John Mayer's PRS Silver Sky Secrets Revealed w/ Phillip McKnight

[@MartyMusic]

Thanks for supporting MartyMusic.com!

[@mattmanley7118]

Marty many years ago on your old channel you had begun to do lessons on slide guitar. I strictly play slide guitar due to a disability. Is there any chance you could do more lessons on open E tuning slide guitar?

[@RYDER-su3kx]

Can you do a tutorial on gorillaz feel good .inc?

[@stojan84]

Shitty player...

[@brandonanthony7331]

My soul is crushed that I'm 9 months late to win this silver sky.. ughh I want one of those things so bad idk how I missed this vid !! Anyway great vid !

[@nihlhinz488]

Loved the buckethead impersonation. You nailed it, Marty.

[@charliedillon1400]

That 90 degree cord plug is driving me crazy.

[@hanreality.7266]

Yep - it’s like “wheeeee!”

[@philippinefandango2859]

I am with you Charlie.. The guitar seems to be well thought out, and an ergonomic treasure, with the exception of the cord portal.. (2) issues... It looks like it would get in the way while strumming, although this gent played a pretty snazzy Funk/Rock progression in the beginning.. Second issue, it looks like over time, and use, it would either damage the cord, or the portal... It would still be cool to own it...

[@alextavera741]

Bruce Boggan It’s not the guitar design. The guys are you using a right angled cable. Use a straight cable, problem solved.

[@philippinefandango2859]

@@alextavera741 Duh, on my part.. Thanks Alex.. It just didn't make sense to me.. You straitened me out..

[@Pollutical]

@@philippinefandango2859 Isn't it so you can run the cable through the strap and then it's out of the way? At least I imagine that's why it is built that way.

[@aurora-vb3lg]

“Paul liked working with John” Where have I heard that before

[@aurora-vb3lg]

Maybe....maybe

[@spencer7512]

bible??

[@johnora3857]

Brokeback Mountain?

[@andrelousada]

Bug talk!

[@noampeleg9766]

And out came John Paul Jones :0

[@CagedPaps]

I don't think there's many people, certainly on KZbin, that speak about the physical nature of guitars better than Philip. Cheers from Scotland, you bit bald beautiful bastard.

[@harrisonkelly9964]

Hi guys, I’ve been emailing PRS recently about a left handed version of the Silver Sky model being made and I was hoping of you see this you could just give it a like as they have said they will make it if enough people show interest, then I would be able to send them the proof which would contributing to them making one

[@elvis_chen]

In Taiwan we say “The picky customers are true buyers” That reflects the financial success of Silver Sky, well done Mr. Mayer and PRS.

[@keendeesjarlais3636]

and the really great players aren't picky ocd wing nuts.

[@AleksanderLydkunst]

I personally find it funny how there are never any actual gripes from in depth gear reviewers about the Silver Sky, or from professional luthiers, such as myself, because we can appreciate the small details and engineering behind this entire guitar. It’s not that it’s brand new, more of an insane upgrade for an absolutely amazing strat sound out of the box, and a guitar that just has “that thing” in a mass produced model 👌🏼 My personal take, love the guitar and even though I can literally build myself any guitar I want from scrap, I own 2 of these 😂 Great job to John, Paul, and the whole team! And as always, great video from you guys! Edit: Those pickups are absolutely insane, I can only hope to hand wind something similar to that in the future also at the end of the day, people who really pick up this guitar and try it out can’t help but NOT talk crap about it, or fall in love with it!

[@sollyharr]

Well I'll call bullshit on this please ...?? It's got a nice neck and some nice pickups ....and that's about it....trust me when I say ...this guitar will never be reversed engineered..my mex 60s lacquer strat stands up to this...and I have a few nice guitars ...don't waste your money on this crap kids..

[@AleksanderLydkunst]

Chris yeah m8 not sure if it’s late for you or if your grammar is just off but I can’t understand your point no matter how many times I read your.... question..?

