it's official... PRS CHANGED THE GAME 

Being older, I was always a Gibson and fender guy (occasionally Gretsch), but I was always on the fence with relatively newer brands like PRS, Suhr, etc. But then I borrowed a friend’s Modern Eagle, and I was blown away. I started digging in a little more to educate myself, and started opening my mind a little. I then came across a 35th anniversary S2 24-08 that has USA 58/15 LT pickups in it, and that was it for me. I was sold. I now have 4 PRS guitars ranging from SE to Wood Library, and I play them all more than my Gibsons and Fenders now. Crazy. Never thought that would happen.

Impossible - PRS guitars have no soul. I read it on the internet.

Michael, your voice and editing bouncing through this story is SPOT ON. Very easy to listen to and watch. Well done

PRS se custom 24 owner here. I love it. Nothing entry level about it.

My daughter’s friend got a job at PRS just three months ago (his name is Brock), and he’s already been promoted because of his quilt top design work. He showed me two of his prototypes, and they are absolutely sick! Since you’re a Looks Matter kind of guy, you’re in for a real treat when you get a load of those bad boys! 🤘🏾

I own four (4) PRS core models - [DGT, CU22, Triple Soapy, SC semi-hollow]. They are ALL brilliant guitars. Recently I bought a used SE Hollowbody(Piezo) for fly-gigs and it has fast become my favourite guitar to play by my computer. I leave it out all the time, because it was A LOT cheaper than the cores, so I grab it more often. It's just so damn playable. Insane value for money.

I just got an SE Custom 22 Semi hollow, and it is fantastic! It's my first PRS of any sort. I'm satisfied.

My first, and only, PRS is a 2020 SE Standard 24 - no maple cap, just gorgeous mahogany wood grain, 85/15 pups, and I love the tones and the way it plays. I was checking out the SE McCarty 594 at my favorite local store, but when I got home and pulled out my Standard and played it, I said to myself, "I don't need another PRS - which I can't afford."

I agree with you, Mike, PRS's decision to listen to customers and pay attention to what was making many of us apprehensive on buying an S2 over an SE will benefit the S2 line greatly and I can see the S2 line being one of the line's strongest sellers. I bought an S2 McCarty 594 last year, and then spent a lot upgrading to the 58/15 LT, hardware and tuners, and always second-guessed why I bought it only to pump a lot more money into it beyond just changing pickups or something here and there as I owned the guitar. What I never looked back on, though, is how good this guitar feels and how great it sounds. I don't even get my Gibsons out of the case. This is a good decision by PRS and I'm happy for people who want an American-made PRS with actual American pickups and higher quality hardware.

I just bought an Epiphone Les Paul standard pro, been playing it for almost a month non stop, I always wanted a Les Paul and even though its not a Gibson, Ive been playing Epiphone (SG) for a long time, so I know this brand is a workhorse, plus its really nice overall, I really love the Les Paul, but yesterday I played my PRS Santana SE... man, PRS is just so... smooth, the guitar is simple and light but at the same time is very aggresive with the pickups and warm sounding, its really just pure joy when it comes to playing that guitar.

Mike, you have yourself a fantastic day too. Thanks for making these really cool videos for us.

My SE Paul's guitar is easily the best guitar I've ever played

Last year I bought a SE custom 24-08 (Ezra green) and the sheer versatility of that instrument has made me a PRS believer. Its my favorite guitar I own.

My SE Mark Tremonti is one of my favorite guitars to play. It has a JB and a Jazz.

