Shane's take really showed a huge difference to me. That new bridge split is a huge improvement. The old seemed flimsy and jangly, and the new middle split position is lovely, better bass response and nice jangly high end. Sweet! Overall the new pickups seem better balanced; better bass response and a touch more meat while still keeping the jangle
Carlos Santana was the first artist I associated with PRS, though I am 40. My PRS is an SE DGT because it is the only SE model which has a neck I can use and humbuckers; the S2 Vela Semihollow, leaning gloss for the redburst, is the only other PRS that interests me.
First person I remember playing a PRS was Ted Nugent. It was white with zebra stripes. Then Alex Lifeson. At first I didn't know Ted's was a PRS; just thought it was a custom made guitar. Then in 1991 when I saw Rush on the Roll the Bones tour, Alex was playing a PRS which made me begin to ask around about these guitars. That was all pre-internet :) The Vela is a fantastic guitar. Both versions sound great, but I like the smoothness of tone in the new one-- and that neck pickup is crazy good! Great video!
This is really a great review. I love how you show three people who play really differently on both guitars. We can really get a sense of the sounds in many situations. That finger picked piece the 3rd play does is is really nice BTW.
Recently got the 2024 Semi Hollow Satin S2 Vela in Tobacco Sunburst. Sounds great and the Pattern Regular neck might be the most comfortable neck I've ever played. It's right there "neck and neck" (pun intended) with the PRS Pattern Thin neck. What's really nice about the Semi Hollow Vela is it's so LIGHT and it actually is pretty loud unplugged for noodling on the couch
Late to this video, but really enjoyed it. I have a number of PRS guitars, but still haven't picked up a Vela. I've played them and they do play amazingly. Some day. Not at the top of my list yet. Thanks for the video! Oh, and first PRS guitarist was Santana for me. My username says it all.
Thanks for putting this comparison together!! Great playing, too! I love my Vela Satin Semi-hollow. The newer one did have a nice lushness and fullness in the midrange to it. I wish PRS would make this pickup set available for those who already own a Vela. Fingers crossed.
Very glad you guys did this. As someone who's played every SE & S2 of the past 15 years but has yet to play a Core I've been super interested by the (no brainer, why wasn't this already a thing) upgrade to full fat PRS pups. That said this demo left me with mixed results. Some of the old sounded "better" some of the new, but mostly it's splitting hairs on a first listen. I'm still kinda hoping to stumble across that PRS that makes me "get it" TBD continues it seems.
I really love the style of this - I warmed up pretty recently to PRS style guitars after "not getting them" when I got a cheapish Harley Benton copy, and moreso when they came out with the new afford CE range, but this is definitely closer to the vibe of what I like in guitars :) Vaguely Rickenbacker like!
I’ve been eyeing a Vela for a while now. Need to get a Jaguar on principle alone first I guess tho lol What is that guitar piece Shane played during his comparison???
I prefer the old one. The new one sounds better but you can add any pickups you want and it will be cheaper than the new version. PRS pickups are more expensive than most boutique pickups for some reason. I can't say that I've ever loved PRS pickups. I put a Filtertron and a Firebird in my Vela. If I bought a new one today, I would still make those changes. I'd rather it cost a couple hundred dollars less so you could make it your own for the same price or cheaper. And I think dots look better on the all-mahogany guitars. They had a vibe to them. I hope they bring back the Starla and Mira.
That neck pickup on the 'old' Vela is weird - isn't it supposed to have the Type D that looks like a DeArmond? That's what came in my 2018 and 2019 Velas.
MAN Vela FOMO - I regret letting mine go. Both sound real nice. I do think the new one has a slight draw to me , the pickups sound a tad more refined. Kinda love the old dot inlays tho. TOUGH CALL!
I'm with you. The reason I tried the vela a few years ago was it didn't have birds. I kept it too and it's my number 1. New pups sound great but it's not a vela anymore. They should call it something else. Still a great guitar.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks guys - I appreciate the time and effort.
I like the sound of the new bridge and old new pickups. I'd buy old and switch the bridge out.
That was so good, maybe best guitar compairison ever.
Damn really wasn’t expecting to hear some King Krule. Played so well too. Thank you Shane!
Tia please start a band
Shane's take really showed a huge difference to me. That new bridge split is a huge improvement. The old seemed flimsy and jangly, and the new middle split position is lovely, better bass response and nice jangly high end. Sweet! Overall the new pickups seem better balanced; better bass response and a touch more meat while still keeping the jangle
Carlos Santana was the first artist I associated with PRS, though I am 40. My PRS is an SE DGT because it is the only SE model which has a neck I can use and humbuckers; the S2 Vela Semihollow, leaning gloss for the redburst, is the only other PRS that interests me.
