SE DGT or 2018 S2 Studio?

[Jerrydpi]

If you were going to buy your first PRS, would you get a SE DGT or a 2018 Studio?

If relevant, the only other guitar I own now is an AVRI ‘52 Telecaster.

Please note the choice (for me) is only between the two, so chime in please, and equally important to me, why?

 

[aamefford]

My experience is with an SE Custom 22, and an S2 Studio, but the previous version. My S2 was made a couple of years after the initial S2 Studio run, and had black pick guard and opaque black body, rather than the tortoise shell pick guard. It was a 2 or 3 off run and Guitar Sanctuary ended up getting 2 of them.

Anyway, I bought the SE to learn on, bought the Studio on a whim, and sold the SE later. The S2 just felt *better*. Not hugely better though. It has a Starla hum bucker and 2 "D Style" single coils that are "offshore" manufactured.

In your shoes, I'd probably get the S2 Studio if it was not a financial inconvenience. USA pickups, and those bitchin' narrow fields. The SE DGT would probably solve my only real issue with my SE Custom 22, which was the thin neck. I don't think you can do wrong here, but my vote is the S2. Note, relative beginner opinions above. Have fun!

 

[Jerrydpi]

My experience is with an SE Custom 22, and an S2 Studio, but the previous version. My S2 was made a couple of years after the initial S2 Studio run, and had black pick guard and opaque black body, rather than the tortoise shell pick guard. It was a 2 or 3 off run and Guitar Sanctuary ended up getting 2 of them.

Anyway, I bought the SE to learn on, bought the Studio on a whim, and sold the SE later. The S2 just felt *better*. Not hugely better though. It has a Starla hum bucker and 2 "D Style" single coils that are "offshore" manufactured.

In your shoes, I'd probably get the S2 Studio if it was not a financial inconvenience. USA pickups, and those bitchin' narrow fields. The SE DGT would probably solve my only real issue with my SE Custom 22, which was the thin neck. I don't think you can do wrong here, but my vote is the S2. Note, relative beginner opinions above. Have fun!

I forgot to mention the S2 Studio I'm looking at is the 2018 model ( I just edited my OP), and I'm not sure it has USA pickups in it.

Regardless, thanks for the reply!

 

[andy474x]

Decide on the features first…

BUT

If you’re talking quality of instrument, S2 Studio all the way. I love mine, the SE DGT was okay but nothing I’ve not seen from another SE.

One might prefer a hotter bridge pickup and could swap something else in, and IMO it’ll get all the DGT SE goodness and then some. But it’s a stand-alone great instrument as-is, too.

 

[aamefford]

I forgot to mention the S2 Studio I'm looking at is the 2018 model ( I just edited my OP), and I'm not sure it has USA pickups in it.

Regardless, thanks for the reply!

It's just like mine then. Can you play them both? I love mine, though it will be the first to go, just because I have a core Santana and a core KL 380 that I love a bit more, and I'm after a 24.5**" scale fixed bridge *something*, and one may have to go to fund it if I ever find what I want. I guess I love it enough that I bought a hardshell case for it though...

The S2 felt better to me. Pattern Regular neck vs I think wide thin on the SE. The pickups on the S2 are pretty cool, though the D-Style single coils are very much their own animal. The pickups are not USA made on this version of the Studio. There are a few other folks that have the older S2 studio here. Hopefully they chime in. I haven't played the SE DGT, but I think the neck is more robust. Tough call, I like the cachet of the S2 being USA made, and have convinced myself it is therefore better. I'm not so sure that isn't just confirmation bias though.

 

[RickP]

I’m a core snob, and I admit it.

With that out of the way, I can say buy an SE if there is one you like, buy an S2 over an SE if you can afford to, and buy a core over an SE or S2 if the opportunity presents itself. I like the SEs, think the S2s are comparable to most maker’s top lines, and have become of the opinion that Cores are King. They’re all good choices.

Get the one you like best!

 

[Jerrydpi]

If I go with the S2 Studio, I've decided to go with either The Frost Blue Metallic or Frost Green Metallic.

The tricky part about the Frost Green Metallic is that is looks "blue-ish" sometimes, sometimes it looks "green-ish", and sometimes it looks "silver-ish", dependent on the light.

The Frost Blue Metallic seems to look usually........................... "blue-ish"

Any thought on which color you prefer, and which color would be easier to sell if I decide I don't like the S2 Studio?

 

[Prs Mods too]

Go for the core guitars if you have the means/patience to save up for one.

It took me 2 and a half years to save for my first Custom 24. I think it was worth it.

 

[Jerrydpi]

As stated, if I go with the S2 Studio, I've decided to go with either the Frost Blue Metallic or Frost Green Metallic.

The tricky part about the Frost Green Metallic is that is looks "blue-ish" sometimes, sometimes it looks "green-ish", and sometimes it looks "silver-ish", dependent on the light.

The Frost Blue Metallic seems to look usually........................... "blue-ish"

Any thought on which color you prefer, and which color would be easier to sell if I decide I don't like the S2 Studio?

 

[dogrocketp]

I have them both. I prefer the S2 Studio. It doesn’t sound like any other guitar I’ve ever played. I have the frost blue metallic one, because blue guitars sound better. You can get good spank for rhythm, and the bridge is absolutely balls to the walls. The controls of the Studio will seem more familiar to you. I’m probably going to sell the SE DGT. I just haven’t bonded with it. I’m a self professed PRS junkie.

 

[aamefford]

Any thought on which color you prefer, and which color would be easier to sell if I decide I don't like the S2 Studio?

Mine is very, very black. Definitely the best color. Definitely.

 

[andy474x]

I have the blue, but both colors look good in person.