Having Second Thoughts on McCarty 594

[JJDon]

So previously I made a few threads about purchasing a McCarty 594 double cutaway which I ended up buying. I played several extensively in the store to compare them to the Custom 24. I was primarily looking for a PRS with a stoptail so I could downtune easily. I wanted something close to my 2016 CE24 with a stoptail. Now after playing it through my Axe FX II for a bit, I dont think the pickups are high enough output for me. The other problem is I already have a Les Paul Traditional so it doesn't do anything new over it, and my CE24 is much better for harder rock/metal.

I do love the neck, but after playing the Custom 24 and liking that neck as well, so you think it's worth it to just sell or return the McCarty 594 for a Custom 24 and try to fix the bridge? I think my favorite PRS pickups are the 85/15s, so its hard to to from that to the 58/15 LTs in the 594. The Custom 24 I'm looking at has the 85/15 TCIs, so not sure how much that would change the sound?

 

[bodia]

Why not just put some hotter pick ups in it? I played a forum brother's SC594 that he put a set of Suhr Doug Aldrich pick ups in.It was glorious!

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I’d return it and get like, a used Limited Edition Signature with a Tune-o-matic or like, a used KL 1812, or a... there’s lots of PRS models that might be a better fit for you with 594 money.

 

[88prs]

Are you still within your return window so you don't take a beating? if so, I prefer my CU24 also, but if not ,might be better to swap PUPs.

 

[jxe]

what does the custom24 offer over the ce24 for your purposes?

 

[bluenova]

Tremonti baritone?

 

[Victek]

I do love the neck, but after playing the Custom 24 and liking that neck as well, so you think it's worth it to just sell or return the McCarty 594 for a Custom 24 and try to fix the bridge?

FYI it's easy to block the floating bridge. I did this on my custom 24 SE since I don't use the whammy bar and it stays in tune much better. There are vids on YouTube about how to do it. There's also a gadget called a Tremol-No.

https://www.tremol-no.com/

 

[GADonis]

Can you put a boost pedal in front of the amp? Either an actual pedal or one "built" in to the Axe FX. That might get where you want to be. Even just a slight amount of boost can make a huge difference.

 

[RickP]

Can you put a boost pedal in front of the amp? Either an actual pedal or one "built" in to the Axe FX. That might get where you want to be. Even just a slight amount of boost can make a huge difference.

This ^^^

I’ve been gigging Axe a Fx units since 2011, starting with the Ultra and every unit between to my current AFX III. There isn’t a rig made where it’s easier to boost the incoming signal than an Axe Fx. Either using the input, or adding a null filter before the amp block, it’s a breeze to not only bring low output pickups up, but to also balance between two guitars with dramatically different outputs.

If you like the way the guitar plays, there’s no reason to change. If you don’t like the sound of the pickups, as noted... it’s an easy swap. Sounds to me like you’re already in the driver seat!

 

[Rider1260]

Not enough gain is more about not enough gain at your amp these days.
Having just played a fair batch of 594s they will do whatever you need with the right settings. I found the early 58/15LT pickups underwhelming , the new ones I played have me tempted , but I have also been lowering the output of my pickups and playing single coils more again so the gain of my amps is far higher than it has been in a LONG time.
The CU24 and the 594 are two different worlds to be honest if you were not 100% sold on the 594 I would look for something with a wraparound bridge like a Pauls guitar betting it would sound killer tuned down.

 

[eliju]

Don’t forget you can also tweak the input EQ in addition to boosting the signal in various ways. This can help you focus your low end if you’re down tuning and playing with lots of gain. Might help get you closer to where you wanna be.

 

[Dirty_Boogie]

Not enough gain is more about not enough gain at your amp these days..

Not exactly, in my experience. I have a CU22 with 85/15's and a McCarty with 58/15's. I use both with my Mesa Mark V:25 (which has more than enough gain), and the McCarty still sounds more vintage and with less bight and cut than when using the CU22. Even if I max the gain on the "Extreme" channel, you can still hear a difference, or put a boost in front - the character of the pickups is still different - more than just going crazy with the amount of gain. So for me, McCarty for classic rock and blues; CU2 for hard rock and metal. I can definitely relate to what the OP has found.

 

[88prs]

I'm lucky enough to be 20 minutes away from Wildwood which is hard on my checkbook. After playing this...... 594's rock.

https://wildwoodguitars.com/product/200296886/mccarty-sc594-10-top-2/?cat_id=32

ATC!

 

[László]

Everyone has their own take on the subject of pickups. They're certainly easy to swap out, but I like the idea of a boost pedal, and use one myself (I also have a CU24 and other models besides the 594).

