Why buy ONE McCarty, when you can buy TWO?

[jabps]

I salute your gear whoredome.

I want an SC245 myself...not so much for the singlecut body but more for the LP-ish control layout.

I hear ya. I wanted something similar to my Les Paul, but different ya know? I don't care what anyone says, the singlecut SC245 is CLEARLY trying to be a Les Paul and I didn't want another Les Paul. The McCarty is similar in that it has a thicker neck, vintage style tuners, thicker body, etc, but it's different enough to be cool I think.

Thats crazy...you bought 2. Cool. Heck I've bought 3 of the new Tremonti's in the last year...just love them.

On the thickness...the McCarty and the Tremonti SC are the thickest solid body guitars PRS makes. That's why I like the Tremonti...single cut, not chambered and it's thick. I could never get use to the thinner Custom 22's or 24's...or even the regular SC's with trems...all too thin.

The one with the Tremonti pup...you might like it. To me...the Tremonti pup is like a much better JB. It's hot but fun to play...not ice picky, bottom stays tight...good sounding pup to my ears. I'm throwing a Aldrich in one of them because of curiosity but if it doesn't work I know I can be happy with the Tremonti pups.

One thing I will say about PRS guitars when coming from heavy Gibson use...and I say this because my main guitars for several years where Les Pauls is give them some time. Obviously they're different animals but I absolutely love mine. And it's very easy for me to switch back to the Pauls.

Have fun and that burst is a beauty.

 

[jski59]

Nice!

FYI...those stock McCarty pickups are going to be a lot weaker than those in the goldtop, so keep that in mind. I really don't care for the McCarty pickups at all. I can't recommend the Suhr Aldrich's enough.

That McCartyburst looks great...so classy.

Now that I've had my McTrem for awhile, I want a Swamp Ash Special with a maple board!

Jason

You have a McCarty with Aldrich pups in it? What do you think ? I'm putting a set of reverse zebra Aldrich's in one as we speak, can't wait to hear 'em !! What are you playing them through?

They're great! Best pickup I've ever used. The neck pickup sounds great too and I really like them split...although I have a McTrem...sometimes I wonder if the trem gives it a little more sparkle.

I previously had a stoptail McCarty and the stock pickups were horrible in that, but not so bad in the McTrem. Again, I wonder about the effect of the trem. Split sounds also sucked in the stoptail, even after I changed the pickups to a JB/Jazz.

Anyway, I don't think you'll be disappointed in the Suhrs. Be warned though, they are freaking hot pickups...

I'm mainly playing through Mark IV with an open back and a thiele loaded with EV's...I'll keep this amp til I die.

I also just picked up a used DSL 50 and an Avatar 2x12 with Emi GB12's (greenbacks), but so far, I'm pretty underwhelmed with it. I've never played through a Marshall before, so I thought I'd give it a shot. My strat does sound pretty good cranked through the crunch channel though...

Jason

 

[jski59]

Nice!

FYI...those stock McCarty pickups are going to be a lot weaker than those in the goldtop, so keep that in mind. I really don't care for the McCarty pickups at all. I can't recommend the Suhr Aldrich's enough.

That McCartyburst looks great...so classy.

Now that I've had my McTrem for awhile, I want a Swamp Ash Special with a maple board!

Jason

Thanks! Yeah, I was just reading that the Tremonti 'bucker is supposed to be super hot. We'll see how it all works out. I'm open to giving them all a shot. I've read that the stock McCarty pickups are dark and vintage sounding, which actually sounds appealing to me.

Either way, I have a BBQ, DiMarzio VPAF Hot, and Duncan '59 model sitting here to try in the bridge of these guitars if I want.

Well, there you go....you've got too many pickups...you need to keep both guitars.

Jason

 

[Qweklain]

Nice score dude! Looks like this is one of those EXTERMELY rare instances where patience really does pay off, huh?

 

[JTyson]

Nice!

FYI...those stock McCarty pickups are going to be a lot weaker than those in the goldtop, so keep that in mind. I really don't care for the McCarty pickups at all. I can't recommend the Suhr Aldrich's enough.

That McCartyburst looks great...so classy.

Now that I've had my McTrem for awhile, I want a Swamp Ash Special with a maple board!

