Help me choose my first S2

[Kiper]

I currently have a SE Custom 24 Quilt that I've upgraded with DiMarzio Illuminators as well as a MannMade bridge, locking tuners and lampshade knobs. I also have a SE McCarty 594 with the stock pickups and locking tuners from MannMade.

These two guitars have made me fall in love with PRS guitars. Before this, I had only ever owned and played blot on guitars. Now, I don't think the difference is that huge, or that it's even the main reason for me liking these PRS guitars, but there's something about them that sound more lively that my other guitars which are mostly Japanese or Indonesian Ibanez AZ and RGs. I love my Ibanez for different reasons, but I do think overall that my PRS guitars sound more lively.

Now, I want to get a new S2. I'm leaning towards a Standard 24, but unsure about satin vs gloss. Leaning gloss, but we'll see. I'm also considering a Custom 24. And I'm not sure which to choose. If I go with the Standard 24, I know that if I want higher output pickups, I'll simply put the 58/15LT pickups in my SE McCarty, which would be a perfect upgrade for that, and then would probably get a set of Gravity Storm pickups for the Standard 24. But if I go Custom 24, how do the 85/15 compare? Are they more medium output? If they are, I'd likely leave them in and just call it a day.

Another question, what about the bridges, should I just go for a MannMade bridge right away? Like, are these new S2 models still using the same bridge as the SE models?

I'm leaning towards the Standard 24 because I love the look of a more simple colour, no flames or quilt, just a real workhorse guitar (in my eyes). I also like that coil tap options are accessible through the toggle switch instead of a push/pull pot. So I guess I'm only considering the Custom 24 because of the stock pickups... I don't know, give me some of your thoughts!

Thanks, and sorry if this is long winded.

 

[Russ73]

OP the 24' standards have US electronics but the bridge is overseas...I have a few standard 22s it's my favorite guitar of all time...I have older ones so I upgraded the pups...if you buy used it's a good investment ...as far as satin vs finished it's preference but both are great...both sound great neck feels different as expected...check out Daves guitar shop in LA Crosse for killer discounted S2s...

 

[SinSir]

Standard or Vela is the s2 way to for sure without any hesitation.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

, should I just go for a MannMade bridge right away?

100% yes.

 

[Zoot Allures]

Standard or Vela is the s2 way to for sure without any hesitation.

Agree….and I’d add the McCarty 594 Thinline to that list.

 

[SinSir]

Agree….and I’d add the McCarty 594 Thinline to that list.

Agreed. Rounds out the top three

 

[Kiper]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm sold on the Standard 24 (gloss). I'll take a bit of time to play it and make sure I'm happy with the fretwork and everything and then I'll get the MannMade bridge shortly after. I'm 99% sure I'll have to swap out the pickups, cause if they're anything like the 58/15 LT 'S' pickups, they are too low of output for my liking.

 

[Kiper]

Regarding the pickups, I think I'll end up selling the 58/15 LT pickups to fund some DiMarzio pickups instead of putting them into my Se McCarty.

 

[dogrocketp]

I’m going to try and throw a wrench in the works. You already have a 22 & 24 fretter with humbuckers. How about an S2 Studio? You get to dip your toes in the D pickup waters with a humbucker for solos. Throw on a Mann bridge, and you have a whole different palette of sounds. That guitar doesn’t sound like anything else PRS makes, and there’s no tonal overlap.

 

[aamefford]

I’m going to try and throw a wrench in the works. You already have a 22 & 24 fretter with humbuckers. How about an S2 Studio? You get to dip your toes in the D pickup waters with a humbucker for solos. Throw on a Mann bridge, and you have a whole different palette of sounds. That guitar doesn’t sound like anything else PRS makes, and there’s no tonal overlap.

The S2 studio is a heck of a guitar. I think used only nowadays. Built on the Standard, Starla HB in the bridge, 2 “D” style single coils in middle and neck. It’s cool. I don’t think the Starla pickup is particularly high output though. Super comfy guitar, so the standard should be super comfy as well.