S2/core comparison

[Barquentine]

I own two PRSi - a Bernie and an S2 Singlecut. With the Bernie I replaced the tuners and changed the pickups for the BK Abraxas set. The S2 has the BK Rebel Yell set. They are both tremendous sounding guitars and very nice to play. I'm curious about core models but I'm retired (got out 4 years ago at 57). It would take me a long time to save up for a core.

Just concentrating on the S2, many on this forum have said they sound and play every bit as good as their core models and that the differences are largely cosmetic. Do you some of you disagree ? Does anyone think there is a marked difference in performance between an S2 and a core ?

 

[grausch]

I have a Satin S2 Singlecut Standard, a Satin Standard 24 (core) and a 2012 408 Signature Limited.

In terms of playability, any of them does the job. Heck, even my Bernie is right up there after some upgrades. Considering the cost, I would suggest traveling to a PRS dealer and trying out a few cores.

 

[Kdogg788]

I don't personally own either an S2 or a core but there's a store like 15 minutes from my house that has them all. The difference if any is tiny. Even some SE Customs are just as good IMO as S2s when played back to back. I can't say if any play or feel better, only that they sound slightly different to one another. It's all totally personal preference. Once you reach the S2/high SE region the quality in playing IMO remain similar, it's the aesthetics that change as you go further on in price.

A $3500 core guitar is not that removed from a $1000 S2, just like a $5000 custom shop Strat is not that far removed from an American, however with the PRS you get a prettier guitar. $6000 for a Gilmour black Strat? Get outta here with that!

-k

 

[AP515]

Does anyone think there is a marked difference in performance between an S2 and a core ?

Marked difference? No

IMO an S2 is 90% of a Core. You can't get a marked difference out of 10%. The real difference is in looks and feel. For those, like Paul, with an incredibly tuned ear, you can hear a difference in the pickups, but both sound great and many change them out for aftermarket options anyway.

The last observation is that you can also work on picking up a Core model you like from the used market.

 

[garrettb]

Performance, very little difference to me. You already have yourself a great set of pickups. I personally was not a fan of the volume pots on my S2, so they were replaced with PRS pots. There is really nothing else needed in my opinion.

They feel different due to the beveled top, but it's a great feel to me.

The Core guitars have nicer appointments, but the S2 is going to be just as playable and I think sound just as good with those couple upgrades.

 

[dogrocketp]

I have an 2018 S2 custom 24, and a 2003 CE 24 with 57/08's. The S2 is a tremendous guitar, with fantastic high end that needed no modification. The CE takes it up a half notch. The sound of the CE is thicker, fuller, with slightly more sustain. Noticeable, but not night and day. That, of course, means I have to keep them both. I think you'd notice the difference if you play a lot.

 

[Kdogg788]

I have an 2018 S2 custom 24, and a 2003 CE 24 with 57/08's. The S2 is a tremendous guitar, with fantastic high end that needed no modification. The CE takes it up a half notch. The sound of the CE is thicker, fuller, with slightly more sustain. Noticeable, but not night and day. That, of course, means I have to keep them both. I think you'd notice the difference if you play a lot.

Isn't that the point though? To keep them all? You never know when one might be needed. We still have the cheap red Squire I bought my wife years ago because I think it's a decent little guitar for the money and I would get a horrific return on any sale. Always better to keep than sell.

-k

 

[pauloqs]

In terms of sound, your S2 with BK pickups will be every bit as good as any core mode, if not better for your taste, because of the upgraded pickups. Not saying BK are better pickups than PRS made pickups, but the fact that you got the BK pickups suggests that you really like them. In terms of longevity, they are on par. They use the same durable hard fret wire and I believe the same superglue method to keep them in place. You'll probably not have to worry about regretting or dressing and re-crowning the frets in a very long time. I'd guess, you get at least 10 years out of those frets with a ton of usage. I believe the neck on S2's a quarter sawn and go through a the same extended drying period as core guitar necks. That will give you setup stability, mostly not having to adjust the truss rod very often. One difference is that core have one piece necks, while S2s are 3 piece neck, but I don't think that has a very noticeable effect if any. Regarding playability and comfort the S2s are on par with core guitars. The only thing I noticed, and I'm not sure if it is a placebo effect or if there is an actual difference is the finish. Core finish feel thinner to me than S2's. However, it is very marginally different and I have to be trying to feel the difference to notice it. I like nitro better than the finish PRS use in their core guitars, but I don't miss nitro with core guitars, if that makes sense. With S2s I miss nitro ever so slightly. Again, not sure if the effect is real or if my brain is playing tricks with me because of the cosmetic upgrades of core guitars. I hope this helps. If you can, try playing a Core PRS. Try being honest with yourself as much as possible in order to truly determine if the "upgrade" is worth it for you. Personally I'm a huge fan of S2 and think they are killer guitars, but I tend to play my Core guitars more often than my S2s. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are some used core guitars out there for less or similar dough you'd pay for a new S2. Just as an example, my 2008/09 Custom 22 cost me less than my S2 Singlecut Semi-Hollow.

