PRS McCarty - 1997 or 2007?

chcjunior

chcjunior

New member
I've finally put aside enough cash to pick up a McCarty. The guitars mentioned in the subject are identical spec wise except for the model year. Any input as to which one may or may not preferable? Note that each would be an online purchase and thus I'd unable to take either for a test drive prior to purchase (though both have a 48-hour return policy). Thanks!
 
Re: PRS McCarty - 1997 or 2007?

I'd prefer the older one, just bcause the overharvesting and decrease in quality in mahogany over the 10 year period
 
Re: PRS McCarty - 1997 or 2007?

I'd go for the 97. My #1 guitar is a 96 McCarty. That's not to say that the newer ones are inferior, but I've yet to play one that sounds better so I'm inclined to believe that older ones might have something going on.
 
Re: PRS McCarty - 1997 or 2007?

If you can get one from 94-2000, get one, just because in the future, they'll be considered early McCartys. Some prefer Brazilian necks, and some prefer the regular mahogany/rosewood. I tend to like the normal ones, because they have more high end snap as opposed to the buttery sound. The Brazilian necks feel amazing though.

Overall, they're all very consistent, so buy the best one you can for the money, despite the year. I've found that I like the sound of the stock bridge more than the Tonepros aftermarket adjustable bridges. As long as the intonation is set 100% perfect on the stock bridge, it'll be the one guitar that stays in tune the best. My McCartys always stay in tune. I can pick one up after a month of not touching it, and it's still in tune.
McCartys are one of the most perfectly designed guitars IMO. A modern classic.
 
Re: PRS McCarty - 1997 or 2007?

I just bought a brand new PRS McCarty about 2 weeks ago after thinking on it for a while, it was made in 2000. I was a bit skeptical about the bridge design being non adjustable and all, but it actually is really nice and since i use 10's there's no need for any tweaking. Iv'e had it stay in tune for a whole week and then i go and pick it up and it's still in tune its awesome. I have an early 2000 model Santana se aswell and the mcarty has the same neck etc but its just in another league in terms of tone, alot more thicker sounding and at the same time everything cuts through better. The Mcarty is one of the best guitars ive ever played. I like the wide fat necks maybe it's because i like the feel of PRS necks.
 
Re: PRS McCarty - 1997 or 2007?

Glad you like it brother! My first PRS was a mccarty w/ a rosewwod neck and it's still one of my fave guitars. Fit , finish, tone looks.......got it all. I used to be a real gibson guy and have gone through a lot of les pauls...........my mccarty is better than ANY of the lesters i've owned or played.
 
Re: PRS McCarty - 1997 or 2007?

adding a McCarty to the arsenal now huh...you're making me jealous again...lol!

you got any pics of the guitars in question...?! :nervous:

at any rate...this sounds like a good problem to have :banana::headbang::bigok:
 
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