I also have a Silver sky SE as well - Been a humbucker player most of my life cause I never bonded with strat type necks - Went into a store a few months ago and tried a silver sky SE - bought it after 5 minutes - This is one of the best guitars I've EVER owned - completely blown away with this guitar in every way
You make it sound really good. What I like about it is that you said the neck feels like an old Fender. It sounds pretty much like a Strat to me. I’d love to try one someday.
After seeing this video, I can't wait for my SE Silver Sky to come to me, hoping best couple of weeks. Love your tone mate, tasty licks too, well played sir
Sounds incredible, Leonard! 🎸☺️👊👏 That's where single coils really live and sound the best...between crystal clean to just at the point of break-up. Nicely played!
Recently got this same guitar. The only difference is that the one I got is Piano Black and Sweetwater included a free Plek job. I like my Squire Vintage Vibe HSS Stratocaster, but this means I don't necessarily need another Strat style or single coil. Between this and my PRS McCarty se 594 I'm pretty set up in the electric guitar field. Maybe now a new acoustic? Thanks for the awesome advice and review. Keep them coming!!!
Nice. I’m happy you enjoyed the review. And yes, I’ll keep ‘em coming as long as I’m able. Do check out my other videos, there’s quite a lot of them now.
The USA model is still one of the best sounding guitars I’ve played. I’d love to test out an SE. it’s the neck I fell in love with as a complement to my more modern Teles.
Yea, guys I have to say I played the USA one, I wanted it bad, but can’t afford one right now, but getting one my next guitar, the USA version hit the spot for me , plays just a notch better than the se, it’s a killer guitar, I still have my se, love it, I’m 72, Been playing the heck out of it.
The demand for the line is such they really really have done it well. I got to play one and I have a stra USA ... the silver sky is amazing. Anyone who says otherwise is just on a bias soap box. The prs silver sky is phenomenal on both scales...
Thanks. I’ve hung onto it even though I really don’t need it at all, having two main Strat style guitars. Still, it’s nice and I have played it on stage a couple times. So no immediate plans to let it go. Thanks for watching.
Thank you very much for your honest opinion in regard to the Paul Reed Smith SE silver sky model which I am considered purchasing one when they are available to me from either Sweetwater Music or American Musical Supply. I like the comment this guitar reminds me of the fender stratocasters I grew up playing from the 50s and 60s it's good to have an opinion from an older musician who was actually seen what we now call the Vintage gear and played on that what we now consider vintage guitar gear
Well damn, PRS should be paying me! 😂 Seriously though, I’m enjoying mine. I play it as much as my seafoam green S-style that I’ve spend a lot of time getting just right.
I have one in Moon White and its a great guitar for the money , Sounds , Feels , Plays Great ! . Lets give a shout out to Fender who created the Stratocaster , But also to PRS and John Mayer for putting their spin on it . This is one of my Favorite Strat Style guitar !
Got my lefty today....on sale plus free PLEK job. Exceptionally well made. Tone is excellent across all 5 positions (but not as much chime/clarity/articulate as on my other Strats with boutique/CS pups). Neck is a bit larger (1963?)...but not too big...comfy. My Nick Johnston (Schecter) is another well made Strat but doesn't sound 'straty'...modern, no likey too much.
Excellent review yes a gorgeous affordable guitar witch can be used at any levels.Buy two and have change from the USA ones .customise one to .Like the Ronnie Earl touch to .great playing and you have got a fabulously good tone from it
Yeah, it’s amazing to realize the USA version is literally three times the price. Of course the USA SS is a beautiful, high end guitar. But in terms of sheer functionality, the SE certainly isn’t lacking.
Sounds great. But your butter smooth style makes it sound awesome. Just got my stone blue one from Sweetwater. I've been recording with it. So far it's great.
Thank you. And yeah, like I say in the video, I had no intention of keeping and now I’m not letting it go. I was honestly surprised how good it is. And I bought my first Strat new in 1970!
Hmm, I’ve owned several Strats and feel at home in them, but I think the SE Silver Sky is in the cards. The tone is amazing, nearly every reviewer comments on how well the fret work is, and how well it holds tune. PRS and Mayer may have found the severer recipe here.
They’re certainly nice, especially in that price range. That said, it really doesn’t replace my carefully constructed partscasters, which I’ll be talking about in an upcoming video.
