PRS Silver Sky SE vs Fender Player Strat - Which is Better?

[@iAutodidact]

I’m waiting for my Silver Sky to arrive so I can compare it properly, but I just want to say that regardless of my choice, your playing is just phenomenal. You make them all sound good.

[@matetepachuau48]

The timelessness i must say of your playing style is so rare , loving and feeling your versatility and simplicity yet masterful . Respect.

[@freewaybullit]

Amazing grace … loved that … gorgeous interpretation bro. I have the Player and love the thiner strat tone and beautiful classic styling. Mine has a lovely maple neck and after adjusting the pups down a little more sound even better.

[@michaelnelson3469]

After owning several strats over the years with the most expensive being a Clapton, I never really bonded with any of them. I love so much stuff that has been done on strats, but for some reason when I get one in my hands I feel nothing. I recently got a SE SS rosewood, and after I did a good setup and fret polish it's delightful to play and I feel inspired. I really enjoyed listening to your playing no matter which guitar you were playing. Thanks.

[@dividedbytimestudios]

I really wish Fender would go back to Rosewood on the Mexican series… even if you put Pau Ferro on a $10,000 guitar I’m just not a fan of the look 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@johnnathancordy]

It has to have been influenced by that CITES thing right?

[@dividedbytimestudios]

@@johnnathancordy sure, but we’re over that, let’s go back to rosewood

[@Ironworthstriking]

@@basiltiffani8850I actually think the Laurel they use on squiers looks a lot better than Pau Ferro ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@Rau1S]

Yeah. But I think players looks very nice on that satin maple too

[@sidweazel2883]

Just plaster the fret board with Monty’s relic wax, transforms the look and feel.

[@tonyleeglenn]

Always great videos. I really do like your Amazing Grace instrumental. Thanks for making awesome content Jonathan!

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

Really shows the different tones of the two guitars. Useful. Thanks.

[@plant30]

I understand what you mean when you say that the SE doesn't have a strat sound, but I really appreciate the warmth of the SE tone.

[@bluwng]

I dont

[@leoortiz1810]

@@bluwng I do

[@bluwng]

@@leoortiz1810 you aren’t part of this Lee

[@leoortiz1810]

@@bluwnglol 🤣 I just wanted ti join in🤣

[@josephlerz6889]

John Mayer, He wanted a guitar that reflected his sounds, it wasn't an authentic Stratocaster copy from the start

[@TheBbtlegit]

I just got mine today. I love it it plays so smooth. In the ever green color. Its beautiful.

[@clives555]

SOOOO many super tasty things in the opening sequence! Also, as a Player Strat owner, I feel no need to rush out and buy and SE SS. Nothing against SE, I've got the really basic Standard 24 SE and I love it very much.

[@jonthehermit8082]

I kinda dig it, I’ve had this guitar for a week and I can’t put it down , my other strats do sound more “stratty” but hey, this things sounds and feels great. My other guitars don’t sound like Stratocaster either. This is like a variation on a theme of Stratocaster.

[@bluwng]

The PRS is just another Strat knock off. Someone made a video saying no, but I’m like who are you and what makes you qualified to say no. The facts speak for themselves. The actual Silver Sky is a Strat type body with a Strat neck modeled on a 60s Strat, Johns Stat, played on Single Coil pickups modeled on an actual 60s Strat. How the heck is it not a Strat?

[@bricehatcher8391]

@@bluwng well there must be a clear difference or else John wouldn't have left Fender. They wouldn't make the strat be wanted and Paul did. So there must be something about it he didn't find in a fender.

[@bluwng]

@@bricehatcher8391 my point is that it is just a Strat copy, o thing unique. It’s like asking Samsung to make you an iPhone

[@bricehatcher8391]

@@bluwng you don't think it sounds different than a strat?

[@ИгорьШаманов-ц3к]

Very useful video, great comparison, thank you!

[@stratocumulusnimbostratus328]

Why about the player plus? But more importantly these vs a S7?

[@selliantuttimusi6735]

The strat sounds like a strat. The other one sounds like something else. I prefer the sparkly strat sound :)

[@Bob-ne6xy]

Same. I am a huge PRS fanboy, I love everything about them, but that Strat sound is what I'm really looking for to round out my collection.

