PRS Expert explains the New 2024 PRS S2 Lineup

The new PRS S2 Line-up has probably made the most significant change in its history. I run through the changes, the models and my pick of the bunch

[@SonnyboiMusic]

I love the way you speak about guitars. I could nerd out with you for hours. Great video! Helped me decide on buying my first S2 - a 24 fret standard satin in black.

[@Chris-yq7xv]

Great insight. Very thorough on the differences. Keep up the good and different content that other YT’s don’t talk about. Chris

[@ministryofguitar]

Thank you. Appreciate the kind words

[@user-ko4iy1pp9j]

Thank You for the FYI👋👏👏💯💜🤍💙❤

[@johanhasan4707]

Excellent video! Keep ‘em coming 👍🏼

[@ministryofguitar]

Thank you

[@georgedez3474]

Thanks, bro. Great and informative video!

[@slicksalmon6948]

I agree about SE pickups. I usually switch them out. The 58/15 LTs are a game changer. I also agree about the 22 Satin Standard. I’ve got one on my Wish List. They’re not in stores yet.

[@Chillnote]

great insights and passion, I am not even a PRS fan, I only play strats

[@ministryofguitar]

Thank you

[@ramencurry6672]

Same with me, I’m not a PRS fan and a Strat user. However I do own a PRS baritone guitar and it is excellent and I’m kinda blown away by it.

[@ministryofguitar]

@@ramencurry6672 I love my PRS SE Baritone as well. A wonderful addition to the arsenal

[@timtime9167]

I have an se model. It's a great playing guitar. The pickups were a little muddy when pushed. My luthier said let's up grade the cap before you replace pickups. The guitar sounds awesome now. I'd like to try an s2 now.

[@ministryofguitar]

Great move on going for the simplest option. Definitely try a S2

[@jamesdeananderson1411]

Laphroaig is "subtle" like dynamite is "quiet". Try some of The Balvenie Carribean Cask with any Avo churchill cigar, and enjoy your evening.

[@ministryofguitar]

Haha I recommend you try some indian spirits:) In any case I prefer smoky single malts so I don’t find them abrasive at all

[@HunnysPlaylists]

I think my favorite PRS is the hardtail dustie waring, those pickups are amazing. Same switching options as the new S2 line also where it is like a les paul on positions 1,3,5, and like a HSS strat on positions 2 and 4.

[@ministryofguitar]

I like it too but the neck is a bit too thin for me

[@HunnysPlaylists]

@@ministryofguitar It's not as thin as I would have expected, but it is thinner than the usual pattern thin.

[@ministryofguitar]

Yup definitely thicker than Ibanez’s for example. I like chunky necks however

[@HunnysPlaylists]

@@ministryofguitar I like the ones on schecters a lot, like a les paul but less of a shoulder. Usually 20mm at the 1st fret is ideal for me.

[@AlanW]

I love that the 24-08 now has the Paul's pickups. Esp since it's in S2 now, so tempting, but am still holding out for the perfect Paul's with the zebra pickups to show up. Something about them. The only thing missing from the S2 line is an S2 Paul's. But I'm sure they are grappling with the fairly high SKU count already.

[@ministryofguitar]

The Paul’sization of the 24-08 has been one of my favourite moves of PRS over the last year. Luckily I already have the perfect 24-08 with the Brushstroke 24

[@oscarvestee]

Is it not like a Modern Eagle V but stripped down

[@jamesbarrick3403]

Near the end there he was talking about the "TCI" pups and electronics (its a package with the switching). I was sure that a couple years ago I saw an interview with Paul and he was very excited about the new TCI pups and he said it was their intention to make this available for every guitar from core to SE. That has not happened. I'm not sure why. I wish they would make a single-cut version of all of this. I don't go for horns.

[@Robowx]

I can understand this switch with the S2. First off, it was a body made in the USA, with imported parts. Now who would buy that? You might as well buy a SE and save some money.

[@stevenpipes1555]

I have an SE 24 08. I agree with your comparison of SE vs Core pickups, however i have to speak up for the SE pickups a bit. I have Dimarzios, i have Seymours, I have Strats, i even have a Sustaniac EMG combo, and my SE keeps up with all of them. In fact, i find my SE to be one of the clearest and most balanced sounding guitars ive played. It's not at the same level as my good friend's core from the 90s of course, but its excellent none the less. Big bang for the buck!

[@ministryofguitar]

I do agree. For the price, SE pickups are perfectly fine and functional.

[@onlyguitars]

The new S2 look awesome, great move by PRS. Sucks they dont have some models with the Pattern (or wide fat) neck. Had an S2 Singlecut with Pattern Regular, for some reason didnt do it for me. The 594 has vintage Pattern, thats nice, but would like a 25 scale PRS S2 with a fat neck.

