Fender Player Series Strat VS PRS Silver Sky SE Full Disassembly

[@DylanTalksTone]

The comment section is a wonderland ....

[@DMSProduktions]

UNLIKE your body! ;oP

[@dnantis]

Dylan ....please read and reply to this comment ! What if you add those black cheap Chinese magnets glued to the back of those Fender pickups ??? Will it improve the magnetic gauss and sound better or close to the SE Silver Sky ???

[@DMSProduktions]

@@dnantis TRY!

[@itskyyuuuu]

@@crewdog2898 just buy an American made prs and you'll laugh at those strats. Unless it was made in the 60s lol

[@paisteplayer1040]

@@itskyyuuuu Could not agree more. but will add les pauls to that too. I now call them the less paul.

[@zanderxymox]

As a worker in the PRS factory, I am happy to see the level of quality that we achieve for the people who buy our product :)

[@Bryanpjc]

Now we need a T style!

[@adieltm]

yep thank you... we need the fiorre se now

[@zanderxymox]

@@ran6009 I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. Paul Smith may be the head of the company, but he cares deeply about every aspect of it. He comes in frequently to help build custom guitars with us and innovate on his own products. He's not someone who just leaves the place on autopilot. If you ever had the chance to meet Paul I can assure you he's not like any regular old boss who sits around and waits for money to roll in.

[@Toniebones]

Aren't the factories in South korea?

[@zanderxymox]

@@Toniebones nope, there are only 2 facilities in the world, one in Indonesia that only produces the SE range of guitars, and the main one here in Maryland that produces everything else

[@Sellarmusic]

I've always been a hard core Fender guy but I appreciate your review and telling it like it is. You have to compare things as they really are not as you'd like them to be. Nice job on your fair and complete review.

[@1scooterpilot1]

I bought the PRS Silver Sky SE and made one change to it. Installed a bone nut. I don't plan on changing anything else. I like pickups on it way more than on a Strat at this price point. Great comparison. At the price point the SE it's going to give the Strat a run for its money, that is for sure.

[@manhattanmike6959]

Can I ask how much you spent on changing the nut? That's one thing I'm hesitant about. I want the thing to stay in tune lol. Thanks Mate

[@jacobdean4137]

I appreciate the electrical analysis of the pickups. I'm still learning towards the fender

[@kagenotatsumaki]

Thanks for being literally the only person who's compared the SE to a similarly priced Guitar, everyone else is comparing it to Fender Strats that are WAY more expensive. Yeah, no crap the $850 SE doesn't sound quite as nice as the $1600 Fender Strat or the $2500 Core model... But if I have $900 and I want a Strat, do I get a Player series Fender or Silver Sky SE??? THANK YOU for being the ONE person who has helped me with this question! (For anyone who cares, I'd go with the SE from this video. PRS SE guitars really are something else for their price.)

[@benhoward7006]

I have been a Fender Strat guy for 50 years, but I bought a Silver Sky and it's awesome. The SE is better than most non high end Fenders. For $850, it beats the same priced Strat . The pickups in the SE are really good. Great video.

[@ranman58635]

Bro, have you seen the mk version? Triple wow!

[@RN-fx3zl]

there are cheaper squires by 200 bucks that play better, the silver sky is just a bunch of hype it plays like an average strat copy nothing really special about to me. Nothing about this guitar is mind blowing or different.

[@Squall6575]

@@RN-fx3zl if you think a squier plays better, thats just where youre at as a player

[@razznote7586]

@@RN-fx3zl PRS Silver Sky SE >> Squire, Fender has more fight. Nothing mind blowing, I agree, but the those tiny advantages when adds up really gives the PRS a very strong advantage over the Fender Player (non-high end). Seems that you haven't been able to play a PRS guitar yet.

[@ramencurry6672]

Love PRS but the Fender neck feels better to me so I have to vote for Fender

[@billmagrane3917]

I purchased a MOD Shop Strat a few years ago which is great. However, I have three PRS SE's guitar's now and their fret ends beat the daylights out of my Mod Shop Strat. Thanks for the video.

[@DJ_V_squared]

Saying that the fret work is not as good on the player series is an understatement. To get it to match up with the PRS you would have to spend an extra 200 bucks plus what ever you need to spend on a case or gig bag.

[@Relicsun]

I don’t know, just because pick ups are strong they are not necessarily better, depends on what you like, I have a 59 custom shop Stratocaster with weak pickups but they sounds so sweet, don’t get me wrong they are both great guitars.

[@rickjason215]

Absolutely true and magnets are very cheap. They are not putting in weaker magnets to save money.

[@sheumack]

I've also got a set of these 59 pickups in one Strat. I really like them.

[@ethanpunto9222]

Yup I swapped my standard pups out from my strat to weaker vintage ones a while back and the tone was much better for my liking

[@mikak2747]

I liked the tone of Fender pickups more, quieter for sure but they have that strat top end.

[@nicholelevine629]

I totally agree! They sound like a traditional Strat. Silver Sky sounds way too dark. Yuck

[@burt2800]

Would love to see the same comparison with the new player II series.

[@denmar355]

Good review/comparison. Thanks. I bought a PRS SE in Moon White. Got a crazy deal new at $619. Fantastic well detailed guitar. Consistency and attention to detail is the thing about PRS. I have an S2 Custom 24. Same quality in the workmanship.

[@Nick-272]

Thank you! This was best SE Silver Sky review I’ve seen.

[@ericoswood1856]

I have a fair number of Fender Stratocasters and bought the Silver Sky SE out of curiosity. Playability wise, I believe the Silver Sky is up there with my Stratocaster Elite. Sound wise, I really like the tone of the Silver Sky. I think it’s punching above it’s weight class.

