I've watched an unhealthy amount of guitar review vids and this is one of the few that seemed to actually offer an honest opinion. Love how Elliott noted some things he like, other things he didn't like, and even a repair issue! Refreshing in a sea of "review" vids that are actually just sales videos from famous RUclipsrs who've been sent the product from the manufacturer. It's startling how many of those videos, where the reviewer has been sent the product but they're about to offer you an "unbiased" opinion, offer NOTHING critical about the guitar being reviewed. lol. Yeah. Right.
Great video, I've got this baby en route to my right now, estimated delivery on Saturday. I really like your delivery and overall [waves hands] whole thing. Subbed and will def check out your other videos. Well met! Result!
@@ElliottKleinguitar PRS S2 McCarty 594 ThinLine Frost Green Metallic. Right... into... my... veins. I'm playing my Gib 61 SG tonight out of empathy that it may soon be replaced as my go-to wafer light sick axe. Thanks for the reply, no need to respond, I'm gonna be all over your channel regardless lol
A couple fun things to consider when it arrives: locking tuners from John Manns Guitar Vault. Elixir nanoweb 10s (higher tension so in my experience a bit better tuning stability). And of course double checking pickup height. All not necessary, just things I enjoyed messing with. Hope you enjoy it!
The idea of the shorter scale length appeals to me very much. Wow, I just may have to get one of these. I loved my Gibson SG but I sold it back in the 80's and have regretted that sale for a while now. This may be the replacement that I've been looking for.
It's just a super guitar. Easy to play, fun good tonal variation. I play mine with 10-46's and haven't modded/changed the pickups yet which is unusual for an uncontrolled mod freak like myself. Might swap the vol pots only for the smoother PRS 550's but no rush. As Elliott notes the pickups are a wee bit hotter but for the time being I've just lowered them a touch and they clean up well.
nice review. I have a prs s2 standard satin 24 and love it. I have small hands and was possibly looking into one of these but not sure it'd be worth if for me.
So, Im a keyboard player for 40+ years, FINALLY getting a guitar at 58 and learning beyond the basic chords, doing a ton of research. So far everything has led me to this one at my price point. I dont want to skimp and say later I wish I invested a little more. From all your experience with different guitars, would you say this ranks with some of the best at this price? She's a beauty! Others you suggest checking out? $1500-$2k
It comes down to preference honestly, although I’d highly recommend this guitar. What neck shape/size do you want? What kind of tone/style are you looking to play? Is weight an issue? I’d also recommend every guitar I play on this channel, and they definitely feel/weigh/sound different. Used or discounted Silver Skys can be under 2k, PRS S2 line are all under 2k, solid Fender American Teles and strats are certainly under 2k.
I've been going back and forth between my partscaster and my 594 for weeks now, and everytime I come back to the PRS, I'm just thinking, "wow, this is a great guitar." There is just something about it. No one thing, just a sum of the parts make it just good. I think this is going to be a lifetime guitar, that in 20 years will be a serious relic.
Two years in, I’m still finding new tones, it keeps sounding better, great tuning stability. . Its a joy to hold and play. It’s a fun contrast to the Silver Sky. Great having both. Nice review, that’s why I went to the local shop to feel it. And buy it. Just wow.
an SG is probably going to be brighter due to the pickup placement (distance from bridge and neck). the 594 has a LP pickup placement and probably an even warmer bridge. the 594 is almost a hybrid in that way. Having played quite a few SGs I think the 594 is more guitar for your money, but if the visual of an SG (especially with the vibrato arm) is what you're after then that'd be the way to go.
You've probably figured this out by now, but before you go around replacing pickups, trying playing with the pickup height. Specifically, dropping them down will lower their output a bit, and I've read that some people recommend doing that with the 58/15 S pickups in the McCarty S2 guitars.
@@ElliottKleinguitar Might want to try the Low Wind Imperials. Much more scooped in the mids than the standard wind. By the way, really like your video. Nice melodic playing so that we viewers can actually hear the guitar's tone vs. a million super fast notes like some posters. Great stuff!
@@ElliottKleinguitar Whoops, I didn't read your comments below and didn't realize you'd already tried the low wind Lollars. I'll check out that video. Cheers!
I love short scale guitars, I've had a 594 as my main guitar since 2017. Congratulations that Thinline is gorgeous. I have Lollar Low-Wind Imperials in my Collings I35 so any time you've seen/heard me play that, it's been those pickups. I like them quite a bit, I think that guitar sounds awesome. I think the neck pickup has a lot more bass than the bridge, like way more. But I'm aware of that and I just don't use that neck pickup to play chords with distortion, 'coz I know it'll turn to mush.
