Former Gibson President and architect of the golden era of the marque’s history, Ted McCarty could have quite happy sat out the twilight of his years away from the limelight, that was until a certain Paul Reed Smith reached out to him in the 1980s. 

This initial contact culminating in McCarty coming onboard at PRS as a consultant. The fruits of this collaboration was the PRS McCarty model, released in 1994 with an initial run of 100, signed by the man himself, the 66th of which is here.

Built using the classic combination of all mahogany construction with maple cap, the new model featured McCarty spec’d pickups, a 25” scale length, wrapover bridge and a 22 fret neck.

As you'd expect from a PRS, the choice of woods is exquisite with the finish really showcasing the top and neck grains to perfection. There are a few very minor dinks here and there but this guitar has been very well cared for and it certainly shows it.

Its a brilliant player as you'd expect from Paul Reed Smith with a sound that at once vintage and modern with the 3 way switch offering a wide palette of tones.

If you are into these guitars then this is a real nice rare example from the first 100 that is now unbelievably, almost 30 years of age and if you are a collector, this should without a doubt be in your collection...