Fender Vintera II Stratocaster vs PRS Silver SE - 5 BIG Differences

[@TomButwin]

Silver Skys on Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/XY9NK3 Silver Sky SE: www.zzounds.com/a--3980673/item--PAUJMSSSE Vintera II Strat: www.zzounds.com/a--3980673/item--FEN0149012

[@joemccarthy641]

I have an original PRS Silver Sky and enjoy playing it. I also have a Vinters II strat and tried a PRS SE Silver Sky. I thought the quality control of the PRS SE Silver Sky was lacking -- with very rough fret edges leading the charge. I was disappointed and ended up selling it. On the other hand, my Vintera II 60s Strat is in it's stand right next to me and I play it every day.

[@TomButwin]

I think the fact that I had the inverse experience speaks to some of the inconsistency with both! If you get a good one, they are great. If not, a little setting up is necessary.

[@poodleguiderpeyes7388]

I have a Fender AmPro Strat and a SE Silver Sky. I think you're right - the Fender has that clean bell like sound. But it has a chunkier neck and slightly taller frets than the Silver Sky. The Silver Sky's pickups are hotter & thicker. It's fun having both in the stable.

[@TomButwin]

I agree. They're both different enough to justify having one of each. Gotta have a true Strat in the mix! This is not a bad option.

[@PizzaSlices2000]

Great video, Tom. Really underrated youtube channel.

[@TomButwin]

Really appreciate that!

[@jackbandel]

Hey Tom I LOVE your comparison videos. Would love to see one comparing the SE Silver Sky to the SE Swamp Ash Special (the the split engaged)

[@TomButwin]

Ahhhhh if I still had the SAS, I would! Lol really appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@81ghale]

I bought a new Vintera II 60’s Telecaster. Fiesta Red and I love that guitar with Lollars. BUT I HAD to get pickups because it came with a dead/dying bridge pickup. One of the wires had broken from the solder joint. GC did refund some money for it, but you’re right, these shouldn’t come with those kinds of issues for how expensive they’ve made these import guitars. I know it’s 30 miles away or whatever, but the pay is a lot further away than that and those savings aren’t being passed to us like they used to be.

[@TomButwin]

I was hoping the one I got was an anomaly, but maybe not? Like you said, at that price point, it needs to be better.

[@jimboc669]

You couldn't re-solder it?

[@81ghale]

@@jimboc669 that little single wire is a real bitch to solder. It’s nothing like the leads to the switch. And when it’s broken it’s getting the two pieces to meet back up is nearly impossible because one or both curl up.

[@davecouto909]

I think this is a valuable comparison. The differences are pretty stark and I think it's worth highlighting them. I don't doubt the PRS is a beautifully made instrument, although the wear issues you mention are concerning. But the more I hear the Silver Sky SE in comparison with real Fenders the less I like the sound of the Silver Sky, it sounds woolly and muffled, even Player Series Strats sound better to me. Maybe the answer is a Silver Sky SE and a set of Fender Custom Shop Custom '54 pickups. That comes to the same price as the Vintera II. Imagine the reactions.

[@TomButwin]

I think you might have just broken the internet with that suggestion lol. The SS SE is such a different sound. My playing samples didn’t really demonstrate the better parts of its character. The Core USA model is much more vintage-Fender-like.

[@davecouto909]

@@TomButwin yeah, I should be fair to the Silver Sky, it's different enough that it has its own place. Having both in your arsenal is a great idea, but it's like if you eat something and you expect it to be sweet, but it's savory. It may be tasty, but it's not what you expect. But I have seen comparisons on other channels and my impressions are the same whoever is playing, and whatever they're playing. Play and Trade and Dylan Talks Tone are two examples. I really need to get my hands on both to judge. That's the best way after all. But if I'm getting a PRS it's probably a McCarty 594 or DGT. You should try that pickup swap for a video. You're guaranteed to go viral. 😂😂

[@tbone2451]

Another great comparison Tom. I keep hearing too much quality control issues with fender. At that price that’s unacceptable. I also think that nylon blue is a great color ! What are the wear issues, thank Tom.

[@TomButwin]

The nylon blue is a really cool color. I like it better in person than I thought I would! As far as wear issues, I’ve seen a few photos of bridge saddles oxidizing and rusting. I’m not sure of how widespread it is, but it’s an easy fix to replace those saddles. There are some good aftermarket ones out there now. The SS SE is definitely worth checking out. I will say, while the Vintera II I had showed some QC issues, overall I thought it was a really nice instrument. Inconsistency is an issue, but with the right dealer who will stand behind a purchase, I think Fender still makes great stuff. Always best to play a guitar in person before buying it, but that’s getting harder and harder to do. Appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@Kasparow]

Interesting, in europe the fender is 1100 and the prs 1000 €.

[@jayplaysthestrings]

This is the perfect approach to a review video. Honest opinions and that’s it! You’re one of the very few channels that is able to pull this off. Thanks Tom!😁🤙🏽

[@TomButwin]

Thanks, Jay! Appreciate you watching it. Thought it’d be fun to pair them up.

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

I’m a lefty there is no silver sky so I built one but put two p90 in it

[@TomButwin]

Did you flip the SS over and just go Hendrix-Style?

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

@@TomButwin no I bought everything I had a left-handed body a Paul Reed Smith neck problem was the nut So I ordered a left-handed. Nut they sent me a right handed one. It’s my fourth guitar with the 90s this one’s hot might be to hot with alnico fives. I mite put 2 in it

[@amosjaed2855]

Interesting comparison, though there are variables even in how you play each one of em. But great deal

[@TomButwin]

100%. Honestly, I was inspired to play differently by each guitar. I could have definitely tried to be a little more consistent, but the differences would have still been stark. Thanks for watching!

[@richardsrensen4219]

to great guitars i agree with you you need both

[@zacharywatson885]

Did not expect the Fender pickups to sound that good. Makes me want to go to the store and compare it to their Vintage II.

[@TomButwin]

Great Strat tone, that’s for sure!

[@davecouto909]

I've heard back to back comparisons between the SS SE and Player Series strats and IMO even the cheaper Fenders sound way nicer. In Tom's words the Fenders have that bell-like sound. I find the PRS pickups sound woolly.

[@edlicari3909]

You forgot a huge and imo biggest difference which makes me go with the fender every time, fender uses alder wood for the body and prs se uses junky poplar. Nuff said!

[@TomButwin]

Who said I forgot!? Maybe I was just hoping someone would comment...So, thank you for that! lol Also, I would argue that I'm not so sure it matters that much, ultimately. Bring on the other comments...lol

[@bunsenn5064]

The dealbreaker with me for PRS is their tremolo systems. They just suck. I tried playing a $2700 PRS and the tremolo felt like one of those cheap Floyds they put on $300 super strats.

[@TomButwin]

Was it just a feel thing or a functional thing? I haven’t had that same experience.

[@ArizonaMMJ]

The Strat pickups sound way nicer.

[@TomButwin]

The two pickups are so different I really have a hard time comparing.

[@ArizonaMMJ]

@@TomButwin im just thinking from a standpoint if someone is looking for that super stratty "Lenny" tone, then hands down the Fender wins this particular comparison.

[@damonkatos4271]

The PRS headstock is ugly.

[@jrsoper6524]

The fender vintera HANDS DOWN, VINTERA IS AWESOME. I THINK YOU LACK.

[@TomButwin]

I lack in general or did you mean to finish that sentence?