The PRS McCarty Gold Top is a USA-built electric guitar designed to combine the precision and refinement of PRS construction with a distinctly vintage-inspired feel and voice.

Named in honour of legendary guitar designer Ted McCarty, the McCarty platform uses a carved maple top over a slightly thicker mahogany back, together with a set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 22-fret layout and PRS stoptail bridge.

The striking Gold Top finish adds a classic aesthetic to the unmistakable PRS double-cutaway design, while the twin-humbucker electronics make the guitar equally capable of warm cleans, expressive blues tones and powerful overdriven sounds.

This Pre-Owned example is in Good condition and includes a hard case.

AT A GLANCE

Detail	Specification
Brand	PRS
Model	McCarty
Finish	Gold Top
Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Body	Mahogany with Maple Top
Neck	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	25"
Frets	22
Pickups	Dual Humbuckers
Condition	Good / Pre-Owned
Case	Hard Case Included

PRE-OWNED CONDITION REPORT

This is a Pre-Owned PRS McCarty Gold Top in Good condition.

The Good condition grade reflects an instrument with noticeable cosmetic signs of previous use while remaining fully functional and suitable for continued playing.

The opaque Gold Top finish should be examined carefully in the supplied photographs for the exact extent of cosmetic wear, marks and age-related signs on this individual guitar.

A hard case is included.

The exact production year, serial number and individual weight have not been supplied.

THE ORIGINAL PRS McCARTY

PRS introduced the original McCarty model in 1994, following Paul Reed Smith's relationship with and mentorship from Ted McCarty.

Rather than simply reproducing a vintage instrument, PRS combined ideas learned from classic guitar construction with its own established design principles.

The result was a slightly thicker-bodied, 22-fret PRS with a fixed bridge, vintage-inspired electronics and a distinctly traditional character.

KEY FEATURES

• PRS McCarty

• USA-built Core model

• Gold Top finish

• Carved maple top

• Slightly thicker mahogany back

• Set mahogany neck

• Rosewood fingerboard

• 25" scale length

• 22 frets

• Dual humbuckers

• 3-way pickup selector

• Master Volume

• Master Tone

• PRS stoptail bridge

• Passive electronics

• Good Pre-Owned condition

• Hard case included

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

The McCarty occupies a particularly appealing place within the PRS range.

It retains the precise construction, comfortable double-cutaway body and distinctive feel associated with PRS, but its fixed bridge, 22-fret layout and vintage-oriented design give it a more traditional personality than models such as the Custom 24.

The Gold Top finish makes this example particularly striking while allowing the mahogany back and classic PRS body shape to remain central to the design.

DETAILED FEATURES & BENEFITS

Carved Maple Top

The McCarty uses a carved maple top, providing the familiar sculpted PRS appearance and contributing clarity and definition to the guitar's response.

The opaque Gold Top finish gives the guitar a much more traditional appearance than the highly figured translucent finishes commonly associated with PRS.

Thicker Mahogany Back

One of the characteristics of the original McCarty design is its slightly thicker mahogany back.

This was intended to enhance resonance, sustain and the substantial tonal character of the instrument.

Set Mahogany Neck

The mahogany neck is glued into the body using traditional set-neck construction.

This provides a smooth transition into the body and contributes to the guitar's sustained, connected response.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth playing surface and a classic tonal pairing with the mahogany neck.

25" Scale Length

PRS's 25" scale length sits between traditional Gibson and Fender dimensions.

It offers a useful balance of comfortable string tension, clear articulation and easy bending.

22-Fret Layout

The McCarty uses 22 frets, reinforcing its more traditional design philosophy compared with the 24-fret Custom 24.

Dual Humbuckers

The McCarty platform uses a pair of vintage-oriented humbuckers.

The exact pickup model fitted by PRS changed across different generations of McCarty production, so a specific pickup designation has not been assumed without the individual guitar's production year.

Three-Way Pickup Switching

The traditional 3-way toggle provides:

• Bridge pickup

• Both pickups

• Neck pickup

Master Volume & Tone

The simple Master Volume and Master Tone arrangement keeps operation immediate and uncluttered.

Some generations also incorporate coil-tapping through the Tone control; this should be confirmed from the individual guitar before being advertised as a feature.

PRS Stoptail Bridge

The fixed PRS stoptail bridge provides a solid connection between the strings and body.

Its simple design is a defining part of the original McCarty formula and contributes to the model's resonance and sustain.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The PRS McCarty Gold Top is particularly well suited to:

• PRS enthusiasts

• Blues players

• Classic rock guitarists

• Rock musicians

• Session players

• Players who prefer fixed bridges

• Guitarists wanting a vintage-oriented PRS

• Players who prefer 22-fret instruments

• Collectors of USA PRS guitars

PLAYING STYLES & APPLICATIONS

The McCarty works particularly well for:

• Blues

• Classic rock

• Rock

• Alternative

• Jazz-rock

• Soul

• Clean rhythm

• Overdriven rhythm

• Lead guitar

• Studio recording

• Live performance

HOW IT COMPARES

McCarty vs Custom 24

The Custom 24 uses 24 frets and is traditionally associated with a tremolo-equipped, more modern PRS format.

