Electric guitars

PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC

The PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC pairs a korina body and neck with two 58/15 LT pickups, a push-pull volume control, and premium appointments. Its single-piece limited run and included case suit buyers seeking a highly specified instrument, but the price is substantial.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC review

The PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC is a U.S.-made, single-piece McCarty model with a korina body and neck, a curly maple top, and a high-gloss McCarty Glow finish. Its listed price is $12,222. The supplied specifications describe a fixed-bridge guitar with two covered 58/15 LT pickups, a 25-inch scale, and 22 frets. They do not include playing impressions, measurements beyond the stated scale, or customer feedback, so this review focuses on the documented design and what those details establish.

Construction and finish

Korina is used for both the body and neck, while the top is flamed curly maple. That combination gives the instrument a clearly specified wood layout, though the data does not state body weight, top thickness, or the selection criteria for the figured maple. The McCarty Glow color is finished in high-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer. The finish type is identified, but no information is provided about its thickness, aging, or maintenance requirements.

The neck has a Pattern profile and a rosewood fingerboard. The 635 mm scale length is equivalent to 25 inches, and the fingerboard carries 22 frets. PRS lists "Original Birds" inlays with paua centers and white mother-of-pearl outlines, along with paua side markers. A rosewood headstock veneer completes the specified rosewood details. The data does not give fret size, fingerboard radius, nut width, or neck dimensions, so those aspects cannot be assessed from the listing.

Pickups and controls

The guitar uses a two-humbucker pickup layout, with one covered 58/15 LT pickup at the bridge and one at the neck. The control set consists of a single volume control with a push-pull function, one tone control, and a three-way toggle switch. Those are the documented switching and adjustment options. The specifications do not explain what the push-pull control changes, so its precise function should be confirmed with PRS or the seller rather than assumed.

No pickup output figures, wiring diagram, or descriptions of the available switch positions are included. As a result, the hardware can be identified, but claims about specific coil combinations, output levels, or tonal character would go beyond the available information. The covered pickup design and control layout are concrete points for players to check against their preferred setup.

Bridge and tuning hardware

A PRS stoptail bridge with brass inserts provides the fixed bridge arrangement. There is no tremolo. Tuning hardware is listed as PRS vintage-style locking machine heads. The hardware finish is a nickel and gold hybrid. The listing does not specify the bridge adjustment range, tuner ratio, or exact placement of each hardware finish, which limits a more detailed setup assessment.

  • Bridge: PRS stoptail with brass inserts
  • Tuners: PRS vintage-style locking machine heads
  • Controls: Push-pull volume, tone control, and three-way toggle
  • Scale and frets: 25 inches and 22 frets

Included items and edition

The guitar is listed as a single-piece Private Stock run, with serial number PS_12609. It includes a Private Stock Brown Paisley case and a certificate. A gig bag is not included. The product data identifies the sales unit as one piece and gives item number 645518. These details help distinguish this individual instrument from a standard production listing, though no further information about its build history or customization choices is supplied.

Technical assessment

The documented specification presents a McCarty design built around korina, a figured maple top, rosewood fingerboard, covered 58/15 LT pickups, and a fixed stoptail bridge. Its distinctive listed details include the paua and mother-of-pearl bird inlays, hybrid-finish hardware, nitrocellulose lacquer, and single-piece status. The price places it in a high-end category, but the provided facts do not establish how it compares in sound, setup, weight, or workmanship with other guitars.

For a purchase decision, confirm the push-pull function, neck and fret measurements, current setup, and the condition of the finish and included case. No customer reviews are available for this product, and none should be inferred from the specification sheet. The stated features support a clear technical overview, but an in-person inspection or a seller's detailed setup information would be needed to judge playability and condition.

PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC, front view
8.5/ 10 overall score
$12,222current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Korina body and neck paired with a curly maple top
  • Two covered 58/15 LT pickups with a push-pull volume control
  • Includes a Private Stock case and certificate

What bugged me

  • The listed price of 12,222 makes it a major investment
  • No tremolo is fitted

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A strong fit for buyers seeking a single-piece PRS Private Stock McCarty, korina construction, and a fixed bridge. Also suited to players who want two 58/15 LT pickups and a push-pull volume control.

Look elsewhere if

Not a practical match for buyers with a limited budget or those who need a tremolo. Consider another option if you specifically want a gig bag or a widely available production model.
RockBluesJazz

Suggested level: Professional

PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC, $12,222Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
McCarty Glow
Body
Korina
Top
Maple, Flamed
Neck
Korina
Fretboard
Rosewood
Frets
22
Scale
635 mm
Pickup system
HH
Tremolo
No
Including case
Yes
Incl. gigbag
No
Limited run
Single Piece
Model
Mccarty
Shape
McCarty

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What woods are used for the body, top, and neck?

The body and neck are korina, and the top is curly maple. The fingerboard is rosewood.

What pickups and controls does it have?

It has two covered 58/15 LT pickups, a three-way toggle switch, one tone control, and a volume control with a push-pull function.

Does this guitar have a tremolo?

No. It has a PRS stoptail bridge with brass inserts.

What is included with the guitar?

The listing includes a Private Stock Brown Paisley case and a certificate. No gig bag is included.

Is it suitable for a buyer looking for a standard production model?

It is listed as a single-piece limited run, so it is a less typical choice for someone seeking a broadly available standard model.

The last word from the bench

This McCarty combines korina construction, a curly maple top, a 635 mm scale, and two covered 58/15 LT pickups. Its push-pull volume control adds a tonal option, while the stoptail bridge and vintage locking tuners complete a specification focused on fixed-bridge playing. The Private Stock case and certificate are included. At 12,222, it is best considered by buyers who specifically value this build and its one-piece limited run.

PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC, $12,222Check today's price →

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PRS Private Stock HPW McCarty MC

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