I purchased two USA models last week. One with a maple fret board and one with the Indian rosewood. Fortunately, I can afford it. This will be my third PRS. I’ve owned everything and sold everything in PRS’s is the king.

That is awesome that sweetwater reached out to you. The sky is the limit brother. Keep it lit. I hope one day to be able to review more products.

Dude I went to Casino guitars today and picked up a Fender Strat American Professional. Never played/owned a strat before and fell in love! Got an awesome price so here soon I'll need some of your pickups haha

You have probably made he best video that will ever be made on examining this guitar !

Please make a Dylan "SilverDipper" (TM) pickup that matches the spec of the Core Silver Sky pickups! You will sell sooooo many to people who want to put them in their Silver Sky SE's... Or in their strats...Like me!

If you're floating your US Sky there's a handy yt vid with Skitchy Zimmers on the PRS channel. The useful nugget to save trial+error+measure is one turn on the trem pivot screws is 2/32" height.

Thanks Dylan. This was even better my second time viewing.

I can always count on Dylan to give us the nuisanced differences that keeps us informed beyond a spec sheet.

@Asshat237

Жыл бұрын

hahahahah nuanced

I just got a SE 245 Tobacco finished a couple of weeks ago and I’m completely sold on PRS’s quality. No one sells a more budget priced quality instrument then PRS. The SS Se appears to be the same ! Thanks Dylan! You sold me on it !

Since you are usually very much into the construction of pickups and how that effects sound I would love to see a video of your analysis as to why the SE pickups sound so similar to the Core pickups while having radically different build styles.

@DoctorWhomThe1st

2 жыл бұрын

I was very interested when he pointed that out. I guess it goes to show you that despite design, your ears really are the true indicator.

@sweethands4328

2 жыл бұрын

I hear the differences (albeit...multiple sound examples of both online, so take with a grain of salt) quite easily. The core seems smoother and the SE seems less bell-like in tone and grittier and hi-fi/brighter. My .02

@scott6588

2 жыл бұрын

I think using poplar handcuffs the builder. So instead of a pickup builders are used to pairing with alder...they instead have to figure out how to make a pickup that when combined with Poplar... sounds as similar as it can to alder when paired. It's like the processed food that uses 79 ingredients in order to taste like chicken.

+++ thank you so much Dylan, looking forward to the pickup change !!!+++

I got the Silver Sky (Horizon) in 2019. I immediately shimmed the neck and floated the trem. Later on I put telecaster knobs and a an aluminum switch tip on it. (When the stock switch tip broke)

Thanks for going in depth and showing the details! I'll wait till I save up and lay my hands on one of those

Speaking to the point about the bridge sitting a few mm up by the knife edge- that’s how PRS sets them up. They do this with the core model as well. I’m not exactly sure why, but they have a video on their channel on how to set that up. Also, if you float it you will have to shim the neck pocket. They also have a video about that. I’m wondering if the trem setup has anything to do with break angle at the saddles or tension🤷🏻‍♂️

I have the utmost confidence that you’ll make a set that doesn’t take away the unique sound profile that makes people gravitate to PRS. I like what you mentioned in your other video. It’s a PRS through and through but just happens to just look like a strat.

Thumbs up to Sweetwater for providing the guitar for this video, knowing that you were going to make comments that might make the guitar seem like "less" than PRS and Sweetwater would prefer. Were your comments harsh? Not in the least. You noted some items on THIS guitar that weren't up to snuff. You made comments about the pickups and your preferences, but also backed them up with technical specs. Good video.

When you swap out the pups please also disassemble one of the SE pickups. I don't understand how a pickup with those specs can sound like that. I'm going through Crazy, implausible explanations in my head (small magnets are north-south whilst main ones are south-north, or maybe some trickery with 43 guage wire), nothing makes sense though)..

