Silver Sky SE vs Player Stratocaster
It is a tough sell at European prices.
- Fit and finish
- Excellent pickups
- Comfortable neck
- Expensive in Europe and Asia
- Heavier than the U.S. model
- Iconic
- Limitless options
- Frequently on sale
- None
Update: The Silver Sky SE is now regularly available on sale for £599, often cheaper than the Fender Player Stratocaster. This makes the Silver Sky an extremely attractive value proposition!
The Silver Sky SE, just like its U.S. counterpart, seems to have taken the guitar world by storm. Having launched in January, the waiting lists to preorder one are already several months long. It makes sense. The U.S.A. model is built with higher quality components and better attention to detail. It is 3 times the price, and doesn’t offer that much more in terms of specs.
The SE has a much cheaper poplar body, as opposed to the ash on the core model. This is actually a big deal because my favourite aspect of the core Silver Sky is its consistently light-weight (3.1kg/6.8lbs) and perfect balance. The SEs seem to vary a bit more but are around 3.4kg. This may not seem like a lot and may not even matter to you, but the SE lacks this big differentiator from its competitors, such as the Fender Stratocaster.
The pickups, while made in the East, sound almost identical, and should not be a reason to pick one guitar over the other. Playing comfort and fit and finish are fairly similar, although the fretwork is definitely nicer on the core model. The lack of locking tuners is a bit of a bummer, especially for professionals, requiring frequent restrings. It is understandable though, given the price difference.
The 8.5” fretboard radius could actually be a reason to pick up the SE over the core model. Personally, I really like the 7.25” radius on the core. When set up properly (and PRS make it very easy), playing chords is an absolute joy and bending on the higher frets rings out beautifully. That said, the 8.5” radius on the SE is more contemporary. It is more forgiving when setting up the action, and will feel more familiar to most players.
The price of the Silver Sky SE is a bit strange. In the U.S., you can pick one up for $849, exactly the same price as the Fender Player Stratocaster. They have similar specs and both come with compromises. The Silver Sky comes with a rosewood board and poplar body, while the Fender comes with a more traditional alter body and a choice of maple or Pau Ferro fingerboard. At this price, I would lean towards the Silver Sky, because vintage-inspired S-type guitars are rare at this price point and PRS tend to have better QC, fit and finish. The John Mayer name could also sway you in either direction. Fender, on the other hand, comes with more options and will be the obvious choice if you prefer an HSS guitar.
The UK and Europe is where it gets very imbalanced. In the UK, the Silver Sky SE retails for £895 and comes with a 2-month waiting list. A Fender Player Strat sells for £719 and can be regularly found on sale for £569. European prices have a similar discrepancy. It is very hard to recommend the Silver Sky SE over the Fender at this price point! Even the Nick Johnston Stratocaster (a much more contemporary approach to the S body shape) sells for £800 and comes with SSS and HSS configurations.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, if you are in the U.S, the Silver Sky is a very good contender to replace the Fender Player Stratocaster in your arsenal; but if you are in Europe or Asia, the 50% premium you have to pay for it just isn’t worth it. This is nothing new though, there is a similar discrepancy when comparing the PRS S2 594 to a Gibson Les Paul.