PRS Silver Sky - John Mayer Signature Guitar | Review

The result of a close collaboration between Grammy Award-winning musician John Mayer and Paul Reed Smith. The PRS Silver Sky is a vintage-inspired instrument based off of Mayer and Smith’s favourite elements from original '63 and '64 Strats. Here's Nick Jennison, who has eagerly awaited getting his hands on PRS's latest creation.
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[@ethanklyne7657]

I don’t care if it’s expensive, or if it looks like a copy of a strat, I need it because it sounds amazing

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

That sums is all up. It sounds fantastic, in every single position, wow!

[@macewbee]

True and I think John Mayer pointed this out in his PRS GUITAR page when he had compared it to his old one.

[@jamesprice6381]

ZACTLY!

[@javierf55]

The body is public, it doesn´t hold any patent, the head stock does, but this one in particular is the best and smartest head stock I've ever seen. It keeps the strings in position, it doesn't add the tension of a Gibson one to the strings, the strings keeps paralel which is critical for maintaining the tone, and it's so comfortable for playing. A great guitar

[@jacksonllk]

easily the best guitar reviewer on youtube. give this man his own show

[@caresseofficial6741]

This is the only video where people are calm and smart about their critic, awesome ! love the demo, love the guitar bought it yesterday. Maybe I'll make new stuff with it on video. super excited.

[@Mattbuchanan71]

The finest instrument I’ve ever played and ever owned. ✋🏻🤚🏼

[@colaboytje]

That doesn't say much. It could be the only one you have played ;-)

[@MrPDTaylor]

I'm planning on getting one, what color did you go with?

[@alexandredesmonts35]

@@MrPDTaylor same.. I am like . Should I click on validate or not ? ahah

[@engell3707]

Patrick TAYLOR I wanted the Nebula so bad. Now my only choice would be the midnight rose with rosewood fretboard

[@jeffmakor7135]

Beautiful playing made easy by a wonderful guitar. I demoed it against the CS fenders its inspired by and I preferred the Silver Sky. I'm getting one because it stayed in my mitts far longer than the Fenders and enjoyed the feel and sounds coming out of the amp regardless of whatever I was playing. i haven't seriously considered single coils for such a long time, but PRS have convinced me to change my mind. Great video.

[@jonathanshores]

Dude, I love how you sometimes slide those half-steps instead of using another digit. What a great weapon to bring to your playing!

[@abratskeller]

Mine comes in 5 days, pumped!

[@Blue_3rd]

JM said that the reverse headstock is simply to match the body outline, nothing to do with playing in the first position. He has an interesting review of it via instagram on KZbin, where he goes through the whole design process and demos the guitar. Have a look, it’s pretty good stuff.

[@MorGuitarz]

I have 8-10 Strats at all times...including Custom Shops and they're my main gigging instrument. I just picked up a core PRS SS and I'm blown away quite honestly. BELIEVE ME... I had my doubts (and I LOVE PRS guitars... and own a few core models) and this guitar is just brilliant. Seriously worth every penny and I hear the SE models are a steal as well

[@kenphillips3282]

I own this exact frost white model Silver Sky. It has replaced my old Custom Shop Strat because it is a superb guitar that feels familiar while having its own personality. The JM spec’d pickups are sensational and only available on the Silver Sky. I use all 5 positions because they are all different and all usable which was not the case with the Strat Texas Specials. I found I only used neck, neck middle and bridge middle selections on the Strat, whereas the Silver Sky is fantastic in all selections. This guitar has been one of my best purchases ever, I gig with it, I have it on a stand at home so I can pick it up when I want...and I often do. I once thought the CS Strat was the best guitar I have owned after trying nearly 20 Strats before finding “the one”. The Silver Sky I bought online in Australia and I have not been disappointed. Loved it from the day it arrived.

[@georgegrewal4844]

Ken Phillips I agree I just bought one on Sydney today and don’t see me playing my Custom Shop Strat much

[@engell3707]

You had it shipped from the factory to Australia?

[@kenphillips3282]

@@engell3707 I ordered it online from an Aussie distributor. Because it was one of the first run it came with the Silver Sky hard case and still smells like chocolate whenever I open it. Still love it. :-)

[@engell3707]

Ken Phillips oh brother I want one very very bad. Do all come in that hard case now? My 94 Strat case still smells a little.

[@stratorarious]

Best demo of this guitar yet!

[@jips123]

I agree, very good demo.

[@bringthenoise1130]

Came for a demo now I’m just gonna have to steal some licks 🤩

[@seanandben]

A refreshingly honest and thorough review, with some very cool playing - not too over the top as you get with a lot of reviewers, and not drowning in distortion a la R. Cman. Nice variety showing the sound of the guitar rather than a ton of pedals. Nice one Nick!

