Can It Replace My Gibson 335? - PRS McCarty 594 Hollowbody 11

[@alunlower5129]

Ha, I was watching this exact guitar, waiting for the funds to be able to buy it. Was so annoyed when it disappeared from sale but glad to see it went to a good home! Great video and playing, as always.

[@jamesperry6572]

Me too :)

[@TheStudioRats]

@@jamesperry6572 I’m thinking of moving it on guys if your interested send a messsge via the studio rats website

[@garethbrough2474]

Sounds great in your hands - you could tell from the first part of the demo that it sits in your happy place. I wish all review channels sounded this good.

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks Gareth!

[@Lawrenph]

I have played guitars of all sorts for 50 years including Gibson, Taylor and Fender but my PRS hollowbody II trumps them all for me. Just love it. Everyone has their favourites, so enjoy playing yours for the music on the best instrument in the world - the guitar.

[@Think_Up]

I feel the exact same. I have let a lot of guitars go since getting my HB II.

[@stickman55100]

You sound better than ever playing this PRS. Regardless of opinions about from where the sound emanates on an electric guitar, this Hollowbody II sounds and looks great. The thing about the woods that PRS uses is that they look great! I like looking at them. I totally agree about certain Gibsons sounding “wooly”. I’ve had numerous Les Pauls, 345s that sound that way. I own a 1961 335 and that sounds awesome. I purchased a 2013 Murphy Labs “Red Eye” and that sounded wooly until I replaced the pickups with Whiskerbuckers. I’ve now owned a number of PRS guitars and still own four and they play and sound phenomenal. Also, totally agree with you about the 3-pickup configuration. I own a 1957 Black Beauty Les Paul Custom with 3 pickups and I can’t stand the middle pickup. It’s just in the way.

[@uniqdzign2]

Having watched your previous video on the 335, this makes so much sense. The clarity is far better on the PRS! Good move, and suits your style better too, Paul!

[@MintyBitesBack]

I have a McCarty 1 hollowbody. Put some 58/15 LTs in it and some push/pulls. Love it!!

[@TheRedSpecialPlayer]

Hello Paul! The PRS sounds completely different to the Gibson ES 335 that you sent back. The sound of the McCarty has very little in common with the real 335 sound. Maybe you should have tried a Gibson "ES-335 Dot Sixties Satin Cherry" from 2021. This 335 has calibrated humbuckers that sound much clearer or brighter than an ordinary Gibson humbucker, which should suit a single-coil player like you better. What's more, the "ES-335 Dot Sixties Satin Cherry" is nowhere near as expensive as the Gibson ES 335 Murphy Lab. I originally came from the Strat and am very happy with the Sixties Satin Cherry. Musical greetings from Germany Mic 🙂

[@allanflippin2453]

Agreed, you get fully-usable neck and middle position sounds. This works a lot better with your preferences.

[@aidantod33]

I agree about PRS ready and consistent out of the box. Bought one on Wednesday, gigged it Saturday. Never touched a thing on it, just opened the case…

[@TheToneWork]

I've owned two 335s when I was in music school. I hated them every time I played, but they were the best thing in the 80's for that sound that I could find. I can't see any reason, other than nostalgia, so have one with so many better options available now.

[@marklavanish5024]

That guitar is gorgeous! I am so jealous!

[@jwright8838]

What a beautiful guitar. I love instruments like that because they put no obstacles in the way of playing. I would wager it plays smooth as silk...like driving a supercar on freshly laid pavement.

[@danielconrad764]

As an owner of vintage fenders and gibsons, as well as PRS from the last decade of production (in my opinion, PRS' golden era was 2010-2015), your comment hit the nail right on the head. Playing a PRS is effortless, which lets you focus on your technique / the task at hand. They sound exceptional, too. I only switch back to my vintage guitars if I am emulating / covering a song. Vintage guitars are great, as are PRS guitars.

[@edwardebel1847]

Nice balanced review. Trying one out tomorrow. Low key no BS presentation. Cheers!

