PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

[papersoul]

Hi all,

Does nay one own both of these guitars or have extensive time on both? I am seriously looking into buying one or the other in the near future as I want a nice compliment to my LP Standard which is my current #1 ax. I am looking for something that plays like butter and to me all PRS guitars seem to excell in this department but that also is very versatile in the tone department. I have played plenty of CU22 guitars but can't seem to find any McCartys in stores which is odd. Can't find any Singlecuts either.

I am told the McCary is the beefiest sounding PRS and warmest but I already have that with my LP. I like having guitars that all play great but feel a litle different and sound different rather than all just sounding similar but with a different feel. Know what I mean?

Hopefully, I'll find a McCarty soon to demo and a Dean hardtail for that matter. I am not sure I like the 5 way rotary knob on the CU22 and rather prefer a basic LP style switch.

All the CU22s I've played play perfect and sound amazing and more articulate than my LP with a little more bite. The Dragon II pickups are quite nice and rather dark, but clear.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

anyone?

 

[MCG]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

a custom 22 would be your best choice to add some veriety. A McCarty would sound more like your Gibson (but different). I'd say go with a CU 22 with a trem.

MCG

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

I've had Custom 24, Custom 22, and McCarties.

Ironically, PRS's best guitar IMO is the one Ted McCarty co-designed with PRS. He was the President of Gibson throughout Gibson's Glory years, which is why all of his ideas made the McCarty better than the original PRS's, tonally.

I also like the Singlecut, but would still choose a Les Paul Std over one.

The PRS McCarty with stock pickups is a blues rock machine. Outfitted with Duncans, a McCarty is likely to become your favorite guitar, quick!
My sunburst flametop is bone stock and killer. My teal black one with Zebra C-5/59 and tonepros adjustable bridge is one of the best sounding guitars I have.

I consider myself a Les Paul/Strat/McCarty guy.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

I own a CU22 hardtail, outfitted with duncan 59s and a three way (push pull coil tap on neck pickup). It's a great guitar. That's the setup I'd recommend to you if your'e looking at a CU22.

I really like McCartys, though. It's all I can do to make it out of my local shop each time I go to get strings without doing a deal on the teal black soapbar McCarty they have.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

i bought the McCarty after trying both (& the GIbson LP Classic) simply because it sounds superb with the stock humbuckers & that fat neck is the standard- chunky but very addictive & non-sticky. it also sounds very impressive at very high gain levels- metal/ blues/ fusion the McCarty can handle all these :dance:

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

I'd say the Custom 22, the McCarty is geared to the Les Paul sound so I'd say get something different. I like the wide/thin PRS necks myself, but I also prefer the 60's slim taper on my Gibsons too.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

Great, thanks guys! I am going to spend some time playing the Dean Hardtail, PRS CU22, and McCarty. I am guessing I'll favor the Hardtail and McCarty for the larger body feel, but I am thinking the CU22 might be the one for versatility.....but that darn 5 way rotary! I prefer a switch even though I hear the coil taps are not that great.

I'd also prefer to keep it stock and I like the Dragon II pickups a lot.

Then again, I hear the McCarty p'ups are nice also.

I do know that if I replaced the pickups on either, it would be a C-5 or Rio BBQ. My two favorite after market p'ups.

I doubt I'd change to a Tone Pros bridge because I have friends with Custom 22s who swear by the stock PRS bridge and say intonation is perfect and yes I have checked it myself. The most I would do is change pickups.

An interesting point I hear all the time is the hybrid tone and lack of Gibson vibe. Seems odd because the guitar should be judged for what it is. I think PRS guitars play superb and have great ergonomics, maybe the best. I also think they sound great but many long time PRS owners say they get sick of the hybrid tone and end up back with LPs and Strats.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

Gear, do you find a big difference between the mid '90s models and the new models in stores? Weren't they hand made at that time??

I need to spend more time with CU22s and hopefully will find a MCCarty to play this week! I am wondering if I'd get more use out of the 5 way rotary switch since I have never heard mutch difference with coil splitters.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

PRS's are so consistent from guitar to guitar that I'd just find one that you can afford and love the feel of. I think pre 94's have a shorter heels, which some like, but I like the larger heels, since they transfer energy between the body and neck better.
Just play a bunch at stores, then search the used market to snap one up at an affordable price. I paid $1325 for my teal black one, and it was next to mint.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

If you get a chance, check out a McCarty with a solid rosewood neck. It'll spoil you. They dont' call it crackwood for nuthin.

