The SE McCarty 594 is PRS’s tribute to the iconic McCarty model, bringing vintage tone and playability to working musicians at an accessible price point. This latest iteration in the SE line captures the spirit of the revered McCarty family while adding some modern appointments. The result is a guitar that covers classic humbucking rock tones as well as sweet, jangly single coil sounds.
Smooth Playability
The SE McCarty 594 features a comfortable bound Pattern Vintage neck profile with a 10″ fingerboard radius. The slightly chunky but fast maple neck has 22 frets for extended range. The shallow violin-style carve on the mahogany body nestles nicely against the player, providing unrestricted access to the highest frets. At 7.8 pounds, this guitar sits right in the sweet spot – lightweight enough for extended playing sessions but with enough mass for increased sustain and resonance.
Versatile Tones
This guitar can master humbucking rock and crisp single coil tones thanks to its versatile electronics configuration. It packs a pair of PRS’s own 58/15 LT “S” pickups, which were designed to capture classic humbucker richness with enhanced clarity and definition. The volume and tone controls offer push/pull switching to engage single coil modes. Players can dial in everything from warm jazz tones to biting rock solos.
Vintage Inspired Hardware
The hardware complements the vintage vibe and performance. The SE McCarty 594 is equipped with a PRS two-piece bridge and vintage-style tuners, both helping to transfer string vibration for better tone and sustain. The tuners provide precise tuning while resisting slippage even during heavy use.
Quality Materials and Construction
PRS builds the SE McCarty 594 with high attention to detail and premium tonewoods. The body consists of a mahogany back with a carved maple cap, a configuration prized for balanced and open tone. The 22-fret rosewood fingerboard adds organic warmth and resonance. As expected from PRS, the fit and finish is excellent with smooth fret ends, crisp binding, and expert welding and soldering.
Covering Sonic Territory
Between its flexible electronics and quality hardware, the SE McCarty 594 can cover an array of fundamental guitar tones exceptionally well. It excels at vintage rock and blues with smooth, singing humbuckers. Activating the single coils elicits more modern snap and chime. From the focused attack of a bridge single coil to the warmth of the neck humbucker, this guitar has all the bases covered. The coil splits add tonal nuance while retaining the character of the 58/15 LT pickups.
A Workhorse Guitar
The SE McCarty 594 hits a sweet spot between vintage charm and everyday playability. It’s a rugged, reliable guitar built to handle the realities of gigging and studio work. The all-mahogany body soaks up tube saturation beautifully while the carved maple top adds articulation and snap. Despite the vintage vibe, the SE McCarty 594 plays fast and smooth right out of the case thanks to its modern fingerboard radius and sculpted neck heel. This is a guitar meant to be played hard.
An Heir of McCarty DNA
PRS packs plenty of value into the SE McCarty 594 while capturing the soul of the iconic McCarty model. It has the looks, feel, and tonal range expected from the McCarty legacy. The fit, finish, tonewoods, and electronics are well-chosen rather than cut for costs. This is clearly not an entry-level model. PRS cuts costs smartly by producing the SE line in Korea yet maintains rigorous quality control.
The Final Word
For gigging musicians seeking legendary PRS tone and playability with maximum versatility, the SE McCarty 594 is a strong contender. It’s a superbly constructed and voiced guitar with vintage aesthetic and modern reliability. While the price is a fraction of USA models, nothing feels sacrificed; corners were cut smartly. If you’re looking for a quality American-designed guitar that handles gain and twang with aplomb, put the SE McCarty 594 on your list. It’s a Swiss Army knife guitarist’s guitar.
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