PRS SE Silver Sky - Sweetwater Inspection Fail!

Today Keith tells the sad story of a guitar he wanted to love, but couldn't.
Time Stamps:
Intro - 0:00
What wasn't right - 2:39
Intonation check - 4:11
Sweetwater's 55 Point Inspection - 5:10
Sound Comparison - 6:25
Wrap up - 7:59
Keith Leedham is an independent recording artists/studio owner/tinkerer.
He owns "The Tape Farm" a recording studio that specializes in transferring "pro-sumer" analog tape formats from manufactures like Tascam and Fostex.
Website: www.thetapefarm.com
Facebook: / thetapefarm
As an independent recording artists Keith has released singles, EPs and full length albums. With styles ranging from Progressive Rock to Country to Singer/Songwriter to Hard Rock to what ever the song dictates.
Website: www.keithleedham.com
He also tinkers with various audio equipment such as tape machines, guitars and guitar amps. When he comes across something interesting he posts the progress/results on KZbin.

[@tbone2451]

Very interesting and informative. I’ve been wanting to try out the se , but now I’m in no hurry.

[@TheTapeFarm]

If you can try one out I would highly recommend it.

[@mtando]

It happens sometimes. I bought a $1100 Charvel from Sweetwater last year. Similar setup issues and the frets were like razors. Sweetwater made the return super easy. They’ll still be my go to store as long as they keep doing things right.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Yup same here. Although they want me to pay $97 in return shipping… still discussing that with them.

[@jbolt247]

I am curious to know if you checked the truss rod. If it slipped or broke and the neck went dead loose the that would explain the action and possibly the intonation all well.

[@markcollins3424]

I bought one and sent it back as well. Mine was used, but lots of buzz, neck pocket was too big, tuning wasnt stable. Pickups werent great either.

[@DarthDirtYouTube]

I got a silver sky maple from them a couple weeks ago. It seemed setup fairly ok but there was a large scratch on the pickguard that was clearly visible right away out of the box. Immediately mailed them sent pics after a back and forth for about a week I got a replacement. 55 point inspection I doubt very seriously this would have been noticed right away I wasn’t happy

[@JEKAFISHER]

I bought a Mark Holcomb SE. I returned it on the same day, there was a crack in the tross rod pocket that was neatly painted over and then covered with the tross rod cover. That's a 1000$ guitar. They say the QC them in Indonesia, then QC them again in the US before sending out to retailers. This was a crack that was there BEFORE the guitar was painted.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Don’t blame you in that one either. I think QC industry wide isn’t what it should be.

[@gunsnguitars77]

Maybe somebody at Sweetwater wanted that guitar. Send it back, they buy it as a return.

[@bfiume]

I’m not really happy with mine either. And it was setup very well. I tried to get the felling but it didn’t happen. I will probably sell it

[@mikem668]

I'd be interested in knowing why? The high end Silver Sky's and the SE are strange beasts, but so is my Clapton Signature strat. I have an old Schecter Strat. Great guitar physically, but doesn't sound like a Strat. More of a pop guitar. My most Stratty Strat is an American Standard I bought in around 1990. I'm not a professional, but I bought a used Tele around the same time. A professional friend told me if I ever sold it, he wanted to buy it. I asked why. He said, because it doesn't sound like a Tele!!! Exactly why I was disappointed. Recently, I decided to learn more about the Fender variants. It's supposed to be a circa 75 Fender Tele, but looking carefully at it, without taking it apart, I have no idea what it is. And I bought it from a reputable music store. I'm mostly interested in blues and exploring the styles and tones of Clapton, Hendrix, Garcia, and Mayer. And mostly low gain. Sometimes I stumble on a tone that sounds right, many times I'm still looking, even though I like other sounds. I'm both learning and confused. Without knowing where the player is coming from, it's hard to know why they don't get that feeling.

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@mikem668 I have a number of different Strat style guitars. They are all a bit different in both sound and feel. The PRS just wasn’t different enough from guitars I already own to justify keeping it. The inspection stuff was really what prompted the video. But I thought I would also show that lack of difference in case someone was interested.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Yeah Bob, that’s really the thing. I really wanted to love it. I’ve waiting for sweetwater to get them back in stock. When I got the email that they were back in stock I ordered it right away and couldn’t wait to get it. But ultimately, it just wasn’t for me. I wish it was… it’s a very pretty guitar.

