SE Silver Sky vs Fender Strat | Detailed Comparison

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#SE #PRS #SilverSky #JohnMayer #Fender #Stratocaster

[@joeabstractjoe]

The Strat is crystal clear and not muffled as I'm hearing the PRS. I own a strat and prs and love them both. Thanks Sophie. 👍💯

[@NickNapoli]

They both sound great. I feel the Strat is always going to have that classic rock sound.

[@Nashjersey]

Great video and very helpful! Thanks Sophie… For me, it’s the Silver Sky SE. And I’ve just ordered one. 🎶

[@Markcio182]

The capacitor on the silversky is .1, as for the stratocaster is. 022 (big difference) the sky will sound more muffle because of that, even though the volume pot in the silversky is 275 aprox, thus the strat will sound brighter. Then other factors will come in play like the pickups, rosewood neck, etc.

[@RevGerryRM]

I'd pick the Fender anytime. Hell, I'd pick my Squire Affinity FMT SSS over the PRS

[@th3commando429]

Omg the corona factory had me in stitches

[@garythomas4431]

Nice video Sophie. Hard task. I've been playing 45 years. I own about 40 guitars from prs, strats, charvels, esp, Ibanez...lots of guitars. I've found each guitar has its own personality. But my question would be, which would you record with? Those tusk saddles on the strat are one advantage over the prs vintage. Playability of course is an individual preference, but recorded sound with headphones on, you can hear every little nuance. Like string vibrations off the bridge, pickup drop off, and things of this sort. So that would be my question. Which sounds the best when recording a composition where you cannot use auto tune or clean up. Love your playing by the way and your approach on this comparison. Thanks for sharing. GT

[@IvanFlores-f6b]

Sophie not sure but may be that at for me like rigth one very cue❤

[@francischang]

Awesome! Can you compare with a Shijie next? They seem to be making incredible Strat style guitars.

[@georgesarris1866]

Your strat sounds so much better here but I definitely want a silver sky

[@xShinobiOtakux]

Hi Sophie, I'm interested in starting to learn guitar and I was wondering which would be a good beginner one on a tight budget. I would absolutely love to get a PRS but can't afford one :( would you say a Fender Squire would be a good starting option? Then if I stick with the guitar perhaps I could save up for a higher quality one!

[@Stratisfied22]

The Strat is the best guitar ever made imo. That being said I haven't owned a Fender that didn't need a fret leveling. Every single one I've owned or played had fret issues which is ridiculous. Fender has mastered the art of giving you less and charging you more for it over the years and PRS has done the opposite it seems.

[@Mrintelligent2025]

Both guitars 🎸 sound great . And you jam to .

[@michaelgumbert9160]

The PRS is a superior guitar over the fender. I own a fender made in USA also a fender MIM and a PRS CE american made. And with no doubt the PRS is far better. The comparison done here isn't really a far comparison. For the PRS SE is the same price as the Fender made MIM. which is a much better and reasonable comparison. And The PRS comes on top. So either do a proper comparison in the way over seas to overseas made or do both USA made. Gibson and fender have been around a long time and seems that they rely on Name. The PRs was made with the best of gibson and the bast of Fender in mind. So In my opinion and 42 years of playing guitar, the PRS definitely comes out on top.

[@IDGAF_PLUS]

Both sound incredible. Can't go wrong with either. But the PRS esthetic is so awesome IMHO. Their headstock and bird inlays really do it for me.

[@SpedSpedding]

I absolutely love what you’ve done with the almost identical play through side-by-side. Such a good idea. There’s so much more life in the SS… that middle position for example: I never really use that position much unless I press my fancy phase button. I guess I just feel like John and Paul working together made sure there’s unique voicing and purpose for each pick up. Ultimately: useable musical sounds.

[@SeaDrive300]

Far and away *the best* Silver Sky vs Strat comparison vid I have seen. That split-screen, color/B&W effect was awesome! Great job, Sophie! :-)

[@chefbanjo8139]

This may be unpopular, but I closed my eyes during the Another Brick in the Wall solo, and I genuinely couldn’t tell where the changes were. I could hear some slight differences later on, but not on the first one.

[@chris7495110]

The sound of the Strat pick ups just made my mind up for me. The Strat all the way!!!!

