S2 McCarty Thinline

[Gizmo]

Hi, I'm considering purchasing my 4th PRS. What are your opinions of the S2 McCarty 594 Thinline? I do not have a PRS dealer locally so I will have to order one so I am trying to do as much research as possible and get input from players who have experience with the models I am interested in. I play mostly blues and classic rock and it seems to me that the Thinline would be somewhat comparable to an SG?

 

[Aahzz]

I'm dying to get my hands on one to try - I have the same theory that it should be somewhat similar to an SG...

 

[Gizmo]

I'm dying to get my hands on one to try - I have the same theory that it should be somewhat similar to an SG...

Lately it seems that every guitar I'm interested in is out of stock. Especially PRS models.

 

[Aahzz]

Lately it seems that every guitar I'm interested in is out of stock. Especially PRS models.

Yeah, doesn't seem like much new stock is coming in, my local stores are all at about half the normal inventory level.

 

[Tahlee]

I think it’s a fantastic design. Let’s face it, SGs usually have some serious neck dive. A perfectly balanced McCarty Thinline with the same characteristics as an SG is a better choice than an SG.

 

[Gizmo]

I agree that it's probably a better guitar, I love the way SGs look, but the neck being further out from the body takes a little getting used to. I have 3 SGs and love them all, but I have serious GAS and I've been bitten by the PRS bug.

 

[Tahlee]

I agree that it's probably a better guitar, I love the way SGs look, but the neck being further out from the body takes a little getting used to. I have 3 SGs and love them all, but I have serious GAS and I've been bitten by the PRS bug.

I’m still holding on to my 1976 SG Custom, with three double cream DiMarzios, although I don’t play it because of the neck dive. I’ve owned it for about 25 years so it’s just wall art because I would never sell it. That was my number one playing out guitar for years so I have good memories of it.

Oh, and when I met Dweezil Zappa he signed it for me. He was so nice. I took a Master Guitar Class before one of his Zappa Plays Zappa shows. When I came home I was so excited about it that my wife said she thinks that I might be gay now. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that” (Seinfeld).

 

[Gizmo]

Very cool.

 

[dogrocketp]

The buzz is that this is the most similar to an SG that a PRS has ever gotten. Guitar sales are off the wall right now. People are home (who knew) and online thinking about the one they either want, or didn’t get and regret. If I wanted a stoptail and played classic rock and blues, this would be on the short list.

 

[ppacheco1284]

I'd love to see a satin finish on these.

 

[jcolmn]

I have a black thinline s2 594. I found it used and picked it up really just to try it. I fully expected that it would lack somewhere as compared to my core models. I really like it. Up until this one I have not really enjoyed the s2 line as for the money I figure I can get a used core for just a little more. Lightweight at under 7 lbs but still balanced, resonate and full of sustain. Well made of course. The stock import pickups are great too.

The all black also looks great with the pickup rings (of all things..) and the bridge/tailpiece and other USA hardware. Seriously threatening my core models for playing time. If it had a wide fat neck it may even threaten my favorite spot currently held by my Ted Limited DC 245.

If these can get into production more, these are going to convert some Gibson players...and maybe some PRS core players.

 

[Tim S]

(All of this is a description of MY perception, and is not an attempt to describe anyone else’s reality)

The introduction of the S2 allowed PRS to re-frame how the public sees the Core line

One upon a time, the Core line was a bold, brash, no-compromise representation of what guitars could/should be. They were forward looking, works of art that remained remarkably consistent in their feel.

The S2 line doesn’t change the beauty or feel of the Core line. But it does make the Core line look older — like PRS’ greatest-hits. Generally speaking, it’s now backward looking. Because of its age, PRS now has a back catalog of models to promote. Strats, LPs & Cu24s are no longer ground-breaking or revolutionary. So, to me, the Core line is retro.

The S2 line is more modern. Rather than using old, wasteful ways of production, the scarf joints, multi-piece necks and flatter bodies are more responsible ways of using resources. The beveled body is plainer than a Core, but also more comfortable. It’s a nod to the times we live it. So in this sense, it’s more modern.