[@erkanerken95]

Very clearly explained. I am buying the Silver Sky, but totally understand why someone would buy the Fender.

[@anotherstart1]

Really enjoyed the video! I love Fender/Gibson but PRS is closing in on them. Have a custom 24 and have the silver sky coming today. Fender is definitely on notice with the Prs. God Bless 🙏

[@johnmarolakos9920]

Purchased a Silver Sky recently. Right out of the box it was great. Loved the throaty sound of the pickups, not chimy like a Strat, but had its own thing. However, very soon I began to miss the chime I was hoping for in a Strat style guitar and I found that it became mucky on chord play despite EQing my amp to death. I also realized, and here's the kicker, that the body of the Silver Sky SE was so soft the entire guitar would bend ever so slightly causing the low E to go sharp whenever I'd place my forearm on the guitar body. I'm not a heavy handed player and I treat these guitars like babies, yet, I couldn't keep the Silver Sky from going out of tune by just holding it. It was ridiculous! Same thing happened with another guitar when I returned it for an exchange. So, after hours of trying I gave up and spent a little more money and upgraded to Fender Strat Performer series. And I couldn't be happier. Sorry PRS. I love your brand and generally love the SE line. But I can't recommend the Silver Sky SE. The wood is too soft and it bends like crazy. You'll have tuning issues all over the place.

[@andamat]

I think the Player series Fender pickups are all kinds of awesome.

[@TheMoneyMakingMentor]

Awesome comparison. Thank you for doing this.

[@charleswallace5818]

The PRS. I have never bonded with the PRS neck, but I also have never played a PRS that had sharp fret ends or a sharp shoulder on the edge of the neck. I have played many Fenders with sharp frets. I also love my Fenders, but they need some love on the fret ends. Just my opinion

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

All Fenders have sharp frets. Specially Mexifenders. As much as I appreciate a good strat, this is not acceptable.

[@Ottophil]

@@MrDream-zm1pw wah wah fix it!

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

@@Ottophil I do lol, just Fender QC is trash is all I'm saying.

[@raytorvalds3699]

@@elric6084 Heh yeah that output jack on a Tele is horrible. They always come loose. The first thing I ordered when I got a Tele was one of those electro socket output sockets. Problem solved for like $4.

[@raytorvalds3699]

@@elric6084 Yeah that is a viable option too, for sure.

[@oldmanzen6682]

Fantastic breakdown video. The guys from Thomann did a similar video on release (though just with sounds, and they did include a core Silver Sky), but you really broke it all down. Great video. Thanks.

[@jerrychiasson9857]

I love your facial expression when you switched to the bridge on the Stratocaster…. Lol exactly my sentiments🤣

[@billbeckley1474]

I noticed that too! LOL

[@stevenfolino405]

I saw that too! Made me laugh! Great technology deep dive, really enjoyed the comparison.

[@macsarcule]

Awesome review and very fair comparison!

[@miked1254]

Long time American Strat player, and I just recently purchased an SE Silver Sky because I wanted an SSS guitar as my Strat is an HSS. The differences from my Lone Star Strat to my new Silver Sky are somewhat noticeable in quality and play. The action is different with the nod to the Strat in being a little easier to play to a degree, but that could very well be me being so used to it, being it’s my primary guitar. The overall quality though absolutely goes from top to bottom to the PRS. There’s also no substituting the chime produced from the Tex Mex pups in the Fender. It’s pure blood Stratocaster, but I have absolutely fallen in love with the incredibly powerful pups in the PRS. It’s different in 2nd and 4th position, but it still has a real nice chime, and pushes through the mix compared to the Strat which I have to crank it louder to achieve the same result. All in all, I am falling more and more in love with the PRS at every passing day, and am super glad I made the purchase. It’s a really well constructed guitar that I know I will be playing for some time to come. I really don’t think you’re going to have any regrets. I don’t.

[@danielrentel9747]

Dylan, this is one of your best videos. Well done and thank you!

[@ruebenblancas9115]

Great comparison! I have a player, which I modded, and just bought a SS SE. everything you said is 100% correct. Even after modding, I still prefer the PRS.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Dylan, thank you so much for your frank and technical supported review. I ordered my SE today. I watched Paul and Jack on the PRS site the other day. It seemed to me they and John are all in on making this SE Silver Sky a solid take home.

[@SirVicc]

You really want that interview with Paul Reed Smith, don't you.

[@ryanharrington8577]

Interesting video, I liked the comparison, especially the back to back playing. I thought the neck PU on the Fender sounded better, but the bridge PU on the PRS was better. I would have liked to have heard a distorted tone, because that is where you can hear the quality of the PUs. One think you didn't mention was that the Fender's intonation was much better than the PRS. It is probably easy to fix that, but it was very noticeable that the PRS had problems, especially on the upper frets. Great job on the video!

[@philcig]

Both guitars were out of tune, the PRS was worse. I don't think that was an intonation problem, I think he just didn't tune them carefully before he recorded that part of the video.

[@brettadkins7563]

I’m sure the PRS is probably a superior instrument, but I got that exact MIM strat for four hundred bucks used so I’ve enjoyed it. That being said, a couple months back I picked up a Contemporary RH Squier Tele that is an unbelievable guitar for the price, I haven’t picked up the Strat more than twice since I got it.

