It really is amazing how PRS has such consistency and quality, and this is the first guitar that doesn’t sound like a PRS and that’s a good thing. I do like how the tone control seems much more usable. But I would still take the custom shop because I can’t make logical decisions being a bedroom rocker.

That just sounds so amazing! Best sound demo of the PRS Silver Sky that I've heard so far.

Hey Paul, the intro to this video is some of the smoothest playing I’ve heard you do. Great stuff mate!

Twenty 5 seconds in & you know this man can seriously play. I'm a beginner in every sense of the term but Mr Drew here inspires me to practice every day. 👊🏾

The guitarist in one of my bands (I'm a bassist) has a red silver sky. I took it for a spin myself. It's gorgeous. Other than another bandmate's 1963, it's the best Strat styled guitar I've ever played. And I'm not a strat lover nor a PRS lover.

That intro was pure magic!

I LOVE THIS INTRO RIFF ALMOST brought me to tears cause of stuff on my mind. Absolutely excellent

Incredible video! This pushed me over the edge to purchase the Silver Sky. That will go with my beloved PRS Fiore which is also a wonderful instrument! Got the same color/configuration as you are using as well.

The intro piece was gorgeous. Pop sensibilities with great chops and tone. Fab.

@TheStudioRats

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much.

what an intro track.. practising it since video release, thank you so much for this inspiration. Greetings from OverNorthseas

Wow! Your playing is beautiful!

I am a huge PRS fan! I've got two core models; a Tremonti w/stoptail bridge and a 408. Both are the best guitars I've ever owned (would like to change out the neck pickup in the Tremonti - it's a little muddy for me), but I love Fenders and Gibsons as well. While I noticed the pickups in the Silver Sky were definitely hotter, the Strat pickups were cleaner to my ears... which is the beauty of a Strat. This was my first time on this channel and loved how your presented the comparison. IMO, don't get rid of your Strat... they're different guitars. That's why we have GUITAR COLLECTIONS!!!

@thadlogan51

2 жыл бұрын

I've got three PRS too... core 24, CE 24, Chris Robertson, Gibson Les Paul, American standard strat, etc... but I have been intrigued by the silver sky. Not sure it sounds much different than my strat to justify buying... but it does sound great. I replaced the bridge pickup in my strat to the SSL-5 designed by David Gilmore and Seymour Duncan...it's fatter single coil sound without losing the quack and clarity. All these guitars... PRS, strat, etc... great but different...

Big fender enthusiast here and I have to give it PRS on this god what a killer tone I can’t wait to get my hands on one!

What a tone you’ve got there my friend! Your playing is fantastic too… great video… subbed

Lovely sound in that opening man. 👍🔥🎸🎼🙏

I think the ability to make these guitars sound almost identical is a tip of the hat to you! Bravo sir. I have multiple CS Fenders and can only dream about playing at your level. I will look into PRS Silver Sky stratocasters.

Wonderful guitar... but guitars in general have come a long way and quality has become fantastic even in lower priced ones. What a great time to be a player. Cheers!

The best iteration of the stratocaster, the look and the sound is amazing

Great demo, I have a Fender CS which I have the same issues tuning, pickups etc.. There was a real quality to the tones of the Silver Sky (lovely playing) which makes me really want to try one out .

Great video. SS definitely seems to have more clarity/articulation. I had a Custom 24 that I never bonded with but am thinking of giving of the SS a try. It has that fret induced "sizzle" that all PRS guitars seems to have. It's something I didn't really care for on the Custom 24, but it naturally works on a strat.....

What a beautiful tone from the Silver Sky.

Thank you for another great video, personally I prefer the PRS, it has more composure and control giving a more musical sound that I could play and listen to for longer 👌

I sold my Silver Sky to fund a 63 custom shop strat. Nothing wrong with either of them. I think the ultra strat is as good as either as well.

The intro has the sweetest strat tone I've ever heard.

you look more happy, while playing on your Fender😇... I understand why - great video as always!

Neither was better than the other. They are both incredible.

I love that gold color. that prs is a keeper for sure! If I didn't have so many guitars, I'd buy one...maybe one day :) excellent sounds ..love the intro

@DEZZA12

2 жыл бұрын

Give me one , and buy a silver sky. Doing u a favor😅😉

Wow!!! Wonderful PRS!!!

Both sound beautiful!