 

[Mozzi]

I own two PRSi - a Bernie and an S2 Singlecut. With the Bernie I replaced the tuners and changed the pickups for the BK Abraxas set. The S2 has the BK Rebel Yell set. They are both tremendous sounding guitars and very nice to play. I'm curious about core models but I'm retired (got out 4 years ago at 57). It would take me a long time to save up for a core.

Just concentrating on the S2, many on this forum have said they sound and play every bit as good as their core models and that the differences are largely cosmetic. Do you some of you disagree ? Does anyone think there is a marked difference in performance between an S2 and a core ?

I am certain there is noticeable difference but then there should be - not just cosmetically either. If I found a used core for the same price as a brand new S2, so cost is not a factor, I wouldn't hesitate on buying a used core. Whilst there maybe a few that would go for the S2, I am certain that the majority would also go for the core and not just for the aesthetic quality difference. That should tell you everything you need to know!

However, the difference is so significant that it matches the difference in price, you aren't getting double the guitar for example for double (or more) the price - at least not in terms playability and tonal quality. The best bet is to play both and decide whether the differences are worth paying the extra for to you. Its like you can buy a car that drives at 180mph for relatively low price but to go 200mph+, the costs of the cars to overcome the wind resistance and the better materials needed to get that 'small' jump up in speed - just 20mph - add up. Whether you want to spend all that extra money for just a relatively small performance boost is something you need to decide.

I think that guitars are quite similar in that it costs a lot more to get those 'small' differences that separate a great instrument (S2) from an excellent guitar (Core) and even more to be something truly special (Private Stock). There is a much greater gap financially between a core and a Private Stock than a S2 to a core. The 594 Graveyard II cost 3x the price of a Core 594. People still have to decide whether the difference between a core and PS is worth the massive cost difference just like others having to decide if the difference between an S2 is worth the extra cost.

I cannot answer for anyone. For me it was - hence I own Cores but someone else may feel that the S2 is 'good enough' for them and the Core isn't that much better that they can justify the big jump in price. You really have to come to your own conclusion and the best way is to try both yourself. At each tier, PRS guitars are fantastic so whatever you decide, you will have a great instrument...

 

[László]

Everyone makes good points, and there’s no real answer to the question the OP poses, because only the OP can answer it for himself or herself by playing a bunch of guitars.

The Core has USA hardware that’s different, USA pickups that are different, Phase III tuners that are different, a different body shape, the carved top, etc. All of these things contribute to a different sound, and different feel.

I love the S2s, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not “cheaper Core models”. They’re their own thing. Notice I’m not saying “worse” or “better” here; that’s a strictly personal determination, thus is entirely subjective. I’m saying “different.”

In any case, the difference is not merely cosmetic, and simply putting some nicer pickups in an S2 doesn’t make it a Core; it makes it an S2 with nicer pickups. That is not a criticism, it’s not a bad thing, it’s not dissing the S2s. It’s merely acknowledging that they’re essentially different guitars.

That said, S2s are a fantastic bargain, because the woods used are dried and aged with the Core woods, etc., plus they’re excellent guitars in their own right, regardless of the price thing.

The differences are especially clear with the guitars played clean. With higher gain, the differences become less pronounced, though they can still be heard. But that’s true of most guitars with similar pickup types.

In fact, I used to think Private Stocks were just fancier Core models. And yes, in many ways they are that, but they also sound and feel a little different due to the more extensive time spent making them, and the nitro finish. It’s a small difference. But having lived with the difference for a number of years, I’d say for the right player, it’s a worthwhile difference, too (that last few percent seems to always come with a substantial upcharge!).

 

[Barquentine]

Thanks for all your comments. Certainly given me food for thought.