PRS S2 McCarty 594 Mod Ideas

[Ray625]

So just got my first US-made PRS and I'm completely floored by it! I've played SE's before but always was underwhelmed for some reason (mostly the pickups; everything was what I was kind of expecting it to be). Got this one used and the previous owner swapped out the pups for some Pearly Gates and man does it hit a sweet spot with me (especially with the thicker neck profile on the guitar). The top was a little wilder than I expected since the photos I got originally made it seem pretty plain. Definitely not complaining though haha.

Anyway, my question for others out there are what are some mods you did to yours? I'm planning on getting another now but was curious about what things you changed out (if anything).

Thanks in advance!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1143914374080484881/

 

[SinSir]

Congrats! Dig the green!

When he swapped the pups did he change out any wiring? Other than pups and electronics there's locking tuners if it has the vintage style. You can go open gear phase III, but there will be an imprint from the vintage housing. PRS also has locking vintage. Other brands fit too.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Congrats. Really nice and a great shot.

 

[DISTORT6]

I live on the edge…I love to swap out the truss rod cover. I’m a rebel.
That guitar has an exceptionally killer top.
Congrats!

 

[theDeepender]

So just got my first US-made PRS and I'm completely floored by it! I've played SE's before but always was underwhelmed for some reason (mostly the pickups; everything was what I was kind of expecting it to be). Got this one used and the previous owner swapped out the pups for some Pearly Gates and man does it hit a sweet spot with me (especially with the thicker neck profile on the guitar). The top was a little wilder than I expected since the photos I got originally made it seem pretty plain. Definitely not complaining though haha.

Anyway, my question for others out there are what are some mods you did to yours? I'm planning on getting another now but was curious about what things you changed out (if anything).

Thanks in advance!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1143914374080484881/

Nice

 

[aphantomvaper]

So just got my first US-made PRS and I'm completely floored by it! I've played SE's before but always was underwhelmed for some reason (mostly the pickups; everything was what I was kind of expecting it to be). Got this one used and the previous owner swapped out the pups for some Pearly Gates and man does it hit a sweet spot with me (especially with the thicker neck profile on the guitar). The top was a little wilder than I expected since the photos I got originally made it seem pretty plain. Definitely not complaining though haha.

Anyway, my question for others out there are what are some mods you did to yours? I'm planning on getting another now but was curious about what things you changed out (if anything).

Thanks in advance!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1143914374080484881/

Don't drop it in the grass it will disappear!

That's beautiful! It's nice to have an axe you love the sound of. S2 is nothing to sneeze at, I'm a bit envious.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Very cool (love the green!)

 

[Greywolf]

Congrats , beautiful axe. Make it yours

 

[Lewguitar]

So just got my first US-made PRS and I'm completely floored by it! I've played SE's before but always was underwhelmed for some reason (mostly the pickups; everything was what I was kind of expecting it to be). Got this one used and the previous owner swapped out the pups for some Pearly Gates and man does it hit a sweet spot with me (especially with the thicker neck profile on the guitar). The top was a little wilder than I expected since the photos I got originally made it seem pretty plain. Definitely not complaining though haha.

Anyway, my question for others out there are what are some mods you did to yours? I'm planning on getting another now but was curious about what things you changed out (if anything).

Thanks in advance!

I probably wouldn't change a thing about your guitar! I like the Duncan Pearly Gates.

I put Duncan Antiquity humbuckers and a 3 way switch in my '95 Custom 22.

I also disconnected the tone control from the neck pickup. Makes it a little clearer and I never used it for the neck pickup...only for the bridge pickup.

This guitar's in great shape considering how much it's been played.

The frets are getting a little low tho and the plating has worn right through to the base metal on the low E side of the bridge.

https://imgur.com/1q426d7

 

[bodia]

Nice grab!

 

[Broseph]

Thread 'S2 594 McCarty Mods thread'
https://forums.prsguitars.com/threads/s2-594-mccarty-mods-thread.53461/

 

[dkilpatrick]

I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe the trc but that it

 

[garrettb]

IMO, they need nothing other than Core volume pots. Put in a nice Switchcraft toggle while you're at it for insurance and you're all set.

Pickups are subjective, so rock whatever ya like.

Tuners, the stock ones are nice. Maybe a set of locking Klusons if you're so inclined.

 

[DogPhishHead]

Sweet looking guitar !!!
Only thing I would do would be core pots and wiring.
Locking tuners only if you think it's necessary.
I bet that sound killer with the Pearly Gates !!!

I have 2020 S2 Singlecut that the prior owner changed the pickups (Wolfetone Legends), US pots/wiring and added locking tuners. I will NOT be changing a single thing on her. It's absolutely perfect in tone and feel.

 

[ooglybong]

Sweet looking guitar !!!
Only thing I would do would be core pots and wiring.
Locking tuners only if you think it's necessary.
I bet that sound killer with the Pearly Gates !!!

I have 2020 S2 Singlecut that the prior owner changed the pickups (Wolfetone Legends), US pots/wiring and added locking tuners. I will NOT be changing a single thing on her. It's absolutely perfect in tone and feel.

Cool. I have only recently gotten a set of Legends myself, but I've been down with Covid (ugh, but def on the mend now) and haven't gotten around to installing them into my own S2 594 SC. Having very high hopes going by what I've heard, so this is a great confirmation from you! Enjoy in good health!

 

[SinSir]

Cool. I have only recently gotten a set of Legends myself, but I've been down with Covid (ugh, but def on the mend now) and haven't gotten around to installing them into my own S2 594 SC. Having very high hopes going by what I've heard, so this is a great confirmation from you! Enjoy in good health!

Wolfe ROCKS! You'll be very happy with his pickups. If not, he'll make it right so you are.

 

[gemyneye]

Congrats on your score and that is a cool color!

 

[andy474x]

Hmm...

I changed out the pickups on mine fairly quickly to the USA LT's, and I'm happy with the results. Will be interested to see what the new import LT pickups sound like, compared to the previous 58/15 S (non-LT).

One thing I've been liking a lot is the punch and twang of my S2 on the wound strings, in comparison to the smoother and, for lack of a better term, mushier note attack of my core 594. So I got to thinking... what might be the reason for that? Well, the saddles on my core 594 are the block style, and on the S2, they're the triangular shape. I know a couple here have changed the whole bridge in the past with different saddle types, and noted the triangular ones to be more immediate and punchy sounding. But, on the other hand, I do like the smoother sound on the plain strings. Well, whaddya know, the saddles are totally interchangeable! So I swapped saddles around until I had the triangular saddles on both guitars on all the wound strings, and block saddles on the plain strings.

Truth be told, I think it benefits the core guitar most, because the added punch and twang on the wound strings of the core is more noticeable than the smoother attack on the plain strings of the S2, but it did make a difference on both guitars, in a positive way.

Kind of an expensive mod for the S2 though... if you want the block saddles, maybe just buy the new bridge from PRS rather than the wood library 594!!!

The only mods I could see myself doing to the S2 in the future would be the locking vintage tuners, and new electronics, and those are both a big maybe. For the price and hassle, I'm leaning towards no. They're super solid guitars, hard to be unhappy with them other than the pickups.