Opinions wanted and respected on possible "big" step up

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Ol'Lefty

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Jan 19, 2015
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I have a beloved S2 Singlecut Hardtail. I seriously want a SC245 McCarty hardtail in black/gold curl wrap around.

For double the money, what should I expect? Blues and ancient genuine rock. I build ( used to) and deluxe appointments ( inlay) and extra nice wood grain is a hallmark in my builds or other factory guitars. I'm old and ill , but got a small windfall.Up front I confess it would not be wise, but, it's a guitar.........

Let 'er rip!
 
The S2 isn't as thick of a body from what I recall, so I'd expect a thicker tone with more bottom end. Pickups will be more touch sensitive and maybe not quite as hot as the S2. I'm of the opinion that as long as you're not being financially reckless and hurting your family, you should do what makes you happy. Being "old and ill", I think one deserves to have some happiness! :)
 
The SC245 and the McCarty Singlecut are a little bit different, with the McCarty Singlecut being a little thicker than the 245, with specially wound pickups, special trim, and it's strictly a Private Stock build right now.

I have the McSC and love it, but the SC 245 is also fantastic and IMHO a worthy buy with great tone. You'll notice the difference from your S2 in lots of ways.

However you probably know that value is a very personal thing!
 
Thank you for the truly thoughtful responses. And I am gently corrected. Inspired by McCarty- not officially named a McCarty. All of you were helpful.
 
vchizzle said:
I think one deserves to have some happiness!
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The best statement on this thread, you may dig your S2 but you will fall in love with a core PRS. We're only here on this earth for a short time, enjoy yourself as much as you can.
 
Huggy B said:
The best statement on this thread, you may dig your S2 but you will fall in love with a core PRS. We're only here on this earth for a short time, enjoy yourself as much as you can.
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Aw c'mon, we're here a long time. I'm 780!

(in months)

Hey, you know what? That doesn't seem like a very long time at all!
 
I like the months old thing ( 660 )
If you are after a short scale guitar I am liking my ( new to me ) SC-58
 
I'm 69 and it would be all the cash I have- I think I should not have asked. "Unwise" would hardly cover it and I don't play well enough to push an S2 to its limits. Plus, if you guys saw the LP style guitars I have partially completed and the quality of the wood, the smart advice would be "work on one a little everyday." Unfortunately, though I look healthy I have problems that make shop work very difficult. I had to retire from law practice before expected because of cognitive difficulties. I'm not BS 's ing- if I did not have to do PB for photos, I could show you guys a shop- no CNC-- but very well equipped. MLP guys here have probably seen them- I keep hoping I can get better somehow.

Thanks for the encouragement- I have to use what judgment I have left.
 
Ol'Lefty said:
I'm 69 and it would be all the cash I have- I think I should not have asked. "Unwise" would hardly cover it and I don't play well enough to push an S2 to its limits. Plus, if you guys saw the LP style guitars I have partially completed and the quality of the wood, the smart advice would be "work on one a little everyday." Unfortunately, though I look healthy I have problems that make shop work very difficult. I had to retire from law practice before expected because of cognitive difficulties. I'm not BS 's ing- if I did not have to do PB for photos, I could show you guys a shop- no CNC-- but very well equipped. MLP guys here have probably seen them- I keep hoping I can get better somehow.

Thanks for the encouragement- I have to use what judgment I have left.
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Using judgment is a good thing, and the S2 is a fine guitar, so I wouldn't do it if it causes you the least amount of concern. After all, there's no point in worrying over $$ because of a guitar!

One thing you might consider is putting in a couple of PRS' USA pickups. That alone would be a cool upgrade!

