Silver Sky. I love this guitar and the subtle differences in the pick ups. Every position has its own voice and all are usable....and it still quacks like a Strat which I love. It hasn’t taken too long to love the rosewood fretboard after playing rock maple for such a long time. I also like the headstock, simply makes sense and just works. Great guitar and Tim is a blistering awesome player!

its amazing how many guitarists still listen with their eyes and preconceived notions rather than their ears and soul

@donefinished

3 жыл бұрын

There's a name for them. Wankers.

the intro song was boss level. I don't hear a difference.

@josephmears3537

5 жыл бұрын

NoFap 365 In my opinion, the silver sky has a little less low-range muddiness and is a little les round. Although, they sound extremely similar and both sound amazing

it's not about the guitar, it's about the man behind it !! The great Tim Pierce

Always fun seeing folks having a good time...

They sound very similar, as I'd expect. Now let's add MIJ Strat for $500 and a Squire Classic Vibe for $300. And lots of other strat clones. I bet they would sound very similar as well. I play a Custom Shop Fender, but I'm not under any illusions that a cheaper guitar wouldn't also sound good.

@ephreimharris

6 жыл бұрын

David Rothberg Mexican?

@thedudeaars8527

6 жыл бұрын

true, the tone can be practically the same. Especially when you are not playing the guitar yourself. Playability, feel, and tuning stability however is a different story.

@vhollund

6 жыл бұрын

I have a student who on my recommendation bought the 60 classic vibe squire, nitro finish and every week I rediscover and rave about how great it sounds.

@AdamCHowell

6 жыл бұрын

Playability and feel would largely be down to a good setup and personal preference. Tuning stability would also be largely down to set up and a properly set up Mexican strat shouldn't give you problems unless you set the bridge to float.

@PilferMusic

6 жыл бұрын

The classic vibe Squire does not have a nitro finish, it's a Gloss Polyester - but they are nice guitars

1965 Strat pickups are wound with polysol wire which is an anomaly in the Strat realm as all other Strat pickups are wound with enamel or formvar wire. Only in 1965 were they wound with polysol which gives them a distinct tone; they are hot with a pronounced midrange and an upper squawk. I believe the PRS pickups are modeled after 63 or 64 Strat pickups. Which means they either used formvar (63) or enamel (64). They have a much mellower tone than a real 1965 Strat.

Played my first Silver Sky yesterday and it was effortless to say the least. I had really come to like the Yosemite pickups Fender put out with 12" radius necks, then I played this and it felt/sounded much smoother. I could dig in without it getting too noisy.

Great job Tim of playing those strats the way they are meant to be played. Sounds like the PRS that was patterned after a '63 and a '64, sounds like a '65. Sounds awesome!

Right on Tim!

Tim Pierce is the man. He could string up a hockey stick and still rip and sound amazing.

@toreyjonesmusic

Жыл бұрын

Facts that dude Tim can play!!!!

The part around 1:05/1:10 is where the PRS sounded better to me, otherwise the fender took it. But when you laid out the prices, well. Clear winner.

Well I waited a year for the hype and my GAS to settle down, tried one along side a real ‘63, sold my 90’s USA heavily modded Strat and my custom built (for me) T-style and bought the Silver Sky. The nitro finished neck with super glassy fret work and rolled shoulders alone was worth it, then add the pickups’ tones and balance and a set of incredible tone controls, an amazing trem, and a super resonant body, I haven’t been able to put it down! Just my two cents, and my first guitar 25 years ago was also a Strat, give a Silver Sky a try if you’re lookin’ for a Strat you won’t want to put down (wives and girlfriends beware). Great video Tim I’ve watched it several time now and showed it to my wife to justify giving up two great guitars for one!

Anything Tim plays sounds great

I can't tell a difference and that PRS sounds fantastic but I can't get past that headstock on a Strat body..

@HAIRYBIKER777

6 жыл бұрын

+1. It just looks terrible! It also sticks in my craw that all PRS have done is copy a great design as best they could - it's such a blatant rip-off.

@jlr022159

6 жыл бұрын

Nick Williamson: why does it bother you so much that PRS has tried to improve on the strat with THEIR ideas... but you don’t say a word about any of the other MILLION strat makers? Where is it written the PRS cannot try it as well?

@wout69

6 жыл бұрын

Copying other guitars is all they do at PRS.

