Need Your Assistance - Idenfifying PRS Guitar

[Bowtiefanatc]

Hi Everyone,

A buddy of mine bought what we thought was a uniquely spec'd 408 a couple years ago. Come to find out that it's a McCarty Signature with 408 pickups and Siggy Switching.

Sean @ PRS has helped me get some details on it but I have never seen and can't find any details on the limited run of McCarty Signatures other than from the PS, which we know this isn't.

I'm hoping that the good people here might be able to help. Perhaps Hans, Les, Markie or 11Top might know...or anyone else for that matter.

Here are a couple pictures of the guitar. It has all of the specs of a Siggy, but with a PS grade top and color and no birds. Help us solve the mystery! **Insert Scooby Doo Music**

 

[celtic757]

Can you get a shot of the headstock? Front and back. That looks like a PS or W/L. Was Sean able to tell you the color? It's awesome.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

The color is Graphite. It's not a PS for sure. The headstock is natural Mahogany. I've run the MODCAT and Sean helped me through the serial #.

The only "McCarty Signature" that I can find on the interwebs is a PS one at a dealer.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

I'm too busy thinking, "Stonkin'!" to be of any help. Happy belated new guitar day to your bud. How's it play?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Fantastic. I played it just last week when I was swapping some PUPs in his Singlecut. Plays infinitely better than the 408 I had. Definitely makes me want a Siggy.

It's his #1 too. If the house was on fire he'd have this one in his arms. He's got about 18 additional PRS' as well

 

[László]

I have no info, but geez, it's gorgeous! And very interesting. I love the moons.

 

[CantankerousCarl]

If this is your guitar, looks like it passed through Brian's hands.

http://briansguitars.com/product/used-paul-reed-smith-mccarty-408-one-off-graphite

Sadly I actually remembered seeing that because of the moons...gorgeous fiddle!

 

[shinksma]

It's a fake. I'll buy it from you for $200 to ease your pain.



Gah, not even I can keep a straight face there!

Beautiful guitar! Do keep us in the loop on any other details you discover, but I'm guessing a WL-type run, though I must admit the moons are usually not the typical WL selection.

 

[sergiodeblanc]

I forget who this belonged to, but remember seeing it before... What a Bangin'! guitar!

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

If this is your guitar, looks like it passed through Brian's hands.

http://briansguitars.com/product/used-paul-reed-smith-mccarty-408-one-off-graphite

Sadly I actually remembered seeing that because of the moons...gorgeous fiddle!

That's the one! He honestly got a steal from Brian's for what it is. Just know that it went to a truly good home.

 

[toothace]

Ridonkulous!

 

[The Fight]

Wow beautiful guitar and that top is definitely prime.

 

[wardog]

If this is your guitar, looks like it passed through Brian's hands.

http://briansguitars.com/product/used-paul-reed-smith-mccarty-408-one-off-graphite

Sadly I actually remembered seeing that because of the moons...gorgeous fiddle!

Mystery solved, u da man CARL!!!! That thing is awesome looking.

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Unfortunately the mystery is still on. My buddy bought it from Brian's so we already knew that. I'm trying to find information on the "McCarty Signature" limited run. The only other McCarty Signature I can find is a private stock one.

So mysterious!

 

[justmund]

There is SO much to like about that guitar, ticks a lot of boxes for me.

Pretty sure if your friend ever wants to sell, we would be like a pack of squabbling seagulls!

 

[celtic757]

Unfortunately the mystery is still on. My buddy bought it from Brian's so we already knew that. I'm trying to find information on the "McCarty Signature" limited run. The only other McCarty Signature I can find is a private stock one.

So mysterious!

I'm not sure what else there is to know. It's a one off, so doesn't that imply only one was made? That is my understanding.

 

[Jazzedout]

I remember seeing that one a few years back on a forum... It was for sale either on the old B&M forum or the VR one...
I am sure that this is not part of a limited run, but a one off instrument built for someone.
Have you removed the pickups to see what is written in the pickup cavities?

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

I remember seeing that one a few years back on a forum... It was for sale either on the old B&M forum or the VR one...
I am sure that this is not part of a limited run, but a one off instrument built for someone.
Have you removed the pickups to see what is written in the pickup cavities?

I actually found the person who owned it before Brian's. He said it was a dealer rep model spec'd directly at PRS. I'll have to pull the pickups sometime when I'm over at his house and see if there is anything in the pup cavities. I got the MODCAT off the label on the case.

 

[justmund]

I wonder if it is a proto 408, made after the run of 400 Signature Limiteds?

Any chance of peeping what's in the control cavity?

Obv it has a toggle rather than a blade but there is wiring differences between a Sig Ltd and a 408

 

[Bowtiefanatc]

Forgive my ignorance, but how would the switching differ from the 408 aside from the 3 way blade vs toggle?