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.