[@mikem668]

@@TheTapeFarm I have no issue with your not liking it (or with your frustration with SW). I'm interested in your point about it not being different from your other Strats. I've owned an American Standard and Schecter for 30+ years. In the last 2 years I've bought (all from SW) a Classic Vibes 50's, a G&L Tribute Legacy with a sassafras body, and a Clapton Signature in addition to a rosewood and a maple Silver Sky plus the SE. They all sound different to me. I've never tried an ash body, nor have I changed the pickups. Ironically, I don't think any of them are exactly the classic sound I hear in my head. So I'm puzzled that the SE doesn't sound different. It's certainly different than it's older brother, the regular Silver Sky. Seems like the pups are brighter and more powerful. Is it possible that the amp, style of music, volume, or pedal chain could make it sound the same as some of the ones you already have?

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@mikem668 I’m not sure why it sounds so much like the MIM Strat… I mean other than the fact that the PRS is a Strat copy trying to sound like a Strat… the tone samples I used in the video were recorded using a Vox AC-30 amp model in Logic. No effects, other than a slight reverb. The results were the same when I used an amp, that’s ultimately what made me decide to return it. I really wish I would have loved it. It is an awesome looking guitar. But I don’t need a trophy guitar. I don’t keep things around just because they look good. Guitars are tools, they need to serve a purpose. That elusive sound we here in our heads is probably what keeps us engaged in this hobby. Not sure what I’d do if I actually ever found it 😬

[@MikeFloutier]

My wife just bought me one of these for Xmas, from Anderson’s in the UK, for £499. I’m not allowed to have it yet but I was allowed to check it over for defects. I have to say it was great, out of the box. One thing that really stood out for me was the wonderful sustain; can’t wait for the 25th. 😂 Big thank you to Paul Reed Smith, John Mayer and Andertons! 🎸🍾❤️ Ps. Thanks also for this video; I’m a big fan of the devil’s advocate function; keeps us honest!

[@RaptorV1USA]

Thx for the honest opinion. If I invested that much in an instrument sight unseen and it didn't get the service I paid for so I don't have any surprises and THEN have to deal with the return bullshi,....No Thanks, send it bk. I have a handful of SE's, love them, huge fan of PRS, I'll never stop dreaming of that perfect Core model. I appreciate the straight up attack on Fender even if I think its a little weird, I wanted to love and want the Silver Sky, I wanted to WANT the Silver Sky SE but try as i might, even with the original SS, every time i play one I just can't see what it brings that is different enough or so much better than any number of existing strats & with the incredible quality of available parts and custom options and upgrades, you can have any kind of Strat you want. I just picked up one of the MIJ Aerodyne Strats,..that thing is fantastic! beautifully built, beautiful to play, excellent sounds, the deal of the year, it handles any SS SE I've picked up in a shop in the last year + I get it...PRS market share is large enough now that some one has figured out there are enough PRS owners who would buy a "PRS strat" & now a "PRS Tele"..if they existed, that its worth it I guess. Apparently the SS SE was the #1 guitar model in sales for 2023. No clue on the numbers of the new tele copy but,.....I don't know anyone who saw one and said "I GOTTA HAVE ONE".... Yr experience last year is similar to one i just had with an AIO Les paul copy, huge disappointment, but at $410 delivered I opted to make it a project once I knew it was all straight and structurally solid, vs a hot mess, but it was def a mess. I would not be so understanding after spending double that + + Rok on.

[@petebrown8145]

Hi Keith, I see you're in Nashville, where did Sweetwater ship that guitar from? I'm in Canada and if I order a guitar from Long & McQuade (our equivalent to Sweetwater), I know it's coming from Toronto and when I get it out here on the east coast, the first thing I'm doing is getting it set up again because it's colder and damper here. I try to buy from a local shop for that reason. As for the SSSE, I think you made the right choice. I kept mine for about 3 months hoping to love it but disliking it more as time went on (I know, personal preference).

[@TheTapeFarm]

Ft Wayne, Indiana.

[@petebrown8145]

@@TheTapeFarm so 400 miles. I can't see that messing with the setup.

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@petebrown8145 probably not. And certainly not at that time of year. It was just a miss.

