Paul Reed Smith McCarty

Passive Humbucking PAF type pickup, with the interesting splitting ability as a plus, nickel cover. A strange pole distance of 48,5 mm instead of the usual 50 mm of all other PAF Hb's.

PRS SE Singlecut, bridge position. Replaced Gibson 57 classic plus.
The output is slightly less than the 57 Classic plus, I dare to say it's on the low side of average Hb output, but this doesn't affect at all sustain and tone...
The other PU on the guitar is a DiMarzio 36 anniversary PAF, a good match as for tone, but a little too loud compared to the McCarty (I plan to find a 2nd hand McCarty to put in the neck position).
The Gibson was nice, but a little too bright when distorted; I came across this PU and decided to give it a chance, now it's gonna stay there forever.

As I said, the output level is average to low.
I use my guitar plugged straight into a Laney L5T-112 Lionheart (great little amp!!!) or a self built 18W Class A combo 1x12" or, when I feel like rocking harder, a Marshall DSL 401. I don't use any effect but the jack (you'd never guess how much does your jack cable influence your final sound!).
I play Blues, Country and Southern Rock and this PU is a perfect match to my taste.
The sound is very complex and articulate, pinches any harmonic you can think of and tone is clear but never harsh, full and rich when played clean and amazingly defined and sustaining when overdriven, but always defined and dynamic.
I never heard a Hb sound so good.

I've been playing 30+ years, gigging since 1982 (it's a loooooooong time!) and don't mean to bother you with my gear list over these years. I tried many Hb's out there (Gibson 57, Duncan 59/JB/Custom, Fralin, Rio Grande BBQ PRS Dragon II/HFS) and this is the one that's gonna stay in this guitar. I'm looking for another 2nd hnd one to put in the neck position, so...Could I rate it less than a 9?
The problem with PRS PU's (the -1 rating reason!) is that they're way overpriced, so I look for it used. I'll put preferably another Treble PU in the neck pos, since PRS neck PU's tend to sound very dark; the sought after Les Paul tone of the PAF era was obtained by matching two identical Hb's, after all it can't be bad ;)

Splitable Humbuckers, Passive, Vintage Tone

Les Paul Standard
Used in Bridge and Neck
Replacing Gibson Busrtbuckers
No Artist I am aware of but probably many use them
The Burstbuckers did not really have the classic Les Paul sound I wanted. Sounded kind of steryle with too much middle and muddy base.

The ouput is slightly hotter than standard HB.
I use a Fender Blues Deluxe w/ B. K. Butler Tube Driver or Marshall JCM 900.
These are the best sounding pickups I have tried. I have a PRS McCarty and I have always loved the sound it gets. I thought the McCarty pickups would work well on a Les Paul. They do. The Bridge pickup has a lot of treble and compliments the darker Les Paul body really well. I get the best progressive jazz-rock sound with the bridge pickup. It might be a little weak for heavy metal but I get all kinds harmonics and screeches out of it. I like the treble pickup just slightly better on the Les Paul. The Neck pickup sounds just slightly better on the McCarty due to the lighter body but it sounds great on the Les Paul. The McCarty neck pickup is a blues player's dream. Both the split and HB modes sounds great. Very clear and creamy when distorted or smooth when clean. Plenty of treble but a very smooth treble. I use it to get that growl when the amp is just barely breaking up. If your are craving the classic LP tones you can get them with the McCarty pickups.

Since I already had these pickups on my McCarty and I bought another set for my Les Paul I think that prety much says it all.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard plus flame top
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock Epiphones
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: I don't know of any specifically
You musical style(s): Classic and Modern Rock
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups were muddy sounding when I played distorted chords and the bridge posistion was shreeky in the highs.

Perceived output level: medium output. The neck pickup is hotter than the stock and the bridge is slightly less hot than the stock pickup.
Tone: very balanced. more of a vintage vibe.
Sonic evaluation: For the evaluation I ran my Epiphone through a Boss stereo chorous, TU-2, DOD stereo flanger, Dunlop Crybaby, Ibanez Tube King, and into a Marshall TSL 602.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These pickups are pretty good for all styles of rock. I don't know how good they would be for jazz or funk though.