I bought a Silver Sky and I will say that out of all of my guitars, it is the best sounding/best playing/best everything guitar I own. I will never get rid of it. I might buy another if they come up with some better color schemes.

Silver Sky for me all day, every day. Thanks for this.

Loved the intro jam 👌

Wow that SS really sings, what a great sounding guitar!

You can hear what you wanna hear but there is not enough difference to make a difference.Strats are strats they sound straty!😊

Lovely review. I sure wish PRS made these Silver Sky's left handed. On the subject, I'd love a DGT also....oh the woes of left-handedness.

That's a sweet song. I might need to pick up one of these.

Got a 2021 maple board silver sky and think it’s perfection. Love my American pro strat but the silver sky is head and shoulders above it and so it should be considering the difference in price. However I won’t sell my strat, be greedy and keep them both

Wow Silversky is a great one 😍

Mine is coming in January. Got the Pink one :)

Both sound great. Win-win.

I may be in the minority, but I think I like the sound of the Fender better. Why, maybe because it sounds more like a Strat. I have a 64 Strat and have often compared it to my friends Silver Sky. I do think the PRS is an amazing guitar and very well built, but, and maybe this is just psychological, I don't feel the PRS has the Mojo of the Strat. I also have Strats from the 80's, 90's, and early 2000's and I would likely choose the PRS over them, but the 64 is just a different animal. You are comparing it to a Custom Shop 62 so I would imagine that that would be closer to my 64 than to any of my other Strats, so theoretically that that makes your comparison closer to mine. Anyway, even in this video I have to say that I like the sound of the real Strat better. Maybe it's because I'm just more used to that sound. I have a 64 Black face Twin Reverb and a 66 Black face Super Reverb and any combination of my 64 Strat with either of those two amps is simply magical to me. Again, though, this might simply be psychological.

@davidclark8702

2 жыл бұрын

I agree with you. The PRS is bright and modern, the Fender has more guts and glory. Also, when you have vintage amps, the range from dark growl to singing bite of a true Strat comes through much more. I compare my Custom Shop Strat into my '64 Tremolux and '66 Super Reverb, with my Tom Anderson Classic into my Divided by 13 FTR37 and there's no comparison to the guts and mojo. Fender moves the soul. Modern stuff moves the ears, but it's short term excitement.

@rockarena666

2 жыл бұрын

Same feeling here. The Silver Sky is a great guitar but it’s not a strat.

@GraniteSoundtrack

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. The bass response of the Fender was sweeter to my ears. But if I'm honest the Silversky still, with eyes closed, sounds like a strat. Just a different one. I wouldn't say, "it's not a strat" except in brand and name. It's a strat totally. Haven't played one though. Don't feel the need either.

@rockarena666

2 жыл бұрын

@@GraniteSoundtrack I played one and I was very impressed with build quality and overall looks. Plays like a dream but it is just not the same as a fender strat. Which was not their goal to make a strat copy. Would still want one in my collection someday though.

@timwhite5562

2 жыл бұрын

No, you're not alone. My main Strat is an 08 Eric JohnsonI and had a Silver Sky loaned to be for a few weeks. It was a great guitar; played very easy, really well built, good construction and design. That said, it was just missing "something." The only way to describe it is like when Digital started to become how things were made: Digital recording, effects, CDs vs Album, etc. Everything sounds really clear and "pure." After a while though, people recognized that in spite of the added clarity and reduced noise, there was something was lost there, but they can't put a finger on what. The PRS was a CD, my Strat is vinyl.

Strato is the winner for my ear :)

That chime is why you get the PRS. I’ve sold most of my Fenders.

GREAT PLAYING BROTHER AND GREAT REVIEW. THANK YOU FROM NYC.

@TheStudioRats

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Googo

I just bought a silver sky without being able to play it first. The fender actually sounded better to me than the silver sky or maybe just warmer although the articulation was tighter on the PRS so I am still excited!

My Fender CS strat had the Custom Shop 60s strat pick-ups, with the gray backing. They were alnico 2s, and sounded too mellow and soft - a bit murky, perhaps like your CS strat. I changed the pickups to Seymour Duncan Antiquity IIs, and that made the guitar come alive. More articulation and clarity.

PRS simply makes superior instruments.

@ArielCardona

Жыл бұрын

No

@CBGypsy03

9 ай бұрын

Agreed.