I've owned two McCarties and one CU24 and all were nice, but the McCarty I still have is the nicest guitar I own.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

I agree with Gearcrackwhore about consistency. The New McCarty soapbar I covet at my local dealer resonates almost identically to my '94 CU22 (pre factory expansion and CNC). It's cool to own an old-factory model, but PRS guitars are scarily consistent. PRS guitars (along with possibly musicman) are the only instruments I'd have no problem buying sight-unseen.

Also, remember that fitting a three way to replace a 5 way rotary isn't a big deal. I'm sure it's an option you can order anyway.

Jesus, Scott, that's a nice guitar. It's got me imagining a teal black McCarty soapbar with a rosewood neck...

 

[Marty Horne]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

McCartys are basically a humbucking sounding guitar. Since you already have that in a Paul, I'd go for the Custom 22 with the rotary. Mine gives me sweet humbucking AND single coil tones and is very different from my Les Paul.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

If you play the McCarty and then the Hardtail, you'll buy the Hardtail. It's a much better deal...if you watch eBay you can pick up a very nice one for under $1500. All of the Hardtails come with the upgraded options, tonepro's, grovers, sd pups, 10 top and fretboard inlays. To get a similarly appointed McCarty you're pushing $2k....or more depending on the current market.

The McCarty's are great guitars....I still want one with birds and a 10 top in Blue or Green. The CU22 would definately give you a different sound than the LP. The Dean is also very similar sounding to an LP, but the ebony board gives it a little brighter tone.

The neck on the Hardtail is the best I've played...but you can't go wrong with any of these guitars. The Hardtail did it for me...but I'll still own a PRS and an original LP.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

One mod I do to McCarties, which is simple as pie, is to cut the coiltap wire on the bridge pickup, so the pullup tone doesn't effect it. You lose the splitting ability on the bridge, but it's nice to be able to toggle between a full bridge pup and either a full neck or split neck. Then, you don't have to push down the tone knob, when going from a singlecoil neck to a humbucking bridge.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

One mod I do to McCarties, which is simple as pie, is to cut the coiltap wire on the bridge pickup, so the pullup tone doesn't effect it. You lose the splitting ability on the bridge, but it's nice to be able to toggle between a full bridge pup and either a full neck or split neck. Then, you don't have to push down the tone knob, when going from a singlecoil neck to a humbucking bridge.

Gar, I don't get that? The McCarty according to the PRS site only has the one knob that has the splitting function which would be the tone, right? If you cut the wire from the bridge pickup, you lose that....but wouldn't you still have to pull up on it to split the neck?

This is one reason the rotary seemed attractive, but honestly I sat down for a while with one and couldn't get used to doing it on the fly. I am too familiar with toggle switches, LOL.

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

Thanks guys,

The bottom line the feel, playability, and tone and in the end I might own the McCarty and a hardtail. I know both McCartys and HTs are available on line at good prices so I am not worried. I tend to like the feel of a larger body so the added thickness of the McCarty may be more to my liking than the CU22. I still have to play a Hardtail and may tomorrow. I am hoping to play the HT, some CU22s and a McCarty. Hopefully I'll know more by Saturday evening.

It can be scary buying on ebay as I can honestly say I have recently played CU22s that did nothing for me, while I've played others that felt phenominal so there are variances. I know you can walk out the door with a CU22 for $2000 but not sure about HTs or CU22s.

One thing I'd do with a McCarty is buy the special bridge from PRS that allows intonation of each string so I could use 10-52 strings.

Thanks,
ps

 

[Norman_T]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

Rich,

If I was you I'd forget all about owning a McCarthy or CU 22 and get a PRS Singlecut instead - particularly as they are likely to go up in prices.

What would I choose? the McCarthy - I have 2 CU 22's one with a Brazilian board. I have said this a long time ago I wished that I had got a McCarthy but as I got such good deals on both CU22's I did not get one but maybe in the next couple of years. I did consider converting one of my CU 22's from the 5 way rotary switch to the McCarthy wiring but this involves some additional routing to the tone control to accommodate the push-pull switch which I did not want.

Having said all that with the rotary switch I can get some additional sounds if I very carefully wedge the control in between. Not so good for stage use but for home/recording studio purposes just adds a itle more tonal variety. Just go and try some guitars and see whic one suits your needs.

Norman

 

[papersoul]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

Thanks Norman,

I am not crazy about the SC from PRS. I prefer my LP.

I am going to try some Hardtails and McCartys today.

Rich

 

[Norman_T]

Re: PRS McCarty or Custom 22?

Thanks Norman,

I am not crazy about the SC from PRS. I prefer my LP.

I am going to try some Hardtails and McCartys today.

Rich

Try and also compare the CU22's against the hardtails - if only to see what you think of them. Have a great time - I think the McCarthy is going to be the one you'll get. Check your e-mail as well.

PS - I was only joking about the singlecut BTW

Norman