Great rundown! I really want the new semi hollow version of this in satin white
First person I remember playing a PRS was Ted Nugent. It was white with zebra stripes. Then Alex Lifeson. At first I didn't know Ted's was a PRS; just thought it was a custom made guitar. Then in 1991 when I saw Rush on the Roll the Bones tour, Alex was playing a PRS which made me begin to ask around about these guitars. That was all pre-internet :) The Vela is a fantastic guitar. Both versions sound great, but I like the smoothness of tone in the new one-- and that neck pickup is crazy good! Great video!
Santana is the first PRS guitarist for me. That narrowfield is a pretty big change from the older pickup, but in a good way.
This is really a great review. I love how you show three people who play really differently on both guitars. We can really get a sense of the sounds in many situations. That finger picked piece the 3rd play does is is really nice BTW.
Very nice! Now we just need one with just those two neck pickups together. :)
DS stands for Dynasonic a famous Gretch pickup, the NF is a humbucker but Narrow Field hence the name .. very focused .
Recently got the 2024 Semi Hollow Satin S2 Vela in Tobacco Sunburst. Sounds great and the Pattern Regular neck might be the most comfortable neck I've ever played. It's right there "neck and neck" (pun intended) with the PRS Pattern Thin neck. What's really nice about the Semi Hollow Vela is it's so LIGHT and it actually is pretty loud unplugged for noodling on the couch
Late to this video, but really enjoyed it. I have a number of PRS guitars, but still haven't picked up a Vela. I've played them and they do play amazingly. Some day. Not at the top of my list yet.
Thanks for the video!
Oh, and first PRS guitarist was Santana for me. My username says it all.
The difference in the pickups and how they improved in the newer on the frequencies being picked up in a way that shines
Thanks for putting this comparison together!! Great playing, too!
I love my Vela Satin Semi-hollow.
The newer one did have a nice lushness and fullness in the midrange to it.
I wish PRS would make this pickup set available for those who already own a Vela. Fingers crossed.
Very glad you guys did this. As someone who's played every SE & S2 of the past 15 years but has yet to play a Core I've been super interested by the (no brainer, why wasn't this already a thing) upgrade to full fat PRS pups. That said this demo left me with mixed results. Some of the old sounded "better" some of the new, but mostly it's splitting hairs on a first listen. I'm still kinda hoping to stumble across that PRS that makes me "get it" TBD continues it seems.
I really love the style of this - I warmed up pretty recently to PRS style guitars after "not getting them" when I got a cheapish Harley Benton copy, and moreso when they came out with the new afford CE range, but this is definitely closer to the vibe of what I like in guitars :) Vaguely Rickenbacker like!
I’ve been eyeing a Vela for a while now. Need to get a Jaguar on principle alone first I guess tho lol What is that guitar piece Shane played during his comparison???
tremonti was the first person i saw play a prs
noice
I prefer the old one. The new one sounds better but you can add any pickups you want and it will be cheaper than the new version. PRS pickups are more expensive than most boutique pickups for some reason. I can't say that I've ever loved PRS pickups. I put a Filtertron and a Firebird in my Vela. If I bought a new one today, I would still make those changes. I'd rather it cost a couple hundred dollars less so you could make it your own for the same price or cheaper. And I think dots look better on the all-mahogany guitars. They had a vibe to them. I hope they bring back the Starla and Mira.
Thanks for the feedback 👍
Bought mine used, came with an Antiquity Firebird in the neck position - that pickup is heaven. So hi-fi yet thicc sounding in all the right spots.
I need to try one, ive been intrigued for a while... How is the neck thickness? I dont like anything too chunky.
it's *manageably chunky*
Easily the coolest looking PRS. If the Ramones had a PRS signature, this would be it. I can’t give higher praise than that.
It does kind of look like a reversed Mosrite, doesn't it? That's pretty cool, I hadn't noticed until you mentioned it.
That neck pickup on the 'old' Vela is weird - isn't it supposed to have the Type D that looks like a DeArmond? That's what came in my 2018 and 2019 Velas.
I was thinking the same thing , had to grab my vela to make sure
They changed in '22 to the single pole piece neck pickup
MAN Vela FOMO - I regret letting mine go. Both sound real nice. I do think the new one has a slight draw to me , the pickups sound a tad more refined. Kinda love the old dot inlays tho. TOUGH CALL!
Dude! If we could mix the new pickups with the old dot inlays! This would be 10/10 all day! You definitely should’ve kept yours!
Well I know they´re great guitars and I even like the design, but the birds? Nah, not for me
well, everyone finds their flock eventually
I'm with you. The reason I tried the vela a few years ago was it didn't have birds. I kept it too and it's my number 1. New pups sound great but it's not a vela anymore. They should call it something else. Still a great guitar.
Agree. There is a dots version though
Gee…I don’t know which is worse….
🤡🤡🤡