PRS Custom 24 VS McCarty (Comparison)
Our pick: The PRS Custom 24
While these guitars are similar in quality, the Custom 24 is far cheaper than the McCarty (over $700 in most markets) making it the higher-value guitar of the two. We'd also add the McCarty is built more for rhythm while the Custom 24 is built more for lead.
The Custom 24 and McCarty are two of PRS's most popular electric guitars, both coming from the company's main lineup that's built in Maryland. In other words, these are not the SEs that are built in South Korea.
And that's not to say we don't love the SE lineup.
We certainly do.
But the mainline PRS guitars are far and away better than the SEs and are the "real deal" when it comes to the PRS brand.
Nearly every pro that plays a PRS goes with the Custom 24 or the McCarty.
But if you've narrowed your choices down to these two guitars, which one is right for you?
We'll do our best to separate the two guitars by looking at the spec sheet in a side-by-side setup to see how they both stack up to one another. We'll also provide a fairly simple grading system for our second table. However, it's important to note up front that these two guitars are very similar.
Comparison Table
For those wanting a quick comparison of the PRS Custom 24 and McCarty, we've put both in the table below with compare buttons that show basic pricing and a few features.
Continue reading if you want the full comparison.
Also, consider using our orange "Browse on Sweetwater" buttons, which help support our site at no extra cost to you.
GUITAR | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRS Custom 24 | n/a | |
 | PRS McCarty | n/a |
Basic Specs and Grading
Both guitars sport Mahogany tonewood in the body and the neck, with a Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish which is what gives each guitar that nice shine and glistening appeal. You also have a similar carving profile for each guitar which is consistent with the nicer PRS lineup.
Perhaps the biggest difference - and a disappointing one for those leaning towards the McCarty, is the price tag.
The Custom 24 sits at $3850 retail while the McCarty goes for $4560 in most markets, around $700 more.
The McCarty, while a fantastic guitar, doesn't quite do enough to make up the $700 that separates it from the Custom 24. Flickr Commons image via Freebird_71
Not only is that price a significant increase, but it's hard to justify from the spec sheet.
Tonewood, pickups, and hardware are all fairly similar.
The main difference is that the Custom 24 is built more for lead while the McCarty is built better for rhythm. There's little in the spec comparison to suggest we'd want to pay $700 more for the McCarty.
Below is the spec sheet comparison side-by-side.
Note: Differences that don't impact quality/value are highlighted in yellow, while differences that do impact quality and value are highlighted in red.
Custom 24 | McCarty | |
|---|---|---|
Price | $3850.00 | $4560.00 |
Body Material | Mahogany | Mahogany |
Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
Neck Material | Mahogany | Mahogany |
Neck Shape | Pattern thin | Pattern |
Radius | 10" | 10" |
Number of Frets | 24, Medium jumbo | 22 |
Scale Length | 25" | 25" |
Nut Width | 1.6875" | 1.6875" |
Bridge/Tailpiece | PRS Gen III Tremolo | PRS Straight Stoptail |
Tuners | PRS Phase III Locking | Vintage-style |
Neck Pickup | PRS TCI-tuned 85/15 Humbucker | PRS TCI-tuned 58/15 Humbucker |
Bridge Pickup | PRS TCI-tuned 85/15 Humbucker | PRS TCI-tuned 58/15 Humbucker |
Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone | 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone (push/pull coil-tap) |
Strings | PRS, .010-.046 | PRS, .010-.046 |
The PRS 58 humbuckers are technically more expensive than the 85s, but it's honestly hard to tell a difference between the two. In the McCarty you get a somewhat warmer tone, which we like a little better, but it's hard to complain about tone or pickup quality without serious hair splitting.
You do get coil tapping in the McCarty, which is missing from the Custom 24, and the stoptail bridge instead of the PRS tremolo.
Overall, the McCarty is just setup more as a rhythm guitar while the Custom 24 appeals more to lead players.
Our Grading
For grading, it's hard to say where these two guitars really differ. As mentioned, we like the tone and pickups a little better in the McCarty, but the Custom 24 is far cheaper and probably the better value of the two.
Custom 24 | McCarty | |
|---|---|---|
Overall Tone Grade | A | A+ |
Versatility | A | A |
Pickup Quality | A- | A |
Cost/Value | B | B- |
Lead | A | A- |
Rhythm | A- | A |
We also like the McCarty a little better for rhythm while we like the Custom 24 for lead. It could easily come down to an aesthetic choice between the two or a question of whether you would use the tremolo bar.
Final Thoughts
There's not much to distinguish these two guitars outside of the different bridge types and the price tag. If you're primarily looking for the better deal, the Custom 24 is the easy choice, just because it's so much cheaper. But if you're not sold on the tremolo bridge and you want something that's better suited for a rhythm guitar player, the McCarty could be worth the $700 jump.
But overall, these are both excellent guitars.
It's hard to truly choose one over the other, which means it's safe to rely more on your own preferences (aesthetics, feature value, etc.) and buy accordingly.
If you have questions about either guitar, feel free to reach out via the comments section below and I'll do my best to help out.
See you there.
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Written by Bobby on Electrics and Comparisons
Written by Bobby on Electrics and Comparisons
Good article. I have a 2007 Custom 24 and a 2018 Mccarty 594. It’s hard to say which one I love more. You are spot on about the Mccarty tone. It’s spectacular. But the Custom 24 is so versatile. Mine has the Vintage Bass neck pickup and the HFS (Hot Fat Screamer) bridge pickup. There isn’t anything it can’t do….but that Mccarty tone is hard to pass over! A little gain on the neck pickup and it’s early Eddie Van Halen tone all day. With the Custom 24, it’s the opposite. A little gain on the bridge pickup and there’s the early EVH tone. Strange how it’s different in that way.
Hard to say which guitar I value more. I’m glad I have both!
Man, having to choose between the two when you already own them is a good problem to have =)
Very helpful info, thanks!