It's interesting. I've owned 5 PRS guitars in my lifetime (currently have 3). My first was a 1994 CE-24. It was the prettiest of them all. Purple/maple top. GORGEOUS guitar. Then in 2009 I bought a 2008 Mira (Core Mira - before the S2 factory). Because of the weight, it instantly became my main guitar after 14 years of the CE-24 holding that title. So in 2012, I decided to sell the CE to buy another 2008 Mira I found on eBay. Basically sold the CE for what it cost to buy the 2nd Mira (I bought the 94 CE-24 in 1994 for $1800 - sold it in 2012 for $1300 & it needed new frets and had many dings). I eventually sold both Miras. Went through a regrettable Les Paul phase. So I was "PRS-less". But that led me to having custom builds made. Sold all of my Les Paul models (some Gibson - some Epiphone). Ended up having a guy build me 3 custom builds between 2017 & 2019. Still own all three of them. Love them. Will never part with them. In 2021 a local shop (coincidently owned by the guy who does the custom builds), had a 2017 PRS Vela used on the shelf. Played it for 5 minutes and instantly bought it. I was back in the PRS game! Then the following spring, I walk into his shop and there is MY old 2008 Mira that I had traded/sold off. I knew it was mine from some of the unique dings. I had to buy it as I always regretted my Les Paul phase. So life was good. Balance had been restored to the PRS force. Well one of my biggest regrets was getting rid of that 1994 CE-24. Dumb move. It was my first really nice guitar. So for a while I watched on Reverb to see if any early 90's models showed up. They just kept getting more and more expensive. And the new ones are crazy. Low and behold.... ... PRS decided to give us the SE CE-24. At $700 (actually $800 as I instantly ordered the SE locking tuners to swap out)... it's a hell of guitar. Is it as nice as the 94 model? Nah. But it's REALLY nice for the price. So nice, that I'm thinking of grabbing one of the satin finish versions (currently going for an insane $499). I really wish I still had that 94 model. But there was a reason I stopped using it at gigs. It was heavy. My preferred tone had changed over the years. So the Mira was just a better fit. I didn't think for a second of ever swapping pickups in it. Anyhow, the point of all of this is that they are are all such different guitars. I've loved all of them for various reasons and have gripes with each of them (the Vela is only 22 frets - nothing wrong with that. But I'm used to the 24 frets so it's an adjustment when I grab it). PRS will ALWAYS listen to what the customers want and as Paul himself has said in numerous interviews... the don't make changes just to change. They make changes when they think they can make improvements that matter. So there must be something big coming for the core models. Or it's just simply going to come down to the cores having the better wood and finishes. Either way.... might be time to look at a new S2 model. lol.

I have the SE McCarty 594 single cut in blue and it is my favorite guitar I've ever played

I feel so deprived. I've never played a PRS. Still trying desperately to have a fantastic day.

Long time (before they were called Core) PRS user from back in the hiphop-rock days. Currently my fave is my McCarty 594. Ever since the debut of the SE series I have been consistently impressed with the SE quality. The first one that had me in awe was the 245 single cut model. Dead ringer for my 10Top SingleCut. Like, acoustically the SE245 was on par with a guitar 3x its price. I recently picked up an SE Hollowbody Standard Piezo Doghair, and again, compared to the Core version, blown away by how close the specs match a Core version, at a fraction of the price! Now I want a DGT!😂

Just got the SE NF3 & I love the sounds it makes! Also the wider neck is perfect. I hope people don’t sleep on it

One of the most informative reviews I've ever seen. Really appreciate the info.

As a Gibson/Fender old guy, I say nothing wrong with PRS. They definitely have the best quality control system in the industry, and people just need to come to terms that the whole world doesn’t like the same stuff. Rock on PRS people 🎸🎸🎸.

The bridge, especially the saddles are to be replaced. Then it opens up. No more plinky sound. You'll forever be satisfied with it. However...some core models have an oomph to the sound that no s2 can get...no clue what it is yet

PRS, Schecter and Ibanez will be the brands making into the future I believe

Those SE's are incredibly great. I tried some last year and could not believe how good they were compared to the Core models that I own ( I own 4 of them). Love your content by the way!

Your chord choices were wonderful. Always beautiful videos full of fan-focused content... but just listening to you play, you are definitely an artist. Very cool.

The 58/15 LT's in the new S2 Satin model is a total game-changer. A dual-humbucker with a 5-way switch for so many different pickup combinations and sounds is a gigging player's dream. That axe is now on my to-do list.

I just bought an S2 Custom 24 08 with the U.S. made pickups and electronics and it is amazing! The sound, playability, and yes, the looks are incredible. It's like a core but at half the price.