I have the same exact one and I do use pedals and my pickups sound incredible.I play a lot of heavy stuff and my pickups love distortion even though they are low output.Pickups are funny like that, mine loves distortion and somebody else's might hate it.

@Lourenti

Жыл бұрын

Did you change the height? Mine sound somewhat muddy and im trying to figure out why, i got the guitar today

@tacob69

Жыл бұрын

@@Lourenti I did lower them just a very little bit because I like really low action.

@thisandthat176

Жыл бұрын

I must agree. The pickups are hotter than most strats... They drive pedals and preamps very well in my opinion.

I agree…having custom shop instruments…you usually get what you pay for……however I’ve seen a few videos and this is a formidable instrument…the cost yr getting a really decent guitar…I wish I had guitars this good in the 70’s …cheaper guitars have come a long long way…they are good and you can gig with them no problem…nice video…on the particulars.👍👍

Sweet guitar!! I am looking forward to the tweeks you are planning. I ordered a stone blue one. Gunna be nice.....

Looking forward to the tremolo floating and all the other changes

I'm a bit confused about your decision to swap the se pickups, because they're low output, but not in the American one, despite them being even less output? That could use some clarification. Excited for what's to come, tho.

@BBGuitars

2 жыл бұрын

Hes gotta advertise pickups for himself to sell... If it was purely the fact they were so low output Im sure the logical choice would be to change the lower output set, US Silver Sky, not the higher ones.

@VintageRadius

2 жыл бұрын

I know what he means. The SE pickups measure hotter but they sound very similar to the American pickups, both sound like very low output pickups. He said the American Silver Sky pickups are really good for what they are. Basically he just wants some variety and will swap in some hotter pickup in the SE to push his amps. I can relate to that. I have 50's style low output pickups in one of my strats and hotter Texas Specials in another. It's nice having variety. Also, playing at home at lower volumes, having pickups that are a bit hotter can sort of mimic what happens with a loud amp, there's more compression and more mids, they sound a bit fatter, perhaps more pleasing. In his situation I'd do the same thing.

@jimcamp2423

2 жыл бұрын

I think there are at least 2 reasons. First, a USA PRS Silver Sky is potentially worth more as a collectible original than an Asian PRS SE. I mean that's dependent upon how well received the SE is. Second, how close can the SE get to a USA PRS Silver Sky with a set of Dylan pickups that I would think would be closer to the USA pickup specs. This makes more sense to me. Because that is probably the niche market that is where there is money to be made. The PRS SE with more traditional & upgraded pickups & not the OEM special magnets added to the bottom bobbin flatware. Like the Fender MiMs are solid instruments out of the box, their price point also is a modders platform. Just me, but as long as the Player stays with Alder, I just don't see a reason to chase a PRS SE Silver Sky, if Popler is what I'm getting for the body, a Sterling CT30 or CT50 are very live-able alternatives to Fender & PRS SE. Music Man has already made the more affordable & feature rich versions in the Cutlass. From price point even the Music Man Cutlass at $ 2,500+ vs the PRS $ 3,600+ instrument, I'd really have to feel the difference to part with another $ 1,100. At that much difference I can get real close to a new tube amp or any other gear that might be a greater sum of a rig rundown vs a single instrument. I get the PRS is probably going to be the collectible guitar & the Music Man would just be another Strat-like instrument that was $ 2K+.

@BBGuitars

2 жыл бұрын

@@jimcamp2423 all bets are on that he sells the US SS as soon as the content is made, if he messes with it for videos then yeah hes potentially devaluing to a picky buyer. Keeping the import based on his declaration of how good it plays and then creating a set of pickups that he can market and back by the "shock decision" to keep the SE over the US made SS is fantastic marketing if he decides to sell replacement sets...

@mptachenko

2 жыл бұрын

Low output mid 5 ohms is a classic late 60s early 70s tone in the Fender world. That style of pickup sounds great in the neck and middle position but can be hit or miss I'm the bridge position. Just depends on an individual's needs though. Fender makes CS69 pickups in this style.

