PRS Silver Sky SE officially announced.

[beninma]

There are a bunch of things that go into the cost of the guitar depending on where it's built that have very little to do with the quality:

- Prevailing Wages
- Taxes
- Regulations
- How hard is it to source the wood and other items there?
- How hard is it to hire people?
- Does the company have to pay for health care? (big weakness making stuff in the US)

They can 100% make everything exactly the same/as good/better than MIA and still have a better price depending on those variables. We're just used to companies purposely cutting corners on their imports to protect the margins on the MIA stuff.

 

[Jakedog]

lucky for me I'm not too attracted to the LEGO colors

They are always modern and more non-traditional colors for a reason. JM and PRS have both been adamant that we’ll never see a sunburst or the like. In several of the interviews and social media posts, the colors were mentioned. The first run were all Tesla auto colors. Even the black was metallic and sparkly.

John said part of his vision for the guitar was to make it an idealized modern version of the classic. In other words, if the electric guitar was made for the first time ever in 2018, what colors would it be a available in? Blonde and sunburst would not be on the list. What besides guitars is still made in blonde or sunburst? Nothing. They exist because they were extremely popular at the time they were first utilized. They were used in furniture design and other decor extensively. They were hip and desirable. In the 50’s. By the 60’s Fender was using loads of crazy bright colors, pastels, and metallics that were all the rage in the auto industry. It was all very “modern” compared to the decade before.

The Silver Sky idea takes its color cues from what’s popular and happening *now*, not more than sixty years ago. I’m digging the Dragon Fruit a lot. I could see myself with one that color if they add it to the US lineup. Or who knows? I’m going to try out the SE, just cause I have to. If it’s really that good, perhaps I’ll end up with one.

 

[captain_jack]

Would the current Silversky be considered part of the Core series?

(Apologies if this is a silly question but the PRS line names are a bit confusing and their website doesn't shed much light)

 

[Lawdawg]

Would the current Silversky be considered part of the Core series?

(Apologies if this is a silly question but the PRS line names are a bit confusing and their website doesn't shed much light)

It's part of the "Bolt-On" series which PRS distinguishes from the "Core" series. No, it doesn't make any sense to me either, but guitar companies all seem to love having nonsensical and confusing naming conventions.

 

[Marc Morfei]

In some ways, they’ll just be different. Poplar bodies vs Alder, for example. That’ll save some bucks. I’m guessing the maple for the necks is also lesser quality/lower grade, although looking at the history of the SE line, it’ll still be plenty good. The US model has a full nitro finish, I’m sure the import will not. Import has a two point trem/bridge assembly that’s a little lighter duty, but still very nice I’m sure. Non-locking tuners. Imitation bone nut instead of the real thing. And the pickups are overseas made “S” versions of the US 635JM pickups.

Pretty much like all the other SE guitars, it’s just adjusting materials and grades of materials to fit into a sub-$1k price point.

So I guess the question is: the things that inspire people to love the original Silver Sky -- will those things still be present in the SE? Or are those the things that will get lost? Is the exceptional level of quality the main reason to like a SS? Is a $25,000 Mercedes still a Mercedes? Or at that point should you just buy a Honda? Guess people will just need to get their hands on them to know.

 

[pypa]

Pretty neat! I had not previously been aware of the Paul Reed Strat. They still have the signature scoop on the lower horn.

I am not criticizing anyone or anything here. I just find it curious that John Mayer would not build this style with Fender, or if he chose PRS, why didn't he opt for one of their signature shapes?

PRS makes impeccable machines, and JM plays impeccably (besides Body is a Wonderland), so power to them both!

 

[JDB2]

In other words, if the electric guitar was made for the first time ever in 2018, what colors would it be a available in? Blonde and sunburst would not be on the list. What besides guitars is still made in blonde or sunburst? Nothing. They exist because they were extremely popular at the time they were first utilized.

Huh. I buy sunburst guitars because I think they are attractive and I enjoy a good wood grain. Makes for a refined looking instrument. I didn’t realize I’m just behind the times.

 

[eddiewagner]

The moon white for me please. If the tremolo works and strings don’t break.

 

[john_cribbin]

Pretty neat! I had not previously been aware of the Paul Reed Strat. They still have the signature scoop on the lower horn.

I am not criticizing anyone or anything here. I just find it curious that John Mayer would not build this style with Fender, or if he chose PRS, why didn't he opt for one of their signature shapes?

PRS makes impeccable machines, and JM plays impeccably (besides Body is a Wonderland), so power to them both!

The history of this guitar is very well documented.

As a high profile Strat user, JM did indeed go to Fender and ask them to build the guitar he wanted. In their infinite stupidity, Fender said no.

PRS on the other hand, offered to work with JM and the Silver Sky is the result.