I have owned several Custom 24's. I currently play a 1997 Custom 24. They are great Rock guitars. Wish they were more versatile.

im so amazed by how much guitar you can get for the price, i own the SE Orianthi limited edition model and it plays so incredibly well i have yet to come across anything that feels so reliable to pick up and play.

PRS - great guitars at every price level, nuff said

the silver sky got me into PRS and 4 silver Skys, 3 McCarty, 3 Custom 24 later I'm a huge PRS fan!

The turning pegs are still different as well as the bridge. The Core tuning pegs help it stay in tune better. The bridge on the Core also with its brass, provides a much different sound and improved sustain. The body looks and feels alot better as well.

Thanks for the great review. I enjoyed hearing you play it as well, but the sticker price blew me away. These are difficult financial days. I love my PRS Hollow body, and my PRS Silver Sky SE. Especially the Hollowbody. Buying that was life-changing. These just aren't days where I can drop this kind of money, no matter how earth-shattering this one is. I was really hoping you were going to tell us this was a surprisingly affordable model.

About your comment on the pickups, it’s the other way around. The SE always had the “S” versions of the pickups. The S2 series got pickups pots and hardware from the SE line up until now with the S2 getting the core pickups. Funny enough now instead of the S2 line being sort of a bad value over the SE it’s now the CE that’s a bad value over the S2

Definitely looking into these for my next one though, I feel like that solo toward the end would've sounded good on anything, that was some great playing!

Note that "24" models will have tones more like Gibson SG and "22" fret models more like Gibson LP due to pickup placement under the strings.

I’ve had a PRS Special 22, a US Silver Sky, an S2 594 (with Fishman opencores) and got rid of all of them. None of them inspired me to play. Traded the silver sky and 594 for an HSS Suhr. And decided on a different Suhr so went to sell the trade and couldn’t move it. Found a guy getting rid of his Myles Kennedy model and asked if he’d be willing to trade (fully expecting to sell it if he did). He agreed to trade and I couldn’t believe how incredible that Myles Kennedy model was. So incredible that I sold some other stuff and kept it. First PRS that REALLY inspired me to play. The others were all superb quality instruments, but just didn’t have that ‘thing’. If you’re priced out of that one at the moment, wait for an SE version because holy smokes that guitar is insanely cool.

Yep my SE 594 McCarty is the exact same one and my God how it sounds and for what I got it for is just nuts

Great review man, and congrats for that beauty. To me PRS was a sudden discovery when I played one core McCarty back in 2008. From that moment on I knew what was all about. They're always making great choices. I hope I can meet the chairman itself someday when I visit Maryland.

The video editing is so fire and your voice is so nice to hear

Just recently purchased a lefty model of the SE Custom 24-08 in faded blue, sight unseen. Amazing guitar. Not a single regret. That guitar is damn straight addictive.

I recently bought a PRS Custom SE in Dodger blue 💙 and it plays fantastic and sounds amazing! PRS guitars are nice indeed.

I have a custom 24 and I was looking into another PRS so I went to store to check some out. I picked up the 24-08 and immediately was surprised kinda like your describing you friend

Love my s2!! Have been waiting for this! Now the value is back in the s2 line. Will be grabbing a 24-08 for sure!

Nice vid, Mike. I was startled when you mentioned the shortcomings of the splits in the DGT SE. I was so disappointed in their choices, I gutted the electronics and replaced them with a Duncan JB and ‘59. The splits are now outside coils instead of the inside ones, and the guitar’s sound is improved 100%. Cheers!

The SE DGT really changed my mind about PRS.

24-08’s are amazing. PRS are really onto something with these TCI pickups. I’m totally in love with my Wood Library core 24-08. It’s so inspiring to play.

I play mostly semi-hollow body guitars. But, I bought an SE 594 two months ago in black gold. I am loving this guitar. I actually find myself using the coil taps a lot, they’re that good.

I have 2 PRS’s. My first is a core Custom 24. My most recent is a 2408 SE… The 2408 makes me wonder why anyone would spend the money for a core model anymore. If I understand correctly the SE line is now made by Cort. They’re knocking it out of the park…..