It seems like PRS set's the bridge like that! I´ve seen the same bridge set up on John Mayer´s Silver Sky as well! With the bridge plate slightly tipped backwards. It might be that PRS sets them like this to enable a slightly higher action in case people need it for the 7.5'' & 8.5'' radiuses. But it's partly because PRS beliefs that a 2 point tremoly bridge functions better when the bridge plate is perfectly horizontal floating off the body a bit, instead of a more vintage set up where the bridge is slanted up. Which is interesting, because in the Black One (John Cruz's) the bridge plate was fully decked to the guitar because this apparently gave the tone and sustain he wanted. Having the bridge screews a bit higher and the bridge floating definitely affects the tone a lot!

My review vindicated. Ty bossman

Cheers from Texas! 🤘😎🤘 Thanks for sharing Fantastic job explaining your findings. I believe you're on to something here. Very curious results. All the best, M

Just got my SE today. So far so good.... but a dumb QC issue. The red wire for the jack was wrapped around inside the jack, and it was preventing the lead cord from from being inserted. It took me 30 sec to remove the jack and correct it. But it obviously had not been checked.

Maybe in the future you could pop the truss rod adjust cover off?.. Thanks Dylan

You keep referring to the American SS as if there are no differences between the earlier model's [2018 - 2020] and the 2021 Core model SS. [Neck carve, fret size, and pickup output appear to have changed in 2021] When comparing the SE vs the Core Model SS, it would be helpful to know the production year of the Core model SS used in your comparison. Enjoyed the video. Thanks!

One of the best spec presentations I have found in general. Great work, tnx!

Great in-depth review Dylan, and looking forward to the continuing story.

Man, this is what I really want to see with new guitars. Break those puppies down. My 15 year old Korean SE is still one of my favorite guitars. PRS makes stellar guitars, even their budget models

Thanks for posting ... seen enough SS SE reviews on tone ... this was refreshingly different. Subscribed.

Poplar wood is classified as a "soft" wood. Not as soft as pine, but much, much softer than alder. Guitars with really soft wood, like basswood, have problems like the bridge posts will pull forward over time and slop around in the holes. Also, the screw holes can easily be stripped out, so you have to be careful when taking the pickguard off and on.

I was excited to try one of these. But since you said it has a narrow (41mm) nut. That's a negative for me. Thanks for the review, Dylan. Best regards, John...

I'm getting one but I gotta wait acouple weeks, I don't have the cash right after Christmas, but I will have one. Either the American one or the se, I haven't decided yet., I like the blue though it's 🔥

I use them vishey capacitors in my amps I build, they have good character to them. Seem to be very good capacitors.

FYI As for your comment at around 11:30 about how the screws on the trem a about 2.5-3 mm up, it is the same for my SS-SE acquired March 2022.

Couple of things I noticed about mine that are exactly the same as yours: (1st) my bridge does the exact same thing yours does, with that slight lift under the 2 screws, (2nd) I had the same little "rough" spot on the neck in that same area. I used some very high count sandpaper (don't remember exactly, like 5000) and it cleared it up. The only mod I can think of are the tuners, I just really like locking tuners for string changes. Maybe upgrade the pots, wiring, etc with something from 920D Custom. I don't know, maybe.

I enjoyed the deep dive and maybe you covered his when you had the pickup cover off and I missed it, if so my apologies. What kind of routing is going on under there? If I get one of these, I will probably change the pickups, but I don't want to route the body. I'd sooner change the entire pickguard and wiring harness. TIA

Great video!!👍

I have a core SS maple neck and just got an SE RW board. I really disagree about the PUPs-in mine they are so fricking quacky-absolutely stellar, IMHO I prefer them over the core model.I agree its a great guitar in terms of feel but not quite up to the quality of the core model: Maserati vs BMW (not Chevy).Neck is smooth on mine BTW and it weighs 7 lbs 3 ozes.Thx for vid

