NGD - I know I said no more, but...

[Twinfan]

I've been using one of my PRS McCarty Korinas in my band for a little while now, and while it sounds superb it doesn't quite have enough 'cut' sometimes.  It has a lovely thick sound that I really like though.

So I've been keeping an eye out for a maple top McCarty for a couple of months, thinking that the classic mahogany/maple combo will give my tone the extra kick that I need.  They're a discontinued model, so I was looking at the odd new one but mainly used ones.  Nothing really caught my eye, but while browsing my usual guitar sites yesterday I spotted the beauty below:

* 2001(!) New Old Stock PRS McCarty
* As new, except for a couple of tiny marks on the back
* Amber
* One piece(!) flamed maple top  :o
* Very light weight

It arrives tomorrow morning  :D  It will be compared to my usual McCarty Korina on Tuesday night to see who stays and who goes.  I've not got on that well with maple top guitars in the past, so this is my final attempt at trying one before giving up on them completely!

[Will]

:lol:
That top has quite a vintage look, a bit over the top for full on vintage. would be nice with an off centre seam... mmmm

[_tom_]

That looks awesome and I dont even like flametops much :)

[Twinfan]

Cheers guys!  I don't like 'perfect' flames if that makes sense?  Most PRS stuff looks like furniture.  I thought this looked quite vintage-y, and with some wear would look pretty cool I think.  No birds either, just nice simple moons which I seem to prefer on McCartys.

[_tom_]

Yeah when it gets some more chips and worn bits it'll look better, I hate the furniture looking prses. The moons are definitely better than birds as well :)

[Will]

That actually reminds me of that Feline Lion that got sold a bit back. I think someone here has it? Matt or Catalyst?

[Philly Q]

I know I said no more, but... 

 :lol:

I like the little imperfections in the flame top, makes it look a little more olde worlde.  Good price?

Presumably it's McKorina No.2 which will be on its way out if this one's up to par?

[roland_rat]

Very nice can we have some audio with that and your new amp.   

[Twinfan]

Yep, it's McKorina #2 up against this one.  This one's got some work to do though, as #2 is still a damn fine guitar!

Price was £1499 delivered next day with a few sets of strings bunged in.  Not peanuts by any means, but a reasonable deal for a brand new McCarty (even though it has a couple of marks on the back).  Used they're priced anywhere between £1000 and £1800 for this spec and similar colour.  I think when they were a current model they were priced around the £2000 mark.

I don't mind paying a little bit over the odds for the right guitar, and this one 'spoke' to me.  I think the unusual one-piece top has meant a slight premium to pay too.  Like you Phil, I love the imperfection son the wood and the stain  :)

[Twinfan]

Very nice can we have some audio with that and your new amp.  

I can try!  To be really honest, the Deluxe suits single coils better than 'buckers.

If you want, you can bob round and try the Deluxe yourself?

[opprobrium_9]

When i saw that, my mouth dropped open.  It is rare to see a one piece flame top, even on a PRS.  I wouldn't lay down that much cash for it though, i would rather save and go custom.  You could ultimately get a better guitar that way that looks exactly the same or better.

[FernandoDuarte]

Amazing! A looker even with the small "imperfections"!
The headstock has a veneer or it's mahogany colored?

[Gooby]

One of the more desirable PRS with a sensible switching system and solid tail - very nice.

Would fit very nicely in my collection.

Martin

[Twinfan]

The headstock is mahogany coloured, like the back and the neck  :)

According to the guys on the PRS forum it's quite a rare thing.  One piece tops are rare, and the finish is called Violin Amber which was discontinued in 2005.  It also has no false 'binding' around the body like nearly every other PRS colour, so it's 'wrap' finish which is also rare.

I just want to know how it sounds and feels now!

( P.S.  I know what you're saying about custom opprobrium_9, but I like off-the-shelf when it comes to guitars  :) )

[Philly Q]

I hadn't noticed the lack of fake binding, very unusual.  Looking at it again armed with that knowledge, it reminds me a bit of my old Hamer Artist.

I think this could be a real winner!  :)