[@lostreb]

First, thank you for using thousandths instead of metrics measurements for this Old F@rt (been fortunate enough to be on this great planet for right at 3/4 of a century so yes, I'm old and set in my ways.)! Thank you for not only doing, but being the first I've seen doing an in depth Player SSS / PRS SE side by side comparison video. (In all fairness, there may have been some I haven't seen, but I'm pretty sure they didn't do all the in depth discovery Dylan does.) This video has been very informational for me. I already own 2 MIM Player Strats SSS and HSS and 1 MIJ Fender Modern Player Strat HSS all 2 to 4 years old. I mentioned that to say for the record my fret ends did not and still do not look like the ones on your new Player Strat. (That alone is speaking volumes to me.) This helped me decide to go ahead with my back-order on my PRS Silver Sky SE, even though I "HATE" Gigbags and have to immediately spend another $ 200 for a "good hard case" so the Fender comes out ahead for me in that department. Yes I have PRS GigBags and they are on the same stack as all the rest of the GigBags I've been sent (Reference my earlier comment about being set in my ways and too old to change). I know that for younger players the PRS GigBag may be the cherry on top!!! I was on the fence about my backorder on the PRS SE until I saw this video. Great Video and please keep them coming!!!

[@rumsfield78]

Thanks @dylantalkstone Appreciate the breakdown. I usually buy Strats, but I'm interested in the PRS. I have a US Strat and 2 US G&Ls, but had to sell all of them a few years back. This is the comparison I've been looking for. Thanks again!

[@publicartgroup2]

Incredible video mate. This is exactly what I've been looking for to help me make my decision. Keep up the great work.

[@THEItchybruddah]

Nice job Dylan! As a guy with back issues I’m quite aware that 11 ounces is just 5 short of a pound. I own plenty fenders from Master built to squires, (My Squire Mascis Jazzmaster was a fantastic “platform” to park Mastery components and Frailin pickups in!!) I’d spend my bread on the SE if it were between those two but… I went Reverend 390 and ain’t looked back.

[@nateschneider6599]

Such a good vid thank god someone is doing this.

[@annley]

Fender really needs to up their game, their competitors are offering more for the same price, especially in the 800 to a 1500 category, maybe they’ve relied on their name a little too much and lost the actual craft of making a good instrument, why aren’t the frets filled down or smoothed out on any fender product? seems like the mim products offer not much over a higher end squire at this point

[@riffraff1350]

Squires are good guitars. Entry level Fenders are only okay because they sacrifice QC for profitability by leaning into their brand.

[@mitcharney1]

Fender has a 3 plus year waiting list for their Custom Shop orders. No other manufacturer has that.

[@ethantoal726]

because if they make the mexican stuff any better they won’t sell any american guitars

[@QS-si3cq]

@@riffraff1350 *Squier. Not "Squire."

[@QS-si3cq]

@@mitcharney1 How do you know that? Have you contacted them all? Please share the source if your information.

[@Furtheronmusic]

Totally agree that this is THE comparison that matters. With Sweetwater marking then both up at identical price. In the UK though the PRS is a substantial mark up over the Fender

[@JCWGTR]

Your observations are why I bought the Vintera modified over the player for my son this Christmas. The VM is head and shoulders above the player from playing both and can be found new for around $950 with gig bag. Now I get to buy the PRS SE Sky for myself!! Cheers! 😎👍

[@joseramirez2310]

I’d rather get a used American strat for that much tbh

[@mantasbartasevicius3553]

this is what a real review of a guitar should look like. You are doing a great job. Its not just about looks and how it feels its also about technical aspects.

[@GearreportdotCom]

Nicely done. Calling out Fender for underperforming at this price point may help motivate them to raise their game.

[@itskyyuuuu]

They won't be watching this video lol

[@xsbutter]

@@itskyyuuuu You'd bve surprised. They do watch a LOT of content creators and often address market concerns inb subsequent models.

[@keesketsers5866]

Player Plus.....

[@toufikamrani5506]

Thank you ! Really liked the video , you read my mind as I finaly short listed these two guitars as per my budget and you answered the question I was asking 😊

[@christopherguzzi1316]

Great comparison. I personally prefer a maple fretboard, as the one on my Mexican Stratocaster is amazing. But I'll have to try the PRS. I almost bought a SE semi-hollow, as the fit and finish, weight, and playability was superb. If I was in the market for a PRS SE, that's the route I would go.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

It’s so hard to get a maple neck anymore. Unless it’s on a pink guitar or something lol. I wish the PRS had a maple neck.

[@mackabeats]

Thanks for uploading this video. I was about to buy a Fender Player Stratocaster, mainly because as you said, that's what we're used to. I'll check out the PRS Silver Sky. It does sound really nice.

[@GhostDragon1182]

I’ve bought enough Fenders the last few years that this is pretty much what I expected. You’re paying to have Fender on the headstock, other brands have been killing them on fit and finish for awhile now (and price too). The only thing holding me back from the Silver Sky is the pickup routing, I’d at least like the option to throw a humbucker in there without having to route out wood.

[@antoineaquino3055]

don't really need to put a humbucker cuz of the tone control on the bridge but i understand cuz sometimes id like a humbucker on my strats too but it kills the aesthetic

[@GhostDragon1182]

@@antoineaquino3055 I play metal, all my strats are either HH or HSS.

[@riffraff1350]

Why not use something like a Seymour Duncan JB Jr.? Humbucker tones without the routing. The person I bought my SS Core from had one installed in the bridge.

[@GhostDragon1182]

@@riffraff1350 it’s not the same, they still have a thinner sound than a regular humbucker and it’s still limiting available options.

[@stevelaferney3579]

GhostDragon Don’t let wanting to have a Humbucker in your guitar keep you from getting an SSS rout. Example is Seymour Duncan. They have great Humbuckers that fit into Single coil space. I found this out after making my choice on an HSS. Wish I knew then.

[@melvinsfan]

Not sure if I got an odd duck or not, but I have a Fender Player Strat and the pickups are really great. I mean really great. The fit and finish are top notch. I have been pleasantly surprised. I have always been a Gibson guy but this Fender is one of the best guitars I’ve owned.

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

You didn't get an odd duck. The pickups on the Player series guitars are awesome!