Comments: If stolen, I would deffinetly replace them. I have been playing for just over five and a half years and although I'm not even close to the best player I know, I know my gear. These are easily some of the sounding pickups I've played. I can't say that these are the best out there because I can't possibly know that so I rate these a 9

Pickup features:
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass:
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: HOW TO INSTALL PRS HUMBUCKERS - MC CARTY.
I bought a cheapie guitar off of E-Bay...a hollow body which came equipped with gold hardware. I only bought
the guitars for the looks because it was less than $200.00. Well, when I received the guitar --- I wasn't expecting
it to sound good, and it pretty much held up to my expectations. So, I decided to do an experiment and gut out the
factory cheapie humbuckers with top of the line PRS or Paul Reed Smith humbuckers. Keep in mind the
operative word here is EXPERIMENT. I own 2 Les Pauls, 2 Fenders, 1 Gretsch, 1 Taylor, and 2 Ovations...so
all you cat's out there saying "sach-relig" just here me out --- So I purchased 2 PRS humbuckers off E-bay...for a
great deal - $150.00 for 2 pick ups and then when I receieved the pickups...I had to go ahead an install them.
Now for any cats who have never installed pickups before (like me)...think of it as performing a fairly significant
surgery on your guitar. You should buy a small torch kit/solder in 1 unit from Home Depot if you ever decide to
"GUT OUT" an existing pair of pickups and replace with new ones...any how...the surgery took me 3 hours and
when it was finished with it was time to see how the patient was doing...
I plugged in the guitar and the sound sounded so RICH, and so warm - the amp was a Fender Tube Hot Rod ---
but the difference was just amazing...I played "Beast of Burden" and it sounded so good...I then played a
Grateful Dead tune, "China Doll"...it just blew me away...
Assessment - The experiment proved me wrong - the sound was amazing...now if I could just replace that
neck....Cheers & Kudos to PRS McCartey Pickups! ! ! !

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson 61 SG Reissue
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 57 Classic bridge and neck.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rock/Blues/Jazz/Indie etc
Reason for pickup change: By all means, the Gibson 57 Classic are fine pickups, but I thought there might be something a little more fresh sounding out there. I was undecided for a while about whether to get PRS pickups or Rio Grande, I've heard excellent things about both brands (among others also- Harmonic design, Fralin etc). PRS and Rio Grande seem to be the economic choice here. I searched Ebay for a while looking for some used pickups to save some money and eventually a set of PRS McCarty pickups became available.

Perceived output level: They seem a little hotter than the Gibson 57 Classic pickups, but not necessarily dirty, just bigger and way more bold.
Tone: The tone is like the cliched "it's like a blanket was removed" thing... Very punchy, warm, and focused in the bass and middle positions, bridge is raw and tight. A dramatic difference from the 57 Classics.
Sonic evaluation: As I mentioned before, I use a Gibson SG through many amps- Custom Burriss amps, specifically a 25-28watt KT66 head (burrissamps.com), 1959 tweed Fender Tremolux, 1959 tweed Fender Harvard... The SG feels like it has came to life, I really liked it before, but now I can't stop playing. Awesome blues and rock tones and Allman Bros tones too! I mean c'mon, Ted McCarty invented the freakin' SG and he worked with PRS to make this pickup, you can't go wrong!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These are a vintage PAF style pickup (1955-1962) and those can be used in almost any application with fantastic results. I basically wanted to stick with the vintage vibe of the older Gibson guitars and pickups, so the McCarty was a pretty obvious choice for me. They took the characteristics of classic Gibson pickups and made it better. PRS makes quality stuff...

Comments: I will put these in my next Gibson (probably an ES335 or Les Paul) because if I don't, I'll know what I'm missing! I've played about 12 years and played tons of gigs in many bands. I play nothing but tube amps (boutique usually). This is the best thing you can do for your guitar.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: epiphone lp100
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: gibson 490
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Funk, Reggae
Reason for pickup change: old ones where crap

Perceived output level: yeah, s'alright
Tone: whatever
Sonic evaluation: using vox cambridge 15, epiphon lp100, crybaby, ibanez tube screamer

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i've already said my styles and i cant be bothered to rught them again. it does go well with them

Comments: good

Pickup features: Humbucking with coil tap
Impedence or other specs: Covers

Model of guitar or bass: McCarty and McCarty Hollowbody
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): R&B, Blues, Rock, Jazz
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: medium
Tone: clear and balanced sound
Sonic evaluation: Fender Deluxe Reverb, Rivera Chubster, Gibson GA-9