I just feel like the Fender has more character and sparkle. Both are cool I’d go with the Fender all day

Great video Paul! I thought both guitars sounded wonderful. About 3 months ago, I bought a maple neck Silver Sky. I wasn’t looking for one. I had been searching for a strat and had played classics, EJ, custom shop, APII. All were lovely guitars, but I didn’t click with them. Then, by chance, I tried a Silver Sky and I was intrigued. I tested both maple and rosewood neck versions and settled for the maple neck (quite unusual for me as I prefer rosewood). I loved the satin neck. The chunky neck is wonderful in my tiny hands. It is the most comfortable guitar I have ever played and is my go to axe today. This guitar has mojo for me and I love it. This just goes to show that it is such a personal journey with guitars and what suits me, may not suit you. If you can, keep both as they both have their own vibe. Nice one and welcome to the club. Haha.

@TheStudioRats

2 жыл бұрын

Cheers Scoobs.

@thelegend2645

2 жыл бұрын

I agree it's also the most comfortable guitar I have played. It just feels so smooth especially with the satin neck.

Both Sound so good 🙌🏻😃

My CS strat built by c Flemming, eats silver skys and suhr's for breakfast, but to be fair it kill other custom shop fenders too

PRS is amazing!!! Stays in tune even when using tremolo!!! YUGE FAT lows & sweet highs that don’t melt your ears!!! PRS increased signal to noise ratio of pickups for less hum!

That's a huge difference. Usually on these KZread guitar AB is the difference are subtle....not here though. Youare an amazing player BTW. I think I will hit the subscribe

I liked the strat on the neck and the prs on the bridge.

Been a Fender boy for years. Custom shop strats and teles mainly. I'm also late to the silver sky. But this vid made me try one out at my local dealers. What can I say. Purchased! It was a no brainer as soon as I'd played it. What a guitar. Thank you for this vid.

@YM_82

Жыл бұрын

still own it? what's your experience with the guitar so far?

@ashjohnson7165

Жыл бұрын

@@YM_82 I still own it. My most played electric guitar still as well. Really couldn't be happier with it. The pickups are probably the best strat style pickups I've used. Mine is the Tungsten with rosewood board.

@YM_82

Жыл бұрын

@@ashjohnson7165 that's nice to hear. I'm looking for the same one just with maple neck as I already own fender custom shop 1961. just to feel Hendrix sometimes :)

When I heard the strat it reminded me of all the strats I've owned.. and sold. Does look the best though.

I’m not really a PRS kinda guy I sold my PRS to a friend because I didn’t like the pickups in it. But I have been impressed with the Silver Sky. And in this demonstration you did, it seems the PRS has a fuller and more round sound that really fills the voided space and I love my Les Paul and my 335 for that very reason. But that is just my opinion

Nice Paul! I also see that new sig model from Mark Lettieri. Wow. A little steep for my cash flow but HSS has been my go to for ages now. Bless you man!

There is something intangible with some guitars like that CS Fender you got. I think I’d describe it as the strat just has “soul” in the tone that the PRS just doesn’t. Both amazing guitars obviously!

@keolacam

Жыл бұрын

Sound like the amps and effects/ reverb was set diffrently for each guitar

PRS always gets kudos for their quality guitar building, but I think I am more impressed with how good they’ve gotten at building pickups lately. The silver sky and narrowfield pickups are both sensational, and their 58/15 LT and 85/15 TCI humbuckers are both outstanding as well. Their new amps really shocked me too. Paul is not just a wood working genius, he has some amazing electronics people working there now.

GREAT DEMO!

Strat sounded sweeter for sure

In the market for a strat and this helps thanks!

For your High Gain Settings and the intense use of the Vibrato System I would recommend a modern Super Strat like a Suhr. Locking Tuners, Humbucker at the bridge and you are good to go. A Custom Shop 62 Strat is completly wrong here. Everyone in the 80`s with a Strat , who wanted these Sounds, changed Vibrato and Pickups in their Guitar . I remember these times very well 😉

The helicopter photo going along the screen earned you a sub hahaha was so funny

This guitar garbed me by surprise. I was not in the market for a guitar then I played this at my local store, had to sell 2 guitars to get this but it was totally worth it.

Oh man that Sound 😍😍😍

I prefer the Fender.

great playing

I’m not a John Mayer guy. This weekend I listened to Continuim all the way through. I’m not sure why I did. Now, I’m a fan.

