PRS Silver Sky SE officially announced.

[RoyMontero62]

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.

*sniff sniff* i smell a mayer fan

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

This is exciting. In my mind's eye, Fender execs are squirming and loosening their neckties. An obvious competitor for the Player series.

No knock on Fender. But now they have a real rival in the sub-$1000 segment.

 

[JDB2]

This is exciting. In my mind's eye, Fender execs are squirming and loosening their neckties. An obvious competitor for the Player series.

No knock on Fender. But now they have a real rival in the sub-$1000 segment.

I agree it is exciting but I doubt the SE SS will make a meaningful dent in sales of the Player Series Strats any more than has the G&L Legacy Tribute. No Fender on the headstock. And can PRS even sustain that kind of volume?

 

[stnmtthw]

I want the green one.

I just need to convince my wife that it's different enough from my American Performer Strat , but she's cool and likes my playing, it will be fine.

 

[stnmtthw]

*sniff sniff* i smell a mayer fan

I'm one too. John Mayer is a top notch musician.

 

[Jakedog]

*sniff sniff* i smell a mayer fan

I’m definitely a fan of his guitar playing. And I’ll not be apologizing for it. The guy is a beast. Period.

His songwriting doesn’t do much for me, as a guy who’s makes a measurable part of my nut as a songwriter. It’s ok pop stuff, but for what I’m into, most of it is in the “middle of the road” to “weak” zone. Every once in a while he does something that makes me say “ok, he’s actually pretty good at this.”

His voice is a matter of taste. Doesn’t bother me, but doesn’t knock me out. I do think he’s a good vocalist, from the standpoint of control, inflection, vibrato, it works very well for his music. I wouldn’t hire him to sing in my band, because I have me. And I like me better. But if he called me up and wanted to be my guitar player there’s no way in hell I’d say no.

 

[Peegoo]

Why has it taken this long for someone to post this?

Maybe because I'm In Tha Bizniz.

This is all you need to know about John Mayer:

 

[loudboy]

Why has it taken this long for someone to post this?

Maybe because I'm In Tha Bizniz.

This is all you need to know about John Mayer:

 

[dswo]

JM's demo is pretty good. You can see why Smith was willing to invest in him.

 

[loopfinding]

I agree with @Jakedog - this has been discussed ad infinitum.

You do know that Fender at one point had some patents that involved hardware and bodies (not the Strat or Tele bodies, but some others like the Offset body). Once those expired the bodies were free game because Leo chose patents instead of trademarks (which do not expire as long as the company defends them against copies) as he viewed the body shapes as functional elements not style elements. The company did eventually trademark the headstock shapes, but they let the body shapes fall into public domain.

For what it's worth when John Suhr left the Fender Custom Shop (yes - from his previous work with the Pensa-Suhr brand he was hired in at Fender as a Senior Master Builder in the Custom Shop) he specifically asked Fender's management about use of the body shapes, and they told him "as long as you stay away from the headstock shapes you're fine."

Of course those leaders who told Suhr that left the company and made a very late effort to trademark the shapes, which was squashed because there was ample proof they had never defended the body shapes, only the headstock shapes.

And @Tom-Australia Fender has had PRS clones before - the Heartfield Elans:

i think the headstock shape is even a wacky modern IP law compromise. it should really be "just don't use the logo."

like consider martin...no one can make a square headstock??? aside from being a platonic shape, martin 100% took that from 19th century convention, it is not even original. as far as i know there are no trademarked spanish guitar headstocks for 100s of years. and there are definitely no trademarks on violin family conventions.

incidentally, the EU recently denied PRS from registering one on his headstock because apparently "it was not distinctive enough."

 

[kennl]

If Mr Smith had a conscience he would give a royalty to Fender for each one sold.

just like Leo did for Paul Bigsby (guitars) and D. T. N. Williamson (amps) ?

 

[GBfun]

I listened to the Sweetwater demo and it sounds great. They used FX and an amp I've never heard before. Not sure about the neck radius either. I'd want to play one before I'd buy unless all you guys buy 4 of them and give great glowing reviews of course !

 

[ndcaster]

it sounds great

Mayer is a good salesman, too

I wish PRS could make them at this price in the USA, but, you know

not digging these colors, but they're well-chosen

 

[Blazer]

Well, here you go.

 

[KokoTele]

My 7 year old was playing nearby when I pulled up the Mayer demo video and is totally hooked on the idea of playing guitar and is nearly begging for a guitar for his birthday. I'm taking the strategy of telling him no for a while to see if the desire sticks with him. (The ADHD is strong in this one.)

It did prompt a trip to the Guitar Center, listening to my favorite Van Halen songs in the car.

 

[hemingway]

As one who is completely turned off by the noises that emanate from anything strat-like, I think you're officially all nuts.

That's all I wanted to say.

Nuts.

 

[knopflerfan]

Why has it taken this long for someone to post this?

Maybe because I'm In Tha Bizniz.

This is all you need to know about John Mayer:

 

[Jupiter]

Well, here you go.

Oh man that video is really triggering me…I’ve started mentally saving my money

 

[Chiogtr4x]

As one who is completely turned off by the noises that emanate from anything strat-like, I think you're officially all nuts.

That's all I wanted to say.

Nuts.

I still love your paintings, even if we differ it seems, on the merits of a Stratocaster ( my fave electric)

 

[hemingway]

I still love your paintings, even if we differ it seems, on the merits of a Stratocaster ( my fave electric)

You're not allowed to look at my paintings any more!! Stop looking!!!

Actually, my home-made strat appears in one of my early pictures, Boy on a yellow chair.