@thanhhuynh2044

5 жыл бұрын

I love PRS headstocks! I have a few PRS’s. Me and my friend said years ago that it would be awesome to have a prs neck/headstock on a fender body. Well here it is! The silversky headstock does look different than usual as it has a fender headstock design in it. That makes it unusual looking. Personally I wont fancy this prs headstock on a regular prs. Ive owned a fender strat and didnt like the neck. So if i would buy a strat, probably this one, but have to feel the neck myself

@juangi_mx6774

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, its a little bit weird, but in my opinion its ok, its just because we are used to see the strat with the fender headstock

Vintage strat has a presence/liveliness and an upper harmonic characteristic that really delivers not to mention the mojo! For the price difference, though PRS is a steal!

A yr plus later.. And I need to thank Tim for this demo. Out of all the side by side shoot outs, nothing was as definitive as this. 5min after hearing the two side by side I ordered. And haven't looked back. Usually I play a Suhr classic that plays like a dream. But when a 63 Strat is all that will do, the SS scratches that itch for half the price of even a 63CS.

No words. Simply amazing. I don't even care about the guitars, I just like to listen to Tim jam

Wow, phenomenal. Thanks so much for sharing this comparison. Paul tells a great story about how much work and time it took to figure out how to make pickups that sounded like John's main 60s strat, and in the process gained magical knowledge on pickups. The TCI pickups are a direct result of everything he learned while creating these JM pickups.

Came for the gear, stayed for the riffs. So much stealworthy stuff in this vid. Thanks for sharing 🙂

The Silver Sky is growing on me. By the time the SE version comes out I figure I'll be ready to buy one.

@adrianplaysguitar

6 жыл бұрын

ReggieDunlop How you Know they do a SE Version?

@dunlop7rush

6 жыл бұрын

I don't know that they will but I'd think eventually they'll want to have an SE in that body style.

@itsalwayssomething7490

Жыл бұрын

Did you ever get an SE?

Tim Pierce, that sounds soooo good. Thanks!

Love to see someone put the PRS against the Music Man Cutlass. Cutlass is very underrated IMHO.

Never saw that coming! But loved it! We love you Timmmmmmm! You're the man!

For me, probably the best Silver Sky Demo on YT. I don’t care about the headstock... it’s not a fender, Right .... but if it sounds and plays like a 65, I definitely want one... hope the price will drop on the used markets in the future!

I really wish I could like this several times. I've viewed this multiple times and am in awe of your skills. :) :)

PRS Silver sky shows up at Norms. Every 60's vintage Strat *starts sweating profusely* Thanks Tim. I know where to look for Excalibur

Finally got a Silver Sky!! Glad I waited, got the 2021 updates and Roxy Pink color. It is absolutely amazing.

I think what this mostly proves is that Tim Pierce can play guitar really, really well. Pretty sure he'd make anything sound great.

The SS sounds fantastic, that neck pickup, wow! Great playing guys!

which guitar feels better to play and which one stays in tune better and more consistently that’s the guitar I’d buy

@MrMusicM67

4 жыл бұрын

PRS

PRS really sweated the detail on the Silver Sky, no doubt. This video proves more than anything, it's all in the hands. Great vid, Mr. Pierce!

I've watched all of these PRS SS vs videos and this is the ONLY time I didn't pick the PRS. I'd never pay $20k for any guitar but that '65 Strat has something magical to it.

You could also spend about $900 on a mim Hendrix Strat with the classic '65 vintage pick ups. Love the channel!

Nice, PRS has shown the world how to make the perfect production guitar. Tim...great as usual.

The PRS Silver Sky sounds pretty amazing.

For me, the biggest differences between a budget and a high-end guitar is more on playability and feel rather than the tone. And playing with more confort will certanly give you a better tone.

Heya Tim, thanks dude...they both sound great but I'd say the PRS neck PU is a tad brighter. Also, love the Db min progression, very smooth n tasty. Safe holidays to you and yours.

OH I so need this guitar now to convince the wife LoL

The first time I listened w/o watching, and I slightly preferred the PRS. The Fender sounded just a touch jangly by comparison, but I'm not sure how much of that is YT music compression and how much would have been audible in the room. I did not expect to prefer the PRS. (=

I really like the opening riff.

I wanted to cry when I saw your video. I dated a girl (a long time ago) and her older brother had a brand spanking new '65 Fender Strat 3 tone just sitting inside the case. He got it as a kid and never played, so it just sat in the hall closet. I had no idea it was worth so much.

