This is an excellent review of the guitars. My hat is off Scott being able to play the same thing over and over again for every combination take after take to give us the full tour. Most excellent discussion of the pro and cons. I liked the Jessie's idea of the S2 Mod with LTs. That got my vote for sure. Thanks!
Great video guys! Question for you, I’m just about to receive an S2 McCarty 10th anniversary with the American pick ups, the identical pick ups/ electronics that the core series has. Do you think, in your opinion from doing the video, that would make the guitars even closer sounding to each other? I have an SC58 with the 08/57 pups and it is the best sounding guitar that I’ve ever played in my life. lol You were talking about having “one really great sandwich versus having two decent sandwiches”. I could conceivably sell my PRS, SC58 not get the S2 and get a core 594. That would be one great sandwich however, the SC 58 is already a great sandwich. Lol I’m wondering if, I guess my question is, would the S2 594, with American electronics be as great sounding as the core? I would then have two great sandwiches. lol What are your thoughts about putting American pick ups in the S2, comparison, from your experience? Thanks!
@@ishguitars It won't take much convincing, believe me haha. You guys take wonderful detailed photos. That one-off Grandma Hannon Pink Metallic McCarty 594 is quite the tease.
Is the wiring the same? I cant find a straight answer on this. Minor body differences i can take and pickups can be swapped fairly easy, but are they wired the same; same pots? I put a set of 58/15LT’s in my SE and it just wasn’t close and i bought them for $600 before they were available aftermarket. Not worth it to me, but SE’s have cheaper parts and the neck feels a bit different. I’m in the market for a 26th guitar 😂 for drop tunings and i dont want to spend another 4K.
Aside for price, I much prefer the S2 inlays and look of the tuners (although wish they were locking). I much prefer the Core’s pickups, satin neck, nut (both color and material) and the fact that the tuners lock. I would buy the S2 and change pickups eventually. Also, the thing about neck carve differences - neck thickness often varies guitar to guitar when the process involves hand sanding. Wildwood’s website shows measurements of thickness at the nut and 12th fret. You’ll see across 4 guitars that are the exact same make/model/year there will be different thickness measurements. Some brands differ more from guitar to guitar. I’ve seen two 1961 SG reissues of the same year listed next to each other - one with a thickness at the nut of .790 and the other .850. This level of detail is very helpful. More retailers should take the time to provide.
I would take the S2. Actually I did. I put in for a pre buy coming in early November. It will be the second S2 along with a CE. I’m stretching my money this way
@@ishguitars I know 95 ea I’m having trouble getting into your reverb. Tell me where to place the order. I’ll be ordering when the new 594 comes in. I’m told 1st week in November
The 85/15 and 58/15 are NOT the same pickups just with a cover. I’ve torn them apart and the 85/15 bridge has THREE magnets (two on the sides in lieu of spacers). 58/15 does NOT feature this.
Also, the necks may feel different because of the asymmetric duality of the core carve. The Core pattern vintage has an asymmetry that flip flops between the lower and higher frets. I don’t know if the S2 version of pattern Vintage features this but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did not since the asymmetric carve is more complex and labor intensive. Hire me, I eat sleep and breathe PRS
Best review so far. I have 6 and soon to be 7 PRS guitars. Check out Phil McKnight's review and he's saying the same thing. He would get the S2 and only switch pickups and tuners. Anyways, what I really wanted to say is you guys did a great review. Everything played the same way and that's the way it should be in my opinion. Have a great day and keep up the good work.
Surprise! The Core sounds better. The question is whether that will matter to you when you're not comparing them side by side. You could upgrade the S2 pickups, but who knows how that will sound?
The PRS pricing is just a head scratcher sometimes. The PRS SE Standard/Custom, and S2 lines are comparable to Squier, non-USA Fender, and maybe American Performer, depending. PRS Core jumps straight to Fender Custom Shop. Interesting business model, because I wouldn't think that PRS sells a relatively large number of 10-Top guitars at $5K - $15K. The Core models don't have nearly enough separation in performance, in my opinion. I'm not as compelled to one day own a PRS Private Stock, the way that I am with a Fender Custom Shop. I went with the S2 McCarty 594 Thinline in Antique White with the Pattern thin neck.
