Paul Reed Smith McCarty Hollowbody II 10-Top Dark Cherry Burst 2000
PRS McCarty Hollowbody II, Dark Cherry, made in USA 2000. Ted McCarty was president of Gibson from 1950-66, and it's fair to say they produced some pretty good guitars over that time, including the launch of the Les Paul model. During the 80s and 90s, he became a mentor to a young Paul Reed Smith and was hired as a consultant to help design and execute some guitars. The Hollowbody II model launched in 1998, borne from this collaboration. This stellar example boasts a 10-Top: proper AAA grade flamed maple, carved into a solid arched top and back. It's a truly remarkable pair of pieces, the figuring on show brims with depth and detail. There's no centre block, so this weighs in at a crazy 2.4kg, and somehow still manages to balance perfectly. It's super lively and responsive in the hands, with every note ringing like a bell and sustaining with gusto. The pickups deliver the goods too: the neck is bell-like and clear with a piano like musicality, while the bridge balances complex warmth with midrange punch and creamy fatness perfectly. You can easily cover thick jazzy cleans, proper shred lead lines and everything in between; this is a truly versatile thing. These don't come up used in these parts very often, so if you're interested, come see what all the fuss is about.
Model: Paul Reed Smith McCarty Hollowbody II 10-Top
Made: USA, 2000
Serial: 045897
Finish: Dark Cherry Burst, gloss nitro
Body: solid arched AAA Flame Maple carved top and back, Mahogany sides, fully hollow
Neck: Mahogany, East Indian Rosewood fretboard, 25" scale, 10" radius, medium C/V shape
Weight: 2.450kg
Mods: none
Pickups: PRS McCarty Archtop humbucker x2
Accessories: non-original hard case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has dents on the end and bottom edge and some scuffs on both edges and the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and play wear on the back only. The back has scuffs on both horns, surface scratches in the middle of the body and some dimples and scuffs in the elbow area and back edge. The sides have minor dents up from the neck join, elbow area and near the jack, as well as minor scuffs and dimples around the whole body. The front has a dent near the switch, scuffs around the bridge and knobs, dimples in the elbow area and some play wear on the horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only