I can get by with one PRS, but I've become something of a guitar slattern, so for the last few years, I've sported several.

 

[JJDon]

what does the custom24 offer over the ce24 for your purposes?

With multiple guitars I could have different timings rather than always having to tune up or down. I also like the feel and size of the CE24, but I do like the slight larger neck feel of the Custom 24 compared to the CE24. Sometimes the CE24 feels too cramped on my hands. Only thing I dont like about the Custom 24 vs. CE24 is the 5 way control toggle vs. the 3 way switch. I think I may also prefer the feel of the term bridge, even if I dont use it with the whammy bar, more than the 2 piece bridge of the 594 which isnt quite like a Les Paul's.

 

[JJDon]

Not exactly, in my experience. I have a CU22 with 85/15's and a McCarty with 58/15's. I use both with my Mesa Mark V:25 (which has more than enough gain), and the McCarty still sounds more vintage and with less bight and cut than when using the CU22. Even if I max the gain on the "Extreme" channel, you can still hear a difference, or put a boost in front - the character of the pickups is still different - more than just going crazy with the amount of gain. So for me, McCarty for classic rock and blues; CU2 for hard rock and metal. I can definitely relate to what the OP has found.

Yea, you can definitely notice a difference as you say with the 85/15s vs. the 58/15s even boosted. I think for the style of music I play, the 58/15s just have a weird "clean" sound with a boost or overdrive pedal in front of them.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I can get by with one PRS, but I've become something of a guitar slattern, so for the last few years, I've sported several.

That’s because you fell into a bad crowd.

 

[jxe]

With multiple guitars I could have different timings rather than always having to tune up or down. I also like the feel and size of the CE24, but I do like the slight larger neck feel of the Custom 24 compared to the CE24. Sometimes the CE24 feels too cramped on my hands. Only thing I dont like about the Custom 24 vs. CE24 is the 5 way control toggle vs. the 3 way switch. I think I may also prefer the feel of the term bridge, even if I dont use it with the whammy bar, more than the 2 piece bridge of the 594 which isnt quite like a Les Paul's.

sounds like the ce may be the ibanez rg of my dreems.

 

[Mozzi]

The other problem is I already have a Les Paul Traditional so it doesn't do anything new over it

I would say that the 594 offers more than a LP Traditional - for a start it has Coil Splitting and, if you bought an 'older' model, locking tuners. They are better made in general and more stable too - but I know you can find some Gibson's with no/minimal fit and finish issues that hold tune well.

The Custom 24 is a bit hotter in the Pups but its also a different instrument. Its certainly more modern as well as being thinner in the body, longer scale length, different neck (comes in Pattern Thin and Pattern Regular so you may want to check which, if any, you prefer) and trem - although they have done stop tail versions in the past. The sound will also be different - even if you had the same Pups as the neck Pick up is closer to the bridge on the Cu24 - not as much separation between the two Pups.

I own both a Cu24 and 594 (as well as a couple of other PRS's) and like them both because they are 'different'. If you want a 'hot' PRS, then maybe look at the Tremonti or Cu24 Floyd - both have hot bridge Pups around 15k. The 85/15's maybe hotter than a 594 but they are not what I call 'hot'. Anything under 10k (bridge) is not hot in my opinion and that suits me fine as I prefer lower output. If I want more, I can always use a boost or use a very high gain amp (or amp model if you use a modeller).

At the end of the day though, the choice will have to be your own and no-one can really tell you what you should do, what you should like and prefer. Just because I prefer lower output Pups doesn't mean that you should too and stick with the 594, tell you that you should trade in for a Custom 24 or change the Pups in your 594. Its you that will have to play the guitar, you that will have to make it work for you, you that will have to live with the decision...

I would suggest though that you try making a new patch on your Axe FX with a high gain amp model and maybe adding a boost in front. Experiment with what you have already rather than jump in to a trade when you may not need to. Whatever PRS you end up with, it won't be a 'bad' choice at all as they are superb quality instruments. You already have a CE24 anyway which is generally a bit brighter and snappier than a regular Core due to the slightly different bridge and bolt on maple neck. Only you will know if its worth considering a Core Custom 24 to go with the CE24 instead of the 594 or whether its better to look at experimenting with Axe FX, buying a boost pedal or even swapping Pups (if you do, keep the 58/15 LT's...) but the only advice I feel I can give is to fully explore your gear first as I know the 594 can do high gain well with great clarity too with the stock Pups but whether that's 'exactly' what you are looking for or not, you will have to experiment with yourself....

 

[AP515]

Ya'll are missing the obvious. Get a Cu24 with a stoptail.

Yeah, they are hard to find, but they do exist.