Thanks guys. I'm a complete convert as the 25" scale length just suits me perfectly. I always found 24.75 a touch cramped, and I know it's not a lot different but it's enough to make the tone (and my playing) that bit clearer. I find both guitars soooooo easy to play - they just work for me. These 'plainer' PRSi are also much more to my taste as I don't do bling. Just give me nice wood, in a well built guitar. Job done.
Simon - Mark at Guitars4You is a top guy. The McCarty is the third guitar I've bought from him. I found his site when I bought my Martin J15 acoustic as it came up in a Google search. I called in one weekend and bought it. I bought the Mira sight unseen knowing how Mark looks after his guitars. Everything in the shop is treated as if it was his own. Once played in the shop they're wiped with a cloth and put back on display, plus they're in tune wearing decent strings.
If you read some of the 'rants and raves' on his site you'll understand his approach to guitar sales. He prides himself on customer service, and it's top notch. With the McCarty:
* I emailed an enquiry asking when he was getting some in, mentioning I'd recently bought a Mira from him
* Swift reply said to give him a call as there was one available in the near future in blackburst if I was interested?
* I told him I wanted a natural with moons and could he let me know when one was available
* A few weeks later an email popped up saying one was coming soon and was I still interested?
* I confirmed I was, the guitar was earmarked for me
When it arrived it was visually checked (briefly) and put back in the box. It wasn't put on his site, no-one else knew it was there and when I turned up at the shop on Friday he had to remove the final bit of packing before tuning it for me. This was the first time the guitar had been played since he'd had it. He even made me a brew while I demo'd it :D
I can't recommend him enough. If you want a PRS, he has a very good relationship with the importer and snaffles the good stuff early. Mail order is not an issue - the guitar WILL be great.