[@dru9918]

@@AleksanderLydkunst I think he's trying to say the guitar is overrated or something along those lines. Personally I think it's a lot of money for a guitar but then again everything with John Mayer's name attached to it is a lot of money so it's not like the price is surprising at all. Also in my experience with this guitar, it's my favorite strat style guitar I've ever played. I've gone to Sam Ash multiple times JUST to play this guitar. In a room full of guitars no less than $2500 (not including the Silver Sky) none of them have grabbed my attention like this one did. Plugged into a hot rod I've spent hours noodling away on just this guitar. The point I'm trying to make is this guitar fucking rocks dude Chris is talking out his ass if I found 2 grand in a bag no question the first thing I'm doing is going to buy this guitar

[@AleksanderLydkunst]

Dru Suarez lol very good points man 👌🏼 I mean, in all fairness, not being very much more than his signature strats with fender, the price doesn’t bother me at all, in fact it opens up PRS’s market by splitting their price range with this absolute machine! And you’re absolutely right, no I deal what Chris was trying to get at 😂 This guitar is appreciated by everyone who touches it, same can’t be said with other actual strat copies 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@dru9918]

@@kennethwatson4489 the radius issue is understandable considering I basically only play a les paul at home it's a big jump but i guess that could be a love or hate thing for most people. I think the saving grace for me was that even though it's 7.25 it doesn't seem to fret out on bends

[@clgmafnas]

Fun fact (from PRS himself): the double cutaway is patterned after the swoop in the headstock (the silver skys headstock reversed to make the curve more strat-like). This feature is a common theme throughout PRS guitars. 👍🏼

[@danrebeiz4598]

8:38 I’m glad you guys addressed that point. It makes sense. You could say the same for acoustics, why do they all look the same (for the most part). As a life long Fender Strat player, I’m more than cool with the Strat body being adopted as a standard. I say go for it.

[@Chilinoploppy]

Own a Silver Sky and its quickly become my favorite guitar!

[@tricko2286]

My Custom Shop Strats are gathering dust since I bought the Silver Sky 🙃 Its truly that good.

[@sheercerebralpower]

Tricko it is....i only have vintage ones(56,57 and 65), which are great but the SSky combines the best of each in one instrument....

[@tricko2286]

Azhar Kamal 👍 I really didn’t want it to be true (and actually criticized the Silver Sky when it came out) but after a couple months of owning the SS, I’m blown away at how well it sounds/plays. LOVE my Fenders but thinking of selling them if they are just gathering dust... I keep playing my CS Strats back to back with my Silver Sky and hoping for some epiphany (maybe I am just in a SS honeymoon period?) nope, I keep liking the SS more & more.

[@spencerkoch1]

Would davie504 approve of that intro?

[@Pollutical]

Slap like to find out? Lol

[@jamesbirch6522]

@@Pollutical thought it was the bit from rob scallons funk video with jared dines.

[@SevenBates]

I slapped it.

[@MegaGamerscast]

nah, that's not bass

[@Enjoimaschine]

@@MegaGamerscast es 6 String Bass

[@robertlucas9867]

And people forget that others use the Strat and Tele design long before PRS did. Why complain that PRS now does it?

[@PachuauZ]

Exactly... suhr, musicman, shechtar, g&l etc etc all make strat shaped guitars...

[@robertlucas9867]

I had a Peavy Tele and Strat guitar in the 90’s. I wish I kept the Tele because it was assembled in USA, well made and great sounding. Yamaha Pacifica is technically a Strat style guitar. Ibanez S and R series is a modified version too.

[@JC-11111]

People don't forget. They just don't give a shit when a no-name company does it. But when a well-known company with their own designs does it, people take notice. And the ones who aren't informed think it's a huge deal that theyre copying a Fender, etc...when it's just a generic guitar shape as Phillip said.

[@cuttlefishinthesea]

The same reason why ford should not copy the shape of the VW Beetle and put a 351 Windsor in it. I'm really on the fence on this one. I am no professional musician. I own a 50th Anniversary Sunburst Strat and IMO, that shape, no matter who makes it, is known as the strat shape. Did they really have to make that guitar so closely resembles a strat? Why didnt they just make a PRS guitar with the electronics that JM wanted? I understand the concept of playing a guitar with the same feel as a strat but with new modern features and a combination of classic 60s sounds and other cool tones but it's not a strat lol I cant wrap my mind around it. But who am I to say?? I'm no one.

