Instruments intended for long-term use often reveal their strengths gradually, through feel, response and consistency. Stemming from the PRS Private Stock program, the #10978 McCarty 594 Singlecut electric guitar in Desert Sands presents a considered take on vintage-inspired tone shaped by disciplined material choices and touch-sensitive electronics. A quilted maple top over a swamp ash body produces an articulate, harmonically rich voice with an open response, complemented by 58/15 LT pickups selected to preserve nuance, clarity and dynamic range. The 24.594" scale length reinforces the elastic feel associated with traditional singlecut instruments, while a pattern vintage curly maple neck anchors the experience with a confident, familiar presence. Finished in high-gloss nitrocellulose, this instrument is built for players seeking a lasting musical partnership rather than a fleeting first impression.
58/15 LT Pickups Tuned for Expressive Control
The instrument’s tonal character is driven by a pair of covered 58/15 LT humbuckers designed to emphasize balance and touch sensitivity. Their low-output voicing allows the guitar’s natural acoustic properties to remain present, delivering clarity under gain and warmth at lower volumes. Subtle variations in attack and phrasing translate with accuracy, making the instrument especially responsive to players who rely on dynamics as a core element of their sound.
Control Layout Designed for Musical Transitions
Rather than emphasizing dramatic tonal shifts, the electronics are arranged to support gradual, musical transitions. Dual push/pull tone controls enable coil splitting for each pickup, offering access to more focused single-coil textures alongside traditional humbucking voices. Paired with a 3-way toggle switch, this configuration provides flexibility without interrupting the instrument’s fundamental character.
Construction with Visual Intent
Sourced from the PRS Private Stock Vault, the combination of quilted maple and swamp ash shapes both the instrument’s response and its visual identity. Swamp ash contributes a lighter feel and enhanced note separation, while the maple top adds articulation and harmonic depth. A high-gloss nitro finish allows the wood to mature naturally, complemented by natural reveal binding, a black-washed back with visible grain and a matching back plate that reflect the Private Stock emphasis on cohesion and detail.
Pattern Vintage Neck with Curly Maple Fingerboard
The pattern vintage neck carve offers a substantial yet controlled feel, supporting confident movement across the fretboard. A 10" radius and 24.594" scale length encourage smooth bends and accurate intonation, while the curly maple fingerboard introduces a slightly quicker initial attack and visual continuity with the neck. J bird inlays with filled centers, rendered in brown and white mother-of-pearl and accented by a J eagle, provide refined orientation without excess.
A McCarty 594 Singlecut Built for Sustained Use
The PRS Private Stock #10978 McCarty 594 Singlecut is designed to support long-term musical development rather than rely on immediate impact alone. Its responsive electronics, balanced construction and refined playability make it equally suited to studio work and live performance. Presented in a Private Stock brown paisley case with a burgundy interior, the instrument reflects a level of craftsmanship intended to accompany years of exploration, consistency and growth.