Thanks. The neck feels very 60s Fender. Of course those varied a lot and specs are never as good as just getting it in your hand, but it feels a little thicker and slightly narrower than a modern Fender C.
You had me in the beginning! I thought I was finally going to have a reason not to buy one of these! I’m stuck between the PRS SE SS, Fender Player Plus strat and Fender Player strat (the cheaper option). Have you played any others I’ve mentioned, if so how would you rank them overall? Love the playing, very easy on the ears 🎸🎵
Thank you’d my friend. The MIM Fenders are very well built these days. I’m not going to knock Fender, I’ve played them all my life, but be aware the fretwork often needs the attention of a pro. Almost every Fender I’ve bought since the 80s needed some fret leveling. So if you go Player series, check it out in person or be sure of an easy exchange. OTOH, I’ve now bought four different PRS SE models and they’ve all had perfect fretwork. But even with those I’d make sure of a return option, just in the unlikely event of one that slipped through less than perfect.
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thank you for taking the time to reply, Leonard. Much appreciated. I will definitely have to play them both in person and thoroughly check the guitars out, particularly the frets. My local shop is pretty relaxed with returns which is nice! Happy rocking!
Cool video Leonard! What are you using for backing tracks? Do you make them from scratch yourself? Or are you using a service or something? That really drives home how the guitar sounds, and gives your playing context. When I am doing my playing samples, I usually just randomly noodle around, and I think something like this could help make my content more focused
Thank you. I do the backing tracks myself. I’ve done fully fleshed out song demos for years which was enormously helpful when I fronted my own show. Everyone I hired was clear on the arrangements and it was a big leg up in the studio as well.
Really does seem like that is the best Strat on the market for >$1000. It seems to the the vintage thing with some modern appointments. I would like to see locking tuners, but Its already a value leader.
That’s part of it for sure. But it really is more than that. Let me put it this way. If the pickups were underwhelming, the guitar would absolutely be worth better pickups because of the neck carve, quality of the fretwork, light weight, tuning stability, etc.
Thank you. I appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoyed the demo. I’m plugged straight in to a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. Volume is set between 6 and 7 for just a little breakup.
Yes they good I just buy I trade in my nice Eastman for it pay $250 out hand got green one . Funny because over go I had 🇺🇸 one got for my 50 birthday I love it neck& tone feel 7.5 feel ezy play . Buy I saw other prs s/h special omg it does all to jm it like 59 to 65 in tone that prs special it warm a mix other guitar in it es 335 sg tele jr gretsch oh yes mix why sold my jm 🇺🇸 it was hard do love it but it $$ in Australia go 4300k I got for 33ook sell special . Yesterday trade in got evergreen feel good I say little different but really only little so prs jm se great for $ 1400 Australia 🇦🇺 😊 just seting up to play feel you use to a go
I bought a silver sky SE it arrived yesterday. I'm sending it back tomorrow. This is a $4 -$500 guitar is not an $850 guitar. Paul Reed Smith should be ashamed of himself. It is impossible to adjust to even maximum factory specs of string height and neck relief. Heavy string buzz. (I've been playing guitar professionally since 1984)
Clearly you somehow got a bad one. Since that review I reviewed the maple board version as well and it was very nice as well, exceeding its price point. I’ve reviewed a bunch of SEs of all types and never got one that’s couldn’t be easily set up perfectly. These were all bought randomly by me. I guess it just shows there’s always the possibility of a bad one with high high volume production. Still surprising though. PRS, even SE, are some of the most consistent production guitars out there. Thanks for watching.
Actually it’s pretty much identical to vintage Fender in both respects. If anything, output is on the higher side of vintage. The perception of output and sustain would be greatly increased by using a bit more gain. But it’s significantly stronger in those areas than the Strat I bought new in 1970 and about level with most 60s Strats I’ve played.
Great tone and man I like your style. You’re grooving right in the pocket, not too much or too little. You’ve got the touch!
Thank you my friend, happy you enjoyed it.
I also have a Silver sky SE as well - Been a humbucker player most of my life cause I never bonded with strat type necks - Went into a store a few months ago and tried a silver sky SE - bought it after 5 minutes - This is one of the best guitars I've EVER owned - completely blown away with this guitar in every way
I couldn’t agree more.
