S2 594… WOW!!!

[drri]

Went to GC to try out some different neck types. They had 4 different SE models and 1 S2 594

By all accounts I read, I wasn’t even interested in trying a 594 based on the neck carve, didn’t want ‘vintage’ feel. All the SE’s I tried honestly didn’t feel very good, just “OK”. So I picked up the S2 594 and WOW, it blew all the others way. Weight, feel, and neck carve all felt better. And it sounded amazing compared to the SE’s as well.

So now I’m curious as I’ve been looking at used ones since I left and how in the world are these prices all over the place for the same model? The new one at GC was on sale for 1800 but if I can save 500 I’d rather go that route. But I’m seeing anything from 999 up to 1800 used, all on GC’s website.

 

[andy474x]

In the past year, the S2 line moved to having USA core pickups and electronics. Previously they used the import “S” pickups that the SE’s also had. I think the other electronics were a step up from the SE’s, but I could be wrong about that, but they were not the same as the core line. So find out what that guitar at GC had - if it was on sale, it may have been the older electronics, and hey, if you liked it, you should be able to get a great used S2 for a very good price. I’m seeing S2 594’s go for $1K in my area.

 

[drri]

In the past year, the S2 line moved to having USA core pickups and electronics. Previously they used the import “S” pickups that the SE’s also had. I think the other electronics were a step up from the SE’s, but I could be wrong about that, but they were not the same as the core line. So find out what that guitar at GC had - if it was on sale, it may have been the older electronics, and hey, if you liked it, you should be able to get a great used S2 for a very good price. I’m seeing S2 594’s go for $1K in my area.

It was a 24' cause it had the 58/15 LT pups in it..... So now the S2 line is completely made in the US versus before it was sort sourced from all over?

I seriously might have to go give (trade) some stuff in to get this thing lol

 

[Russ73]

Check out daves guitar shop ...davesguitar.com. they have a few that are sold as used but are new...not sure how they do it...keep looking at the site they pop up! I grabbed a couple S2s cheap there that I swear were new...others can chime in!

 

[dmatthews]

594 for the win!

 

[Herr Squid]

Check out daves guitar shop ...davesguitar.com. they have a few that are sold as used but are new...not sure how they do it...keep looking at the site they pop up! I grabbed a couple S2s cheap there that I swear were new...others can chime in!

I have a hunch that Dave's has a line on buying guitars that PRS has used for demos and the like. They might be factory refurbished. I bought a very early Core 594 used from them. I think (but have no way to prove) that it was the same guitar I played at the PRS table at a guitar show before the Core 594s had been announced. The guitar was a total sweetheart (as you might expect if they were using it to show off a new, unannounced model). While it was factory-fresh out of the case, the box seemed to be the original (based on the MODCAT) and had clearly been shipped many times as it was festooned with shipping labels and the inner flaps at the end of the box had become outer flaps a time or two. Whatever the backstory, I got a really sweet as-new guitar for a used price.

 

[drri]

Check out daves guitar shop ...davesguitar.com. they have a few that are sold as used but are new...not sure how they do it...keep looking at the site they pop up! I grabbed a couple S2s cheap there that I swear were new...others can chime in!

Yeah I've bought from Dave's before and they have great service... From what I'm seeing the average 24' model is about 1500 used... While the one I see at GC is 1800 new with no shipping costs and a 45 day (trial) return policy... One thing I do like about Dave's is they show the weight which is a huge deal for me.... Might have to take my scale up to GC and see what that one weighs.

 

[d^rren]

GC often doesn't know what they're doing with pricing.

It was a 24' cause it had the 58/15 LT pups in it..... So now the S2 line is completely made in the US versus before it was sort sourced from all over?

I seriously might have to go give (trade) some stuff in to get this thing lol

This year they switched to the same USA tuning machines as the core line (which I'm not sure are made in the USA... they could very well be OEM'd from Gotoh or Schaller). The only thing left on them that isn't the same as the core line are the bridges.

 

[drri]

GC often doesn't know what they're doing with pricing.
This year they switched to the same USA tuning machines as the core line (which I'm not sure are made in the USA... they could very well be OEM'd from Gotoh or Schaller). The only thing left on them that isn't the same as the core line are the bridges.

and it's still a scarf neck right? And yeah it's possible they marked it wrong but it's new so I'm not sure

 

[d^rren]

Yes, all S2 models and bolt-ons use the same neck construction process: 1-piece neck shaft, scarf-joined headstock and heel block.

 

[Prina]

My first PRS was a used '22 S2 594 from Dave's. Fantastic acoustic tone that wasn't far from a Core, but a few reasons, I didn't really bond with it; mainly the pattern, vintage neck and import pick ups and to a lesser degree the bevel rather than a carve, the non-recessed control cavity covers and the vintage tuners. However, with the current production models having USA pick ups, it might still be in the stable.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy from either Dave's and Guitar Center. Guitar Center often doesn't know much about their guitars but with their return policy for used guitars you're only out $25 for the shipping and can give it a very good test at home.

 

[cbieberstein]

Yeah, that neck carve on the S2 594 really surprises people once they actually try it. I had the same thing happen-thought it wouldn’t be my thing, but it just felt right. As for the price differences, it’s kind of a mess.