Does anyone else think the S2s would be better off with a different carve?

[Steve_Chryssos]

The carve -- front and back -- on my S2 Mira fits better than any other guitar I have sampled. Feels good. Looks good. I bought the guitar sight-unseen, so I'm very happy with the result. I'll wait until I can play an S2 Singlecut before commenting.

Give me a magic wand and I would conjure up an S2 408.

 

[Bob Sherwood]

My evolution with PRS:
About a year ago: Bought a SE Santana...traded in a Mex Strat. I thought this Santana is the best guitar I have had...even better than my Les Paul Custom.
So . . . . .
I bought a SE Custom 24...liked it even better than the Santana
So ......
I traded for a S2 custom 24. I thought this had to be better than the SE Custom 24.
So.....after playing the S2 a while I tried out a CORE model.
So...
It didn't take me long to get rid of the S2 and the LP for a real Maryland Custom 24. It's like comparing a bicycle to a harley. I still have the SE Custom 24 and the Santana and use them from time to time, but the CORE is night and day difference. I really do think the S2 is just a SE on steroids.

 

[Raymond]

I've played with my brother in law's SE Santana, I have a CU24 (in sig).

It's night and day difference, I mean they both play great but the Core PRS is just better in every way.

I have a ZM limited coming this summer so I can do a even more indepth comparison. But I think for the money the SE are extremely good guitars.

Side note, I was going to get a S2 as my second PRS but the S2 starts at £1,000 here, £1200 with birds inlay. You can get an SE between £550 to £750. The £550-600 SE is decent value and I don't see the point getting a £750 SE model when the S2 can be had for £300 more.

 

[Todd_FindingMyWay]

It's like comparing a bicycle to a harley.

Carefull, you might insult the bicycle.. ;-)

When I do jump an American PRS, it will be into the core line..

 

[OperatorAce]

FYI, the carve on the SEs is totally different from the bevels on the S2s.

 

[Zephyr]

The carve is what stopped me from getting a S2 over a SE. I was hoping for a SE or dare I say a G - brand carve on the S2's. Another major disappointment was the neck heal on the singlecut's, some guys might like it shorter, but I can't get it out of my head that it was a shortcut to cut cost, and the thinner maple top makes it well........Negative Ghost Rider.

 

[Felix]

IMO they are ugly; however they look comfortable, and there are lots of people out there who prefer accessibility and functionality over looks; I am kind of shallow that way.

But the reason I love my CE-22 and Hollowbody II are the tones I can get on them (to me the HBII sounds like a child with a well-trained but slightly throaty, husky voice singing loudly in a smaller room; the CE is like a more powerful singer -a smoother and more muscular voice- in a larger venue); the Hollowbody is not as comfortable because the back is not only arched (not a huge problem for me, as I am more concave than convex), but has a ridge running around it. I play it a lot because I love the 57/08s, but it could be more ergonomic!

That is where I see the S2s being important for the company: they look and are reported to be very comfortable and well-balanced, and they are accessibly priced. Will I try one? No; as I said, I love the tones of the "real deal"... and I am simply shallow that way. Seems a good thing for PRS re acceptance on a wider scale, however.

 

[OperatorAce]

IMO they are ugly; however they look comfortable, and there are lots of people out there who prefer accessibility and functionality over looks; I am kind of shallow that way.

But the reason I love my CE-22 and Hollowbody II are the tones I can get on them (to me the HBII sounds like a child with a well-trained but slightly throaty, husky voice singing loudly in a smaller room; the CE is like a more powerful singer -a smoother and more muscular voice- in a larger venue); the Hollowbody is not as comfortable because the back is not only arched (not a huge problem for me, as I am more concave than convex), but has a ridge running around it. I play it a lot because I love the 57/08s, but it could be more ergonomic!

That is where I see the S2s being important for the company: they look and are reported to be very comfortable and well-balanced, and they are accessibly priced. Will I try one? No; as I said, I love the tones of the "real deal"... and I am simply shallow that way. Seems a good thing for PRS re acceptance on a wider scale, however.

This doesn't make sense. I'm pretty sure from what other people have said, and my own experience, that they sound identical to the core lineup - they just don't look as good.