I have got the Dragon fruit one and I was surprised how much I fell in love with it
👍🏼😎
Lets face IT, you make IT sound right, I just love your groove!!
Aaaah man! Your sound is simply SWEET to my ears!!
Thanks very much.
You make it sound really good. What I like about it is that you said the neck feels like an old Fender. It sounds pretty much like a Strat to me. I’d love to try one someday.
Thank you. They are very nice and perform above their price point.
After seeing this video, I can't wait for my SE Silver Sky to come to me, hoping best couple of weeks.
Love your tone mate, tasty licks too, well played sir
Thank you, much appreciated. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it when it arrives. 👍🏼
Came for the gorgeous guitar, stayed for the tasty licks. 👍
Thank you so much my friend.
Beautiful playing & tone! ,Sir
Thank you my friend
Leonard, I really enjoy your videos and your tasty playing.
Thank you my friend. I appreciate the kind words.
Great video, and awesome playing!
Thanks so much.
Sounds incredible, Leonard! 🎸☺️👊👏 That's where single coils really live and sound the best...between crystal clean to just at the point of break-up. Nicely played!
Thanks my friend.
Great playing sir! Such a pleasure to hear you rip this nice guitar! Thanks!
Thanks so much!
Leonard, you can make a rubber band and a pencil sound good! You are a serious player and you make that PRS sound so good.
Thank you for the kind words. Appreciated.
Great demo of pick up positions. All sound really good.🙂
Thank you my friend. It is almost shockingly good. And that’s from a lifelong Strat man.
Great sounding guitar and playing!
Thank you my friend. I appreciate you watching and I hope you’ll check out more from my channel.
Recently got this same guitar. The only difference is that the one I got is Piano Black and Sweetwater included a free Plek job. I like my Squire Vintage Vibe HSS Stratocaster, but this means I don't necessarily need another Strat style or single coil. Between this and my PRS McCarty se 594 I'm pretty set up in the electric guitar field. Maybe now a new acoustic? Thanks for the awesome advice and review. Keep them coming!!!
Nice. I’m happy you enjoyed the review. And yes, I’ll keep ‘em coming as long as I’m able. Do check out my other videos, there’s quite a lot of them now.
Smart man. I own one with the Evergreen finish and it is amazing. Be blessed
Thank you.
The USA model is still one of the best sounding guitars I’ve played. I’d love to test out an SE. it’s the neck I fell in love with as a complement to my more modern Teles.
I hope to eventually compare the USA weapon directly. Stay tuned.
Yea, guys I have to say I played the USA one, I wanted it bad, but can’t afford one right now, but getting one my next guitar, the USA version hit the spot for me , plays just a notch better than the se, it’s a killer guitar, I still have my se, love it, I’m 72, Been playing the heck out of it.
The demand for the line is such they really really have done it well. I got to play one and I have a stra USA ... the silver sky is amazing. Anyone who says otherwise is just on a bias soap box. The prs silver sky is phenomenal on both scales...
I absolutely agree. Mine isn’t going anywhere except to the gig.
Very nice review and great tones (which doesn't happen without dedication).
Thanks. So glad you enjoyed the review.
I really love the way you play ! Many thanks !!!!!
Thank you so much. And thanks for watching.
Nice. I justed purchased one of these.
Cool, I hope you love it.
Nice guitar, even nicer playing! Hope you’ve been enjoying your guitar
Thanks. I’ve hung onto it even though I really don’t need it at all, having two main Strat style guitars. Still, it’s nice and I have played it on stage a couple times. So no immediate plans to let it go.
Thanks for watching.
Thank you very much for your honest opinion in regard to the Paul Reed Smith SE silver sky model which I am considered purchasing one when they are available to me from either Sweetwater Music or American Musical Supply. I like the comment this guitar reminds me of the fender stratocasters I grew up playing from the 50s and 60s it's good to have an opinion from an older musician who was actually seen what we now call the Vintage gear and played on that what we now consider vintage guitar gear
Thanks. I’m very happy you found my review helpful. It is honest and I still plan to keep the SE Silver Sky. I play it every day.
Nice playing Sir!
Thanks so much
Hey my Gottwood Bro,I’m loving your channel! Great playing. Keep them Videos coming!
