Interesting audition...S2 Standard vs SE Custom 24

[Will_Chen]

First of all, hello all. I swore I used to be a member here but the forum couldn't find my email so I guess this is my first post. Now that that's out of the way...

I have a SE Singlecut which I love and have recently wanted to get another PRS and had my eye set on an S2. Just got back from a store where I auditioned 2 S2 standards against 3 SE Custom 24s and I was shocked at how much better I liked the SE Custom 24s. The action of each of the Custom 24's was set perfect for my tastes and played effortlessly. Aurally they also had a snappier high end either due to the maple cap or differences in pickups. I was pretty set on the S2 but now I'm leaning heavily towards an SE. The 1 thing I didn't love about either the S2 nor SE was the weight, but I maybe a bit spoiled due to mainly playing a couple guitars which are very light. But that's got me thinking an custom semihollow might be the best choice.

So, anyone have experience with the S2 Custom Semihollow vs the SE Custom Semihollow? Perhaps I was simply comparing apples to oranges between the S2 Standard and SE Custom 24 and the quality differences would be much more apparent between an S2 Custom and SE Custom. Your thoughts?

 

[AP515]

I think you are on the right track. The maple will make the SE's brighter. You should try a maple topped S2 before you commit. Personally I prefer the strong midrange of the all Hog but that is why "differences make the world go round" or some such thing. Still nothing wrong with preferring SE's. I enjoy mine.

 

[andy474x]

One thing to note, the semi hollows have a good deal more bass and relaxed highs, very different tone from the solid models. At least that's my experience with the S2's. The SE Custom 24's have a maple neck, which is where a lot of the snappy top end comes in, I think. If you want to find a balance, the Satin S2's have a lot of treble content. I have SE's and S2's and once set up to my liking I can't say I prefer one over the other, just depends on what I need for a certain situation.

 

[Will_Chen]

I think you are on the right track. The maple will make the SE's brighter. You should try a maple topped S2 before you commit. Personally I prefer the strong midrange of the all Hog but that is why "differences make the world go round" or some such thing. Still nothing wrong with preferring SE's. I enjoy mine.

One thing to note, the semi hollows have a good deal more bass and relaxed highs, very different tone from the solid models. At least that's my experience with the S2's. The SE Custom 24's have a maple neck, which is where a lot of the snappy top end comes in, I think. If you want to find a balance, the Satin S2's have a lot of treble content. I have SE's and S2's and once set up to my liking I can't say I prefer one over the other, just depends on what I need for a certain situation.

I believe both of the S2's were satin (1 for sure was as it was used and slightly worn), 2 of the SE's were 2017 one was older unsure of the exact year. I'll need to seek out an S2 custom (the shop I was at didn't have any) to see if the construction provides more "snap" to the tone. I know feel/playability is extremely subjective but that was more shocking than the tonal differences especially since the experience was consistent across 3 SEs and 2 S2s. I've played some core PRS in the past which played beautifully, the SE's here seemed closer to that experience than the S2's which I feel shouldn't be the case. Regarding semi-hollows sounding different, IME chambered style construction is much, much closer to a full on solidbody than the more traditional semihollow construction like a ES-335, that said...another variable to consider. The SE Custom semihollow's are a little harder to come by to audition.

 

[JMaia]

If you like the SE better, than why not?

 

[dogrocketp]

It`s all about what you like. My S2 does have more snap than my SE CU 24. It has a maple top, and it`s a trem guitar. Remember to factor that into the equation.