I have an S2 CU24 and a CE24. I am happy with these excellent sandwiches! If you look at it percentage-wise, an S2 delivers about 85%-90% of the core experience at less that 50% of the cost of the core. It's an awesome value proposition. Plus let's be real, the audience will NOT hear that 10%-15% difference in a live setting. That said, the core pickups sound better than the "S" pickups so for me I could only justify paying over double the price to get the core if I was recording or if I was a working musician that relied on playing music to pay the bills. If it's not going to make you money, then why over-buy!? It's like my buddy who dropped over $3000 on high end M1 Max MacBook just so he can brag about it. It makes him literally zero dollars and a $900 M1 Air would do every single thing he uses a laptop for. I've been gigging my S2 for 10yrs now and it ALWAYS delivers! I'd be paranoid playing bars with a $4000 core PRS sitting on a stand shouting "steal me!" 😆
@@ishguitars Even with the cost is still saving a lot of money by buying them aftermarket are they only a few hundred? Because I liked your idea about mod the S2. I could hear a difference in the pickups and thought the LTs were more round, pristine, and clear as least to my ears. Now my ears don't know what is in my pocket $$$ if you know what I mean.
@@SiggyMe I would suggest you consider the Lollar Imperial LT's to replace these pup's. I did it on the SE Hollowbody II and it made a HUGE difference.
I think I have seen one pair on reverb since the guitar was released and they were like 600 dollars. The specific tuners on the 594 aren’t available from prs... I have real doubts that more than 1 person a year could afford to “upgrade” the S2 with core parts.
@@guidobandido8182 technically nothing a potentiometer change (I'm guessing stock is 500K) to 1 Meg ohm can't resolve. Or placing a cap between the hot wire and the volume pot for the neck pickup especially.
just bought the 35th anniversary S2 594 .. the wood is custom shop quality.. nitroceulous lacquer too.. but I see these reviews and they say the pickups and pots are decent .. they are straight garbage cannot believe PRS would put these in their guitars .. I put Dimarzio DP190 and DP192 in mine what a difference.. the guitar plays and sounds amazing.. do not get me wrong the guitar is better then any core I have had but they were the 24 and 22 custom the 594 scale is far superior .. buy and replace pickups a must
The 85/15 and 58/15 are NOT the same pickups just with a cover. I’ve torn them apart and the 85/15 bridge has THREE magnets (two on the sides in lieu of spacers). 58/15 does NOT feature this.
TIME STAMPS
Dirty Tones:
Dirty Bridge Humbucker Core - 00:22
Dirty Bridge Humbucker S2 - 00:41
Dirty Both Humbuckers Core - 01:01
Dirty Both Humbuckers S2: - 01:22
Dirty Neck Humbucker Core - 01:42
Dirty Neck Humbucker S2 - 02:01
Dirty Bridge Coil Split Core - 02:22
Dirty Bridge Coil Split S2 - 02:42
Dirty Neck Coil Split Core - 03:02
Dirty Neck Coil Split S2 - 03:23
Clean Tones:
Clean Neck Humbucker Core - 03:45
Clean Neck Humbucker S2 - 04:10
Clean Bridge Humbucker Core - 04:37
Clean Bridge Humbucker S2 - 05:02
Clean Neck Coil Split Core - 05:29
Clean Neck Coil Split S2 - 05:56
Clean Bridge Coil Split Core - 06:23
Clean Bridge Coil Split S2 - 06:51
Our thoughts on the differences - 07:18
This is an excellent review of the guitars. My hat is off Scott being able to play the same thing over and over again for every combination take after take to give us the full tour. Most excellent discussion of the pro and cons. I liked the Jessie's idea of the S2 Mod with LTs. That got my vote for sure. Thanks!
