MC-58 vs. mid 2000's McCarty

[carter840]

I'm currently looking at a few used McCarty's and am wondering if I can get all of your opinions on the differences between the MC-58 and the older McCarty's (ones with McCarty pickups). There seems to be a decent increase in pricing (used market) for the MC-58. I assume this is because they are newer, but perhaps people also prefer the locking tuners and the 57/08 pickups?

For me the tuners and the 57/08 pickups are the primary attraction to the MC-58 for me, but I'm not sure I should swing the extra cost. Do any of you you have a perspective on these two guitars? Is the MC-58 worth a premium, and are there other differences between theses guitars besides the pickups and the tuners?

I am going this weekend to check some PRS guitars out in person, but I doubt the store near me has both an old McCarty (they do have some soapbar McCarty's though) and the MC-58.

Edit: Also neck profiles; are there differences with this. I need to know what neck profiles to try this weekend and that means understanding what neck profiles are common on both of these McCarty models.

Thanks

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Don't forget about the Artist Grade tops on the MC-58 as well

 

[carter840]

How would you compare the appearance of an Artist Grade top and a 10 Top? I know there is a huge variance between each guitar, but curious if Artist is considered higher than 10 Top.
This is a good point, are there other differences in construction that I might be unaware of? I think the headstock on the MC-58 is also slightly thicker.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Yes, Artist grade is considered higher than a 10 top. I believe the neck is also bound on the MC-58 as well. Just little things like that.

Here is my Brazilian 10 Top vs the SC245 Artist Top that I'm buying

 

[carter840]

Both of those guitars look awesome. I think I will get a better sense once I am able to see more PRS guitars in person this weekend. Although I am leaning towards the MC-58, I am seeing some very convincing deals on the standard McCartys. Has anyone played both of these and can comment and tonality? Is it fair to say that most of the differences are cosmetic. I'm not even sure how dissimilar the 57/08s are from the typical McCarty pickups.

 

[László]

Both of those guitars look awesome. I think I will get a better sense once I am able to see more PRS guitars in person this weekend. Although I am leaning towards the MC-58, I am seeing some very convincing deals on the standard McCartys. Has anyone played both of these and can comment and tonality? Is it fair to say that most of the differences are cosmetic. I'm not even sure how dissimilar the 57/08s are from the typical McCarty pickups.

The MC58 was a premium guitar when PRS introduced it, a step up from the Core line's standard models. Essentially, it was an Artist Package guitar in stock form. It was more expensive than most Core models.

The bound neck can be a "feel" advantage, as it's less likely you'd feel sharp fret ends if the fretboard was to shrink a little in winter, but that's rare on a PRS anyway, and there are those who prefer an unbound neck. I like a bound neck, so that'd be an easy choice for me.

Having had both 57/08 and McCartys with the McCarty pickups, I think the 57/08s are heads and shoulders more desirable than the older McCarty pickups in every way, but there are some who would disagree.

The older McCarty would have the Wide/Fat neck and the thinner headstock with the vintage tuners. It will also have the thicker polyurethane finish.

The MC58 will have the thinner V12 finish that's more like nitro (rumor is that it is essentially a combination of nitrocellulose resins and a more modern plasticizer, but of course it's proprietary and I don't know for sure). The MC58 will have the pattern neck - very similar to the Wide/Fat - I can't even tell them apart by feel, others can; the measurements of both are on the PRS Support site. The MC58 will have locking tuning machines instead of the vintage winders.

If it's me, all things being equal, I would go for the MC58 and not think twice about it, but it's your money, so that's all I'll say.

 

[helmi]

Yes, Artist grade is considered higher than a 10 top. I believe the neck is also bound on the MC-58 as well. Just little things like that.

Here is my Brazilian 10 Top vs the SC245 Artist Top that I'm buying

man, that sc245 is flippin' beautiful!!

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I'm super lucky the seller is working with me. I cannot wait get that in my hands!!!

 

[Mira2]

I just picked up a 2011 mc-58, love it! I've owned a couple guitars with 57/08's before, but this just has a certain growl. The single coil tap doesn't drop a bunch of volume either.
Hope you find a good one!

 

[solacematt]

I'm one of those people Mr. Schefman was talking about. I prefer the original McCarty. It just feels smoother and love the sound of the original McCarty pickups. ::shrugs:: We all have our preference, but I'd just say try em both out because we all have our preferences here.

 

[gush]

I have a 2000 McCarty. I didn't care for the McCarty pickups so much, I don't think they are on par with the newer prs pickups. You may like them though so I would try them out.

I love the wide fat neck and the over all feel of mine. I wish it had phase 2 locking tuners though. They are great tuners.

 

[carter840]

Thanks for all the replies thus far. Gush, you mentioned phase 2 locking tuners. Is there any reason to prefer these to the phase 3 (which are on backed). I'm certainly curious to know if there is a big difference between these tuners because it looks like they have different mounting configurations (so swapping them around is not easy).

 

[László]

Thanks for all the replies thus far. Gush, you mentioned phase 2 locking tuners. Is there any reason to prefer these to the phase 3 (which are on backed). I'm certainly curious to know if there is a big difference between these tuners because it looks like they have different mounting configurations (so swapping them around is not easy).

I've had all the PRS tuning machine phases, plus the vintage style tuners.

The Phase III have the most precise feel, and are IMHO the most desirable of all of them from a "do these work well?" point of view. And you're right, there's no swapping around.

I did like the original winged tuners, too, but that's partly nostalgia.