Is the SE 594 just as good as the S2? 

Yes, the Thinline has a slimmer neck, not the fatter McCarty profile of the regular 594. I don’t remember the SE I had being fatter but perhaps those vary a bit whereas the USA stuff is pretty consistent. Thanks so much for watching.

Thank you. I concur on all points. Thanks for watching.

You’re correct. The S2s feel pretty much the same as the Core models to play. The SEs are great but not quite at that level. Still most of the SEs I’ve reviewed are perfect, great playing workhorse guitars. I can’t remember how much I got into it but I far prefer the SE carve for models with figured tops. The S2’s bevel works great for solid finishes. Also, PRS doesn’t use the best tops for the S2s. It’s solid, not a veneer, but they reserve the nice tops for the Core models. As a result, the veneer on the SEs often looks a lot better. You really can’t go wrong with the SEs. Some of the best under $1K guitars in the market. Thanks so much for watching and engaging.

I was a little surprised how much I like it. I took it to a show with the intention of just bringing it out for a song to see how it did in a live setting. Ended up playing it for most of the show. As I said, this one plays nearly as well as my S2 and the pickups are actually quite decent. Thanks for watching.

Thanks so much. Yes, I do as well. The SEs are really good guitars, but the S2s are just that little bit more solid and refined.

Yes. While the S2 does sound a bit richer, the biggest difference is in the feel. The SEs are a fantastic value but I’d take the S2 every time. The hanks for watching.

Thank you my friend. Yes, the S2 is a clear step up.

Well that’s great. Yes, the SEs are incredible value, and even more so with the current sale. Thanks for watching.

What pickups would you swap?

@@gavphil3383 my favorite set is the 59/custom hybrid bridge pickup and the pearly gates neck.

When it comes to silky playability, the fretwork is the most important thing, and I agree the majority of SEs, while not bad, are not up to most USA PRS models in this regard. So whether it’s Plek, or the hand work of an expert luthier/repairman, yes, some first rate fretwork can have an SE feeling as good or better. It really does make all the difference. Thanks for watching.

Yes, and interestingly enough, the pickups are identical in both. Pretty much blows the whole "it's all about the pickups" argument. Thanks so much for watching.

Be sure to catch my video on the SE 594 as well as the DGT. I slightly preferred the 594 overall, though I thought the SE DGT pickups were just a little nicer. It’s hard to go far wrong with either and it’ll probably come down to neck and control layout preference. Thanks so much for watching.

Thanks so much. Yes, I’d say the S2 sounds “bigger” even though the volume is the same.

Thank you my friend. And thanks for watching.

Thanks so much. Yes, the PRS SEs are probably the world’s best guitars under $1000, and easily hang with guitars costing 2 or 3 times the price. Thanks for watching.

Yes, the S2s are unbeatable. My 2015 S2 Standard 24 (with SD Alnico II Pros) has become my main humbucker guitar. Thing plays itself. Thanks so much for watching.

Here’s my take: the SEs are like excellent replicas of the core models, whereas the S2s are more like actual core models in terms of build and playability, just lacking the fancier aesthetics and labor intensive carving. Thanks for watching.

@leonardgriffieblues5845 thats what I took from it... thanks again and keep up the great vids. You keep it real!

In the room the S2 sounds a little richer. But yes. The biggest difference is in the feel. Thanks for watching.

​@leonardgriffieblues5845 in your opinion, how far apart is the S2 from the SE, as the SE does sound a little darker, but still sounds good. How do they feel in comparison with each other???. Thinking of the S2, but unsure

@@PetesGuitar2303 In my opinion, as they come from the factory, the S2 is significantly superior. However, not all players are going to be sensitive to the more refined fretwork and overall solid feel of the S2. Also, a first rate fret level and dress would have the SE playing at least as well, but whether by hand or by Plek, that would likely cost at least $200 to $250. For that much additional money you could probably buy a mint condition used S2. Also, the S2 uses the same fret wire, truss rod, and in the case of the 594, bridge as the core. The SE uses the same pickups and that’s about it. The only knock on the S2 is the flame maple tops aren’t always the prettiest. They’re solid, not veneers and PRS tends to use the nicest tops on the core models. The SE’s veneers actually tend to be prettier on average, so it may take a bit of shopping to find an S2 top you really like if that’s important.

