The PRS McCarty SE Review
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- Опубліковано 14 лип 2024
- PRS McCarty SE review: episode 2 of the PRS Se Experiment
The full series: • The Experiment (Season...
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0:00 intro
1:30 Review starts
1:55 Headstock, tuners, nut
3:00 Neck Deep dive
5:25 initial setup and quality
7:48 what makes it special
10:18 Tone Talk and examples
14:40 Why the series
15:03 is PRS tricking you?
17:25 Bridge
18:15 Final thoughts
Man. I did not realize that you only have 18k subscribers, your channel and videos are so good. Keep it up Andre. Totally love what you are doing.
Amazes me as well - one of my favorite channels :)
18k is good going for a channel that's only been going a little more than 1 year.
Been following him since before he had 1k.. channel is growing pretty fast…
Over 29K as of 04/24
Hey man, I've Been watching your videos for a while and I must say that they are by far the most informative guitar reviews out there. I am very glad that you got PRS to sponsor you for these series of reviews. I am sure your channel will grow exponentially.
Thank you sir!
Easy mistake to make. I think it was named after the former CEO of Gibson Ted McCartney.
Ted McCarty was Pauls mentour and helped Paul designed his core line and of course his model, thats btw why it has non-locking tuners, it was one of Ted specs, like thicker body, shorter scale and so on
I thought it was a Sir Paul McCarty signature model.
Lol
Haha!
@@Dzamora612 I heard it was inspired by actress and model Jenny McCarty.
Honestly I think you’re a great addition to the UA-cam guitar scene!! These guitar reviews are very detailed and thoughtful; hope to see you grow and continue to succeed 🧿
Thank you
Great videos man! Awesome to see this channel growing. Greetings from Costa Rica!
Love your content. Very straight forward but detailed. Please keep doing what you are doing!
You are well on your way to the top of everything with your brutality honest reviews. Your name will be a well respected and impartial views. Not some old guys in their Fifties still trying to be relevant and don't accept what is going on now.
Thank you :)
Good stuff as always Andre. Nice thorough review. I have a blue single cut McCarty and love it.
Andre, I appreciate the nuances you communicate that others do not (ie: the tone of the pickup with the shorter scale length). It helps get a much, much better idea of what it may be like to play the guitar. Thanks!!
enjoyed this review! good job, Andre!
So a lot of PRS guitars have resistors soldered in-place for each pickup that allows the "dead" coil to feed into the live one in small increments. That's why the split sounds are so good. Some of the defeated coil still spills into the signal which means the volume doesn't drop as bad, it doesn't get ice-picky, and they aren't as noisy as true single coils.
I have my luthier do that on all of my guitars that I want to split.
great info!
You should check out the electronics involved in Paul's Guitar. Likely it's exactly what you want or possibly better than what you want.
Love your unique perspectives and humor. Subbed!
Dude, that Let it Be intro was awesome. I love this channel.
Another enjoyable, informative video. I learn something new each time I see one of your videos.
Thanks Simon!
Also just came upon your channel; I like it. I find myself reaching for my 594 se the most. It's so light weight, easy to play & sounds great. And I love the vintage burst on it - it's a looker. I also added PRS vintage locking tuners to it. Kudos on your channel.
Andre much love, keep the reviews coming and as always fantastic artistic playing!
Thank you!
Just found your channel, glad I did ! You are very informative. I am in the process of buying the PRS McCarty se single cut. Thanks for the info.
Fantastic review! I always learn something new from this channel
Just found your channel and subscribed. Thanks for the clear and concise (mostly!) analysis. 😊
Nice review. Thanks, Andre
Great video. This will be my next purchase next year in blue. I have the Custom 24 in blue now and love it. I also have the single cut Korean made PRS with bass treble pickups in flame top red and the SE Silver Sky in Dragon fruit. The local store has the these in stock and the neck surprised me and feel better especially when I have to play bar chord styles for long periods. Plus the price is hard to beat with the quality. Now if I can master a few more songs and get either a J bass or fan fret five string bass because my Yamaha TBRX is awesome but that low B string and string height on basses is different and difficult.