That's a funny way to state the pickup sharing, that they are putting S2 pickups in SEs, lol. Back in 2013 when they launched the S2 models their direction was a simplified US made chassis with import SE electronics (basically imported loaded pickguards). This was because they saw even in their core lines that buyers were auto-swapping pickups "fur the toanzes!" and thus why price the S2 models with unique pickups so they just put the SE stuff in there to keep the S2s more competitive.

I got a Tremonti core and a DW-24. They’re both amazing! Tremonti is heavy and chunky tones, the DW-24 is a different take but I love it! Great video production by the way

I'm interested only in the esthetics and how it feels in the hands. Sound? Just try a different speaker of a different IR. That's the real gamechanger when looking for "a sound" IMO.

Those pickups sound great. I would think about getting a 2024 S2.

I have a 2016 Les Paul pro custom Epiphone it's a lefty. Best guitar out I have ever owned I own a schecter 7 string and I love that guitar. What are we traded in a heartbeat for that Epiphone. A sound is amazing I added a 59 Seymour Duncan humbuckle in the lead position. She's so sweet

Ah, to be fair I think the SE DGT is made by PT Cort in Indonesia, they deserve some credit too.

I grabbed a Custom 24 SE just a couple months ago when I visited Sweetwater's campus in Fort Wayne. I actually prefer the 85/15s of the SE line to the 58/15s of the S2 and core models, but everyones ear is different.

Looks cool, hope I get to try one soon! PRS guitars feel fantastic to play, but imo they lack in the metal department unless you have an Amp doing the heavy lifting. Plus I still can't stand the bird frets, so it's already a deal breaker no matter how good it plays

So, I saw this on the day you posted. A week later, I found myself in a store looking at an eriza verde 24-08 on sale. I've wanted a PRS, and just out of price range....walked out with it. But even though I've wanted one since I saw Tim from 311 and Mike from incubus, 20 years ago. I have a tele, a strat, a jazz master..... But I got this PRS and it blows my mind

Mike just found your show…nice! I have Gibson, Gretsch , Fender but out of all of them my go to is my PRS SE Custom 24…love the neck and does everything. Nice playing brother!👍😎

the mark holcomb SE is fire

My wife got me a Mira S2 that has the coil split and I absolutely adore it. Preferred over my Santana SE and my SE Custom 24

You can’t beat PRS. You get so much more for your money than any other brand. I have owned several PRS and currently have an S2 Standard 22 and SE DGT. Both absolutely amazing guitars and on the same level if you ask me.

Looks are everything. Sound is easy to fix.

Owned an S2 double cut and loved it. Had to sell it unfortunately but was able to score a SE 594 single cut. Both are amazing. The S2 in my opinion played a little easier and resonated in the hands more but the 594 really does play exceptionally well and not planning on letting it go anytime soon. I do plan on eventually getting another S2. Yes spec wise are similar but play differently. The 24/08 looks sick

1000 PRS geeks waxing rhapsodic about their “relationship” with a CE while the Gibsons and Fenders they own go unplayed. LOL 😝

I bought a 2007 PRS Single cut two years ago. With a few minor adjustments it plays better than any Les Paul custom I've ever played.

Back in the late 90s I bought a PRS 24. They were all US made back then. I played every PRS in that shop and every one sounded different. I actually preferred the looks of a different one but the one I bought just sounded right. It fit me. I can even remember the looks on faces when I played it. Unfortunately, someone broke into my house and stole that guitar. Now, PRS has so many models and lines and I just can't keep up anymore. I will probably never be able to justify another US made (core) PRS so I will have to just be happy with my memories. Heck, romanticized memories are probably better than the real thing anyway. (Still wish I could find my old guitar though.)

I just picked up a brand new old stock 2019 single cut Santana Egyptian gold SE. It has the TCI pickups in it and the tone is killer.

My PRS 594 SE bodies my fenders. 1000% more soul and I LOVE my Fenders.

PRS has now put American electronics and wound pickups in the S2 for 2024. A few hundred bucks more and a fancy bag. I managed to snag a Gray/ black fade Purple burst and WOAH NELLY.