The faux violin headstock always seemed a little goofy to me. Just got used to it . Love the modernized look of the PRS

I guess this just shows how brilliant Leo and George was for having it take 50 years for someone to replicate what he did back then(even though I would be worried if a guitar that's 53 years old is that clean, great guitars get played but that's just me)

The PRS for me every time

It's the pickups. Paul and John did a great job on them and I'd happily put a set of them in one of my own Strats. Other than that with the PRS you've got a great Strat copy with a different headstock. That's it.

Man nice produced with the synchro in the beginning - love it.

This just shows the brilliance of engineering at PRS the way there able to master these tones with a flick of the switch without playing constantly with the knobs like you would on the 60's strat. That being said the headstock is just off for me. Thanks for the great review as always.

Both is the perfect answer !

Thanks for the demo Tim and Aidan. I think the PRS sounds and performs very good, particuarly in the overall dynamics and balance of the pickups. I can't get accustomed to the hybrid design of the PRS headstock on a strat body.

Thank you for posting this Tim I think the guitar got a bad wrap from social media and this is an amazing comparison. Really enjoying the videos and your input.

Easy to hear the difference in the harmonic structure due to the different headstocks.

cant beat that classic vintage sunburst strat though, just look at that thing...what a beauty

Personally the fender for hard rock ....and the PRS for rock /blues

@Klang4evre

3 жыл бұрын

Brad Whitford would like to know your location

The sound differences between these two are extremely esoteric. The only people with opinions would be musicians and sound engineers. I've been biding my time but the day is coming soon when I'll be ordering my silver sky.

@d24isDURIAN

4 жыл бұрын

I went to the local shop and tried one. Loved it, didn't let go of it and purchase it within the hour. Now my AM Original stratis up for sale. Tone is one thing you could hear through a video but the feel is something you have to experience in person. You have to play one to really admire how perfect these instruments are. I have a AM McCarty 594 and a silver sky, by far the best guitars out of my collection of gibson and fenders.

@lancelotlink6545

4 жыл бұрын

@@d24isDURIAN I hear you man. I own a custom shop Fender Tele and a PRS Custom 22. Both are great guitars for different reasons but playing the PRS is the best because it's just so comfortable and smooth. Any PRS out of the box will play like that. You'd have to try 50 fenders to find one like that.

God damm the Prs sounds just as good as the 65 Strat. Theres one thing that the Fender has on the Silver Sky tho and thats mojo. That mojo is undeniable. Great video Tim!!!! 😁🎸✌

The start has that beloved tagged edge to it. The PRS sounds a tad rounder and smoother but retains that familiar sound. I like them both, but can sadly afford neither.

Sounds great Tim!

I couldn't really tell a difference...

@bradford_shaun_murray

6 жыл бұрын

I know what you mean...I was just caught up in the groove. Honestly when it sounds that good when the Tim Meister or anyone is playing it doesn't matter what pick up is used if it can draw you in so easily.

@davidtaylar8870

6 жыл бұрын

I felt like there was a HUGE difference until midway through the jam I closed my eyes. Every review I've listened to on KZread seemed to make it sound differently and I HATED this guitar. I'm not sure why but to me it originally sounded like a half PRS half Strat. This one really really showcases the sound.

@chrishamm60

6 жыл бұрын

Ok. I listened to it again. I could hear a difference in the top end of the 65. It was more appealing but they are really close.

@Ignore14

5 жыл бұрын

apples and oranges, also the playing was amazing

This was a great exercise. I recently played a '64 Strat (rosewood fretboard) and it had some incredible mojo. There was an airiness to the tone that was very pleasing. My main Strats are '62 reissues (all between 26 and 30 years old) and a 2005 EJ Strat. All of mine hung pretty well with the '64 but didn't have the upper-end harmonics that I hear in the '65. But, the Mayer sounds really good - the '65 isn't $18K better. $2K still ain't cheap but much more accessible to us average Joes. Also, PRS makes a well-built and consistent guitar. All of the vintage guitars are not magic. I don't need another Strat, but if I did, I'd certainly consider the Mayer for sure.

Tim, what drive were you using on the intro? It was it just the Naylor SD? Juicy tone and great playing!!!

Hey Tim always a pleasure to hear you play .. inspiring

@timpierceguitar

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much I really appreciate it

Tim, have you met or played with John Mayer? I was wondering what you think about his style of blues guitar and how he applies it to modern pop/rock.

Awesome playing Tim, as ever!

Tim , you're the real king of tone !