Good eye Dylan

Dylan, another excellent review-Love the Tech viewpoint. What the heck is a “Henry? Thanks

@PaulCooksStuff

2 жыл бұрын

Unit of inductance. Ohms for resistance, amps for current, farads for capacitance, henrys for inductance (or vacuum cleaners) etc

I never felt such small differences such as nut width made much difference, but a recent acoustic purchase have open my eyes a bit. The string spacing on the saddle is just 2mm wider than my other acoustic but has meant I’m suddenly much better picking out specific strings with my pick. That nut seems quite narrow, have to find one of these to try out… great episode 👍

Great comparison video. I’m interested to hear more as you dissect those SE pickups. Also, the SS was inspired by early 60’s strats which had a three ply Pickguard and a one ply back cover. Maybe that’s the reason for the back cover being one ply on the SE.

Your so lucky to be able to pick amazing guitars up for 849 dollars here in England we are being charged £849 which is like £200 more which makes it not as affordable here.

@espertempo

2 жыл бұрын

I believe American prices do not include VAT due to different taxes in different states.

@PaulCooksStuff

2 жыл бұрын

@@espertempo that's true but even if you add on the UK vat the $849 converts to £748. PRS can and do sell the $849 SE Custom 24 in the UK for £749. Many of the UK dealers have that price on SE Custom. It just seems to be a conscious choice (either from PRS or the dealers) to apply an extra rarity tax on the Sky SE model at £899. What makes that UK price weirder is that Fender Players are £525 ish and Fender American Performer £950 ish. The latest US fender price rises don't seem to have reached the UK yet, or maybe retailers are still selling off 2021 stock. But right now a PRS that in the US is deliberately head to head with Fender MIM is priced in the UK against Fender MIA.

@whssy

2 жыл бұрын

@@PaulCooksStuff Could be worse. You could live in a country where VAT is 25%, like I do - which also means we have a shortage of good second hand stuff too.

Visjay cap is same company who are making ‘sprague’ orange drops. I assume a big Indian manufacturer

@DylanTalksTone

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I meant to add a graphic and forgot

Mine was 7lbs 3 Oz as well

Nice video, I always have a problem with 3 knob S types. Volume to close to the bridge, and I dont see the point of two tone knobs. I plays 2 knob S types, more room, and I only need 1 tone.

Easily the best PRS SE Silver Sky video for us gear junkies.

you are cool bro..it's such a coincidence seeing you do the new SS and core SS because I watched you a while back because I was searching for fender roadhouse reviews and you had just bought the same white one that I have so I watched that.I got a core SS 13 months ago , sounds like you got yours more recently. you are more comprehensive with your reviews in some ways than say Phil McKnight! (who is awesome btw). But your details about string energy in your core review , and the pickup pole pieces in this review, its forensic bro! I love the nerdism because I am enamoured by my SS. It is the best material possession I have ever owned. Its the perfect guitar and I am looking forward to getting my SE in 1-2 months that I have ordered and paid for

Just subscribed .. I like your scientific opinions about the guitars .. I have a silver sky I am interested in a se, because I am always nervous to scratch the real one ..

That green with a tan or light brown pick guard.

I would say you got the best color of the new SS SEs. Can't hate green guitars.

@roberthastings708

Жыл бұрын

I'm rewatching some of Dylans stuff. Recognized you. I have 3 green guitars. So I have options when my wife says" Play the green one for me?"

Thanks for the comparison! I have looked at the SS for a while now. I'd be all in on the SE but in think that I will wait another year or two when they come out with some alternate colors. I really don't like the look of any of the SE finishes.

@josephwillcoxson7334

2 жыл бұрын

The yellow color is tolerable, but I don't care for any of the others. I'd rather have standard Fender colors like Daphne Blue, Olympic White, Fiesta Red, etc., But, I guess PRS wants to distinguish themselves from Fender. I don't like their color choices. That green is hideous. Sea Foam Green would have been better.

