Should I Get an SE or S2

[Greywolf]

I'm of the good used Core camp , followed by a US spec S2 . When you can find one of these .. it's hard to NOT get a core

https://reverb.com/item/83305205-prs-mccarty-2001-dark-cherry-burst

 

[Mozzi]

I still think the SE's are incredible guitars for the Price. In that Price Range, they are easily the guitars I'd recommend because they are so good for only a 'quarter' of the price of a Core. However, if you are considering 'used' and content to buy from private sellers too, then US made is always going to be the better value in terms of what you can get for similar money.

New does give you some extra warranty and peace of mind. Most shops also do a returns policy within a certain timeframe (maybe 2wks or 1 calendar month for example) so you can order, try and return if you'd prefer to. If you are doing that, go SE first as the shop maybe eager to take a discount on an S2 sale instead to replace the cheaper SE...

 

[Abe]

I can tell you the story of playing a Taylor 414ce a lot and it was a good guitar that was set up to always be in tune with good intonation etc. Then, after the era of that guitar, I acquired a lower tier Mexican made Taylor. (They make guitars in Texas, USA, then cheaper guitars right over the border in Mexico. The Mexican guitar just kinda sucked. For real. Major disappointment. Even the specs and measurement were obviously the result of something pretty half-assed when it came to what was made and how it was made to be sold for yay price. I've since acquired a USA Taylor 514ce and am back up to par on that.

Ibanez? High end down to low end. Similar can be expected based on my experience.

So on this subject, SE PRS guitars seem leagues above what the Mexican Taylor is etc. Squire I don't have much experience with but I've seen it said that they can be a decent cheap option.

The specs and quality control my PRS SE was built to thrill me enough as I find myself having champaign tastes on a beer pocketbook. This makes me get to know PRS as a legit company to expect nice things from. I like that kind of company.

 

[Bogner]

I Would Hunt For A Nice Used Core. They Are Out There And Not Hard To Find.

 

[Peacemaker]

I've tried several S2s in the stores that I really liked (and almost bought). Held off because of the foreign electronics.

All the SEs I tried were just not right for me in terms of build and feel. I think PRS made a great decision to bring the S2 much closer to core

 

[Peacemaker]

I'm Looking to buy my first PRS and was just wondering if the price differences between the SE models and S2 models are really worth it

This is the SE model I was interested in getting This was the S2 model I was interested in getting
V (it goes for around $1200 where I live) V V (it goes for around $3000) V

Obviously I know the build quality and electronics will be better but is there really that much more that justifies almost double the price.
I play some gigs every now and then but I'm hoping to play more if that helps
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

Price considerations are very important of course. Go with the best guitar you like that you can afford, generally. Maybe stretch yourself a bit. I have found that you play more when the guitar is of higher quality and you love that guitar. So, there is a benefit beyond build quality and electronics and appointments too.

 

[BaldingMan]

The SE pictured above is the 24-08. The S2 is the straight 24. Is there a reason you chose different models for the different lines?

Mainly the look

 

[BaldingMan]

If made better and sounds better don't justify a higher price in a musical instrument, what does?

that's what I'm trying to find out, is the "betterness" worth that high of a price jump?

 

[Gtrbldr]

Everybody has some sound input here (as per usual), but I have some questions, that might help us steer you in the right direction

1. How are your views on a used guitar? Is that a no-go or on the table?
2. What is your shopping budget? Is it the 1200 you mentioned?

For 1200 you could get a secondhand S2, or a new SE. With 2k you are looking at semi new S2's, older decond hand core and 2 SEs.

If second hand is no objection: look to the highest series. So SE<S2<core<Private stock. I scored some great used core guitars significantly under 2k. Like really great guitars.

If you want new and price bracket you mentioned; I'd personally look to the S2 series. I'd rather have a USA built guitar with a little less flash than a more flashy SE. The playability, QC and basic tone of the PRS USA guitars are simply unriveled.

 

[Dasher]

Mozzi's Post 7 says it all really but if you are prepared to buy blind, buy used, prefer a '22' over a '24' and are looking to score the attributes of a Core for somewhat less of the expected price point then I would suggest looking for a pre 2008 CE-22. Personally I prefer the 22 frets and the necks on these CEs are fantastic. I'm also very happy with Dragon 2's as I find them very versatile. I have a couple of CE-22s and haven't paid over £1100 ($1500) for either of them. They are my workhorses. I do have an S2 also - it's different but it's no Core. I don't think of my CE-22s as any less a guitar than my Santana.