I actually made this video a few weeks ago and have since put the low wind Lollars in, they absolutely fit better with my other guitars and almost have a fat single coil sound. I’ve seen yours and they look/sound gorgeous!
@@ElliottKleinguitar that’s my plan too. I have been thinking how a 594 might fit in with my strat and my p90 sg special. I think the thinline with some lollar imperials will fit much better than the thicker guitars with the PRS pickups.
@@CarlyonProduction I would think so too, although there is a solid demo of the regular 594 Mccarty by Scott Haskitt that's worth checking out as far as swapping pickups is concerned. Basically the only thing to consider (lighter weight regular 594s can be found at this point, so less of an issue) would be the neck. If you like thicker necks then the thinline might be too thin for you. other than that you're good either way, with my slight preference being the thinline
@@ElliottKleinguitar yeah, I think that all sounds about right! The weight of the double cut 594 seems to be quite a bit lighter than the sc. I def wouldn’t worry about the weight of the regular. So it does just come down to the neck. I am undecided on that as of yet. Need to try and get to try some. I suppose the other thing is the thinner body gives a lighter tone, which can be useful sometimes (fitting a humnucker guitar in a dense mix) But the regular 594 (with its maple cap) has the buttery attack and sweet mids. It is a tough call. Ultimately, one could justify both. But alas, I can only justify one right now! I also love the look of the white thinline!
your issue with the bridge pickup cutting out - I had the same problem. As you say easily fixed but not what you expect from PRS - have they got a batch of faulty switches?
I had the same problem. I quickly found that problem was the capacitor a the bridge tone. I replaced it and problem solved. But it is strange reading that it is a common problem.
Hey Elliot, I purchased a 594 thinline, but had to send it back to PRS due to a static charge issue. Even ordered a replacement and that one was worse, we tried bounce sheets and every other solution but it might be related to the finish, anytime you moved or repositioned it, the guitar would crackle. Super annoying issue, other than that the guitar is fantastic.
That’s so weird! I have noticed that dust seems to like this finish, although it’s also the easiest finish to see dust on (of my guitars), and it’s become less of a problem over time. I heard an occasional crackle but figured it was an input Jack issue and enjoy swapping those out anyway, and I don’t get any interference anymore. Also I figured I generally take some time to break guitars in but if you also experienced it then that makes me curious!
@@ElliottKleinguitar When I was riddle with this annoyance, I thought it was just a cold solder joint or the cavity plate. All of which were addressed, re soldered and shielded. When the new one arrived and it was worse I was kinda thrown for a loop. Hopefully PRS will address those issues. I was beginning to think it was just something in my finish. Strange that yours has similar qualms. Also I had my guitar for many months and the issue didn't resolve itself.
I love the s2 guitars. They electronics could get a little more attention. The switch on my vela was going out within like 5 days of owning it. Otherwise, amazing guitar.
yeah some seem to have problems, more of a consistency thing for sure as some come perfect. Especially used though these guitars are a great deal. I really hope they try a semi-hollow special 22 S2 model one day!
I'm 14, 15 in June, and I've always wanted a USA guitar, and I have a prs SE Santana. Ik it has a pretty short scale length and it's very comfortable. I love the antique white finish and I'm saving up. 1700 dollars to go. But I might save up and go to guitar center to buy the thing and find something else I like.
Yes I agree with you that this is Paul version of the SG By its thinness and that bedazzled cut of course on SG are small this Is mor drama on it But the sound almost too SGish I just bought SE Santana gold wow !! Beauty and what a neck my dream neck for years With trem 24 fret this guitar singing sustain forever lower volume it change everything I love it PRS Rocks on all guitars
@@ElliottKleinguitar I am curious what your thoughts are after playing it for a while? Have you decided if your upgrading the pickups? I've put Lollars in a few guitars and they are fantastic, though pricey. What are some other potential negatives of this guitar? I am seriously considering one. Honestly, the pickups quality is my main concern. Thanks!
My video from two days ago is actually a review of low wind Lollars that I had put in! That being said I did like the stock pickups, they were just pretty hot. It plays amazingly as a guitar, and with the Lollars it’s everything I was looking for
I wish I understood this but I barely do. My Neanderthal ears definitely liked the neck pick up best. But I don't know what split means. Like three strings is one pickup, the other three the other pickup? Am I just being really dumb?! Gah. Btw loved how much you played. Your are forever Guitar Goals. P.S. Make sure you watch the closed casting recause they are great in spots. 🤣 Sending you screenshots now.