Silver Sky is basically an S2 PRS (w/great pickups) - There’s definitely an enjoyable honeymoon period with the Silver Sky but it’s not in the same league as my CS Strats.

@donefinished

2 жыл бұрын

How much did you pay for your cs strat?

@tom0ocadoo

2 жыл бұрын

the pickup are very different than what is in a s2

@carpediem4413

2 жыл бұрын

@@tom0ocadoo Yes, Silver Sky pickups are great.

@carpediem4413

2 жыл бұрын

@@donefinished More than my Silver Sky … the title of the video is essentially asking if the Silver Sky can replace the Custom Shop strat. For some, yeah the SS is good enough. But most who own both. It’s a stretch to say a Silver Sky is equal to a Custom Shop Strat. There’s a reason a SS is $2499 and a CS strat is $4300 (and it’s not just due to the Fender name). 👍 The SS is a great guitar but ultimately reminds me of a nice Korean made guitar (I.e. Reverend, etc) but ask any CS owner if they will trade you straight up for a SS - they will laugh. Resale definitely plays a part in the whole equation. That all being said, CS guitars are a luxury and your paying a lot for the mojo of owning a CS strat. Can you play & sound just as good on a SS vs CS ? … definitely but the strat has that extra special quality or being the OG. You could have this discussion on many products (I.e. Corvette vs Ferrari).

@donefinished

2 жыл бұрын

@@carpediem4413 I agree it's not equal to a cs strat. I would even venture to say it's a different animal.

Sounds Really nice !

Great play. In this case PRS level seems a bit louder to my cheap earphones. I already sold my awesome Fender CS. I needed money. But now I am satified with Fender Japan now anyway.

Great video!

The sound or PRS silver sky!!!!!!! It’s amazing 😨😨😨😨😨!!!

I have a SS and I’m obviously biased, but I didn’t hear anything from the CS that would make me want to pay the difference. Both are fine guitars and I would be happy with both.

That 3rd position clean tone on Silver Sky sounded incredible. CS Fender still is a magical guitar, so don't part with it. ; )

I have a 2019 Golden Mesa and sold a really good Strat after I got it. I also prefer the Silver Sky over my Starplayer TV and Gretsch Sparkle Jet. Just a fantastic guitar! I’m curious about your signal chain/amp setup. Sounds great!

I bought a Suhr Strat with a Gotoh 510 Trem-unit (phenomenal tuning stability) and Lollar Dirty Blondes - then Sold my Vintage Fender Stratocaster. My Suhr is on another Stratosphere (however) I do currently own a 65 Princeton Reverb and a Rumble 100 and I do love them both. I like their Amps better than the guitars now.

Great review and honesty 👍 I assume you bought the silver sky without playing that guitar first. I remember hearing Paul Reed Smith And John Mayer talk about them developing the pickups and taking forever to get it right. Apparently they based it on John’s 63 original strat

@danielleelizabeth9417

2 жыл бұрын

A mixture of a 63/64

Prs sounds great. I’m hoping the se version will come very close

The 2 sound very similar to my ear... Both great. Just send me the one you don't want anymore... LOL

I always wanted to try to play a Fender CS Strat and possibly buy one day. Afyer playing and buyinf a Silver Sky I couldn't care less about a CS Strat anymore. It is just as good and almost half the price

Good video. I put in Xotic hand wound 60's pick ups in my strat. It's just sensational and blows away anything I compare it to. Tried their 50s and don't like them. 60s are the go. Hope that helps.

Shiny new thing syndrome ? Mabey you just want a new guitar frets worn ? Its not a marriage .Prs silver sky is not the only choice maybe a Squire strat might inspire the artist. Stranger things have happened.

I bought the PRS Silver Sky when they first came out amongst all the controversy. I had been gigging with my Custom Shop Strat for over 20 years and the Silver Sky is my main guitar now. It is a beautiful, rock solid, giggable work horse with every sound unique and usable. My Strat has Texas Specials. Is swamp ash and I locked the trem for the exact reason. I have kept the Strat because I love it, but the Silver Sky is my main guitar. Well done and good purchase..

@MrBossei

2 жыл бұрын

Well, the Texas special pickups are very far from the more scooped sound of the Silver Sky pickups. Try CS69 or other low output pickup in your Fender and compare again 😊

@kenphillips3282

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrBossei Thanks, however I have no problem with the old Texas Specials, they give the classic Strat quack which I really enjoy. The JM PUP’s on the Silver Sky have their own voice which is very similar and all 5 positions are very useable. It is a great gigging guitar.