[@seikatsu4life]

@@cuttlefishinthesea I'm guessing its because its the body shape john wanted. People tend to over look the fact that it's a signature model for a specific artist who had a heavy hand in the design and creation of the guitar. Thats partly why John left fender cause they weren't willing to make changes he had asked for. So he went to a maker that would work with him on his signature model.

[@siddiquemohammed3296]

Its like watching 2 guitar dads.

[@billzervas1840]

Lol! That's the best part.

[@jackland454]

Super cool guitar dad's!

[@Handsofakiller19]

One of them has a Djent machine in their hands through, so that's cool

[@ajrodrigues5728]

😂😂😂

[@macewbee]

Agreed

[@kelzbelz2621]

Hi Marty! I just bought a guitar. Sooo frikken excited. Gonna follow all your lessons. Ive binge watched a few and done them in my head and with my air guitar haha, but soon....ill have the real thing. I know I'll probably suck at first, but im keen and hopefully patient enough to keep at it. You will be my new best friend...hope you don't mind, and hope my hubby, kids and neighbours ears wont bleed too much haha 🤪

[@rileyanderson0024]

Love your videos Marty. This might be corny but you have changed my life. A couple years ago I never thought I would be playing guitar. Now because of you I'm fully addicted to it. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@googo151]

HI MY NAME IS RILEY, AND I'M A GUITAR JUNKEY! MY STORY STARTED WHEN I FIRST MARTY PLAYING GUITAR AND GIVING A LESSON AND LECTURE. LOL! WE'RE ALL HOOKED MY GUITAR FRIEND. IT'S A BAD HOOK, BUT A GREAT ONE TOO. OXYMORON FOR SURE. CHEERS!

[@scubbarookie]

I'm a strat guy, and I like it! The rounder radius makes sense for those who like the vintage strats. Thank you guys!

[@RC32Smiths01]

I always salute when you have a guest on the show, especially if it's the Gear Maestro himself! Silver sky sounds amazing!

[@whowell04]

RC32 hello again

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@whowell04 Why Hello

[@edgeofeternity101]

That color is absolutely beautiful!

[@patrickburns7913]

It's the same color as my Strat, which was infamously owned by Chris Duarte, prior to him gifting it to me. My guitar was built by Xotic guitars. It's called the Xotic XS-1, in Ice Blue. S/N 156... It's a piece of history and I get the honor of playing it straight into the ground. I absolutely love it, it's my dream guitar... That being said, PRS has caught my attention, they outdid their selves and fender by a LONGSHOT.

[@patrickcarroll1754]

This was a smart conversation. Great points, boys.

[@jasong546]

First, Marty is right about Paul showing up. In 2013, I was in Guitar Center Indianapolis, standing there staring at the wall where they had about 12 PRS guitars. They were almost all core models, and my brain was trying to figure a way to afford one. I was asking the sales guy something and someone walked up next to me and when he spoke I looked and Paul was standing next to me, and the guy said, oh Mr. Smith hi, I didn’t know you were coming!” Paul said, “hey, just call me Paul, that’s great”. They both checked if I needed anything and they went to find the manager. His vibe seemed so friendly. Surprised by that!

[@rayross997]

When, when I ask will there be a Marty Schwartz signature guitar? The guitar companies need to take notice & get on the job. Thanks guys, nice review.

[@tj10777]

I find it amusing listening to Phil talking about the pros of a 7.25 radius neck when Marty is holding a PRS Mark Holcomb that has the flattest radius you can get on a electric

[@fpapaleo74]

Nice talk, two of the greatest! Well done guys

[@Theweeze100]

Love the guitar geek stuff that Phil takes wherever he goes! Y’all should hang out more often...

[@gregorygetable]

Missed this a year ago. Really good chat about Silver Sky with 2 of my favorite KZbin guys. You both taught me tons with all your posts.

[@stevejohnson7002]

Very substantive discussion, would love to see more of these about other guitars or topics that you all are interested in.

