PRS Private Stock - McCarty

Here's an excerpt written by Paul Reed Smith himself, that we believe truly reflects the attitude, craftsmanship and quality that make each and every PRS Private Stock guitar that we carry, a truly extraordinary instrument:

“I have never seen anyone playing guitar in a bad mood. There’s something magic about guitars because they are simultaneously art, musical instruments, treasured possessions, and tools to joyfully spend time with. The goal of Private Stock is not only to create the most beautiful and best playing guitar money can buy, but the best sounding. We work very closely with each order - through hourly discussions, experimentation, meticulous checks of every detail at each step in the process and making final tweaks when the guitar is complete - to make sure we are building the best guitars possible. If you get an extraordinary instrument from Private Stock that is equally as good as a family heirloom and a musician’s tool to make a living on, we have done our job…

“Whether built to your specification or ours, every Private Stock instrument is carefully guided through the process by highly talented, seasoned guitar makers, and each completed instrument is checked and signed by Paul Miles and me. From all of us on the Private Stock team, thank you for looking at and considering a Private Stock instrument. If you decide on a Private Stock guitar, we will give everything we have to make it the best instrument you’ve ever experienced.” - Paul Reed Smith

I grew up playing great guitars. I was all of 10 years old when my father, a musician, introduced me to the guitarist who played in his band. Little did I know that that introduction would spoil me for life.

Don, his guitar player, let me play his D'Angelico New Yorker Special. I still remember that moment and how it affected me. How magnificent a guitar could be, its look, its feel, its smell, its sound, its indescribable yet clearly evident QUALITY. (Please read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle maintenance for the definition of QUALITY.)

My father also owned a music store, so I was constantly around the great (and not so great) guitars of the '50s and '60s. I became aware at a young age that there was some sort of geometry, some kind of magic brew, some sort of something that made a specific guitar inspiring and desirable.

As a professional player and collector, I’ve spent years searching for that magic in the guitars that I play and own. As a shop owner, I've promised myself and my customers that I would only offer guitars that had the potential to crack that ineffable "code" that makes a great guitar great. I insisted that I would only align myself with builders who were in a constant search to not just crack the code, but who were capable of making remarkable instrument based on their revelations.

I found a fellow traveler in that search in Paul Reed Smith. He needs no introduction, of course. You might wonder why a small dealer like me would be selling Paul’s guitars. The answer is that I wanted Paul Reed Smiths built with the personal supervision and genius of Paul Reed Smith himself.

And now that’s possible.

Paul Reed Smith runs the Private Stock Division of PRS. I’m happy to say we’ve connected on a very deep level. He’s like me. He never stops comparing modern guitars to the greatest old guitars of the past. His goal in life is to break the code. To this day, he can pick up one of his guitars and be critical enough to know where he’s succeeded, what might be missing, and, more importantly, how to get always closer to that golden ideal.

Paul Reed Smith Private Stock may conjure up images of flamboyant inlays and colorful finishes. However, I’m all about the instrument. My personal taste leans towards clean, elegant styles that accentuate the premium woods I’ve chosen, perfect neck shapes, and only the finest electronics and accompanying materials. In my opinion nobody but a very select few luthiers have the selection of woods that Paul has. If I want a Brazilian rosewood neck or curly mahogany body, all I have to do is ask Paul for it. Whatever I can imagine in most cases I can get.

This Private Stock guitar is based on Paul's legendary McCarty model but of course done with only the finest Private Stock appointments. I envisioned this guitar to be extremely organic, something that would be growing from the earth in some kind of magical guitar forest, hence the the use of the all Brazilian rosewood neck. This is the very first time I had the opportunity and availability of Brazilian for the neck and fingerboard and I have to say I absolutely love it! The feel is warm and satiny, a very special kind of playing experience. The tight pronounced flame of the curly maple has a wonderful 3D quality enhanced by this very special Private Stock olive finish. A beautiful blend of greens and purples give a very original and sophisticated patina to the top. The Paradise inlays add just the right amount of understated 'pop' to this guitar's vibe.

There is no overdone bling here. Even the PAF style humbuckers are bone with burnished nickel.

Of course, the fit and finish are perfect. Expert fret work, rounded fingerboard edges, with one of the absolutely best tremelo bridges you can get anywhere at any price. The McCarty Trem was always my favorite PRS model for anyone looking for a dual humbucker guitar that had extra versatility. It always could handle a multitude of genres and playing styles professionally and with grace. With the added beauty, style and workmanship that few but Paul's Private Stock crew can add, you have a very very special guitar here. Btw…. did I mention how much I just love this all-Brazilian neck?

If you'd like to find out more about this item, just call or e-mail me. It would be my pleasure to talk to you about it.

ABOUT PRS PRIVATE STOCK
Everyone has heard of PRS Guitars; they are one of America's great entrepreneurial success stories. But not everyone has heard of the Paul Reed Smith Private Stock instruments. These are special guitars, in every sense. That's what inspired us here at CR Guitars to seek them out; they conform perfectly to our vision of what "hand selected" really means. The goal behind the PRS Private Stock of instruments is not only to create the most beautiful and best playing guitars money can buy, but the best sounding. PRS works very closely with each order - through hourly discussions, experimentation, meticulous checks of every detail at each step in the process and making final tweaks when the guitar is complete - to make sure they are building the best guitars possible. If you get an extraordinary instrument from Private Stock that is equally as good as a family heirloom and a musician’s tool to make a living on, then the Private Stock goal has come to fruition.

“Whether built to your specification or ours, every Private Stock instrument is carefully guided through the process by highly talented, seasoned guitar makers, and each completed instrument is checked and signed by Paul Miles and me. From all of us on the Private Stock team, thank you for looking at and considering a Private Stock instrument. If you decide on a Private Stock guitar, we will give everything we have to make it the best instrument you’ve ever experienced.” - Paul Reed Smith