PRS S2 Custom 22 McCarty Sunburst 2021

This second hand electric guitar is in great condition

Includes original PRS soft case

The PRS S2 Custom 22 McCarty Sunburst (2021) is a superb example of Paul Reed Smith’s ability to deliver high-end American craftsmanship at a more accessible price point. Sitting between the SE range and the flagship Core models, the S2 series offers the feel and quality of a USA-built PRS while maintaining excellent value.

Design and Build Quality

The S2 Custom 22 features the classic PRS formula: a mahogany body topped with figured maple, paired with a set mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard with the iconic bird inlays. This combination gives the guitar its distinctive look and tonal balance. The McCarty Sunburst finish highlights the maple figuring beautifully, giving the instrument that unmistakable PRS elegance. 

With 22 frets and a 25-inch scale length, the guitar sits comfortably between Gibson and Fender designs, offering a familiar feel for most players. The Pattern Regular neck profile is comfortable and fast, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead work. 

Hardware is equally solid, with a PRS patented tremolo bridge and S2 locking tuners, providing excellent tuning stability and sustain. 

Tone and Electronics

The guitar is fitted with PRS 85/15 “S” humbuckers, which are designed to capture the clarity and dynamic response of PRS’s higher-end pickups while keeping the price more accessible. 

Tonally, the S2 Custom 22 delivers:

• Warm, rich mids from the mahogany body

• Sparkling highs from the maple top

• Excellent clarity and articulation, even with gain

A push/pull tone control splits the humbuckers, unlocking brighter single-coil-style tones and making the guitar surprisingly versatile for genres ranging from blues and classic rock to modern pop and indie.

Playability

PRS guitars are renowned for their effortless playability, and the S2 Custom 22 is no exception. The neck feels smooth and balanced, while the 22-fret layout places the neck pickup in a slightly sweeter tonal position compared to 24-fret models. The tremolo system allows expressive vibrato without sacrificing tuning stability.

Pros

• USA-built PRS craftsmanship

• Versatile 85/15 “S” pickups with coil split

• Comfortable Pattern Regular neck

• Striking McCarty Sunburst finish

Cons

• Gig bag rather than hard case

• Pickups may sound slightly more modern than vintage-voiced alternatives

The 2021 PRS S2 Custom 22 McCarty Sunburst is a beautifully built, highly versatile electric guitar. It captures much of the tone, feel, and aesthetic of PRS’s premium instruments while remaining more attainable. Whether used on stage, in the studio, or as a reliable everyday guitar, it offers exceptional performance and style. 

A refined, professional-level guitar that delivers classic PRS tone, versatility, and playability without the Core-series price tag.