The S2 is a clear step up, but the SE isn’t that far behind.

There is a difference, especially in feel, but also in sound even though the S2 and SE lines share the same pickups. But in real world situations (ie: playing a show), it’s pretty minimal. I had an SE Starla for review. Just to see, I took it to a club date, planning to play it on a song or two. I ended up playing it at least half the night and barely noticed. Thanks so much for watching.

Thank you so much, and thanks for watching.

It is very nice, and while the SE is nice as well, the S2 feels significantly more “pro”. One of my main stage guitars is another S2, my Standard 24 with Duncans. Thanks for watching.

@@leonardgriffieblues5845I ended up loving the McCarty so much I now own 3 including a core model. They are hands down my favorite guitars and I was a hardcore Strat guy(still love them)

@@ggreloaded5269I agree. One of my favorite PRS models.

Thanks so much. It’s funny. I toured all over the US, Europe, and Canada with what is essentially a high priced, extra heavy gig bag (a Mono double bag) without incident. But I get it. If you prefer hard cases it’s nice when that’s what’s provided. To be fair, gig bags are all over the place in terms of protection. Everything from the ultra high quality of the Mono bags to the thin things you get with a lot of Gibsons and Fenders. PRS USA bags are some of the nicer bags that actually come with the guitar. Thanks so much for watching.

The blanket lies in your ears 😛 In fact the SE has more treble and less bass, whereas the S2 is just bigger in sound!

I found the S2 to have a richer, more robust tone. It’s also just smoother to play. Small margins, but meaningful. Thanks for watching.

I got conflicting information regarding the hardware, so I compared them directly and they aren’t the same. For one thing, the saddles and adjustment wheels are thicker on the S2, and the proportions of the saddles in general are a little different. They appear to be made in different factories so I’m inclined to believe the report that asserted the SE bridge is made to PRS specifications, but isn’t the USA unit. PRS themselves is hazy on it, say only that it’s a PRS 2 piece bridge.

I tend to agree. Thanks for watching.

First, regardless of how I or anyone else feels about your thesis, understand I wasn’t comparing the SE to the Core. The comparison was with the S2 version, which is only a few hundred more than the SE, and therefore, a very different proposition. I agree the SEs are really good, and sure, I could make one a main stage guitar no problem. That said, I do feel the S2 is a little nicer. Not much, only a little. They essentially feel very much like the Core for literally thousands less. While they use the same pickups and usually some of the same hardware as the SEs, the necks, bodies, frets and fretwork, etc. is all done in Maryland and for me, it does feel a touch more refined than the SEs in general. Not much, just a touch. Thanks so much for watching.

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 if you compare the highest price solid body SE ($849) to the lowest price S2 (1499), the price is nearly double. If you compare the SE McCarty 594 ($759) to the S2 McCarty 594 ($1999) it is nearly triple the price according to Sweetwater. The S2 uses Import pickups but everything else is American. All the hardware is the same as the Core line. If you get the 10th anniversary S2, it's all American (US pickups). If you really care about having American and don't mind paying 3 times the price, then go ahead buy the S2, it's less than half the price of a Core and only different cosmetically from a Core. Personally, I don't think anyone should be buying a Core, you are paying custom shop prices for a production guitar. You could get a really nice R9 for not much more than a Core.

Mojo’s a little too woo-woo for me. Why not just say you prefer other brands?

These people always say "mojo mojo mojo" parroting that one particular youtube, mojo is nothing that something in your head justifying your $$$$$ Les Paul. For us commoners, working guitarist, consistency, robustness, and performance-price ratio is what matter, you can change electronics, but a good neck and fretboard? You can, but it will be costly and time consuming.

@@dadanardi5541 “Mojo” doesn’t exist any more than magic crystals. Choose the guitar that performs well for you and your playing provides the “mojo”, or so you hope. Thanks for watching.

That kind of thing comes from the player, not the instrument.