PRS McCarty owners(current or former,) opinion?

[Big Twang Theory]

So I'm looking at buying a PRS McCarty. I've been trying to get that creamy, thicker tone. Have mostly teles, couple of strats, a gretsch and a Heritage 535. A couple of years ago I was able to buy my dream guitar, the Heritage. I've wanted since I first started playing guitar 30 some years ago. Looked at Gibsons as well, but the Heritage blew away all the 335s. It is without a doubt the best sounding guitar I have ever owned or played. Unfortunately, I just can't deal with the ergonomics of playing it. Having played fender guitars almost exclusively all these years, it just feels so foreign and uncomfortable.

Which brings me to my solution. How about a PRS Mccarty? I owned an SE model custom 22 semi-hollow and enjoyed that guitar. Only sold it to my brother and band mate, because he was looking to play an electric in our band. Since he mostly plays fingerstyle nylon strings, the wider neck on this guitar was the one he felt most comfortable playing.
Played a gig last night, and our bass player wanted me to try out her new Les Paul. And man, it really drove home how much I love that fat, creamy sound. Same thing the ergonomics were all wrong, but it sounded amazing.

So I think I will go for a PRS Mccarty. The ergonomics are at least in the ballpark of fender style guitars, obviously not the same, but close enough. And some of the older models on Reverb are not crazy expensive. Like many folks, I can't stand the "blingy" finishes on a lot of PRS's. But there are enough either subtle amber or sunburst finishes or even a goldtop that it shouldn't be an issue.

So if you own or have owned a Mccarty, what are your thoughts? Which pickups did you like best? Should I go for one with the wrap-around tailpiece or the one with the adjustable saddles? I know lots of folks just can't stand these guitars and would never buy one, I get that. But I'm only looking for the opinions of those who have at least tried them. Thanks in advance for your help!

Cheers,
Cody

 

[thunderbyrd]

i had a 535. i think it was probably the best guitar i ever owned - but i am a strat guy. so i sold the heritage. but i will point out this: before you get rid of the 535, put a strap button on the top bout. it might make all the difference for you in the feel.

but as far as the mccarty, it will not sound like the heritage much at all. it's a fatter sort of thing. somewhat like a les paul, but it's it's own thing. i haven't owned one, but i've played some and i wasn't sold on them.

 

[Big Twang Theory]

i had a 535. i think it was probably the best guitar i ever owned - but i am a strat guy. so i sold the heritage. but i will point out this: before you get rid of the 535, put a strap button on the top bout. it might make all the difference for you in the feel.

but as far as the mccarty, it will not sound like the heritage much at all. it's a fatter sort of thing. somewhat like a les paul, but it's it's own thing. i haven't owned one, but i've played some and i wasn't sold on them.

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I realize it won't sound like the 535. Not trying to get THAT sound per se. Just something beefier, that's at least in the ballpark of a LP, or 335. PRS's are definitely their own thing. But it's closer to that sound than any of my teles, even ones I have with PAFs.

 

[Jakedog]

Play one first. That’s my advice. I’m a huge fan, but they are different from a Custom 22 or 24. The body is a little chunkier, and the wrap tail bridge makes it different ergonomically than a Custom, which does feel a little closer to Fender territory.

My suggestion might be a DGT if you want to go this route. The new SE version looks like a huge bang for the buck, but I know I’d have to have a core model. David Grissom was instrumental in the development of the McCarty model, and his signature DGT refined it and took it next level.

The DGT is in my top 3 dream guitars. I absolutely love the McCarty, but I think due to the bridge geometry and slightly thicker body you might end up with some of the same issues you have with a Les Paul.

 

[thunderbyrd]

i'd really like to play one of the new Robben Ford models.

 

[Big Twang Theory]

Play one first. That’s my advice. I’m a huge fan, but they are different from a Custom 22 or 24. The body is a little chunkier, and the wrap tail bridge makes it different ergonomically than a Custom, which does feel a little closer to Fender territory.

My suggestion might be a DGT if you want to go this route. The new SE version looks like a huge bang for the buck, but I know I’d have to have a core model. David Grissom was instrumental in the development of the McCarty model, and his signature DGT refined it and took it next level.