Excellent video as always. Is the tone cap in the SE 0.1 uF like in the core model? Thanks!!

Excellent Video. I managed to get one on Reverb Used, in Mint Cond. for $750.00 In Fact I am waiting for UPS right now. I was waiting for the video of the Alpha Pots on the SE. I do upgrades, and soldering like you. I am not sure if the Volume pots are 250K, or 500K . You mentioned lower output on the pickups, why not try a CTS 500K ? It will make them somewhat brighter, but more output range when you attenuate the volume. Thanks for this great, informative video.

Are you going to try to replicate the SE pickups to keep the same properties but add in what you think is missing from them with a new design, or are you going to make a tweaked set of your standard pickups? I think it would be cool to do a further deep dive into the SE pickups with all the nerdy specs and see you reimagine them.

what a great teardown :)

I would love to this with a Maple neck. Maybe in a few years.

Great video and I liked the dissection. Great to hear that this guitar is very good. I have an SS already, but, good to know in case I want a second one and can get one of the SE models. 🤘

I liked the analysis but you left out the comparison of the tremolo blocks, spring tension and spring mounting claw. The action could be heavier on the SE because of the spring tension. A lot of people replace their blocks if zinc or a cheap steel casting. No one removes the back plate and shows the differences between the Core and the SE.

If like me you have never even touched a Core PRS the SE will likely be amazing. I love this guitar because I LOVE PRS and the look of S-style guitars, but I still want "Paul's Guitar SE" in the yellow color. But these Skys are amazing.

Very interesting. Thank you.

if you swap pups id like to try those in my clean AF SE EG ... .or the original Sweet little PRS SSS SE guitar...

Excellent review, brother! Totally agree...

PRS says in the instagram specs that SE has nickel hardware, not chrome. Good videos by the way.

Smaller neck? Killed it for me right away

I would agree about the diminishing returns thing when it comes to the SE vs American thing. I have a custom 24 SE. Recently purchased a CE24. Is the American one better... yeah in a few ways. 3 times better... nope. It is the same way with motorcycles,firearms,vehicles.... whatever else. Don't regret my purchase of an American PRS, but the SE line is overall pretty dang good!

@DoctorWhomThe1st

2 жыл бұрын

Not just PRS but that's why I normally stay away from guitars that are over 1000 because if you spend 2500 you might as well do a custom build. With the exception of Rickenbachers because they're all like 1500 and up.

@toddman26

2 жыл бұрын

I have a 2003 American CE 24...much better quality than the new ones. The older models are the exact same specs as the Custom 24 except for a one piece maple bolt on neck...I suggest getting an older CE 24 if you are looking for one...better price too.

@shawnmcginnis2508

2 жыл бұрын

@@toddman26 yeah I'd like to be able to check one out some day. I do really like the 85/15 pickups personally. Wish they were something that could be purchased through PRS .

I will say that I'm a bit disappointed in the color options out of the gate. But, they can't have them looking cooler than the USA models, can they?

@guywihn1658

2 жыл бұрын

I'm so disappointed in those colors that I'm almost taking them as a personal insult. I won't be picking one up until they're offered in black or maybe white!..

@JohnnyArtPavlou

2 жыл бұрын

That butter color is okay.

@TheBluesBox

2 жыл бұрын

I agree, real shame on the colour front.

Looking forward to see what you're going to do to this guitar. And yes, Mary Spender's comparison was really good.