[@colgrey438]

Nothing wrong with the Player Strat pickups. I like them too.

[@maekymaek.0302]

Finally!!! I have been looking for this! Great work!!!!

[@billmarq]

RE: pickup output - I have heard Dylan say he prefers stronger output because he likes to play without pedals and wants to "push" his amp into distortion. Paul Reed Smith has stated that he makes his pickups with a lower output because he believes they have a more even tone, especially the midrange. I don't see a problem either way. It is just a preference.

[@riffraff1350]

It's not about output. It's about signal to noise ratio. The Fender pickups aren't just quieter, they're noisier. That's a hallmark of crappy pickups no matter what style you play.

[@billmarq]

@@riffraff1350 I don't doubt what you say, but very few people check out pickups with an oscilloscope. I own several PRS guitars, including a core Silver Sky, and also a Fender Telecaster as well as a couple of Gretsch and a Squier. I have no idea what the S/N ratio is on any one of their pickups. I only know what they sound like through my Blues Jr. Now THAT would be a great video for Dylan to put out. At least for those of us who are total guiitar nerds. Dust off that oscilloscope, Dylan!

[@toonew24]

Agreed! Stronger pickup output doesn’t necessarily equate to a better pickup.

[@billmarq]

@@toonew24 What I was trying to say is that I understood Dylan to be saying that he PREFERS stronger output pickups, not that they are "better." This is not the only video in which he discusses this.

[@toonew24]

@@billmarq True, but a preference and possibly noisy pickups ( as is often the case with single coil pickups) don’t meet the criteria of “crappy pickups.” After all, a Strat sounds like Strat in large part because of its stock pickups. Those stock pickups are also the standard by which all Strat pickup imitators are measured.

[@kroadster3249]

Best detailed Ressource on the youtubes

[@citizenk812]

I've had a Player Strat for a couple of years and IMO your review is accurate. I've replaced the pickups, dressed the fret ends and installed locking tuners. The frets are a little uneven but usable. I had to do a setup and it plays well with good intonation and action. Fortunately for me, I got it on sale and when it had a lower selling price than today.

[@ATX0705]

Nice work. How much did you pay for you Player Series Strat?

[@davidepaolo276]

Thanks for taking the time to compare these Dylan! I own an American Original Start (actually 2, 50s and 60s) and would love a silver sky USA comparison to those ! As for the SE, I agree that Fender has never been challenged at this price point before- at least Strat wise- I personally would choose the Players - especially after seeing the necks are so similar. Only thing I prefer on the SE - other than gigbag- is the rosewood fretboard. That’s really cool that you get rosewood for under 900 bucks!

[@lostreb]

The rosewood fretboard is a definite plus for me. I had a former Fender buyer kind of go off on me when I said that rosewood fretboards are a plus for me because he said even though rosewood is one of the cheapest fretboard woods, but when I asked if the reason Fender stopped putting them on the Player Series was CITES. Crickets!!!!! I don't care about how much the wood costs. I care about how the wood feels to me as a player!!! For this Old School Guy rosewood is the best!!! Great Comment.

[@riffraff1350]

@@lostreb I agree. I hate the feel of pau ferro.

[@lostreb]

@@riffraff1350 Obviously, I'm solid in your camp when it comes to Pau Ferro. Thanks for the comment.

[@RickFoxx777]

Good video! I agree with you about the differences save one thing...and I know Fender is starting to do this as well (very upsetting) but, I don't like Poplar or basswood bodies. I think they feel cheap (and are a lot cheaper to buy for a large profit) and honestly, I don't care if you can't hear the difference. I just prefer (and always will) alder or ash bodies on my strats. I myself went through a phase and had around 7-10 P.R.S. guitars not including the silver sky, and at first I really like them, but then after a couple months (when I am unable to return them) I hated them, and could not get used to the feel of them or the tone. I even upgraded all the pups in them, but no! These days (for the last ten years), due to the outrageous cost of name brand guitars, (Fender,Gibson etc...) I just assemble, paint and relic my own. In conclusion, guess I am a strat guy through and through. Thanks again for the vid. Peace

[@tumadsvids]

Good one Dylan. My sentiments exactly having owned and played both I'm stuck on the PRS.

[@colinemily9856]

Excellent video. Thanks for the analysis. I wonder if the SE Silver Sky might push Fender to improve their MIM Player. The MIMs always come with a caveat to upgrade the pickups -- hopefully Fender will up the quality there a bit to better compete w the PRS.

[@riffraff1350]

Never going to happen. It would take something catastrophic for Fender to eat into their profits like that. The QC PRS puts into their guitars is very expensive. Both guitars are $849 but Fender's profit margin is much higher.

[@whyguy3651]

@@riffraff1350 gotta say the fender is way better then the prs and it comes down to the neck quality.

[@rmaxtpmx]

Fender has most definitely been turning China-made Squire into the mid range product MIM used to be. MIM replaced MIJ quality and price points. Do not be surprised when player Series disappears from Fender branding, and the Mexico factory takes in everything currently produced in California, and the sole purpose of the Cali plant is custom shop.

[@studiodorm6524]

Thks a lot mate. Very objectively done comparison 🤘🏻

[@frankyoung8787]

The sound of the Player Strat is more pleasant to my ear. The PRS sounds a bit boomy on the low end, not balanced. But yeah, its been my experience Mexican made Fenders need minor fret work from the factory. Fender needs to improve on this to keep up with current overseas quality.

[@riffraff1350]

Hand time is the most expensive aspect when it comes to manufacturing guitars and this is where Fender is raising their margins. There's no chance Fender ever improves this without increasing their price significantly.

