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General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: pickdropper on May 27, 2021, 12:30:41 PM

Title: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: pickdropper on May 27, 2021, 12:30:41 PM
I wasn't shopping, but this fell into my lap at a good price so I couldn't resist.  It's an '01 PRS McCarty in Tortoise Shell finish.  It's in pretty amazing condition for a 20 year old instrument.  I don't think it got played much.  While I tend to favor the current production PRS guitars slightly, this is a really nice instrument.

It's a great playing instrument, but the stock McCarty pickups are fairly awful, so I'm going to throw a set of Wolfetone pickups in it.

(https://i.imgur.com/vZY7dn8.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/UfLUNwa.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/gELxzjr.jpg)

Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: jimilee on May 27, 2021, 12:48:43 PM
Wow, that's beautiful man. Congrats!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: pickdropper on May 27, 2021, 01:31:33 PM
Quote from: jimilee on May 27, 2021, 12:48:43 PM
Wow, that's beautiful man. Congrats!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Jimi!
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: jjjimi84 on May 27, 2021, 02:46:18 PM
Fffffffffuuuuuuuuuuucccccccckkkkkkkkk mmmmeeeeee!

Man, that thing is beautiful! Great grab
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: culturejam on May 27, 2021, 08:01:57 PM
Lookin good, Mr. McCarteeeer.  8)
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: dan.schumaker on May 27, 2021, 08:25:37 PM
Beautiful!  I love the color on that, and the figuring!  Is it a 10-top?
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: gordo on May 27, 2021, 10:48:55 PM
Very jealous.  I love that color and the McCarty is my fav model in it's wraparound form.
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: diablochris6 on May 27, 2021, 11:20:05 PM
Gorgeous guitar. I've always favored this look with some f-holes, but it would be a shame to carve out any more of that beautiful top.
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 12:44:20 AM
Quote from: dan.schumaker on May 27, 2021, 08:25:37 PM
Beautiful!  I love the color on that, and the figuring!  Is it a 10-top?

Nope, it's just a standard top, albeit a pretty nice one.  I've got two core PRS's with standard tops that I like better than many 10 tops I've seen.  It's a bit inconsistent of a system.

In this particular case, I'm glad it's not a ten as it would've increased the price and probably taken it past my interest level.
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: dan.schumaker on May 28, 2021, 01:00:52 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 12:44:20 AM
Quote from: dan.schumaker on May 27, 2021, 08:25:37 PM
Beautiful!  I love the color on that, and the figuring!  Is it a 10-top?

Nope, it's just a standard top, albeit a pretty nice one.  I've got two core PRS's with standard tops that I like better than many 10 tops I've seen.  It's a bit inconsistent of a system.

In this particular case, I'm glad it's not a ten as it would've increased the price and probably taken it past my interest level.

I would have deemed it a 10  ;)  Great score!
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: madbean on May 28, 2021, 02:11:42 AM
Badass. Not too blingy just the right amount! You have a 594 too, right? Still kinda want one of those.
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 02:12:52 AM
Quote from: dan.schumaker on May 28, 2021, 01:00:52 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 12:44:20 AM
Quote from: dan.schumaker on May 27, 2021, 08:25:37 PM
Beautiful!  I love the color on that, and the figuring!  Is it a 10-top?

Nope, it's just a standard top, albeit a pretty nice one.  I've got two core PRS's with standard tops that I like better than many 10 tops I've seen.  It's a bit inconsistent of a system.

In this particular case, I'm glad it's not a ten as it would've increased the price and probably taken it past my interest level.

I would have deemed it a 10  ;)  Great score!

Thanks Dan, I'm very pleased.  Hopefully the new pickups arrive soon.

As far as the grading goes, my understanding (which could be wrong) is that they grade them as raw boards, not as finished guitars.  This happens before the top is carved.  Carving the top can change the top.  Sometimes regular grade tops end up looking really good.  Unfortunately, sometimes 10-tops end up looking just OK.  It's wood, so it's highly variable.
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 02:14:11 AM
Quote from: madbean on May 28, 2021, 02:11:42 AM
Badass. Not too blingy just the right amount! You have a 594 too, right? Still kinda want one of those.

No, my wrist doesn't get along with the 594.  I tried again yesterday at the local shop and it's a no go.  I can't do the asymmetrical carve.

I have an SC-245, which I absolutely love.  The pattern neck on it is perfect for me (even better than this McCarty).  That's also just a normal top, but I might like it even better.