[@manuedwards6959]

Clearly he shreds on the SS. Where is the “you can’t shred on 7.25 radius” comments at?

[@colinpadley1897]

Just bought one and then I see this, superb demo.

[@LidorElimelechMusic]

Best demo and review by far!! Thank you!

[@DannyBeardsley]

Sounds awesome! Nice playing Nick 🤘

[@JAmeijenda]

BEAUTIFUL intro!

[@wonjulee92]

wow Great playing! Different style but this dude let the silver sky sing!!!! Love how he sustained the notes.

[@TheBassD]

This is how you review a guitar! Thank you!

[@garysbraccia4980]

my next guitar for sure

[@wonjulee92]

what's your favorite color? the new colors are available for preorder

[@engell3707]

Wonju LEe midnight rose with rosewood neck

[@R.C.Bullar]

Best review ever.

[@willgoodfellow4235]

Using the Ariel Posen slide. Very cool!

[@jamesnelson1443]

Outstanding review best I have seen!

[@joeminnes4950]

Just got one and lovin it big time

[@hmrbruce]

This was the best review I have seen by far! After the I Bought one Dodgem Blue wont be here for a while though GOOD Review

[@anthonyroach7974]

Fabulous review great playing .would suit a TBX tone pot beautifully just to get more sparkle if ya needed it .great guitars beautifully built and a lot of thought gone into .PRS makes very articulate instruments .

[@eb7912]

excellent review, greetings from France

[@edgargonzalez110]

Reading the comments I personally feel like this prs can still have that classic strat sound when you roll off the tone at 19:45 in the video like he did . People want to hate on this guitar as not being as good as a strat but this guy understands sound and how to dial in his instrument to produce a wide array of strat sounds I dig it well done !

[@markgowans]

I honestly dont understand what all the controversy is about. There's plenty manufacturers out there that make S type body shape guitars. I'm not a fan of the middle pickups on S type guitars and would normally do a Ritchie Blackmore on them and either remove it or screw it right down. However I have to say on this guitar they did sound way better than they do on that other guitar that this is based on and is a sound that could probably be used. As for the headstock I never even noticed that it was reversed. I guess I should be going back to specsavers sometime soon. Only downside that I can see is like most prs guitars like this is that they are expensive. However i've been reading in various guitar press articles over the last few days that there could be an SE version about to appear sooner than one might expect. I think I'd save up though and get the full on American one though.

[@jacobmcvay123]

I don’t think JM could make one sound like this. Holy hell bro! Feel like to get to this level of playing you just have to lock yourself away in a studio and just play all day everyday.

[@Diax1324]

I felt that this thing got a truly impressive Eric Johnson style tone when I tried it in the store. Probably the fact that these pickups are also meant to emulate how old pickups lose magnetism over time.

[@chrisbooth24]

Great tone!

[@Foghat1961]

I did hear that right 'twenty seven and a quarter inch fretboard radius'. That's a bit flat isn't it? Hang on, let's take a twenty off that shall we?

[@RaspySquares]

I love that new headstock...great player.

[@michaellewis3219]

Wow, it sounds surprisingly good distorted.

[@Rparga1]

What amp is this guy playing through? The silver sky and whatever amp/pedals he's using really compliment each other beautifully. What a fantastic instrument, and incredible playing btw. Great review guys

[@orangeflameshadow]

Rodrigo Parga I believe he says it’s a Fender Blues Jr

[@tricko2286]

Bought the JMSS. Own a few CS Strats, etc. JMSS is great. Still getting used to the action. Warmer tone than a typical Strat.

[@Chilinoploppy]

this guy has a great touch

[@TommyBoy3423]

@ 21:00 I thought one of the tone knobs controlled the neck pickup and the other tone controls middle and bridge together

[@jamessankey01]

Dude, your jeans are seriously ripped. How did no one tell you this? Nevertheless, brilliant, diplomatic review. I dig the review and the guitar. Those nasty tuning knobs would be off immediately if it came into my house. Also you should have touched on the design elements Mayer himself shared related to the head stock vs pick guard mirror image.

[@mindfield7]

It’s not for me but I appreciate the nice playing in this demo. 👍🏻

[@markgowans]

What about it dont you like

[@engell3707]

Mark Gowans maybe he can’t afford it.

[@mindfield7]

G Engell I can afford it- as a I have a few more expensive guitars in the stable. It’s just not for me. If you have one and you’re happy then that’s all that matters. You only have to impress yourself.