[@RobertNolan]

I have a classic series 60s strat that is absolutely amazing. It's one of my favorite guitars.

[@johnnathancordy]

Which colour?

[@RobertNolan]

@@johnnathancordy lake placid blue, 7.25 radius, 6 point trem, rosewood fretboard. Made in 2016. Really comfortable and great playing guitar.

[@paullanglois3768]

Wow. Love the playing. Sounds amazing. And thank you so much for the insight into these guitars. Really appreciated.

[@acemodean]

How does the sire stack up against them?

[@antonyedwardson9900]

I preferred the sound of the PRS in this vid but I do agree, they are overpriced here in the UK. I think you are right John, If you want a s-style at the £500 mark your probably better off looking at Sire and if you want one at the £900 mark your probably better off looking at a vintera.

[@DaiKatana14]

The PRS SS SE is basically a £500/500 euros guitar, but due to the PRS & JM branding it's severly overpriced... In the "under 1000 euro range" I'd also throw in the Charvel DK22 SSS 2pt (or the MiK HSS Red Ash model), Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional (diamond) and the Yammy 612VII in the equation... I do agree that Vintera 50s mod look interesting but then again when it comes to Fender, their QC is still inconsistent and would require a lot of playing/trying out before buying one... In the end I'd probably go with NJ Traditional or Sire S7 then shell out 1k for a MiM Fender or PRS SS SE, or add some money and try to go for a MiJ (FSR) Fenders or Fujigen Expert Odyssey.

[@bluwng]

I don’t prefer the sound.

[@rhymeskill]

Great video. I think the older MIM Strats are an incredible deal. The current PRS is offering better value than the current MIM Strat. I also agree, there are better guitars for the money. The current MIM Fenders are sad with the Pau Ferro fretboard.

[@louissanderson719]

Anderson’s have a sale in the PRS right now I’m picking one up!

[@melvinsfan]

Well, as far as the new Player Series guitars that have the maple fretboards……I have a Strat that is completely on par with a ‘97 American Standard I used to have. The new Mex guitars have really upped the game and they are absolutely killer for the money.

[@MultiDreamer1979]

I got the one with maple neck plays like a dream I put fender locking tuners on and 11’s and just plays just a s good as my American one

[@the4thway51]

Good review, excellent playing. Only.... , the K.ohm resistance of a PUP is not always relative to its output. A PUP with lower K ohm rating can be louder due to the guage of wire & amount of winds.

[@andreasmusicdude8652]

nothing can sound like a fender , they are close but there's something about fenders that is so special

[@Lordofmrak]

Yeah, the name.

[@IanTheAlternative]

@@Lordofmraklol you right

[@57ebartley]

I have the Silver Sky and also have 3 Fender Strats/ 2 American and one MIM. The Silver Sky I love and the Trem works better then the trems on my Fenders. I think the PRS handles more driven tones better and is easier to play. And access to the higher frets is better on the PRS. The only thing I might miss is the glassy sound of a Fender. And I have not broken any strings yet. There is something going on with yours.

[@johnnathancordy]

Awesome thanks for sharing your experience Ed! Glad you're digging it!

[@sugarprobe]

The schecter Nick Johnston is a great Strat copy with a lot of modern appointments and better fit n finish than most of the USA Strats I’ve owned including rarities. Close price to the SS.

[@Paralung]

I got a Schecter Route 66, which is basically a NJ with lower input PUs and different finishes exclusive to the Italian market. It sounds, plays, feels and looks fantastic.

[@sugarprobe]

@@Paralung they are impressive guitars and I preferred my Johnston over my USA Strats including my rarities and I even liked more than my suhr asato.

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

Yeah if you like heavy guitars

[@sugarprobe]

@@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender my nick Johnston was no heavier than a Strat. Think it was 7.8lbs.

[@BobbyCulpepper.srv3fender]

@@sugarprobe you must have a rare one

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

interesting you don't like 2 point trems... I'm about to order some strat parts for a build and was thinking about a 2 point drilled body...now I'm second guessing. What is your favorite tremolo? Can you set up a 6 point trem to get the Jeff Beck studdering effect, when hit the trem arm when it's facing towards the strap button?

[@johnnathancordy]

It's just a preference that is probably not based on anything worth worrying about? Fluttering effects are definitely more possible on 2 point style trems than 6 in my experience?

