PRS SE Silver Sky Maple - Overview and Best Prices

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Review
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  • 4 Prices - New from $707.22 >
  • From PRS's 2024 SE series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 8.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: 635JM “S” (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: 635JM “S” (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: 635JM “S” (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 2-Point Steel Tremolo bridge
  • 635JM Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Weight between 7.063lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.688lbs (3.5kgs)
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Specs
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Specifications
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
General
Brand: PRS
Year: 2024
Configuration: SSS
Strings: 6
Made in: Indonesia
Series: SE
Colors: Black, Blue, Purple
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar
Bridge: 2-Point Steel Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Maple
Neck Material: Maple
Decoration: Small Birds
Scale Size: 25.5"
Shape: 635JM
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.846'' (21.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.949'' (24.1mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 8.5"
Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 41.7mm (1.641'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5
Knobs: Bell
Volume Controls: 1
Tone Controls: 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Nickel
Show Diagram
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's switch options

Our Scores and Tone Evaluation

Playability 70
Sound 74
Build quality 60
Value for money 73
Overall Score 68
Tone Evaluation
  • Heavy Metal
  • Hard Rock
  • Jazz
  • Blues
  • Funk
  • Country
Strengths & Weaknesses
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Price Overview

Its average competitor's price is $720, which means that the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple is within the average price asked for this kind of guitar. This takes into account all instruments of the same category in our database with 6 strings and Tremolo bridge that are made in Indonesia.

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User Reviews & Feedback

Not all instruments are created equally. That's why it's important to have different opinions. Here's what our users who have played this instrument say. If you've played it before, help others by voting below!

Weight

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Tuning stability

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Neck speed (thickness)

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Neck access to high frets

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Neck profile shape

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Fret edges

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Pickups noise

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Pickups power

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Hand Size Comfortability

After taking into account the neck profile, scale size, fretboard radius, and nut width, we can conclude that the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's construction favors people with relatively big hands.

Nevertheless, this comes down in the end to personal preference. Make sure you test this guitar—or another one with similar characteristics—before buying.

Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, which means that it's not bad for beginners, but it could be better. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players to get used to.

New Player Friendliness

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners

Videos

The SE Silver Sky Maple | Demo | PRS Guitars
New 2023 PRS John Mayer SE Silver Sky Guitars - Maple vs Rosewood Blindfold Shootout!
John Mayer PRS Silver Sky SE Maple REVIEW - My First Choice?
No Talking...Just Tones | PRS SE John Mayer Silver Sky Maple - Nylon Blue
No Talking...Just Tones | PRS SE Signature | SE John Mayer Silver Sky Maple - Overland Grey
FINGERBOARD battle: PRS Silver Sky SE Maple vs. Rosewood | Hear the difference
The SE Silver Sky | John Mayer Model | PRS Guitars
Just.. | PRS SE 2023 John Mayer Sig ‘Silver Sky’ Demo
【日本語字幕付き】The SE Silver Sky Maple | Demo | PRS Guitars
NEW John Mayer PRS SE Silver Sky Maple | The Maple Neck Has Arrived!

How Lightweight is it?

We found that the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple weighs between 7.063lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.688lbs (3.5kgs). This was recorded from some online retailers that publish the weight of the instruments they sell.

Playability

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance the strings will span between the bridge and the nut. It can tell you a lot about the overall playability and tone of the instrument. A longer scale length means longer distance between frets, brighter tone and more string tension—which means lower action, but more difficult bending of the strings.

Here's the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's 25.5" scale length compared to other common sizes:

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Scale Length Comparison
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's scale length (at the top) compared to other popular sizes

This is the same scale length used in Stratocaster guitars, and it's one of the main reasons they have such a bright sound. It's considered a long scale when compared to most non-baritone guitars.

