Your thoughts on McCarty 594 Singlecut

TonyT

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May 14, 2024
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So I am looking at a stable mate for my CE24 solid body with 57/08 pups which is my one and only guitar currently and I really enjoy.

I’m leaning toward a used McCarty 594 Single Cut but would welcome thoughts and input on the following …

1) Is there a specific model year(s) in this core model’s development over time that I should avoid or seek out? I’ve heard they made some changes with the bridge but not sure when. There is hundreds of used McCarty’s on Reverb and I’m willing to spend up to $3500 if the value is there.

2) I know the neck on a McCarty is quite a bit chunkier than a CE or Custom 24 neck. Anyone have trouble transitioning to it? I have large hands so I don’t think it will be an issue.

Thanks for your thoughts/advice!
 
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Man, you are talking my language. The SC594 is an amazing instrument and I cannot stop buying them. I cannot compare it to the CE or CU24, but my other PRS's are Tremonti's which have the Pattern Thin neck which I believe most CU24's current have. My answers are below to your questions along with a little eye candy:

1. The main difference in my 2018-2023 SC594's is the bridge. The saddles on the older models are "blocks" where the newer bridges have "wedges". I do not notice any difference in tuning stability nor performance other than palm muting being slightly more comfortable on the older style bridges. It is also helpful to note that this portion of the bridge tarnishes easily so there is a visual difference after a lot of heavy palm muting where the blocks are darker than the wedges because there is more surface area in contact with your skin. The main other difference is in having locking tuners standard. I believe it was ~2020 where they went to the non-locking traditional tuners as the standard. Both my 2021 and 2023 required "upgrades" where I installed the PRS locking traditional tuners.

2. The neck is noticeably thicker than the Pattern Thin, but I find it very comfortable for my playing (Rhythm punk/metal/hardcore guitar). It does not fatigue my hands at all. My DC594 was my first PRS and I added a Tremonti a few months later. I notice the difference, but it quickly blends in after a few minutes for my playing. I regularly alternate between my 594's, Tremontis, and G Les Paul Customs with ease. Each of the three necks feel very good to me.

To close it out, there is a sweet spot (price, quality, performance, and availability) with the 2018/2019 SC594's. I keep seeing very nice guitars in great condition available on Reverb. With that said, you cannot go wrong with of them and I can vouch for 2018 - 2023 being excellent years. Best of luck in landing your next guitar!

Left to Right: 2018 DC594, 2021 SC594 (my #1), 2018 SC594 WL, and 2018 SC594 Soapbar
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2023 SC594
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I'll second 2018-2019 being a particularly good time for 594's - that being said, of course, it does depend on what you're after, but to me, yeah.

I'm not sure exactly when the "TCI" tweaked pickups started rolling out in 594's, but I believe it was either 2018 or 2019. IIRC, the Nitro/CAB finish (still the current spec) was technically supposed to be a change for the 2020 models, but it actually started rolling out partway through 2019. And, the change to vintage non-locking style tuners was also a 2020 change, but on that, PRS gave dealers the option of whether they wanted to keep the older spec locking tuners on existing orders (as they had ordered them), or modify to vintage tuners, and it seems most dealers stayed with the locking tuners through most of 2019.

I know these things, because I was looking at 594's in the cursed year of 2020, so naturally the 2019 models were a big part of what was available at the time. I think of my 594 as a "sweet spot" because it has the nitro finish and TCI pickups, but still has the locking tuners, and that's a somewhat rare combination that only happened for about a 6 month, or less, period.

The bridges seemed to go back and forth between the block and wedge shape saddles up until the past few years, when they've mostly been the wedge shape. Having had both, I can't say I have a preference. I will say, if you buy a used 594, ask the seller to take a picture of the bridge from the back of the guitar, looking down the neck, so you can see the bridge. Some of the bridge plates from 594's around that time would bend or "sag" in the middle, bending down toward the body. If you can imagine, the sag flares the ends up, and the whole plate of the bridge is not in contact with the brass adjustment wheel. This was the case for mine, and it was giving the low E and A strings the "rubber band" sound - it was the one thing about the guitar that bothered me. I didn't notice the bent bridge for about a year, but when I did, I replaced it, and it was instantly noticeable. The low strings rang like a piano right away, and remain doing so to this day. If you find a guitar you love and it shows up with a bent bridge, it's not a terribly expensive replacement part to get, but worth being aware of. It's a documented issue that happened to a fair handful of folks here.

All that said, you really can't go wrong with any 594. If you aren't super picky on the specs above, just find one that speaks to you, and go for it. They've been great guitars since the day they started making them.
 
As much as I like a nitro finish, the Phase III locking tuners are a must. So pre-2020 for me. I love my 2018 594, so hopefully I get to pickup a 2018 SC to go with it.
 
Fantastic info above … I appreciate the feedback. Can’t wait to test a couple of these out.
 
My SC594 was a 2019, but with some of the 2020 changes. It had an October 2019 production date. 58/15LT TCI pickups, nitro finish, the bridge with blocks, and locking tuners. It didn’t have the 58/15LT+ TCI pickups, which came along a little later.

I picked up the newer bridge with the smaller saddles at one point. Tried it out. I noticed no change in tone, but I was used to the way the blocks felt and preferred that. The older bridge went back on and I still have the newer one around.

I very much wanted the locking tuners. Most every guitar I have has them, so I’m not proficient with changing strings on non-lockers.

If I were to look for another SC594, that’d be important to me. If I got one with the vintage tuners, I’d probably swap them out. The rest of the changes? Subtle enough that I don’t think I’d be swayed one way or the other. I do prefer the poly finish to the nitro, as my poly guitars seem to wear better. TCI is more sizzle than steak.
 
Personally not a fan, just don’t care for single cuts myself.

But I’m sure it’s great and many people here like them a lot.
 
I love my 2018 594 double cut. Its quilted maple 10 top adds to its beauty, but the diverse tones available from its coil-splittable humbuckers makes it one of my most versatile guitars.
 
Don’t forget the semi hollows made around 2018. They have locking tuners. Block saddles. And generally are 3/4 to a full pound lighter than regular 594 single cuts.

And they can be found within your range
 
I Would Buy An OG Style Singlecut With A Wrap Bridge But That Is Me.
I had a 2012 SC-58 with 2 piece bridge and a Ted McCarty with wrap bridge. I'm sure things have evolved since then, but I also preferred the Ted with wrap bridge. I would like to try a newer 594 though.
 
How did you find a plus?
When I was looking for the SC Semi I wanted to try the + pups and luckily found them on Reverb at the same time I found the guitar. The pups came a day before the guitar.
I waited about 6 months to make the switch, and ended up putting the regular 58/15 LT in my 2001 McRosie.
Couldn't be happier.
Make no mistake though... the regular 58/15 LT are fantastic!
 
Now dumb question. Do plus models have both pickups winded tighter or just the bridge? I assume they are still LT compared to the base 58/15
 
Now dumb question. Do plus models have both pickups winded tighter or just the bridge? I assume they are still LT compared to the base 58/15

LT+ are both labeled + and were tuned specifically for singlecut guitars per Shawn. I've seen them occasionally in non single cuts though. The LT-V is just the neck pickup and also for singlecut guitars before the +.
 
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