[@RonA2Zman]

Great playing!

[@flbiker57]

I instantly forgot the subject of the video. Your playing is superb. 👏👏

[@ElmerFerrer]

First, amazing playing! 🙌 And to me, hands down, the Fender! Man those player series are awesome! It’s hard to believe. I have a few hi end strats and other guitars and I got a player series and I freaking LOVE that thing. Mine is a two pieces alder body in sunburst and maple neck. The neck is super comfortable and the pickups sound great. Just put locking tuners and upgraded the bridge. I’m even thinking on installing an ilitch silent circuit. That’s how much I like it. Thanks for the video!

[@jguitar23]

You play so beautifully♧ Luv these long samples.

[@stephenupton]

Watch how you play the prs. the more you play it, you can see your enjoyment in your fingers as you play expressively, there is more emotion in your tone, I get you have to be bios, but if it works then that's all that matters to me, I love my strat, but the truth is I play my semi hollow se more, and my strat is double the price, each on has its place, keep the great videos and content coming, I really enjoy what you put out, So a big thank you from me

[@ceelothatmane9421]

I like the PRS warmth with some added twang. I appreciate that people don’t like it. That way my production sound can be different.

[@tonystartup3817]

John. The neck radius on the SE SS is 8.5". Not as flat as the 9.5" on the Strat but more than the 7.25" of the USA SS. Kind of half way between.

[@johnnathancordy]

Yep!

[@dadudezpr]

Money wise , MIA Stratocaster used will be the option but all new guitars have new fishes like satin neck pick up selections and are a bit more comfortable contours. But this dude is always on point!

[@garyb1036]

Just bought the fender player in buttercream with the maple neck, i own a few other guitars and have to say i cant fault anything about it, its a beautifully well built instrument and the satin necks a dream to play on, well worth the money in my opinion.

[@69telecasterplayer]

They both sound great in your hands. Excellent review.

[@mkrj2576]

Player Strats and Teles, well, I have a few and maybe I’m just use to them but the way they feel in the hand is far better than the prs guitars I’ve played, owned. Never tried the prs SS so maybe it’s different. Personal preference I suppose, and too many hours on Fender 1.65” necks with a 9.5” radius, but that just feels right for my style. Thanks for the review.

[@kurtklein6360]

Maybe I'm the only one here, but the Pau Ferro fretboard looks fine to me. It matches beautifully to the 3T-Sunburst and has a nice shiny wood grain in my eyes. Modded my Player Strat with a humbucker in the bridge for great distortion. For the ultimate twang i simply grab my Tele off the wall. Both sound great to me. And I'm a fan of the Fender headstocks. Cheers!

[@emberhanabi]

Love the way you play, thanks for the comparison!

[@joemiller9856]

Thanks for the Amazing Grace rendition. 👍

[@predigr]

I don't know why, the woods are the same, only fretboard difference, and pickups. But they don't sound the same. Maybe changing pickups can make your PRS a total strat?

[@ihasmario]

I recently spent a considerable amount of money on a collectors grade fender John Mayer signature in shoreline gold. It's okay - but I am not sure I prefer it to the G&L usa i have. Would love to hear you on either - and especially you're opinion on tbe g&l. For the longest time i found it so bright, but with tone on 6 I think it is awesome

[@johnnathancordy]

I had 3 G&Ls as a kid! Great guitars

[@slawsonscot]

I’ve had a few G&Ls over the years and whilst I’ve enjoyed them, I’ve never settled on the pickups. They’re so hot and on the bright side for me, but interesting to hear that you’ve found a tweak that works.

[@ihasmario]

@@slawsonscot theyre very bright and I didnt like the guitar for a long time, but i have the pickups wound down a bit (except the bridge). And i treat the tone pot as a bit of a tbx tone/bass cut pot, and leave it around 6 To be clear, I steer towards jazzier playing than anything else. If you're into something heavier or more SRVish no doubt in my mind the pickups are going to be a problem

[@masterWindu_01]

I once played a silver sky SE and it blew away any other Strat style gutiar I’ve ever played, including my 80s US made Strat, which is itself probably my favorite Strat I’ve ever played. The thing was insane.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I bought a Suhr-strat with the Gotoh 510 Trem-system, Locking tuners, and Lollar Dirty Blonde pickups = No more tone envy. I Sold my vintage Fender Stratocaster. (not played in 9 months) once The Suhr arrived - true story. Fantastic playing. I'd love to know some of your influences Jonathan. I preferred the Fender (pickups) in this comparison.

