Korina McCarty to replace a Gibson R0 Les Paul...

Caveman89

Caveman
Joined
Jan 11, 2022
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Hello everyone, first post here at the PRS Forum!

Well, I currently have a 61 Reissue Gibson SG and a 1960 Historic Reissue Lester, and my main amp is a MESA Dual Rectifier. I've had PRS's before, but went through Custom 22's and 24's which were all great and the most comfy guitars to play you all know that, but I always went back to my Gibsons due to the fact that I just couldn't get that "Big Humbucker with days of Sustain" tone out of them.
Anyway, I now want a more modern tone to replace mi R0 Les Paul, which is a great guitar on its own but nowadays I'm playing the SG so much more due to the fact that it has the right punch and output out of its pickups, sits in the mix better too.

So, I've been offered a Korina McCarty with Brazillian RW board + $1300 for my Gibson, I've read only great things about those guitars, but I wanted to know what do you guys think, I play mainly 90's rock, mi goal is to use the SG for everything Vintage and a very versatile modern "les paulesque" guitar as my main axe. I'm reading ya...
 
At the end of the day, it comes down to you. I'd rather have a Guitar I will play, feel happy and confident to play etc than just having a 'great' instrument in my collection. I'd take a 'financial' hit on a trade if the benefits outweigh the loss - I can't put a price on the amount of hours and enjoyment that instrument could offer 'me' so I'd take a hit on something that may be worth more financially, but not bringing me the same hours of joy the cheaper instrument was.

Therefore I think it comes down to you. It seems a 'reasonable' trade on Paper from a trade perspective and if the Korina McCarty brings you more 'Joy', its a no brainer. They are Superb instruments in their own right but try it first (if you can) before committing. You'll know if the deal is worth it to you....
 
I did my research and realized that Korina McCatry's are quite sought after, specially the Brazilian boarded ones, I'm leaning towards closing the deal... I had a Ted McCarty DC 245 that was impressive, but I didn't bond too much with the 24.5" scale (it sounded too "Slow"), it looks like that the McCarty should be the perfect fit for what I'm looking for in terms of tone and playability...
 
Does the two vs. four knob configuration factor in your decision? If not, and the SG is covering that ground anyway, it makes sense. What pickups are in the McCarty?
 
Does the two vs. four knob configuration factor in your decision? If not, and the SG is covering that ground anyway, it makes sense. What pickups are in the McCarty?

As you said, electronics layout is not a factor, I'm just looking for the right tone for what I'm currently playing (90's inspired alternative rock). The McCarty is all stock, with the original 2008 McCarty pickups, Brazilian RW board, birds, gold hardware and of course, all Korina body and neck.
 
I did my research and realized that Korina McCatry's are quite sought after, specially the Brazilian boarded ones, I'm leaning towards closing the deal... I had a Ted McCarty DC 245 that was impressive, but I didn't bond too much with the 24.5" scale (it sounded too "Slow"), it looks like that the McCarty should be the perfect fit for what I'm looking for in terms of tone and playability...


True. I'm looking for one for a while and nothing. Would love one myself
 
Korina McCartys are great of course, just really cool vintage PAF-ish guitars when they have their original McCarty pickups in them. And that's just the thing IMO that you might want to look out for--I really wouldn't offer that a Korina McCarty (if it has its original McCarty pickups, which are the 1990's take on what a PAF should be) are going to be any more "modern" tone than your Gibsons.

But that's just my opinion, of course. I still recommend the McCarty because, well... great guitar. But for a "modern" sounding 2-humbucker PRS in that Gibson-ish style, I'd be probably looking for something with 59/09 pickups in it (which are both classic and modern at the same time).
 
This probably doesn't apply to your situation, but my Korina McCarty with P90's sounds absolutely glorious in the red channel of my Mesa Boogie TC50.
 
Ok guys, big thanks to all of you for the comments, I've closed the deal, the R0 is going, the McCarty ships tomorrow, and the $1300 are already in my account. Here's a pic that this guy sent me prior to prep 'er for shipping:

mp1dYpb.jpg


mp1dYpb


I'll take and share more pics as soon as she gets here!
 
Ok guys, big thanks to all of you for the comments, I've closed the deal, the R0 is going, the McCarty ships tomorrow, and the $1300 are already in my account. Here's a pic that this guy sent me prior to prep 'er for shipping:

mp1dYpb.jpg


mp1dYpb


I'll take and share more pics as soon as she gets here!
Killer!
 
Nice! I have its near-identical twin, with dot/moons on the fretboard (instead of birds) being the only difference. These, to me--with their natural-yellow korina finish and gold (like, REALLY gold) hardware--harken back to the classic & rare korina Gibson Explorers and V's. Also--replacement bridge & studs on yours?
 
Nice! I have its near-identical twin, with dot/moons on the fretboard (instead of birds) being the only difference. These, to me--with their natural-yellow korina finish and gold (like, REALLY gold) hardware--harken back to the classic & rare korina Gibson Explorers and V's. Also--replacement bridge & studs on yours?
Yes!, the owner swap the bridge for a brand new original Golden PRS one since the old bridge was too rusty, the old bridge is included to preserve the guitar's original parts.
 
I own 3 Korina guitars.. a Warmoth 2 humbucker Tele, a 1 off Korina/maple top Les Paul, and my main slide guitar, a Warmoth L5S with Korina body and Koa neck. .. fantastic sounding guitars.. the mids are shifted a little more to the high mids than mahogany… imho, that can be a good thing…
Enjoy your Korina McCarty.. you will love it:) The McCarty and it’s simplicity is one of my Favorite PRS’s… Miss my old McCarty gold top.. gonna replace it this year
 
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