The DGT is in my top 3 dream guitars. I absolutely love the McCarty, but I think due to the bridge geometry and slightly thicker body you might end up with some of the same issues you have with a Les Paul.

I have played one, very briefly. And the ergonomics were fine. My issue is more with just how huge the 535 is, width wise. The LP was a better fit, but prefer the slightly larger scale length on the PRS. Definitely open to a DGT! I'm on the pre-sale list with Sweetwater, but they said it won't ship until summer. And used McCartys are way cheaper. So I think the plan is to find a reasonable used McCarty and then try the SE DGT when it comes out. If I find I CLEARLY like it better, I can sell both for a Core DGT.

 

[Jakedog]

I have played one, very briefly. And the ergonomics were fine. My issue is more with just how huge the 535 is, width wise. The LP was a better fit, but prefer the slightly larger scale length on the PRS. Definitely open to a DGT! I'm on the pre-sale list with Sweetwater, but they said it won't ship until summer. And used McCartys are way cheaper. So I think the plan is to find a reasonable used McCarty and then try the SE DGT when it comes out. If I find I CLEARLY like it better, I can sell both for a Core DGT.

I like the way you think.

 

[teletimetx]

Had a '95 McCarty (maybe it was a '99?). Rosewood neck and fretboard. Beautiful guitar, super well made. Humbuckers with split coil push pull knob.

The neck was perfect, really. Just didn't care for the humbuckers, they just were ok (to my ears), and the single coil sound available seemed even less ok. Don't remember the specific humbuckers that PRS had in the guitar, it was a standard McCarty model for '95, other than the rosewood neck - which was East Indian rosewood, not the full Brazilian...

At the time, I was very enamored of Fender single coil clarity. I traded the McCarty for another guitar, before the dreaded plague arrived, but got more than I paid for it...life goes on. But no doubt PRS guitars are well made.

found a picture...

 

[CCK1]

Never owned one, but I can tell you this. Around 1996 I was traveling for work, had some down time, and there was a GC across from the hotel. I went in and played a beautiful McCarty wrap tail with P-90's. I bonded with this guitar from the first note! Whole step, and larger bends just seemed to know where to stop, it just felt right.
It was the only time I've ever had to just force myself to put the guitar back on the stand, and walk out of the store before I bought it. At that point in my life I could afford a $4000 guitar about as well as I could afford a new Bentley. They're great guitars!

 

[Big Twang Theory]

Had a '95 McCarty (maybe it was a '99?). Rosewood neck and fretboard. Beautiful guitar, super well made. Humbuckers with split coil push pull knob.

The neck was perfect, really. Just didn't care for the humbuckers, they just were ok (to my ears), and the single coil sound available seemed even less ok. Don't remember the specific humbuckers that PRS had in the guitar, it was a standard McCarty model for '95, other than the rosewood neck - which was East Indian rosewood, not the full Brazilian...

At the time, I was very enamored of Fender single coil clarity. I traded the McCarty for another guitar, before the dreaded plague arrived, but got more than I paid for it...life goes on. But no doubt PRS guitars are well made.

found a picture...

View attachment 1075796

That's a great looking guitar! Exactly what I'm going for. Tasteful and not too blingy. How was the intonation on the wrap-around tailpiece?

 

[AAT65]

I have played a couple of McCartys and I found them very comfortable indeed. However I only really liked them in single-coil mode… but maybe that says more about me than about the guitars. My favourite pickups these days are definitely single coils. I didn’t feel justified in buying a nice double-humbucker guitar just to use it in single-coil mode almost all the time.
The McCarty has a very nice simple control layout. The 408 / Paul’s Guitar variant (with two mini-switches to split the pickups independently) is more flexible without adding much complexity but I think the McCarty scheme gives you a very usable set of combinations.
I would not worry about intonation on the wraparound bridge - I have an SE245 with the old fixed wraparound (just adjustments at each end, fixed lightning-bolt pattern) and it intimates just fine.

 

[Peegoo]

Consider a Custom 22 hardtail. It's basically a McCarty with a slightly thinner body. Instead of 40mm thick, it's 35mm thick.

There are older ones with ergos identical to the McCarty. I have three of 'em and they all do that thick singing tone with the right amp.