[@mikkywhalan]

Fender for me. In my opinion the PRs just sounds a bit sterile and muffled compared to the fender, the fender has a clearer sound and i can hear the notes clearly.

[@Hawaii567]

Yeah the silver sky seemed to have a bit more fuzz to it, the fender was a little cleaner

[@Steve-qn8gn]

I bet if she didn’t show which one she was playing you wouldn’t know the difference.

[@mikkywhalan]

funnily enough i did have my eyes closed originally when i started watching. they're close but as mentioned the fender had a slightly clearer sound.

[@Steve-qn8gn]

@@mikkywhalan I’m not going to argue with you, but the “sterile and muffled” comments about PRS started with one KZbinr ‘review’ and has been parroted all over the place since.

[@mikkywhalan]

@@Steve-qn8gn Yeah i started to notice that a little while ago lol. I'm not trying to argue it was just simply what i heard and just my opinion.😁

[@Manuelomar2001]

The middle pickup on the Strat sounded amazing. That classic strat chime, to the max.

[@brianlebrun2382]

Until you played clean in the middle position they both sounded identical. The Strat middle was duller missing some high end where the SE was more jangly. That became more evident in the bridge/middle position. The SE was fuller with more clarity and the Strat was very weak sounding in comparison. Surprisingly enough the SE holds it's own against a legend. Impressive.

[@littlegreenman1]

I know the Strat didn’t have stock pickups, but it has more bite and will cut through he PA better than the PRS.

[@tiempoextra9082]

Fender my favorite for sound excelent video 👏🇺🇾

[@thenumber1bobo]

Also this is a cop-out verdict. This should be a Mexican player series vs the SS. Not a modded American. Still have to say, sorry #19 pickups, the SS sounds more lively. The Strat may just need a setup though. Some notes are choking out.

[@andrewbendahan1379]

It sounds like the silver sky has a warmer tone than the fender strat.

[@chrisking6695]

I hear zero difference

[@andrewbendahan1379]

Its subtle. You can mainly hear it in the cleaner tones.

[@Shekius]

I love fender guitars but the silver sky its looking like a really good bet for the money, thanks for your video Sophie!

[@dotkennedy7443]

I have 1 American strat and 3 MIM strats. I mostly play the 2006 MIM, though I did play the 93 USA strat for many yrs. Strats just do it all! I also love teles. Thanks for all you do!

[@timbates799]

Surely it's the pickups that give the strat its signature sound? Not sure there's much point comparing the SE to the Strat when it doesn't have stock Fender Strat pickups

[@SophieBurrell]

Not entirely, feel and appearance are pretty important here too! I’d argue the feel is most important to be honest, because I could smash the same pickups in both if I wanted to. I thought people would like to hear the difference nonetheless :)

[@timbates799]

@@SophieBurrell Sure but essentially it's a "compare the sound" video and most people are probably going to have to stock pickups. Don't get me wrong though, I still liked the video and love your content!

[@phoenixeyeris]

Cool you did this, but maple and rosewood fretboards might make quite a difference with just that. Rosewood/rosewood compare mo bettah! Cheers.

[@leandrolopez8296]

I prefer the Fender Stratocaster because of its more electric sound and its clean distortion.

[@hawg427]

Love your freckles Sophie. The American Strat sounds crisper but I think that is due to the neck difference. But the Silver Sky sounds fuller at the Middle/Bridge position. What ga. strings do you use in your Strat? Good video.

[@oooomz7578]

The split screen comparison was so creative and effective, nice video!

[@aligrundy812]

For me, the difference in tone is so minimal that the deciding factor would be how it feels to play. Wish I could try out both to decide

[@miketabor7214]

I think they both sound good 👍, but I think the RS sounds better than the strat . The other guitar looks better.M.D.T

[@davidoreilly7328]

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the fact Paul Reed Smith is in this world?

