Owning a 594 and McCarty too redundant?

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Boudica

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alright, I need to pick ur brains. I currently have a mccarty 594 and love it. I have been contemplating getting a regular McCarty also. Feel free to compare and contrast. I don’t want to own both if they are too similar. What does every one think? Would I be better served adding something else to my stable?
 
the 594 with LT's is a very unique excellent voice, the pickups can cover so much ground, it's all about string and note clarity but it is low to moderate gain., it can start to cover some high gain.

so yes get a McCarty but get the moderate to high gain pickups like 57/08,s you'll be able to cover every song ever written.between the two guitars.
 
You didn't say if your 594 was a single or double cut ?
Either way the regular McCarty has a ( some do anyway ) 25" scale , different control layout , thinner body , different bridge , different neck carve than your 594
There has been MANY versions of McCarty and the DGT is a version of a McCarty also.
I believe they are more than different enough to have both
http://www.prsguitars.com/index.php/electrics/core/mccarty_2018
 
I was actually in the opposite situation as you. I placed an order for my Mccarty about a week before the February GOM 594 dropped. FOR MONTHS I was second guessing my purchase since the 594 looked and sounded so cool and I was concerned that if I were to eventually own a 594 that it would put my regular Mccarty out of business.

To answer your question, after months of A-Bing my Mccarty against 594s, I can tell you this..

A regular Mccarty will be a tad bit brighter. The slightly longer scale length will give you a bit more shimmer and pop to the tone. It's pretty much the quintessential PRS tone. Very clear and musical. Now, with the addition of the new 58/15s, it sounds like a "best of" of most classic sounding guitars, if that makes sense. It also does single coil tones very well too. This is an extremely versatile instrument.

The 594 is pretty much designed to go after a vintage Les Paul tone. It is going to sound a bit warmer and chunkier. The addition of 4 knobs gives you a bit more tonal variation. You're basically buying a really good Gibson without having to buy a Gibson. The 594s also have the 'low turn' version of the 58/15s which I think sound equally as wonderful. Very clear and warm sounding.

The guitars will both feel a bit different in your hands. Me personally, I LOVE how my Mccarty feels. The one piece bridge just fits perfectly under my hand. But, the variation of the two piece is really nice too. The 594, to me, feels a bit more compact which feels very nice. The neck is chunkier too, in a good way.

I don't own a 594, yet, but I recently picked up a Stripped 58 Singlecut and it definitely gets into 594 territory. I gig with my Mccarty 90% of the time but some gigs I'll take my Singlecut out with me if I need that Gibson tone.

So to answer your question, I'd say get the Mccarty! I find that having two slightly different guitars can be very fun and enjoyable and not redundant at all. Some days you'll favor one guitar over the other so it will be nice to have options to choose from. :)
 
PeterK said:
I was actually in the opposite situation as you. I placed an order for my Mccarty about a week before the February GOM 594 dropped. FOR MONTHS I was second guessing my purchase since the 594 looked and sounded so cool and I was concerned that if I were to eventually own a 594 that it would put my regular Mccarty out of business.

To answer your question, after months of A-Bing my Mccarty against 594s, I can tell you this..

A regular Mccarty will be a tad bit brighter. The slightly longer scale length will give you a bit more shimmer and pop to the tone. It's pretty much the quintessential PRS tone. Very clear and musical. Now, with the addition of the new 58/15s, it sounds like a "best of" of most classic sounding guitars, if that makes sense. It also does single coil tones very well too. This is an extremely versatile instrument.

The 594 is pretty much designed to go after a vintage Les Paul tone. It is going to sound a bit warmer and chunkier. The addition of 4 knobs gives you a bit more tonal variation. You're basically buying a really good Gibson without having to buy a Gibson. The 594s also have the 'low turn' version of the 58/15s which I think sound equally as wonderful. Very clear and warm sounding.