Ha the captioning is great! Split the humbucker means eliminating one of the pickups in a humbucker. That isn’t exactly what’s going on here but at this point “split the humbucker” basically means “weaken this humbucker pickup to sort of emulate a single coil pickup”
I was thinking hard on the thinline as I will be doing some international travel for gigs and did not want to bring a core line PRS with me. Sweetwater had a demo and I got an incredible deal on the brand new and at this time very limited mahi blue model. It had a small chip in it, hardly noticeable and t the deal I could, it could not refuse-- I could prob sell it for a profit If I do not like it, but I am sure I will as I love my core line 594's.
I’m not sure I compared them? I mentioned I was going to try Lollar Imperials as I wanted to try out a “low wind” sound, and was curious if those would EQ similarly to single coils with an amp. You may be referring to the video with the Lollars which came later, where I did compare them with single coils
Love these!
Me too!
Hey Elliot just wanted to let you know I just found your channel and am your newest fan 🙌🤘 Thanks for this honest and thoughtful review!
Hi Clayton thanks for the kind words!
I've watched an unhealthy amount of guitar review vids and this is one of the few that seemed to actually offer an honest opinion. Love how Elliott noted some things he like, other things he didn't like, and even a repair issue! Refreshing in a sea of "review" vids that are actually just sales videos from famous RUclipsrs who've been sent the product from the manufacturer. It's startling how many of those videos, where the reviewer has been sent the product but they're about to offer you an "unbiased" opinion, offer NOTHING critical about the guitar being reviewed. lol. Yeah. Right.
Thanks for watching!
very nice playing
Great... now I want one. Thanks.
C'mon, all the cool kids do it. 😎
Man that clean neck humbucker tone!!
Definitely a LOT of character
Great video, I've got this baby en route to my right now, estimated delivery on Saturday. I really like your delivery and overall [waves hands] whole thing. Subbed and will def check out your other videos. Well met! Result!
Thanks! What color did you go with?
@@ElliottKleinguitar PRS S2 McCarty 594 ThinLine Frost Green Metallic.
Right... into... my... veins. I'm playing my Gib 61 SG tonight out of empathy that it may soon be replaced as my go-to wafer light sick axe.
Thanks for the reply, no need to respond, I'm gonna be all over your channel regardless lol
A couple fun things to consider when it arrives: locking tuners from John Manns Guitar Vault. Elixir nanoweb 10s (higher tension so in my experience a bit better tuning stability). And of course double checking pickup height. All not necessary, just things I enjoyed messing with. Hope you enjoy it!
The idea of the shorter scale length appeals to me very much. Wow, I just may have to get one of these. I loved my Gibson SG but I sold it back in the 80's and have regretted that sale for a while now. This may be the replacement that I've been looking for.
Highly recommended! This guitar is also featured in several more recent videos of mine if you’d like to check out some different tones it gets :)
🔥🔥🔥🔥🎸🎸🎸
It's just a super guitar. Easy to play, fun good tonal variation. I play mine with 10-46's and haven't modded/changed the pickups yet which is unusual for an uncontrolled mod freak like myself. Might swap the vol pots only for the smoother PRS 550's but no rush. As Elliott notes the pickups are a wee bit hotter but for the time being I've just lowered them a touch and they clean up well.
glad you're enjoying yours!
thanks
nice review. I have a prs s2 standard satin 24 and love it. I have small hands and was possibly looking into one of these but not sure it'd be worth if for me.
It’s definitely a different beast than what you’re used to, and the thinline would certainly be good for small hands
So, Im a keyboard player for 40+ years, FINALLY getting a guitar at 58 and learning beyond the basic chords, doing a ton of research. So far everything has led me to this one at my price point. I dont want to skimp and say later I wish I invested a little more. From all your experience with different guitars, would you say this ranks with some of the best at this price? She's a beauty! Others you suggest checking out? $1500-$2k
It comes down to preference honestly, although I’d highly recommend this guitar. What neck shape/size do you want? What kind of tone/style are you looking to play? Is weight an issue? I’d also recommend every guitar I play on this channel, and they definitely feel/weigh/sound different.
Used or discounted Silver Skys can be under 2k, PRS S2 line are all under 2k, solid Fender American Teles and strats are certainly under 2k.
Just scored this model used in Frost Blue for $1300. Should be here this week! :)
Heyyyy congrats!🎈🍾
Had this for about a month…..absolutely my favorite guitar to play. Feels and sounds great….very versatile. Gets my highest recommendation!
Congrats on the guitar!
I've been going back and forth between my partscaster and my 594 for weeks now, and everytime I come back to the PRS, I'm just thinking, "wow, this is a great guitar." There is just something about it. No one thing, just a sum of the parts make it just good. I think this is going to be a lifetime guitar, that in 20 years will be a serious relic.