[@tomcat1112k]

silver sky SE is my fav one

[@Flopster2632]

Wasn’t the whole point of the silver sky to be just like a strat? John Mayer played a strat but he wanted some changes which PRS could offer him so the basically completely ripped off the strat and caused a load of controversy. It’s not really surprising they sound the same they were designed to. You CAN NOT BEAT an original strat, Gibson can’t do it PRS can’t do it and they never will just like fender couldn’t beat a les Paul or Gibson couldn’t beat a PRS custom 24. They have iconic guitars in their own rights, also you saying about it being softer that’s just different guitars with different setups I have a custom strat my dad has a standard strat from 1996 mine feels like I’m not even having to press on the strings at all and his feels like I’m having to break my fingers

[@RobertoSunga]

I noticed you down pick palm muted strings each time before doing a bend, that's kind of a trend that a lot of guitar players are using and it annoys me a little 😅

[@Fawkes1978]

02:46, The way the note decays and the harmonic content in those custom pickups in the Stratocaster during Gravity are just brilliant! While the Silver Sky sounds more like John's tone, I personally like the extra dynamics that come from slightly higher output single coils. Great comparison by the way...

[@kkdeveauxgue2784]

I don't care what new tech they come up with,you can't beat a fender

[@BGuitar]

Good comparison video… i preordered a silver sky se on Jan 11… looking forward to it

[@tbone2451]

Nice way to do a comparison, but the se and the fender player is the only way to do a real comparison . They complete with each other.

[@44scoots]

EXACTLY!!!!

[@alangriff1]

I can't honestly tell the difference with side by side...too confusing.

[@The_GenXennial]

I have 3 Fender strats. The best one by far is the American Ultra HSS. The hot noiseless pickups along with the compound radius neck put it on the next level for me. It’s just amazing how easy it is to play, and the tones 😓. Never got my hands on a Silver Sky, but it’s on the list.

[@olafunger6454]

I find both have great Sound .But The Fender Strat is the Sound better .

[@beengo7458]

All but comparison of sound is 'on the level' with much practical information for many. It IS a comparison but of how they'd compare after changing Strat pickups to 19 Parkhurst custom handwounds. I like the stock pickups, others may prefer these...and I think both are great. Yet this is not a stock vs stock comparison. That said, your honesty in stating the replacement is wonderful. Thank you for EVERY upload!

[@SlickCat]

I think when the tones are that close to each other it comes down to a more "feel" thing" you know like the weight or how it fits your hand.

[@timmcgravey9778]

how can we tell the difference when both are playing?

[@julienCRUSH]

Nice PRS but I love Fender

[@corynorell3686]

Didn't I just see the poll for this video a couple days ago? Quick video turnaround. Solid comparison.

[@aekizkitpattarapanit3042]

I like PRS... Good handling to play and good sound

[@pbhushanbsb]

I feel an SE silver sky should be compared to a player series strat, price points have more similarity

[@symphotronix3725]

Ahh, Sophie is rocking the Mary Spender Style Side by side :)

[@mandolinka29]

They sound pretty much the same...

[@TeensierPython]

EVERYONE plays a guitar made before they started playing guitar (kinda hard not to if you think about it). Just saying.

[@breevwhyman2985]

Great Sophie, very good sound quality in your videos. Well, which would be favorite to me?.........probably the strat because of the neck ...... (.......actually because of the fingerboard and the possible fact that it LACKS having one.......) I know that on some of the more pricey strats and superstrats they use a true "one piece neck" so NO fingerboard is glued on........ (somehow that appeals to me,) ..........Having said that stuff above, a true "one piece neck" is not great for stability if the axe is say in transit between Saudi Arabia then Iceland.)........etc ......i believe glued--on fingerboards offer lots of stability to a guitar neck and are on 95 percent of all guitars but i prefer the tonal quality of a true "one piece neck".......... thx V

[@nameisnotwhatyouthink3342]

Personally I think the silver sky sounds better I can tell that the strat has more high end like more sharp where as the silver sky has a bit more mellow tone like it cuts out all that high end stuff which is really awesome

[@Littlewing1977]

I like the way your Strat sounds a bit more than the PRS. Especially when playing on the middle/bridge pickups.

[@magnusjonason3861]

They both Sounds Great. The silver sky alittle rounder and fatter very Nice. The fender has That genuine strat sound That we all love. Nice video 👍🐑

[@thecursedbellybutton9267]

PRS headstock on a Strat 🤮

[@MEGAMIGA]

To me, the particular pickups you put in your Strat sound somewhat tinnier. I prefer the sound of the PRS pickups in this case. That said, I am a massive Fender and Stratocaster fan ;)

[@arthurthedane9204]

A great comparison, Sophie. I have a 2001 American Strat, which I love. I think the newer professional series that replaced the American standard are even better. However the prices are nearly double what we paid. After watching your videos using your Core PRS Custom 24, I purchased one & that is now my go-to guitar. I even prefer it to my Les Paul.

