Shopping and Considering

[Yohannah]

I joined up mostly to sit back and listen. I don’t yet own my first PRS, and there aren’t many to look at where I live.

I’ve been watching videos, listening and enjoying images. I’m currently caught between the S2 Singlecut and the S2 Singlecut Standard Satin. I love the look of both with the large pick guard, and the satin finish is so beautiful. I’ve searched and read many of your conversations on the satin finish.

The video clips and things I’ve read lead me to believe that the satin has a warmer sound than the heavier finishes, and I do love a warm tone, but, I’m also concerned that the thinner satin finish will make it vulnerable to humidity changes (we range from quite damp in the summer and fall to very dry in the deeper parts of winter – I do humidify my home, though).

But, the S2 Single cut offers the iconic birds on the fretboard, while S2 Standard Satin lacks them. It just doesn’t seem right to have a PRS without the birds.

 

[László]

The satin finish won’t be any different from the polished finish re: humidity. The Standard’s different tone is mainly because it’s all-mahogany as opposed to mahogany with a maple top; the finish and the birds aren’t the only differences. A maple top guitar sounds different from an all-mahogany model.

Should be a treat either way!

 

[garrettb]

I think Les covered it well!

They're both going to play essentially the same, so it comes down to which tone you prefer. The one thing to keep in mind about satin is that it will form semi-gloss spots in areas that get regular contact. You can still get the Standard in gloss, if you like the look better. Any impact of the finish on tone will be tiny.

Good luck. I love those S2 Singlecuts.

 

[bodia]

Solid choices either way. Les and Garrett have all the bases covered. Good luck on your quest!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

And don’t forget a Bernie as well. A lot of guitar for the money! As well as the S2 of course

 

[CVS]

Go for "the birds" (above all else)

 

[Yohannah]

Thank you for all your responses.

It's impossible to be completely sure of sound when listening to clips, but, that being said, from clips and from PRS's own descriptive comments on their site, the satin seems to offer more of a warm tone that lends itself to a bluesy sound. In the experience of those of you already up and playing, which models offer a more warm sound?

Here's the response I got from my email - it sounds like the satin finish requires some extra love and consideration:

"Thank you for writing PRS Guitars. All of the S2 Standard models (including the satin models) come with the dot inlays and unfortunately birds are not an available option. There wouldn’t be an issue with the finish in your area however we strongly recommend not hanging or setting the guitar in a guitar stand/hanger outfitted with chemically active synthetic/surgical tubing. Doing this may cause a chemical reaction with the nitrocellulose finish on the neck or the body which could cause the finish to dissolve. Nitro is also prone to chemically react to exposure to leather straps and other synthetic materials. I hope you find this information helpful."

Not sure what I'd use for a strap . . . . .

Thanks all, for considering my journey.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

The strap is only an issue if it is in constant contact with the finish.

As far as hanging is concerned, see advice from music room thread!

 

[Yohannah]

Thank you! I am kind of a "put the strap on and leave it" kind of girl.

I'll check that thread out tonight. I probably wouldn't hang it, as I live in earthquake country. A stand might be what I'd want, so, I'll look at that thread.

If only I could talk them into birds on that satin one. Is it REALLY a PRS without them?

The strap is only an issue if it is in constant contact with the finish.

As far as hanging is concerned, see advice from music room thread!

 

[JJJ]

Satin finish is still a solid finish humidity won't be more of a problem than it normally is

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Thank you! I am kind of a "put the strap on and leave it" kind of girl.

I'll check that thread out tonight. I probably wouldn't hang it, as I live in earthquake country. A stand might be what I'd want, so, I'll look at that thread.

If only I could talk them into birds on that satin one. Is it REALLY a PRS without them?

I keep a leather strap on one of my guitars that is wall mounted (not many earthquakes in Scotland!). The strap locks I use keep the strap from touching the guitar

 

[veinbuster]

I have two satin finish PRS that I’ve owned for close to 10 years. Both live outside of the case they shipped in and have not had any adverse humidity effects.

If the satin is warmer than the gloss, it is very subtle. Too subtle for me to make that a deciding factor. The first one I got with the satin finish because I was curious about the impact in the sound. The second I got because I played it and it was bloody awesome.

 

[Yohannah]

Thank you all for playing with me. I do believe I’ve made my decision. There was some waffling, and some compromising and a lot of time agonizing (in the nicest kind of agony) . . . .

The singlecut was an absolute. I started there.