Jason

You have a McCarty with Aldrich pups in it? What do you think ? I'm putting a set of reverse zebra Aldrich's in one as we speak, can't wait to hear 'em !! What are you playing them through?

They're great! Best pickup I've ever used. The neck pickup sounds great too and I really like them split...although I have a McTrem...sometimes I wonder if the trem gives it a little more sparkle.

I previously had a stoptail McCarty and the stock pickups were horrible in that, but not so bad in the McTrem. Again, I wonder about the effect of the trem. Split sounds also sucked in the stoptail, even after I changed the pickups to a JB/Jazz.

Anyway, I don't think you'll be disappointed in the Suhrs. Be warned though, they are freaking hot pickups...

I'm mainly playing through Mark IV with an open back and a thiele loaded with EV's...I'll keep this amp til I die.

I also just picked up a used DSL 50 and an Avatar 2x12 with Emi GB12's (greenbacks), but so far, I'm pretty underwhelmed with it. I've never played through a Marshall before, so I thought I'd give it a shot. My strat does sound pretty good cranked through the crunch channel though...

Jason

Yeah, I would bet the trem gives it some spring resonance that would be cool. Have a few cool marshalls I'm getting some monster tones out of, But they are either modded, or being boosted with somthing in front of the amp. The DSL I have I'm either using an OCD, or a keeley SD1 in front of the LD1 channel, LD2 is a bit much boosted, and a little too squishy straight in, so I stick with LD1 The OCD is running at 18 volts, some guys here turned me on to that, it works! The marshall's seem to have more depth in the mids than my Mesa's, But I love the Mesa too. Actually ended up with some very cool combo's of tones using a voodoo labs switcher. I can use either, or, or any combo of 5 heads, usually dont use more than 2 at a time. Was wondering, when you wired up the suhr's to split the neck pup, did you use the stk Mc. tone control? and if so, how did you wire it? I have changed mine to 2 volume controls, the one for the neck is push-pull, but not sure how to wire it, would be cool to find out since I'm installing them now, and could be done with it. Thanks - Jim

 

[Bob Savage]

Cuz you were scared you would have to buy one afterwards

I was actually afraid that after playing it for a minute I might start smashing it on the floor.

 

[jski59]

Well, there you go....you've got too many pickups...you need to keep both guitars.

Jason

LOL. I've found that three is the perfect number to me in regards to guitars. If I have more than that, something doesn't get played. Right now, I have my R8, that Jake parts-o-caster, and the Tele I've had for longer than just about any other guitar I've ever owned (3-4 years?)

Now I'm adding these two McCarty's and something's gotta go. I've also found that when I have two guitars of the same model, I always sell one of them.

We'll see how it all works out. There's a chance I'll end up keeping my R8, a McCarty, and my Tele. Then there's a chance I'll end up with my R8 and the two McCarty's. It's kinda up in the air now!

I've just finally woke up during the last year and bought a few more guitars...in the past, I've always just had one.

Now I've got the McTrem, a Classic Player 50's strat (which is my guinea pig) and an Ibanez RG3120 that I bought new in '98. I don't play the Ibanez much any more, but I can't quite part with it either.

It's funny to me that after years of playing Ibanez wizard necks, now my favorite is a PRS wide/fat! I'd go so far to say my hand hurts if I play the ibanez too much...

But I agree on having 3 guitars...McCarty, Strat and Superstrat...that covers all the bases for me.

All though I would like to build a bare wood Musikraft Charvel.

Jason

 

[cyndicate]

Cuz you were scared you would have to buy one afterwards

I was actually afraid that after playing it for a minute I might start smashing it on the floor.

Drop it and it'll break itself with no effort

 

[jski59]

Jason[/quote]
Yeah, I would bet the trem gives it some spring resonance that would be cool. Have a few cool marshalls I'm getting some monster tones out of, But they are either modded, or being boosted with somthing in front of the amp. The DSL I have I'm either using an OCD, or a keeley SD1 in front of the LD1 channel, LD2 is a bit much boosted, and a little too squishy straight in, so I stick with LD1 The OCD is running at 18 volts, some guys here turned me on to that, it works! The marshall's seem to have more depth in the mids than my Mesa's, But I love the Mesa too. Actually ended up with some very cool combo's of tones using a voodoo labs switcher. I can use either, or, or any combo of 5 heads, usually dont use more than 2 at a time. Was wondering, when you wired up the suhr's to split the neck pup, did you use the stk Mc. tone control? and if so, how did you wire it? I have changed mine to 2 volume controls, the one for the neck is push-pull, but not sure how to wire it, would be cool to find out since I'm installing them now, and could be done with it. Thanks - Jim[/quote]


Well, I'll keep playing around with the Marshall. And I also prefer it boosted...I use a BB preamp. I should really swap out the tubes before I pass judgement since it's on '05 and appears to have the stock tubes. So far, I do like the green channel with the BB, but I have to crank it pretty good to get a good tone.