[@The..Butterfly..Effect]

Before you return it, check the height of the pickups

[@robraaiii]

Hey bud, Have you seen Musi Guitars on Amazon? Roasted maple necks, Stainless Steel Frets, rounded fret ends, bone nut. All under $350. They are pretty nice! I got the pink Strat, it’s heavy but really nice to play.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Heard of them but haven’t checked them out. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@TheMerc1950]

That is surprising. I just got my MIM Tele from Sweetwater a couple weeks ago, and intonation was dead nuts on. Action was a tad high for my taste, but definitely a gigable height.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Yeah. That PRS SE Standard 24 that I got from Sweetwater was dead perfect. As was a G&L ASAT that I got from them. This one just slipped through the cracks I guess.

[@buffdaddy2032]

I got a rg 550 genius from sweetwater and the intonation wasn't good and I paid a grand for it. Personally I don't they they do a 55 point check .

[@user-ev9pk5wb3t]

I got one of these guitars and the same way (Not from Sweetwater) but action was WAY off and when I tried to set the string height the screws in two of the bridge saddles were stripped. Had to buy new string saddles and take to my guitar repair guy anyway total of $198.00 later it is an OK guitar, should have sent it back but that was my call..

[@thehelluvaparty563]

You can send them back? Damn.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Yeah. They want you to pay the return shipping. But you can return them. It’s actually the first guitar I have ever returned.

[@kaneo67]

I totally get your hopefully only initial dissatisfaction.I have an evergreen and a moon white and they both came with problems.All fixed and reliable now but I was a frustrated as you. We all have different ears , but the SS SE sounded so much better than the strat to me in your vid

[@RobKMusic]

Had a similar problem with an acoustic guitar I bought from them about a year ago. Action LAUGHABLY high. Truss rod adjustment alone couldn't fix it so I had to balance between truss adjustment and sanding the bridge which I HATE because the tolerances are so small and it's super easy to eff it up. Anyway, I called and told my rep that instead of sending me 12 emails detailing the life of "Rob's special guitar", beginning with the cutting down of the trees through a glamorous "photo shoot"… money and time could be more well utilized paying someone who is actually competent to do the "55 point inspection", if it's being done at all. They did not appreciate my sense of humor.

[@FatalMISTER_Z]

I have purchased over a dozen guitars/basses from Sweetwater and while I love Sweetwater and my sound engineer, I believe their inspection is a joke. I have had to send several guitars back or get discounts on defects I was willing to live with.

[@dancompton1728]

What's the point of going through Sweetwater to buy a guitar? I bought small things like strings or a pedal cause of the convenience, but any major guitar purchases I don't see the benefit. Especially, if they are failing on their own inspections which Sweetwater reps will use as a rebuttal to not to give you a discount. Might as well go to Guitar Center and get the guitar cheap as possible and just use the return policy if it's bad.

[@TheTapeFarm]

True. But not everyone lives near a guitar center. The closest one to me is a two hour round trip. But yeah, buying a guitar mail order is always a risk.

[@dancompton1728]

@@TheTapeFarm If you have no Guitar Center or "mom and pop's" near you I totally understand. Once Sweetwater sold to private equity I'm not so sure they are as customer focused as they once were.

[@richardclark.]

I get at least a ten percent discount on every guitar I buy from Sweetwater. Sometimes more. You may want to get a different rep.

[@deanmccaskill5495]

Cool video. I bought one of these last year and I thought it was good as far as QC…. Except… weirdly the neck needed a bit of fine sanding. It’s like they missed half of it or something. Just ran some 600 I think it was and it was fine. I never cared for the thing really. I reach for a Strat 99 times out of 100 to this day. Might get an American jobbie some day. I really dislike the look of the new PRS Teles though I’ll tell you that for free.

[@gasaddict]

So coming back to this. I went and measured my SE Silversky and it's 2.75mm at the 12th fret, stupid high. I paid to have a setup done on mine so that's frustrating. I also found my truss rodd completely maxed out. Wtf Sweetwater??

[@TheTapeFarm]

wowzers... sorry to hear that. I'd give them a call.

[@FluxedState]

Sounds like he preferred the sound of his MIM Strat to the Silver Sky which ultimately led to his decision.

[@vanshankguitars]

I thought PRS checked and setup every single guitar that came in from overseas?

[@TheTapeFarm]

That’s what I thought as well.

[@sixslinger9951]

WRONG! you pay for a set up.