The McCarty uses 22 frets, a thicker mahogany back and a fixed stoptail bridge, giving it a more vintage-oriented personality.

McCarty vs McCarty 594

The original McCarty uses a 25" scale length.

The later McCarty 594 uses a shorter 24.594" scale and a substantially different control and bridge arrangement.

This guitar is being listed as a PRS McCarty, not a McCarty 594.

McCarty vs Traditional Single-Cut Guitar

The McCarty provides much of the warmth and sustain associated with maple-over-mahogany, twin-humbucker construction but places it within PRS's ergonomic double-cutaway platform.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	PRS
Model	McCarty
Finish	Gold Top
Manufacture	USA
Body Construction	Solidbody
Top Material	Carved Maple
Back Material	Mahogany
Neck Construction	Set
Neck Material	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Scale Length	25"
Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickups	Dual Humbuckers
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	PRS Stoptail
Condition	Good / Pre-Owned
Case	Hard Case Included

Production Note: The McCarty has been produced across several distinct periods. Neck profile, inlays, tuners, pickup model, bridge specification and coil-tapping arrangement can vary according to year. These generation-specific details have therefore not been guessed without the serial number or production year.

POWER REQUIREMENTS

None.

The PRS McCarty uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC EXPERT VERDICT ★★★★★

Best suited for: Players wanting the build quality and feel of a USA PRS with a warmer, more traditional fixed-bridge specification.

Customers usually upgrade from: PRS SE models, mid-priced twin-humbucker guitars and more modern-oriented electric guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, overdrive, boost, distortion, delay and reverb.

Our tip: The original McCarty is worth considering separately from the later 594 family. Its 25" scale retains the familiar PRS feel while the 22-fret layout, fixed bridge and thicker body pull the guitar towards a more vintage-inspired response.

Showroom feedback: The Gold Top works particularly well on the McCarty because it visually reinforces the guitar's vintage influence. Underneath the traditional appearance, it still has the comfortable proportions and precise construction that make USA PRS guitars so enjoyable to play.

WHY BUY PRE-OWNED FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

Buying a Pre-Owned PRS McCarty provides an opportunity to own a USA-built PRS Core instrument at a more accessible price than buying an equivalent premium guitar new.

This Gold Top example is in Good condition and includes a hard case.

Fair Deal Music has decades of experience buying, selling and part-exchanging PRS and premium Pre-Owned electric guitars.

WHY BUY FROM FAIR DEAL MUSIC?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Fair Deal Music combines a large Birmingham showroom with nationwide ecommerce and knowledgeable musician-led advice.

Customers benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Knowledgeable musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with PRS and premium Pre-Owned guitars

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Secure online ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Friendly customer support

• Part-exchange and trade-in service

TRADE IN. TRADE UP. SAVE MORE.

Your current guitar or other musical equipment could help towards the cost of this PRS McCarty.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and a wide range of musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation.

PART EXCHANGE / TRADE-IN

If you already own a guitar or other musical equipment you are considering replacing, Fair Deal Music can assess it for part exchange.

Trading in can remove the inconvenience of selling privately while allowing the value of your existing equipment to go directly towards your next instrument.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this PRS McCarty used?

Yes. This is a Pre-Owned PRS McCarty in Good condition.

What finish does it have?

Gold Top.

Is this a McCarty 594?

No. This listing is for the original-style PRS McCarty, which uses a 25" scale rather than the shorter 24.594" scale of the McCarty 594.

Where was the PRS McCarty made?

The Core McCarty is a USA-built PRS model.

What is the body made from?

It uses a mahogany back with a carved maple top.

What is the neck made from?

Mahogany.

What fingerboard does it have?

Rosewood.

What is the scale length?

25".

How many frets does it have?

22.  

What pickups does it have?

Two humbuckers.

The exact PRS pickup model changed throughout the McCarty's production history, so the individual pickup designation has not been assumed without the guitar's year.

Does it have coil splitting?

This depends on the production generation. It should be confirmed on this individual instrument before being advertised.

What bridge does it have?

A PRS fixed stoptail-style bridge.

Does it have a tremolo?

No. The traditional McCarty platform uses a fixed bridge.

Does it require a battery?

No.

What condition is it in?

It is in Good condition.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hard case is included.

What year is it?

The exact production year has not yet been supplied.

Can the year be identified from the serial number?

Yes. A serial number will usually allow the production period to be narrowed down and would also help identify the correct factory pickup and hardware specification.

Is it suitable for blues?

Yes. The McCarty's twin-humbucker configuration and vintage-oriented design make it particularly well suited to blues and expressive lower-gain playing.

Is it suitable for rock?

Yes. It has plenty of output, sustain and clarity for classic and modern rock applications.

Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers guitars and a wide range of other musical equipment for part exchange.