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First let's get this out of the way for those who may be skeptical of the S2 line because of the import parts on them: From what I can tell the only parts that aren't US made on here are the trem, the pickups, and I believe the electronics as a whole. Does this detract from the guitar's sound or playability? In my opinion, no. In fact I am very glad they chose to substitute these parts for their Korean counterparts as a way to reduce the cost of the S2 line as opposed to cheaping out on the wood, finish, or the setting up of the guitar itself. It is very clear that the folks over at PRS thought through very carefully on where to cut costs and where to not so that that nothing would have to be sacrificed from a player's perspective on these instruments. For example, although the trem may be Korean, the tuners are US-made, are LOCKING TUNERS which is huge for me on a guitar of this price point, and have solid brass shafts. Not only that, but the Korean trem on this is absolutely amazing. Compared to the standard trem that is on my Fender USA Professional Strat (also about the same price point) this one is infinitely more comfortable while playing (no sharp edges to dig your hand into or action height screws sticking up) and has amazingly well built tolerances. Not only that, but in true PRS fashion the trem is actually floating about 1/8" off the body by use of spacers in the screws, allowing for about a 3/4 step bend up should you so desire. And speaking of the trem's screws, from what it looks like by opening up the tremolo cavity these screws go all the way through the body into the cavity, meaning more vibration transfer into the solid mahogany slab that is this amazing body, meaning more sustain, and a nice warm tone. The pickups are nothing to worry about either, and I'll admit I had anticipated likely changing them out in the future, but after hearing them, I don't see it necessary to do that. They have a nice well-balanced sound with plenty of bass, crisp treble, and a balanced mid range. This guitar has sustain and tone for days- the first time I open strummed this I fell into shock and awe from the deep, warm ring that was left slowly decaying. Not only does this guitar sound like a dream, but it plays like one too. The fretjob is phenomenal, and to top that off the sides of the fretboard are hand sanded/scraped down between the frets, making the side of the fretboard as comfortable on your hand, if not moreso, than the bound-over frets of a Gibson. All I did when I got the guitar was adjust the action to my preference (nice and low) and reintonated it and played away, completely effortlessly I may add, as my fingers slid over each of the polished, level frets. No buzz, no dead notes, no nothin'. And that's more than I can say for my close to $3k Les Paul when it came out of the box. So naturally after realizing that this played and sounded so perfectly I thought, well they must have compromised on the wood to get this price and keep the level of detail they put into everything. So I took out a nice bright light to inspect the wood under the *beautiful* dark walnut finish to look for joining seems, expecting a three piece mahogany body, maybe two piece at best. But nope. Of course they didn't even compromise on that, there were no seems, just one SINGLE piece of flawless mahogany making this gorgeous body. Now I can't say they do that for every single one, I don't know if I just lucked out and they throw in one piece bodies every now and then, but I was absolutely shocked, considering that guitars I own two or three times this price don't even always have that. Now the neck is a different story, which I personally don't care about, but I know some out there absolutely hate scarf joints with a passion so I should mention it. The neck is three pieces, the main piece that comprises most of the neck, one for the headstock scarfed on around the 2nd fret at the signature PRS 10 degree angle and one for the heel. Like I said I don't mind this, in fact scarf joints make the area where the headstock meets the neck much stronger and helps prevent headstock breaks so I welcome it, and this definitely saves PRS some money while not compromising quality. The attention to detail even goes down to literally the last screw. From what it looks like, the screws are stainless steel, not a cheap allow plated in nickel or chrome, the jack plate is a beautiful brushed brass, and the knobs are the same "lampshades" as used on the core models. So to sum up: This is a $1350 guitar that plays just as well as PRS's $4k+ guitars, better than leading competitor's much more expensive guitars, and the way they achieved this price did not sacrifice anything on the player's behalf.

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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I had traded my 2012 American standard strat towards a higher end Taylor. I decided I needed an electric. My best friend said, grab a prs. He mentioned buying an import prs. I did the usual, hit up YouTube etc, searched reviews and ran into the S2 standard. I dig 18 month payment free options, and having had a pleasant experience with a one time purchase with zZounds I went looking. Everywhere it seems most or many prs guitars are on back order. zZounds had this neato walnut gloss or satin available, I had no issue paying 350 bucks for a gloss finish over the satin. Enough rambling lol, Buy a standard s2! Why? They look neat. They sound great and oh my, just like any prs they play like a dream. I bought this sight unseen. Regardless, I can’t put it down. It is balanced. The tone is amazing, the 85/15 Korean made pick ups sound awesome, in fact they are to replicate the same American made pick ups on the core model, the tuners are American. The bridge is Korean. The dots are fine, although I’d argue for birds on future models. It stays in tune. The only gripe I have it the low e buzzes and it’s not the nut or the action. I believe and the guitar tech at the local shop agrees it’s the bridge Pin I need to bring up a little. The d string as well. Let’s face it, it was rainy in the mid Atlantic and colder in May when my guitar was made compared to almost a month ago when it arrived as it was hotter.Another cool feature is it’s different than the usual quilted maple topped prs. It’s Maryland made, right down the road a few hours from me. Lock in tuners the same used on the more expensive models top this off. Stays in tune very well even using the pop in whammy bar. Sounds twice as much as it costs and sustain is great. Honestly there is one left and it’s been sitting for a month, buy it, the colour is beautiful in person.

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