[@Vicos]

​@@sixslinger9951he said PRS, not Sweetwater

[@LightWingStudios]

This one appears to be a "Passed Ball". Bummer!

[@1smenz]

Now… I understand your frustration with your purchase and getting it with all of the tiny issues that got past inspections. Stuff can and will get past inspections. Sweetwater does a fantastic job with everything that they do. All of the things you listed seem to be easy fixes, even tho they should have been fixed before they shipped it. You said that you look for guitars that have these same issues and you fix them and feel like you got a great deal. The sound is objective and really doesn’t matter. It matters to you but to someone else, it could be incredible. Do you think that you just don’t want to like this guitar? Could it be the actual thought of the price that you paid for it that is making you have a bad taste in your mouth even before you received the guitar? Just for reference and full disclosure, I have the more expensive real deal JM SS and it’s incredible right out of the case. I still took it to get professionally set up, as I do every single guitar I get. It’s worth every penny. You can look up what they do at Sweetwater for an inspection and it’s an inspection, NOT A SETUP. I hope you reference that when talking about their inspection. Otherwise it’s a little misleading. I love the color on the guitar tho. Have a great day.

[@mikec3454]

I’m a fan of the Silver Sky, but I can’t forgive PRS for shipping the USA model in a gig bag. A $3.3k CAD guitar in a gig bag?!

[@TheTapeFarm]

The inspection is suppose to make sure the guitar is within factory spec. This guitar was not. I know what a setup is and have paid sweetwater for that service on a guitar or two I’ve ordered from them. All the questions you asked, I answered in the video. I stated numerous times that it just wasn’t for me. But for others, it may be great. I stated and demonstrated that I think there wasn’t enough of a difference between the PRS and other guitars I already own to justify the purchase. And no, I didn’t have bad taste in mouth before the guitar even arrived. As I stated I wanted to love it. I couldn’t wait to get it. I had been waiting for them to get more in stock. The reason I ordered it is because they emailed me as I requested to let me know they had more in stock. I also do setups to every guitar I get. I either do them myself and bring them to my tech. But Sweetwater states in their marketing that the 55 points of inspection are checked and adjusted as needed to setup the guitar to factory spec. And as I stated in the video, this had been done on other guitars I’ve ordered from them. This is a simple matter of someone putting check marks on a card and not doing what they claimed they did. As I also stated in the video if those things were done I probably would not have made the video. I just would have said it wasn’t for me, sent it back, and that would have been that. But since the inspection seems to have been glossed over at best, or simply not done at all, documenting my experience was worthwhile.

[@seancca]

@@mikec3454 hard shell cases are a pain. I would rather have a well padded gig bag since I would be buying one anyway.

[@1smenz]

@@TheTapeFarm all of my questions were rhetorical. I’m just stating that no matter what guitar I get from anywhere, I take it to get a setup from a my tech. I also do minor setups but they find things that I could miss. I was also just pointing out that their inspection is not a setup. Some people get that confused. That inspection is just a quick go over. There’s actual video on YT of them doing it. Now..I also know that it’s getting very busy for them right now because of the holidays. It’s no excuse for them to miss a bunch of stuff on their inspections, but I take that into considerations also. But the best thing about Sweetwater is their return policy and their sales staff. They are second to none. They seem very interested in taking care of you in every step of the purchase. They will check on you years after your purchase. It’s a great company. Take care. ✌🏻

[@1smenz]

@@mikec3454 I also didn’t care for paying that much and only getting a gig bag. I still made the purchase and bought a case also. I do have to say that the GB is legit. It’s super nice. But I’m old school and like a hard shell case. The GB is starting to grow on me tho. The guitar tho…it’s incredible. I have and had multiple Strats in my day and it’s not a Strat. It’s similar in some ways, but it’s not a Strat. Watch the video by Dillon Talks Tone on the ones he got. He explains it perfectly. PRS’s are similar to LP’s and Strats but they aren’t the same. They feel and play different. They are not for everybody but they are great instruments.

