Doubts on SE Silver Sky

[MayPRS]

Really tempted to buy a SE Silver Sky but due to the lack of local store options, I would have to buy online and unseen.

I usually buy from Thomann but recently the store haves quite some units available as B-Stock. So many "returns"?? It contradicts some of the great reviews I've read.

I'm in the market for a Strat-style guitar and I think the SE Silver Sky is the way to go - but after so many B-Stock's I have my doubts.

What's your general experience on the SE SS?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[SinSir]

I've played quite a few and they are good guitars that stack up well against the core. I still prefer the core but it's not a margin equal with the price difference. There's some things I Iike about the se, like the ablity to swap pickups. Though, I probably wouldn't swap core pickups, but I wouldn't hesitate to convert a SSSE to HSS.

I chalk up the returns because unfortunately we live in a society where people like to try and not buy. For obvious reasons over covid I think this practice became more widespread.

Grab one, chances are you'll like it if a PRS fan and in the market for a S style guitar.

 

[RickP]

The Silver Sky SE is a purchase that would be hard to miss on at the price. Reviews have been solid. Several who have purchased them here have commented on how well they compare to the standard SS… a guitar three times the cost.

I have a 2018 Silver Sky, which I really like even though I’m not normally a single-coil player. It sounds just like a vintage Strat to me. If the SE is even remotely comparable, it’s a steal of a deal.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I wouldn’t be too worried about B-stock and returns.

As @SinSir says, we’ve developed into a culture where it’s perfectly acceptable to return sh!t and everyone thinks they’re a Yelper.

There’s like, thousands of reviews on a guitar that has just come out, most of them good. So I just assume not everyone keeps them.

 

[Ovibos]

I wouldn’t be too worried about B-stock and returns.

As @SinSir says, we’ve developed into a culture where it’s perfectly acceptable to return sh!t and everyone thinks they’re a Yelper.

There’s like, thousands of reviews on a guitar that has just come out, most of them good. So I just assume not everyone keeps them.

This.

And @MayPRS if you get one and don't like it, you too can return it! Almost no risk!

 

[jxe]

i bought all of those and returned them when i noticed they had birds or vintage frets or a weird headstock shape.

 

[Broseph]

I would say the cores I would buy online with no hesitation. Quality control is superb.

I have seen a vairety of quality when it comes to the SE. Some have frets that could be better leveled. I went to a local store and played 3. One was vastly superior fretwise compared to the others so I left with it. On a 10” radius guitar this can easily managed by raising the action some. On the SS SE, the smaller radius makes the action quite high if the frets are not great.

Overall I love the SS SE. When you find a good one you’ll know it. It’s a stupid good deal.

 

[Mike J.]

Don't have one but I did try one once. I'm not a Strat guy, but the neck on that guitar was one of the most comfortable I've ever played on. Fret work was immaculate. There was a tiny bit of string/fret buzz but it was very miniscule.

Wasn't sure about the pickups. Even though the bridge pickup was much closer to the strings than the middle pickup was, the middle pickups volume was much louder than the bridge pickup. Noticeably so. Seems like the middle pickups height would have to have been taken way down in order to balance it out.

The tone when using the bridge and middle pickup was dark sounding compared to the other 4 positions. Quite unlike all the video's I've seen with the guitar. Maybe something wasn't wired right? Not sure.

But again, it sure played nice.

 

[aphantomvaper]

Trepidations abounded when I pre-ordered in Jan for the first release. All for naught it is a fantastic axe and feels better than a Strat for me.

Buy one and return it if you don't like it, obviously others have.

 

[bodia]

Trepidations abounded when I pre-ordered in Jan for the first release. All for naught it is a fantastic axe and feels better than a Strat for me.

Buy one and return it if you don't like it, obviously others have.

Completely agree with this. Jump right in. You won't be disappointed.

 

[László]

I always thought B-stock were "blems" with minor flaws that couldn't be sold at the usual price, stamped with a 'B' on the back of the headstock. I thought returns were different, and are usually referred to as "open box".

I haven't tried an SE guitar in a long time, I'm a Core person through and through. No idea if SEs are any good at this point, or not, but I'd call the dealer and ask exactly what they mean by B-stock.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I always thought B-stock were "blems" with minor flaws that couldn't be sold at the usual price, stamped with a 'B' on the back of the headstock. I thought returns were different, and are usually referred to as "open box".

I haven't tried an SE guitar in a long time, I'm a Core person through and through. No idea if SEs are any good at this point, or not, but I'd call the dealer and ask exactly what they mean by B-stock.

I’ve bought a few SE “B stock” guitars from Dave’s.

They can have a tiny blemish somewhere, but usually they’ve been returns, demo models, review guitars that have been returned, or the guitars PRS has/have used for events.

Dunno about the new Cort made SE’s, but the last three newest SE’s I have bought were/are my least favorites.