PRS had to do this. The SE line had gotten so good, it was almost on par with the S2 models.

This was enough to finally get me to pull the trigger. After playing an SE Hollowbody Piezo for a couple years as main guitar and craving a Vela for a solid body, but couldn't bring myself to spend that much on almost the same electronics. I'm picking up my new 2024 a week from today.

PRS is also a metal guitar because they have 24 frets, thin necks, and humbuckers. Now, they are trying to break into blues and jazz with their Silver Sky and 594 models. Also yes, you are right, all the companies need to improve the value proposition of tbeir midrange. For example, Epiphone is now offering guitars with all Gibson USA electronics, custombucker pickups, and one piece mahogany necks for $1299. The mid range market (1300-2000ish) is gonna be the most important market.

This is not going to make a big impact on Fender or Gibson - PRS only make 120 (approx) Maryland guitars per day. This may expand a bit, but they are limited to how many they can sell and maintain quality. So fender and Gibson will likely not feel compelled to change anything as the threat is minimal.

Bought an S2 Custom 24 last year 😭 The guitar is great but the pickups just don't cut it

You forgot to mention one thing about Gibson that just blows my mind and that’s the fact they completely have zero quality control. They should be embarrassed by a large amount of crap that leaves that factory. Sad really

Just got a 2023 S2 custom 24 two days ago…. Luckily enough it was the 10th anniversary with the American pickups and electronics or I’d be pissed 😅

What is so special about PRS pickups ? Fender has put custom shop pickups on non USA models for years, Gibson/Epihone has done the same as well. I have no heard a single guitar player say I gotta have PRS pickups. It is quite the opposite most guitar players prefer Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio.

Personally, I don't think PRS is really competing with Fender. I don't think that someone who is in the market for a Jazzmaster or a Mustang or a Telecaster is going to choose a PRS S2 Custom24 all of the sudden because it has the same pickups as the core models... Perhaps you can make an argument for Gibson fans, but I tend to think that people who still like Gibsons in spite of all of their various issues over the years - their inconsistent quality control, their media fumbles, their insistence on perpetually catering to the aging Boomer market - will probably continue to stick with Gibson.

Fender and Gibson will continue to dominate the US market IMHO. The main issue most players I know have with PRS are the body shapes and or that goofy looking headstock. I know there's clear and specific science behind the PRS headstock shape and it makes perfect sense to me. I think where PRS will continue to kick butt and take names is in the import market. Now that Epiphone had upped their game, PRS took some serious action and I fully expect them to eventually crush both Epiphone and Squire in the USA. I just heard they're finally releasing a left handed Silver Sky SE, it's about flippen time. I bought one PRS SE. It's so well built it rivals many of my USA made instruments. The big issue is that it's completely dead sounding. I know I should just change the pickups and quit whining, but it's a matter of why should have to? I spent just under a grand on that guitar. To me, for that kind of money, I shouldn't have to change anything. Anyway, trust me on this, if the Silver Sky comes in some decent colors in lefty, I'll be on board for one STAT. Cheers

PRS makes great guitars, but Fender and Gibson are going to be just fine.

None of the guitar builders I know would agree that the tonewoods chosen even for a solid body electric make very little difference. For example, Dave Walsh of Eternal Guitars (UK based) has demonstrated to me just how different sounding different solid-body guitars are, even when the same pickups are used. And I've found plenty of other examples where the guitar can sound dead, regardless of the pickups used. But put those same pickups in a guitar made with good quality wood and the tone is massively improved.

Gibson for high gain Fender for cleans End of story

I mean Gibson has been really subpar and horrible for a while now tbh

The internet is hilarious. “Destroy” ok, sure. Except they can charge 50k for a guitar and sell out instantly. I think they are making bank. Why should they care if thats what you consider “destroyed” lol

I'm so sad that Fender will be dEsTroYeD by 2025. lol

No, it won’t-still a PRS & has no soul or mojo not to mention a horrible neck joint, just a piece of furniture with too much finish on it