 

[NeverTooLate]

I am surely no expert but have you considered the Fender EVH Wolfgang Special, MiM, 1100-1300$?

If you don't want the Floyd Rose, how about a Player Telecaster with Di Marzio or SD pickups?

 

[Big Twang Theory]

I have played a couple of McCartys and I found them very comfortable indeed. However I only really liked them in single-coil mode… but maybe that says more about me than about the guitars. My favourite pickups these days are definitely single coils. I didn’t feel justified in buying a nice double-humbucker guitar just to use it in single-coil mode almost all the time.
The McCarty has a very nice simple control layout. The 408 / Paul’s Guitar variant (with two mini-switches to split the pickups independently) is more flexible without adding much complexity but I think the McCarty scheme gives you a very usable set of combinations.
I would not worry about intonation on the wraparound bridge - I have an SE245 with the old fixed wraparound (just adjustments at each end, fixed lightning-bolt pattern) and it intimates just fine.

Cool, good to hear about the intonation. And definitely agree about loving the coil splits in PRS models. It was the first coil split I ever heard that didn't sound like garbage. It's not the same as a true single coil sounds, but it's sooooo good and musical. I've done whole gigs on a split humbucker. FYI, what they do is add a resistor to the split, so it doesn't send the entire 2nd coil to ground. I've added that schematic to all my humbucker guitars.

 

[Big Twang Theory]

I am surely no expert but have you considered the Fender EVH Wolfgang Special, MiM, 1100-1300$?

If you don't want the Floyd Rose, how about a Player Telecaster with Di Marzio or SD pickups?

I've added dual humbuckers to a couple teles and a strat. They sound great, but not quite the same. My current favorite guitar is a pine partscaster with two Lindy Fralin Pure PAFs.

 

[teletimetx]

That's a great looking guitar! Exactly what I'm going for. Tasteful and not too blingy. How was the intonation on the wrap-around tailpiece?

Intonation was spot on, never a problem.

 

[gitold]

I have 2 McCarty’s, a 2003 plain jane with the original McCarty pickup’s and a 2021 with P90’s. I love the original PRS pickups in the 2003 McCarty. Sweet with out being muddy. I actually traded a Heritage 576 that had signed Seth Lovers for the McCarty and never looked back. The Heritage was just a mud fest and I wasn’t about to swap out signed Seth Lovers. I “looked” at the Heritage all the time but I “play” the McCarty. The soapbar McCarty was my Christmas present to myself last year. It’s a monster!

 

[Chicago Slim]

I'm a long time semi-hollow and PRS player. I've owned a Heritage H535, Gibson ES335, as well as several Ibanez and Epiphone semi's. I had a double cutaway core McCarty and a S2 McCarty Singlecut 594. I ended up selling the McCarty's and going to lighter, thinner more resonant Custom 22 models, with a tremolo. I like a sound that is closer to a semi-hollow than a Les Paul.

I advise that you try and compare the different models unplugged, to best hear the differences. The S2 models are very nice and can save you some cash if you are still unsure what you want. Good luck with your search.

S2 McCarty SC 594

S2 Custom 22

Core Custom 22

 

[tomasz]

I personally liked my PRS McCarthy's, but didn't care much for the pickups, they eventually got exchanged for a set of SD APH-2. Now I own a Singlecut from 2001, which is very similar to a McCarthy, but has the PRS #7 pickups. Neck on both is the wide fat, which is my preference. The body is thicker, than the customs for sure, so this my be a factor.

Recently I found the PRS SE Sindlecuts to be a great players. I have an SE Soapbar, with stock P90s, which after a short setup are perfect for my liking. Give those a spin if you find one around. I also prefer the SEs countouring to the Core models, they don't bite into your forearm.

Soundwise, the wraparound aluminum bridge will be different, then a tremolo. In my opinion it has a tad more bite and clarity, which may be a thing you may like or not. On some wraparound bridges I felt the need to replace the studs with tonepros locking ones, as they start tilting forward a bit with time, which may cause some sittaring.

Overall, all great options, and as Jakedog suggested, the best would be to play some, as they do differ

If you look at the DGT, bare in mind, it has a narrower neck than the usual PRS necks.

 

[Big Twang Theory]

Thanks everyone for chiming in so far. It's been most helpful!