I’ve always liked PRS, Yamaha, Parker guitars and interested in the Strandberg if it wasn’t for cost. Strandberg is just too expensive for me right now. Great video
Subscribed! Great review.
Man I've been looking for a proper review of this guitar
Awesome channel!!!
I have a PRS SE Custom 24-08 in sunburst. It, like the McCarty, is beautiful and plays wonderfully. Thank you for this review.
what is different from tci s and these older ones like in this guitar
Absolutely awesome video man. You can see on your shots of the board just how great that fretwork is. It's a stunning instrument and the top loading tailpiece is awesome.
I personally really enjoyed the alto-rhythm, too. If this is how we're starting on the individual reviews it's going to be a great time 🤘
Thanks, Jack :). Next time we chat, I'll tell you how long this video took to edit lmao. I'm looking forward to the Santana since it has the simplest tones.
@@andrefludd I absolutely was thinking there must have been some serious time into this one! However much is was though man, totally worth it. Looking forward to that one, I hope it’s smooth bro!
Just stumbled across your channel - great work. The PRS SE McCarty will be my next guitar - getting back into guitars after a complete break of 50 years! - I will never be a guitarist but it's great to have something new to learn and for me the journey is more important than any particular goal.
Glad to have you here! I have some lessons over on my site if you are interested. Most of my viewers are actually very similar so no need to say you aren't a guitarist.
Get an acoustic.
I have this model in faded blue and it looks great. I agree on the locking tuners and have some Klusons ordered. This guitar is a joy to play. I had ordered the dgt se and Zach Myers at the same time as this one. Still waiting on the dgt. I like the ZM SE also. The fret height is lower on the ZM than the McCarty which for me is a plus, but I’ve been playing the McCarty the most.
Thank you! Excellent
New subscriber. Nice job man. Just bought the faded blue.
Great job Doc! Best Regards and Best Wishes!
You know the guitar is awesome when Andre sings so much of its praises with very little issues. Great video!
Thank you :).
I don't know how you do it !! But you have done it again very professional, systematic, simplified but very thorough. I have been really addicted to your channel .. really thank you for your amazing work such a legend best regards from ENGLAND 🏴🙏🏼👍👍
Thank you :). I appreciate the support
Hi @andrefludd excellent reviews, sound quality, editing and other details that make it very enjoyable, perhaps I would think that you are missing a few small things, but very important, to make it "PERFECT" and it is the following:
* Use calipers to measure neck depth at 1st and 12th fret, nut width, string spacing, and neck profile shape.
- Since although the brands on their official page say some specs, they are not precise, and nothing better than stealing these measurements yourself and thus realizing the consistency they have.
It is a process that does not take more than 5 minutes, and for all of us who watch your videos, it is of great help since this way we can get an idea of whether we would like that neck profile, neck tickness and its shape before buying these guitars. .
You are the best and I wish you to continue growing more every day. Greetings
Thank you! All great tips.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes, editor Andre. And keep up the good work. I love the look of the McCarty double-cut. It's a beaut and it sounds great. You said all that in much more detail which is why you're the content creator and I'm the content consumer LOL
Gloss necks do make me crazy because my fat, oily fingers stick to the neck. It's something I can knock down with a 320-grit sanding block
Haha thanks for the support :)
Thanks For Sharing
I love how on prs they have the slotted tailpiece so you can easily put on and take off strings, I might have to get one of those for my gibson
Very entertaining and informative review, Andre. I’d been looking at getting one of these SE Sunburst McCarty 594s for some time when I first came across your video. I finally bought one from Sweetwater Music two weeks ago. My first choice had some severe fret issues and I returned it. My second choice arrived the very next day and is utterly fantastic. I rewatched your video last night and realized my new guitar is actually featured in your video at the 9:53 mark! It’s Serial # CTIF001233. So cool to see my actual guitar in your video!!!
Very cool! You got a beautiful one!
I just got my McCarty 594. I tried every guitar I wanted to try and even some thousands of dollars out of my price range, and this one felt the best. I got the black and gold burst but I like it so much, my next guitar will be this vintage sunburst. Thanks for the awesome review!