The re-framing is: Core is for collectors and S2 is for workingman players. Thankfully, PRS continues to breathe new engineering into all of its lines, striving to make a more perfect guitar — that’s the defining attribute of a PRS.

Personally, I’d rather buy 3 different S2 models (and have) than one Core model. But that’s me.

 

[Gizmo]

I have a black thinline s2 594. I found it used and picked it up really just to try it. I fully expected that it would lack somewhere as compared to my core models. I really like it. Up until this one I have not really enjoyed the s2 line as for the money I figure I can get a used core for just a little more. Lightweight at under 7 lbs but still balanced, resonate and full of sustain. Well made of course. The stock import pickups are great too.

The all black also looks great with the pickup rings (of all things..) and the bridge/tailpiece and other USA hardware. Seriously threatening my core models for playing time. If it had a wide fat neck it may even threaten my favorite spot currently held by my Ted Limited DC 245.

If these can get into production more, these are going to convert some Gibson players...and maybe some PRS core players.

 

[Gizmo]

I'm very tempted by the black one as it's available right now and I like black guitars with cream trim, but the vintage cherry is supposed to be available in a week or two and I love being able to see the wood grain. I agree about the wide fat neck profile, that would be my preference, but I think I can live with the wide thin.

 

[Gizmo]

(All of this is a description of MY perception, and is not an attempt to describe anyone else’s reality)

The introduction of the S2 allowed PRS to re-frame how the public sees the Core line

One upon a time, the Core line was a bold, brash, no-compromise representation of what guitars could/should be. They were forward looking, works of art that remained remarkably consistent in their feel.

The S2 line doesn’t change the beauty or feel of the Core line. But it does make the Core line look older — like PRS’ greatest-hits. Generally speaking, it’s now backward looking. Because of its age, PRS now has a back catalog of models to promote. Strats, LPs & Cu24s are no longer ground-breaking or revolutionary. So, to me, the Core line is retro.

The S2 line is more modern. Rather than using old, wasteful ways of production, the scarf joints, multi-piece necks and flatter bodies are more responsible ways of using resources. The beveled body is plainer than a Core, but also more comfortable. It’s a nod to the times we live it. So in this sense, it’s more modern.

The re-framing is: Core is for collectors and S2 is for workingman players. Thankfully, PRS continues to breathe new engineering into all of its lines, striving to make a more perfect guitar — that’s the defining attribute of a PRS.

Personally, I’d rather buy 3 different S2 models (and have) than one Core model. But that’s me.

 

[Gizmo]

I think you pretty much nailed it. The core models are breathtakingly beautiful, but to me they are more for collectors and top tier musicians (who probably get theirs free anyway) and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm not a good enough player to justify a 5-6 thousand dollar guitar and having one would make me a little nervous. I really prefer simpler guitars with minimal ornamentation, I'm not fond of neck binding and am perfectly fine with dot neck inlays. That being said, the S2 line fits the bill and even the SE's seem fine. I paid $400 for my SE 245 Singlecut used in perfect condition and it's a whole lot of goodness for that kind of money. The quality and craftsmanship of any PRS out there is impeccable and every PRS neck l have had my hands on has felt wonderful. It's also impressive to me the attention to detail that Paul puts into every guitar model he designs, even the least expensive ones.

 

[NBW]

I think you pretty much nailed it. The core models are breathtakingly beautiful, but to me they are more for collectors and top tier musicians (who probably get theirs free anyway) and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm not a good enough player to justify a 5-6 thousand dollar guitar and having one would make me a little nervous. I really prefer simpler guitars with minimal ornamentation, I'm not fond of neck binding and am perfectly fine with dot neck inlays. That being said, the S2 line fits the bill and even the SE's seem fine. I paid $400 for my SE 245 Singlecut used in perfect condition and it's a whole lot of goodness for that kind of money. The quality and craftsmanship of any PRS out there is impeccable and every PRS neck l have had my hands on has felt wonderful. It's also impressive to me the attention to detail that Paul puts into every guitar model he designs, even the least expensive ones.

I'm with you. I only buy SEs. I've been very happy with them. Especially compared to what's out there. I have been tempted by the 594 Thinline. I'd need to play one.