[@MartirosHakopianMarHak]

Just bought one today . In a week I will have it in my hands. Can't wait. Trusted my Sweetwater Engineer and don't know what the outcome would be. The one I bought has a Yellow Tiger Top and less than 6 lbs. Watching you I feel much better. Your playing is of my taste and you and the guitar sound great. Thanks for posting your experience which made me feel a lot secure of my purchase .I will be back ...... Cheers .....

[@TheStudioRats]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@glennbucc7107]

I own a Gibson 2021 335 and its not wooly at all with the calibrated pickups. If anything, its a little bright. I just put the treble on m Fender amp down to 5, or even 4 and its perfect for that sound you expect. The 335 has a woody tone that the PRS does not have. The PRS has a more acoustic sound that is really nice but different. If you are looking for a jazz sound that you heard from Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton and many others, the PRS won't do it. But it will provide a wonderful chimey tone that you can hear on this review.

[@leyor7604]

You're a great guitar player, love the mesmerising, melodic playing. Lovely guitar, great tone👌👌

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks a lot!

[@matthewf1979]

I've been down this rabbit hole already. No, nothing can replace an ES-335/345/355. You have to go play as many as you can. The new 2022+ Custombuckers have been much better to my ears. The previous years are fairly wooly. I'm crazy, so I replaced the harness in my 64 Reissue. Actual 500k+ pots matter a bunch too. I changed the magnets in the stock Custombuckers to Rewind Electric short A5's too. That and the pots made the guitar perfect to my ears. It's a lot of work, but I didn't replace the pickups.

[@fern6978]

Such a beautiful guitar... I still believe PRS makes the greatest models on the market... LOVE my McCarty model. Cheers!

[@starets-vR]

Good evening! I live in Perm-Rossia, it’s now 22:26, ​​November 5th. beautiful guitar, very beautiful sound and most importantly, not heavy!🙀 I have a Gibson 2010 CS Memphis Reissue 50-Anniversary for the 2nd year. I am a beginner guitarist and only recently began to understand what kind of guitar this is? Stradivari! I liked your instrument, but it has its own sound, it has nothing in common with the ES-335... this PRS has entered your soul - that means it’s yours! I wish God's inspiration in your creativity!

[@JTB--]

I really like the PRS Pattern Thin neck. Plays so buttery smooth and effortlessly. Perfect if you have smaller hands

[@skidogbill]

Try a 3Sigma acoustic IR in your TONEX with a Fishman or similar piezo bridge. You can get a worthwhile acoustic sound, and if you do pull out an acoustic guitar with a piezo, you can get a really good acoustic sound with the right IR. Thank me later! By the way, I love your matchless captures.

[@IamMusicNerd]

The PRS Hollowbody is fantastic, but I still tend to lean towards the PRS Special semi-hollow and the Modern Eagle V more.

[@mikemercer5808]

Awesome guitar! You chose wisely.

[@justcantshred]

Great guitar. I got a awesome deal on mine as it was a less popular finish, trampas green smoke burst), and not s super flamed top and back. Sounds and plays like a dream.

[@BradRocker]

It has all the PRS glory. I've had many nice 10 tops ,but yours is killer and sounds great too.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Brad, it’s not actually a 10 top on this one, I don’t know why.

[@jacolux]

Lovely and sounds great. My PRS S2 Vela is also very light and have great clarity in the pups.

[@JensMayer]

Feels weird seeing you with a PRS Paul. I never connected with that brand but if you are happy with it that's all that matters. Cheers!

[@sixslinger9951]

wow, that guitar sounds amazing. I love your chord playing too.

[@johnpierson8398]

I find this video to be serendipitous. Yesterday, I was at my favorite music store and had my eye on a Gibson 1959 ES-335 Murphy labs guitar. I wanted to like that guitar, but found that it was not for me. Too heavy and dull acoustically. This has happened with a few Gibsons I have owned for various reasons. I have three PRS 594 guitars and they are amazing guitars. They hold a tune, and have really great playability. They are beautiful to look at. But most importantly, sound great. So now I am looking at buying a PRS DGT instead of the ES-335. And now I find this video the next day!