[@engell3707]

mindfield7 yeah I want one. I can afford but my dilema is a different one. I will buy one as soon as I earn it. I haven’t earn my ‘94 Stratocaster yet. I need to play a whole lot better before even thinking of buying another guitar.

[@mindfield7]

G Engell check out Jeff McErlaine on here and in TrueFire if you haven’t already. Great teacher- he’s been doing a lot of free awesome workshops on here during the shutdown - I’ve been busy with work but I hope to practice more this winter.

[@MadanzaBand]

Ah.. sounds really good

[@apophispnw5717]

I'll say it - modeled after a Gibson les paul.

[@metallica3604]

Kudos PRS to come out with something different

[@Williamstanway]

The irony is strong with this comment

[@kilianrochowicz]

What amp is he using?

[@gibby1261]

Great tone, what is the Amp he is demoing through?

[@shanedavis3414]

All of us low life average saps will be waiting for the SE model.

[@riheg]

Shane Davis at least we get to see and hear it

[@shanedavis3414]

Right on !! 😁

[@I.am_Groot]

Nah just look around Super Bowl time... there will be plenty left on the shelf. I expect to see them used around $1200 and discounted new well below $2000

[@timbeaton5045]

From what i have heard, they are back ordered on this model. Suspect sales are fine.

[@I.am_Groot]

Not like PRS is a big volume company, so is it accurate to say 'back order' or simply that they chose to slow roll the roll out in order to keep up overall production? Check back in early 2019 we will see whats up

[@axesandamps]

I played one. My ears and picking hand loved the guitar. Looks great. However, my fretting hand did not like the neck and keys. The tuners are odd bumpy plastic (not an issue) and the neck profile is very round. Also, the frets are very thin and the 71/4 radius is not great. I was so psyched to order one until I played the neck.

[@engell3707]

So you want to sell it?

[@BAMozzy69]

So PRS have made a vintage Les Paul (McCarty 594 SC) and a Vintage Fender now... I have the 594 (double cut) and 509 and can understand why people want PRS guitars - the build quality is phenomenal and probably no more expensive than the Custom shop Gibson/Fender. I prefer the PRS headstock to Fenders - I like the 3 and 3 as opposed to all 6 on one side tuning configurations. It must be difficult for Artists who are associated with a manufacturer to be seen playing a rivals guitar, so if your manufacturer can make the 'equivalent', then guitarists like John Mayer won't have to be seen with a rivals guitar in their hands.

[@engell3707]

In the case of JM it wasn’t about that, it was all about money for JM, and I don’t blame him.

[@riheg]

Its no more a strat that a Suhr S-style is although its may feel and sound close coz its NOT A FENDER. Everybody makes guitars inspired by strats so why would people whine about it. And boy do they whine

[@mitcharney1]

One neck radius option. IMO his will need to change if PRS hopes to sell big numbers. This guitar will appeal more to die hard John Mayer fans and Paul is very aware of the returns in an endorsement. There are vast neck radius options from Fender as well as all the other fine 'Strat copier' guitar builders. If you have ever spent time with a good guitar that has a flatter neck radius, other than the "original" 7-1/4" Leo Fender design, you know that has everything to do with easier string bending. This is a good guitar but the playability and build was focused on John Mayer and his vintage Fender Stratocasters. At $2300.00 you can buy top of the line Suhr, Anderson, Grosh, Sadowsky and many other great guitars. The Elite Fender Strats are less expensive and the compensated 9-1/2"-- 14" radius is a faster neck. Of all the great players that have endorsements with big brands I can't think of a single player, other than Mayer, that prefers a 7-1/4" neck. Listen carefully to what a great, very experienced Nick Jennison has to say about the way the neck feels.....which is very much like a vintage Stratocaster. He clearly states that the neck does not feel like other PRS necks. BTW Jennison can make ANY guitar sound good.

[@timbeaton5045]

Mitch, does have to be said, that every review i have seen so far, seems to say that the radius feels great, with no choking. Like here! If i was thinking of buying one, i would definitely give a try.

[@timbeaton5045]

I haven't played a guitar with a 7.25 radius for many years, so i can't really remember what it's like. Most of my guitars are 10" or flatter, but that is as much due to my having decided that i prefer flatter boards. BUT, i have yet to hear anyone who has actually played a silver sky who has complained about the radius. I almost never use a thumb over technique, so no biggie for me. YMMV, of course, and it obviously is so for Erik Scott here. So, this guitar will feel great to all those who love a "proper" vintage style Fender radius. Whether their tastes will stretch to actually buying a PRS, given that many people who want that "Vintage Fender Vibe" is more down prejudice. That i think is more important to sales than the board radius. Me? I don't really care, so long as the guitar sounds, and feels great, which i am willing to bet this actually does. Would i buy one? If i could justify the price, and purchase, then i would try one out, and make up my mind, then.

