PRS 101

[Gitfiddler]

I had a PRS standard 24 many years ago, and never bonded with the guitar. Since then, I have played CE 24's, and really liked them. Will someone please clarify for me the difference between McCarty models and non-McCarty models. Is a custom considered to be superior to a McCarty? How does a McCarty single cut differ from a regular single cut? Does McCarty somehow signify superior quality? Is a DGT better than all? Or should I just stick with Les Pauls?

 

[Deanmachine]

Les Paul !

 

[Deleted member 22269]

I've had a McCarty 22. Pickups were more vintage, no locking tuners, fixed (hard tail bridge) and the guitar was lighter than my Custom 22. A fine guitar but I didn't like it as much as my Customs so I parted ways with it. The CE's or Standards are not inferior guitars they are simply bolt on models. A lot of people prefer bolt ons for many reasons. I can tell you I acquired a CE-22 last year that I will not sell. It plays and sounds amazing.

 

[chunktone]

Les Paul !

This! But if you must consider PRS, Carvin!

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

I'm no expert. The Mccartys were meant to get you into that les paul vicinity--thicker body, stop tail, low output pickups. The newer Singlecuts are taking that a bit further with the single cut away,2 piece bridge, thicker body, improved pickups etc. IMO, the best of PRS is what they started out doing in the beginning-the customs--a marriage between LP and Strat. The models that aim too far one way or another don't do much for me. A cu24 is in my very near future because I love LP type tones but want the comfort of the thinner body and neck, versatility of the PUPs, but still have a set neck, mahogany bodied maple capped guitar. Does it sound as beefy as an LP-certainly not. But damn it's comfortable in so many ways--weight, neck, body,etc.

 

[lessthan12]

Les Paul !

yea, if you can find an early 90's one...Everything they make now is just junk

 

[Mr. Willy]

It's really old that just about every time somebody asks about PRS guitars, then a bunch dudes come in and kinda crap on it by saying, "Les Paul," "Carvin," or whatever else. The OP didn't ask about those guitars, he asked about PRS!

 

[thiswaythatway]

A 2015 Gibson LP is a pile of crap IMHO. I was on an LP hunt for a year and wound up with a Stripped 58.

To get back on topic, IMHO skip the McCarty and go with a DGT. The DGT has really big frets and an extremely comfortable neck being that it's what I'd consider smallish. The Stripped 58 I have, to me, sounded better than a bunch of Les Pauls I played through except 1. And at that point it was just what I'd call different flavor's. So to compare the DGT with the 58, they are different. The DGT has a lot of bottom but less mid grind but in the neck position for leads the DGT does that OOOOOHHHHOOOOO, singing thing really well.


So as far as the double cut style guitars that PRS is most known for a DGT will get you closer to LPish tones more so than other models like the Custom 24. The DGT also has a pull out tone knob for single coil tones.

 

[prsplayer86]

If your already playing a Les Paul, I'd really suggest trying out a SC 250. McCarty's have a slightly thicker body, thinner headstock, and a different headstock angle. They also generally come with a higher grade top compared to other base models.
https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=91414 - This might shed some light on the McCarty's

Back to the SC 250, they've been discontinued but you can find them used. I also prefer the SC250 over most Gibson's and is what swayed me over to PRS in the first place. I just got my hands on my second PRS ,a CE22, and its a fantastic guitar. If you've found a CE 24 that you mesh with I say grab it. It's a fantastic bolt on guitar and will hold its value (if you buy used).

 

[Gitfiddler]

Thanks for the replies. I should have pulled the trigger on a CE 24 that I really liked. There's a blemished DGT locally that looks pretty sweet at a reduced price. Sonically, are the fancy topped DGT's much different than the non-fancy top ones?

 

[prsplayer86]

Thanks for the replies. I should have pulled the trigger on a CE 24 that I really liked. There's a blemished DGT locally that looks pretty sweet at a reduced price. Sonically, are the fancy topped DGT's much different than the non-fancy top ones?

To each there own as far as what sounds better.. I'd play it before I bought it for sure. You could line 6 DGT's up and play them back to back and your going to have one that'll sound better. You could also play 6 Customs and find one that'll sound better than a DGT. It's all about what sounds/feels good to you!

 

[Deleted member 22269]

In my opinion the 22's play much better than the 24's. The McCarty I had was lighter than my Custom and did not have a nicer top. They even make gold top and Korina McCarty's. McCarty is aimed at the tradionalist market, like the SC 245 and Stripped 58. I stopped playing Les Pauls because of the weight, comfort and I like the feel of the PRS neck much better. I've had Les Paul's and many PRS guitars and my PRS guitars sound every bit as fat and thick as a Les Paul but to me they are much more comfortable to play. To each their own though. I'm a Gibson fan too.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

Les Paul !

Sorry , but this.

Says the guy who wanted to trade for my Stripped 58

Just messin with you

 

[jski59]

I've had several McCarty's, a swamp ash special and now a dgt...the dgt is my favorite by far.

Mines plain black with moons and I like it better than my old 10 tops.