Dylan, one item I hope you will discuss in the next video, the string spacing is 2 1/8" vs the standard PRS 2 1/16". My SE Siver Sky setup, the strings were set (pushed towards the center of the bridge) to align the strings over the pole pieces better and have more space on the neck for the high and low E strings. If the strings are centered on the saddles, then the E strings are too close to the edge of the fret board. I see this as a problem, especially for blues players using hand/finger vibrato. I plan to modify the bridge to obtain 2 1/16: spacing because I like the guitar overall. Hopefully someone like John Mann will make a top plate conversion (or complete bridge) to achieve 2 1/16" like Callaham did for Strats (American mounting holes and narrow 2 1/16 string spacing)

@kevinjenner9502

2 жыл бұрын

Slightly loosen the neck screws and bump the neck in the direction that gives both E strings equal distance from the edge of the neck. Retighten screws.

the pickguard shielding is interesting

The stickers on the SE PU's are exactle the same as on my Cort G series...

What about the misalignment of the neck/bridge couple ? Strings are glaringly excentered ...

I like the American one so I don’t want to change anything on it, but this one is so good it’s ridiculous so I’m gonna send paper it change the pickups and do some other upgrades but it’s so good you don’t need to buy an American one, just click the link below and preorder this one, so good yeah.

I am so torn.... I want a Strat style guitar... I am not sure if I should go with the PRS Silver Sky or the Fender Player Series Strat....

I'm still bugging about the neck being narrower. I have huge fingers. My 7.25" radius strat is great and has 1.650". 8.5" with 1.625" sounds too narrow for me. Like it's taking a double hit. The US silver sky is 7.25" and 1.67". I'll try to get my hands on an SE. No shade intended to PRS over this -- my hands are just huge.

The extra poles on the bottom of the pickups is actually what dimarzio calls "virtual vintage" technology. Basically, extra mass disperses the magnetic field, or something like that. Dimarzio has a patent on it, so curious if PRS is paying dimarzio.

I got 13 weeks ago Paul Reed Smith silver sky SE Moon White it really feels good but there's something about the Poplar body it has a different harmonic structure in comparison to Alder kind of like your yamaha's Ibanez and other Asian guitars very aggressive not old school American but a more Progressive sound to it.

Those pickups sound like a set of GFS Texas Premiums I had in a Mexican strat once. That would be an interesting video comparison.

I’d change the tuners. Take the back plate off, wish they’d left the 6 screw bridge, a pickup change would be interesting,

@mikemokkasiini5471

2 жыл бұрын

Why would ylu change the tuners if they feel nice and work well?

To add to the confusion: At first I thought the SE's weird pickups were a special design made for this model, but the code/serial number ("PTP...") on the back looks just like the ones you usually find on Chinese or Indonesian Squier pickups.

@DylanTalksTone

2 жыл бұрын

Same manufacturer… different design

Really love this guitar! I got the dragon fruit , and l play it every day 😅! Sooo good .

I have my evergreen on preorder! Now I just wait…

If it's green, it's good.

Great video, I have been on the fence mainly because of the cost of the American made Silver Sky. Is the fret wire the same on both?

On the PRS Q&A event last week someone asked how they got the pickups to sound so similar to the core and Paul being facetious said “just some more metal” That could be to what he was referring to.

do a comparison between the american standard strat and that guitar

My only question is, Does it come in black?

So, how does that row of extra magnets affect the sound?

Who else measures pickups? How could they not? It's like the most important thing about the sound and only Dylan does this.

@bobtheblindbedroomguitaris8742

Жыл бұрын

😢❤🎉m no you're beautiful Phillip McKnight trogly's guitar show and Colin from the guitarist they do that is a whole bunch of others that they would also and I'm not saying it cuz I don't like dealing with scribe for a very long time and I love your show but there are many many many guitar channels that do this find the right ones that do it right and stuff like that and you know makes for a good video then about somewhere between the next 12 hours I'll have my new SE my new SE silver sky which I also got from Sweetwater - in piano black with a rosewood fingerboard I got it for so that's a pretty good deal I think and looking forward to getting it I never sort I donate aprs ever sincerely Bob's of my bedroom

Do you show your upgrades ? I want to hear your se pickups, vs SE stock and core.