[@indranilchatterjee4492]

Agreed . The Strat just sounds like a Strat should . It’s overall pleasant to my ears as well

[@wethepeople3340]

Exactly, I have the players series and I'm thinking of getting the SE.

[@Lebron069]

I totally agree with you that you can not compare the core model with the SE version. I tried them both and the core plays in a different league. BUT the SE is a great instrument especially for those who are not looking for a highend premium instrument.

[@ezequielmontero9959]

Excelente análisis y conclusiones

[@althaz]

I found this very interesting. My feelings after trying both was that the PRS is a much better built guitar, but the ones I tried the Fender sounded significantly better. So that's what I bought. I wonder if maybe there are a couple of variations with different pickups? Either that or they are just quite inconsistent. Mine sounds like it has exactly the same pickups as the American strat (I tried both and they sounded pretty identical). I think I'd still recommend the PRS to most people - I'm happy fixing the frets on mine (and like in this case, it was definitely needed), plus I was wanting to replace the tuning machines anyway with locking tuners and I loved the neck feel on the Fender but disliked it on the PRS. But out of the box the PRS is a way better quality guitar, IMO.

[@DougMen1]

I had a Player Strat, and I also have an Am Pro and Am Performer. I found the Player pickups to be bit hotter sounding than the two MIA Strats, and I didn't think they were weak at all. They were very Stratty sounding, but maybe not quite as clear as the other two. In this video I thought the Fender sounded a lot clearer and more Stratty, and the PRS sounded very muddy. FWIW, the stock pickups in my Pro were also a bit hotter and more modern sounding than a vintage style Strat pickup, and I replaced them with a more vintage sounding alnico 5 set. The Yosemite pickups in my Performer are my favorite Strat pickups of all time. They are pretty gutsy while still retaining all of the vintage spanky punchy Strat tone, sparkle, and feel.

[@retiredguyadventures6211]

Yea this guy is literally one of the few people I've heard say Player strat pickups were terrible. I bought a 2020 Player cherry burst HSS strat and could not be happier with it. It did need q good setup out of the box, but most guitars at this price point do. I think he has a dog in this fight...

[@recklesstoboggan]

Although I haven't played one in person, in the many, many KZbin video demos of the Silver Sky SE the clean pickup sounds, particularly the neck pickup, remind me a lot of my G&L ASAT Special with the Jumbo MFD pickups. Big, hollow-almost-ambient, scooped, bass and treble, deep, fat, clear, hifi.

[@BessieBopOrBach]

Genuinely impressed at the quality of the pots and switches in the Player. Not sure that I buy the idea that a stronger magnet or higher output makes a pickup sound better. Some of us play jazz and R&B and it's an absolute struggle trying to tame the midrange "slam" of even a Seymour Duncan '59 or other such pickup.

[@somethingbl]

Yeah I don't think Dylan explained that very well. I didn't understand how he went from "louder" to "better". Seems like it would be subjective. Plenty of people prefer lower output pickups, especially Strat players.

[@DylanTalksTone]

yeah.... but they sound Thin... I like low output pickups too. But these are not that... these are wound hot to compensate for cheap materials... this is common in cheaper versions of more expensive guitars. The ones I am putting in it will be lower output than what is in it.... but for real

[@somethingbl]

@@DylanTalksTone I get what you mean, but maybe spend a little more time explaining it than just saying "they hit harder" or "they sound stronger". And again, some people might want that.

[@DylanTalksTone]

@@somethingbl When we do the pickups video next week or the week after, we will dive in.... it was beyond the scope of this video to go too deep. It is on the schedule to address it, and I am paying attention to the questions coming out of the comments

[@BessieBopOrBach]

To me, the Strat sounded like...a Strat. The Silver Sky SE sounded like...something else. Strats weren't designed to play heavy bluesy rock type stuff, although some people do use them for that.

[@luckyrocks1]

Nice job on this review. I will always love my Fender Strat's and Tele's and Squires. I will also always love my PRS Core, S2 and SE guitars. I'm looking forward to receiving my new Silver Sky SE from Sweetwater!

[@raytorvalds3699]

Awesome breakdown, Dylan. Thank you for doing this. I found the Fender pickups to be nicer sounding (in this and other comparison videos), except for the bridge pickup on its own. It was to be expected the fit and finish on the PRS would be better. I always mod my guitars, so I would still pick the Fender (but then HSS) and deal with the fretwork.

[@lostreb]

There's a plus for you in that the MIM Player Strat is routed HSH for any future mods you might want to make!! Great Comment!

[@raytorvalds3699]

@@lostreb Thank you, sir/ma'am. My MIM Standard Strat has HSH routing too and my new Player Tele even has a humbucker routing for the neck pickup. There is so much you can do with that.

[@riffraff1350]

Fender is a better modding platform because parts are cheap and plentiful. The exception I think is if you have trouble finding one in a lighter weight. A strat in the low 7 lbs. is pretty rare.

[@lostreb]

@@raytorvalds3699 You bet. Thank you for your reply. I've just been a guitar guy since 1962. On behalf of those that have names like mine that you cant' tell if they are male or female, thank you for not jumping to conclusions!!! You have a great one as well!!!

[@utahprepper8925]

I also preferred the Fender's tone in all the positions.

[@angusyoung9594]

Superb comparison. Thank you.

[@Heavenreck]

Great detailed comparison. I am totally a Fender fan boy but the build quality of the SE and the fretwork is always impeccable. Saying that in that price point EVH, Charvels (also FMIC), Schecter and Ibanez make some amazing guitars and the quality, fit, finish, Electronics and parts are better than a Fender. The video was very informative and agree that if you are looking to mod the Strat with custom hardware and electronics then the Fender makes logical sense.