[@brivington2011]

Great video. That top looks beautiful, PRS guitars are top quality and it sounds great. Question…were you using any compression in your signal chain for this video? Thanks for posting, love your channel!

[@johnborn3572]

That's a beautiful guitar. It sounds great too. Have you played an Eastman T/59?

[@paisteplayer1040]

I dont know if the put the 58/15 lt's in the hollow bodies, but they are best sounding PAF I have ever heard

[@edwardebel1847]

Bought an HB II 594 today...I can't play it anymore today without my fingers falling off, so I'm watching videos about it. Tomorrow is another day! Wonder what I'll be doing?

[@TheStudioRats]

Enjoy the guitar

[@edwardebel1847]

@@TheStudioRatsThanks...taking your advice! :-). The LT pickups are remarkably focused

[@frantisca]

Hey Paul, I did not bond with the 335 Too dark. Did not bond with PRS neither: I've got a Baker B3 Wood instead and that guitar sounds, feels and plays great. Try one if you can ! Cheers

[@TheDanielGuy23]

Looks beautiful, and I love the color. I'm personally not sold on the coil tap sounds, but those are always a hard sell for me anyway

[@danielconrad764]

PRS coil taps are great as an additional tonal option, but not as a stand in replacement for actual single coil tones. Works best when the coil taps is for each of the two humbuckers, as opposed to a single master coil tap. Gives you some super cool humbucking tone sculpting options.

[@TheDanielGuy23]

@@danielconrad764 True. My Schecter has a 5 way switch where position 2 uses the outer coils of each pickup and position 4 uses the neck pickup coils in parallel. Still not as good as dedicated single coils but definitely better than the master coil split I had on my old PRS

[@pdbordelon]

I had a pRS Custom 24 some years back and felt like it lacked mojo and sold it but this one you are playing sounds amazing! Has the "Vintage Pattern" neck which is a bit thicker than the "pattern" neck which is more desirable for me. Might have to give PRS another look, especially semi-hollowbody. Thanks for sharing your experience and congrats on a killer guitar!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers mate

[@zackpearce4396]

Sounds great!! What's your amp/signal chain?

[@MaxLamboy]

Agreed, had an awesome 335 but weight and value to drag around a big city, no. Well said and played which seems rare.

[@MrTelecosta]

I own a Prs Spruce Hollowbody, Prs makes amazing hollowbody guitars.

[@jeremygalvan6238]

I own a Spruce HBii. I definitely prefer the Spruce to the Maple. Has a snap to it the Maple doesn’t have.

[@danprentis]

Christ... it sounds sublime. Great guitar!

[@onlyguitar6521]

I just got an ES335 and you are right, it is too dark. However, I have other guitars, Tele, strats, that I use for the usual brighter tones, and this one only when trying to play jazz-ish stuff.

[@lukesteverything627]

Yep, I've got one and I love it.

[@BAMozzy69]

I love my PRS 594 HBii (mine is my Avatar pic) and couldn't agree more about the versatility and build quality too. I also prefer the smaller body style and the fact its made from solid woods, not steam pressed to shape 3-ply Laminate woods and that includes the sides too. They effectively cut the middle out of a slab to leave just the sides - A single piece of mahogany. PRS are known for their Clarity too, although some may prefer the more muddy sounds other guitars offer... Each to their own of course, but I bought mine instead of a 335. I also love my HBii with Piezo as it does work as a 335 alternative too - but the added 'versatility' of the Piezo. I know you don't like it, and its not the same as a Mic'd Acoustic, but is as good as any Acoustic Piezo I have tried and can add some 'shimmer/sparkle' too if blended in with Magnetics. I bought the HBii before PRS released the 594 HBii but I don't know that I'd buy a HBii if I had the 594 first as I could use my Electro Acoustic if I 'needed' to - although the HBii is better and much newer LOL

[@RolernMusic]

Hi Sir, may i know what finish on this beauty, Faded Whale Blue/ Charcoal? Anyway superb looking guitar and playing 🙏

[@TheStudioRats]

It’s faded whale

[@mparkerdrums]

Awesome videos mate. Loving your content

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers fella

[@tylergorham7301]

The PRS absolutely suits you!

