McCarty's Legacy
Guitarist|June 2020
Always in the shadow of the Custom, the now 26-year-old McCarty was PRS’s first ‘vintage-aimed’ model. We take a look at this ever-evolving guitar in its 2020 guise
Dave Burrluck
McCarty's Legacy

Ted McCarty looms large in the early history of PRS Guitars: he was the Gibson president during its halcyon days who, in the words of Paul Reed Smith, “downloaded the hard disk” on how they made guitars back then. While Ted had no direct involvement in the McCarty Model that launched in 1994, at the time it was the most ‘vintage-style’ PRS, with the changes Paul had already made to his Custom recipe – for example, a 22-fret version, the development of the pre-intonated Stoptail wrapover bridge, plus suggestions that early PRS-user David Grissom had requested. Over the years, the player’s favourite dropped in and out of production, but it returned recently in 2016, and for 2020 it has a subtle refresh that brings it bang up to date.

Back in 1994, although still based on the now-classic PRS double-cut outline, the McCarty Model’s body, specifically the mahogany back, was increased in depth by approximating 3mm (1/8-inch) to just over 52mm, a change that we see on all PRS Core guitars today, with the exception of the 49mm-thick Custom. The 22-fret neck was shorter and therefore stiffer, and these changes to the acoustic voice were enhanced by new, more vintage-aimed McCarty covered humbuckers and a more classic electronics circuit that installed a three-way Gibson-style toggle instead of the polarising five-way rotary switch of the early guitars. A little while later, around 1996, a coil-split switch on the tone controls completed the package.Today’s McCarty follows that blueprint, but obviously includes all the tone-enhancing tweaks we’ve seen in the past couple of decades. The 2020 McCarty adds the machined aluminium Paul’s Guitar Stoptail bridge with its brass inserts under the witness point of each string, which Paul believes creates more of the sound of a brass bridge but without the weight.

この記事は Guitarist の June 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Guitarist の June 2020 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

GUITARISTのその他の記事すべて表示
QUICK CHANGE
Guitarist

QUICK CHANGE

As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar

time-read
6 分  |
November 2024
Return Of The Rack
Guitarist

Return Of The Rack

A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
Pure Filth
Guitarist

Pure Filth

This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.

time-read
2 分  |
November 2024
Reptile Royalty
Guitarist

Reptile Royalty

From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion

time-read
2 分  |
November 2024
Tradition Revisited
Guitarist

Tradition Revisited

Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
Ramble On
Guitarist

Ramble On

Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?

time-read
5 分  |
November 2024
Redrawing The 'Bird
Guitarist

Redrawing The 'Bird

A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
Guitarist

1965 Fender Jazz Bass

\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.

time-read
3 分  |
November 2024
Boss Cube Street II
Guitarist

Boss Cube Street II

Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.

time-read
4 分  |
November 2024
STILL CRAZY
Guitarist

STILL CRAZY

One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more

time-read
8 分  |
November 2024