S2 Custom 24 2024 updates narrowed the gap to Core?

imacken

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I noticed here that the S2 series didn't seem to have much respect, but now that the range has received some major upgrades for 2024 (and 10th Anniversary) - American pickups and electrics, mother of pearl inlays, 5-way switch, etc. - it seems that the gap to Core has significantly shrunk. Is that a reasonable thing to say?
 
And are these differences worth £2-3K?
I thought that the major criticism of the S2 was the Indonesian pickups and electrics.
 
And are these differences worth £2-3K?
I thought that the major criticism of the S2 was the Indonesian pickups and electrics.
I mean, it’s up to the individual consumer to decide whether or not things like top carve, recessed plastics, necks without scarf joints, or more refined hardware on trem equipped guitars is worth it to them, and what value they place on it.

I dunno, maybe I’m not in the right threads, but I don’t see a ton of disrespect for S2’s.

The changes PRS has implemented in the line are nice, but the prices on them have increased along with them.
 
They added more desirable features, but also bumped the price considerably. If the goal of the S2 line was to make it a good value proposition, the updates moved them farther from that target, in my opinion.

I too prefer the feel of the beveled bodies, and didn't really have a problem with the import hardware and electronics. If I didn't like what they came with, they're easy to swap out.

I would love to see them do some S2 guitars that are in between the Standard and the Custom spec guitars. Leave the import electronics, go with lower-grade maple tops (or keep them all mahogany) and do more solid-colour finishes. I'd rather see really nice paint than a really crappy maple top.

And please introduce scraped-edge binding on the S2 bodies, just to fancy them up a bit. And an S2 Singlecut that isn't a 594. I fee like an S2 One would sell like crazy.
 
mother of pearl inlays

That was just on the 10th Anniversary models.

The S2s still have a nice distinction between themselves and the Cores. Where PRS has a problem is in how they’ve made the SEs a pale imitation of the Core line. It puts them in a position of having to leave “for a cheap import” unsaid after every nice thing their marketing says about the SEs.
 
I think its more about separating more from the SE Line which has been on fire in the last few years - Probably since bringing the Paul's Guitar to the SE Line and that 'Core' Bridge, then the SS's, HB's and 594's too, the SE line has been on fire and therefore, the 'American' built S2's probably were suffering - why pay a bit more when SE's are so good and if you're thinking you 'need' to swap out the Pick-ups for their US equivalent (or other Quality expensive brands) on an SE, then you'll think that too about the S2 line.

The US Made Guitars will now all come with US made Pick-ups by PRS themselves - the price has gone up to reflect that, but it also separates them more from the very successful SE line. therefore It maybe does marginally move the Gap between the S2 and Core slightly narrower, but from a manufacturing perspective, it doesn't change any of the 'costs' or 'hands on' time in making each S2 Guitar. it costs the same to install whatever pickups/electronics into it during assembly so its just the 'extra' costs of parts which are made in factory (no shipping from Indonesia for example adding to the costs of using overseas parts). So its still the 'same' design philosophy behind it, still not a 'Core' and still the most affordable US made PRS line and now is more US made that separates it more from SE's than moves it significantly closer to Core
 
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Interesting comments guys. In 2 posts, we see very different opinions on the SE range!
I have a new SE, and I must say, it seems pretty good to me and I do pick it out from my rack very regularly. I can't stand the push-pull knob though. Really awkward, and that is one of the reasons I am considering upgrading to an S2.
 
My understanding is that when they were using Asian electronics on the S2, they were having the pickguards sent to then pre wired and soldered. If this was true, then the USA electronics would Lao be more e pensive to install. Any corraboration?
 
Significantly? No. S2 was always solid. Core? No. Great guitar yes. If you like the pup choice for a model even better. But hell I've swapped plenty of core pups too. Others stayed. Get what works for you.

Se, s2, core, or more. Differences have and will always be there.
 
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