I got the standard model. The veneers are cool but I couldn’t find one that “spoke” to me.
really nice video man! :D i love your reviews, specially the really geeky stuff, noone covers the complete feeling of the guitar like you do! congrats to the sponsorship :D
i really like your videos about comfort in guitars since this has been an issue for me with almost every guitar i have played. i have been looking for a comfortable guitar for a long time. I have really long arms and this makes playing most electric guitar pretty uncomfortable. I have a firebird copy atm that is better for me than most shapes due to the long and slightly offset body shape. Although its hard to play in a classical position with this guitar :P. I really would like to try out the EART gw2 sometime. I think i would enjoy this body shape! its nice that there is a cheaper alternative to the strandberg models =)
big thanks for al the great content man! :D love your playing!
Thank you so much! I appreciate that
Hell yeah, I was happy when I saw you were doing this video. I have the single cut McCarty 594 Se. I made the same mistake about the Paul McCartney name ha ha. I absolutely LOVE mine. The pickups are sweet as hell to me. I really like the bridge split with a small amount of distortion. It sounds soooo good. Loved the video as always, thanks!
Yep! To be honest, I can’t find a tone I don’t like.
Never considered buying a PRS guitar.... until now! This is a lot of guitar and tone for the money. Thanks for the thorough review, Andre.
Great video!! Question, is that wall behind you a foldable sound proofing wall? If so that’s dope!
LOL about the SW rep calling while filming! Nice touch!! 😂💯👍🤘
I didn't know that about the scale length and the neck pickup. That explains a lot. I use the neck pick up on my Les Paul a lot and I specific patches dialed in, and I tried them with my McCarty 594 once and record it both to A/b test them... The cleans on the 594 neck pickup maybe want to cry, it was so beautiful. But I never use it because the bridge pickup just simply does not do what the bridge pick up on the Les Paul does when it starts breaking up the amp.
I do love the neck pickup tone
Didn’t know you’re a fellow Red Hawk as well! Nice to see an alumni doing vids I love
Class 2014!!
I will always cherish the nerdiness of that algo-rhythm thing. You should cut that into a short It might go viral. It was like watching that movie Napoleon Dynamite
That’s a great idea. Thank you. I’m actually going to try it haha
I love locking tuners like you, but have to admit the SE tuners are fantastic (and were fantastic 10 years ago as well even on the cheaper SEs). The ratio they turn and how smooth you can set them up is (imo) above the high end tuners.
Thanks Andre, I appreciate your work.
Thanks Joe!
Just found your channel. Great vid. Subbed.
Thanks for subbing!
Shockingly gorgeous guitar is what it is. I’ve always loved the designs of PRS especially that model.
Can't wait to see you do the Holcomb.
Me too
Dude - you need to review the PRS special semi hollowbody. That narrow field pickup is going to blow your mind... Plus it is drop dead gorgeous.
I have the hollowbody piezo 2. That will have to do! It is blowing my mind so far
Hey fyi, the reason for the 24.594 scale length is that supposedly that was the actual scale length of some of the guitars coming out of Gibson in the late 50s through some accident around measuring
Very helpful thank you
@@andrefludd absolutely, really looking forward to seeing the rest of the prs experiment!
I like the new watermark graphic in the bottom right corner
That’s been there since the first video! But I do fade it in and out now to catch your eye
@@andrefluddmy humble opinion: doesn’t need to be there. Your name is on your channel. It makes the video look cheap and it’s typical for beginners in photography to put a watermark on all their photos. None of the masters do it. Save the editing time by leaving it out! 🥸
Fun video, Andre! I really think that you should try a PRS McCarty 594 Thinline. I think that you’d fall head over heels for it.
I really enjoyed this video. I am so happy you played more in this video. As for Gibson, I have the not so popular Gibson modern double cut custom in RUST color. If you get a chance, I would love to hear your opinion on that model.
I didn’t realize how much more I played until I started editing 😂. Sometimes that happens when a guitar sounds great you know? Not sure when I’ll be giving gibson another go, but I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks!
