PRS McCarty Sunburst: key features

The PRS McCarty Sunburst is a vintage-appointed solidbody electric guitar named after Ted McCarty. It combines a maple top over a mahogany back with a violin top carve, a one-piece mahogany Pattern neck and a high-gloss nitro finish. It is currently in stock in our Hilversum showroom.

• Body: maple top, mahogany back, violin top carve
• Neck: one-piece mahogany, Pattern shape, 22 frets, 25″ scale length, set neck
• Pickups: McCarty III humbuckers in the treble and bass positions
• Controls: volume and push/pull tone control with a 3-way toggle pickup switch
• Hardware: PRS stoptail bridge with brass inserts, PRS Phase III non-locking tuners, nickel finish
• Includes: hardshell case

Who was Ted McCarty, and why is this PRS named after him?

Ted McCarty was a pioneer of the electric guitar and musical instrument industry. In the late 1980s, Paul Reed Smith asked him to consult on guitar design and production techniques. He became a mentor and a close friend to Paul and everyone he met at PRS. In 1994, PRS released the first McCarty, an instrument that brought together what Paul had learned from Ted and his own experience as a guitar builder.

The McCarty model combines the latest findings from PRS with a look back at the golden age of the guitar.

McCarty III pickups and tone

The McCarty III pickups were specified by Paul Reed Smith and the PRS New Products Engineering team. They draw on PRS research into coveted vintage pickup models, plus advances in signal analysis and pickup tuning technology. They are vintage-inspired humbuckers with a full, warm tone and vocal clarity. Together with the push/pull tone control and the 3-way toggle switch, they give you a wide palette of tones.

SPECIFICATIONS

Playability and build

The bound, 22-fret Pattern neck is paired with a slightly thicker back, which PRS uses for enhanced tone and sustain. The stoptail bridge has brass inserts, and the non-locking PRS Phase III tuners have brass shafts for added resonance and sustain.

FAQ

Is the PRS McCarty Sunburst in stock?

Yes, it is currently listed as in stock at our Hilversum showroom.

Which pickups does the PRS McCarty Sunburst have?

It has McCarty III humbuckers in both the treble and bass positions, controlled by a volume knob, a push/pull tone control and a 3-way toggle switch.

Does it come with a case?

Yes, the specifications list a hardshell case.

What strings does it use?

It uses PRS Signature 10-46 strings, tuned to standard E, A, D, G, B, E.

Is there a 10 Top version?

The specifications list a 10 Top with Hybrid Hardware as an option for the McCarty. The guitar described on this page has a maple top and nickel hardware.