I’m evaluating purchasing an S2 model guitar over an SE – specifically something as close to a Paul’s Guitar as I can get, which would likely be the S2 Custom 24-08, although I would prefer a stoptail. It would be nice if PRS made an S2 Paul’s guitar.
One of the things I really like about the Paul’s guitar is the excellent split coil sounds. They sound quite good. I’m sure something similar has been asked before, but I’m quite confused about the pickups. Strangely, both the SE Custom 24-08 and SE Paul's Guitar use "TCI S" pickups (not sure if they are the exact same?), the SE/S2 Custom 24s use 85/15 S - and none of the standard S2 models use "TCI" tuned pickups (yet the Core and SE does, on some models). The SE Paul’s and SE Custom 24-08 guitars do not mention which pickup they use, just saying “TCI S." Another thread mentions it’s marked as “Paul” on the pickup, but does anyone know if the SE Paul’s just uses a TCI-tuned 85/15 S, or something different? And how different does the 85/15 S sound on coil split than the Paul’s SE’s “TCI S?” Are the pickups the exact same on the SE Paul's and SE Custom 24-08? Sometimes the Custom 24 descriptions mention coil tap, other times it mentions “coil split” like the Paul’s Guitar does. Even more confusing, I've read references to a P90 tone for the Paul's guitar pickups, but I have not seen this mentioned for the 24-08?
Then to add confusion, there is the S2 Anniversary model, with the US-made 85/15 TCI pickups. How similar to the Paul’s tone are these in split coil mode?
The S2 is a somewhat perplexing line. I would have thought it represented a nice upgrade from the SE line for double the price, but it seems the S2 models use mostly the exact same foreign-made pickups, plastic nut, and hardware as the SE line, with the main differences being US-made, perhaps better QC, a slightly nicer finish and bezel carve and perhaps locking tuners. I’m not sure if better wood is used on the S2. That being said, on paper, the S2 doesn’t really look like that much of an upgrade and slightly hard to justify over an SE. Thanks for any thoughts.
One of the things I really like about the Paul’s guitar is the excellent split coil sounds. They sound quite good. I’m sure something similar has been asked before, but I’m quite confused about the pickups. Strangely, both the SE Custom 24-08 and SE Paul's Guitar use "TCI S" pickups (not sure if they are the exact same?), the SE/S2 Custom 24s use 85/15 S - and none of the standard S2 models use "TCI" tuned pickups (yet the Core and SE does, on some models). The SE Paul’s and SE Custom 24-08 guitars do not mention which pickup they use, just saying “TCI S." Another thread mentions it’s marked as “Paul” on the pickup, but does anyone know if the SE Paul’s just uses a TCI-tuned 85/15 S, or something different? And how different does the 85/15 S sound on coil split than the Paul’s SE’s “TCI S?” Are the pickups the exact same on the SE Paul's and SE Custom 24-08? Sometimes the Custom 24 descriptions mention coil tap, other times it mentions “coil split” like the Paul’s Guitar does. Even more confusing, I've read references to a P90 tone for the Paul's guitar pickups, but I have not seen this mentioned for the 24-08?
Then to add confusion, there is the S2 Anniversary model, with the US-made 85/15 TCI pickups. How similar to the Paul’s tone are these in split coil mode?
The S2 is a somewhat perplexing line. I would have thought it represented a nice upgrade from the SE line for double the price, but it seems the S2 models use mostly the exact same foreign-made pickups, plastic nut, and hardware as the SE line, with the main differences being US-made, perhaps better QC, a slightly nicer finish and bezel carve and perhaps locking tuners. I’m not sure if better wood is used on the S2. That being said, on paper, the S2 doesn’t really look like that much of an upgrade and slightly hard to justify over an SE. Thanks for any thoughts.
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