Sum of good parts for sure. That being said maybe locking tuners in the future 😊
It's inevitable.
Two years in, I’m still finding new tones, it keeps sounding better, great tuning stability.
. Its a joy to hold and play. It’s a fun contrast to the Silver Sky. Great having both.
Nice review, that’s why I went to the local shop to feel it. And buy it. Just wow.
Still my #1. Love it to pieces.
Glad you’re loving it!
Good playin.
Thanks!
I have a 594 artist core. I was looking for a 61 SG but maybe this would be better with some pickup changes?
Have you compared the two?
an SG is probably going to be brighter due to the pickup placement (distance from bridge and neck). the 594 has a LP pickup placement and probably an even warmer bridge. the 594 is almost a hybrid in that way. Having played quite a few SGs I think the 594 is more guitar for your money, but if the visual of an SG (especially with the vibrato arm) is what you're after then that'd be the way to go.
@@ElliottKleinguitar Thank You! I appreciate your videos
love the tone bro. are you using helix? Huge JM fan here, so looking to buy a s2 594 too!
A fractal FM3, and hope you do it’s an awesome guitar!
You've probably figured this out by now, but before you go around replacing pickups, trying playing with the pickup height. Specifically, dropping them down will lower their output a bit, and I've read that some people recommend doing that with the 58/15 S pickups in the McCarty S2 guitars.
I did and it made a difference for sure, but I have also always been curious about lollar imperials and wanted to give them a go
@@ElliottKleinguitar Might want to try the Low Wind Imperials. Much more scooped in the mids than the standard wind. By the way, really like your video. Nice melodic playing so that we viewers can actually hear the guitar's tone vs. a million super fast notes like some posters. Great stuff!
@@ElliottKleinguitar Whoops, I didn't read your comments below and didn't realize you'd already tried the low wind Lollars. I'll check out that video. Cheers!
The Low Winds are still in the guitar, ended up loving them :)
I love short scale guitars, I've had a 594 as my main guitar since 2017. Congratulations that Thinline is gorgeous. I have Lollar Low-Wind Imperials in my Collings I35 so any time you've seen/heard me play that, it's been those pickups. I like them quite a bit, I think that guitar sounds awesome. I think the neck pickup has a lot more bass than the bridge, like way more. But I'm aware of that and I just don't use that neck pickup to play chords with distortion, 'coz I know it'll turn to mush.
I actually made this video a few weeks ago and have since put the low wind Lollars in, they absolutely fit better with my other guitars and almost have a fat single coil sound. I’ve seen yours and they look/sound gorgeous!
@@ElliottKleinguitar Awesome! :) Thanks :D
@@ElliottKleinguitar that’s my plan too. I have been thinking how a 594 might fit in with my strat and my p90 sg special.
I think the thinline with some lollar imperials will fit much better than the thicker guitars with the PRS pickups.
@@CarlyonProduction I would think so too, although there is a solid demo of the regular 594 Mccarty by Scott Haskitt that's worth checking out as far as swapping pickups is concerned. Basically the only thing to consider (lighter weight regular 594s can be found at this point, so less of an issue) would be the neck. If you like thicker necks then the thinline might be too thin for you. other than that you're good either way, with my slight preference being the thinline
@@ElliottKleinguitar yeah, I think that all sounds about right! The weight of the double cut 594 seems to be quite a bit lighter than the sc.
I def wouldn’t worry about the weight of the regular. So it does just come down to the neck.
I am undecided on that as of yet. Need to try and get to try some.
I suppose the other thing is the thinner body gives a lighter tone, which can be useful sometimes (fitting a humnucker guitar in a dense mix)
But the regular 594 (with its maple cap) has the buttery attack and sweet mids.
It is a tough call. Ultimately, one could justify both. But alas, I can only justify one right now!
I also love the look of the white thinline!
your issue with the bridge pickup cutting out - I had the same problem. As you say easily fixed but not what you expect from PRS - have they got a batch of faulty switches?
And I am about to Monty's guitars PAF pickups in - great guitar - very light, well balanced and easy to play. Great scale length.
I suppose we got some switches from the same batch!
I had the same problem. I quickly found that problem was the capacitor a the bridge tone.
I replaced it and problem solved. But it is strange reading that it is a common problem.
It’s a weird coincidence for sure!
Hey Elliot, I purchased a 594 thinline, but had to send it back to PRS due to a static charge issue. Even ordered a replacement and that one was worse, we tried bounce sheets and every other solution but it might be related to the finish, anytime you moved or repositioned it, the guitar would crackle. Super annoying issue, other than that the guitar is fantastic.
