$900 SE vs $3500 PRS Silver Sky | Sound Comparison
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 8. 09. 2024
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I canât tell the difference. Iâm more impressed on how you recorded both guitars and your timing was flawless. I know when I play any song I never manage to play it exactly the same. Great job. It makes the comparison easier to listen to. And I emphasize that the lower priced version sounds as good as the other.
Itâs called playing with a metronome
Tom Smith - Same thing i thought. Couldn't tell. Certainly the NEBULA was not $2,600 better.
@@christopherweise438 quality - price is not linear. It's exponential growth.
@@christopherweise438 Spot on Christopher
@@victorsantiago7391 Could be a track with drums and bass that you're not hearing. Not hard to do at all. Nicely done demo, just the same!
The SE models from PRS have always been an incredible value and this seems not exception. I have heard of bands who actually tour with SE models even though they have an American model, because they really are good enough and they don't have to worry as much about looking after an expensive guitar on the road. It is really great to also have an affordable guitar which doesn't make big compromises, which aren't difficult to play and could put off beginners to the instrument.
I honestly couldn't tell the difference in the performance. Stunning quality, especially considering the price range!
Best side by side comparison video Iâve ever seen! The quick back and forth over the same song is so much better than the usual gratuitous soloing you see on other channels. Well done Mary! Love your style!
Such a cool vid Mary! Rad that you could do a side by side comparison, loveee! đž
I'll be checking out your vids on this thing next. wanna hear what both of you have to say.
SOPHIE!!
I'd be interested in hearing about what you think about it.
@@kathleenandbruce She also has a review video. There are many. So far, I've found Mary's and hers to be far more helpful than most.
I'm just impressed that you actually synced the comparisons perfectly with any flanging or latency.
Well, you're right. The differences are subtle. But they are there for sure.
Then again, I'm an Audio Engineer so I'm probably likely to hear nit picky things that the average player doesn't care about.
You're quite a talented Musician, and so young. Very cool.
All the best. đ
can you point out some differences
Honestly, the SE actually fixes a couple of the things I didn't like about the US model when I tried one, particularly with the slightly flatter radius. I liked the US model, but definitely not enough to buy one for the price they are. SE might be another story entirely!
I played one at the L.A. Amp Show and just didn't want to put it down. After the euphoria wore off I could not bring myself to spend upwards of $2500 for one. $850? You bet. And that Dragonfruit color slams.
You have played the SE? Did you like the radius?
@@hanskung3278 Never understood why people dont like small radius. Except when the bends are choking. Flat fingerboards are terrible.
@@nojeshei Yep
The way you compare them {color changes) is the best I ever saw.
Great playing as always. And I'm floored how similar they sound. I was disappointed that life got in the way and prevented me from buying a Silver Sky last year, but now I'm really stoked about getting an SE instead.
The difference, IMO, is how they feel. I have an older Standard 24 and compared to SEs it feels incredibly refined. Wasn't out of tune after being in storage for 6 months. Gloss neck is surprisingly smooth and slippery too, not sometime I encounter with other glosses
Both are beautiful instruments and I'm very impressed how there isn't little differences. Amazing
Yeah one looks amazing and the other ugly
It really does play and sound remarkably close to the SS. Well done
The nebula sounds a little bit brighter. Iâd probably hold out for a used USA model but I think the SE will fly off the shelf. Really great side by side demo. Great playing as always Mary.
I agree and completely disagree, I actually prefer the SE because itâs a little warmer and more similar to what I like.
Just proves thereâs no right or wrong in guitars, I suppose.
I mean you're going to dial in the exact tone you want through your amp anyway so I think the pickups are pretty much a wash imo.
Agreed
I've heard the same in a couple of comparison videos as well. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.
SE still half the price of a used Core SS
The American made sounds like it has a more pronounced top-end and perhaps a bit more depth. It's a subtle difference though. The position 4 on both is to die for!
What I am most impressed about is your timing Mary. It is really hard to nail two performances down to a t so you could make the seamless switch between them. Very nice!
Agree
honestly prefer the sound of the se especially in the 4th and 5th position it has a nicer bassier sound to me without getting muddy, not as bright as the silver sky but i like that its warmer, more mellow and to me feels more present and impactful.
You're a great professional! Not all pro are able to repeat same performances between two takes, I mean both your guitar sound and your voice are outstanding and on the mark on both takes! Thank you for sharing your personal experience, great things to know for musicians with low budget like me. Cheers from Italy!
The side by side song context was crucial. Bravo for going that route. Excellent demo!
They sound very similar. They did a great job on the SE. That said, I can hear a clear difference in the bottom, low mids - the USA is more full. Both sound great!
