gwayne Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Some background: I got a PRS Custom 22 Trem in a trade a few months back. I had all intentions of flipping it because I have played many many PRS and never found one I could stick with. Well, this Custom kicks all kinds of ass. It has the wide/fat neck profile, which I love, a hot bridge pickup and a tamer neck pickup which yields very nice split tones. I'm not 100% sold on the rotary switching, but it doesn't bother me enough to change it. Anyway, as much as I'm enjoying the Custom, I've considered a McCarty. Is it going to be THAT different from the Custom? Is a McCarty very close to a Studio? How are the split tones on the Mac?I know there are several PRS owners here and I would appreciate your input.TIA,G
KH Guitar Freak Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I played a rosewood neck McCarthy a few years back, 'twas nice, the tone are definitely more vintage like than the Custom 22...But that doesn't mean you can push the McCarthy to yield more heavy rock tones...I myself have a PRS Mark Tremonti USA in black, basically the older version with fixed bridge...
MCChris Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 rosewood neck McCarthy First the dweeb from 3 Doors Down, now this. PRS will give anyone a signature model nowadays.
serial Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 rosewood neck McCarthy First the dweeb from 3 Doors Down, now this. PRS will give anyone a signature model nowadays. Ted McCarty? He was the guy that invented the humbucking pickup and by some accounts, designed the Les Paul. Don't know what that has to do with PRS, but Paul obviously wanted to pay tribute to him. Don't know if he could shred or not though.
KH Guitar Freak Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Is he thinking of that 3 Doors Down guitarist sig model???
MCChris Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Is he thinking of that 3 Doors Down guitarist sig model??? You're the one who said McCARTHY, not me.
prototype-fan Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Ted McCarty? He was the guy that invented the humbucking pickup and by some accounts, designed the Les Paul.Don't know what that has to do with PRS, but Paul obviously wanted to pay tribute to him. Don't know if he could shred or not though.I could be wrong, but I thought that Ted McCarty actually helped PRS design their pickups before he passed away.
DavidE Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Is he thinking of that 3 Doors Down guitarist sig model??? You're the one who said McCARTHY, not me. I was with you Chris! LOL. Although I usually think of Joseph McCarthy whenever I see someone make that common spelling error. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McCarthy Joseph Raymond McCarthy (November 14, 1908 – May 2, 1957) served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of a period of extreme anti-communist suspicion inspired by the tensions of the Cold War.[1] He was noted for making claims that there were large numbers of Communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the federal government and elsewhere. Ultimately, McCarthy's tactics and his inability to substantiate his claims led to his being discredited and censured by the United States Senate. The term "McCarthyism," coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's practices, was soon applied to similar anti-communist pursuits. Today the term is used more generally to describe demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents.[2]
MCChris Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I could be wrong, but I thought that Ted McCarty actually helped PRS design their pickups before he passed away.If that's the case, too bad he didn't pass away BEFORE he helped PRS design those glorified refrigerator magnets.I was with you Chris! LOL.Good to know at least one lawyer is paying attention today.
serial Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I could be wrong, but I thought that Ted McCarty actually helped PRS design their pickups before he passed away. If that's the case, too bad he didn't pass away BEFORE he helped PRS design those glorified refrigerator magnets. I was with you Chris! LOL. Good to know at least one lawyer is paying attention today. I WAS paying attention-my sarcasm must be flying under yer radar (hence the shred comment). Damn-it MUST be cold out there in the Midwest!! I proudly admit that I have no idea who anyone in Three Doors Down is...
DavidE Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I happen to be a fan of the McCarty pickups. I love my McCarty and would play it over my CU22 if it had a trem. It sounds bigger, badder and better. It sounded better than my studio, I preferred the way if felt and hung on me, so I sold my studio.
MCChris Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I happen to be a fan of the McCarty pickups. I love my McCarty and would play it over my CU22 if it had a trem. It sounds bigger, badder and better. It sounded better than my studio, I preferred the way if felt and hung on me, so I sold my studio.I don't doubt it. I just know I couldn't have hated the Dragon IIs more; hopefully he didn't have a hand in designing those.It's my belief that the pickups are the primary reason why people say PRSs lack character and "mojo."
gwayne Posted February 20, 2008 Author Posted February 20, 2008 I preferred the way if felt and hung on me.That's what I'm liking about the CU22. With the belly cut and the way the top is contoured, my arm fits perfect across the top. It's more comfortable than the Studios (or Artists) I've had in the past.
BLuesBuster Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 The PRS McCarty has a slightly thicker body (+1/4") than the Custom and, I believe, they only come with the "wide fat" neck that I absolutely love. I traded a Studio Custom for my McCarty and never looked back. OTOH I still have a bunch of Hamers, I guess that Studio Custom was my least favorite. It was missing a belly cut and the tonal balance was tilted towards the high and mid-high. My feeling is that the McCarty is more balanced and comfortable against the body, probably because of the offset cutaway and the slightly smaller headstock making it a little less neck heavy.
KH Guitar Freak Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Is he thinking of that 3 Doors Down guitarist sig model??? You're the one who said McCARTHY, not me. Woops, typo, my bad...
Jim Browne Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 Actually, it was Seth Lover who designed the humbucker for Gibson while Ted McCarty was their president. Ted headed the company from 1948 'til 1966 and was largely responsible for the ES-335 (and variants), and the tuneomatic bridge, and played a major role in all the models introduced during his tenure (Flying V, Explorer, Les Paul, Firebird, SG, etc.). Definitely a giant in the industry. I don't know how directly he influenced the pickup design, but he was a consultant to PRS, and Paul said that, in seeking his counsel, PRS "downloaded the hard drive" regarding Gibson's production methods during their Golden Era, right down to the glue used for fingerboards (fish glue., IIRC!).
SteveB Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 It's my belief that the pickups are the primary reason why people say PRSs lack character and "mojo."What are you running in your PRS?
MCChris Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 It's my belief that the pickups are the primary reason why people say PRSs lack character and "mojo."What are you running in your PRS?Rio BBQ/TX.
Jeff R Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I'm still using the stock #7s in my Singlecut. I was having a problem with them getting a little shrill on me recently, but I figured out the problem was a recent re-tube in my Mark III's preamp section after it dawned on me that my other two guitars were also sounding kinda shitty. Did another tube swap and all was well. I was reassured this past weekend when me and Cajun Boy A/B'ed the Scut and his stock R7 (which sounds KILLER) for pickup tones on his Bogner and the guitars were too close to moan about unless you're Eric Johnson or a TGP, LPF or BAM Platinum Card holder. That all being said, I'm "typically" not a fan of PRS pickups either. Edited to add a relevant photo ...
gwayne Posted February 20, 2008 Author Posted February 20, 2008 I was reassured this past weekend when me and Cajun Boy A/B'ed the Scut and his stock R7 (which sounds KILLER) for pickup tones on his Bogner and the guitars were too close to moan about unless you're Eric Johnson or a TGP, LPF or BAM Platinum Card holder. Few guitars sound bad through CB's Shiva.
cmatthes Posted February 20, 2008 Posted February 20, 2008 I think he meant the "McCartney" model. I see that one for sale on eBay all the time. Can't tell how it differs from a McCarty though. Must be the pickups. I'd say that a Studio and a McCarty are two totally different beasts. I like the McCarty models a lot - I'm with David E. that a McCarty Trem (or DGT) is the perfect PRS for me. The Studio seems to have a bit more "oomph" to me. I'm not sure if its the difference in the body thickness or what.
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