That’s so weird! I have noticed that dust seems to like this finish, although it’s also the easiest finish to see dust on (of my guitars), and it’s become less of a problem over time. I heard an occasional crackle but figured it was an input Jack issue and enjoy swapping those out anyway, and I don’t get any interference anymore. Also I figured I generally take some time to break guitars in but if you also experienced it then that makes me curious!
@@ElliottKleinguitar When I was riddle with this annoyance, I thought it was just a cold solder joint or the cavity plate. All of which were addressed, re soldered and shielded. When the new one arrived and it was worse I was kinda thrown for a loop. Hopefully PRS will address those issues. I was beginning to think it was just something in my finish. Strange that yours has similar qualms. Also I had my guitar for many months and the issue didn't resolve itself.
I love the s2 guitars. They electronics could get a little more attention. The switch on my vela was going out within like 5 days of owning it. Otherwise, amazing guitar.
yeah some seem to have problems, more of a consistency thing for sure as some come perfect. Especially used though these guitars are a great deal. I really hope they try a semi-hollow special 22 S2 model one day!
I'm 14, 15 in June, and I've always wanted a USA guitar, and I have a prs SE Santana. Ik it has a pretty short scale length and it's very comfortable. I love the antique white finish and I'm saving up. 1700 dollars to go. But I might save up and go to guitar center to buy the thing and find something else I like.
Try reverb.com, you’ll definitely be able to find one cheaper than 1700!
Yes I agree with you that this is Paul version of the SG
By its thinness and that bedazzled cut of course on SG are small this
Is mor drama on it
But the sound almost too SGish
I just bought SE Santana gold wow !! Beauty and what a neck my dream neck for years
With trem 24 fret this guitar singing sustain forever lower volume it change everything I love it
PRS Rocks on all guitars
Enjoy the Santana, they look great!
Good video! I'd love to hear some more about this guitar?
sure, what questions do you have?
@@ElliottKleinguitar I am curious what your thoughts are after playing it for a while? Have you decided if your upgrading the pickups? I've put Lollars in a few guitars and they are fantastic, though pricey. What are some other potential negatives of this guitar? I am seriously considering one. Honestly, the pickups quality is my main concern. Thanks!
My video from two days ago is actually a review of low wind Lollars that I had put in! That being said I did like the stock pickups, they were just pretty hot. It plays amazingly as a guitar, and with the Lollars it’s everything I was looking for
@@ElliottKleinguitar Nice! I checked it out - sounds great, and tasty playing. I guess you decided not to have the coil splitting option?
@@ElliottKleinguitar Scratch my last comment, I see that you did split them. How did you like the output and tone when they were split?
A squirt of contact cleaner on the selector switch will probably fix your bridge cut out issue. Dirt or corrosion is not uncommon.
Over the next weeks after I got it the switch just died but with a new switch everything was fixed!
I wish I understood this but I barely do. My Neanderthal ears definitely liked the neck pick up best. But I don't know what split means. Like three strings is one pickup, the other three the other pickup? Am I just being really dumb?! Gah. Btw loved how much you played. Your are forever Guitar Goals. P.S. Make sure you watch the closed casting recause they are great in spots. 🤣 Sending you screenshots now.
Ha the captioning is great! Split the humbucker means eliminating one of the pickups in a humbucker. That isn’t exactly what’s going on here but at this point “split the humbucker” basically means “weaken this humbucker pickup to sort of emulate a single coil pickup”
I was thinking hard on the thinline as I will be doing some international travel for gigs and did not want to bring a core line PRS with me. Sweetwater had a demo and I got an incredible deal on the brand new and at this time very limited mahi blue model. It had a small chip in it, hardly noticeable and t the deal I could, it could not refuse-- I could prob sell it for a profit If I do not like it, but I am sure I will as I love my core line 594's.
The mahi blue! Nice, congrats on the find! I’m sure you’ll like it plenty, its a super fun guitar 🎸
This thinline is very comfortable to play.
Certainly is!
could you make a cover of edge of desire and gonna find another you with this guitar?
Ohh maybe gonna find another you! That’s always a cool one
@@ElliottKleinguitar look forward to it !
Why would you even try to compare a single coil with the 58/15s? You won't ever get them to have the same characteristics.
I’m not sure I compared them? I mentioned I was going to try Lollar Imperials as I wanted to try out a “low wind” sound, and was curious if those would EQ similarly to single coils with an amp. You may be referring to the video with the Lollars which came later, where I did compare them with single coils
very nice playing
Many thanks!!