[@ulysse7243]

This videos are super chilled and informative at the same time. Love it.

[@liorauf]

LOVE the Silver Sky!!! Thanks for the great video!!!

[@ferox965]

I'm a bassist, but the guitarist in one of my bands has a red one of these. Honestly, it's killed every Strat I've ever tried, with the exception of one. Sounds great, built well, I was really surprised at the high quality. Consequently, I always found PRS to be dead sounding, this one, even unplugged rang beautifully.

[@DarianG98]

John mayers Jerry licks are incredible honestly.

[@joebaby555]

Mr. Materials yes he does....can’t wait for the upcoming Dead and Company shows that I’m going to stream on Nugs.net..go Johnny Go!

[@asdf9890]

The truck analogy is great. Out of all my guitars, the Strat feels the best to hold for long periods.

[@swiftbunnyOG]

The first time I have EVER seen Phillip McKnight actually play the guitar lol

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

really? Egads...he plays in everything but his weekly podcast. I really like to hear him play.

[@TMullins123]

Great video, I never fully understood why different manufacturers would make the same style guitar, i.e., Gibson and Epiphone making a Les Paul. The dump truck explanation cleared things up. This is enlightenment, thanks Mr. McKnight you be alright.

[@str8harry]

Love the video and both of them. But regarding the dust cover comment. Isn't the entire point of a dust cover so that dust doesn't get into the spot it's protecting? Phillip said you never pull it off and have dust bunnies. That's kind of the point right? It's doing the job imo haha.

[@DadofThree]

Two of my favorite KZbinrs hanging out. Nicely done lol

[@ludvanlazarz]

I love how Phil is so natural and comfortable with you Marty 👌👌

[@xy9394]

I would love to see a 90's PRS USA EG-3 with Lindy Fralin pickups vs. this guitar..........It was the answer to the strat at that time!

[@WOHBuckeye]

I’ll wait for the private selection $11,000 version with with bald eagle skull bone bird inlays.

[@donefinished]

Be sick

[@tristanmccoppin5761]

i appreciate this video and you guys are great. I personally think PRS having strong personal opinions is because he knows what he's talking about and therefore is confident and clear about it.

[@howlin6521]

@9:15 The SS pickups are a blend of JM's '63 & '64 Strat pickups which they decided to call 635 for '63.5. @10:00 IMHO the best way to utilize the 3 pots on a Strat-style guitar is to have a master volume, a master tone & a blender pot which allows sounds that no normal Strat can get by being able to blend in the bridge & neck pickups in the 1 & 5 positions or all 3 pickups in the 2 & 4 positions + you get a tone pot that works on all 3 pickups.

[@ncreb86]

I made a vow to learn something new everyday. Today I learned a month’s worth. Thank you Marty and Phil!!!

[@BeefNEggs057]

No rollover learning allowed 😉

[@dajoler]

Much as I loved the super cool info about the Silver Sky, I really wanted to see Marty play that Mark Holcomb SE. Maybe a Periphery lesson in the future ;) ?

[@SeanZetterlund]

playing that pseudo-strat like a proper bass player, loving it! 😂

[@mragunathan1627]

that intro was badass

[@bellachi9575]

Sir Phillip IS the Lord of Gear! Absolutely!! Interesting explanation about barred chords and rounder fretboard. Makes me want to try that neck.

[@carterquinn9985]

Awesome video, plenty of knowledge and that guitar looks like it will be my next obsession!

[@danielhartman5086]

Dam phil not only are very knowledgeable about gear. Your dam good on the guitar as well.

[@SevenBates]

Dude! I love it when you have Phillip on! 👑

[@KaosII1968]

I remember playing without a shirt and I got my belly hairs caught in the trem springs... Hurt like a bitch.

[@harrykadaras9459]

Hair removal bonus function?

[@AndreMusic2000]

I died😂😂

[@louierubio]

Love this kind of in-depth one on one style segment.