[@piage84]

Aren't suhr 3-4 times the price of Fender player??

[@justindekock7211]

dude do you have tabs for the amazing grace arrangement? super beautiful!

[@jakollee]

"Poplar is less...Popular." I enjoyed that. Fantastic opening jam, BTW!

[@bobaldo2339]

Lovely playing!

[@umatgeratonleik2584]

9:28 lots of players and guitar hardware inventors swear that two-point vibratos are a better design and more stable than six-point tremolos. I haven't built an instrument myself, but I've built furniture and worked in construction, and from that point of view, putting six screws into wood that close together is a bad choice. What irks me about the SE is that the pickups apparently aren't the same as on the original model, and that really seems very stingy to me and also an unacceptable compromise. From hearing John Mayer and Paul R.S. talking about the development of the Silver Sky, it seems that about 90% of it was getting the pickups just right. The rest was doing a 3D scan of the neck on Mayers signature Fender and arguing about the curves and shapes. So if from a player's perspective the Raison-d'étre of the Silver Sky are the pickups and the neck, then what the fuck is the point of the Silver Sky SE!? Mind you, if the neck had actual pheasants on it, I'd jump for it immediately

[@CovaSKT]

so, speaking as a PRS fan, I'd still get a player strat. I've played both in store and they have their differences but for the price I'd rather just get a PRS SE of any other model or shell out a little more for their S2 line. if I'm this down bad for a strat style guitart, I'd rather just buy a player strat

[@Bobby_Digital37]

I’m going with the player strat!!! Easy upgrades/mods and resale value 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@HiredGoonage]

Just keep in mind your mods will add zero to the resale value. Despite that they are excellent mod platforms

[@tonystartup3817]

It was a few years ago, and it was a fairly good deal even at the time. But I paid less than £850 for my Eric Johnson Strat that was in excellent hardly used condition.

[@tonystartup3817]

@Stelios Stylios unless you're getting something very old and used you probably won't have to worry about worn frets and replacing them. All my guitars are now secondhand ones having sold everything that is bought new to help pay for better secondhand guitars. Personally I'd always prefer a better secondhand guitar to a new lower spec one but that's a decision only you can make

[@abhinavr13]

Thoroughly enjoyed your guitar playing. 👏👏

[@PabloKlein]

I have to say… Pau-ferro definitely doesn’t look good. Any other Fender Strat Player MIM with maple fingerboard looks much better. Buttercream is my favorite. Here in Brazil Silver Sky are more expensive too, I’m gonna buy a Player this week. Awesome playing and excellent content, bro. Congrats.

[@Kwaician]

At this moment the Silver Sky SE is about $849 USD, just for price comparison. Thanks for the video

[@anthonygonzalez8684]

I love them both. Great Demo. Thanks 👍🏻 😊

[@aajb53]

In the uk it's like £800 early 2025 but I bought mine from Germany for £560 free delivery. I love it

[@tonystartup3817]

Plenty of SE PRSs with their normal (import) 6 point trems so I can't see that being a reason. Seems an odd choice to me too.

[@geoffreyalder7275]

With reference to your comment on the early classic player having custom shop pickups.....they don't, I've owned one,and on the spec sheet it just says custom pickups,not custom shop ??

[@sublyme2157]

I like that strap you're using with the Silver Sky, do you recall what it is? Looks like a good option for my freakishly heavy Telecaster :)

[@NormskieRider]

Hi, I bought the prs silver sky. question, does all fender has same size of pick ups if ever I want to change the pick ups to american?

[@josephlerz6889]

To me they are matched build quality, I like the Fender more sonically and with the alder body and with the colours and overall looks, but the Silver Sky has useable vintage Mayer tones. I do preference the neck profile which is so important for me with the Silver Sky's and the tuning stability of the Sky's is a lot better to me. Love having the rosewood options. Definitely think the Silver Sky has a better single coil bridge than any regular Fender bridge. I definitely like to hate against the poplar though, Colours are alright but it can seem ugly at times and not at other times.