Loved the Strat and the PRS was a great value.But the fair comparison would be a 2-3K Custom Shop Fender -- or even a gently used Masterbuilt Fender custom shop. Or? Get Norm's strat for 20k and buy the PRS for 2k, put 18K into a total stock market mutual fund and come back in 15 years and see which investment does best. My money is on the Strat -- I'll bet it hits 45K...

Best comparison ever. Top

Tim could make a cricket bat with twine sound great. LOVE his playing.

Cool instrumental. Both guitars sound amazing in the demo

Nice comparison. But for those of us thinking of going with a nice new strat, how about comparing the PRS to an American Elite, which is about the same price point? Thanks!

Maybe it's me but they both sound the same. Its all in the hands of the player where the sound and tone come from🎸

@einarabelc5

6 жыл бұрын

No they don't sound the same, they sound alike. Notice the attack and decay difference and how much harsher the fender is. Higher frequencies are present. The PRS is more mellow.

@RWulff007

6 жыл бұрын

Its all about the amp the amp dadada dididi its the amp. Yeah yeah yeah.

Nice video and nice guitars, both sound great. I feel like it is also proof that fingers, amp and pedals have a huge impact on the sound, sometimes more than the guitare itself.

I think the price point on the Silver Sky is awesome. I can pick up a used one right now for less than $1800. And that's considering the likes of Suhr and other top end S style guitars being well over $3k.

Idk. Maybe it's the specific 65 strat. I played a silver sky and was not blown away at all sound wise compared to a custom shop fender. In this video I do prefer the silver sky. In person I can't get the sounds I want from them in comparison to even my nash

Great video and playing as always. A comparison between the Silver Sky and something in its price range would be more helpful. How about a Suhr Standard Pro and Fender American Original 60s or American Vintage 65.

The PRS is very smooth and sits nicely in the mix. There is a very rich warm layer behind the tone with the PRS. The 65 strat cuts through the mix with more definition and less warmth/wooliness, however it really stands out and sounds bright and alive without being too shrill. Both great guitars, however the smooth warm tone from the PRS eventually gets bland to me and I want that classic Fender sound. It'd be interesting to see a pickup swap between these two guitars. My last comment is when Tim plays the PRS his tone was darker (maybe he is using more of a rounded pick) than the other guy playing the PRS.

man, this tone is ridiculous, any info on the signal chain?

i wonder how it would compare to some of your strats. The ones have workes on and partscasters.

Both sound amazing and only one looks amazing.

that first tone with the neck pickup gets me hot. now thats tone!

Could you tell me about the dynamics on the strat. The dynamic range of the prs is sooooo good its exceptional!

Just come to watch this video after Paul Reed Smith mentioned this video in his recent interview with Rick Beato.

I feel with the pickup tones on the Silver Sky, it's achieving what John's usually tone is with his pedals/amp EQ...you can hear the subtle presence and mid differences between each guitar. A 2K justifiable difference? That's for you to decide. I cant judge anything till I feel one with my own hands.

Hey Tim, please could you tell me what signal chain you are using here. You say the amp is set the same for both guitars but you don't actually say what amp that is. I would love to know. I've used a Clapton strat for a long time, and I'm just getting to grips with playing a different strat without the Clapton circuitry and I'm finding it a challenge to get the tone I want, so any help is very greatly appreciated. Great playing and very nice tone btw. Actually having thought about this a better question would be how do achieve that neck tone with the lovely mid tones? Is it amp settings or do you use a particular eq setting in post or on a pedal???

Curious which one is lighter I've got a pretty good 65 L series and every pick up select is absolutely magic New guitars are great but usually sound new

Great playing as always! My preference is the Strat especially in single note playing. What some might describe as nasal I would describe as push. A needed attribute to cut thru the mix. YMMV

Does the fender sound $20k better? I don't think so. I actually prefer the clarity of the PRS.

Great sound!!!

It's interesting to see, hear and think about the comparison, but realistically the antique $20,000 Strat has that price tag because it's a collectable, not because it's a better built or better sounding guitar. Which, by the way is quite subjective.

i laughed hard when he said headstocks are different

Both are nice guitars... great playing... thanks!

I wonder if the 3+3 headstock changes the feel of the high E when bending? A lot less string behind the nut to offset the increase in tension during a bend. This could cause a tighter feel, more resistant to bends? That was the theory on the Hendrix Strat, how the headstock was essentially flipped for his guitar, leading to different feel and even tones - but I have a reverse headstock Strat and can’t claim there’s much to that theory.