Would you be able to tell that so call difference if you wouldn't know they are very differently priced gritar? Or. Just even if you wouldn't know they are 2 different guitars? I don't think so
Listening on my studio monitors I can hear this too, but wasn't quite sure how to phrase it. I think the SE sounds a bit tighter in the lows, where the USA is more full as you said. I think I like the sound of the SE better in that regard personally
silver sky sounds like a CS strat SE sounds like a player series
@@samueldavidvisuals2595 i prefer the SE sound. More silky sound
Can hear the difference if the se had the same pickups as the USA one they would be too close to the same for the money đ° go the SE change yo USA đșđž pickups
Both great guitars. PRS doesnât skimp on the SEs
I agree. I own a PRS SE 245, and it sounds bloody great! It weighs nine and a half pounds, but the tone and construction are so good!
body is a cheap chinese poplar/cottonwood hybrid like the kind I used to see on 99$ guitars.
Cheapest, thinnest sounding guitars I've ever played or owned.
@@DeffoZappo tonewood literally doesn't matter on electric guitars lol. plus john petrucci's signature model was made out of poplar and that thing is a high end beast. if it sounds good, then its good.
You gave the absolute best side by side comparison I've seen yet. And , I love your music. Best of both worlds in this video. I look forward to more videos and possibly tour dates here in the USA.
I thought they both sounded great!
Generally speaking, the things that normally set the American version vs import apart is pickup sounds and playability. What I got from this video is that Mary did not notice a significant difference between the two. However, she did preferred the SE neck over the American made.
The biggest difference that I noticed was that you seemed to be having more fun with the SE. Great vid and lovely playing, Mary.
REALLY is refreshing to see a side by side playing a song. So few do it this way and I appreciate your honesty that the cheaper one may actually be well worth the buy. Given that I purchased 4 new guitars in the last month- I will admire it from afar. Thanks for doing this- my interest has certainly perked up.
Excellent comparison Mary! I have a few PRS models in my collection form SE models to a Core wood library model. I recently sold my Core Custom 24 and purchased an S2 McCarty 594 Thinline. Just so impressed with all of them and you are so right that the difference between the SE to S2 to Core models is a matter of diminishing returns. Anyway, I just pre-ordered my Silver Sky SE in the same Moon White color and loved how it looks white in the monochrome black & white videos. You've also convinced me to practice more using my thumb over the Low E string instead of contorting my hand and fingers to those wrist numbing C-shape bar chords! Thank you!!!
The nebula is much brighter & full, actually very noticeable
I'm blown away the consistent performances for each guitar! It's one of the measures of pro level skills isn't it?
Imagine what you can get with the 2400 saved! Amp, pedals, cables, monitors, time from mixers, etc.
FM9 (if you can get one- I'm still on the waiting list for months) w/money to spare for lessons=winning!
jells man you need to think about jells
They do sound very similar! The top end sky has a sparkle in the highs that distinguishes it from the SE. In the lows and mids I can hear a little bit more of a tightness in the regular sky. Overall the SE sounds killer too!
They both have the exact same electronics.
@@TourGuide223 and your point is? They have completely different tone woods for the neck and body. That alone can change what I was speaking of.
@@RyanAdams1 Tone woods lol
@@RyanAdams1 By the way all 3 levels of this guitar have a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, not that it would make a difference. However the 2500 dollar one gives you a choice to have a solid maple neck but those weren't even featured in this video.
All that extra money for such a subtle difference that 95 of people cant tell is a waste of money. Put the same pickups in both and there would be zero difference.
Well I must say Mary, I think this is the best review / demo of this guitar Iâve seen and I have not stopped watching half way through. Not forcefully pushing the hype, just a clear comparison between each guitar, and very well done it is too. It is hard to tell the difference between the 2, a great demo of the sound. Great recording on your part too.
Iâm partial to blue but what I loved is the chord progression you opened with.đ
The tone is slightly brighter on the nebula. Great demo Mary.
To my ear the PRS Silver Sky has a bit more of a dynamic sound. The SE sound isn't quite as full. But it's a slight difference - not over-the-top obvious. Quite an accomplishment for a $900 guitar. I wonder what Rick Beato or Rhett Shull would think of the SE? đ
I believe Sophie Burrell is also reviewing it, and she's familiar with PRS. So that's worth a check out.