[@jwright8838]

Quick question. Has anyone noticed whether there are intonation differences across the fingerboard between the PRSE SE and the Fender CP? Recently purchased a little more expensive used Fender and the chords across the fingerboard seem to be much sweeter than my Gretsch Electromatic (Korean) or my PRS SE Standard. Anyone have similar experiences? Could it be related to the scale length or perhaps the nut quality (material and craftsmanship)? Jonathan, what guitars have you played that really seem to have sweeter intonation across the fretboard for chords?

[@jwright8838]

@@photag2162 Thanks for replying. I do know that fret wear can cause intonation issues across the fretboard because you loose the "crown" of the fret which causes the string to be stopped a fraction of a mm away from the center of the fret. However, the guitars I was considering had no fret wear. It sounds like your tele might just need a fret level and crowning. Hope this helps in some way.

[@CyberneticArgumentCreator]

The silver sky is sonically a triple low output humbucker setup. Paul dials in every pickup to be this giant full spectrum and slightly dark humbucker sounding output which kind of isn't the greatest guitar pickup voicing. That sound profile is great for jazz and with gain which adds back in some high end brightness, but by themselves I've always thought they sound sort of dead.

[@mrtravoiceburges]

really liked your playing and great review i agree

[@astridnunez3834]

Thanks for the video. Both are great guitars but I prefer the Fender one.

[@hillaryknox]

I’ve bought and sold a Player and Player Plus Strat over the last couple years. Not because of how they sounded, but because of how they felt & played. Today I *finally* put my hands on an SE Silver Sky, unplugged, and I was like “Ah! So THATS what everyone has been talking about.”

[@johnnathancordy]

The prices have come down in the UK so that there's basically no difference in the price, and I think now I'd probably pick the Silver Sky SE over the Player Strat most times?

[@chrisdavies9143]

I love my player strat (which has a maple neck by the way, much better than PF). I wonder if a more apt comparison would be the SE Silver Sky vs a Fender Player Plus. Same price give or take a few quid but the Player Plus gives you quite a few potential upgrades like locking tuners, rolled fingerboard edges, S1 switching. The noiseless pickups wouldn't be to everyone's taste for sure (I played one and thought they sounded great) but certainly you're getting more bang for your buck with a Player Plus.

[@johnnathancordy]

For us over here yeh, I think for most of the US cats given that both of these guitars are $850 that was why so many folks thought hold on - why wouldn't I just buy a Player? But yeh in the UK the Player Plus is still nearly £100 cheaper than the SE?!

[@victorreboucas399]

Both currently with the same price at Andertons

[@chloe2545]

Beautiful sound both of them

[@john808welk]

Ok, after the two rock section I realized we NEED more non looping Cordy. Don't get my wrong, I love stretchy legato over a tasting backing track, but just hearing you noodle your way through a song is really lovely.

[@stratocumulusnimbostratus328]

And what about these vs S7?

[@Strat10100]

What type of music is this? (The intro) Neo-Soul? I want to play like this in my downtime. Where do I start practicing? The

[@willlowmusic]

13:45 is that made up or an actual song?

[@richardgreen8677]

Hi j. I have a 1987 strat. A japanese 57 re issue and i love it. I sold my 2012 american deluxe strat as it just didnt sound as good. It was a good comparison between the silver sky and the fender but i agree with you for around a £1000 theres some good used strats around.

[@chrishandley]

I watched a comparison of these guitars on Dylan talks tone's channel, he reckons the higher resistance is to compensate for the lower magnetic strength of the pickups on the player Strat and puts it down to cost? Make of that what you will...

[@chrishandley]

Probably on a positive note you've put me off the SE! Which saves discussions with my, (the lady that ratifies my decisions!) Partner.

[@changeforgood100]

Amazing playing. Do you do any courses? Thanks .

[@Go4BennyB]

So i recently bought a 1980 fender stratocaster in Antigua burst, even tho I've typically hated how fender strats look. I do like the sound for SRV type tones. But now I'm curious about the silver sky, i get the feel that it's more of a modern take on the strat.

[@slawsonscot]

Was that a variation on Amazing Grace? Sounded great :)

[@mrroye]

On 2 of my stratocasters, I have long since raise the pickup height on the base in a half a turn to full turn of the screw. I've always wanted a little bit more of that low sound which I consider to be a little bit warmer. Maybe if you tried that on the fender it would sound a little more heavy like you seem to like in the silver Scott SE. Think of Clapton's run just before the vamp of bad love. Starting on the open A string.