[@jperryfan]

Ok, I love Strats and have been playing them for over 40 years. This past week I was in Guitar Center in Ocean, NJ and saw this used PRS SE Silver Sky for.....$704!!!. I tried it out and bought it on the spot. It's a great guitar PERIOD! At this price it was a total steal! Love it.

[@SixString_J5]

I'd honestly still be torn if I was in the market for a strat. I think it would ultimately come down to being able to have a full size humbucker in the bridge without routing the guitar... but I really do like a lot of the upsides of the PRS.

[@erickt1974]

Did you find out if it can accept a humbucker? Just ordered one

[@SixString_J5]

@@erickt1974 @11:55 you can see that the PRS has to be routed out to fit a full size humbucker. It's not the end of the world but I'd prefer to not have to

[@Javier-qk7ms]

Last Saturday I tried a Silver Sky SE, yes those pickups are very good, position 4 has the magic.

[@Sammywhat]

Great review, Dylan! Would you be able to throw a Nick Johnston Schecter into this mix and see how that compares? I think that's right about the same price - comes with locking tuners and a roasted maple neck with an ebony fretboard... for what it's worth.

[@jbf16falcon]

Thank you, I’m a Fender guy (8) and adding a Strat that I’m not afraid to drag around so from your video, I have a stone blue Silver Sky on order now.

[@joecoach7268]

I have always felt like the PRS SE models are better guitars in the sub-$1000 category than most. They are starting to distance themselves price-wise from squires and the mid to low range epiphones which introduces budget into the decision and budget is lots of times the priority. But a PRS SE in the same price-point (like Dylan is comparing) in my opinion is just going to be a better guitar - most of the time.

[@sebastiancisneros4779]

First time on your channel, great video thank you so much for the help, this is exactly what I needed

[@tacdoc8736]

Really well done, comparison. The PRS is hands down the better guitar, by any objective measurement or analysis. That doesn't mean the time and effort you put into this won't immediately be attacked with emotional rhetoric, subjective opinions, and general trolling by people who struggle with adulting on the internet.

[@billbeckley1474]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@888jimm]

The thing that drives me nuts on my fenders is uneven frets, now I understand why and how to fix it. The guys i have been taking them to never get it right. Thanks Dylan

[@billmarq]

This video hasn't gone live yet, so I don't know what your conclusion will be, but I have to say that I appreciate your boldness in making this comparison. My guess is that a lot of Fender-heads will be unhappy if you favor the PRS. Funny how no one seems upset that at least a hundred other companies make a strat-like guitar, only Paul Reed Smith.

[@itsalwayssomething7490]

Yep, I noticed that. There is a built in bias toward PRS and I don't get it. Maybe it has to do with Paul himself. But, I much prefer an eccentric active owner than leadership by committee. It makes for a consistently better product. There isn't all this red tape that Fender and Gibson seem to have. And I've yet to find a PRS that isn't high quality, even their SE line is great. When fret ends are rounded and polished off on an SE, you know some work is being put into it. It's really just a matter of feel and the status of seeing a Fender or Gibson on the headstock. I didn't have a dog in the fight, but when I was interested in a strat, I went to Fender. And I will say from one guitar to another they play differently, same model, same guitar, but different. When I got to the PRS, I found that I couldn't tell one from the other. And I've heard others say the same thing. Consistency. If you can produce a consistent product of quality, then that says something. I own both a Fender and a PRS SS core, and I honestly love them both for different reasons. But, I do find myself playing the PRS more, just a matter of preference. It isn't a knock toward Fender.

[@cpamiseso]

Maybe because Paul seems like he's ignoring to accredit the "strat" or "fender" in verbal. Literally he avoid doing so and using "that brand" or "this model"? Like he's creating it from zero while S-model is actually a Leo Fender legacy. It's a different story if we're talking about CU24, it's Paul' own history for sure. I dunno... We can name it, Anderson, Kiesel, Ernie Ball, they make S model as well and nobody bats an eye.

[@billmarq]

@@cpamiseso Yeah, and John Mayer always refers to a "vintage" sound and feel, rather than name the guitar. I sort of understand that, but I don't think anyone would really care if they admitted the Silver Sky was inspired by the Stratocaster.

[@riffraff1350]

@@billmarq That's because Mayer specifically means "vintage" as in Strats from the '63-'64 years. And, for the record, he's also very upfront about where the design from the guitar comes from. In fact, he recommends playing the SS through a Fender amp.

[@billmarq]

@@riffraff1350 I know what he means when he says "vintage," but I have never heard him actually say the inspiration for the SS was the Stratocaster. If he has said that, I think that is great.

[@cpamiseso]

You're being so productive, very nice!

[@ortegahernandezcid2196]

I just bought a HSS player last week and it is awesome for me, I upgraded from a Cort, and I wanted the HSS version so I'm very happy with it. I'm not into PRS guitars but if I had to buy one, It wouldn't be an strat, I'd be the traditional PRS body shape. Great video, thanks for this content!!

[@nedim_guitar]

Exactly, a PRS Custom 24, or at least a single cut PRS. Those look great and they are their own instrument, classic PRS. The Silver Sky is really good, but if I would get a core PRS, it wouldn't be a Silver Sky.

[@gkott78]

Hard core fender guy here for nearly 20 years. MIM to Custom Shop, you name it. With that being said I bought a US Silver Sky and it is on par with my CS guitars. Now when you put the SE against the Players Series, no question the SE wins. Let's be honest, there has been a drop in QC at fender since the pandemic and the prices went Sky high. The fretwork has been so bad on some they felt like cheese graters. I purchased a Kurt Cobain Jaguar direct from Fender that had such bad fretwork it was cutting my hand. Don't get me started on the amount of high frets. For 1300 some odd dollars they should be embarrassed. I will always be a fender fan but they need to step their game up. PRS is taking complete advantage of their missteps right now. I'm actually happy to see this happen because I want Fender to improve and compete.