[@dgambrel9241]

I don’t feel like sweetwater is any better than anyone else. Some of the exclusives are nice

[@CriDef]

prs se from ali express > any normal prs

[@fretworkband3204]

Well hell Elaine! This is really bothersome. Sweetwater gives the appearance that they hold themselves to a higher standard. Also so does Paul Reed Smith. And either they do right by the customer or they’re just another sales company using puffery to get your money. So is it company policy to always make the customer pay return shipping regardless of whether they were derelict in their duties owed and expected by said customer? If this becomes a common issue will Sweetwater become like Guitar Center? And will Paul Reed Smith continue to let Sweetwater retail his guitars, regardless of delivered condition, and just simply let it slide because it’s acceptable to not be 100% excellent?

[@beaurivers7191]

When the G string is the most intonated, something’s off

[@TheTapeFarm]

I know right 🤣

[@redrocker1055]

I don't get the hype on these things. It's just another Strat knockoff.

[@TheTapeFarm]

A very pretty strat knock off… but yeah, you’re right.

[@RickFoxx777]

Don't mean to offend, but IMO those PRS Poplar bodied guitars never sound good. Some will say that on electric guitars it doesn't matter what type of wood you use but...I will take an alder body or an ash over Basswood, Poplar, candlenut etc... One last thing, if you haven't already give a try to a strat style guitar from FireFly. I assure you it will look, feel and sound better than this $900.00 albatross. Just my 2 cents worth. Peace.

[@TheTapeFarm]

I just ordered one of the FIREFLY Strats this morning.

[@thetownspeople6486]

Ba humbug

[@andrewbecker3700]

I think your a bit confused on what their 55 pt inspection should entail. So your going to reject the guitar because it's not set up to your liking? You need to rethink your perspective. If a set up can make you return a guitar, you should give up playing guitar. Sorry I watched this excuse if a channel.

[@44scoots]

He said he didn’t like the sound of the guitar. Sorry I read you excuse of a reply.😂

[@Vicos]

Ah, it seems you are the one who is confused. I don't think a guitar that has not been intonated or has string height far outside of factory specs has anything to do with personal preference. Allow me to quote just a few items from their checklist: String & saddle position; Neck relief; Frets; Action height; Intonation; Pickup height; Check tuning machines & tune to pitch; and Stretch strings & tune to pitch. I would link to the page, but the youtube would flag the post as spam.

[@7171jay]

With all those guitars behind you really don't have the ability to adjust to do a basic setup??? Sweetwater doesn't do a setup unless you pay for it. Their inspection simply identifies that there are no serious defects with an instrument. While the action is indeed on the high side this is an extremely easy fix and lowering it a smidge would probably put the intonation just about spot on. Guitar intonation and string height can easily change a bit due to weather conditions and time between when the guitar was built and setup by PRS and when it arrived at your door. It is pretty much a standard that a new guitar needs to be setup properly for the particular player. I wouldn't call this guitar defective at all, it sounds like it simply needs a very minor tweek. This video sounds like buyers remorse because the guitar didn't somehow manage to blow away your Fender Mexi Strat sonically.

[@TheTapeFarm]

I do know how to do basic setups, and complicated ones as well, and have done many. However their 55 point inspection is suppose to check and adjust those things as needed. If this were a less expensive guitar I would and many times have done complete setups. Check out some of the other videos. It’s not a question of my ability to do something, it’s a question of their commitment to doing the things they claim they do based on their marketing. I also said, numerous times that the guitar just wasn’t for me. I don’t think there was enough of a difference between the PRS and other guitars I already own, and demonstrated that, to justify the money I spent. But if the things on the inspection list were done, as it said they were but weren’t, as I stated in the video I probably wouldn’t have made the video. I just would have sent it back and that would have been that. But since Sweetwater claimed that they did the inspection, and that inspection is suppose check and adjust as needed 55 items including action and intonation, I think my experience was worth documenting. The set up you pay for through Sweetwater sets the guitar up to your specific requirements. I know this because I’ve paid for setup on a guitar I’ve purchased through Sweetwater. The 55 point inspection is suppose to make sure the guitar is setup to factory spec, which this guitar was not. And again as I stated in the video of this was a $200 or $300 guitar, I would have just done the setup without blinking an eye. But this isn’t a $200 guitar, and I expect that the guitar should at least be within factory spec, which it wasn’t. Weather wouldn’t change the action without affecting the neck, and the neck was fine. Weather doesn’t raise or lower saddles. This is simply someone just putting check marks on a card and not doing their job. Plain and simple. If I just fixed it, there would be no reason for sweetwater to change and make sure that the people they are paying to do this work actually do it.

