What's your opinion....PRS McCarty pickups in an LP??

I just got an Agile Dauntless which is an LP style guitar. Pretty nicely made and I know there is some tone in the thing but the SD Designed pickups are just holding this guitar hostage and refusing to let any good tone out. :neutral:

I ran into a musician buddy today who is willing to sell me a pair of PRS McCarty pickups for $100. They go for over $150 a piece here new!! So in one sense I can't loose even if I don't like them. But I'm hoping I like them.


I'm looking for warm, clear tones that can do a typical(?) jazz sound to slightly overdriven blues tones.

Here's an example of my ideal humbucker tone.

o9Ujm4HEXGc

So, any comments on the McCarty's. He tells me they're basically a PAF type p/u which is what I'm looking for. I don't want an overwound tone killer

Are they recommended??

Thanks.

For $100 give them a shot. I have an old set of Mccarty's (1995) in my 59 C.S. Les Paul and they are great to my ears. From warm tones to hotrods when driven so hold on!

For $100 give them a shot. I have an old set of Mccarty's (1995) in my 59 C.S. Les Paul and they are great to my ears. From warm tones to hotrods when driven so hold on!

Thanks.

I'm reading mixed reviews on the web but that's normal. I can try them out free of charge anyway so I guess it's not a big deal.

I've got a McCarty from 2000 which I bought just cos I liked the quilt top! I'm really into lightweight Teles, the Mac being quite heavy by comparison. The only thing stopping me selling the Mac is the sound - those pups are KILLER!!! You'll have no trouble replicating the tone on that Youtube clip. So versatile too - clean/ crunch/ downright dirty - it's all there in quality tone of the highest order. By now you mighta guessed - I like 'em!

I've got a McCarty from 2000 which I bought just cos I liked the quilt top! I'm really into lightweight Teles, the Mac being quite heavy by comparison. The only thing stopping me selling the Mac is the sound - those pups are KILLER!!! You'll have no trouble replicating the tone on that Youtube clip. So versatile too - clean/ crunch/ downright dirty - it's all there in quality tone of the highest order. By now you mighta guessed - I like 'em!

Cool. Thanks for the reply.
I think I'm going to call my friend today and give those p/u's a whirl. He thinks they're great pickups that not many people know about and I trust his judgment because he's a great player who always has good tone. He has another set of the McCarty's in one of his LP's.

And like I sez, I can turn around and sell them and make a few bucks if I don't like em but it sounds like I'll probably keep them.

I had a McCarty and tried the pickups in some Les Paul or another, I think in my Burny.

These pickups didn't sound any good in either.

Plus they are only splitable, not phase reversible. This is the wrong way round, splitting is useless IMHO, phase and series are where the music is.

I'd also look into upgrading the pots and using Hovland caps too. That may make more difference than the pickups.

I'd also look into upgrading the pots and using Hovland caps too. That may make more difference than the pickups.

No, you overrate this. At least with the pots at "10" or at comparable settings. Of course actively messing with them becomes nicer.

I'm going out the door right now to go pick them up. I'll get them installed in a bit and give my report on what I think of them.

I had a McCarty and tried the pickups in some Les Paul or another, I think in my Burny.

These pickups didn't sound any good in either.

Plus they are only splitable, not phase reversible. This is the wrong way round, splitting is useless IMHO, phase and series are where the music is.


I get to try them out for free so there's really no downside to this deal for me. I know not everyone likes them but that's only normal. I might not like them either once I hear them.

I have no interest in splitting them or other wiring options anyway. I'll just be running them straight up.


I'd also look into upgrading the pots and using Hovland caps too. That may make more difference than the pickups.

The pots are fine in this guitar. Their Alpha brand, full size.
I'm guessing you've never heard a Duncan Designed pickup before otherwise you'd know that there's just no way to make them sound good (in my experience at least).:neutral:

No idea re McCarty's, but tasty clip! Thanks for posting.

No idea re McCarty's, but tasty clip! Thanks for posting.

You're welcome. I recommend going to his YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/gregsguitars?blend=1&ob=4). It's worth a look and a listen. He's got almost 300!! videos of mostly high end, boutique and vintage guitars and gear. There's even the odd Squier in there. And he's a good player as well.

I'm just about to get started putting those McCartys in my guitar.