Since the distance between bridge and nut is relatively long, you'll need to give the strings more tension to get them in tune. This higher tension will allow for a couple of things. First, you can get a lower action (get the strings closer to the fretboard) because the strings won't 'wiggle' too much when pluck and won't cause fret buzz. This can allow you to use lower tunings without increasing your string gauge, and it will make it easier to press down the strings fast.

However, the frets will also have a wider separation between each other, which can make it harder to play, especially if you got small hands. The higher tension will also make the strings feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength.

More with the same scale length:

Neck Profile

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Neck Profile
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's neck profile

The neck profile tells you the thickness (neck depth) and shape in cross section. Every difference will completely change the feeling and comfortability of the neck. This is a highly subjective thing, but most players indeed prefer certain types of necks (like Cs and Ds) because they feel nice in most hands.

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's neck thickness is approximately 0.846'' (21.5mm) at the first fret, and 0.949'' (24.1mm) at the twelfth.

These measurements were taken either from the official PRS website, or, in case this information wasn't provided, by researching multiple online marketplaces and forums where owners of this model have posted their measurements.

It has a Vintage type neck. This is a type of vintage neck, so it's thick and has a wider grip than most modern guitars. This is a very particular type of neck that usually only people with a specific taste for vintage guitars will like. We recommend you try this in person before buying if it's your first vintage neck. You might end up absolutely loving it or hating it.

Fretboard Radius

When it comes to fingerboard radius, personal preference will dictate which one is better for you. However, most people seem to agree that a more curved (lower) radius will make it easier to play chords while a less curved (higher) radius is better for soloing and bending.

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has a 8.5" fingerboard radius.

Here's an image comparing this fretboard radius to other popular choices:

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Fretboard Radius Comparison with Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's fretboard radius compared to others

It's a particular radius made to be very similar to a vintage Stratocaster profile, but with a slightly more modern feel. It's comfortable for playing chords, but you can still bend strings without fretting out like on more curved vintage fretboards.

Compound radius fingerboards give the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has the same radius across the board.

Playability compared to main competitors

25.5'' Scale Length
Vintage Neck Profile
1.641'' Nut Width
8.5'' Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
14'' Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
C Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
14'' Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
D Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
Compound Fretboard Radius
25.5'' Scale Length
D Neck Profile
1.654'' Nut Width
Compound Fretboard Radius

Nut Width

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Nut Width
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Nut Width

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has a nut width of 41.7mm (1.641''). This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Frets

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has 22 frets. Even though 24 frets has become really popular, there's still a good reason to get fewer frets; the pickup at the neck position will be further away from the bridge. This makes the neck pickup achieve a warmer tone. You might want this if you're playing Jazz or similar genres.

However, if you don't care about the warmer neck pickup, more frets will always be better. It's always nice to have the option to play higher notes if you want to.

It comes with nickel silver frets, so they won't last as long as stainless steel frets. If you use your instrument a lot, you might need to replace the frets after a few years. But this is unlikely as most people change instruments before this happens.

More with the same amount of frets:

Fret Size

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Fret Size Comparison
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's fret size (in orange) compared to other popular sizes

Finally, let's talk about fret size. Some people prefer tall frets because it's easier to press the strings and perform bends since there's less friction against the fretboard. On the other hand, some people like shorter frets because they like to touch the fretboard when playing, or because they got heavy hands and tend to press too much on the string and alter the of the note pitch accidently.

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's frets are Medium Jumbo size. These sit somewhere between a Jumbo and a Medium fret. They're not quite as tall as a full Jumbo, so you'll still feel the fretboard, but you won't feel it as much as with medium frets. This is a good size if you want to make it easy to press the strings but would also like a little bit of ''feedback'' to know when to stop pressing so the notes don't go out of pitch.

More with the same type of frets:

Playability Score

Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 100
Solo Playability 50
Playability 70

Tone

Wood will have little influence in the final tone of an electric guitar or bass. Instead, the hardware, especially the pickups, will be the most important thing to look at. Bur first, let's see the quality of the wood.