Incidentally, until I got into the recording biz 25 years ago, I was also a full time lawyer. Sorry that you had to retire for the reason you did, but heck, I think I'd shoot myself if I had to run around to courtrooms again, like I used to when I was young! So maybe you're better off. ;)
 
Eddie van Halens famous tone was done with factory seconds body and neck plus an ibanez explorer copy.Variac controlled Marshall line level output to a H&H power amp.Im sure that can be done with a PRS S2 guitar and the same amp setup.Im not sure it's as easy with an EVH guitar and an EVH amp.What you will get with the more expensive guitar is a more beautiful guitar for starters .Tone on the other hand is questionable.Ok perhaps the pickups will be abit better but tone is very personal.I would say buy a better amp first :).After all it's just a guitar :)
 
LSchefman- I was a felony trial lawyer and loved it- homicide specialist for my area. I hated everything else about being a lawyer. I was doing what I chose; but not getting wealthy. I saved quite a few and sent quite a few away too (both as defender and prosecutor--[insert ambivalent but laughing emoticon!!] ) and I hate retirement. I was also a part time judge-magistrate. No one but a very close friend and I knew of the deficit. My fellow judges wanted me to stay on the bench. SO, it was a bitter retirement. And with my brain deficit, I am re-learning guitar as recommended therapy to try to restore memory. Maybe I could get an Rx for the 245 -<><>!

I know you fellows would enjoy seeing my shop- I should learn PB for pics.

Swede71 - Yes, I have owned and built beautiful guitars- 75% acoustics- I have 2 of those in progress too. It's a shame.

To all thanks for being friendly.
 
Just to toss in my two cents, only you can decide if it's ultimately worth it, but you can at least go into it knowing you'll be getting a quality, top-shelf instrument.

PRSh has said numerous times that playing guitar is like legal Oxycontin - it's hard to be in a bad mood when you're playing. And I can vouch for the therapeutic properties - it was one of the things that helped me get through depression some years ago, and was specifically recommended by my therapist. You sound like a man who appreciates fine craftsmanship, and this is no knock on the ladies and gentlemen who work on the S2 line, but you'll see craftsmanship in spades on a core line guitar.

Ultimately, as Bill Hicks said, it's just a ride. We just have to try to enjoy it as much as we can while we can.

Good luck with everything, whatever you decide!
 
LSchefman said:
Using judgment is a good thing, and the S2 is a fine guitar, so I wouldn't do it if it causes you the least amount of concern. After all, there's no point in worrying over $$ because of a guitar!
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Completely agree - well said, Les! We're all enablers here, but that's just the internet for ya. Buying guitars should never lead to financial concerns.

I had the same S2 for a week before I sent it back under the return policy from the place I bought it. It had some cosmetic issues, but mostly I just didn't bond with the tone. A pickup replacement would have fixed that, but I didn't want to go that route. But ultimately, I think it actually played better than my current core model. So they are good guitars, no doubt about that!
 
Ol'Lefty said:
LSchefman- I was a felony trial lawyer and loved it- homicide specialist for my area..
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We probably have a lot in common!

I started my career in law defending police officers accused of homicides and other crimes. I was barely 25 when I tried my first homicide case for a Detroit cop.. Actually, the trial work in the early days was fun. When I left that firm to do civil work, I started my own law firm. It succeeded. But when I was in my late 30s, everything got very old, very quickly. I think I was bored with civil practice, and I felt a compelling need to do something else I loved, create music.

My career in music has been so fulfilling that I would be very unhappy to return to a law practice. I do keep my hand in from time to time, by guest lecturing at the law school and university level about music rights, and music production, but at this point that's as far as I'd like to go.

Nothing wrong with the law, but I think that I'm more intellectually engaged in the process of music production, and that's what makes it more satisfying in my case.
 
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Yes, I broke out early defending high profile cases. Got recruited by the Iowa Atty. Genl. to become a Special Prosecutor, and flip-flopped through 30+ years until -Bang! Short-term memory loss. Never affected me in a courtroom but I could no longer manage my law office- loss of executive function. Getting worse. My abstract projection ( planning in my head for jigs,etc) falling off too.

I have all kinds of fine pickups in parts bins to throw at the S2 and mine has a nice top-- not even an "8" but nice. It is setup perfectly for me, by me.
 
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