[@simonsmith2642]

Custom bucker too dark and wooly lol.. Im always on the neck.. But thank you for buying American made and supporting USA manufacturing, we don’t have manufacturing much left. Thank you! For me, the only thing that comes close to my 335 is a Heritage 535 but went with a 530 because I already have a 335, why would I want to replace it? This PRS is sweet no doubt but it sounds like a PRS, Id buy one if I wanted a PRS for sure. Its pretty dang sweet. Not my thing though. It doesn’t replace a 335, but its a keeper for sure, with its own personality.

[@JB19504]

Haha, I have both! Well, I have an ES-345, not a 335. Both the PRS and the Gibson are great. My HB II is a Ten Top in Tobacco Burst, no Piezo. I also have a Gibson CS-336 (Custom Shop), a smaller 335/Les Paul combo. You obviously got a great deal on the HB!! Whale Blue?

[@NickGranville]

That PRS is a much better fit for you. Good score

[@charlesflint9048]

I have 2; a hollow body, and a custom24, both SE. They are both superb instruments. I do prefer the Custom24SE to play though.

[@barrylawrynowicz5629]

How’s the feed back when adding distortion

[@garycoates4987]

I'm gonna suggest what I would chose for that style of guitar,,, semi-hollow,, I would get a gretsch white falcon with the center block

[@baldybonce29]

Beautiful guitar Paul

[@GilbertMiranda2008]

This is a beautiful Guitar PRS. Thank you for this video. Can you let me know what color model is yours. It is really beautiful. Thank you you have a new subscriber . Thank you.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers, it’s faded whale blue

[@cliverkay]

Spot on Paul Agree 100 per cent my 339 sounds like it has cottonwool in the pickups..Heading to Coda...

[@Funkybassuk]

I’ll be swapping the pickups on my 359 to see if that helps.

[@BluesHeavy]

Strange as you said you wanted a guitar that sounded like an es 335 but you didn’t like the sound of the Gibson es 335. I would say all 335 I have picked up are woody and a bit darker in the neck

[@CBGypsy03]

PRS all the way over a gibson, but I'd take my collings i30lc any day of the week. Great vid :) 😀

[@troyjones2358]

The ergonomics, build quality and, clarity of the pickups make the PRS superior to Gibsons. I have recently bought a SE Hollowbody II and I love it, I can only imagine what that Core model feels and sounds like. I hear a lot of people say that PRS lack mojo or soul well I say it’s up to the players to bring the soul out of any particular instrument.

[@gr637]

I have several high end guitars but the PRS McCarty Hollowbody ii is the best by a long mile in terms of tone, playability and looks.

[@k8923]

Tone profile seemed to lack some bottom end. Almost sharp with the coil taps engaged. Could have been the amp settings I guess. Neck pup sounded the best.

[@DennyBob521]

The PRS is so much higher quality, more “mojo” and tone that a Gibson. The 335 is plywood, the Hollowbody II is hand selected tone wood solid top and back, both hand carved into Archtop shape inside and out. I have semi-hollow 594 and it’s one of the greatest guitars ever made.

[@TheStudioRats]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jamujesperandersen8699]

Looks very nice. You should have included some sound examples with some break-up sounds or lighter overdriven sounds.

[@jonholland6067]

He did

[@jamujesperandersen8699]

@@jonholland6067 I will listen again 🥴

[@JohnShalamskas]

@@jamujesperandersen8699 Overdriven / distorted tone will tend to cover up the character of the guitar. The place where you will hear the character of a guitar is in the clean tone.

[@123pap]

Sounds good purty too!

[@panthersoul]

There are lots of great deals on used HB IIs on reverb. Buying the new is super expensive. Used is comparable to a solid body.