[@sixslinger9951]

@@TheTapeFarm nope, that is wrong. the inspection is NOT for adjusting anything. you want a set up, you pay $99 to have one. Jay is right. Call Sweetwater if you don't believe me.

[@richardclark.]

Inspection is not setup. You said it yourself, if you are will ING to do a little work on a guitar like that you can end up with something special. It sounds like you don't like the sound and just want your money back.

[@PJ-gm1hb]

​@@TheTapeFarmYou're completely in the right, it's on the 55 point inspection list and has nothing to do with a setup. Why would Sweetwater even bother to check the height if they aren't going to adjust it if necessary, what would be the point otherwise??

[@TheTapeFarm]

@@PJ-gm1hb yeah. Since doing the video sweetwater has reached out to me and told me I was right and apologized. The guitar should be within factory spec before it is shipped, and that is what the inspection is suppose to catch. They don’t set it up to an individual’s specifications. That is what a full set up is for. But the inspection is supposed to make sure that the Guitar is within factory spec before it is shipped. Anyone who says any different doesn’t know what they’re talking about. If not… what exactly is it for?

[@gasaddict]

I love Sweetwater, the ole CEO and my Old Man used to work together but they have missed more inspection issues then I would like to admit. My latest Tele purchase literally didn't have the G and D strings cut on the nut. I paid for a setup and STILL Sweetwater missed this issue. It was literally impossible to miss this issue if you picked up the guitar and played a single note on those strings as they were just floating. My Rep refunded me my setup fee which is nice but I'll never pay them for this service again. Edit: I wonder with this colder weather if that neck completely shifted. How could someone miss that? Almost seems impossible. I have a Dragon Fruit or whatever the color is called one that I got from SW and it's fantastic. One of my main strats I play. In fact I've never seen a PRS SE (I have 15 of them) have that high of action. I almost have to blame something with shipping/cold weather on yours.

[@mikem668]

Had the same experience on paying for setup. I got the refund, but kept the guitar - a Classic Vibe Telecaster - figuring I'd learn to fix it myself. I have an SE Dragon Fruit, too. Hate the color, love the guitar. I also bought an PRS SE non-Silver Sky that Sweetwater plecked and modded that they did a great job on. Overall, however, I'm not impressed with the intonation on the guitars they've inspected. Might be them, might be me. I'm an amateur who got serious during the pandemic. Further, Fender has serious quality control issues. Unfortunately, buying guitars online is a bit of a crap shoot. Which means videos like this are also a crap shoot concerning sound comparisons, not the setup. Gotta say that my Fender 63 Vintage II mahogany Telecaster is the best guitar I own. Never bought a Custom Shop but I have some old ones and a couple around $3,000.

[@richardclark.]

This guy didnt pay for a setup. Both people in this thread did. Inspection is not setup.

[@delbert9357]

I stopped watching after you compared the 2 guitar sounds. That has nothing to do with Sweetwater. If you didn't like it from the start all you would have had to do is call Sweetwater and they would have exchanged it or refunded your money no questions asked.

[@TheTapeFarm]

I compared to two sounds to see if it was worth keeping the guitar and doing a set up. Since there wasn’t that much of a difference it wasn’t worth it. And I mentioned… if you had kept watching that of the sound of the guitar floored me, I would have kept it. But it didn’t, so I sent it back. Sometimes getting the whole story is important rather than jumping to conclusions.

[@richardclark.]

I got the whole story. If it sounded good you would have kept it. Lol. You said yourself that if you get a guitar at this price range and want to do some work on it you can end up with something special. Inspection is not setup. That cost more money. 99 buck at Sweetwater last I checked.

[@StupidGuitar]

A lot of your complaints with SW seem to be incorrect reading of their inspection list. The knobs are the only legit issue they should have caught and fixed /rejected. The guitar being in tune is the most ridiculous issue you listed. Then you went full subjective on tone which is fine but on a video about Sweetwater fail seemed odd. That $400 mim Strat would be about the same price as the PRS today fwiw.

[@Vicos]

And I quote from their checklist: "Check tuning machines & tune to pitch" & "Stretch strings & tune to pitch"

[@StupidGuitar]

@@Vicos and? Then the guitar sits on a shelf for months and gets shipped in non temperature controlled vehicles and arrives at your door. New to guitar?