As usual, whatever you do, it’s always sooo professional 💥👍🤙
Thank you my friend. Yeah, it’s basically a full time job! LOL
I just bought the stone blue from Sweetwater after watching this video. I like your style man.
Thank you. Enjoy the guitar!
I think I’m going to buy one now.
Well damn, PRS should be paying me! 😂 Seriously though, I’m enjoying mine. I play it as much as my seafoam green S-style that I’ve spend a lot of time getting just right.
Really nice playing. Very enjoyable 😀
Thank you.
Nice playing
Thanks so much and thanks for watching.
Sounds great. Great playing.
Thank you.
I have one in Moon White and its a great guitar for the money , Sounds , Feels , Plays Great ! . Lets give a shout out to Fender who created the Stratocaster , But also to PRS and John Mayer for
putting their spin on it . This is one of my Favorite Strat Style guitar !
Well like I said, I bought it to review but now I’m having a hard time letting it go. And I don’t need another Strat! LOL
Got my lefty today....on sale plus free PLEK job. Exceptionally well made. Tone is excellent across all 5 positions (but not as much chime/clarity/articulate as on my other Strats with boutique/CS pups). Neck is a bit larger (1963?)...but not too big...comfy. My Nick Johnston (Schecter) is another well made Strat but doesn't sound 'straty'...modern, no likey too much.
I completely agree about the pickups. For inexpensive pickups they’re pretty good, but not as rich and complex and the better Strat pickups.
Excellent review yes a gorgeous affordable guitar witch can be used at any levels.Buy two and have change from the USA ones .customise one to .Like the Ronnie Earl touch to .great playing and you have got a fabulously good tone from it
Yeah, it’s amazing to realize the USA version is literally three times the price. Of course the USA SS is a beautiful, high end guitar. But in terms of sheer functionality, the SE certainly isn’t lacking.
Totally agree - good at any level - better tone than Mr Earl and I love Ronnie Earl.
@@1alb
Well I don’t know if I’d go that far. LOL Hard to beat Ronnie Earl. But thanks again.
Subscribed, totally agree with your accesment.
Thank you my friend, I hope you continue to enjoy the channel. BTW, I have to sell most of the guitars I review, but I’ve kept the SE Silver Sky.
I got one after months of waiting. I’ve played 50 years or more, it’s a great guitar. Just fits my 60,s 70,s style. Thanks sir.
Sounds great. But your butter smooth style makes it sound awesome. Just got my stone blue one from Sweetwater. I've been recording with it. So far it's great.
Thank you. And yeah, like I say in the video, I had no intention of keeping and now I’m not letting it go. I was honestly surprised how good it is. And I bought my first Strat new in 1970!
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 I still have my original 69 Thinline Tele my parents gave me when I was a teen.
Great playing 🙌🏽
Thank you. 😊
Hmm, I’ve owned several Strats and feel at home in them, but I think the SE Silver Sky is in the cards. The tone is amazing, nearly every reviewer comments on how well the fret work is, and how well it holds tune. PRS and Mayer may have found the severer recipe here.
They’re certainly nice, especially in that price range. That said, it really doesn’t replace my carefully constructed partscasters, which I’ll be talking about in an upcoming video.
Great playing my friend! How’s the neck profile on this thing?
Thanks. The neck feels very 60s Fender. Of course those varied a lot and specs are never as good as just getting it in your hand, but it feels a little thicker and slightly narrower than a modern Fender C.
Thanks for the reply my friend! Waiting on FedEx to bring mine tomorrow!
Great vid. Thanks.
Thanks. Happy you enjoyed it.
The first one of these I purchased from the initial run, the store made an error and sent me the USA gig bag. I didn’t complain
I wouldn't complain either! LOL
You had me in the beginning! I thought I was finally going to have a reason not to buy one of these! I’m stuck between the PRS SE SS, Fender Player Plus strat and Fender Player strat (the cheaper option). Have you played any others I’ve mentioned, if so how would you rank them overall? Love the playing, very easy on the ears 🎸🎵
Thank you’d my friend.
The MIM Fenders are very well built these days. I’m not going to knock Fender, I’ve played them all my life, but be aware the fretwork often needs the attention of a pro. Almost every Fender I’ve bought since the 80s needed some fret leveling. So if you go Player series, check it out in person or be sure of an easy exchange.
