I have to take exception with that. The S2s get the same attention to detail on fretboard prep and frets that the Cores do. They just have different hardware and more plain tops. They don't play worse, they don't sound worse, they are made very well. I have S2 up through PS and honestly the best playing and sounding PRSs I own are satin S2s and Satin no-maple-top CEs, not my Core or PS. The Core and PS are just prettier.
Calling them a US made SE. SEs are modestly priced imports at modestly priced import quality levels that are shaped like a PRS and have PRS design. S2s are US factory made at US factory quality levels. Real PRS without the bling. Nothing coming out of the SE line has the level of attention to the neck and frets that the US factory has.
I took your comment to imply that the quality level is comparable, and it isn't. Bang for the buck, they compare quite favorably to other guitars in their price range. Nowadays, it's hard to find anything that isn't an import for what you can get an S2 for (know how to shop! If you're paying MAP, you're doing it wrong!)
This old argument always sucks me in even when I say no more... Some day I'll learn.
All PRS lines are PRS. Period. If it says PRS On the Headstock it's a PRS. Leave the country of origin to the economic debates.
-PRS has its own factory in Indo that mimic the Maryland process. Check out the official YT videos.
-SE fret work is top notch. All guitars vary. I have an SE that has as good as any PRS I've played. I have an S2 that has fret work worse, but still awesome, than many PRS I've played, own, and owned.
-S2 Fret attention is top notch but the fret material does appear to be different, I have a S2 with more fret wear than any PRS I own. Not complaining, but even the tap test has a different ring on S2 than core. But I have cores that the tap test varies as well, though wear is consistent with play time between all of the core.
-SE/S2 share electronics including pickups with cost saving variances.
-There is a bigger sound difference between Core and S2 and than SE and S2. Electronics are electronics.
-S2 sound great and SE Sound damn good as well. Neither are to the level of articulation of Core. Core opens ears.
-SE/S2 Share cost saving manufacturing techniques. I don't see scarf joints on core. Not knocking scarf, but money has to be saved.
-S2 may have the same wood supplier as Core but it is for the most part a lesser grade than the rest of Maryland. PRS paints Core solid colors for this reason as well. Not a knock, but its a fact that Maryland grades wood.
It's not an insult by calling an S2 a US made SE. The SE and S2 share as much or near as S2 and Core, Its an accurate statement not a derogatory one. If anything its a compliment to PRS for providing us such great instruments at price points. Play what you want and know there's winners and losers between individual guitars no matter the title in the line...
For the record. I have a SE HB2 on order. S2 Thinline is next on the list and a Core 5xx is my next major guitar purchase. or maybe a core Studio but trying to talk myself into a S2 Studio so I can have all 4.