[@GuvnaOnSpotify]

Brilliant guitar, but those newer PRS pickups all seem to have this annoying attack - its in all their TCI pickups. You can't get rid of it no matter how hard you try, unless you replace the pickups. I'm a PRS fan - I've owned 5 over the years with my current favourite being an SC245 with 58/08's - so can say from personal experience that I'd stick to the older, pre TCI, PRS's.

[@neilhawkins1]

PRS over Gibson any day,that one sounds and looks fantastic.Also not so ungainly to play due to the smaller body.

[@michaelvarney.]

My artist package 10 top McCarty HB-II is awesome. I’d only get a 335 if it were vintage… no need otherwise with my PRS or my Gibson midtown.

[@paisteplayer1040]

The Les paul look is where it ends... PRS corrected every mistake Gibson has made for 7 plus decades. PRS dont just make a prettier guitar, they make them right. Even Gibson custom shops come out hit and miss on quality control.. Bring on the hate gibson fan boys

[@JohnShalamskas]

I agree that the PRS has superior design features and better fit and finish than Gibson. But Gibson sounds better.

[@bobbyarthur-yf3yf]

I like gibsons designs … and I bought my first LP in 94 and still have hit , love its sentimental but neck pick up sounds like dog shit and guitar is too heavy .. so I bought a 5A Canadian maple top Tokai custom shop 8 pounds 4 ounce 59 replica for 2 .5 grand and it’s magical … so ya if prs did buy Gibson you would have had it sorted out but mean while If its a traditional Gibson design and you want a better more accurate build for 2 or 3 grand instead of 10 grand get tokai to do your build as they know how to craft real pro level instrument -- remember the word - instrument .. meant to be precision like PRS or Tokai , it’s the public company issue that makes Gibson and fender so messy … the priority is not on the player or instrument … it’s on profit and it shows … they mainly produce the models and designs of when there was a true give a Shit team there

[@johngregsonguitar]

Beautiful!

[@billwilkie6211]

It's Three Thirty Five, And lower the pickups and get low wind pickups for it. Or get a Collings I-35LC Vintage with Ron Ellis pickups.

[@bjornjohannsson2607]

I bought a 2005 Hamer Newport a few months back. Will never go back to 335.

[@belo1971]

Which gain pedal do you use in the intro jam please ?

[@Adventuresingearland]

Probably the Matchless Tonex capture set on the verge of break-up rather than a gain pedal. Sure Paul will confirm though.

[@drewbarries]

No, I own both and they are not even in the same ballpark, love them both but not comparable.

[@michaelostermann4198]

Ever try a collings i35 lc vintage?

[@GxBxN]

Hot dang! That PRS sounds beautiful. Gorgeous finish too! Nice purchase. Quick question Paul - loved your tone - were you playing through an amp or a (ToneX?) capture? Which amp model was that? Have loved your work with ToneX captures. Curious what you played through in this video.

[@TheStudioRats]

I was using a DrZ Z Wreck, Tonex captures on our site.

[@aristocaster]

Gibson does carved top too 😀 But on Super 400 and they cost like 30 000

[@jeremydahm2124]

So true. I've bought a bunch of prs guitars on line and never been disappointed. Gibson definitely a dice roll...

[@scottt9382]

which finish/color is that?

[@TheStudioRats]

It’s whale blue

[@tomatengarage5608]

Hi Paul. I totally agree: PRS´s are extremely consistent. They are easy to play. The haptic is always fantastic. They sound incredible. You did everything right in selling the 335 (in my opinion, even if I don't know both of your guitars in person...) Gibson & Fender benefit a lot from their History. Of course I am guilty, oh boy, I am guilty, because (for what reason ever) I do like it much more when the decal on the headstock says FENDER or GIBSON than let's say CORT. And I am stupid, because - for example, my Cort Hiram Bullock is such a good guitar. And they (Cort) have charged a rediculous small amount of money for such a great sounding & playing guitar. But back to PRS. I remember David Grissom telling in one of the PRS DGT-Promo Videos that he sold his 59 Burst, because he was much more on the hunt for a sound between his 335 and a Telecaster. And the whole effort, all the tweaking over a couple of years led to his FANTASTIC FANTASTIC FANTASTIC DGT-Model. So I agree: you can't go wrong with a PRS. And gratulations for your new Guitar. Hard to believe somebody out there sold this guitar...?!?!?!?! Anyway, great playing, Paul. And always a pleasure listening to your thoughts. Spot on! Best greetings from Germany. Michael.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Michael