[@TheWootify]

awesome review and playing! i would love having the PRS pickups in a Player strat, they sound warmer to me. Gonna figure out if it fits :)

[@updem]

For me the PRS has a "fuller" sound that is more pleasing to the ear. They are both great guitars.

[@dejct]

I noticed the pickup difference instantly! The SE pickups sound like big fat ceramic ones - say that cause any cheap guitars i have played that have ceramic pickups sound way fatter and thats the impression I got. I assume they are both Alnico V though. Im in the Fender camp on this one. Id take the white strat any day. edit: I completely forgot the fact that the Sire guitars look absolutely STUNNING compared to this. Id take the Sire. You could do a comparison maybe? im not sure there is much point, but its an extra video and other people might be interested. I cant get them here in NZ so im screwed either way. Even Mexican Fenders cost a shit load here lol.

[@danielcook3361]

Great playing!!!!!! Thanks

[@ilmisxx2]

Hmmm... I think you might have to play around more with Silver Sky pickup height. Seems to me you dropped them too much and they now sound a bit anemic and dull. For the money SS costs in UK I would get a Japanese strat be it fender or not, everything that came out of Fujigen and I have touched was either insane value for money or an absolutely exceptional heirloom grade instrument, sometimes both actually.

[@NicholasANappiNick]

I like rosewood boards but both seem nice

[@ondmon818]

the prs sounds like it has p90's ,where the strat has a more open sound? maybe, i have a vintage v6 and i just love the neck feel and pickups- i know it's in a different range to these but what a guitar for the price.

[@darrenjackson582]

I prefer the wamer tones of the SE....it still has that chimey single coil sound.....but those low mids are really addictive to listen to. Tbf...if you want a strat....buy a strat....the silver sky ain't a strat...its a strat shaped single coil guitar.

[@jeffreyfoster4260]

Both guitars sound good to me but I like the Fender better to my ears it has more of a vintage sound which I really like, by the way your playing is AMAZING!!!

[@slawsonscot]

So, if the SS-SE was priced around the £600 mark would you see it as good value? Sounds like your main issue is that it’s overpriced. Great playing as always!

[@johnnathancordy]

Hey S! I think that's the main thing that's making me raise an eyebrow - totally over in the US where the Mexican Player and Silver Sky SE are the same price, I'd encourage people to try both and find what works for them, but in the UK there are a lot of options at the £900 price point that I think need to be taken into account

[@slawsonscot]

@@johnnathancordy totally hear you - I would love to get hold of one for the radius and the slightly warmer pickups, but the colours and the price are causing me to pause. I might hold off for a used one in the future. I've owned CIJ Fenders with 7.25inch radius which I love, but there's something about the voicing of the SS-SE that ministers to my ears :). Great playing and reviewing, really appreciate your input!

[@stratman9449]

although i have a Fender 50s mexican strat from 2010, i agreewitih you on the view, to get a Tokai Strat for 1200.-.....best guitar for that money.....i'm looking for one....i like that blue one you played....:-)

[@_marcopalomo]

Do you feel the silver sky pickups are similar to the lollar blondes?

[@johnnathancordy]

Hey Marco! Hmm I can't say that was the first thought I had to be honest? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKC8p4GEg7eYebc here's them side by side though!

[@jasonb2916]

I dont feel like these 2 guitars are comparable. I think a much better comparison would be between the schecter nick johnston diamond series signature strat and the prs se silver sky.

[@johnnathancordy]

That wouldn't really be a better comparison would it Jason. 2 are strat based, the other is a superstrat with a 14" radius with a skinny neck?

[@guitargodzilla22]

Here in India Silver Sky SE is being sold at price of Fender Player plus and Vintera . Regular Player series strat is still way cheaper than SE Silver sky.

[@dennisdewinter1997]

Thanks for a great review on the two guitars. I thoroughly enjoyed your guitar playing as well. I bought a Fender player Strat about a year ago from a private party. It was evidently used but barely. It still had the stickers on the pickguard. My biggest complaint was the fret edges. They were incredibly rough which necessitated me having to file them down before I could comfortably play the guitar. I was quite disappointed with the guitar for this reason. For a guitar that typically goes for about 850 new in the states, I would like to think that Fender could do a much better job on the frets.