Itâs the kind of difference Iâd be happy with the Se but still wish Iâd bought the American. For me ÂŁ900 for a SE and if I could get the American SS rosewood used for ÂŁ1600 itâs a no brainier Iâd get the American in a heart beat. Iâd rather have a used American SS over a new SE
@Reid James itâll be a long time till these SE silver skys end up going for sale used. I predict the scalpers are going to buy available stock and theyâll end up going for ÂŁ1500 on ebay
@Reid James UK based, but I predict next year price will go up and be maple boards then the following year will end up laurel or some crap like that. Iâm still going to wait for a second hand core at a good price but I need to eBay something else to make space
PS Andersonâs said if they get obvious scalper orders they will immediately cancel. I think it should be one per customer so people desperately wanting an SE will actually get one
Obviously if you want a "Strat" by PRS, this is the contender. PRS builds typically offer low action/good fretwork, but the user experience for many folks is 1)neck 2) pickups which really must be a hands-on test. SE's always models have dumbed-down higher output pickups that are less sensitive to dynamics; thats life in the PRS pecking order. But the good news is if you like the neck/action then for a bit over $100 you can swap in some real Strat pickups (eg Tex Mex). Hopefully we can check these out in stores soon.
Absolute respect for the discipline and skill involved in that opening demo. Shows your skills as a player, really well done.
Tonal difference is minimal in my opinion, especially in the song context. PRS onto a winner here I think.
All this video was missing was the original version of Last Train before JM covered you
I bought an SE some time back and have to say I was blown away with the build quality. Really a great platform and something PRS should be very prod of for the price point. The fret work was of a quality I've not see in any other guitar at the price point.
Once you swap the PRS SE pickups for something much better and in line with your sound, they're at least as good as the originals they seek to mimic.
@@gandalf8216 I have little doubt. The key thing for PRS is they got the hard to do stuff 100% right, so what a great platform to upgrade :)
I was quite surprised to see which was the more expensive instrument. I prefered the tonality of the $900 model and was expecting it to be the other one. I do see where the $3500 unit could give an engineer more to work with in some cases, especially with delicate parts.
I just pre-ordered one from Sweetwater. I got the guitar and a bone nut installation with set up option based on your review. Thanks!
The Nebula has more high-end clarity, but otherwise, they both sound amazing.
@Reid James Yep, but they're not going to put the high-end pups on a "low-end" (for PRS, anyway) guitar. If you could get the pickups from the Nebula and put them on the SE, you would have basically the same guitar, but with what looks like (to me) a more comfortable fretboard radius.
this is how all side by side comparisons of guitars should be done - fantastic
The whole PRS SE line of guitars are the absolute best guitars made in that price range. I'm not surprised at all that the Silver Sky SE is an absolute gem. I think I'm gonna get one. I've thought about it long enough.
Im here to tell you to do it. I cant put this thing down it just feels like⊠a guitar? Its not the greatest in any aspect but absolutely everything just feels right. Ive never been super impressed with PRS, but wow this guitar just works.
Us mere mortals may never be able to get the SE model. The first time I heard you was on Andertonâs now I look for everything you do. Thanks.
The only real difference I heard was that the pickups in the SE were slightly more noisy (or maybe they're lower output and you had to up the gain for uniform volume). Either way - it's fantastic!
i'm definitely going to pick it up used later on lol. so cheap
They are slightly hotter. As seen in another review when tested with a meter.
The pick ups are exactly the same! Lmao...my god
@@gibson2623 Watch the 'know your gear' review. Pick-ups are definitely not the same.
@@gibson2623 They're not the same. But they both sound great, frankly.
So this is going up against the player series I guess. Sounds amazing
I have been listening to 'reference audio' for two decades now and I can't detect a single tonal difference between those guitars. Paul Reed Smith is one of the few people who truly understands the science of sound.
Aww, that final phrase of the song where you harmonized with yourself - magical!
Wonderful comparison video. Beautifully done. I honestly feel that they are pretty indistinguishable sonically. (I think that I would also prefer the 8.5" radius from past experiences...). Thanks for your demo version..... very enjoyable!
Honestly couldnât hear any difference without headphones. Without recording them and playing them side by side like in your video I would be hard-pressed to tell one from the other. Thanks so much for this video!
Great comp video! There is something about that SE Headstock and truss rod cover though that makes it look a bit cheap, but I guess it's okay for the price point!
Agreed- very much so...then there is the whole SE stamped on it. Must they scream this is the cheap STUDENT edition after people shell out nearly a grand? That alone would put me off otherwise decent, be it over priced non-usa guitar.
This is to Silver Sky what Squier is to Fender! đđđ
@@fordhammie this more the fender player series than squier. squiers arent that expensive
Iâm not surprised by this at all, the SEâs have been phenomenal guitars for years!