[@humanbass]

The strat shape is the most ergonomical because it actually came from the P bass. Bass ergos are a much bigger challenge. Les Paul, Tele and SG shapes dont work very well on basses, usually having neck dive. So the fact that it worked so well for bass made it a very safe bet for guitars. The only real upgrade to the shape of the strat is the Music Man 4x2 headstock, very compact reducing even more the risk of neck dive.

[@ferox965]

As a working bassist, neck dive is never an issue for me. I never take my hand off the neck.

[@scottanderson4175]

My grandfather used to go see Paul’s band play back in the day

[@SteveCalwell]

I always thought that the dust cover was to stop the springs pinching your clothes whilst using the trem.

[@12x2richter]

I didn't know anyone ever used the trem :D

[@simonpilgrims]

You guys...sincere and passionate. Great video thanks.

[@achimdg6335]

I'm a regular viewer of Phil's channel, havent watched a Marty video for some years now.

[@TheMightyPirateTm]

Always a pleasure to see Phil on other channels

[@JohnOShaughnessy]

great guitar chat, and I love the mandala on the black cloth. This is a brilliant channel to be subscribed to

[@jameschamplin1742]

I'm a big, big Strat guy and I'd be proud to own a Silver Sky. I gave one a test drive at a shop here in Austin and it was literally the "ultimate Strat" experience. I mean, it's PRS, so I wasn't really surprised. Their machines are pure as fuck.

[@midwestfisherman]

Love this video! Great info and the Nerd Meter is a nice touch! Shout out to Phil!

[@billybuckner7762]

Its good to know about some things, on the guitar im going to win

[@critstixdarkspear5375]

Encyclopaedia McKnight is one of my favourite books.

[@jeysonrodriguez3682]

I recently bought one like a week ago and named her “Skylar” best purchase I’ve ever made

[@rodwelles5110]

Great interview Marty! 😀😀😀🎸🎸🎸🎼🎼🎼

[@markhoskins]

Damn. Phil been practising!!!

[@ericlawrence97]

Love the collaboration videos between you two

[@Maxshade7]

I love crossovers. Really cool to see

[@Charles75N]

Always love watching you and Phil together. This is the 3rd or 4th time I have watched this. THX!!

[@garrickpridemore413]

Another awesome video! Ive grown to love these types of videos as much as the instructionals!

[@scubarod13]

would love to know if they are making an affordable SE edition of the Silver Sky

[@kitano0]

Just a guess, but since the SS is their top-seller, not anytime soon...

[@roblarson9065]

scubarod13 I hope not!

[@animebeatle81]

Unlikely, but you might be able to find one of the old SE EG models that was a strat style.

[@BGMMM100]

Yes they are. It’s called the Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster.

[@jamescarlisle4109]

Either way if you want it, you should get it because it's so worth it.

[@Little_Milk120]

Bought a midnight rose maple neck silver sky and never looked back. I never touch my Gibson Les Paul anymore or my fender strat. Not to mention the look and feel of the silver sky? It’s a world of difference once you give it a try and it plays amazing. Never going back to anything else.

[@jukeboxheros7021]

I bought a JM SKY yesterday at a pawnshop for $1k stopped at gcenter to order the missing trem bar and it turned out to be a stolen guitar from that store. They treated like a thief, called the police and almost got me arrested " because I fit the profile" until I pulled out the purchase receipt. Then everyone was my friend. The pawnshop refunded my money after I showed up with the cops and gcenter manager. As for the sky being awesome, eh it's alright. I had the jm fender version and couldn't get $1100 for it finally sold it for $900 after paying $600 at another pawnshop. There's a guy trying to sell one for $1550 on ebay and has listed for a second time with no bids. So I guess my experience was a blessing cuz I would've tried to flipped it for $1300 and taken for ever! It's all hype!!! Nice seeing you guys love your vids!

[@_RLP]

Great video and kudos on the meter. Cheers

[@Stangil1]

Leo Fender knew what he was doing.

[@fernank017]

well he worked on an iterative process so many designs were refined. Many of his designs weren't well received too (but people seem to forget about that) -- like how poorly the Jazzmaster sold initially, and the 3 bolt neck that he included on the early days of G and L (which got a lot of flack when Fender did it in the 70's).

[@arendmusic4344]

The truth is.....its an awesome guitar!