[@stevenelson6895]

Nice guitar, must have been a nice guy to cut you a good deal 😂😂 glad you like it 👍

[@seanzinger]

I get the weight thing. There is something really desirable about a light one.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

🤗#76_ 85/15 sublime✝️

[@trafyknits9222]

For about $7,000, you too can get one of these guitars. That's some serious bread; is it worth it?

[@RobotShlomo]

The PRs guitatrs I've played are always well built, they felt great, but they just sounded completely "empty". I always describe them as wanting to do a Gibson impression bur they don't commit fully to the bit. That and Gibson has more low end meatiness than I prefer. I don't find that in PRS. And I really can't get past the birds. Yeah, I know it's a tribute to Paul's mom who was a bird watcher. But they just look lame.

[@gilh3947]

It is a totally different guitar then a 335. My Standard 335 is not woolly at all. It sounds like a 335 should.

[@kmichaelp4508]

Yeah right. We shall see next year if it’s still around. Yeah yeah yeah. We’ve heard this cat and mouse game before. We know better. It’s you that don’t!!! I’m going to start taking bets on this one. So what do have guys? Make your best guess’s. Me? I say about… 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔…. August. Oh bye the way, it’s great!

[@billmay7364]

Gibson 335. Collins i35 PRS Hollowbody ll Piezo PRS 594 HB. Problems Solved.

[@jxw129]

Two different guitars in construction. Voicing will be drastically different. 335 is semi hollow with solid center block. PRS is fully hollow. 335 is more comparable to PRS special semi hollow series.

[@deadtothewxrld]

I had a PRS hollowbody and hollow is the best word I can use to describe the PRS experience for me. They just don't sound like they have any character. Not to say they can't sound good, they can, but I just like my guitar to have a signature sound. And PRS guitars just land somewhere in the middle of all the different kind of guitar sounds.

[@goswo]

Yup. My experience of having tried to find and love a PRS. Just not possible. Kind of like the difference between a digital modeller and a real tubeamp. It does not sound bad, but it lacks soul and vibe…

[@steviesynapse]

Yeah, same for me, I love the PRS ethos and build quality. I’ve tried multiple models over the years and would like to buy and own one but I unfortunately I’ve never found a PRS that sounds great and feels great to play.

[@goswo]

No way! Send back a lovely 335??? NB Its possible to swap pick up in a 335.

[@JS-nf1sn]

That thing kills a 335 in every way (tone, playability, looks, weight, tuning stability).

[@casey-joerumens9432]

My man - what are you playing it through?! Sounds superb 🤘🏼

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers, that’s an Amplified Nation ODR

[@AndyDrudy]

Sounds great! Sounds nothing like a 335 though.

[@daviddorrian5349]

I spy with my little eye that steal of a Z-Wreck head off reverb! Practically new for £1300. That's for a £2899 new amp head!

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Toggle switch location looks truly awful but I'm sure it's a great guitar.

[@JazzCatzs]

Apples and oranges

[@TimHeerebout]

Love your videos, not a fan of the auto focus or weird cuts to an off center secondary camera in this video.

[@mathtrixmusiclix4248]

Easily

[@joekruger8033]

I don’t know about the stripe-y look of that guitar and guitars in general. A plainer look would be classier IMO

[@harrisbeatsfrankou6304]

What fanboys don't know is that Mc Carty worked at Gibson and Fender. When they were classics.

[@bobbyarthur-yf3yf]

Not at fender but ya Gibson he was big guy there through most of their iconic designs … I think most that like PRS know this and the McCarty and dgt benefited from his shared knowledge …