[@riffraff1350]

Agreed. I love my Fenders but it's dishonest to claim you can't get a better instrument for the money from PRS.

[@gkott78]

@@riffraff1350 it's such an irony though isn't it. PRS is known for amazing build quality and intricate details, but also for insanely expensive guitars. Who would have ever thought they could take a shot at Fender in the value for dollar category. Strange times indeed!!!!

[@riffraff1350]

@@gkott78 I think Fender's milking their brand a bit too heavily these days and cutting quality for profits. It's hard to blame them considering how many people in the comments just seem to accept that entry Fenders will need aftermarket fret leveling and dressing instead of demanding it from the company.

[@captainkirk70]

I cant get on with the PRS headstock. It should come with a headset mic. Lol. At these prices I would just put together a parts guitar.

[@PeterGreenProductions]

Such a great rundown of the guitars, Thank you❗I'd love a PRS for sure, Best wishes, Pete (Aus)

[@windsurfmaui8239]

Dylan now put your pick ups in both and see how they each sound!

[@byron3710]

Good review. Very helpful. Very fair and fact based comparison .

[@TOBORtheMighty]

This is the Silver Sky SE video I've been waiting for. Thank you, Dylan! It's interesting. Everywhere you look people are raving about the Player series. Swap in a loaded pick guard and it's the best guitar Fender makes, according to to the internet... And as soon as someone puts it toe to toe with real competition it falls on its face. Is this a sign of how far our standards have slipped? My ~2000 Indonesian Squire Bullet has better fret work than the Player featured in this video and cost literally 1/10th as much. (Not adjusting for inflation obviously, but I think my point stands.) I'm very impressed with what PRS is delivering at this price, especially with US based quality control and a decent gig bag. I just wish I loved any of the colors. I feel like I have to pick between a great looking Strat or a great playing PRS.

[@gkott78]

Most youtube reviews are shops selling the instrument or influencers paid to promote the product. It's nothing more than modern marketing at its finest. The release day of the SS SE was flooded by the same. Dylan crushed it with this comparison. Honest, detailed and thorough. It's kind of refreshing.

[@luisgpr1]

Oh man, this is so true. I wish I still had my 90's korean plywood strat just to use the neck in something better. Modern squier and MiM strats are all over the place in quality. A few years back I had a gorgeous MiM candy red strat. I bought it because it looked exactly like a 90's USA deluxe strat someone borrowed me for some weeks when I was in college, o man I liked that USA strat. I just let it go the MiM, it was beautiful but lifeless. I tried swapping pickups, pots, saddles, everything and it just didn't feel right, for me at least. Enter a beaten MiJ squier E7 i found in marketplace for $170, I just had the body painted and put good pups on it. That became my number one. The MiJ E7 squier strat feels and sounds like a million bucks. And the neck is flawless. As is the neck of my '05 korean PRS SE singlecut. PRS really knocks the ball out of the park with build quality, every time. I'm still more a strat guy really.

[@Rockandrollgeerage]

The color choices definitely suck. I ended up going with the Stone Blue...looks real nice in person

[@Rockandrollgeerage]

@@gkott78 how do you know Dylan isn't being paid by PRS? Definitely a good sales pitch against Fender...

[@gkott78]

@Rock and Roll Geerage hey you know what, that's fair. I certainly hope that's not the case, yet everything he showed in his video aligned with my personal experiences with the two brands. You have a good point.

[@brentparks3669]

Oh, loved the video, subscribed because of your honest review.

[@mitcharney1]

It will be interesting in a couple years to see what the eBay and Reverb used listings will be for the SE compared to the Player. I still believe if PRS had used the same 10" radius fretboard he uses for most of his guitars, he could have tripled sales. Poplar is cheaper and lighter wood than Alder and the SE's electronics routing is more extensive than the Strat so it's going to be lighter. Pickup sound is subjective and even Dylan said (different video) he was going to change the SE's. The fabulous Jack Pearson has lots of YT vids. He has purchased at least 5 "Squire" Strats and he explains how much he likes them. NO mods, he only adds a jumper wire on his switches to get an independent tone control for the bridge pups. When you hear him play it makes you wonder why you would ever pay more than $300 bucks for a guitar.

[@riffraff1350]

Actually, poplar is slightly heavier than alder (29lbs to 28lbs per cubic foot) and the routing is really not that different - an ounce or two at the most. Besides the Silver Sky's body contours being deeper, the fact is PRS is just far more selective about their wood than Fender is in their production guitars.

[@lostreb]

@@riffraff1350 I find the weight specs very informative. I was told that the Poplar used in the PRS isn't as dense as American Poplar. I try to gather all information I can to try make the most informed buying decisions I possibly can based on the information I have at my disposal at the time.

[@mitcharney1]

@@riffraff1350 There are 5 different types of Poplar each species varies in weight. Guitar Manufacturers specify what weight range they want from suppliers. Poplar is cheaper than alder. All these facts are available online.

[@DMSProduktions]

Squier.

[@riffraff1350]

@@mitcharney1 While there are multiple varieties of poplar, not all are commercially viable on the necessary scale or even suited to guitar making. Some of the varieties you're referring to require different preparations which would require completely different manufacturing processes. Furthermore, if you listen to Smith talk about sourcing their wood for the SS, it's fairly obvious what he's talking about is yellow poplar which grows naturally in the area where PRS is located. Also, there's between zero and a negative chance PRS is only specifying weight range and not species. That would be weirdly slapdash for a company with such tight QC and fiscally irresponsible given they're not even close to being the same price. All these facts are also available online.