Wood

Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar Body
Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple Neck, Fretboard

Poplar Body: It's similar to Alder in terms of tone as it has a fat low-end with strong mids, but it's a lot cheaper and softer. It's a bit heavier so it's mostly used for tops.

Maple Neck and Fretboard: This is one of the most popular types of wood used in all kinds of guitars. It's heavy, strong and compact, which makes it great for necks. However, it's also used for fretboards, bodies and tops due to its light color, resistance and beautiful patterns. When it comes to tone, it highlights the mid and high frequencies.

Pickups

This guitar comes with pickups from one of the top brands: PRS. So you can expect well built pickups with great sound that shouldn't need an upgrade anytime soon.

These are passive pickups, so you can expect a rounder sound and a moderade level of output.

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's configuration is SSS. This is the pickup configuration made famous by the Stratocaster. It gives you beautiful clean tones, but also a vintage-sounding distortion. This pickup combination will sound chimey, but you might be surprised at the warmness that you can get from a single-coil at the neck position on a 22-fret guitar. The disadvantage of this configuration is the hum noise that single-coils produce due to their nature.

Versatility

It gives you a good amount of tone options with its 5-way switch. You can use it to choose at least 5 different pickup combinations.

Unfortunately, it doesn't come with more options for coil split or coil tapping. This makes it less versatile than some competitors.

What music genre is it good for?

As a 6 strings, Solid Body guitar with SSS configuration and Passive pickups, we'd recommend it for genres like Funk or similar. However, you can use almost any guitar for any genre. This is just the typical type of music for this particular one.

Sound Score

Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 74

Build Quality

Country of Origin

Knowing where the instrument is produced is a good way to know how well it's built. Some manufacturing countries are known for having higher quality standards. For example, most expensive instruments are made in the US or Japan, but there are some exceptionally great countries—like South Korea—that are building a good reputation.

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple is made in Indonesia. Many people prefer the quality of an Indonesian guitar over a Chinese. Respectable brands like Epiphone, Ibanez and Schecter are building in this country because of the great quality and lower price. Some people like to compare them to the ones built in Japan during the 80s, when Japanese guitar makers made a name for themselves.

Bridge

2-Point Steel Tremolo: This type of bridge allows you to change the pitch of the notes by pulling the bridge with the attached bar, which gives you better versatility. Also, since the bridge is not fixed to the guitar body, the bridge will move as you bend the strings. So you'll have to increase the distance of your bends to reach the same tension (note) compared to a fixed bridge. This allows you to perform smoother bends but will also make you slower. Finally, remember that this type of bridge requires a bit more maintenance than fixed ones, especially when changing strings.

More with the same type of bridge:

Nut Material

Another important thing to analyze is the nut material, as it's one of the most important aspects that can affect the sound and playability of your guitar. A well-cut nut will make sure it stays in tune and will make it more comfortable to play.

In this case, the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has a Synthetic Bone nut. One of the best nuts you can have is a Bone nut thanks to their rich tonality and resistance. The problem is that they're a natural material, so different bone nuts will have inconsistent tonal properties. In other words, one bone nut might not sound as well as the other even when they're made from the same piece. Synthetic bone helps with this by giving you a high-quality, consistent nut that resembles the tone produced by bone.

Neck Joint

The neck joint is the part where the neck of the guitar meets the body. There are three main techniques to attach both parts together: Set-In, Bolt-On and Neck-Through. The latter two provide different advantages, although neck-throughs are the most expensive.

This guitar has a Bolt-On neck joint. Even though this type of neck was looked down upon for a long time, nowadays bolt-on necks are well built and provide just as much sustain as any other join method. First of all, it's cheap to make because it consists of simply 4 bolts that attach the neck to the body. And you can travel with the guitar more easily, swap out the neck if you damage it, or upgrade to a more comfortable neck later on.

More with the same build:

Build Quality Score

Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 60