[@bvon7896321]

We get to learn to! Thank you for sharing!

[@Sumbibebe]

Nowhere on earth can I find anyone comparing the Sliver Sky to the MusicMan Cutlass. Is there a reason for this? Love your show and I'm a fan of both of you.

[@jimott7342]

Loved Marty's robot!

[@joelmiddaugh8229]

The strat may not be your cup of tea visually, but it is definitely the most comfortable electric guitar I've ever owned, and a one of a kind tone.

[@blinddog58]

I was at the store when Paul bought one of the early 60’s strats used to voice the silver sky pickups

[@rodneyshima1375]

OK I’m gonna have to get one now. Thanks guys.👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@johnregan3732]

OMG MARTY KNOW YOUR GEAR, PHIL MUSIC! Two of the best. Great to see you both together. Wish I was there. Now if you could get that long haired guy out of Fargo it would be my guitar dream team.

[@Pyriscent]

More of this guy please!

[@derekhand7904]

I love that green color and the yellow one

[@jayyoungmusic919]

I love watching vids where Phil is being interviewed

[@aideedsodikromo4413]

I learn so much about prs thanks to this video👍

[@gtr1952]

Hey Marty I just love your Heritage 335 burst!! That guitar is my personal '59 LPB', and I've been looking for 'just the right one' for a long time. (I'm 67 years old LOL) Love the tones when you play it! Thanks for all you do bro! --gary

[@RickFoxx777]

Sorry guys, it's Fender or Les Paul all the way for me. I have had five PRS electric guitars over the last three years and though I always fall in love with them, after six months or so they just don't hit the spot anymore and I become annoyed or bored with the sound or feel in one way or another. I always wind up selling them and buying another Fender and loosing a great deal in the process (as the resale on PRS is not great...especially the SE models). The PRS guitars I have had and once loved are... 2- Carlos Santana SE models 1- Zach myers SE model 1- 25th anniversary S2 model and 1- single cut PRS se. I currently have around twenty strats a few les pauls and a couple of unbranded strat style guitars that I have built and painted myself...and I still go to them over any other guitar I have or have had. I have also played this PRS JM strat but I don't like the way it feels or sounds and I don't care much for 7.5 radius (unless they are compound to 9.5 or higher they fret out). In conclusion, I will probably keep buying PRS guitars till I find the one I can keep and enjoy for more than half a year...I am totally drawn to them, but I never keep them...Yikes I'm just a sick puppy...oh well, at least I am only addicted to guitars. Peace

[@danielleelizabeth9417]

Thanks for sharing; I have multiple strats and was thinking of buying a silver sky. It seems like the resale will hold but I’ve tried multiple brands except for PRS and always ended up going back to fender. You just solidified my choice. Thanks

[@mikeaustin4138]

I've got several guitars with 7.25" radius fretboards. I'm able to bend up 3 steps on the high "e" string and I don't have big hands, so unless you're keeping your action really low, bending is not a problem.

[@sandramiller4917]

LOVE the nerd meter!

[@zaz4667]

SWEET video Phil! Thanks for the info!

[@SeanPatrickBurgess]

Nice to see the deep dive into my new guitar...

[@guitarFlownimo]

Love the Nerd-O Meter 😂👌

[@martingregory5955]

Hi guys, Martin here from NZ. I watch both your channels and both cool dudes. Maybe one day if I get over there we can meet up.

[@void0094]

I'm the kinda hipster that's going to buy a Jazzmaster because of Thurston Moore, Kevin Shields and J Mascis

[@donaldfisher8556]

Awesome show. Really really enjoy you two.

[@surfrby8876]

My two favorite YT’s together , how did I miss this video ?

[@John-vh1fk]

Always enjoy hearing Phil talk about guitar design/specifics. He doesn’t just give his personal opinion but also why the manufacturer did what they did, how it affects playability, etc...

[@robertclarkguitar]

Lord Phill. This really is cool.

[@wenjacklow]

I've been watching Phil forever but I had no idea he could play as well as he did in the intro!

[@owenfulcher2824]

I NEED THIS GUITAR