The PRS 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 limited-edition electric guitar celebrates four decades of masterful guitar building, blending vintage-inspired craftsmanship and premium appointments with modern playability and reliability. Boasting a classic single-cutaway design with a carved maple top and mahogany back dressed in a high-gloss nitro finish, this stunning instrument captures the look, feel and rich sonic character of golden-era electrics. The Pattern Vintage mahogany neck and 10" radius rosewood fingerboard provide a familiar, broken-in feel, while the smart weight-relief design ensures comfort without sacrificing resonance. Limited to just 400 pieces, the 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 ships in an ATA multi-fit molded case and comes with a commemorative certificate, making it both a player's dream and a collector's prize.
Carved Maple Top and Mahogany Back for Resonant Warmth
The McCarty SC56's tone starts with its classic tonewood pairing: a carved maple top over a solid mahogany back. The maple adds snap and clarity to the guitar's voice, while the mahogany provides deep, warm sustain. Weight relief enhances comfort for long sets without compromising low-end fullness. The one-piece mahogany neck flows seamlessly into the body, promoting excellent resonance transfer. Combined with a rosewood fretboard, this build delivers a well-balanced tonal spectrum—from glassy highs to woody, singing mids—that responds beautifully to both delicate touch and aggressive pick attack.
McCarty III Pickups With Versatile Control Layout
At the heart of the SC56 are its PRS McCarty III pickups, voiced for warmth, clarity and exceptional note separation. Designed to capture the organic feel of vintage humbuckers while offering modern balance, they excel at everything from smooth jazz chords to biting rock leads. The dual volume and tone controls allow independent shaping of each pickup's voice, while the three-way toggle on the upper bout offers quick switching between neck, bridge and combined tones. This straightforward yet flexible layout keeps focus on pure playing dynamics, making the SC56 as adaptable in the studio as it is on stage.
PRS Pattern Vintage Neck for Comfort and Sustain
The Pattern Vintage mahogany neck on the SC56 is built for long-playing comfort and rich, resonant tone. With slightly thicker dimensions and a 24.594" scale length, it delivers a relaxed string feel that encourages expressive bends and vibrato. The bone nut and PRS Phase III open-back tuners with wing buttons ensure rock-solid tuning stability, while the 10" fretboard radius allows smooth chording and effortless lead runs. The neck's semi-rounded carve fills the hand without feeling bulky, offering the perfect blend of vintage heft and modern ergonomics for players who value both tradition and playability.
Refined PRS Appointments and Collector Appeal
From its "old-school" bird inlays to the pre-factory eagle headstock logo, the SC56's visual details reflect PRS's prestigious heritage. Nickel hardware complements the warm luster of the high-gloss nitro finish, while the rosewood headstock veneer ties the look together. The PRS two-piece bridge maximizes sustain and tonal transfer, reinforcing the guitar's vintage-inspired voice. Each instrument ships in a PRS ATA multi-fit molded case for premium protection and includes a 40th anniversary truss rod cover and certificate of authenticity. These touches elevate the SC56 beyond a great player's guitar into a limited-edition work of art.
A Timeless PRS Single-Cut for Discerning Players and Collectors
The PRS 40th Anniversary McCarty SC56 limited-edition electric guitar distills decades of design expertise into an instrument that feels familiar yet fresh. With its resonant tonewood pairing, articulate McCarty III pickups and comfortable Pattern Vintage mahogany neck, it offers a deeply satisfying playing experience for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Its refined appointments, nitro finish and 400-piece production run make it a coveted addition to any collection. In honoring its past while embracing modern precision, the SC56 stands as a fitting tribute to PRS's 40-year legacy of innovation and craftsmanship.