So, are the extra magnets in the Silver Sky SE pickups kind of like the extra magnets in a DeArmand Dynasonic type pickup (eg. The TV Jones T-Armand)?

Nice work sir, but I'm glad that I'm of an age/experience to be past 'gassing' for the next new thing a company puts out. I take an interest, sure, but being apart from the 'I gotta have it' mentality, it's kind of amusing to see the folk who can't throw their money fast enough, at something new. l was like that too, lordy...but not for a long while now lol.

Hello Dylan, I'm considering buying this guitar or the fender player plus (MIM), which is in the same price range in EU. For a first strat type guitar, which one would you advice me to get?

@oldnorthstatefishing3912

2 жыл бұрын

I just got a Silver Sky SE and have played many Fender Standard/Player strats and I would take the Silver Sky SE over the Fender. Coming from a Fender fan boy, the PRS is better at the same price point.

@bflo5210

2 жыл бұрын

I'm not Dylan, but without a doubt I'd get this prs se over the mim fender... and I'm a fender guy... I just know prs quality control is top notch

@shanewalton8888

2 жыл бұрын

If you got medium sized to bigger hands the Fender might be better.

@andrewrey5348

2 жыл бұрын

Player Plus has better specs and is made in North America (Baja Mexico)...has rolled fretboard, noiseless pickups, locking tuners, extra switching options in electronics....has a true satin finished neck....you really need to play both and see which feels better in your hands. Needless to say you will be happy with either option. Both are Amazing. You may want to check out the Sire S7 as well....less money than both and specked like the player plus stratocaster. Good luck and happy playing. 😎🎶🎸👊👍

@VintageRadius

2 жыл бұрын

The truth is that we could sit down and have a conversation about this for hours. I'm not sure about the EU but in the U.S. the Silver Sky SE is priced at $850, the same as the Player Series. The Player Plus is a bit more. Honestly, you must at least consider buying a used American Strat as well. Used guitars can be a fantastic deal. The American Professional or APII are amazing. I don't like a Fender "modern C" neck. Too skinny for me. It's all personal preference. The American Professional is a bit thicker, closer to the Silver Sky SE - but the PRS should be a tad thicker based on advertised specs. I haven't played a Silver Sky but I think I'd like the feel based on the specs and the fact that I like vintage 60's Fender necks (which it is inspired after). It's a nice thickness/depth at the nut and gets more meaty as you move up the neck. To me the feel of the neck is one of the most important factors to bonding with a guitar. In the price range that we are talking about I would consider 1) Used American Professional if you want the more modern feel 2) Fender Vintera Road Worn if you like a more vintage feel and nitro finish 3) Silver Sky SE which I'd take over a Player or Player Plus for sure.

Why did you not show the routing??

It is a pleasant sounding instrument.

@jimcamp2423

2 жыл бұрын

After watching the rest of the video, surprises me they went to great lengths to add more magnets to the pickups. Are these exclusive pickups for the PRS SE ? And I'm back to thinking that poplar body, Sterling by Music Man (higher end Cutlass CT50) has the locking tuners and specs that exceed some spec bullet point features of the PRS SE for $ 550. I could be just as happy with a $ 350 Sterling CT30 without locking tuners and save $ 300-500. But that's without actually test driving them really, the PRS might feel better. End of the day, the birds for fret markers still doesn't excite me. What else is there ? Oh, the headstock 4/2 and the shape of the Sterling is still going to win out over the PRS 3/3 that also looks like a EVH.

@PaulCooksStuff

2 жыл бұрын

PRS don't explicitly say who makes the SE pickups, other than a vaguer "our SE pickup supplier". It's no secret CorTek build the guitars, it's on the headstock. That he doesn't name them suggests to me it's not CorTek doing the pups. G&B Pickups in Korea used to make them when the SE guitars were built in Korea. I don't know if it's still G&B now guitar production is in Indonesia. The PR blurb suggests the SE designs are custom made to mimic the US design/sound, not just off the shelf pups. So they're allegedly exclusive in that sense. There's a vid in the last few days where Smith commented that his US team had to take the SE Sky pickups apart to figure out just how their supplier had achieved the sound. So that tends to support Dylan's head scratch that theres a very different approach in the two designs that surprised even PRS.

