A Brief History of the S2 Series

Meaning “Stevensville 2,” the S2 Series was originally named for a second manufacturing line that was created inside the PRS Stevensville, Maryland shop back in 2013. Designed to be a mid-tier bridge between the SE Series and Core models, the S2 Series began with three models: the S2 Mira, S2 Starla, and the S2 Custom 24. To offer these guitars at a more affordable price point, some changes had to be made to their materials and manufacturing processes – without sacrificing a quality instrument that musicians would enjoy on the stage and in the studio.

Developing the S2 Series was a company-wide effort. From supply chain and engineering to production, sales, and marketing, we all had to rethink how we did things. Some of the results of those conversations are the S2’s asymmetrical beveled top carve and scarfed neck, which save manufacturing time and allow us to start with a smaller dimension of wood. The S2 Series also started with pickups and electronics made in Korea, but after the 10th Anniversary year of the series, we updated all S2 models to feature Maryland-made pickups and electronics.   Playability, stability, and intonation are just a few core tenets to a great guitar, and the S2 Series checks each of these boxes and has only continued to excel since its inception in 2013.

Today, there are more than ten S2 models for players to choose from, and we have fully integrated the S2 Series into the same production line as PRS Core and Bolt-On instruments. Still, the signature of the S2 Series remains fresh designs and bold tone for serious players.

You can take a better look at the more modern construction of the S2 Series in the video below, or explore the full history of S2 here!