I wired my pickups the same as the stock McCarty with the pushpull tone. I thought about not wiring the bridge to split, but I'm glad I didn't...I really like the neck and bridge split combined on a clean sound.

I'll be curious to hear your opinion on the Suhr's split...I thought the stock pickups and even my SD's sucked before, but these Suhr's sound good. Not exactly strat-like, but pretty damn good.

Jason

 

[Jordon1]

Convert

 

[vchizzle]

Wow. I like the gold one. Always have. It is very unique to be solid gold though. It could be a one-off rather than a special order too. PRS does stuff like that quite a bit. I haven't seen a gold one like that though. The Tremonti is super hot. Nice sounding pickup for all out gain, not very dynamic though, that's the only thing I didn't like about it.

 

[vchizzle]

I did just send PRS an email, then realized they said it can take 1-2 weeks for them to reply? Anyway, the modcat code or whatever it's called indicates the color is "Gold Metallic." I just did a real quick search and came across this page:

http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/color/gold.html

The guitar on that page appears to have a gold headstock too. I don't think this gold guitar is a custom order, but it's possible they just didn't make many. I'll know in 1-2 weeks (does it really take them that long?)

If you just emailed @ the PRS website, they usually get back within a day or 2. Shawn Nuthall is the guy in CS that will likely email back. I'd guess within a couple business days, Mon. or Tues. I've never heard of the 1-2 week thing.

 

[Jordon1]

Oh, Thump. Now that you own some PRSi, go to http://www.birdsandmoons.com for any and all PRS questions that you need answered. Vaughn can vouch for that forum as well. Very knowledgeable guys over there.

 

[jmgman69]

That Goldtop really,really looks SICK!!!!!!!!!!!Sweet looking axe

 

[Jordon1]

Oh, Thump. Now that you own some PRSi, go to http://www.birdsandmoons.com for any and all PRS questions that you need answered. Vaughn can vouch for that forum as well. Very knowledgeable guys over there.

I'm already a member.

Well, then....Good man!

 

[JTyson]

I stand corrected ! Thanks-Jim

 

[JTyson]

Yeah, knew they had some colors running around,{ dont like colored ones-exept yours!} and they did cover the whole guitar, but I had never seen one gold. EVER. Sorry to get your hopes up. If your ever in Gulf Shores,AL., I'll buy you a beer.--Jim

 

[vchizzle]

Interesting. I've never seen the "old gold" ones then. The normal goldtop with the natural back is far more common. The platinum color is a full cover color like the old gold you have color you have coming...I'm a big fan of that color as well.

 

[Jordon1]

So if I sell it, I can't say it's "rare", but I can say it's "uncommon" and mean it.

So let me make sure I understand. The goldtop is a McCarty Standard, right? Most likely has an all mahogany body? And the burst is a McCarty with a maple top (obviously.)

Psh, if you sell it, you can just contact me

 

[Zorran]

i used to have a goldtop mccarty with a natural back. all the goldies ive seen are natural backed. in fact, the first thing i noticed about yours thump is the all gold. pretty rare id say.

also the mccarty pickups are rather average, except when you play both, i.e. the middle position. when you do play both, the pickups make perfect sense. that being said, id swap them out straight away.

i have 3 mccarties, one with joe barden hb two tones, one with suhr aldrichs, and the other with bareknuckle crawlers. the mccarty is definately a special PRS..it has all the prs tuning stability, construction, playability, finish and tone, without that prs custom twang. just a full bodied deep sound.


GREAT score thump..im not sure which one youre gonna end up with..id say if you get different enough pickups in each one, youre gonna keep both congrats and i hope to see your NGD thread on BaM as well