Cool video, Mary! Through my headphones (Bose) it seems like the core version has more sparkle or presence, but not $2600 worth! Iâve felt that the US model was overpriced since they were introduced, but the SE changes all that. I have a Fender Custom Shop Strat, so Iâm not looking for another Strat, but if I were, the SE would be at the top of my list. Iâll bet these will cut into sales of the core version, but maybe not-there are plenty of people who want the top of the line and are able to pay for it.
It 100% will cut into core model sales. Its 95% as good for 1600 less. Not many people have $2600 to drop on a guitar. For $2600 I could buy a great guitar and amp, tubes, pedals, strings, picks, capos, and use thd rest on groceries. Ive got $600 guitars that blow away my American made guitars that cost $3000. Thats why those guitars sit in their cases and I play the absolute crap out of my Mexican and Japanese strata, and my vintage ibanez blow those away.
Have a Custom 22 SE semi hollow & a Sinle cut SE PRS. Amazing tones & playing stability. For the cost that is a winner đ
Great video Mary. This demonstration was very clever and great way of comparing the 2 guitars.Thank you very much.
I just bought the SE over buying a Strat and I am ecstatic I did. Thanks for your review. I do plan on upgrading the bone nut and adding locking turners at some point.
It was interesting to hear the difference in sound. It was even more interesting to conclude that I prefer the sound of the SE. There's a little less top end on the SE, but the midrange sounds more full, more complete. Every time you switched to the core model, it sounded hollow.
Low-wind pickups in the core model produce more highs and less mids.
@@joshloki yeah. I was just surprised that there was such a difference considering how easy it would have been to knock off a few windings until it was voiced more similarly, but I guess you can't make them too similar or people won't keep coughing up $2500 for the core model.
I have an SE and absolutely love it. Even a guitar snob will find criticizing the $900 SE SS difficult. If you are on the fence, try one out or order online with a company that will allow you to return it, but you won't. đ
Nicely done Mary.
Guitars sound remarkably similar. I thought the lower register sounded a little more stout on the USA version.
From the mid register up indistinguishable.
All that being said, pretty damn good song as well!
Greetings from New York.
Been there and done it with expensive guitars up to ÂŁ6000. Last week I bought a ÂŁ400 Faith parlour guitar and it absolutely blew my mind because I had been exploring very expensive guitars. Put simply you can find outstanding gems for not a lot of money if you go searching.
Diminishing returns indeed. You can hardly tell them apart, and I'm willing to bet that, had this been a blind test (consider it for next time!), most people would have had a 50% chance of getting it right. And this is on the solo portion. Throw it in the mix and the differences are going to get lost.
As a long time acoustic-only player, it is my opinion that in *that* market, where everything is more expensive, once you get past the 2.5/3k mark or thereabouts, it becomes a matter of taste rather than quality of the instrument. As I recently got back into the electric world after a 15 years long hiatus, I'm impressed with the quality even a modest amount of money can buy you.
Ultimately a guitar is worth however much money you are willing to throw at it. Nothing wrong with wanting the expensive option, pretty things are desirable, and if you have the cash go for it, I say. But all these years the quality of cheaper instruments has been steadily increasing, to the point where there are acoustic guitars that cost around 1k and sound waaaaay better than they have any right to do. Like, ridiculously better. And in the electric world it's even more obvious, also due to the simpler build process. If you are the sort of person that has to save forever to afford the 3.5k one, I'd say don't bother, because the returns are not really worth the 3x+ in price. Plus, you can put so much stuff in between your guitar and the amp that the difference is going to be even smaller. On top of that, with electric instruments you can upgrade so many parts and radically improve/change how they sound.
If you go for the SE you can buy a few upgrades here and there when you can afford them to make it even better, and in the meantime you still have a killer box. Cheap-ish nut? Swap it out. Locking tuners? Buy them 6 or 12 months out.
Seems to me like the sweet spot for your average electric guitar is anywhere between 600 and 1500. Past that you're probably already in diminishing returns territory.
your average sweet pot is the right one ... exactly there, I am 100% in agreement ... problem is that up to that sweet spot, there is no justification (out of the 100% "artisan" local made guitars) for the prices' differences ... labor costs locally being more expensive is one thing, but do not justify the x2, x3, x4 and more ... on the prices ... the issue are the consumers, exactly like on the smartphones' business, they want the brands' "Flagships" in their hands ... so the brands are just answering to the customers' requests and giving them what they want ... stop buying high prices guitars, and they will disappear ... ;-)
True but a guitar is only as good as it's neck. Two guitars can sound identical but feel like two different galaxies. The g&l Fullerton models compared to the tributes are a good example. The tributes sound almost identical to the USA model, they use the same pick-ups. The necks are completely different. The USA model feels and plays like a $1700 guitar, the Indonesian model is nice but is not comparable. Short of new frets, a plek, and a complete reshaping of the neck the tribute will never be up to the Fullertons standards. They cut expenses on the se to bring it in at under $900, you can guarantee the neck was the main area of cost savings. Doesn't mean you can't find a good se Silversky but you're going to have to search. The subtle differences are what make a strat style guitar incredible or average. It's a slab of wood with a bolt on neck, it's not rocket science. You're witnessing hype over something that has been done 25xs over.