 

[Felix]

IMO, two guitars of the same make and model -and even year and maker- often sound very different; it is not just the pups; it is the whole of it being an instrument, physical and electrical, and the filtering and the resonances and every other variable which goes into being a good instrument, or an average or not-so-good one. I do not think that my HB II with its hollow body and 57/08TM pups or my CE with its Dragon IIs would sound anything like the S models... but I have not heard them A/Bed through the same gear, so I could not say for sure. Those with more experience than I have in this area have told me that the S line sounds "thinner" than the Core models, and similar comments, but this could be a willing placebo type reaction from people who have Core Line models. I have heard the S line, but only on other people's amps, which of course will sound at the very least somewhat different from mine. -Even if the amps are of the same year and make.

 

[László]

IMO, two guitars of the same make and model -and even year and maker- often sound very different; it is not just the pups; it is the whole of it being an instrument, physical and electrical, and the filtering and the resonances and every other variable which goes into being a good instrument, or an average or not-so-good one. I do not think that my HB II with its hollow body and 57/08TM pups or my CE with its Dragon IIs would sound anything like the S models... but I have not heard them A/Bed through the same gear, so I could not say for sure. Those with more experience than I have in this area have told me that the S line sounds "thinner" than the Core models, and similar comments, but this could be a willing placebo type reaction from people who have Core Line models. I have heard the S line, but only on other people's amps, which of course will sound at the very least somewhat different from mine. -Even if the amps are of the same year and make.

So true.

 

[Felix]

I remember reading that Billy Gibbons said that he had 45 Plexis and they all sounded different, one from another. I am (distantly) upset with him for selling his Trainwreck, "Sarah".

 

[László]

I remember reading that Billy Gibbons said that he had 45 Plexis...

Because he can.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I'm fine with the carve, it's just a continuation of Joe Knaggs "thing" he did with the original EG model. The blade switch is another story.... :evil:

 

[claythomas]

We jumped on them at the store I work . We still have the 4 Custom 24's,1 Mira, and 2 Starlas. We have sold 1 starla,though. I,personally feel the option of a wide-thin neck carve would help. Some of the customers were a little put off because they don't come with a hardshell case; which we would think at that price point they would.
I have been playing PRS' since 1988 and I really like the S2 line,but with the economy right now, we need all the help we can get.

 

[NomadMike]

But is PRS shooting for current PRS customers or guys like me who were "anything but PRS"?

 

[Jedi]

For me personally, I don't care for the look.

 

[idj]

I like the bevel cut on the S2s, that's one of the things that convinced me to buy mine.

I must admit that I prefer a nice, smooth carved top like some other PRS models, but I don't think I'd like the S2 as much with a flat top. The wood grain, finished as it is on my guitar, grabbed me and dragged me in - I really liked it! I couldn't be happier with the guitar. The bevel added to it. If it were a smooth carved, perhaps that would enhance it, but I don't think I would have bought a flat-top, no matter the sound. For me it's a combination of features, looks and tone. I already have flat tops with great tone. I wanted something different, and PRS is known for that, and for the great quality of their instruments.

Just my $0.02...

 

[FennRx]

I must be the an anomaly. I didn't detect any difference in tone or feel with the s2 cu24 and the se. The only reason to buy one IMHO is to be able to say you have a USA prs.

As for the core models, I've owned an se 245 and currently own a sc245. While I like the core more, there is no way I'd pay 5 times the cost of the se. Maybe I'm just not refined enough to tell the difference. But being a Gibson historic snob I have some experience in discerning the differences between the lower end models and the quality instruments.

 

[gball]

The S2 line is not for everyone, but I find the Mira to be the best all-mahogany doublecut guitar I have ever played. It is also arguably the most comfortable guitar I have every played and I actually prefer the look to the original. I've owned slab-bodied Gibsons over the years and they are nowhere near as nice to play, so I am quite happy with the shape of the Mira.

 

[FennRx]

The S2 line is not for everyone, but I find the Mira to be the best all-mahogany doublecut guitar I have ever played. It is also arguably the most comfortable guitar I have every played and I actually prefer the look to the original. I've owned slab-bodied Gibsons over the years and they are nowhere near as nice to play, so I am quite happy with the shape of the Mira.

agreed. i've only played one Mira and it was fantastic. I was very interested in the S2 Mira as well, but I was too enamored with a SC.