Stripped 58 versus McCarty 58 Artist

[srmd22]

I saw this on the used guitar wall at GC today for a very, very good price, so I let the sales guy talk me into bringing it home to compare back-to-back with my McCarty for a few weeks, with the understanding that I would probably return it, in keeping with GC's policy:

image by sirpics, on Flickr
image by sirpics, on Flickr
image by sirpics, on Flickr
image by sirpics, on Flickr


So the question is, do I keep that and sell this:

Untitled by sirpics, on Flickr

Untitled by sirpics, on Flickr



Untitled by sirpics, on Flickr
Untitled by sirpics, on Flickr

Untitled by sirpics, on Flickr

Untitled by sirpics, on Flickr

In all fairness, I think the pics of the McCarty came out a bit better, they may have been taken on a better camera, can't remember.

I have heard a lot of great things about the stripped 58's on the forums, so I was very curious to check it out after seeing it hanging on the wall. If I sold the McCarty, I would come out with some extra cash in the end, as, although I got it new, it was at a steep discount, so I wouldn't lose much.

I like the fat neck on the single cut, and I was curious as to how the sound would compare. I imagine it would be a little fatter, with the chunkier body. It certainly weighs more, by more then a pound, at 8.8, but not too bad. Frets are fatter, interestingly. Same 57/08's, cool hybrid hardware. Weird square looking saddles, never saw them before.

The McCarty does sound a bit thin to my ears once in awhile, but otoh, I play tele's alot, so it's not a real problem. It's just something I notice when comparing to my '72 LP. Depends on the amp, room, etc.

Well, as soon as I got it home I spent a little while going back and forth between the two guitars, as well as throwing my Cu24 with wolfetones in the mix for fun. That thing really sounds good. Surprisingly, the McCarty did not sound much thinner to me - maybe a little, but really not very dramatic. In fact, first impression in this setting (in my basement through a fender deluxe reverb), I like the McCarty a little better -- so far, but I'm not committing yet. If I stick with the McCarty, that will make my life easier, as I just zip back over to GC anytime in the next month, and drop it off. Don't have to deal with CL, ebay, what have you, forums, what have you, looking for a buyer, then the shipping, etc. So there is a bias there. Also, the McCarty is a great looking piece, but as you can see, the stripped 58 is no slouch. Although I prefer fatter necks, the McCarty neck is very pleasurable to play, and that factor is not as big a deal as I imagined it might be (I also like the necks on the Santanas).

So, so far the McCarty is winning, but that is after only less then an hour play time, and I will be playing the two all day tomorrow. I doubt I will take more then a week to make the decision, and it might be done by tomorrow evening! (I hate dragging things out). Otoh, why not enjoy the stripped '58 for awhile, treat it like a free rental (hah, can't use the wink icon - puts me over my image limit per thread!)

I'd love to hear opinions of PRS fans regarding the differences, likes and dislike between the two models, and reasons for preferences!

 

[tolm]

I find the 57/08 pickups are a little 'airier' than other PRS humbuckers - in a good way, but I think that's why the McCarty 58 would sound thinner than an LP - if the LP had more modern pickups. I've got PAF-style humbuckers in my Les Paul and it too sounds 'surprisingly' thin for a Les Paul but was the classic tone I was after.

My McCarty II, conversely, has the 245 pickups which seem to have a lot more mids and sound very good to me. I wasn't keen on the original McCarty pickups - which sounded very dark to me - so the 245s seem like a good balance in the middle, albeit perhaps not quite to 'vintage correct' as the 57/08s are. Still want a guitar with those one day!

As for your 'predicament', much as I love Singlecuts that Mc58 looks sweet so I think you're better off with that.

 

[tiboy]

I had a a Stripped and loved it. But, since the comparison is so close I would keep what I have. If the $ going towards the Stripped is burning a hole in your pocket, put it towards differend pick ups for the 245. I have had 100% smooth experiences with the guitars I've sold. But, I absolutely hate the selling process.

 

[srmd22]

Same with tiboy - have had mostly smooth experiences, but what a hassle. I'm gonna be playing those two PRSi a heckuva lot today! But I have a strong bias to my Mc58.

 

[xjbebop]

Play what makes you happy...

If they both make you happy, keep both...:flute:

 

[vchizzle]

Keep what you like best, I go by what my ears tell me to do. I had a GREAT 5708 McCarty, that I let go because my plain old black McStandard sounded better. While I still long for that 5708 McCarty every once in a while, it was SO close in terms of tone that spending the extra money and have to deal with selling a guitar, it just wasn't worth the time. Obviously the Mc-58 is nicer in terms of the materials, it's built with.

 

[srmd22]

Played it for a couple of hours today, back to back with my other PRSi and my LP. Sounds different but very similar to the McCarty. McCarty is a little brighter and thinner, but not big enough of a difference to swap them out, or to keep both (and I am at the point of one comes in, then one must go out). I was out on the deck playing this afternoon and got some good pics in the sunlight - I'll post 'em up later, just for fun.

 

[srmd22]

New pics just for fun:

I actually returned the guitar, it sounded hella like my Mc58, actually I like the Mc58 a bit more, and I prefer the lighter weight and resonance of the Mc58, and Artist top, so there. But this is a nice one, for cheap at GC, needs a set up, but worth the extra work for the low price, if anyone is interested. Here are some outside shots:

 

[clmazza]

Good choice