I have a choice

[jensan]

between a 2008 PRS Korina McCarty Natural or a​

1998 PRS Custom 22 in Black Cherry. Both is near mint condition, same asking price. $2450 I don't know anything about PRS. I am a finger picking blues player. Advice?​

 

[ElrytNamrogo]

So much about guitars is personal preference...all the way from looks, to feel, to responsiveness. All of these things can very from guitar to guitar, even within the same model range.

That being said, with the little bit of information you mentioned (being a finger-picking blues player), it sounds like you're not looking for anything more than the basics. With that, I'd recommend the McCarty. The pickups in the McCarty will be a bit more mild than what's in the Custom 22 (provided the pickups haven't been changed). Plus, the korina is super light weight, breath-y in tone, but still packs a bit of punch.

The Custom will lend itself a bit more to the rock genre. I can't recall if in '98 they made Custom 22's with stop-tail bridges or if it'll be a trem system, but that is also something to think about. I do think that the Custom 22 will have a thinner neck profile than the McCarty, so again...another thing to think about.

Either way you go, I don't think you'll end up disappointed by any means. They're both incredible guitars with quite a bit of versatility within their tonal spectrum.

Good luck!

 

[jensan]

The Custom 22 has tremolo, which I rarely use. But it is a 10 top which is gorgeous. They both have wide fat necks. The Korina has hollow birds. I'm guessing they both are about equal in value.

 

[Aahzz]

I've found every Korina McCarty I've played to be completely magical. Not that I've ever played a bad Custom 22, but there's just something special about the Korina McCartys in my experience.

 

[ElrytNamrogo]

Oh, another thing to think about...

Again, provided everything is as it was from the factory...the Custom 22 will have "winged" locking tuners, while the McCarty will most likely have traditional non-locking tuners. Winged tuners can take some getting used to function-wise, but many members here love them.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I'd go Korina McCarty and newer pickups.

 

[László]

Both are great. I've always been a fan of both models, but the maple tops on a CU22 add a little something to the top end I like.

Just personal preference - it's hard to go wrong with either choice.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Korina

 

[bodia]

Korina

All day!

 

[toothace]

All day!

And night!!