I’d be curious to see a video or two on “Andre’s tech tips” to see how you set up and maintain your guitars. Specifically I’d be interested to see how you set up/maintain and intonate floating trems
It would be very unimpressive lol. It’s very guess and check and feel determined but I’ll def add it to the list.
I have 4 PRS guitars, 1 Acoustic, a Paul SE, a Custom 24 Floyd SE, and a Core Custom 24. Best Money I have ever spent on Guitars. I have a number of wonderful Gibson's and Fender's All within reach, but I rotate thru the PRS's. Upgraded the Tuners on THE PAUL and I have Lowered the Action on all Guitars. They Play Like Butter. They Sound even Better. Started Playing in 1965😎
😆 👍 (congrats on the sponsorship man!).
Thank you!
PRS chooses excellent woods for it's guitars - and for the SE's - they take a great, flamey piece of maple and and make many slices of equally lovely veneer out of it.
That's probably why there are so many good looking Se's out there - veneer top literally from the same piece of wood.
Then their mastery of dyes makes the flame pop like crazy.
I have the 2020 Zach Myers in blue - I know it's like a 1mm thick veneer, but it seems to have depth and dance under sunlight.
I have no idea how they manage that.
This was one awesome review! Thanks!! Do you know how the neck compares to a Les Paul dimensionally as thats all ive played since 1981?
The McCarty is an amazing guitar, if only I was not a bassist :P
Love your videos !
Nicely done! I'm your newest fan!
Let’s say friend or supporter haha.
The 24.594 in scale length is derived from some of the golden era Les Paul's which apparently weren't quite 24.75
Like you, I really love that Les Paul type of tone. Unfortunately I haven’t played any PRS guitars that felt comfortable. I have a Steve Stevens Knaggs model that’s mind blowing! I have it loaded with Jim Wagner pickups. I has 1950’s wiring with coil splits and just pulls some of the most amazing tones ever. (IMO)
*NOTE*
Joe Knaggs was also the PRS custom shop guy for over 20 years.
Interesting side note - i read recently that some pro players prefer these low output, low wind, coils in order to let the pedals and amps do the real “work” when playing seriously. The amps and pedals are used to push for higher output when needed, but the lower wind pickups tend to give warmer/clearer tones for jazz/blues/etc.
I would immediately change all the 4 SE knobs with "real" PRS lampshade knobs. 10x better looking. In fact, I did that when I owned a SE Custom 24 many years ago. I think it really gives the guitar that touch of "premium" that is lacking from the horrible stock knobs. Only downside, PRS lampshade knobs cost A LOT.
I honestly don’t know much about the core line so I didn’t even notice.
I agree. It may seem a small detail but the change is in fact pretty dramatic. Lampshade knobs are beautiful.
I put that guitar on my Christmas list already!
Christmas is too far away lol. But it on your Halloween list haha
Nice guitar...I like single cut PRS guitars personally, I feel like they have more tuning stability than SGs or most double cuts.
I think the tuners reflect the traditional vibe they were going for with the McCarty, harkening back to the Gibson models (one in particular!) that Ted McCarty helped originate in the 50s.
I have a 2018 wood library core model 594, and the only real issue that I have with the newer models, SE included, is that vintage tuner/Kluson style tuners. I had the phase three open backed locking tuners on mine and they were heavenly. I don't have an issue with the style of tuners as much as I have an issue with the non locking variant, especially on a model that costs upwards of 4-5k. I have said, for some time that the only real issue that I have with the SE line, is that they don't offer locking tuners stock. With all of the upgrades that they have worked into the SE models and the prices going up when they moved to Indonesian production, it just seemed to me that locking tuners would be a no brainer. I know that the thinking with the 594, specifically, was to give it that vintage feel, but I don't think that a "feel" trumps the quality of life aspect of having locking tuners on a guitar. Just my two cents anyway, I'm probably just one of those oddballs that disagrees with the crowd. Grats on the partnership with PRS, and I hope that this opens the doors to more success for you your channel after the hard work you've put in.
PRS are great instruments. Own an ‘03 Mcarty. Replaced the nut. Otherwise still flawless after 20 years. Felt like home from the time I picked it up. Looks so good that I pick it up often.