[@johnnathancordy]

Thanks for sharing your experience - have to say the frets on the Silver Sky SE are very decent, and this Player too, but you're right at this price you'd want to be getting a pretty decent fret job

[@texasbootlegger3752]

Sounds to me like the previous owner had in home humidity issues! I never have fret sprout!

[@dennisdewinter1997]

@@texasbootlegger3752 the problem was not fret sprout. I actually had the guitar professionally set up by a trained luthier who said the neck was fine. The frets had very rough edges that, in my opinion, should have been filed down at the factory, especially for a guitar in this price range. FYI, I checked other Fender Player Strats and Teles at the local Guitar Center after purchasing this guitar and found many of them had rough fret edges as well. I challenge you to go into your local music store and run your fingers up and down the fretboards of some of the Player series guitars and see for yourself. Let me know what you find.

[@texasbootlegger3752]

@@dennisdewinter1997 bad fret jobs - this is why I don't buy MIM guitars or cheaper guitars from any manufacturer.

[@MrBossei]

@@texasbootlegger3752 Bought a road worn Telecaster MiM three months ago. Fret job was on par with custom shop. Superb all over the board.

[@LA.Guitar]

John get yourself a Jet. They are amazing!

[@slawsonscot]

Yep! Mine stacked up against my USA standard and a Crafted in Japan holds its own in many respects. Been totally blown away by the quality for the price.

[@sidweazel2883]

Great comparison, really useful. I’ve recently started playing a PRS Paul’s guitar and absolutely love it, so was wondering if I’d get the same enjoyment out of the SE SS. I picked up my Mexican Strat and agree with you, value for money nothing beats the MIM. The sound is true and that’s why you buy a Strat otherwise we’d all play Paul’s guitars!

[@johnnathancordy]

Hey Sid - actually that also reminds me I should say that I think the PRS S2 range offers quite reasonable value for the money as a way of getting a US built PRS (though I think the price has crept up a bit?)

[@robbyclark6915]

Don’t misunderstand me, I think the PRS is a beautiful and great sounding guitar, but I prefer both the sound and looks of the Stratocaster. I just prefer my strat style guitar to “sound” like a strat.

[@claytonsmith716]

Had ordered the PRS SE but returned it after a couple days for a Strat HSS… the build quality honestly felt so cheap on the SE and the tone was just meh… strat just sounds so much more punchy

[@rentblop8070]

Yeah, the Fender has the typical open, bell-like sound I would expect from a Strat. The SSSE in comparison doesn't. I like the look of the PRS way more, though. I also don't have a problem with the headstock. If I had to choose I'd go for the Fender. The SE is just way too expensive overall. It's not just the UK. These things cost 1000 EUR in Germany. There are many, many options in this particular price range. Fender Player Plus, Charvel So-Cal, Schecter Nick Johnston, G&L Tribute and so many more... The SSSE guitars don't seem to be too bad but they are overhyped and overpriced for sure.

[@ianhanson85]

I think you also got lucky with the birdseye. Definitely not the norm or what people should expect. Most examples, including mine don't have birdseye. So not sure that should be factored into comparison.

[@watemena1]

great playing bro

[@daviddalziel884]

At the price I wouldn’t go near a Silver Sky SE . The Vintera Strats are in the same price range but then as JC mentioned you could pick up a decent second hand USA Fender for the money or for less money old Mexican 60s or 50s Strats which look great with some vintage style fixtures and fittings. I own a 2000 Deluxe HSS I got second hand -noiseless pickups -and it’s great . I’d like a maple neck Strat with SSS style pickups but tons of Strats of copies have a matt finish on the neck which I’m not comfortable with -it’s like the guitar isn’t finished to me but if you get a Squier Classic Vibe they are too glossy !!! Answers on a postcard please ….

[@mrtnbrwn]

I thought the SE sounded more modern cleaner slightly clearer perhaps. whereas the fender sounded more natural sounding more like a guitar, and a little bit softer (more like a strat) personally I think the fender strat looks way cooler and the contoured body looked much more comfortable. And a classic vintage design The PRS SE has sharper body contours. The PRS fret board looks great though rosewood and the birds, but it's no Fender On a fender I'd prefer a maple to pau ferro any day