i would suspect the biggest difference is in the feel, not the tone. thats generally what happens once you get above $500
I just found that setup by someone that really knows their way around can make a $500 guitar play and sound like $2000+. Such is the case with my $550 used SE24. $200 complete setup and nut change and it's really nice now
â@@dingusfuzzklonnkt2755 agree and ... disagree :-) , it happens that I own several guitars, from highly expensive to cheap ... meaning under 900 and even under 400 euros. The Yamaha Revstar RS 502t I have since over 5 years is a "killer" that costed me, at the time, 550 euros ... and quite frankly, if you are not an expert (and I am not) you can't "feel" or see any quality difference compared to the Strat reissue 62 Made in the US or the G&L Legacy Strat made in the US that both costed me, when I bought them ... between 2,2 and 2,9k euros ... but you are right with saying that the "Made in US" are most of the time in a higher quality (although the US Gibson ES 335 I bought in 2008 was crap ... really, I bought it because it was one of my dream guitar, but sold it after a couple of years ...), but still that better quality does not justify their high end prices, in my pov.
Im in love ... I was diggin for the guitars but stayed for your playing and singing!
You are very talanted!
Perhaps Iâm biased on the SE, but it sounds warmer (especially fingerpicking) and something Iâll put on my shopping list. Thanks Mary! đđž
Thank you for singing! Once I realized the guitars sounded exactly the same I was about ready to stop the video... but I needed to hear the rest of the song!
Thank you for this video! I've wanted a Silver Sky for a while and was having trouble deciding between the Core and the SE. Mind you, I'm not really a player, more of a hobbyist, but I wanted a nice guitar to play poorly :) I was about to go all in and buy a core model, but your video showed me that the SE is a great guitar and well worth my money. I bought the SE in Stone blue and I am impatiently awaiting delivery.
I've owned like 50 guitars in my life, and never cared for the looks of PRS, so my collection has always been Fenders, Gibsons, etcetera. Yesterday I played a Silver Sky SE, and everything changed. I now own that Silver Sky (in stone blue) and it is *by far* the best guitar I've ever owned. In the opinion of my ears and hands, it does the Strat sound and feel better than ANY and EVERY Fender. It is just so goddamn good! My friend, when your Silver Sky arrives, you are going to be so happy.
THIS is how a comparison/ shootout should be done. I've been playing for 30 years (with a gap of couple years twice), a luthier for close to 20. My experience from those years is the reason I know that if you're REALLY trying to decide how a guitar sounds based on a video, you won't really know how it sounds. The only thing you have any hope of knowing how it sounds from video or audio clips is possibly the EQ curve, but the EQ is just 1 factor of the sound, and with the ability to use different amps and effects (not to mention actual EQs) you can change that dramatically. The things that vary the most are going to be things like the feel and response, the guitars resonance and sustain, pick attack/punch, etc. These are all but Impossible to get an accurate handle on without actually playing them, or at least being in the same room as them. Even with the greatest sound system in the world, the amount of compression in recordings just levels everything out. If you want an idea of how much, forget about guitar and think about drums. When you hear s recording of a drummer hit the snare drum, it's the same volume as if they're doing that jazzy light cymbal "tsss, tss, tsss, tss," thing. Stand in the room though, and the snare is insanely loud compared to the cymbal.
With this in mind one of my biggest pet peeves is how 90% of online comparison or shootouts are done. They'll play one guitar, then gab on and on before they play the other one. Many times in shootouts they're comparing things that are VERY similar to each other, maybe not quite as similar as a US Silver Sky vs SE, but similar none the less. The differences are going to be in the nuance and details. This is challenging on a good day, but trying to do it when they play 1 of them, and then talk for 5 minutes before they play the second one, I've forgotten how the first one sounded.
Doing it like this: playing the same thing on both guitars, then playing it all the way through and panning back and forth between them, so you can actually HEAR how they compare is SO MUCH more helpful. Why only a few people do it this way regularly I have no idea.