The new nuts are even better and now don’t need replacement. They clearly saw and responded to our issues.
The quality of my SE McCartey single cut is stellar. Not a single flaw, and the frets are perfectly finished and polished. Amazing. Epiphone can't touch this level of quality (and Gibson tries....) Great review, very thorough.
I like the Hollowbody Piezo guitar. I just bought it.
I went ona 20min ramble on Patreon about how much I like that one ahaha it’s crazy versatile
@andrefludd Yes I love this guitar.
@@andrefluddyou are not helping me in convincing myself not to get that one. I look formar to tour video on it.
Hey, I know you're not really a distorted metal guy, but when I saw "tone" and you clutching that sunburst PRS in the thumbnail, it immediately called to mind a vid by Michael Angelo Batio.
I know he's not playing a PRS (even though it looks JUST like your axe in this clip), and I know he's a meathead, but it's just funny. This Batio clip always stood out to me as a showpiece of tone. When it comes to hard rock, finding that sweet spot between full, rich chord sounds, while still having a warm, clear, singing lead tone is so elusive. But he finds it right here.
Brother, keep on doing what you're doing. Fantastic show✊🏾
ua-cam.com/video/NeCGfHUL6gQ/v-deo.htmlsi=iignAN3OvgCLUtzQ
I have a McCarty 594 10 top in Moss green and it is fabulous. I don't understand the desire for locking tuners. I mean, yes, it makes it easier to restring, but I can't see any othere reason behind locking tuners. In my experience, it does not keep the guitar from going out of tune as most people think.
Simply for string changes, I agree. There was a period where I was practicing with just one guitar for 5+ hours a day in the summer. I’d change strings at least once a week and without locking tuners that would have been a bitch.
New viewer here, I really wish I had that guitar when I was looking for my first electric guitar, though personally, I would like to have it in red or black, nice review though, very informative, make me very jealous you're able to hold that guitar
Paul said the reason for the 594 is, Ted Mcartey (Paul's Mentor) was President at Gibson. Since this model is a tribute to that legacy, the original scale length at Gibson was 24.594 inches. Not the 24.75 it is now. All the "BURSTS" were 25.594.
24.594**
I just got a McCarty single cut because of you. First “good” guitar.
Learning how to play. It’s so much better on this guitar than on the “dumpster with strings” I was using prior. Kept going out of tune. Rattling tuners. Buzzing strings.
If I am ever asked to suggest a guitar for a new player I will never recommend a “cheap” guitar. It’s not fun to learn on trash.
So glad you got a great guitar! Now it’s time to make it sing!
Great tone Bro! What amp are you using?
thank you! It’s all from my axefx3 usually a fender style amp with a tube screamer. I’m pretty simple.
Hello. Are these shielded from the factory with an additional wire to ground so that you get less/ no hiss when not in contact with any of the metal parts/ strings? I noticed the SE silver sky had shielding paint but not the additional ground wire needed to make the shielding “work” ( and easy fix but odd). Thank you Doc.
Just not a PRS player.
I was looking at Majesty 6 guitars and discovered the Kaizen 6 has been available for a few months, which I somehow missed.
Got one. Indigo Blue. It's quickly becoming my favorite guitar. Honeymoon phase isn't over, but I know what I like, so...
Ordered a second one. Chalk White. Listed a few more guitars to sell to fund this one.
and I plan to get a third. Mint.
Been awhile since I found a guitar model that checks the majority of my list (floating trem is really the only thing missing)
Yea I got rid of mine wasn’t my thing but glad you found ones you love!
Gorgeous guitar and amazing tonal quality from those pick ups. In all fairness, I think you could make my Fender Bullet sound a lot better than it is with your skills.
Thank you :)!
Hi @Andre Fludd . Can I ask your
opinion on the feel of the SE Hollowbody II neck, vs. the Mcarty double cut?