[@lorejarocinski]

The editing is really great !!

[@timholtguitar6999]

FANTASTIC demo. The SE just has more body and clarity, IMO.

[@nathanmclauchlan5148]

I felt that the sound of the neck & middle pickups on both guitars were quite similar but quite different on the bridge pickup. Sound wise, I really like the SE Silver Sky. The neck radius between the two, I think I would have to try the Silver Sky to try it out before deciding. I do like the 8.5 radius of the Fender though and there may not be a lot of difference. I would possibly edge toward the Silver Sky myself, but everyone will have there own preferences. Nice comparison though, thanks

[@robphillips8351]

Both nice.. but fender is fender.. prs is good gear for sure though have had a standard and a se in past, but fender including squier has been a solid go to every single time.. nothing bad to say about prs at all though..

[@hairnation68]

Totally agree. I have an American Professional I and just got the Silver Sky SE. they truly are similar but different and I love both. My Fender is setup how I like it. Yet the silver sky not quite but it plays so well I’ve grown use to it and it feels fantastic.

[@marcelstaats]

Love the PRS, but simply can't deny that classic Fender sound!

[@VanHalenIsolated]

The softness is maybe the roasted maple neck on the Silver Sky? I have an EVH Wolfgang Standard with a roasted maple neck and was thinking the same thing. Then I came across info that the roasted maple is lighter (which is obvious) and perhaps feels softer?

[@AlexAnder-ri8ns]

It's probably a sin but I definitely preferred the PRS over the Strat in the Pink Floyd solo! I also really like the Bridge PU. It doesn't sound too "harsh" to my ears other than the Fender.

[@endruvitak]

Karawang indonesia hadir

[@chrisacevedo2723]

Great review. I have both and love them both for different reasons. They are S style guitars though with different vibes. I have VMODs on my American Pro (awesome), and the JM s model pickups on the SSSE (warmer and perhaps hotter than the VMODs?); both are great. Strat is old school cool, SSSE has some classic vibe with modern and classic features in a fun recipe. One does not replace the other for me. This was my first foray into owning a PRS.

[@Kisshunter66]

Fender Strat always....if possible, a black painted one like the Maestro Mr.David Gilmour...cheers, Sophie!🙋‍♂️👏👏👏🤘

[@djhoneylove5710]

Buy the less expensive guitar. They are both of professional quality. Excellent guitars are also made outside of the USA.

[@LM-uk5fo]

This was a great comparison! The neck pick up sounded identical on both to my ears, however the middle and specially the bridge are beefier on the PRS, the fender middle and bridge pickups are thinner and brittle (for better or worse). personally I think the fender has the signature sound of the strat, but the PRS is more usable and versatile just for that bridge pickup.

[@bryanwhite2685]

Personally, I think the PRS has a sharper attack in the neck position which I like in your demo, but for the 2-4 settings which include the middle pickup, it's hard to beat the Fender Strat. (I'm a Telecaster guy personally, so I actually added a Nashville Tele to my collection just so I could get that classic sound of the Fender Strat Middle Single Coil pickup) The Fender just sounds a lot dirtier with the bridge pickup, and I like that too. My first Tele was a 2005 American Highway One Fender Telecaster, modified with a Fender Noiseless lipstick pickup in the neck position, and a Seymour Duncan Lil' 59 humbucker in the bridge. It's great for Van Halen songs... But I have to say that whole period between 2004-2011, Fender made some great guitars. What pickups did your Strat originally have? Texas Specials originally probably in the higher end American Strats of that era? Also, speaking of T-style guitars which are my personal preference, I don't know if you did a review of the Myles Kennedy Signature PRS?

[@michaelheller8841]

Great comparison, very well done. That being said, two different guitars on many factors. There is no one better than the other, they are just different. Maple neck, rosewood neck, different pickups, different bodies, etc. You can't go wrong with either one or just get them both if you can. 2 different guitars in the shed for a different job you're looking to accomplish. Out of all the guitars I play and own, I still don't have a favorite. I pick up one on just the feeling I have at the time and just play it. How can I choose a guitar for you? you have two different hands, set-up, and personal preferences. Play and be happy, that's all that matters.