[@MikeFloutier]

Thanks Dylan, I’m looking at getting this for Xmas/Birthday from my wife. The deal is that I have to stop growing seedlings in my “playroom” (where she now has her nail workshop). I have to admit that all that soil is a bit smelly and this is a great opportunity for me to improve my playing as I currently only have an acoustic. 🎸🍾❤️

[@blackfishgaming7145]

Interesting vid. I bought two PRS SE Customs last year and they were both nice guitars, but they also both had quality issues with them. I sold them both. I just picked up a fender player and besides needing a setup (for the things you mentioned), the fender is an overall better guitar compared to the PRSs I had. I think all guitars at this price point have their quirks.

[@stephenenright5369]

Thank you! Perfect for what I needed to know. You’re great at this!

[@gorlagOv]

Great video! I am a PRS fan and I wanted a S type guitar. The core silver sky, is very much John’s guitar. It wasn’t for me. I compared an American original 50’s strat, the silver sky and an am pro II. I personally preferred the American professional II Stratocaster. I am excited to get my hands on an SE silver sky.

[@lostreb]

I am fortunate enough to own 3 Fender American Professional II Strats (2 SSS and 1 HSS) even though one of the SSS's was ordered by accident (in haste to get it before they sold out), when it arrived, and I got it in my hands, there was No Way I was about to return it!!! (The Silver Sky not coming with a hard case immediately added another $ 200 minimum to the purchase price and I'm not willing to pay that just to try a Silver Sky.) I'm waiting to see how the PRS Silver Sky SE compares to my MIM Player Strats and my MIJ Modern Player Strat. I intention of comparing it to my American Professional II Strats, unless, it's extremely pleasantly surprising and deserves it!!

[@DR-nh6oo]

Lost Reb May I have just one please?

[@austinsandefer649]

Thank You, for the detailed exam of these 2 great guitars. Much appreciated... 👍👍 🎸🎶 🇺🇸.

[@LarsonGuitarPlayer]

Thanks for an interesting video. Was a bit surprised that the fret work in the strat wasn't better. I find that the curved neck heel om the PRS would have been worth to mention. And maybe the head angle on the PRS, whitch makes string trees obsolete. It is a mystery for me that the Silver Sky SE has a back plate when the American SS does not.

[@BigJohn95]

I own the American version and in the paper work it just says “per John’s preference”

[@BrianODonohue]

I just purchased the SE from Sweetwater yesterday. After seeing your review, I feel good about my choice. I love Fender, but at this price point, the choice is obvious. I had an American Deluxe Strat in Candy Tangerine back in 2002 and wish I still had it. Loved that guitar. Love to both Companies.

[@DW-xt7vz]

I’ve got a Players strat and have always found it to be lacking punch in the sound - very chime-y. The Silver Sky does sound a lot better.

[@lapk78]

That's interesting. That's one of my favorite things about my Player Series SSS Strat - I really like its pickups with the AlNiCo 5 magnets.

[@fhlmusic8386]

I had a Mexican, bought an American and found the opposite. The American was way brighter and less punchy. Weird.

[@rationalrockstar6514]

Fantastic. Very technical approach. Great information. 🎸🎸🎸

[@philliplaclede6269]

The PRS is a better instrument for the price. I learned guitar on a MIM strat, and remember being shocked the first time I played a guitar that was setup correctly and realizing that my big name guitar had almost 0 setup from the factory. I went years without knowing why my guitar just didn't feel all that great. Given that the PRS not only comes setup, but with better hardware overall, it gives little reason to still consider Fender. Especially when there are countless other brands at much cheaper price points and with richer feature sets throwing their hats in the ring.

[@oldmanlearningguitar446]

Got the PRS SE 35th anniversary model just before the pandemic. It had 0 setup. Set up are important though. Set up it is a free service on new guitars at many guitar stores, though.

[@josiasalvarado2571]

Man how awesome is the guitar world , I remember I was gonna get another strat 2 years ago , I considered the silver sky and played it ... Didn't do it for me , I got a fender strat , then I thought I'd give the silver sky a try on these affordable ones , bought it ... I hate the factory set up , I changed it to my style of a set up , now I love it ... Still I'm a fender guy tho.

[@philliplaclede6269]

@@josiasalvarado2571 Right? So many options now. I'm astonished at the quality of a Harley Benton I use most of the time. You can buy guitars for crazy cheap too if you don't mind the setup either.

[@borselle]

Exactly. Most any place you buy a guitar will do a setup for you as part of the purchase. So many people fail to understand this and then complain it’s not set up right. And it always kills me when problem complain the guitars action is too high or some other easily adjustable thing that is based on personal preference.

[@MRPERFECT_79]

@@philliplaclede6269 YOU SHOULD WIPE THAT PRS JIZSM OFF OF YOUR LIPS. ITS GROSS

[@gair1944]

Nice job on the Comparison! Fender qsc on fingerboards and frets regularly needs leveling and regretting in my experience

[@creepyrc794]

My only question would be is, was that Fender sent in for review like the PRS was. I'm sure if Fender knew you were gonna compare the two they might send in a better example.

[@DylanTalksTone]

I just ordered it from sweet water and paid for it myself

[@creepyrc794]

@@DylanTalksTone ok. I might have missed that part. Thanks!

[@mannymejia7972]

That’s the whole point of the Silver Sky line, all guitars are the same. The goal is there is no better one.

[@riffraff1350]

Fender doesn't send guitars to anyone who might criticize them.

[@Joe_whatuknow]

Great video, this is what I've been waiting for! My only s-style guitar currently is theGnL s500 tribute my parents got me for christmas like 17ish years ago, if I get the SE I can have 2 strats made by the same company but from different brands while still having no strats. Now thats an Idea.

[@Joey.Darkwoods-Studio]

glad to have spotted this one... I was looking into one of those PRS on the used side.