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Christian Praise and Worship in R&B and Rock styles

Comments: These are great. They have a nice punch and clarity. I consider these a very balanced pickup. Very close to a PAF type tone - think Duane Allman or Clapton on the Bluesbreakers album. I'm thinking about putting these on my Les Paul for a more balanced sound.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: McCarty
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Both neck & bridge
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock & metal
Reason for pickup change: I've struggled with my '98 McCarty since I bought it new. This is simply a BRIGHT guitar - thick maple top, glued in neck - its bright. The stock McCarty neck pickup always rubbed me wrong - sounded thin in full humbucking mode & piercingly thin in single coil mode. The bridge mcCarty p/u while still bright somewhat nails the PAF holy grail tone, but not really. The in-between position is TOTALLY UNUSABLE in either full HB or split modes. I'm very disappointed in the pickups in this guitar - I've tried several Duncan's and will be trying a Rio at the bridge to get rid of the brightness. I'm kind of at a loss - it my most playable guitar - I love the neck, the shape, the feel, everything but the sound - I'll get it eventually, its just work (and dollars) trying to find it. Bottom line - McCarty pickups are simply too thin for my taste ...

Perceived output level: PAF like
Tone: THIN
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments:

Pickup features: HUMBUCKER / PASSIVE
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: MCCARTY
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): ROCK / FUSION ETC.
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: EXCELLANT "TRANSDUCTANCE" PROPERTIES. SOUNDS "VERY" WARM.
Tone: BALANCED AND WELL PRESENTED TO "ANY" AMP (ASSUMING YOU CAN PLAY!)
Sonic evaluation: MESA BOOGIE MKIV. AND A MCCARTY : YOU CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAT THAT!
WITH A GREAT DEAL OF PATIENCE, YOU PROBABLY WILL BE ABLE TO SET UP THE MARK IV TO SOUND GOOD. THE ONE GREAT THING ABOUT THE MCCARTY IS THAT THE GUITAR (PICKUPS / WOOD / GENERAL SETUP) ARE SO CONDUSIVE TO RICH TONE AND SUSTAIN. I HAVE NEVER APPRECIATED A BETTER SOUNDING PICKUP EVER. I HAVE BEEN PLAYING SINCE 1979 AND CAN TRUTHFULLY SAY THAT I HAVE FOUND THE ULTIMATE TONE GUITAR IN THE MCCARTY. I MUST ALSO POINT OUT THAT AT FIRST, I REALLY DID NOT LIKE THE MCCARTY. I HATED THE TUNING PEGS AND FOUND THAT IT WAS RATHER BLAND WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER PRS. I PLUGED IT IN AND FOREVERMORE LAID THOSE FIRST IMPRESSION TO REST. I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO FIND A BETTER SOUNDING INSTRUMENT, PARTICULARY FROM THE NECK PICKUP!!!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: MANY

Comments: IT IS HARD TO RATE TONE AS IT IS HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE AND LARGELY PLAYS ON MANY FACTORS, INCLUDING YOUR MOOD.
I HAVE NEVER FOUND MYSELF DISATISFIED WITH THE PICKUPS NOR THE GUITAR.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: who cares?

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Custom
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: came in the guitar
Other pickups on guitar: McCartys
Artists using this pickup: anyone who plays a PRS McCarty
You musical style(s): Classic rock/Blues
Reason for pickup change: came in the guitar. I bought this one because these are the best sounding PRS pickups IMHO

Perceived output level: pretty hot. Hard (impossible) to get a clean sound on my Mesa/Boogie V-Twin without tapping the pickup.
Tone: Really fat. Tons of mids, reall creamy.
Sonic evaluation: You'll have a real hard time making this guitar sound bad. I've only managed to do it once or twice. Bridge pickup is perfect. It sings, doesn't shriek like lits of other bridge PUs. Really, really fat. Neck just goes CHUNK. Sweet through Marshall, Boogie, Fender, Peavy, etc... you get the idea.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It works great for everything I've ever tried with it. Metal is kinda pushing it, but with the right amp you can pull it off.

Comments: This is THE humbucking pickup. When I was shopping for a new guitar this summer, it didn't take me long at all to decide that no matter what guitar I bought, I'd put these pickups in it. Of course, everything I was considering was the Mahogany/Maple/set neck type of thing. BTW these are really the same as the Dragon Bass pickups with covers on them (at least I think so).