@jimcamp2423

2 жыл бұрын

@@PaulCooksStuff To me, these newer PRS SE pickups, they're like Lace Sensor style pickups. I don't know whether these extra magnets are exclusive to PRS SE Silver Sky or in other PRS models. I tend to think they're a new pickup design specifically for the only $ sub $ 1K Strat style guitar. Basically the only PRS with single coils. The rest of the PRS lineup under $ 1K are LP style body with humbucker. I'm not a PRS consumer, so bear with me as I discover & learn their product line. I appreciate others reviewing the Sterling in year's past. That's how they were introduced to me. I'm even more convinced the Sterling Cutlass is also a remarkable instrument and it's even more affordable than a Fender Player Series or the PRS SE Silver Sky.

@PaulCooksStuff

2 жыл бұрын

@@jimcamp2423 you're absolutely right - it's the only single coil in the SE range. Even the USA range only has a tiny handful of singles (Sky, Fiore, 509, and a kinda mini humbucker hotrail formfactor they call Nearfield). Smith gave the impression the SE Sky pups were the offshore team designing a sound-alike. It'll be interesting to hear Dylan's view on the nerdy what/why of the construction. It seems unusual. Only heard good things about MusicMan.

@jimcamp2423

2 жыл бұрын

@@PaulCooksStuff The only logic I can come up with is that the additional magnets serve a couple of purposes. First, does it eliminate a gap that traditional pickups would have in between the 6 traditional poles. That would eliminate any sagging in the wound process. Second, do they provide (or eliminate) a more consistent magnetic field shape & what does that do towards making them sound the same ? This pickup, whether anyone's done it or not ever before, might be a reinvention of the single coil that is relatively PRS proprietary ? Short of being a bar magnet wound with copper wire, this would be the closest anything would be. I think we'd need the engineering types to put this to theory & then somehow demonstrate the effects in an animated presentation or show it on a computer graphic somehow. A comparison of traditional 6 magnetic pole pickups vs the PRS SE 11 magnetic pole construction pickups. Either way, PRS doesn't lose, they make both pickups and it's what the consumer would prefer. I have the Squier Affinity 3.7K 6 pole ceramics SSS Strat pickups. The same one's are on a Squier Bullet SSS, only the neck is 4.7K. They sound good to me and what came with the instruments. I don't see me chasing the Sterling, Fender Player or PRS SE SS just because it came out or John Mayer signed one. It's actually comical, the hype that John Mayer's signature somehow has made this guitar a more desirable instrument. They'd have to show that somehow a John Mayer album or tour was played with these pickups or that somehow this was an R&D team that was secretly developing a reinvention of the traditional single coil. I'm interested in the dog & pony show of an explanation behind them. But they would have to demonstrate theory and also prove it scientifically using modern technology to get me to buy into them. What human perception is for hearing, there's quite a bit of smoke & mirrors for an illusion of being close enough. Retention of perceptions is relative to how fresh that anyone heard anything. Sounds like PRS's impression isn't quite a grounded in being the hands on in the R&D lab for these pickups himself ?

I think PRS is going to hike prices on all their guitars like Fender etc. And the SE Silver Sky will be just under 1K and more marketable as the Core Silver Sky moves toward 3K. My thoughts on it as the market continues to increase in prices.

@JamiePittsSCM

2 жыл бұрын

I would 100% agree with you except this guitar is going to be saturated in the market. My local dealer said this guitar will set a new record for production and sales numbers for electric guitars.

I was just curious how the Silver Sky SE is routed? Will a standard size humbucker fit?