I've always loved the McCarty model, going back to the early version, and have had them with the original McCarty humbuckers, and with P-90s, each with both mahogany and rosewood necks, and recently the new version with 58/15s, and both mahogany and maple necks.
Certainly the CU24 is the quintessential PRS, and it's always been the best seller, but I have a special place in my heart for the McCarty; I've done some of my best recording work with this model. It's one of those guitars that has always been a good fit for my work.
Here are a few things I like about the new version: First, the 58/15s are wonderful pickups. They're both a little more vintage, and a little more clear sounding than the original McCarty pickups were. But they're still powerful sounding pickups, and do a great job driving an amp that's set up right for them. Also, the coil taps are great sounding, a big improvement as far as I'm concerned.
Second, and I know this isn't a huge deal, but I like the Phase III tuning machines. They're a bit easier to work with than the vintage style machines, hold their tune a little better, and string changes are easier. I really hate changing strings, so anything that makes that little chore easier is good for a lazy fellow like me.
Third, I like a bound neck. It's comfortable. I have both bound and unbound PRS necks, and I like both, but if a bound neck is available, I approve.
All the other stuff I liked about the old McCarty is there with the new version.
I'm going to post some clips of the guitar with three amps soon (over the weekend if I can get my lovely assistant to help me set up the mics properly), however, my fretting hand is recovering from some nerve damage, so if you thought my guitar playing was spectacularly pedestrian before, believe me, it's worse now.
Nonetheless, I'm darn happy with this new McCarty model, and I've gotta say, if you haven't tried one, do it. You'll be in for a treat.
Certainly the CU24 is the quintessential PRS, and it's always been the best seller, but I have a special place in my heart for the McCarty; I've done some of my best recording work with this model. It's one of those guitars that has always been a good fit for my work.
Here are a few things I like about the new version: First, the 58/15s are wonderful pickups. They're both a little more vintage, and a little more clear sounding than the original McCarty pickups were. But they're still powerful sounding pickups, and do a great job driving an amp that's set up right for them. Also, the coil taps are great sounding, a big improvement as far as I'm concerned.
Second, and I know this isn't a huge deal, but I like the Phase III tuning machines. They're a bit easier to work with than the vintage style machines, hold their tune a little better, and string changes are easier. I really hate changing strings, so anything that makes that little chore easier is good for a lazy fellow like me.
Third, I like a bound neck. It's comfortable. I have both bound and unbound PRS necks, and I like both, but if a bound neck is available, I approve.
All the other stuff I liked about the old McCarty is there with the new version.
I'm going to post some clips of the guitar with three amps soon (over the weekend if I can get my lovely assistant to help me set up the mics properly), however, my fretting hand is recovering from some nerve damage, so if you thought my guitar playing was spectacularly pedestrian before, believe me, it's worse now.
Nonetheless, I'm darn happy with this new McCarty model, and I've gotta say, if you haven't tried one, do it. You'll be in for a treat.
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