PRS McCarty Archtop I

This guitar was made in February 2000. In fact it is a McCarty Archtop II. The Archtop I had a soundboard Flamed Maple top and mahogany back. In this model, table and back are flamed maple. This is top 10, meaning that the wood selected are top quality. the PRS Archtop constructed solely from 1998 to 2001, one wonders why! It can be ordered, but probably unaffordable prices now. I bought € 3500 Used. This guitar is similar to the hollowbody in size, so quite small but the sound box is as thick as a Gibson ES175. Equipped with two humbuckers PRS, it is particularly suitable for playing jazz and also fusion music or even rock. The finish is particularly good, the look also. The handle is a comfortable but relatively royal circle, close sleeves gibson 50 years than 60. The global setting is impressive and you can play with a pick or fingers with equal ease, the fingers are placed on the handle with ease, even in the case of agreements extended a little delicate. The selection of microphones is a typical three positions. The volume and tone settings are very functional. The mechanical oil bath are perfect. The bridge allows for precision settings string after string. Manufacturing quality meets a standard comparable to or greater than manufacturing a good gibson.

UTILIZATION

The guitar is relatively light, less than the hollowbody, but much more than 335. Access to acute poses no particular problem. A hold, including sitting, this guitar is very nice, because not very wide. You will soon feel at ease.

SOUNDS

The sound, on a good tube amp, is formidable, comparable to what is the best in jazz guitar at checkout. The sound is very personal, different from a Gibson L5 or 175, but probably interesting. On my Fargen Blackbird (tube amp American semi-artisanal close to a blackface Fender Deluxe Reverb), the grain is particularly warm, punchy and vibrant. Even playing in front of the amp, you have to climb many appear to see the shadow of a feedback. The notes extremely accurate intonation, perhaps more than a Gibson. The sustain is confusing. Low and medium are beautiful, crystal clear treble notes or slam attack if strong, never vulgar. I had a long gibson es 350 from 1952, it's different but not worse, no less rich, unless you can not live without her find the gibson ... but now it is best to buy one. This guitar has an original sound and opened the possibilities are numerous.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought it in August 2007, so I have not had time to use it in concert, but I'm not worried. I compared today with a 64-es 125 with p90, I find incomparable incomparable opportunities for expression. It must be put in comparison with Gibson L5, 200 GB Ibanez guitars and other great jazz, even if some do not may find it too "woody" to their liking. Read the opinion of many professional musicians (user reviews) on "Harmony Central", the U.S. site. I put 9 because the Grail is endless, and I reserve the 10 to an unknown guitar that I may carry over one day and I have not tried ...