I have two electric SEs and an acoustic SE. LOVE them all. I owned an S2 standard and it felt great, but my SEs have more character and sound that’s their own.

It depends on whether you say that you don't care what others think, or you actually do not care what others think. Peer pressure is what drives people to buy an American Strat over a foreign-made Strat, or a true Gibson over an Epi, but the only thing that SHOULD matter is, How does it sound?? My budget allows for an SE Custom 24-08, I think it sounds great, and I'm happy to have it.

Been a strat and gibson guy all my life but always wandered about prs, until i got my CE24 and now all i use its my prs more versatile with sounds, and with the coil split makes it harder to let go, now im looking into a silversky, and a mc carty model

Have the single cut version. Really wish I would have waited and found a double cut instead. Oh well. Still sounds amazing.

Been having a PRS McCarty since 2001. Great guitar!

I used to work at a music store and I still have connections with multiple PRS Reps. I've spoke to them many times about the most 'upfront' differences between the SE, S2, and CE. What it really comes down to is the pickups, whether the body/neck is one piece or multiple, tonewood, the hardware, where it's made. Despite the SE being made in Indonesia, all the guitars are inspected by the US Factory before shipping out; which is really cool. Personally, i can barely feel or hear a difference... Not to say that the S2 and CE are bad but that the SE are just that good. They all play and sound very crisp and the tonal variety you get is insane.

I managed to ask Mr. PRS a question during one of their livestream events a while back on that issue. It was how they could manage to keep the Core, S2, SE lines distinct while still pursuing continuous improvement. While I can't remember the answer off the top of my head (starstruck I think) - this pickup trickle-down process is one of the ways. I suspect SE's will always use veneers - but can get some of the fancier dye patterns from SE/ Core. As S2 goes to all TCI - I suspect the machinery used for the S2 pickups will be moved to Indonesia (as they did with the 82/15 pickup machines to become the 82/15 S pickups). PRS seems to have a plan - and it's working.

I absolutely love my SE Tremonti. Sound is absolutely amazing.

I've owned a bunch of PRS guitars from SE to US models, with my sweet spot being the CE line. I also have a few fender custom shops and Gibson Les Pauls. The thing about PRS, they all are super consistent and all of mine have been flawless. My US Silver Sky is great too. For some reason, no matter how good the PRS guitars are I just don't connect with them like I do the Fender CS or Gibsons. I can't explain it at all. They are flawless, sound great, play great, look beautiful. If I had to sell off my collection for some reason the PRS models would be the first I'd list.... I just prefer the classics I guess. If I was a touring musician and needed a guitar for a gig in a pinch, I'd grab a PRS in a heartbeat sight unseen as I know it would be great. Just never got emotionally attached to one.

Here come all the “influencers” PRS did something.

My most played guitar still is my PRS McCarty along with a Squier Strat I paid next to nothing for back in 2020, best of both worlds I guess lol. Really excited to check this new 24-08 out, it looks like a dream come true since I've never been able to justify to myself dropping 5k+ on a core PRS!

I recently stepped up to the SE Custom 24-08, and the pickup are increasable. I have a Fender Professional shawbucker and I still get better tone from my PRS. I just can't get the quack, which makes sense. PRS has stepped up their game for sure. I can feel how professional the SE Custom is. I can't afford the S series or the Core, but they have done a great job with the Custom SE.

My first PRS was an S2, back from when PRS did their 35th anniversary models across all their lines. I loved it, but it was always a gateway to a core for me; a way of seeing if PRS was a brand I would gel with. Turns out I very much did and have had a couple of core models since then, which I sold the S2 to bolster my finds for. If the S2 range was as it is now though, with the same pickups and nitro finish as the core models, I would likely have kept it a while longer before selling it.

The Custom 24-08 has 24 frets but has a toggle switch for splitting each pickup. 8 combinations

I had to save for weeks for my cheapo wah pedal and my Fuzzface distortion box (that I ordered through the mail in 1983). We didn't get any allowance in my family. I also lost a brand new $120 chorus pedal back then by leaving on the roof of my car and driving off.

