Understanding the differences between McCarty models (years)

[carter840]

I everyone, I'm new to the forum and very interested in getting a PRS McCarty as my first "real" guitar, I've been playing on a made in China Epiphone casino for a couple years and am looking for something nicer.

I am currently saving money and researching options, but am somewhat confused by the various re-releases of the McCarty Model. I see that in the 00's there were McCarty Models (typically with a McCarty Signature in white on the truss rod cover plate), McCarty Models made with Korina. Later (around 2012 or so I think) the MC 58 came out (MC 58 on the truss cover plate), and now there is a new McCarty model out (appears the say in block text McCarty).

I was wondering if someone could help explain the differences to me. I know that the MC 58 has the 58/07 pickups and I understand more like their sound, but what else is different between these models?

Thanks

Edit: sorry for posting this in general, if it's possible for a Mod to move this to the electric guitar section that would be appreciated.

 

[László]

The important stuff about the McCarty was unchanged for a long time, cosmetics of truss rod covers aside - thicker body than the custom, McCarty pickups, vintage Kluson style tuners, more headstock tilt-back angle, mostly stop-tail (there were a few with trems), mahogany back, maple top, RW fingerboard, mahogany neck.

At some point in the 90s PRS added an option of soapbar pickups, and a solid rosewood neck.

This pretty much stayed the same, with a few shorter runs of Korina bodies and so on, until recently, when the McCarty II was introduced with an active pickup tone switch, and later, the MC58 changed temporarily to a bound fingerboard, newer tuners, different headstock angle and headstock shape, and shorter scale length. You mentioned the pickups.

The model was then discontinued. It's been reintroduced with the standard headstock shape and tilt back angle, 25" scale length, the Phase III tuners, bound neck, and 58/15 pickups, with standard volume tone and push-pull coil tap.

I've been lucky enough to own just about every model of McCarty over the years, and none has been a dog. They're great guitars. They're now available with Artist Package, so you can pick a different neck wood and fingerboard. I currently have one of the new models in Wood Library format, with a maple neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, maple top and the new pickups. It's just great, I love it.

I've undoubtedly passed over some details, but things like truss rod cover decor has varied over the years and means nothing. And there have been plenty of limited runs, special dealer runs, etc., so you're going to be hard pressed to discover every single change and detail of these runs.

 

[carter840]

Thanks so much for that information. Can you tell me how you like the 58/15 pickups?

Also it seems like all of the McCarty models are similar would you suggest going with any model in particular from a value standpoint? I am looking at used options at the moment.

 

[László]

Thanks so much for that information. Can you tell me how you like the 58/15 pickups?

They're great. Clear, bright, extremely articulate. They sound in person like they do on the demos on the PRS site. So if you like the demos, you'll like the pickups. If you don't like the demos, the pickups may not be for you, but I'd try them in either case just to be sure, and also to see if the feel is right for you.

Also it seems like all of the McCarty models are similar would you suggest going with any model in particular from a value standpoint? I am looking at used options at the moment.

Yes, they're all similar.

I can't speak to value of used instruments, I don't follow used guitar prices. I'm a new guitar addict.

 

[helmi]

you cant miss going with a McCarty as your first PRS. my first prs was a McCarty korina. still have it, and love it as much as the day I got it. good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

[dmatthews]

+1 for a McCarty.
I got my 2001 model used a couple of years ago. The wide fat neck is easy to play and the guitar is very comfortable in general. The rosewood neck is a killer option if you can find one.

 

[watelessness]

Everyone should have at least one McCarty. Out of the box they cover a very wide range of tones, but they are also chameleons that respond very well to different pickups.

 

[pjdude]

I have a 2000 IRW McCarty that I just love! The only mods were straplocks and Tone Pros bridge lockdowns. I've never changed the pickups, tuners, nut, or pots. It's just that good on its own!

 

[G2*]

I got this one used about a month ago, it's a 2011. I love everything about this guitar!!

 

[vchizzle]

It should be noted the MC-58 is an artist package instrument as well. Nicer top wood, nicer inlays(paua heart center with mother of pearl outline). It's value on the used market should be more than say a 2000 10 top McCarty. The price thing will vary some of course. 57/08 pickups sound awesome in the McCarty. There were also some in between models that you don't see many of, I had a 2011 McCarty that had hollow "J" birds, locking tuners, mixed hardware with 57/08's. It was kind of a stripped down MC-58 but still a hair fancier than the older McCarty. There's also the 1957/2008 model which were hand numbered and had Peruvian mahogany necks.

 

[gush]

My first PRS was a McCarty. It was a surprise gift from my wife. It now sportsM pickups rosewood pickup rings and toggle switch cap. Just wish it had phase 2 locking tuners.

 

[Parralax view]

A 2004 McCarty is my only PRS. It's as standard as it can possibly be. No ten top. Moons. Regular mahogany neck. The McCarty logo is in gold script. It's probably one of two of my best playing instruments I have ever owned. Mine too was a gift from my lady. We were visiting family in Texas and I had to go to GC since there isn't any in Hawaii. I needed some guitar church. Anyway, I see a cherry red with nice stripes and really beautiful and ask for it down. They bring it down and I start playing and enjoying the guitar. The sales guy comes over with the case and all the goodies and says, "here ya go".. Oh man, hold on, I'm not going to buy this I just love it..."well, you might not be buying it, but SHE is".. I look over and she's waving a reciept.. Gotta love her.

 

[dmatthews]

A 2004 McCarty is my only PRS. It's as standard as it can possibly be. No ten top. Moons. Regular mahogany neck. The McCarty logo is in gold script. It's probably one of two of my best playing instruments I have ever owned. Mine too was a gift from my lady. We were visiting family in Texas and I had to go to GC since there isn't any in Hawaii. I needed some guitar church. Anyway, I see a cherry red with nice stripes and really beautiful and ask for it down. They bring it down and I start playing and enjoying the guitar. The sales guy comes over with the case and all the goodies and says, "here ya go".. Oh man, hold on, I'm not going to buy this I just love it..."well, you might not be buying it, but SHE is".. I look over and she's waving a reciept.. Gotta love her.

Excellent!
I love a story like that.

 

[gush]

A 2004 McCarty is my only PRS. It's as standard as it can possibly be. No ten top. Moons. Regular mahogany neck. The McCarty logo is in gold script. It's probably one of two of my best playing instruments I have ever owned. Mine too was a gift from my lady. We were visiting family in Texas and I had to go to GC since there isn't any in Hawaii. I needed some guitar church. Anyway, I see a cherry red with nice stripes and really beautiful and ask for it down. They bring it down and I start playing and enjoying the guitar. The sales guy comes over with the case and all the goodies and says, "here ya go".. Oh man, hold on, I'm not going to buy this I just love it..."well, you might not be buying it, but SHE is".. I look over and she's waving a reciept.. Gotta love her.

Great story!

My wife asked her lawyer friend to figure outwhat guitar I really wanted at a chamber of commerce dinner. He got me talking guitars and was able to get it out of me.

She found a used one in San Diego and had it shipped to iowa.

Then one day I get home from work and she tells me there is a guitar in her car that she needs me to work on for a real estate client. So I go and get the dam thing only to find it's a 2000 McCarty for me! I was blown away .

She created a monster, I bought 5 more PRS guitars after that incident!