As for this SE, I'd probably go for this neck too. I just don't do 7Œ" radiuses, regardless of the size of the frets, it's why my main Strat is an Eric Johnson vs an AVRI '57. If this SE SS were to be my only Strat the poplar body would be a deal breaker. I deck my tremolo and so the body plays a much larger role in the overall tone (for she sceptics out there: try it. If you float your tremolo, tighten the spring claw so it's pulled against the body. Even if you are completely deaf you'd know it's different by the significant increase in resonance and vibration). For a second one though I'd probably use it in more modern applications; maybe hotter pickups and floating the tremolo, and once the tremolo floats the body's contribution is negligible. As for the rest: the pickups would go, I find these a bit too compressed. The nut would go too, I like zero glide nuts on Strat and Teles. I think if you rounded the fretboard edges a little you'd find that it feels and plays better (as long as you like flatter fretboards).
Great video.
The SE with a maximizer pedal could sound about the same. When you factor in pedals and PA systems you wouldn't be able to hear the $2600 difference.
down 75 ft of cable the se just kinda
'goes away!~'
On all pickup positions other than bridge, itâs subtle but the American one has more top end and sounds clearer to my ears. The SE almost sounds a tiny bit muffled. That said, the bridge pickup on both to me sounds identical, but all other pickup positions the American one edges it out. Both sound great, but you get what you pay for.
Shows how great and 'Close' to the US models PRS has got with their SE models. The 'changes' they make are sensible changes to ensure they can meet the Price point but they don't compromise on the 'feel' and playability. There is a 'small' difference in the sound, more like a 3D audio over surround sound - more 'hi def' sound to the US made...
But that's the 'compromise' to hit a Price point and they are perfect to gig with too and stand up to the beating a tour has which you may not wish to do with your 'Nebula'. Zach Myers uses his SE's as does Mark Holcomb too and in the Studio.
I think the SE's are the 'best' bang for buck, best in price guitars you can buy. Therefore I had NO doubt the SE Silver Sky would be any different. It was the same when PRS released their SE Pauls a few years back, they proved as 'different' from the Cores as this is from the SE's too.
I think the 8.5" radius was because they wanted it to be a 'bit more accessible' for all as the 7.25" is the most rounded and not 'modern' so compromised with 8.5" to fit between the 'modern Fender' and its 9.5" and the Vintage Inspired Silver Sky's 7.25"
Like Fender, MIM by Mexicans vs MIA by Mexicans. Good luck trying to find a new MIM Fender Jag in stock somewhere in the US; meanwhile, I keep getting spam since Thanksgiving for acoustasonics, is anyone actually buying these abominations?
@@zoomzoom3950 the acoustasonic is actually very nice to play, I loved checking them out at my local store.
@@zildjianrickenbacker8492 well there are plenty in the market to choose from. if you think it's good, why not buy one?
there's a reason they're in stock everywhere, and why many of us keep getting "deal spam" for acoustasonics. My guess is Fender made more than the market wants. Now they did MIM acoustasonics which reduced the manufacturing capacity for other MIM models, such as the Vintera '60s Jag.
Plenty of unsold MIM acoustasonics, I haven't seen a new Vintera '60s Jag -from a dealer I'd use - in the several months I've been looking.
@@zoomzoom3950 i didn't buy one because it wasn't what I'm budgeting for right now, I'm actually budgeting for my Silver Sky right now lol. That said, I do intend on eventually getting an acoustic, and the acoustasonic is high on my list of options. I really liked the feel of it and enjoyed the tone I was able to get when plugged in. I genuinely think a lot more people would like them if they gave them a shot.
@@zildjianrickenbacker8492 then you're in luck, because acoustasonics are everywhere. If you're looking for a new Vintera '60s Jag, you might be looking for awhile.
yes, surprisingly yes. Base richness/texture, probably expressed as being able to feel the vibration of the note is different. Treble on Mr Fancy Pants has much better brightness or put another way, Bob budget is mellow. The difference for me is like modern constructed steel/synthetic stringed and tuned orchestral stringed instruments and those set up for Baroque period. You're incredible.
Actually I enjoyed the cheap one more for your style of playing, it sounds a bit warmer, a really lovely guitar =)
Perhaps when you play high gain lead solos the cards will be new mixed? Great video, thank you!
Sophie Burrell's review takes a run at covering the overdriven sound. Good vid. Between Mary and Sophie, they've really covered this thing thoroughly.
I think the same, only the bridge pickup sounded better on the American made
I came here for the PRS review but it was your voice that blew me away.
Both sound nice and both still way out of my budget! đ
Thats cause your a saver not a spender đ
Sat the phone down during the song portion and the guitars are indistinguishable, there is no way would could tell the difference. The nebula is just so gorgeous every time itâs on screen my brain goes automatically that sounds better but when you canât see it they are the same. Great video!
