Best bang for your bucks upgrade on S2?

[Eddie kim]

What’s everyone’s thought on a first upgrade for my S2 CU24?

Mann’s 2000NOS Trem or Core 85/15 PU?
Just trying to figure out which upgrade I should do first.

Eventually, I would like to do both upgrades with core pots and wiring. Which upgrade do you think will make the biggest impact?

 

[Broseph]

Depends with what dissatisfies you the most. If you are a fan of the core pickups/electronics: then I would suggest going that route first as it will be the biggest change, even over the bridge. If you’re are pleased with the stock pickups: then a tremolo upgrade. Especially since getting a NOS is getting very difficult.

 

[Russ73]

I have mine stock but I would think for me a change in the bridge pup at the least would be huge...

 

[SamIV]

Pickups.

 

[aphantomvaper]

I'll take pickups for $500, Alex.

Definitely pickups first!

 

[bodia]

Mann and a Core nut would be my first.

 

[Eddie kim]

Mann and a Core nut would be my first.

I thought S2 have the same nut as the core?

 

[bodia]

I thought S2 have the same nut as the core?

My bad. You’re right.

 

[Rod/]

@Eddie kim ……I changed out the stock steel trem on my ‘22 Santana SE. same bridge that’s on your S2 to the Mann Made version.. not NOS, his production bridge, and the difference in tone was very telling. Smoother, fuller sounding, sweeter highs… makes sense that all brass would sound like that over stamped steel..
And after that change I realized the pickups paled by comparison to my core PRS’s and I found a used set of covered 245’s…
Installed them and really the bridge and pickups combo was the answer. But you might like the pickups in your guitar. Very different than the Santana SE pickups. Imho, the pots, switches and wiring on all SE and S2 series are fine. Deoxit D5 works wonders with pots and switches………..

 

[aphantomvaper]

@Eddie kim ……I changed out the stock steel trem on my ‘22 Santana SE. same bridge that’s on your S2 to the Mann Made version.. not NOS, his production bridge, and the difference in tone was very telling. Smoother, fuller sounding, sweeter highs… makes sense that all brass would sound like that over stamped steel..
And after that change I realized the pickups paled by comparison to my core PRS’s and I found a used set of covered 245’s…
Installed them and really the bridge and pickups combo was the answer. But you might like the pickups in your guitar. Very different than the Santana SE pickupS.

My SE Santana has 245 pickups in it stock, and I've been so resisting the Mann Made brass!!!!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

My SE Santana has 245 pickups in it stock, and I've been so resisting the Mann Made brass!!!!

Oh stop it. You’ll have me looking at the Mann website next.

 

[McMahon67]

Pickups. I put \m/ pickups in mine and they’re dope.
Trem next. And last.

 

[Rod/]

My SE Santana has 245 pickups in it stock, and I've been so resisting the Mann Made brass!!!!

It made quite a difference for me tone wise, as it should being all brass as opposed to the stamped steel trem. Mine stays in great tune and is really quite a great guitar….the trem works as good as the trem on my core DGT, which means you can use it and the guitar stays in perfect tune. I’ve been to John Mann’s machine shop numerous times cause I consider us friends, we live near each other and the quality of his work is extraordinary…and he’s a great guy.
now keep in mind this is an SE, not an S2….

 

[MarcWink]

Pickups and better pots.

 

[garrettb]

When I bought an S2 Standard 24, I thought for sure I'd upgrade the bridge. But in reality, I just couldn't fault it. The guitar sounded great and tuning stability was fantastic.

Pickups and electronics are the weaknesses in the S2 line, but even that's debatable. Honestly I'm not sure it's worth going from 85/15 S to the USA versions.

 

[StSpider]

Well the CE has import bridge but USA pickups so it’s clear to me what PRS deems more important between the two.

 

[Broseph]

For the new CE prices I’m of the mind that they should be core level tremolos!

 

[Rod/]

For the new CE prices I’m of the mind that they should be c

When I bought an S2 Standard 24, I thought for sure I'd upgrade the bridge. But in reality, I just couldn't fault it. The guitar sounded great and tuning stability was fantastic.

Pickups and electronics are the weaknesses in the S2 line, but even that's debatable. Honestly I'm not sure it's worth going from 85/15 S to the USA versions.

Well that makes sense seeing that you have an all mahogany guitar. A steel bridge sounds like it was a good mix

 

[Sybo]

I resist commenting on these type of threads because they are so subjective. The S2’s are so under rated period in my opinion.I have modifications that work for me, but I think for the majority, they “ need” nothing. That being said, Seymore Duncan ” Pearly Gates”, live there now and I strongly have a suspicion if everyone took the time to be extremely thorough with adjusting pick up Heights and discovering the tonal character that this offers, I might not have been in such a hurry to replace them. I am VERRY happy with my results, but I think Pickup adjustment / dial in, is or can be as rewarding as pickup replacement. Hence an excellent instrument the S2’s are.

I would like to thank once again, my Mentor Jak3af3r for the SHARING and direction enlightenment that he has given. But I think I will start a “ thankful “ thread!!

 

[DogPhishHead]

Pickups. I have an S2 singlecut 594 with Wolfetone Legends, it's an amazingly sweet sounding and easy playing axe.
I had an S2 singlecut 594 with the original S7 import pickups a few years ago. Light years difference in clarity and tone with the Wolfetones.