[@wfqsfg]

Next make the comparison with the Silver Sky and the Mayones Aquila, another Strat shape. EytschPi42 likes them.

[@gertjanboot5535]

Got several PRS SE models and several Fender Stratocasters , like it is said in the video , they all have their own Character , it is personal preference but.............. value for money? PRS wins

[@SpedSpedding]

You’ll give me that Silver Sky when I say you’ll give me that Silver Sky.

[@andrewbendahan1379]

Lol

[@SophieBurrell]

No mate, when I SAY

[@SpedSpedding]

@@SophieBurrell No mate, when I say.

[@chrisjude8794]

You pair of slugs 😂

[@SpedSpedding]

@@chrisjude8794 😂😂😂😂

[@stockwelljr]

Great assessment and comparison. I plan to purchase a vintage sunburst SE CE 24 and a moon white SE Silver Sky. Thank you for your input. --- *Side note: Have you checked out the new BOSS RC 500? If not, you may want to look into it.

[@johnpraite5568]

I’ll stick with my strat

[@dotkennedy7443]

What??? You started playing guitar after 2007? I started playing in 1971! Lol. And I still cannot play Cliffs of Dover. Who taught you? I want lessons!

[@RS-ox1bl]

PRS - 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@bryanbarbiea5163]

Awesome comparison. Excellent playing as well. Wish they were both the same fret material... also if you don't know the lower rear pick guard was made to mirror the body on the upper neck end. Listened to John speak on that particularly in a demo video. Though it was cool because it does compliment itself well that way. Well done Sophie! Keep up the good work!

[@iancurrie8844]

Between these two: the strat all day long. I've played the SE SS a few times and it feels SOOOOO cheap. I hate the tuners and knobs so much. Goodness they're cheap feeling. I don't believe the 2007 American standard had a bone nut. I believe it's mycarta.

[@ahampel22]

i think the SE could make a good Dave Murray substitute. I'm a big Iron Maiden fan but never really liked Fender. Putting some Seymour Duncan Hot Rails into this might be a cool thing to do. Plus, you get 22 frets instead of the 21.

[@ericandrews1661]

Nothing against the prs but Dave Murray and a fender strat is a thing of beauty. Most modern ones have 22 frets and some even come with real Floyd's.

[@alonsoflorescenceandalive3350]

Alerta from John yeah SOphie like It.☝️😸🤟........🎤☕

[@lamoksaabit6794]

1:23 2:46 3:51 4:36 8:01

[@drkknight614]

Both sound great, the SE sounds alittle clearer with less “noise”, which I assume is because of the more modern pickups and PRS’s strides with their TCI tech. This was apparent especially higher on the neck.

[@hadeseye2297]

PRS is more meaty. I find brown guitar better sounding. The sounds is more open. Whatever that means.

[@FatMattOutdoors]

The strat sounds better..... I'm not saying I'm not biased.... They are close in some ways..... But miles apart in all the ways that count in my opinion

[@44scoots]

Terrible terrible review!!! Why are you comparing the Sliver Sky to that Strat? With custom shop pickups besides. Ridiculous. Compare it to a Fender Player Strat, priced the same. OMG. Waste of time.

[@TakisNtenis-yc2px]

Are we discussing whether a copycat is better than the original? There are so many copycats out there...PRS being just one heavily marketed.

[@mickdebergerac1143]

Poplar body at that price? Hmmmm Another piece of equipment given to a ton of "influencers" . I'll pass

[@vincentlussier8264]

I have had several Strats over the years and nothing really is quite like a real one. American Strats just seem to have more charm and Fender designed it in the first place. I'm a purist at heart!

[@totallynotfamed]

I really like the prs silver sky especially the looks is great but nothing can beat a fender strat for me

[@TexanUSMC8089]

A comparison between the Made in Mexico Fender and the PRS SE would be accurate. They cost the same. If you have a Made in America Fender then compare it to a Made in America PRS. What we saw today was a Made in Indonesia PRS SE sounded as good as a Made in America Fender, and the PRS cost nearly $400 less. Great video, sound, and playing though.

[@jamesthaxton4411]

Guess iam a sky guy...,😉 But I like the idea of just buy them both....lol I believe some of your viewers had suggested that you assemble a kit guitar...!!!🤔

[@alexcorll90]

Wow, the neck on your SE is very very nice, interesting flame pattern.