NOGD McCarty Hollowbody II

[Cmnaround]

New to the PRS club - just got the "out for delivery" notice on a 2002 McCarty Hollowbody II violin amber 10 top. Will post pics and a review once I get to check it out and play it. Coming from an American HSS strat and a Carvin DC400A with super distortion Dimarzios this will indeed be a very different guitar.

I almost bought a new S2 semi hollow but had a moment of sanity check and thought better to go with the real deal albeit a 13 year old PRS. I'm sure the S2s are indeed nice instruments but wanted to have a real example of a fine musical instrument to play and I hope the McCarty Hollowbody is just that.

 

[beas]

Pics?

 

[gush]

Way to go! That won't your last PRS.

 

[Djames]

I can't wait for the pics and as stated above, this won't be your last. I got my first core model a short while back and having played higher end ibanez's ltd's etc, they don't compare. The Prs has tone for days and is so comfortable to play, It's the best of the best! I'm already looking at other custom 24's as it's all I want to play out of my collection so be warned, the bank account may take a hit for the next little while.

 

[JustRob]

Congrats! Welcome to the Forum.

 

[garrett]

Nice. My HBII is a 2002 as well. Violin amber is a great color. It'll definitely bring something new tone-wise, but it should feel pretty comfortable.

 

[László]

I'm sure you'll love playing it! Welcome.

 

[solacematt]

Nice, welcome to the McCarty HB club man

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Hey buddy!

 

[Cmnaround]

Wow - Score! Need to spend a few days to play it and bond - played it direct through a Blues Jr. for about 45 min and it sounds really good. Looks to be in fantastic shape for a 2002.

 

[LJD]

What are the specs that differ the McCarty HBs from the regular HBs?

 

[Raven17]

Nice score! I'm jealous!

I just recently traded my HBII as part of my end on my PS ME. I do miss it and will be keeping an eye out for its replacement. I've seen some with white sides that are amazing. Natural sides also are killer. One at a time, I'm still waiting for a few guitars on order, maybe I'll find one at the 30th Anni. in June.

 

[Cmnaround]

HB I have a mahogany back and sides with a maple top - the HB II have a maple back and top with mahogany sides. Many have the edges natural on the top and bottom and it looks like really cool binding around the guitar - like a really nice wood sandwhich. I had two to choose from and I initially wanted the cherry one with the natural edges but this one was apparently in better shape. Bought it based on pics and an over the phone description but totally worked out just like the guy said.

 

[AaeCee]

You made the right move. The HB II is as sweet a guitar as there is in the entire guitarosphere.

Do you know which pickups are in it?

 

[Cmnaround]

Both pickups are archtop with no piezo system. Just a volume knob, tone knob and a three way switch.

 

[rugerpc]

That's a beautiful HBII. Simply gorgeous.

BTW, not all HBIs have maple tops, some very special ones have spruce...

 

[solacematt]

That's a beautiful HBII. Simply gorgeous.

BTW, not all HBIs have maple tops, some very special ones have spruce...

And have a killer tone all their own as well!

Also those pickups are McCarty Archtop pickups.

That body overall looks gorgeous, congrats

 

[markintime]

Congrats! You must really be livin' right. That one is truly beautiful - from ALL angles. Filling my head with ideas I wish I could afford, wow...

 

[Egads]

Very nice! Violin Amber is such a classy color. You know you'll never get tired of it.

 

[garrett]

Killer man! Maybe it's just the pics, but it looks dark for violin amber. I think it may be Wraparound Dark Cherry Sunburst. Did it come with the hang tag? Either way, it's a beaut.

It'll be from later in the year since it has the Phase II tuners. Mine was "born" in July '02 and I got the non-locking keys. Man was I bummed when I saw the ones from later in the year got locking keys.

What are the specs that differ the McCarty HBs from the regular HBs?

The current Hollowbody II is an evolution of the McCarty Hollowbody II. Like most core models, it now has different pickups, neck shape, inlays, tuners. The birds and piezo used to be optional. An adjustable bridge was optional back then, too.