Paul Reed Smith PRS Core Series 10 Top McCarty Rosewood Fingerboard McCarty Tobacco Sunburst 7.60 LBS

What is a 10 Top

A very small percent of the maple trees cut in North America are actually figured. To make “10-Top” status, a PRS top must have clearly defined figure across its entire top. A guitar designated as a “10-Top” will have a small “10” written on the back of the headstock in the upper right corner. Some of our earlier guitars have the “10” stamped into the finish in the same position, and guitars with rosewood necks will have the “10” stamped into the back of the headstock.

Core Electrics

Since 1985 we’ve aimed to push musicians’ expectations of what a guitar can be. USA-Made modern, vintage, and specialty stylings, each model built to our exacting specifications to feel right in your hands & sound great to your ears.

A Legacy of Innovation

Named after Ted McCarty, a pioneer of the electric guitar and musical instrument industry, the McCarty model embodies the most up-to-date findings from PRS and looks back to the golden age of the guitar. This vintage-appointed guitar features a bound, 22-fret Pattern neck, a slightly thicker back for enhanced tone and sustain, and 58/15 LT treble and bass pickups, which have been through the TCI (tuned capacitance and inductance) process. 58/15 LT’s are a vintage style pickup with exceptional clarity and focused midrange. Paired with a push/pull tone control and a 3-way toggle pickup switch, these pickups provide a complete palette of tones. The McCarty model is anchored by a PRS Stoptail bridge with brass inserts for added resonance and vintage-style tuners.

“One of my sayings is that everything that touches the string is God – well, that’s really the bridge, the nut, and the tuners. So when we went after the McCarty model, that’s where we looked. These updates make a huge difference in the tone. The guitar sustains longer and the tone has more character,” said Paul Reed Smith. “The puzzle pieces all fit together, and there is no compromise to the integrity of the instrument. We’re very happy.”

In the late 1980’s, Paul Reed Smith called on Ted McCarty to consult with him on guitar design and production techniques. He not only served as a mentor but became a great friend of Paul and everyone he met at PRS. In 1994, PRS released the first McCarty, an instrument that incorporated the full spectrum of techniques and knowledge Paul had gained from Ted as well as his own experiences as a guitar builder.

PRS Stoptail with Brass Inserts

Engineered with curved string slots with brass inserts and brass studs to take full advantage of the resonant properties of the guitar.

Vintage-Style Tuners

Traditional closed-back tuners engineered to promote resonance.

PRS 58/15 LT Pickups

“Low turn” pickups with vintage warm, clear tone.