What model should be next for the S2 line?

[markd21]

The Westie would be RAD!!

I'd like to see PRS do something very different for them in the S2 line...

Stripped down ROCK versions of the line. Consider different pickup configurations - especially on the Standard models, since they have pickguards. To me, the following things would be exciting enough to warrant myself investing back into PRS like before.

* Vela H = single hum, no pickguard, trem, metallic colors, transparent finishes, solid colors.

* Vela 90 = I think you can guess this one, lol.

* Standard 22/24 with a Narrowfield in the neck position.

* Custom 24 H = single hum, trem, metallic/solid colors.

You get the idea. Just something different from the "chasing vintage" direction.

 

[László]

IMO the bridge plate on a Tele is an important part of its inherent tone. It interacts with the bridge pickup.

I'd have to agree.

Maybe the Vela bridge does too, I dunno?

I think probably so, since the guitar sounds remarkably Vela-esque and remarkably different from other PRS', as well as different from a Telecaster.

At its heart, it’s still just a typical mahogany, set neck, 25” scale PRS. The whole point of it is it’s look (again IMO).

Given that it sounds quite different, I think that the sound is the salient point. But the look is interesting and unique, it isn't a copy of an offset Fender.

So I'd say a little of both.

I don't think of offsets as shoe-gazer items at all. There's some '90s bias/overgeneralization there that's undeserved.

Offset body Jaguars were the essence of surf music in the '60s, including The Ventures (pre-Mosrite) and Beach Boys; Johnny Marr played a Jaguar with The Smiths; Whoever played guitar with the Chili Peppers initially used one (it changes); heck, my son tours with offset Fenders (among others) and he doesn't ever look at his shoes while playing! Blues players often used them back in the day, too.

To my way of thinking a guitar is a way to express the voice you want to project at any given time, and every model has its own sound. The fact that this band or that band uses a guitar says a bit about those players, but not a lot about the guitar itself or its capabilities.

And the Telecaster isn't just for country players who want to look like cowboys.

 

[d^rren]

I would love an S2 Tremonti Satin. One small request: scrape the edge of the maple top.

 

[d^rren]

Another idea: now that Vernon Reid is no longer with PRS, what about making a Vela Metal?

Vela platform, rear-routed electronics (no pickguard), dual humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose. Offer it in a bunch of wild opaque finishes, with metallics, metal flakes, and crackles. Maple and ebony fretboard options, with the small offset birds.

And black hardware.

 

[RC Mike]

It would likely serve PRS well to have some more unique S2 models that aren’t Core mimics. I don’t imagine that the success they’re having in mimicking the Core line in the SEs would encourage that, though.

 

[CivoLee]

It’s curious (IMO) how they’ve consciously chosen to not offer a Vela with the PRS trem.

Maybe they didn't want to seem too obvious about gunning for Fender's market share; though with the NF53 now they have a bit less plausible deniability. That said, the Vela is more like an offset take on the PRS Custom/Standard body shape than a PRS take on a Jazzmaster/Jaguar the same way Silver Sky is a PRS take on a Strat and the NF53 is a PRS take on a Tele.

IMO, a trem on a Vela would be like a trem on a Tele; just wrong.

My Velas are the only S2s I currently own, and though I've had a couple others from the line in the past, their pricing is such that I generally tend to cores for my mainlines and a few SEs for the cheap 'n' cheerful toys, though I think the shift to American electronics is a huge plus.

If you ask me, an offset with a fixed bridge is wrong. Guild learned their lesson with the Surfliner, which is why they brought out the Deluxe version with a vibrato.

On one hand, I'd love to see PRS do a take on the JM/Jag vibrato, but said as above it's still a PRS through and through. So sticking with the PRS whammy would probably be more appropriate.

Agree to disagree on the switch to US electronics in the case of the Vela. The Narrowfield is interesting, but not as unique as the Type-D single coil.

 

[SinSir]

Maybe they didn't want to seem too obvious about gunning for Fender's market share;

As if the SS isn't obvious enough

 

[mixmkr]

Thinly opaque white, 24 standard without the pickguard. Solid white as 2nd choice but a barely visible grain like the Se line.

 

[andy474x]

I feel a s2 594 semihollow…maybe for 40th anny with special bird pattern? Hopefully they ditch the white ivory and go pearloid with all the birds.

I hope the the hog finishes get better color options. It’s been the same for many years with a random addition here and there. They can do cool metallic colors on hogs. It’s allowed.

I'm kinda surprised we haven't seen that already! I've been expecting S2 594 semis for a while now.

Also, yes, P90's!

And how 'bout those black and white doghair finishes from the NF53 on standard models???

This thread is fun.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I've been dying for them to release an S2 hollowbody. Would be amazing. a semihollow special would be sweet too

I don’t know if a hollowbody could be made at S2 prices, but I like the idea.

I could see it MAYBE working as the most expensive S2 model.. maybe around $3k?