Love the way you did the side by side - made it very clear. They sound pretty close to me - but Iâd still pick up the American made just given the quality of materials will make it a âbetterâ guitar.
For ~$1500 more on the USA version, you're getting an Alder body, the USA John Mayer PRS pickups, USA pots, caps, wiring. Higher quality bridge, USA model exclusive finish options, higher quality locking tuners and the prestige of owning the USA signature Silversky model. Honestly, that's a fair amount of extras for the money... The SE model is positioned to compete with the Mexican Made Standard Stratocaster, so that's the category.... In the end, functionally the SE is a quality stage worthy instrument and musicians looking for it as a tool for the toolbox will likely value function over the nuance details that make the USA model exactly what Mayer himself uses as his main. So I think the SE is the better choice for most, but if you're a big John Mayer fan, or a working musician able to tax deduct your gear, the USA model makes sense
Such a clever way to review the guitar. Loved that Mary.
I guess I'm confused. I have an American made PRS and it is a borderline perfect guitar. It's fantastic. My confusion however lies in the price difference between these two models. They both have the exact same electronics(yes all 3 levels of this guitar incluide the 635 JM pickups) so they sound the exact same. They're both made using CNC machines to the exact same specifications, they both have the same finish. So what makes the price so vastly different? Simply because it was CNC routed in a building in America instead of Indonesia and they added locking tuners and a real bone nut? Where does the almost 2.5k price difference come from? The 850 USD one seems to me like an amazing guitar for the money, and the more expensive one seems extremely hard to justify when it comes to price. I guess I'm at a loss but it seems like the only difference here is the ability to say you have the more expensive one. It's almost like they were competing against themselves with this cheaper model, it's the no brainer choice between the two.
I aso have an American made Silver Sky. I'm considering selling it and buying an SE one.
@@thelegend2645 how much are you selling the standard for?
@@junieverse âŹ3300.-
@@junieverse it's a lunar ice
You are 100% correct
Honesty from my opinion from listening to you, and watching how you broke it up, which is like no else has done from only what i have seen. It is an honest overview. It's not about the money. It's about the connection to the instruments. Thank You.
There's actually a very pronounce difference, that being said the SE version seems very production friendly with it's mild tone
Came here for the guitar comparison, stayed to listen to your amazing performance
RIP colour-blind people during the comparison đ great vid anyways Mary!
lmao
Blind test!
I mean these guitars are the best two colours for the vast majority of people with colour deficiency
Great job Mary I didn't quite get your comment until I listen to a bunch of your comments and then I figured out what you were talking about because I happen to be not colorblind but just blind haven't always been but it's been gradual and hey it is what it is that's why I'm flying Bob Bob the blind bedroom kottaras LOL I purchased an SC two weeks ago I purchased the NSC protesters SE silver sky with a rosewood neck and the am I in love with it notes my first PRS is the first prsi ever played as the first track of time I've ever played believe it or not I've been playing guitar on and off of years but anyway it's a pretty good guitar and I do like it the more I play it I like it more muscle for the sound I'm not used to the feel of it really that but hey I can play anything else got six strings ain't that crazy about things like the specs going all nutty up and down left and right flat not flat whatever I'm just rambling so thanks to see Alibaba
i just squinted and blurred my sight to mimic the effect color blindness âŠ.yeah,i realized immediately that obviously didnt work.
Just bought the same silver sky se you are using, I am actually a strat guy, and it took me a couple of days to get used to the sound, but now I just love it
They did a great job matching the voicing of the cheaper pickups to the originals. I prefer 7.25" radius, but I understand why they went flatter with a budget model. Good job. Nice demo too.
Because you never play lead?
Just laid away that exact guitarâŠ.it just arrived at a local dealerâŠ.Iâll be picking it up next week đâŠ.canât waitđ€âŠ..by the way Mary, love your stuffđ„°âŠ.very cool song âïžđž
Thank you for your helpful comparison. Just like when I played both at a store, the American version has a more open sound. Differences include standard tuners vs Locking tuners, Synthetic nut vs bone nut, 635JM S pickups 635 JM (2021 and forward - version 2). 2 point tremolo vs 6 point tremolo, Poly finish vs Nitrocellulose, Multi ply neck vs Scarfed neck, frets are larger on the US version, 8.5 radius neck 7.25 radius neck, polar wood vs alder wood. Wood grain on the US version looks better and the SE version poly looks a little plastic in comparison to the US version.
