So the 85/15 pickups were originally run in 1985, then reworked in 2015. Compared side-by-side with a ‘Custom’ model, the fatter tone of the S2 is clearly noticeable. These quality humbuckers reimagine the design PRS used in the 80s with modern technological innovations. Sort of… £1499; €1799; By Dave Burrluck 28 March 2014 From the early days of hand making all of his guitars to PRS’s current industry presence, this brand has pushed and innovated guitar. The Pattern regular fits right in the middle, contributing to this guitar’s versatility. Besides the truss-rod cover, there's not a lot between the regular S2 Custom 24 and this anniversary model, but the pickups configuration is quite different. It’s an upper mid-range guitar that brings quality without a the high price tag. It’s the way to go if you love PRS, but want something more. DCR measurements – if you are into that sort of thing – read (full/split) 7.89/3.93kohms on the neck pickup and 8.42/4.29k at the bridge. With this instrument, every player has a chance to experience the expertise and craftsmanship that has made this company so renowned. It is a quicker procedure, and one of the reasons why PRS can offer the S2 Custom at half the price of a Core model. Allied to the switching options, you've got eight standard sounds to play with before bringing your tone control into play. The S2 strikes the perfect balance between these two profiles. Whether you’re shredding like Eddie Van Halen or you’re just doing some simple solos, this guitar will work in a variety of genres. Who is the best online guitar personality of 2020? The PRS S2 Standard has a solid double cutaway body made of pure mahogany. Well, there's a more pronounced carve on the top of the Core models. Guitar Affinity's Top 5 Guitars of the Month: Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you do plug it in, well, it sounds on the money as far as a PRS should sound. • PRS SE Custom 24 This further contributes to the guitar’s flexibility, though it can limit lower tunings like drop C. The S2 Standard uses Paul Smith’s own 85/15 S humbuckers. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The body is contoured, and is reminiscent of the Fender Stratocaster, making it fairly heavy. Stunning single-coil tones and warm, rich humbuckers? They continue this tradition with the S2 line, bringing their expert craftsmanship to a wider audience.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'guitaraffinity_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',104,'0','0'])); The PRS S2 Standard is a highly versatile, sturdy guitar crafted with the working musician in mind. Exceptional neck profile and great fun to play. The S2 Custom 24 is ideal for the gigging guitarist, or the player who needs a guitar that can cover most styles. Mahogany is one of the most premium tonewoods there is. Based on the S2 Standard 22, which PRS refers to as a “bare-bones workhorse”, it’s all mahogany with a good weight of 3.32kg/7.73lb. Let’s go over some of the options that can be a great alternative to this guitar. Either way, it's a modern classic, and the S2 Custom 24, made in the USA but offering plenty change from two grand, is a mightily attractive proposition. From the Latin rock of Carlos Santana to the modern blues of John Mayer, PRS has delivered some of music’s highest quality guitars. The S2 Custom 24 has a flatter top with the carve sloping from around an inch from the body's edge. This lets you dive and hit that intense vibrato without throwing your whole guitar out of tune. The body is contoured, and is reminiscent of the Fender Stratocaster, making it fairly heavy. Bath Found in the likes of the Gibson Les Paul, this dense wood is found in many high-end guitars. Please refresh the page and try again. If you’re a seasoned professional, or you specialize in one genre, this may not be the guitar for you. All too often, split humbuckers sound too weedy to be anything more than a last resort, but not here. This no-frills approach to guitar manufacture is critical to the instrument being so useful in so many styles. You can strum some simple chords or play complex ballads in a variety of styles, from classic rock to R&B. Who is the best acoustic guitarist of 2020? The coil-splits are Double Pole Double Throw switches that isolates and voices the slug coil, giving you the true single-coil tone. Notably, they also describe how comfortable the highly contoured body of the PRS S2 is to play. The guitar is very meat-and-potatoes, making it easy to pick up and play no matter what your style is. To understand why this instrument is so versatile, let’s talk about how this guitar is built, sounds, and feels.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'guitaraffinity_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',105,'0','0'])); Paul Smith began his company by hand-making each guitar himself. The vibrato remains one of the most stable on the market. This guitar has a scale length of 25”, which is just below the average of 25.5”. The tone is present enough to be great for heavy power chords, while bright enough to give a great blues solo. The pickup selector is a three-way toggle as opposed to the blade-style lever on the standard run S2 Custom 24. PRS S2 35th Anniversary Custom 24 review PRS celebrates a landmark year with an S2 that promises expanded sounds for half the price of the Core Custom They are crisp and clear, and have just enough twang to them to make your guitar shine in any style. While shredders typically want a thin neck, thick necks are better for stylish playing. There is a slight 'V' to the profile, and it's pretty darn comfortable. Guitar Pedals for Dummies – 4 Main Types Explained. The true single-coil mode recalls the classic PRS Fender/Gibson hybrid chat we alluded to at the top of the review, as it presents a super-clear and articulate voice to the S2 Custom 24 that could only be described as Fender-esque. Humbuckers are important for heavier distortion, since they work to cancel the feedback. You typically want a full low-end with some shimmering highs to get a robust clean sound, and this guitar makes that happen. This competitively priced take on one of PRS's most-prized builds is one of the most versatile electrics on the market, offering a tour-de-force of vintage-modern tone and superlative playing experience.