Jonesing for an S2 Vela

Do it!
I bought one in satin and I can't see ever parting with it!
It is a tone machine and is very crisp with that Starla humbucker.
The only down side is the offset body shape does not play well with guitar stands that don't hang it from the head stock.

my 2 cents.
 
I don't know about getting a deal, but I don't think you'd be disappointed with a Vela. I had to sell mine to fund another PRS some time back, but I do miss her, and I will probably be on the lookout for a nice used one sometime. The neck pickup rules.
 
I say - go for it!

Mine still has that new car smell on it, so I'm still discovering all she has to offer...but what I can definitively say is that my Vela is a beast. Feels great, sound great, easy as can be to play.

It's light, and...to my eyes...has something special going on with the offset body shape. The plate-style bridge is unique...and I'm a fan of unique.

I genuinely feel like the S2 series is the best of both worlds. A rock solid guitar with higher end details, and a wallet friendly price tag that won't cause cardiac arrest at the register.

I love the S2 series so much, I traded two SE units I had to get another one. Don't regret that decision at all.

Jump in, and get yourself a Vela...and never look back!

Good luck to ya!!!
 
Jonesing for an S2 Vela? Me too! Unfortunately, I blew my "reserved for a Vela" fund on a NOS core Starla that a local shop put on sale back before Christmas - the Starla actually cost me a few hundred less than a new Vela, and since no Vela's had arrived in our town for me to play...*shrug I still haven't seen a Vela in person but I suppose it's just as well as I haven't saved up the new (outrageous) Canadian price for one yet; I'm afraid my willpower would be hard pressed if I were to have one in hand for a bit... Definitely my "most wanted" PRS at the moment.
 
I have a 30th anniversary SE Custom/Ffloyd that I am planning on selling as well as a Line6 JVC. That and my store of "Guitar Lust" cash should cover the Vela and a new amp. Now I just have to hold out for a month!
 
I played one a couple months ago, and was floored by how well it played. If I hadn't been in the shop to grab up another fairly rather rare PRS, it very well may have come home with me!
 
I really like mine and feel terrible about not picking it up every day. Got too many things getting in the way of my practice time, one of which is spending time perusing this forum. (I kid, I kid!) But yeah, those babies are light and so easy on the old bod. I happened to see a couple I think on Dave's site with a stop tail bridge, of which I am a big fan, but after thinking about it, I decided that I liked the adjust-ability of the plate bridge and that makes a lot of decisions a whole lot easier. <whew>
 
Anim8me2 said:
I was considering waiting till PRS Experience. It will be my first time going so I don't know if I will get a deal. Also hoping to pick up an amp.
Click to expand...

Aw heck, you'll be on vacation, at PRS, you'll have spent money to get there, just man up and do the deed!

Haggling is beneath the dignity of a gentleman. ;)
 
Last edited:
The Vela is an amazing instrument. Best new design from PRS in a long time, IMO. If it were a Core instrument I'd probably still get one but the fact it's an S2 means that it's a veritable bargain.
 
Anim8me2 said:
I was considering waiting till PRS Experience. It will be my first time going so I don't know if I will get a deal. Also hoping to pick up an amp.
Click to expand...
If you know you want a Vela, I'm not sure that picking one up at Experience gains you anything. In my "experience", the fine dealers who are on the floor are giving you the same good deals that they always do, but not necessarily better. Same is true of amps. Now, I've picked up 2 amps and a guitar at past Experiences, but I'm local. The guitar was a cool white with gold binding DGT signed by DG himself. It wasn't a better deal than I'd have gotten otherwise, I'd just not likely have run into that guitar if it weren't for being there. And if I hadn't heard the DG30 or HX/DA first hand, I probably wouldn't have pulled the trigger on either...and being local, it was more convenient for me to just cash and carry.

If on the other hand you think that something else on the floor (guitar or amp) might capture your attention, and if having the Vela ahead of time will put the kibosh on getting that something else, then waiting might make sense.
 
And to the original question, I've been contemplating downsizing for a variety of reasons (nothing bad...but the space I use for this stuff might be reconfigured for work reasons...) As part of that thought exercise, I picked the 3 PRS guitars that I'd keep. The Vela was one of them. So my vote is a strong yes to the Vela.
 
I have a S2 vela standard with a satin finish. I guess it must be the least expensive USA PRS out there. I'm in a working band as vocalist an 2nd guitar. I've been playing a Les Paul at our gigs an love it however since the Vela came on scene it's all I want to play. Possibly the best neck I've ever played. I changed the pick ups an this thing does it all. Band members complemented me on tone an ask me to play more lol. I recommend you not try one cause you will buy it. I wasn't looking for a PRS when I found the Vela but once I picked it up I couldn't put it down. I carried it to the sales counter after plugging in for a minute an bought it. Didn't try to haggle felt I was getting a deal at full price so yeah be careful I never pay full price.
 
You're right new to the PRS game still learning. I really haven't read up enough I picked up the guitar an had to have it. Thanks for the correction
 
No worries! And welcome! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the guitar so much. I'm somewhat new too, but already at two PRSi.

And for the OP's benefit, I'll join the chorus of extremely happy Vela owners.

IMG_1476_zpsoldsr9qs.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Do you think anything new will be coming with NAMM coming up?
2
Replies
39
Views
1K
Herr Squid
Herr Squid
R
Another PRS Vela bridge pickup question
2
Replies
22
Views
608
vchizzle
vchizzle
M
Prs S2 vela change pickup
Replies
2
Views
84
gush
gush
d^rren
Did some tracking this week...
Replies
0
Views
70
d^rren
d^rren
d^rren
Vela Type D neck pickup... anybody flipped theirs?
Replies
1
Views
136
gush
gush
Back
Top