First PRS Guitar! Which one of these is better?

[Bananagab]

Hello,
I'm looking to get my first PRS guitar! Here's a probably dumb question but I will ask it anyway.
Which of these guitars is better, a used S2 Custom 24 or a brand new SE 30th Anniversary Custome 24?

According to the seller, the used one is a S2 custom 24 McCarty.

Thanks for your help!

 

[markintime]

Better how? The S2 is American-made while the SE is Korean. The SE is less expensive, but that doesn't lessen its quality in any way. It would depend on what kind of music you play.

 

[Bananagab]

Strangely, the used S2 Custom 24 is less expensive than a new SE Custom 24. I was mainly looking to see if there were any major differences between the two models.

I mainly play stuff like Foo Fighters, Muse, Guns N' Roses and bit of Santana.

 

[markintime]

I don't know where you are looking, but on Sweetwater there is a major difference in price, even if you are talking S2 standard vs. SE anything. The biggest difference between the two would be the pickups. i suggest listening to clips and reviews to get an idea as to which would suit you better. Check on Youtube.

 

[AP515]

Since both are Custom 24's, they are going to play and feel similar. The S2 will have better resale value, and will probably be looked at as a better guitar. It will have the phase 2 tuners. The fact that it is used should not hold you back.

 

[Bananagab]

The used S2 Custom 24 I'm looking at is around 800 CAD, which is around the same price of a new SE C24. I will definitly go on Youtube listen to both guitars before buying anything.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I'd go S2.

 

[jimfisher]

Another difference is with the neck dimensions. The S2 only comes with a 'regular' neck carve (1-5/8" wide) and the SE's have a 'wide fat' carve at 1-11/16".
That's why, for me, I could never own an S2!

Jim

 

[garrettb]

Another difference is with the neck dimensions. The S2 only comes with a 'regular' neck carve (1-5/8" wide) and the SE's have a 'wide fat' carve at 1-11/16".
That's why, for me, I could never own an S2!

Jim

The nut width on the Regular is actually 1 21/32". A measly 1/32 of an inch narrower, but it does make a small difference in feel.

But anyway, S2 all day. The SE guitars are nice, and the S2 guitars aren't on the level of Core models, but they're definitely a step above SE in my opinion.

 

[Mikegarveyblues]

On paper, the S2 should be a better guitar. This doesn't always translate though...

The S2 will be made from higher grade materials and will have a higher level of construction quality. But this doesn't always translate to it being the nicer guitar.

Neck feel is important, though how important is a very personal thing. I now realise I can't get on with wide thin but love wide fat. I will never bond with a wide thin neck no matter how much time I have with it. Also, just because the guitars are made from differing grades of mahogany and maple, etc, doesn't mean the one with the higher grade will sound nicer. It probably will but it's fR from a given. A great guitar is a great guitar and sometimes cost and place of manufacture doesn't come into it.

On that basis, it's always important to try before you buy. Yes, PRS quality means you can order off line and not worry but that changes if you want to make comparisons.

So try them both if you can and go with the one that speaks to you the most. But overall, the S2 is likely to be the better instrument.

 

[cjmwrx]

I'd definitely go with the S2. It's American made and will hold it's value better.

 

[andy474x]

The S2 has a mahogany neck, and will sound a bit fatter, the SE has a maple neck and will be brighter, if that helps.

I would give the S2 a thorough playing to make sure there are no issues, if it's in good shape go for it!

 

[dogrocketp]

Remember, you can always change the pickups, but you can`t change the construction. As Joe Bonamassa always says, if you buy it to collect it, it`s not right. Buy it to play it, and play the hell out of it. We`re all guitar nerds at heart. Try them both if possible.

 

[László]

There's no such thing as "better" when it comes to picking the instrument for you. There's only "what's the best fit for you."

Faced with your choice, I'd pick an S2 because I saw their quality at the 30th Anniversary event at the factory and was impressed, and I like to buy USA products when possible.

I'm a Core player, but I'd rock an S2 any time.

 

[IRG]

Another difference is with the neck dimensions. The S2 only comes with a 'regular' neck carve (1-5/8" wide) and the SE's have a 'wide fat' carve at 1-11/16".
That's why, for me, I could never own an S2!

Jim

The SE 24 Custom Anniversary model has a wide thin, not wide fat.

The regular pattern neck on the S2 is very comfortable. I do have an SE with a wide fat neck, which I really like a lot too, although it feels a tad thinner than the S2.

If the S2 is cheaper and you like it and it feels good, it will be the better value, as it has already depreciated, a new SE hasn't yet, and it will. But more importantly will be how you like the feel of either one. Pickups can be changed, although my guess is the S2 will have the advantage, and the switch is likely better (mine is). PRS construction on any model is very good though. My Core Custom 24 has wonderful materials, great everything, but both my SE and S2 get equal playing time, oddly enough.

 

[sleary]

The S2 for $800?

I'd jump on that like a fat kid at McDonald's

 

[John Beef]

The S2 for $800?

I'd jump on that like a fat kid at McDonald's

You jump on fat kids at McDonald's? Are they bouncy or just sort of squishy? I suppose no matter which McDonald's you walk into there's always a Playplace.

S2. I have owned a bunch of SEs and when I played an S2 I decided I was done buying SEs.

 

[sleary]

McDonald's play places are fun ...don't judge me lol

 

[Brad737]

S2. All day, every day.

 

[mitchewr]

It really comes down to what neck preferences you have. For me, I prefer a wide/fat on a PRS SC but a wide/thin on a PRS DC (custom 22/24). So if you want the wide/thin neck, you'll have to go with the SE Custom 24, which will have the wide/thin neck installed. If you like the new pattern regular necks (personally I'm not crazy about them) then you will have to go with the S2. If neck profile doesn't matter to you at all, then absolutely go with the S2. It's American made, will have slightly better quality materials and will hold it's value better.

I have a Core and an SE 245. I love both. The SE 245 is great for the money and has the wide/fat neck which I like for that style of guitar. I will say that in my limited experience with the S2 models, I thought that they (in fit and feel) were a lot closer to the SE line more so than the Core line. So if it comes down to the neck preference I don't think you'll miss much by choosing the SE. Now that being said, the S2 will undoubtedly have better tuners and electronics on it, but that can always be replaced at a later date on the SE, as others have said here.

What neck profile do you prefer?