Vela Petition ;)

[rugerpc]

Ass Kazz says, PRS does respond to market demand. If they get enough calls for satin finishes from customers through dealers, they'll make 'em.

I think it would be a mistake to expect a big reduction in price for a satin finish, however. Just as much labor goes into a great satin finish as a gloss.

 

[kawaivpc1]

S2 Standard Satin for xxx is already a bargain for many of us.
I'm sure other people are pleased with that price tag.
As long as upcoming satin S2 guitars are priced the same, I'm buying them all.

 

[garrett]

Ass Kazz says, PRS does respond to market demand. If they get enough calls for satin finishes from customers through dealers, they'll make 'em.

I think it would be a mistake to expect a big reduction in price for a satin finish, however. Just as much labor goes into a great satin finish as a gloss.

I wouldn't call the S2 satin finish great though. At least not like the ME, for example. They skip a step by not filling the grain, which in turn also means less sanding time, because you don't have to worry about a perfectly smooth finish. It's definitely a cheaper, faster process.

Definitely not knocking it at all. Doing it that way has its own advantages, one of them being the reduced cost.

I could imagine a Vela with a Bigsby and satin finish. Wouldn't hold my breath on 24 frets or a PRS vibrato, but who knows.

 

[xjbebop]

Well, ya know, this isn't exactly Burger King.....

But, become a successful and popular musician and PRS just might make you whatever you want...

 

[rugerpc]

Are you sure they skip the grain filling? that's kind of important in a long- lasting finish...

I would have thought that they used much the same finish materials and really only did less buffing.

I'm not being pedantic, I really don't know and am curious.

 

[Geo408]

Just a thought: it's possible to put a gotoh, or wilkinson style steel block trem in a vela but you would have to increase the back thickness by about 1/4" or so. Keep it at 22 frets, use a satin finish to keep costs down, or equal to what it is now. I haven't done exact measurements, but I will start the process over the next week. Also, one other cost savings measure would be to eliminate the tremolo cover. I realize that it would entail changing the cad/cam settings, but once that was done, it would be fairly easy. I think they would sell like hot cakes, based on the response by this forum, and by my own limited research. At the very least, I think it's worth a look.... Just my 2 cents! I love my vela, but these changes would make it a killer guitar!

 

[garrett]

Are you sure they skip the grain filling? that's kind of important in a long- lasting finish...

I would have thought that they used much the same finish materials and really only did less buffing.

I'm not being pedantic, I really don't know and am curious.

Nah, grain filler is only needed if you want to get a totally smooth surface on open grain woods. Oak kitchen cabinets are a good example of unfilled; you can see and feel the texture of the grain. Same deal with the mahogany on the S2 Satin (and the previous mid-00's Standard Satins) and the Gibson faded series. Swamp ash looks especially cool unfilled.