Great video guys! Question for you, I’m just about to receive an S2 McCarty 10th anniversary with the American pick ups, the identical pick ups/ electronics that the core series has. Do you think, in your opinion from doing the video, that would make the guitars even closer sounding to each other? I have an SC58 with the 08/57 pups and it is the best sounding guitar that I’ve ever played in my life. lol You were talking about having “one really great sandwich versus having two decent sandwiches”. I could conceivably sell my PRS, SC58 not get the S2 and get a core 594. That would be one great sandwich however, the SC 58 is already a great sandwich. Lol I’m wondering if, I guess my question is, would the S2 594, with American electronics be as great sounding as the core? I would then have two great sandwiches. lol What are your thoughts about putting American pick ups in the S2, comparison, from your experience? Thanks!
I just discovered your shop on Reverb. You guys have some LEGIT inventory! I've got my eyes on a couple 👌🏻
Thank you!! Let me know the easiest way we can convince to give up your hard earned cheddar 😉
@@ishguitars It won't take much convincing, believe me haha. You guys take wonderful detailed photos.
That one-off Grandma Hannon Pink Metallic McCarty 594 is quite the tease.
Is the wiring the same? I cant find a straight answer on this. Minor body differences i can take and pickups can be swapped fairly easy, but are they wired the same; same pots? I put a set of 58/15LT’s in my SE and it just wasn’t close and i bought them for $600 before they were available aftermarket. Not worth it to me, but SE’s have cheaper parts and the neck feels a bit different. I’m in the market for a 26th guitar 😂 for drop tunings and i dont want to spend another 4K.
Would you happen to know if they're using the new nitro finish on the S2 594's at this point? I'm jonesing and that might just push me over the edge.
Anything built in 2020 will have nitro as that’s all they’re using now. 2019 was a transition year.
I’m waiting on an S2, it’s back ordered. It’s worth the wait.
What color? We actually have a couple that are about to come in...
Aside for price, I much prefer the S2 inlays and look of the tuners (although wish they were locking). I much prefer the Core’s pickups, satin neck, nut (both color and material) and the fact that the tuners lock. I would buy the S2 and change pickups eventually. Also, the thing about neck carve differences - neck thickness often varies guitar to guitar when the process involves hand sanding. Wildwood’s website shows measurements of thickness at the nut and 12th fret. You’ll see across 4 guitars that are the exact same make/model/year there will be different thickness measurements. Some brands differ more from guitar to guitar. I’ve seen two 1961 SG reissues of the same year listed next to each other - one with a thickness at the nut of .790 and the other .850. This level of detail is very helpful. More retailers should take the time to provide.
As of 2020, the core tuners are no longer locking tuners.
I would take the S2. Actually I did. I put in for a pre buy coming in early November. It will be the second S2 along with a CE. I’m stretching my money this way
The 594 S2 and the CE are the perfect compliment to each other!! Congrats!
@@ishguitars I thought so too. I also ave the S2 single cut. I’m going to need locking tuners for both S2’s. I’ll be calling you
@@bobf4662 awesome let me know! We have them!
@@ishguitars I know 95 ea
I’m having trouble getting into your reverb. Tell me where to place the order. I’ll be ordering when the new 594 comes in. I’m told 1st week in November
The 85/15 and 58/15 are NOT the same pickups just with a cover. I’ve torn them apart and the 85/15 bridge has THREE magnets (two on the sides in lieu of spacers). 58/15 does NOT feature this.
Also, the necks may feel different because of the asymmetric duality of the core carve. The Core pattern vintage has an asymmetry that flip flops between the lower and higher frets. I don’t know if the S2 version of pattern Vintage features this but I wouldn’t be surprised if it did not since the asymmetric carve is more complex and labor intensive.
Hire me, I eat sleep and breathe PRS
Best review so far. I have 6 and soon to be 7 PRS guitars. Check out Phil McKnight's review and he's saying the same thing. He would get the S2 and only switch pickups and tuners. Anyways, what I really wanted to say is you guys did a great review. Everything played the same way and that's the way it should be in my opinion. Have a great day and keep up the good work.
Thanks so much Donly!! I'll check out his video for sure. Stay in touch, we have some other really cool stuff coming out soon...