[@ministryofguitar]

I agree. I like fat necks too. Though pattern regular works just fine. Pattern thin it's touch and go

[@btecww]

I have 4 S2’s. These are workhouse guitars. I can gig without concerns of finish damage. Unfortunately I have the SE electronics in these. I feel a little cheated as a long time PRS customer because of this upgrade. I will not be purchasing these anytime soon. I have used quality amps Mesa Boogies and great effects to make up the difference

[@evadtregnab1]

i have been looking at the S2 satin for my next guitar. What is holding me back is the three way switch verses the 5 way. I find it difficult to manipulate the push pull know for coil split. I am a finger picker and wear thumb pick an two finger picks like a banjo player. I can not change from HB to single coil via the push pull setup while using finger picks. I did see that Phil McKnight from Know Your Gear had reviewed a S2 satin PRS that has the 5 way stand switch with out the push pull coil split. Any comment on this?

[@musiccreation1198]

I wish there was a S2 DGT

[@ministryofguitar]

One can hope

[@ferdauzabdulkadir8553]

Would love to hear ur thoughts on the CE models

[@ministryofguitar]

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll share them soon

[@ehiracheta]

They still have SE bridges...man...of course you can buy a John Mann "Mannmade" bridge for a couple hundred bux and install it yourself. I just wish they did that too. Hard tail...I'm good with...trem I wish was a core trem.

[@Cinestudi0]

I being wanting a white s2 24 standard for years, now I need one

[@ministryofguitar]

I know the feeling

[@jowyong6769]

The previous iteration of the S2 Standard Satin had dot inlays if I'm not mistaken. So the birds are yet another upgrade, making it an extremely enticing proposition... When do they hit the stores?

[@ministryofguitar]

True. That’s a nice upgrade

[@mogfrog0]

Any plans to talk about amps and other audio gear? Be great to get a take on good tones at useable home volumes

[@ministryofguitar]

I might but I am just wondering what I will add to the overall conversation out there. That said, I could give a very practical, non professional approach which works for me both at home and gigging

[@eliasvm6173]

Now it doesn’t make any sense to buy a Core CE, do you think they will upgrade the CEs with thicker tops?

[@ministryofguitar]

The Core CE was always in a strange place in the lineup. Not quite core, not quite S2. I think they’ll probably keep it as it is in order to maintain the price difference vs Core

[@freespiritsguitar2871]

Very nice Infos, i´m interresting what are you said about the S2 Vela?

[@ministryofguitar]

The Vela is a very specific guitar with a very strong following for a specific taste. I think you have to try it to figure out if you like it

[@nersesgarabed781]

I have an S2 vela. I’m a metal player but I love it. Has a great feel, sounds awesome. My first PRS coming over from Jackson and I love it. I can’t keep my hands off it

[@freespiritsguitar2871]

@@ministryofguitar Thank you!

[@Kaisiilerite]

Hi mate! Analysis ❤ cheers... i thought of buying through online... My bucket lists were fender american professional ii, prs ce custom quilt black gold, and ibanez ibanez az242 sfm premium... I'm unable to decide ...having so much of headache n confusion...all are good guitars...I love all this guitars..I have been doing research for more than a month now but can't decide... Honestly ,Pls suggest according to you which one youl go for if you are happen to purchase...you can also advice other brand also... Il be very grateful to you...

[@ministryofguitar]

I think between the guitars you are choosing, it is a matter of preference. If you want the fender single coil/strat sound, nothing other a fender will do. If you want something wth a very thin neck and very modern feeling/sounding, the ibanez is good. If you want a good mix of everything and very high quality, get the PRS. Depends on what kind of music you play also

[@Kaisiilerite]

@@ministryofguitar Thanks mate...I most play pop rock and alternative rock , and sometimes melodic metal .... So which guitar will be better... I'm very much confused which one to go for...

[@ministryofguitar]

@@Kaisiilerite go with the PRS. It can do everything you are describing

[@PlasticStrawInATurtlesThroat]

The difference between a cheap liquor and a subtle single malt LAPHROAIG? :DDD Bro, you picked one of the most smokey Islay Single Malts, it's everything but subtle. Don't get me wrong, big fan of Islays, especially Laphroaig, especially the Quarter Cask. I just wanted to know, what you consider strong single malts :DDDD

[@ministryofguitar]

Lapgroaig is my favourite single malt.Had to come to mind

[@daniellowry660]

I wonder if PRS still sees a future for the CE. It used to be the gateway to the us line up. A stripped down Custom 24 offering the same playability and sound. But now with the standards featuring 58-15 LTs it's hard for me not to feel like a lot of the appeal for the CE is now covered by the S2 lineup.

