And, I'm just saying that the things you keep saying are common are not common to many (anyone else?) here who are much more familiar with the brand. I'm well aware that in the internet age, it's easy to google a problem you have and find every single one of the 7 other people that had this issue out of one million items sold, and since you have the issue, you can now assume it's "common" because you found others who have it.
Ehhhh...
There aren't many people steadily active here really, besides the same handful of users who get on daily. And it's an "official" PRS forum, so it's a bit biased with or without nature and reason. I claimed what's common as a general consumer consensus and not what's on this forum. The votes of the forum don't matter much when it's a PRS official forum, if ya know what I mean. So when I say common, I mean outside the bubble of the forum which extends to youtubers, musicians, recording artists, etc but who don't have any ties or oath to PRS.
If quality control wasn't an issue like the outside world (beyond the forum claims) then we wouldn't have so many threads from new members stating things that were wrong with their new SE guitars. The common replies have been "Take them back to the dealer" instead of addressing the underlying issues - no offense to PRS. I've worked in factories before as mentioned a bit ago to Lazlo, so I know how hard it is to keep quality under control. If it's hard to in America, then it's much harder in other countries.
It's already been discussed and confirmed in multiple areas including on this forum:
I'm a new SE owner with a Silver Sky, a 594 and a DGT. First let me say that I love all 3 guitars and the DGT has become my #1 since I got it. They are truly amazing guitars for the price. But I have had a few issues. The Silver Sky had a loose nut that was off center by a few millimeters. It...
forums.prsguitars.com
Just took delivery of a Silver Sky SE Maple in Overland Grey and I must say I am very disappointed in the QC. At this price point, minor imperfections are to be expected. I’m not expecting core-level QC and perfection. But what I’m seeing definitely, by far, falls short of what’s expected of...
forums.prsguitars.com
I read on this forum that there has been a significant increase in issues with new SE guitars from roughly during/after Covid till recently. Are there in the meantime any positive signs to report, like less 'issues', or word from PRS or the dealers? I would love that. I bought an SE last...
forums.prsguitars.com
Of course there's alot more.. So the SE QX issues kinda reminds me of Ibanez Indonesia issues actually.
I also know that in YEARS of following the PRS brand on this and the big boy (TGP, where in fact there are probably more PRS bashers than lovers) and fret sprout is something I haven't heard 3 times in 20 years.
I don't think that's the case here though. I don't see any hate in comparing the Silver Sky SE to a good Squier.. The Silver Sky SE and Squier Strats are both made of Poplar wood making them both consistent and light in weight. The maple neck on the SS SE feels and looks very similar to those on a Squier Strat with Maple neck as well, so I can definitely see how it would be fair to compare what's there, and declare that the pair would dare to share a likeness without a care. Definitely much closer to a Squier than a Fender than people think. Maybe a Super Squier, going the opposite way of what Fender would do with a Stratocaster. Alternate reality? Paranormal reality? Touché
I also know that the Squire line has had some very good guitars for the money, but none I've played was in the league of most of the SE's I've played, and more specifically, you're the first person I've read say that they were. And say it over and over. Even with the price increases, most people still seem to think the SE's are "best in price range" or at least "as good as anything else in price range" and I have not yet seen anyone continually compare them to guitars costing 1/3 or less the price and say they are the same quality.
You keep saying that you have extensive experience with PRS, but it seems you may not have much experience with Squiers or direct comparison with PRS SE and Squier.
Had we been talking about Squiers that were 15-30 years ago, what you are implying would have been true. 80's and 90's Squier were terrible. I know because that was my starting point but Squiers now are much much better. Modern Squiers from this generation such as the 60's Classic Vibe, Squier Sonic (which have replaced the Bullet, and are much better than the Bullet), and the 40th anniversary models are equal to the lower belt Mexican Fenders at maybe half or 2/3rds the price. And that's where I'd put the PRS SE Silver Sky which I have already spent 16 hours playing through different amps and with and without different effects, testing to see how it wants to reacts.. Not sure why we are debating that, I mean, it's my personal experience but it looks like I'm not the only one who thinks this. That said where the difference lies in is that the Silver Sky SE is unique and there's no reason for upgrade or mods.
Are there tons of people out there who compare the Silver Sky SE to a medium/high grade Squier? Yes, tons. I am not the only one, it's actually pretty common. I'll show you why...
Tons of experienced players on forums who put Squier and PRS SE in the same bracket or ballpark. It's nothing new.
They've been compared on this forum before, so maybe you've never seen or heard it but it has been here..
SE is to S2/CE as Squier is to Fender or Epiphone is to Gibson? Are we lucky that the Asian made PRS guitars are still called PRS? When we have a PRS SE do we have a second rate PRS? I have several PRS SE guitars and I think they are great guitars, I think much more highly of them than I...
forums.prsguitars.com
Tons of comparison videos, here's just a couple...
I'll likely make my own video comparison soon enough. Without saying what I think is or isn't better about each model. It's easy to order that some people prefer a Squier over a Made in Mexico Fender, and a Made in Mexico Fender over an American one. Just as some people prefer an SE over a Core or S2. It's not a money thing but more of just preference. I love my Squier Sonic.
The other "issues" you list are dealer issues, not manufacturer. If your guitar arrived with dings and scratches that has NOTHING to do with PRS and everything to do with the dealer, so again I'm not sure why you keep associating them with the brand. If it arrived with fret sprout and or unlevel frets, then that IS a PRS issue, and again, one we very rarely hear about. So, it doesn't mean you are wrong, but it certainly isn't "common" as you keep saying.
You just basically repeated what I already said... Of course I blame the dealer for the Santana SE being sold as new, but the Silver Sky SE, I know is new and fully representive of the quality that the factory manufactures. That's a no-brainer, seems like you're feeling the need to defend something that needs no defense. My comparison to Squier was a compliment, not an insult and pointing out the flaws wasn't something to nag about, I was just being honest about what needs work and what doesn't. I'm enjoying the guitar, so why does all of it matter? I'll be working on it soon enough and will enjoy it even more!
