2020 McCarty Trem WL

[László]

I bought a 2020 McCarty Trem Wood Library model from Jack Gretz. My goodness, it's great.

Because I've been shut in an awfull lot since COVID, I hadn't previously tried the 2020 with the CAB finish and the TCI pickups. Well, now I have one, and I'm a believer in both advances at this point.

The guitar is every bit the tonal equal of my Private Stocks (that also have nitro finishes). It sounds vintage, but clear, articulate, and just so good it's hard to believe. Reminds me in SO many ways of the general tonality of guitars I grew up with in the '60s, yet with a modern sensibility and feel. A good example is that it's still nice and articulate in the treble range when the volume control is turned down. Few vintage guitars can do that. And of course, it has the PRS feel.

Because it's a Trem-equipped guitar, it has the traditional PRS composite nut and Phase III lockers instead of the vintage tuners and bone nut. I think it sounds killer regardless. You should hear it with my HXDA. I'll post a clip at some point. It sounds great with all of my amps, but the HXDA is my favorite.

Couldn't be happier. Everyone needs to play one of these, if only to hear what the TCI, the finish, and whatever other tweaks Paul and Team dreamed up, can do for our tone.

 

[bodia]

Happy NGD, Les. These 2020s sure are special. Oh yeah, nice to see ya!

 

[Tahlee]

Congrats! I’d love to see a picture of it, please.

 

[Straight_six]

Sounds like a killer guitar; I'd love to see some pics!

 

[jxe]

nice try noob, come back when you have pics.

 

[Iceman101]

Hey Les,welcome back. Forgot how to post pixs?

 

[bodia]

nice try noob, come back when you have pics.

Bwahahahahahahaha

 

[dogrocketp]

Welcome back! Can't wait for pics and a soundclip.

 

[László]

Here’s a pic. My studio doesn’t have great lighting, the guitar looks really nice in person.

 

[László]

nice try noob, come back when you have pics.

Heh. Well, you know...

Here’s Jack’s pic of the back. The neck looks kinda like maple, but it’s actually mahogany. I forgot to mention that the fretboard is BRW, and I think that’s another influence on the tone.

 

[RickP]

Here’s a pic. My studio doesn’t have great lighting, the guitar looks really nice in person.

Wow, Les... beautiful! You like making an entrance. Great to see you, I’ve missed your insights!

 

[Iceman101]

outstanding my friend

 

[Straight_six]

Beautiful!

 

[WEDGE]

Welcome home.......nice guitar

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Here’s a pic. My studio doesn’t have great lighting, the guitar looks really nice in person.

Heh. Well, you know...

Here’s Jack’s pic of the back. The neck looks kinda like maple, but it’s actually mahogany. I forgot to mention that the fretboard is BRW, and I think that’s another influence on the tone.

Carve your name on that!!! Sofaking Bangin’!

 

[László]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

From the moment I strapped it on and plugged it in (I'll pause here for the obligatory porn jokes), I felt, "This is IT."

It's one of those player's guitars that's simply 100% 'right' for my playing style and sonic tastes. Props to PRS for exceeding expectations - again!

 

[Andrew Paul]

I bought a 2020 McCarty Trem Wood Library model from Jack Gretz. My goodness, it's great.

Because I've been shut in an awfull lot since COVID, I hadn't previously tried the 2020 with the CAB finish and the TCI pickups. Well, now I have one, and I'm a believer in both advances at this point.

The guitar is every bit the tonal equal of my Private Stocks (that also have nitro finishes). It sounds vintage, but clear, articulate, and just so good it's hard to believe. Reminds me in SO many ways of the general tonality of guitars I grew up with in the '60s, yet with a modern sensibility and feel. A good example is that it's still nice and articulate in the treble range when the volume control is turned down. Few vintage guitars can do that. And of course, it has the PRS feel.

Because it's a Trem-equipped guitar, it has the traditional PRS composite nut and Phase III lockers instead of the vintage tuners and bone nut. However, I think it sounds killer regardless. You should hear it with my HXDA. I'll post a clip at some point. It sounds great with all of my amps, but the HXDA is my favorite.

Couldn't be happier. Everyone needs to play one of these, if only to hear what the TCI, finish, and whatever other tweaks Paul and Team dreamed up, can do for our tone.

Here’s a pic. My studio doesn’t have great lighting, the guitar looks really nice in person.

Heh. Well, you know...

Here’s Jack’s pic of the back. The neck looks kinda like maple, but it’s actually mahogany. I forgot to mention that the fretboard is BRW, and I think that’s another influence on the tone.

Wow! Les that one is a beauty! Huge congrats. Curious you mentioned it has the composite nut not a bone, do you prefer a bone not and why? My MEV’s I have bone nuts so does my Paul’s Guitars and in my head I think I would prefer the PRS composite nUT but I’m not going to change them.

 

[Andrew Paul]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.

From the moment I strapped it on and plugged it in (I'll pause here for the obligatory porn jokes), I felt, "This is IT."

It's one of those player's guitars that's simply 100% 'right' for my playing style and sonic tastes. Props to PRS for exceeding expectations - again!

Exactly how I feel with the MEV’s and the TCI Paul’s Guitars. Just fits my playing like a glove.

 

[László]

Curious you mentioned it has the composite nut not a bone, do you prefer a bone not and why?

I have no preference. Just wanted to say the departure from current McCarty spec didn't bother me.

Half mine have bone, the other half have composite. I'm sure each has its pros and cons, but I wouldn't change a thing on any of them.

Exactly how I feel with the MEV’s and the TCI Paul’s Guitars. Just fits my playing like a glove.

You bet! Those guitars look like winners to me.

 

[RedGuitars]

These are wonderful. I had one for about five minutes and then got laid off...