[@ministryofguitar]

Yeah now the main reason to get a CE is really a preference for Bolt on

[@daniellowry660]

@@ministryofguitar well I still prefer the painted satin necks over the current custom 24 carves. They feel a little thinner and a little closer to the Wide Thin carves. I just can't get along with the pattern thins except on CEs. Just too much shoulder in them compared to the old necks

[@ministryofguitar]

Very interesting. Can’t say I have noticed this difference but I’ll look out for it

[@HatRock]

In a couple of years they'll release some new core exclusive pickups...

[@ministryofguitar]

Very possibly. It’s been a while since they launched an all new pickup

[@pepeowen]

So the import pickups were bad?

[@musiccreation1198]

Minister ... what do you think of the PRS NF53?

[@ministryofguitar]

Not a huge Tele fan but love the narrowfields. Try them out

[@musiccreation1198]

@@ministryofguitar Same for me, but there's something about PRS narrowfields that sounds great.

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Seeing lots of used s2’s on reverb for 8-900 right now. Might be hard to compete with themselves here.

[@ministryofguitar]

yeah especially since all you need is a pickup swap. Thing is though the core pickups aren't available new normally, especially the 58/15 LT. That said, the Custom 24-08 S2 cannot be replicated by the used guitars

[@jamesc8563]

The older ones-i.e. most of the ones that are going for USD $800-900 right now-don’t have nitro finishes; they switched to that in 2019. There’s nothing wrong with poly finishes, nitro isn’t inherently better-Fender uses poly on everything but certain Custom Shops and vintage reissues, and PRS used poly on everything up till ‘19, so it’s fine. But just be aware it’s not going to be the *same* as the new finishes on the updated S2s.

[@jamesmarkham7489]

@@jamesc8563 oh I’m aware of the differences my only point was to say high quality s2’s are still out there for a good price.

[@K38476]

Can you show us all 50 of your PRS guitars?

[@ministryofguitar]

Just scroll down my channel and you’ll find a few collection videos. That said, I will probably make one consolidated video once my house renovation is done

[@K38476]

@@ministryofguitar I just wanted to know as currently I own a 2023 PRS SE custom 24 and was wondering if I should upgrade to the S2 or core series. More importantly is it worth the upgrade ?

[@ministryofguitar]

@@K38476 if you can do it without any financial strain, you will get a much nicer guitar. It’s a feel good factor mainly (which matters a lot for musical instruments )and a little bit of functionality . Given the guitar you have, I would recommend the S2 24 08 as it will also give you new tones your current guitar can’t do

[@K38476]

@@ministryofguitar Thank you very much !

[@SD-cl5mj]

Hello sir

[@timesurfingalien]

Out of my price range

[@Sams911]

I need to know what you do for a living.. I mean I make good money and I own 6 high end guitars /basses ... you own 50 PRS alone????

[@ministryofguitar]

Senior leadership in a corporate . Quit now

[@Sams911]

@UCocLonHV_HUkIYH6NeRFfFA I imagine you work a good bit ... I'll keep my job, at least I get a ton of time off to play with the 6 guitars 😂

[@ArdiNugrohocilacap]

Like,, i want ur money 😅

[@bluedoughnut1334]

Guitar channels: Gibson striped back studio les paul $1500 = 😡😡 Omg Gibson is out of touch 😡😡 PRS striped back S2 satin $1800 = 😍😍 omg thank you daddy paul reed smith 😍😍

[@jamesmarkham7489]

Isn’t the new studio 2300?

[@bluedoughnut1334]

@jamesmarkham7489 no, they're not.

[@MrPhotonjockey]

Ignorant comment about Epiphone. The higher end Epiphone with USA electronics and Grover tuners are more than a match for anything PRS has coming out of Indonesia. They are in fact superior. This is coming from an owner of PRS Cores, S2 and SE as well as USA Gibsons and higher end Epiphone.

[@ministryofguitar]

Maybe I need to try the very very latest Epiphones though my sense from the comments section is that they are at best inconsistent. I have made a seperate video on my disappointment in Epiphone despite my love for them

[@bassyey]

"Ministry of Guitar" is this a circlejerk channel?

[@honnaconna7312]

Expert/addict lol

[@Kilgore_Trout_jr]

Pause, clear your throat, edit, publish. Just saying.

[@revtimewest]

Where was the PRS "expert" I didnt see one.

[@ramencurry6672]

He is. He’s one of the best guitar KZbinrs too

[@tommyhauge89]

What's your definition of expert? He owns no less than 50 PRS guitars!!! He clearly has an in-depth knowledge about the PRS guitars and the development of the brand through the years! From that point of view his opinion does matter when new PRS guitars are released! For me that is equivalent to being an expert!

[@mrpaiute9013]

LMAO you all bought into tonewood grandpa's bullshit!

[@5barkerstreet]

junk

[@Kilgore_Trout_jr]

I owned a PRS Custom 24, core. The pickups were terrible.