Surprise! The Core sounds better. The question is whether that will matter to you when you're not comparing them side by side. You could upgrade the S2 pickups, but who knows how that will sound?
The PRS pricing is just a head scratcher sometimes. The PRS SE Standard/Custom, and S2 lines are comparable to Squier, non-USA Fender, and maybe American Performer, depending. PRS Core jumps straight to Fender Custom Shop. Interesting business model, because I wouldn't think that PRS sells a relatively large number of 10-Top guitars at $5K - $15K. The Core models don't have nearly enough separation in performance, in my opinion. I'm not as compelled to one day own a PRS Private Stock, the way that I am with a Fender Custom Shop. I went with the S2 McCarty 594 Thinline in Antique White with the Pattern thin neck.
Would have been great to hear why "it's no contest", especially when the comments all the way through suggested he preferred the S2?
Someday* you're going to ask yourself, "What was I thinking with that hat and sweatshirt?"
*Someday very soon.
😂😂😂 never regret cork hats and big hounds tooth
I just bought the one really good sandwich.
I have an S2 CU24 and a CE24. I am happy with these excellent sandwiches! If you look at it percentage-wise, an S2 delivers about 85%-90% of the core experience at less that 50% of the cost of the core. It's an awesome value proposition. Plus let's be real, the audience will NOT hear that 10%-15% difference in a live setting. That said, the core pickups sound better than the "S" pickups so for me I could only justify paying over double the price to get the core if I was recording or if I was a working musician that relied on playing music to pay the bills. If it's not going to make you money, then why over-buy!? It's like my buddy who dropped over $3000 on high end M1 Max MacBook just so he can brag about it. It makes him literally zero dollars and a $900 M1 Air would do every single thing he uses a laptop for. I've been gigging my S2 for 10yrs now and it ALWAYS delivers! I'd be paranoid playing bars with a $4000 core PRS sitting on a stand shouting "steal me!" 😆
good luck finding "aftermarket" 58/15LTs.
Yeah they are $$$$$ we just sold a pair for a customer
@@ishguitars Even with the cost is still saving a lot of money by buying them aftermarket are they only a few hundred? Because I liked your idea about mod the S2. I could hear a difference in the pickups and thought the LTs were more round, pristine, and clear as least to my ears. Now my ears don't know what is in my pocket $$$ if you know what I mean.
@@SiggyMe I would suggest you consider the Lollar Imperial LT's to replace these pup's. I did it on the SE Hollowbody II and it made a HUGE difference.
I think I have seen one pair on reverb since the guitar was released and they were like 600 dollars. The specific tuners on the 594 aren’t available from prs... I have real doubts that more than 1 person a year could afford to “upgrade” the S2 with core parts.
S2 sounds muddier, almost as if the tone control was dialed back to 7 or 8.
yeah....picked that up also. The S2 pickups are not USA made and I've noticed they sound muddier.
@@guidobandido8182 technically nothing a potentiometer change (I'm guessing stock is 500K) to 1 Meg ohm can't resolve. Or placing a cap between the hot wire and the volume pot for the neck pickup especially.
The neck feels thin. Maybe it has a rolled fretboard? Oh, wait it has binding. I’m a dumb dumb...🙈
no contest here...lets not kid ourselves
Tone of S2 sounds flimsy, probably because of the pickups.
just bought the 35th anniversary S2 594 .. the wood is custom shop quality.. nitroceulous lacquer too.. but I see these reviews and they say the pickups and pots are decent .. they are straight garbage cannot believe PRS would put these in their guitars .. I put Dimarzio DP190 and DP192 in mine what a difference.. the guitar plays and sounds amazing.. do not get me wrong the guitar is better then any core I have had but they were the 24 and 22 custom the 594 scale is far superior .. buy and replace pickups a must
The 85/15 and 58/15 are NOT the same pickups just with a cover. I’ve torn them apart and the 85/15 bridge has THREE magnets (two on the sides in lieu of spacers). 58/15 does NOT feature this.