[@wengjai]

Sell big numbers? Over 3000 pre orders is pretty big to me in a short period of time.

[@apophispnw5717]

Does anyone know how to necks fatness compared to a modern strat is?

[@crosswalklarry]

All pickups are the same k from what I was told at Experience. Interesting.

[@Pheonix2022]

Yeah....way off on the fretboard radius my friend....

[@JD-ey8hw]

Did we mean 7.5" radius?

[@metalliholic]

7.25

[@moonkef]

No Knopfler tones ;) ?

[@engell3707]

Arpeggios you mean?

[@GazMoz78]

Nick is a fantastic player and it's an excellent review. Though I think he meant 7 and a quarter as opposed to 27!!! The guitar is a PRS, it will be fantastic. John Mayer is one of my favourite players. This guitar sits uneasy with me though. Why not just play a Stratocaster?.... I know why, because theirs money to be made. John said he couldn't work with Fender anymore. Fine, don't work with Fender. He owns a quite frankly jaw dropping 64 Strat, just play that one? Ah but both he and PRS can make money out of a new deal by ripping off the jaw dropping 64. It stinks

[@BAMozzy69]

Its not good for JM to be seen and photographed playing a 64 Strat when he is with PRS so its makes sense for PRS to provide him with their 'equivalent'. The other aspect is of course that 64 Strats are not readily available and certainly not consistent either. JM may just want a guitar that is built with all the precision and attention to detail that PRS offers and offers the sound he wants. He can 'retire' his vintage strats and tour with these - knowing that they are more consistent on stage too and if anything does happen, he can easily get a replacement. If you buy Vintage, you will know that not all 64 Strats sound or play the same. Not all are built to the same quality either and if you have 'original' parts, not necessarily going to works as well or consistently too.

[@erenbecomesdovecrying6016]

When you play as well as John does and have the ear for guitar he does, I can understand why he wants a replaceable guitar that sounds exactly like the 64 he favors. I very much doubt fender can make anything as well as prs can, I don't think fender could replicate their own work from 1964 like prs did here.

[@riheg]

Touring Players who can afford it may want replaceable guitars they can tour with and replicas of their favs. Besides PRS quality is hard to beat and Mayer loved the Super Eagles. I believe he likes working continuously with PRS and keep developing. And many players surely share Mayers taste. The price can partially be explained by the time it took to design it and make each one plus skill level of the luthiers although im sure PRS is very profitable

[@Cool3reeze]

I believe he said he went with PRS, not because of personal or legal issues, but because Fender didn't want to fulfill some of the desires that John Mayer wanted, so he went directly to Paul Reed Smith to get EXACTLY what he wanted. I may just be falling for his bluff, but I don't know why he'd lie about it.

[@erenbecomesdovecrying6016]

B. Cook both gibson and fender have recently been shrugging off requests from artists. I think they view it as a privilege, or they have no interest or capacity to fulfill production orders of custom guitars. I think they just let an artist do fun colors and pick from regularly available custom options.

[@jeffmazzei8520]

Far superior to any Fender

[@adriansoul7223]

On these guys videos there's always quite a bit of treble missing.

[@davecarsley8773]

You're "not going to say the word"? What are you, 5?

[@manuedwards6959]

I can thumb over the top on a classical guitar even though I’m not suppose to lol

[@forrallofusplenty4342]

want to like it...played one: meh

[@elvis_chen]

STRAT

[@Kevin.Hearty]

Great playing and excellent demo, but a PRS Strat copy? C'mon Mr. Smith, you can do better than that!

[@stefanpalicki3538]

It's what john mayer wanted

[@marcperi8315]

A strat with a prs headstock lmfao

[@goggleboy2464]

Sounds squeaky. 770 dollar se custom is much nicer imo. To each his own though.

[@damonstewart70]

Well bye golly played John Mayer guitar better & more interesting than John Mayer........I'd just put DIMARZIO in it & the price is OVERpriced

[@riheg]

The price can partially be explained by the time it took to design it and make each one plus skill level of the luthiers although im sure PRS is very profitable

[@silvioschurig749]

Compared to the Nick Johnston Custom Shop Schecter it's outright cheap ... and which aspect of the price could be 'over' priced as apparently the first year's production has been sold before they even started shipping ...

[@neilsouza9076]

Price is explainable if you've ever played a PRS...