I don't (or at least very rarely) buy blind, but if you do then this is an example of what's available: https://reverb.com/uk/item/83160708-2008-paul-reed-smith-prs-ce-22-flame-top-black-sunburst

 

[d^rren]

I'm not knocking either, after all they are PRS.... Me, I would get a used Core for the same or less than an S2. Seems new prices just keep climbing, where I've seen very excellent used Cores for $2,500.

For instance:

SC-245 '07

Dark Cherry Sunburst, Carved figured Maple top on a Mahogany body, Wide/Fat carved Mahogany neck, 10” radius Rosewood fingerboard with the Bird inlays, 24.5” scale length, 1 11/16th” nut width, PRS 245 bridge and neck pickups, 3-way toggle switching with the volume and tone controls for each...

www.davesguitar.com

Great store also.

Good used S2 guitars can also be had for very close to new SE money.

Other key differences:

The S2 has a mahogany neck (scarf jointed, but essentially 1-piece) and a 1-piece mahogany back and solid maple top.

The SE has a 3-ply maple neck and a multi-piece body, multi-piece maple top with a figured veneer, though it looks like you're looking at the SE Standard 24-08 which doesn't have the maple top.

 

[SinSir]

S2 without question for damn near every single reason. If a new S2 is out of budget. Go used. If new S2 is in your budget, consider used core. Everything else is just noise

Enjoy your hunt but be warned PRS are addictive!

 

[d^rren]

To each their own, I guess. I had an S2 Custom 24 for a few weeks and didn't really care much for it, compared to my SE Tremonti. I thought the S2 was maybe 10% better, yet cost double.

 

[Birdsofprey]

^ Is your Tremonti the MIK version?

 

[Aahzz]

I'm of the good used Core camp , followed by a US spec S2 . When you can find one of these .. it's hard to NOT get a core

https://reverb.com/item/83305205-prs-mccarty-2001-dark-cherry-burst

That's a heck of a deal.

I got Esmeralda for just over 2 grand shipped. I freaking love the 90s guitars!!

For anyone not familiar with Esmeralda, she's my '97 Custom 22 Stop Tail.

I love my Vela, and I love S2s, but a Core? Unbeatable.

 

[Broseph]

Market isn’t there yet. But when these 2024 S2’s pop up on the used market: watch out. Sub 1.5k core level electronics in a USA quality PRS? Those are deals that we haven’t seen since pre pandemic days.

 

[aamefford]

Market isn’t there yet. But when these 2024 S2’s pop up on the used market: watch out. Sub 1.5k core level electronics in a USA quality PRS? Those are deals that we haven’t seen since pre pandemic days.

Yup. Pretty much this for me. Seeing them get close already.

 

[László]

that's what I'm trying to find out, is the "betterness" worth that high of a price jump?

You know, there's no right answer here. There can't possibly be, no matter what someone says, because only you're you.

Every situation involving selection of an instrument to express one's musical artistry is 100% unique, individual, and subjective. And therefore, different.

Please don't think I'm being critical, because this type of question gets asked often.

But...

The question presupposes that there's a universal answer that applies to everyone. There isn't. One person's 'Heck yeah it's worth it', is another person's, 'Are you crazy'?

Example: I earn fees and royalties with my instruments, so cost is less of an object when I pick one. As I like to say, they pay their own way. So my PRS' have all been Core and Private Stock models. I've benefited from that extra bit of inspiration I get from a fabulous instrument with great tone and playability.

I might feel differently if it was just a hobby. But every single one of us is a singularity. A unique person with unique needs and values.

If you can't tell whether the S2 is worth the added cost - after playing both guitars - then it can't be worth it... to you. If it was, you wouldn't have to ask the question. Full stop. the SE would be the better choice.

If you play both and decide the S2 is that much better, only you can decide whether the added investment is worth the hit to your wallet.

You pay for quality, tone and playability. And you can pay ten times that difference for that last one percent, if that's how serious you are about the whole business.

But all you get in a thread like this, for the most part, is, "Do what I did, man, mine's so cool." And that's just, like, their opinion.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Market isn’t there yet. But when these 2024 S2’s pop up on the used market: watch out. Sub 1.5k core level electronics in a USA quality PRS? Those are deals that we haven’t seen since pre pandemic days.

Wonder what that will mean for Gen 1 S2s

 

[aamefford]

Wonder what that will mean for Gen 1 S2s

“Gen 2” costs more. The prices went up to cover the cost of US electronics. I suspect the spread new to used will be about the same given similar age and condition - just my guess though.