Would make sense except that the first thing most people do with the Core model is change the pickups.

Sounds like you’re saying these new PRS guitars hit a similar sweet spot to an old Gibby with P-90s. Turns out we probably shouldn’t be bucking the hum … we need that imperfection, it’s the soul of electric guitar.

I have a PRS SE Custom 24 and a PRS SE Silver Sky, and I do not see the need to spend more, as these sound and play great.

I just got the PRS silver sky SE and I have played a lot of nice guitars but both my silver sky and my tremonti (both are SE's) and they are some of the best guitars I have ever played and my silver sky is a guitar that I just don't want to leave my hands

My PRS of choice in the Tremonti II. I think mine was about $4200. I never had to guess which tone and functionality I wanted because Mark has already gotten it right. My only complaint about the Tremonti II is that it's a bit in the heavy side. Other than that, it's the perfect guitar.

I think when it comes to PRS, their quality control is so good, they all mostly play the same from the bottom end to the top end. Whether I would buy an SE or a Core really depends on what I need it for. If I just need a comfortable guitar to play a gig, any PRS would work. The only reason to buy an S2 or a Core is the pickups, build materials and better build quality/detail. From a play-ability stand point, there is very little difference between an SE and a Core. To the point I could get an SE version and just pay for the premium electronics and be good to go. Just comes down to individual taste IMHO..... In the old days, guitar build quality was not great or consistent. You bought a premium guitar because the budget guitars just did not have good durability or dependability. Heck, I had a $3K Gibson ES175 that was always in the shop. Now they are making guitars for under $500 that I could tour with if I had to. Between PRS and Ibanez, you really cannot go wrong. Fender/Squire and Gibson/Epiphone has nice stuff. But the quality is not as consistent at the under 5 price range. I currently own a PRS SE Zach Meyers, PRS SE Swamp Ash Special and PRS SE CE24 Satin. I have not done any work/gigs with them yet.

I’ve been really fortunate to do some trades and come across a really high-end PRS is Dgt’s core models 594 wood library, Dgt wood library, private stock. They’re amazing, but no matter how good they are there’s always I feel like something missing I did look into the SE model From overseas and the quality is phenomenal. I just kind of find myself constantly buying just a solo again hard to hang on to for some reason

There's actually no "S2" pickup line. PRS put the SE pickups in the S2 models, not the other way around. They're all made by G&B in Korea, and they're one of the reasons why PRS was able to design the S2 line to the price point they sell for. The hardware and electronics are imported. That said, they are very good pickups.

Hey man, just wanted to say I love your enthusiasm for guitar gear and your videos are top notch! Earned yourself a subscriber 🙂 It just so happens I have a 594 SE in black gold burst winging its way to me!

Just tried the s2 custom 24 and the SE , I liked the feel of the S2 neck better. Sound wise they sounded almost identical.

My crystal ball says, there will be a big Core sale later this year or early next year...then an updated ... new & improved ... Core line will get released. I just ordered a new S2.

It’s actually the other way around. The s2 guitars used the same import electronics as the se’s…until this year. Now all the s2’s are using core model electronics. If you play clean or low gain, it would make a discernible difference…but crank the gain knob and all that difference doesn’t matter. You could be playing a 500 dollar squire and you wouldn’t be able to pick it out of a mix from the prs.

Owned a few core (594, SSky, 245) & a few S2’s - huge honeymoon period but after that, just left me a bit cold. Sold em’

I thought I wanted to collect guitars. After some time with a Yamaha and a Squier Classic Vibe, I picked up an SE. loved it so much I got an S2. easy to play, sound good, and the birds are dope. I’m no longer a collector, just a player.

"What I was noticing was that PRS was actually putting the same pickups from their S2 models into their SE guitars." Historically, it actually was the other way around. S2 had SE electronics, which was one of the factors why S2 is cheaper than USA. S2 was literally noting more than a USA-made SE. So, why even bother buying S2 in the first place? However, if S2 now has USA electronics, that would certainly give S2 a reason to exist. Even I might be interested in getting an S2.