@MrBossei

2 жыл бұрын

@@kenphillips3282 Great. Tried the Silver Sky and it was not my cup of tea but it’s of course a matter of taste 👍

@kenphillips3282

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrBossei indeed it is and thank goodness for that. It would be awful if we all liked the same stuff, played the same stuff and created the same stuff. Rock on 👍

I sold mine it was a nice guitar but I was just not blown away.

In the beginning of the video I thought omg that sounds looooovely. But when you pulled out the CS, I actually preferred that, because it’s got tons more mojo and attitude than the PRS. However, I do understand your complaints about the CS. I’ve got a 61 myself and here’s what I did and what I can recommend. 1.) Pickups, you said it yourself. You’ve got loads of great opportunities in the UK! I’m currently playing Bare Knuckle mother’s milk. I also prefer scooped mids - which the silver sky allegedly has. 2.) The trem. I replaced the stock Fender trem with a Callaham trem. Better tuning stability and more solid trem arm connection. However, at the end of the day I would understand if you keep the silver sky. Because from a studio/recording point of view, it’s a more reliable instrument. But it’s also kinda too nice and lacks mojo for me. Anyway I enjoyed listening to your playing!

@markgitarista

2 жыл бұрын

😍😍😍

I’m loving your old strat 😊. The PRS sounds marginally smoother.

“I’m not even a stray guy I’m just gonna say fender is better because I don’t like John Mayer for some asinine reason”

@frankhall7005

2 жыл бұрын

Your not the only one.

The Silver sky has the exact same pickups in all the pockets....

Consider the vega-trem systems! They are wonderful drop in systems

Have played the same strat since 1979. Have two more and four telecasters. Bought the gold ss a month ago. The neck sits perfectly in my hand, love the pickups. Didn’t have to get to know the guitar at all. It was as if I’ve had it forever from the first moment. I do believe it’s gonna be my no1 from now on. Just keep my old no1. as a backup and sell the other two. The knobs are slippery, gonna have to do something about that. Also, gonna have to fix the trem bar angle. And maybe try out the perfect treble bleed. Otherwise, the guitar is perfect. The tuning machines are kinda ugly, though... By the way, it would have been interesting to hear about the gear you used in this video...

Great video but going to be the dissenting opinion here. John Mayer fan! I played 5 different Silver Sky guitars at a big dealer. I found them all to be thin sounding. Very consistently. My guitar player friend that came along agreed. I also played a Fender CS Strat with Fat 50s pickups in the same shop on the same amp and it was way... More. Strattier. Fuller. Bigger. Warmer but still Strat. It just felt more awesome. I guess I like it warmer. They all played great. The Silver Skies felt newer but the CS was very much relic'ed. Still want one, though. Because I love the styling and... Well... John.

To me, the Silver Sky just has more attack. More clarity & life.

Yes. Mine leaves all my vintage Strats 56,57,64,65 rest as sleeping beauties in their cases..

These comparison exercises makes a great study in psychology

Great video. I have 3 CS strats (two 56 Relics and a 60 NOS) and a maple board SS. They all have a slightly different feel and sound. I can’t say one is better than the other though. If I had to pick one…I don’t know what I’d do!

@macauley70

2 жыл бұрын

What has more soul?

@jed1mindtricks857

6 ай бұрын

🤣🤣@@macauley70

I’m still to try out a silver sky but it would have to be exceptional for the price. I’ve got a first generation USA std 1987 that had a slim neck that changed in 88/89 I believe and it’s done literally 100’s of gigs and never let me down. Recently put some lace sensor golds in it which are very quiet true single coil noiseless pickups and I’m really liking them for clean and crunch tones. I know there’s some hate out there for them but I’ve tried loads from BKP Irish tours which were superb to Texas specials and now these lace sensors and IMO they do the business. But I will treat myself by having a go on the silver sky hopefully through a cranked Princeton reverb I love a telecaster too.

@Utubewrk123

Жыл бұрын

9 months late sorry just saw this. I had gotten and still have an 88 American standard strat bought new in 89. It was my first playable guitar. My first two were horrid. Anyway, the neck is still slim. Just wanted to say that.

Custom shop must stay, Lindy Frahlin pickups for the CS! The headstock of PRS, is it not a little heretic?😂