(https://i.imgur.com/djWQkLS.jpg)
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: madbean on May 28, 2021, 02:55:19 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 02:14:11 AM
Quote from: madbean on May 28, 2021, 02:11:42 AM
Badass. Not too blingy just the right amount! You have a 594 too, right? Still kinda want one of those.

No, my wrist doesn't get along with the 594.  I tried again yesterday at the local shop and it's a no go.  I can't do the asymmetrical carve.

I have an SC-245, which I absolutely love.  The pattern neck on it is perfect for me (even better than this McCarty).  That's also just a normal top, but I might like it even better.

(https://i.imgur.com/djWQkLS.jpg)

Wow, yeah. I like that 245 even better! Still haven't been able to try a 594. I just recently sold the Vela I bought last year. Very fine guitar but ultimately not quite right for me. I still have my S2 22 but I might even let that one go (in the interest of reducing my collection). There are so many PRS guitars that I dig, but I like the super blingy stuff they do least of all. Yours are extremely tasteful (not that my opinion matters here, haha). The neck on that 245 looks like a real dream to play.
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 04:01:12 AM
Quote from: madbean on May 28, 2021, 02:55:19 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 02:14:11 AM
Quote from: madbean on May 28, 2021, 02:11:42 AM
Badass. Not too blingy just the right amount! You have a 594 too, right? Still kinda want one of those.

No, my wrist doesn't get along with the 594.  I tried again yesterday at the local shop and it's a no go.  I can't do the asymmetrical carve.

I have an SC-245, which I absolutely love.  The pattern neck on it is perfect for me (even better than this McCarty).  That's also just a normal top, but I might like it even better.

(https://i.imgur.com/djWQkLS.jpg)

Wow, yeah. I like that 245 even better! Still haven't been able to try a 594. I just recently sold the Vela I bought last year. Very fine guitar but ultimately not quite right for me. I still have my S2 22 but I might even let that one go (in the interest of reducing my collection). There are so many PRS guitars that I dig, but I like the super blingy stuff they do least of all. Yours are extremely tasteful (not that my opinion matters here, haha). The neck on that 245 looks like a real dream to play.

I would definitely recommend checking out a 594.  They are beautiful guitars.  While the necks don't work for me, it is massively popular, so it clearly works for a lot of people.

I know PRS has a rep for bling (somewhat deserved) but there are plenty of workhorse instruments out there.  Those Custom 22s are nice, though.  I'm surprised you're thinking of letting that one go.  Then again, you're better about keeping your instrument count sane. 
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: madbean on May 29, 2021, 02:37:24 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 04:01:12 AM
I know PRS has a rep for bling (somewhat deserved) but there are plenty of workhorse instruments out there.  Those Custom 22s are nice, though.  I'm surprised you're thinking of letting that one go.  Then again, you're better about keeping your instrument count sane.

Only b/c I usually just want to play my SG or Strat these days. The S2 22 I have is absolutely a workhorse instrument. Used, satin finish, was not expensive, wouldn't care about it getting dings, etc. That's probably enough reason to keep it :)

That said, you won't ever catch me criticizing buying guitars! Funny that almost all the ones I've grown attached to and would not part with are the ones I bought used. The only store bought one I've kept is my US made SGJ which was like $500.
Title: Re: NGD - '01 PRS McCarty
Post by: pickdropper on May 29, 2021, 12:01:15 PM
Quote from: madbean on May 29, 2021, 02:37:24 AM
Quote from: pickdropper on May 28, 2021, 04:01:12 AM
I know PRS has a rep for bling (somewhat deserved) but there are plenty of workhorse instruments out there.  Those Custom 22s are nice, though.  I'm surprised you're thinking of letting that one go.  Then again, you're better about keeping your instrument count sane.

Only b/c I usually just want to play my SG or Strat these days. The S2 22 I have is absolutely a workhorse instrument. Used, satin finish, was not expensive, wouldn't care about it getting dings, etc. That's probably enough reason to keep it :)

That said, you won't ever catch me criticizing buying guitars! Funny that almost all the ones I've grown attached to and would not part with are the ones I bought used. The only store bought one I've kept is my US made SGJ which was like $500.

Yeah, that makes perfect sense.  On a certain level, I respect letting go of things that aren't being used. I tend to cycle through which guitars get used, so I've always had a hard time letting them go if I still like them.

It's funny, even though I have a bunch of guitars, I actually don't buy guitars that often.  It had been 3-4 years since I've purchased one (and this one sort of just fell into my lap).  Forrest's doing a pretty good job convincing me I need one of his SGs, so it's not looking good for another 3-4 years.  ;-)