I wanted the more mellow sound PRS offers, but that sound comes with a price – an SE with a very thin veneer top, or a satin nitro finish. Both of these options result in an instrument that needs to be gently loved and cared for. Bottom line – I have pets, I don’t need a guitar that needs that much attention. I don’t abuse my guitars, but still, I don’t want to worry constantly, which I concluded I would. I had to let go of that demand for a more mellow instrument.

So, I started looking more seriously at the S2 single cut. The S2 has birds but doesn’t offer a pick guard and the S2 Standard has a pick guard that I really like the look of but offers no birds. I wanted both.

Today I went to my local small guitar shop (they’ve only been carrying PRS since NAMM) and I reviewed my dilemma with the technician. I was questioning whether or not the plastic pick guard on the Standard could be purchased as a part and added to the S2. He made some comments about plastic and inhibition of resonance. It was clear that he didn’t like this choice. Then he suggested a custom pick guard. What an idea!! The shop owner makes them out of various beautiful woods. At this point he completely had me! We bounced ideas back and forth about woods colors and such, and then he said two magic words . . . “carbon fiber”. I love carbon fiber.

One day next week the shop owner will show me his woods and set up for custom pick guards and we’ll seal the deal. Unfortunately, there’s a six month waiting list for a guitar. It will be an S2, probably in Sienna, with a custom carbon fiber pick guard.

:::::Whew::::: That was hard.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

If you hadn’t already guessed I’m the pretend wood guy. 11top being the real wood guy!

A piece of book-matched walnut would look beautiful as a natural pick guard.

I’ll try to upload an example.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I know it’s a bass, but it will give you an idea!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2WFGVrwKXh5aviRY6

 

[bodia]

Thank you all for playing with me. I do believe I’ve made my decision. There was some waffling, and some compromising and a lot of time agonizing (in the nicest kind of agony) . . . .

The singlecut was an absolute. I started there.

I wanted the more mellow sound PRS offers, but that sound comes with a price – an SE with a very thin veneer top, or a satin nitro finish. Both of these options result in an instrument that needs to be gently loved and cared for. Bottom line – I have pets, I don’t need a guitar that needs that much attention. I don’t abuse my guitars, but still, I don’t want to worry constantly, which I concluded I would. I had to let go of that demand for a more mellow instrument.

So, I started looking more seriously at the S2 single cut. The S2 has birds but doesn’t offer a pick guard and the S2 Standard has a pick guard that I really like the look of but offers no birds. I wanted both.

Today I went to my local small guitar shop (they’ve only been carrying PRS since NAMM) and I reviewed my dilemma with the technician. I was questioning whether or not the plastic pick guard on the Standard could be purchased as a part and added to the S2. He made some comments about plastic and inhibition of resonance. It was clear that he didn’t like this choice. Then he suggested a custom pick guard. What an idea!! The shop owner makes them out of various beautiful woods. At this point he completely had me! We bounced ideas back and forth about woods colors and such, and then he said two magic words . . . “carbon fiber”. I love carbon fiber.

One day next week the shop owner will show me his woods and set up for custom pick guards and we’ll seal the deal. Unfortunately, there’s a six month waiting list for a guitar. It will be an S2, probably in Sienna, with a custom carbon fiber pick guard.

:::::Whew::::: That was hard.

Good solution!

 

[Yohannah]

That's beyond beautiful. What kind of a finish does the guard have? It's amazing.

I can't wait to meet with the luthier who will do my custom pick guard and see his wood stash. I'm still leaning towards carbon fiber right now, but we'll see. I have six months to decide, grin. And I need to see if he can order any other color guitar that I like. As of now, it's Sienna, but if he can get it in that mossy green, maybe that with something like koa would be nice.

I know it’s a bass, but it will give you an idea!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2WFGVrwKXh5aviRY6

 

[Alnus Rubra]

That's beyond beautiful. What kind of a finish does the guard have? It's amazing.

I can't wait to meet with the luthier who will do my custom pick guard and see his wood stash. I'm still leaning towards carbon fiber right now, but we'll see. I have six months to decide, grin. And I need to see if he can order any other color guitar that I like. As of now, it's Sienna, but if he can get it in that mossy green, maybe that with something like koa would be nice.

The pick guard was out of book-matched walnut, made by a luthier friend for a custom build. It has wipe on poly on the whole guitar.

 

[jxe]

i like the carbon fiber idea! so many options.

 

[Yohannah]

Exactly!! When the young man said "custom pick guard" and started talking about the kinds of woods available, my eyes about popped out of my head. I won't make a final decision until I get to visit the wood vault, but, I'm still leaning towards CF.

i like the carbon fiber idea! so many options.