Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

[JeffB]

Bridge pup crapped out a couple days after getting it. Finally new PUP came in last week, dropped her off and picked her up today.

I gotta say as far as single note lead tones go...I've not had better that I can remember...this thing just sings..sustains like a les paul...feeds back (controlled) nicely......just is a little "thin" in the low mids for power chords & riffs...doesn't quite have the Gibson "chunk".....

Gotta run but heres a few pics

Hate the color actually...shes not real pretty...but out of the 4 or 5 McCarty's I tried back to back she had the best tone...

 

[jeremy]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

then you picked the right one. looks pretty nice to me

 

[tone4days]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

looks good indeed .. has a smokey, understated quality .. glad the tone is kickin'

cheers
t4d

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

yeah bud. i'm not normally a PRS guy, but I think that looks great.

 

[Dom L]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

No such thing as an ugly or bad McCarty

 

[Artie]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

Very nice. I like the simple control layout too, although the 3-way seems to be in an odd place. Does it feel natural to use?

 

[flank]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

i hate PRS finishes, the ones that are super clear and super deep colors (with all the quilting/flaming etc).....i prefer one like yours, with the mild smoky colors on it

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

Nice! I like the color. To me, they almost sound better than LP's, after you put heftier sounding pickups in it. The stock McCarty pickups are really the best vintage A5 pickups you can find, but if you want it even better sounding, get a 59B/Jazz N combo. Zebras would look killer in that one. My teal black one got outfitted with a zebra C-5/59 set and a Tonepros adjustable bridge. The Tonepros added more highend than I wanted, so I kept the Tonepros bolts, and put the stock tailpiece back on it with the Tonepros bolts keeping it clamped on. Better than ever!!!
If I were to change pickups, I'd back it down 1 notch to the 59/Jazz set, because I think those would be perfect.

One mod I did to my McCarties was to cut the coiltap wire on the bridge pickup.
Now, I can go between a full bridge and either the full or split neck. The benefit is that I don't have to keep messing with the push-pull tone knob when I want to return to the full bridge.

As for the 3 way switch, it's in the PERFECT spot. You don't realize it till you play the McCarty for quite awhile. Your hand can swipe it easily there.
On LP's, it's too high up, and if it were near the volume knob, you might accidentally hit it when strumming hard. The McCarty is the most perfectly designed electric guitar, in my opinion. I love LP's, but the McCarty can be considered the final Gibson, since Ted McCarty's input was his last testament in life. He was the Pres. of Gibson throughout their glory years, so he knew what PRS designs to improve. Ted was right, because the McCarty is a more perfect design than the PRS Customs. It'll be PRS's classic forever.

 

[Hoss]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

i LOVE that color jeff!!! sounds like you're having a good time with it!?

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

Congrats! I love the colour you've got. They sound and play fantastic as well.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

Thanks everyone for the comments

I like the top..the subtleness...I just don't like the color...the brown is pretty much a "milk cocolate" type thing....but like I said...out of those I tried it was the most resonant, had the best unamplified and amplified tone, best sustain, etc. Reckon I could tape it up like EVH

As for the controls: Those (and the lack of low mids), are my only issues with guitar. I played Les Pauls for so long, that switch has become second nature to me, and everything else is a struggle. I'm having a very difficult time getting used to the McCarty switch and the one on my Firebird. I also really wish it had the 2V, 2T like a Les Paul. I need a sep tone control for the neck pup at least...and on a LP, I use both volumes alot as well.

GJ..thanks for the pup tips...I'd hate to lose any of that great lead tone by switching...but I have a pair of Zebra 59's..brand new..at home that I've been thinking of dropping in this.....however do they not need to be the 4 conducter version for the PRS coil tap? I don't use the neck pup tapped often, but I do really like the near telecaster tone of the bridge pup split...def more tele than stratty. Also why would you choose the JAZZn over the 59n in this particular guitar?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

BUMP for GJ's input on pups..

also new question...anyone ever put McCarty pups in Les Paul?

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

Well, you made the right choice. Always go with tone/playability over looks. But that one isn't bad looking. It's subtle, but still pretty. I'd be happy with it. Have fun breaking it in.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

BUMP for GJ's input on pups..

also new question...anyone ever put McCarty pups in Les Paul?

I'm pretty happy with the C5/59 in mine, so I've left it alone. If I experiment with other combinations, it might be the 59/Jazz, only because I know the 59B would sound good.........I normally like the 59N more than Jazz necks, but on the McCarty, I'd like to at least hear the glassy sounding Jazz in that guitar. It might make for better neck clean tones. As for neck solo tones, I still like the 59 and Seth the best.

I've been procrastinating for a long time, regarding the idea of dropping my McCarty pickups into a Les Paul. I'm quite sure I'd like them more than ANY Gibson pickups I've ever owned. They probably sound like Alnico 5 Seths.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

I'm pretty happy with the C5/59 in mine, so I've left it alone. If I experiment with other combinations, it might be the 59/Jazz, only because I know the 59B would sound good.........I normally like the 59N more than Jazz necks, but on the McCarty, I'd like to at least hear the glassy sounding Jazz in that guitar. It might make for better neck clean tones. As for neck solo tones, I still like the 59 and Seth the best.

I've been procrastinating for a long time, regarding the idea of dropping my McCarty pickups into a Les Paul. I'm quite sure I'd like them more than ANY Gibson pickups I've ever owned. They probably sound like Alnico 5 Seths.

Thanks man..really appreciate your input...

I've been contemplating McCarty pups for my Les Paul as I cannot find an Alnico V in the Duncan line that suits my needs in the bridge pos...or think will at least....I've been looking at DiMarzios too (VPAF, VHPAF, AIRC), as well as Fralins, and think I may just bite the bullet and order some McCartys...I KNOW how good they sound and I think with the increased lows/low mids of a Paul vs. the Reed style that may jus be zakkly what I'm looking for tonewise.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Finally got the McCarty back..few pics

I think you should put a 4 lead set of 59's in the McCarty, then move the McCarty pickups over to your Les Paul. There's a good possibility that both guitars would be improved. The LP would be sweeter and the PRS would be a bit more agressive.