The guitars will both feel a bit different in your hands. Me personally, I LOVE how my Mccarty feels. The one piece bridge just fits perfectly under my hand. But, the variation of the two piece is really nice too. The 594, to me, feels a bit more compact which feels very nice. The neck is chunkier too, in a good way.

I don't own a 594, yet, but I recently picked up a Stripped 58 Singlecut and it definitely gets into 594 territory. I gig with my Mccarty 90% of the time but some gigs I'll take my Singlecut out with me if I need that Gibson tone.

So to answer your question, I'd say get the Mccarty! I find that having two slightly different guitars can be very fun and enjoyable and not redundant at all. Some days you'll favor one guitar over the other so it will be nice to have options to choose from. :)
Click to expand...

I agree.

I did a shootout in 2016 when I was on the hunt and felt the same way about the regular McCarty vs. the 594 double cut. Being a long time PRS player, the regular McCarty feels so right. The 594 takes you to another place and I prefer the tone of the LT pickup in the neck. The regular version is missing a little versatility compared to the 594 since you can't split or control the pickups individually. They're both great in their own way.

I ended up adding a 2017 spec Custom 22 to complement my 594. The trem and the more modern-sounding 85/15 pickups give me a different thrill.
 
Rider1260 said:
You didn't say if your 594 was a single or double cut ?
Either way the regular McCarty has a ( some do anyway ) 25" scale , different control layout , thinner body , different bridge , different neck carve than your 594
There has been MANY versions of McCarty and the DGT is a version of a McCarty also.
I believe they are more than different enough to have both
http://www.prsguitars.com/index.php/electrics/core/mccarty_2018
Click to expand...
It’s a charcoal quilted double cut, wood library, artist package with a flame maple neck and brazzie board. One of these days I will actually set down and figure out how to post a pic of it. I also have a 2013 pauls with a rosewood neck which is my fave guitar, and a limited edition charcoal satin vela. I love them all.
 
Boudica said:
It’s a charcoal quilted double cut, wood library, artist package with a flame maple neck and brazzie board. One of these days I will actually set down and figure out how to post a pic of it. I also have a 2013 pauls with a rosewood neck which is my fave guitar, and a limited edition charcoal satin vela. I love them all.
Click to expand...
If you like the Paul's guitar. You'll like the regular Mccarty for sure
 
It’s funny, I’ve been working on a track that has my McCarty on the solo. I decided to add a part to it, and the 594 sounds nothing like it.

They’re two different sounding guitars, and you really hear it on a recording. For what it’s worth.
 
This question weighs on me too. I think I will get the McCarty first and then consider a 594 later. Ill want the slightly hotter pickups and longer scale for a heavier music project this year. I’ll sell a custom reissue Les paul or 2 to offset the cost.
 
I’ve got a 30th anniversary McCARTY,vine,blood red with flame maple neck,15/58’s in the pickup dept. The 594 is a totally different beast in every way‼️I’m glad to own them both...all part of the never ending TONE journey.
 
The answers here have mostly covered your question. I have both. One of the first released McCartys from 94 and a one of the first out the door 594's. I like having both, but my reasons are a little different. The pups in the McCarty have weakened over the many years and have a nice mellow sound. The 58 15 LTs in the 594 are very close, but a wee warmer, but still sweet. Factor in the two different bridge types and what else, equals different tools for the job. The McCarty is naturally relic'd from its many years on Bourbon St. They both are Blues and Jazz naturals, just a different way of getting there. I am thinking of passing on a new PRS purchase this year and sending the McCarty to Shawn and the boys at the PTC for a makeover. Keeping those stock McCarty pups though. Cant imagine not having both. :) Hope i helped you.
 
That looks very vintage, 57/08's are gonna be rock 'n roll ZZ Top here you come, that's a sharp dressed man.
(Paul's finish) satin silky suit finish, looks almost relic'd. The Rosewood looks very dark almost like ebony black tie, enjoy it.
Silk suit, black tie,
I don't need a reason why
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
'Cause every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man
 
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