OTOH, I’ve now bought four different PRS SE models and they’ve all had perfect fretwork. But even with those I’d make sure of a return option, just in the unlikely event of one that slipped through less than perfect.
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thank you for taking the time to reply, Leonard. Much appreciated. I will definitely have to play them both in person and thoroughly check the guitars out, particularly the frets. My local shop is pretty relaxed with returns which is nice! Happy rocking!
Cool video Leonard! What are you using for backing tracks? Do you make them from scratch yourself? Or are you using a service or something? That really drives home how the guitar sounds, and gives your playing context. When I am doing my playing samples, I usually just randomly noodle around, and I think something like this could help make my content more focused
Thank you. I do the backing tracks myself. I’ve done fully fleshed out song demos for years which was enormously helpful when I fronted my own show. Everyone I hired was clear on the arrangements and it was a big leg up in the studio as well.
Really does seem like that is the best Strat on the market for >$1000. It seems to the the vintage thing with some modern appointments. I would like to see locking tuners, but Its already a value leader.
It’s certainly a clear contender at its price point.
Thanks for watching.
Sounds great! Looking into one of these as well :-)
Let us know how you like it. I'm still enjoying mine!
@@leonardgriffieblues5845 I will upload a Video soon.
Do you prefer these pickups or Fralin you use on your strat?
While these are some of the best import pickups I’ve tried, they’re not quite in the same league as the Fralins.
Thanks alot Leonard great video prs se it is for me then just liked n subscribed mate 😊👍
Thank you my friend. Much appreciated. As you might have been able to tell, the SE Silver Sky even surprised me with how good it is.
I suspect the secret is the pickups which are better than fender cheap pickups .
That’s part of it for sure. But it really is more than that. Let me put it this way. If the pickups were underwhelming, the guitar would absolutely be worth better pickups because of the neck carve, quality of the fretwork, light weight, tuning stability, etc.
Do I hear some Ronnie Earl in there?
Haha. Actually, it’s probably more a case of Ronnie and I listening to the same people.
Thanks for watching. I hope you enjoy the channel.
Damn nice playing! Sounds great, I wonder how it stacks up to the discontinued fender American standard Strat ? Also what’s your setup, it is sweet.
Thank you. I appreciate it and I’m glad you enjoyed the demo.
I’m plugged straight in to a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. Volume is set between 6 and 7 for just a little breakup.
And you can even flip pancakes with the headstock. 😜
Well we all know tone is in the pancakes. 😊
At least that's the best color....but this and get a gud tube amp!
Yes they good I just buy I trade in my nice Eastman for it pay $250 out hand got green one . Funny because over go I had 🇺🇸 one got for my 50 birthday I love it neck& tone feel 7.5 feel ezy play . Buy I saw other prs s/h special omg it does all to jm it like 59 to 65 in tone that prs special it warm a mix other guitar in it es 335 sg tele jr gretsch oh yes mix why sold my jm 🇺🇸 it was hard do love it but it $$ in Australia go 4300k I got for 33ook sell special . Yesterday trade in got evergreen feel good I say little different but really only little so prs jm se great for $ 1400 Australia 🇦🇺 😊 just seting up to play feel you use to a go
I hope you’re enjoying it.
Punctuation please! Congrats on the green color! Waiting on the blue. You do have a nice collection my friend - gretcsh is awesome!
I bought a silver sky SE it arrived yesterday. I'm sending it back tomorrow. This is a $4 -$500 guitar is not an $850 guitar. Paul Reed Smith should be ashamed of himself. It is impossible to adjust to even maximum factory specs of string height and neck relief. Heavy string buzz. (I've been playing guitar professionally since 1984)
Clearly you somehow got a bad one. Since that review I reviewed the maple board version as well and it was very nice as well, exceeding its price point. I’ve reviewed a bunch of SEs of all types and never got one that’s couldn’t be easily set up perfectly. These were all bought randomly by me. I guess it just shows there’s always the possibility of a bad one with high high volume production. Still surprising though. PRS, even SE, are some of the most consistent production guitars out there.
Thanks for watching.
Seems to lack sustain and output.
Actually it’s pretty much identical to vintage Fender in both respects. If anything, output is on the higher side of vintage. The perception of output and sustain would be greatly increased by using a bit more gain. But it’s significantly stronger in those areas than the Strat I bought new in 1970 and about level with most 60s Strats I’ve played.