I usually get on better with a thinner neck like the WIDE Thin (YOU NEED TO TRY THE NEW SE CE 24...GREAT NECK, GREAT GUITAR!). But I LOVE THE SE Hollowbody II...the neck, tone, sustain, the slinky feel and light weight...its almost perfect. I wish I could try the piezo model but honestly, I wouldn't trade my particular Charcoal Burst flame guitar for almost anything. It just feels and plays and sounds the way I try to Imagine it should. The neck is big for me, but it's not a problem, and in fact it's turning out to be my new comfort zone! I'd never have guessed. I have smaller hands, but the main issue is I broke my left hand several times growing up... from thumbs to wrist to fingers...I need a comfortable neck or I might as well kick dirt.
Can you tell me how the SE Mcarty 594 double cut feels and plays, regarding the neck and feel, and whatever else you can tell me. How does it feel compared to the Hollowbody II wide fat?
Thanks
I know this is a lot of words to ask one simple question, but I was trying to paint a picture or set the stage for my expectations and current comparable feeling necks I have?...not sure. Fatter necks are a relatively new thing I'm getting into now. The neck feel and playability for me is the single most important factor when I play a guitar.
So how's that McCarty 594 neck huh? 🤔😵💫😯😲
Thank you for this great review of a beautiful guitar. So, how does this compare to the DGT SE?
That videos is coming :)
May be my next guitar - strange as it sounds, it would be replacing my PRS CU24 10-top, which is coming up on 20- years old, and frankly I don't like to take it out for gigs anymore (it's a forever guitar). Also, as I've become an old man, I'm favoring thicker necks and no real need for 24 frets, lol. Right now my PRS SE Zach Myers is my #1 for local gigs. I replaced the stock pickups with Suhr Thornbuckers, and added locking tuners and "core PRS" knobs. Best neck I have in my arsenal - satin finished and on the thick side. This McCarty would be the sister to the semi-hollow ZM SE.
Love me some good old McCourtney action
😂😂
ugh, The McCarty is so special. I'm gonna have to get one.
Wait until we get through the first 4 guitars. Your mind might change. :)
@@andrefludd interesting! I’m looking forward to it.
I agree. All tuners should be locking, and guitars over $750 should have Schaller Strap locks.
Please keep doing the Algo-Rhythms that was hilarious 😂
I'm new to PRS guitars. Is there no master volume for the whole instrument? I play a strat and use a fuzz as an always on pedal to thicken the clean tone and range around inside the fuzz effect by using the pot on the guitar. Would this be possible on the PRS?
9:30 “The beautiful thing about the McCarthy line is…”
Old habits die hard 😂
IS the fret as Big as the DGT SE because i had the DGT and I felt the fret was too Big and when i moved upper or down the neck it interfered.
Lovely guitar. But for me, I prefer a longer scale length in order to be able to tune down - I like tuning D-D (a tone below normal) and wih heavier strings on. But the greater string tension could be achieved by - wait for it - putting a short trapeze tailpiece on the guitar, to replace the existing one. This would increase the overall string length whilst having a comfortable scale length for playing chords with added 2nd intervals.
Well luckily we have several guitars with longer scale lengths coming :). The Holcomb, 227, and the silver sky.
@@andrefludd I look forward to seeing these reviews - although most baritone guitars are tuned B-B. Meanwhile, keep up the good work..!
Hey Doc..where is the PRS unboxing experiment video? I can’t find it. Did you take it down? I mean the live one you did.
I took it down, but here's a link to it. ua-cam.com/users/liveQKbKlJwQ55o?feature=share
The Fantastic General Mccarthur would be proud of his guitar 😂
I live in the Philippines, that is my Dream Guitar, unfortunately I cannot afford one . Thanks for the review
Hoping that you get one eventually!
@@andrefludd video suggestion please have a comparison video of a Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul vs PRS McCarty SE. Thanks
I can't play a guitar with a nut width smaller than 42mm, I also like my strings quite low. I had a PRS S2 & quickly noticed those 2 things. String height was fixed ASAP, traded it for a Revv G20 a year later because of the nut.
At some point during this experiment, please give your opinion which instrument you like the best for high gain metal sounds and style of play. Just as a pure guess, I think the 594 ranks a bit lower in that particular category due to the scale length, but I'm interested in how it actually pans out in your hands.
I’m def doing that! The finale of this might be the length of a motion picture 😂.