New S2 Custom 22 Questions.

[jbear]

Hi All,
Just traded for one (I think it's whale blue) and as a newcomer to PRS...some questions.
All of these that I have seen have uncovered pickups, but this one has covered PUPs. What might that say about this guitar?
Not having played other than PRS SE's before....10's feel awfully light...is that just a PRS scale thing? I like it in some ways and it's always fun to pick up something that plays differently.
I will say the neck and fretwork is exceptional...the soldering...not so much. I may go ahead and re-solder...lots of dull (seemingly) cold solder joints. I haven't looked into year, so I don't know how old.
Have only played through a Pocket Pod so far while doing a setup, but...nice vintage tone from first impression.
Anyway...anything you can tell me about this guitar...all ears.
Thanks in advance!

 

[andy474x]

Hi @jbear , and welcome!

Your S2 likely has the covered #7 pickups, which were stock on some S2 models including Custom 22’s until a couple years ago when they transitioned to the uncovered 85/15’s. They’re fairly strong in the high mids IMO, which can be good in some guitars and a little too much of a good thing in others, depending on what you like to play.

The S2 electronics are assembled and installed in Maryland, and I believe they aren’t pre-soldered harnesses, but I could be wrong about that. Anyways, in 3 S2’s I own and many I’ve played, I’ve not run into a soldering failure. I did have a blade switch fail mechanically, and a volume pot on one that gets a little scratchy occasionally and needs some Deoxit. If the electronics work and the joints feel solid, I wouldn’t bother redoing it, but that’s just me.

 

[jbear]

Thank you! I appreciate your taking the time.
I wouldn't normally bother, but...I seem to be around home a bit given the current goings on.
I'm definitely diggin' that it's got a vintage vibe to it, as I'm pretty much a jazz and blues guy.
I do have to get a whammy bar...the dude couldn't find it. Still...I am really happy with this trade.

 

[Ovibos]

If it's a trade, a previous owner may have been doing some soldering in there. Hard to know whose work it was unless you got it brand new.

 

[jbear]

Yeah.. I do a lot of trading, but...I know this guy...it's all original in there...nothing upgraded or modded.
Not a big deal...I do builds and work on my own guitars so if needs anything...I got it.
Definitely have to get used to the string tension...I'm bending sharp...I'm used to more of a fight. Like I said...nice change of pace.
This came out of nowhere, so I didn't do as much research as I usually do (other than checking value). I know nothing about these guitars...makes it kinda fun.

 

[jbear]

Any idea what magnets are in #7's?