I appreciate the detailed feedback on the neck. (It's something I'm very particular with when I'm watching guitar reviews)
great songwriting toođ€
On JBL near fields, the USA model has a more bright silvery tone available to it esp. with the pots wide open... The USA model would have more natural 'cut' in a mix that the SE model which is clearly more 'scooped' and warm.
I would still consider the USA model a more versatile sound with more tonal & dynamic range and more 'modern' possibilities... mind, in A-B comparisons nobody ever 'dials back' the vol and tone of the USA Silver Sky to get out of it a more traditional mellow sweetness of a Fender-like equivalent.
In brief -- can the more 'powerful' USA model be adjusted to also do what the SE model (or any 'regular Strat') does? That would be a cool test!
Theyâre both great guitars, I had no doubt the new Silver Sky SE would be a winner,I have a few of lower cost guitars that I love, and pick up all the time,, Reverends and partscasters being a fav ,just depends on your economic situation, but I do love that Nebula color, itâs hypnotic , lovely playing and singing Mary , and I love your voice , itâs so British đ
I canât get past how similar all her head angles and movements were. To me the one in color always sounded better. Black and white has always been mids heavy
What can be better than Mary playing guitar? Two Marys playing guitars âșïž
Okay, taking this back. Two Marys playing guitar and singing is definitely the best thing đ
They both sound great but anyone who has played a USA vs a SE knows thereâs a feeling difference. Only experience can describe it. Your facial expressions and motions even told that you enjoyed playing the USA one more while the SE you looked more bored/going through the motions. That sort of thing counts if youâre able to afford it. Both are working musician worthy no doubt though. Thanks for taking the time to test.
I should have known that the Silver Sky SE would dominate my news feed this week. I think it's a great alternative for anyone looking at a Strat-style guitar in around the $1K range, competing with the Player Plus and Vintera range. Hopefully next year, there'll be a maple fretboard version. Thanks!
I've got a Vintera Tele and it's great but I really really fancy one of these bad boys. I do already have a Strat but it's one of the early 90s Japanese HSS models with the Floyd Rose, and I'd like something a bit more traditional tbh.
It's nice to see your love for the instruments coming through
I like fancy, pretty, well crafted guitars. I NEED easily playable, well intonated, good sound quality guitars, at a reasonable price. This wins in every category, and based on the Andertons blind challenge, it sounds as good or better than the high dollar model. I ordered mine last night.
Great comparison Mary! I noticed a slight difference but it is so neglageable that you could grab either one and perfom well. For the difference in price, i know which one i would choose. As I understand it, PRS cuts the radius to fit the hand more ergonomically. They should be able to sell alot of them considering the quality they provide at a reasonable price point. Instead of breaking the bank for a guitar, you can now afford to get a better amp and really have a fantastic sound. Cheers!
I've had this guitar, actually the identical SE you played now for 5 weeks. The guitar is amazing but not as much as you and your singing, songwriting and great guitar work. Thank you
Another fabulous and informative video Mary. I'm 68 and realizing how many more videos that you've made that I need to watch in order to educate myself because you post so many informative videos on so many issues that I have always wondered about. I loved the fact you kept saying "I can't believe I'm saying this". Thank you once again!!!
Great comparison and review. Ty!!!
Your face in the beginning when comparing the two đ . Even if someone can't hear a difference, it shows. I feel like the better model has a brighter feel to it. Any PRS is amazing though. I've been playing an S2 for years now. Great video, I am getting this soon and wanted to see the differences and you did a great job. Cheers.
They sound so similar... not to say the same. Fantastic sync work !! Great video ! Thx
Very Very well done. The very best comparison video - SIDE by SIDE I have seen. Having both comparisons up, perfectly times and then the switch of gray to color indicating which is playing is perfect. Love the duet at the end of your song. You area a talented, smart, clever human. Nice song too!
I think Paul knows this is a numbers game as well. He needs these to walk off shelfâs . Hence the price point. Prior to the pandemic the guitar industry was in turmoil. Iâm glad they continue to innovate I hope they start doing there sig flame colours on this models. Great vid u smashed it .
Random thought speeded up your song 1.50 and the chorus sounded awesome. Great video wonderful singing. I just got Silver Sky yesterday. All about labor cost US versus Indonesia Iâm thinking!
Great review! Love the presentation of the actual guitar and not the stomp box. BTW, just got the the Silver Sky SE (Black) and find the neck so easy to play, you are certainly right there! Loved the guitar so much, I just had to get a Custom 24 SE.
The guitars may be impressive, but the consistency of your performances is out of this world!!!!!
Hi! I can hear the difference in the 2nd and 4th position. Nebula is brighter, with more highs and harmonics rather than SE. That's it for me!