 

[Jakedog]

Huh. I buy sunburst guitars because I think they are attractive and I enjoy a good wood grain. Makes for a refined looking instrument. I didn’t realize I’m just behind the times.

You’re not behind the times. I’d bet dollars to donuts that if we looked at the Gibson and Fender books, sunburst is definitely the top seller across the board. Lots of people love it. I’m not one of them, but I’m aware that I’m in the minority.

John is right, though. If the solid body electric guitar had been invented in 2018 instead of 1948, the color palette that we associate with it would be very different. It would reflect what was popular at the time, just as the Classic colors of the 50’s and 60’s do for their decades.

 

[Jakedog]

Would the current Silversky be considered part of the Core series?

(Apologies if this is a silly question but the PRS line names are a bit confusing and their website doesn't shed much light)

From what I can tell, it’s part of the “signature” series. Which is listed separately from the Core models, and interestingly enough, even keeps it from being listed with the USA bolt on series. I don’t really care, it’s awesome, and nobody is getting mine. Hahaha!

 

[tery]

They are a big hit with the Strat-Talk guys.

 

[teleforumnoob]

I like that Stone Blue color.

 

[Jakedog]

.

Bah! "Where's the Maple!?"





Fender just needs to slap the industry with environmental marketing and have all their signature artists proclaim the same too.

Go with local fast replenishing woods. Smaller carbon footprint. No exotic at-risk fragile rain forest products. Fender is practically there and would hamstring all their competitors. Don't create demand for the wood in guitars and that will help the furniture/etc designers move away from it too.

Mayer's fan base demographic is very interested in environmental concerns and PRS Marketing needs to push that point with exclusive product that steers clear of any potential backlash.


.

I’m a maple fan both for environmental reasons, and just cause I like it better on this style of guitar. One of the things that finally pushed me over the edge and got me to order my US SS was the addition of the maple fretboard option. Hopefully the SE eventually had the option as well.

 

[regularslinky]

Dragon Fruit, Moon White, Stone Blue, Ever Green, Roxy Pink, Silver Sky. Sounds like a list of performers at a drag show.

 

[Jupiter]

They are always modern and more non-traditional colors for a reason. JM and PRS have both been adamant that we’ll never see a sunburst or the like. In several of the interviews and social media posts, the colors were mentioned. The first run were all Tesla auto colors. Even the black was metallic and sparkly.

John said part of his vision for the guitar was to make it an idealized modern version of the classic. In other words, if the electric guitar was made for the first time ever in 2018, what colors would it be a available in? Blonde and sunburst would not be on the list. What besides guitars is still made in blonde or sunburst? Nothing. They exist because they were extremely popular at the time they were first utilized. They were used in furniture design and other decor extensively. They were hip and desirable. In the 50’s. By the 60’s Fender was using loads of crazy bright colors, pastels, and metallics that were all the rage in the auto industry. It was all very “modern” compared to the decade before.

The Silver Sky idea takes its color cues from what’s popular and happening *now*, not more than sixty years ago. I’m digging the Dragon Fruit a lot. I could see myself with one that color if they add it to the US lineup. Or who knows? I’m going to try out the SE, just cause I have to. If it’s really that good, perhaps I’ll end up with one.

Yeah, I don't ever need another sunburst or a blonde (ESPECIALLY BSB), but once I thought "LEGO" I can't get that image out of my head. I do think the dragonfruit one is closest to hitting the monkey nerve, but if I can't have purple sparkle I at least want Willow Mist metallic...

 

[Blazer]

As I said in my own thread about PRS teasing this model: "Yes, please thank you!"

 

[jays0n]

I can see one of these in my future. Dig that blue and I like the standard Truss Rod cover. Wish it had metal tuner buttons but with this one, I would not be opposed to do some mods. I would probably put a Hunbucker in bridge too.

No way would I mod a US model but to is one looks perfect for those small changes that I would want.

Man!!! Like I need to be looking at new guitars!!!

 

[Ringo]

Will be interesting to see what the availability is on these with the current pandemic still affecting shipping.
The local music store that I frequent is a PRS dealer, I believe he said the wait time on USA made PRS guitars is a year to a year and a half, he only gets a few Silver Skys at a time and they sell almost immediately if not already presold. The SE model if they are readily available will be big sellers IMO. The 8.5 radius is a bit strange, but I'd like to play one to see how it compares to the USA version, also see how the pickups compare.
I'm sure that the USA version is still going to be better overall, but the SE's are generally really well made guitars.

 

[TheMattJones88]

The history of this guitar is very well documented.

As a high profile Strat user, JM did indeed go to Fender and ask them to build the guitar he wanted. In their infinite stupidity, Fender said no.

PRS on the other hand, offered to work with JM and the Silver Sky is the result.

I remember hearing the story somewhere too that Fender wanted John to start using an all Fender backline for amps too, and he said he didn't want to, and that started the split. How true that is, I'm not sure.