Bogner Shiva and PRS McCarty

[countroshculla]

That guitar looks like it was in a fight and has one black eye!

[abradfordajb]

Wonderful tones with that PRS ..... sweet & juicy. And i must say, i'm really more & more impressed with the Shiva. It's got wonderful clean voicing that seems to work well with pedals too. thanks much. AJB.

[91karol]

dont turn off The EchoBox pls... i love this sound xD

[samue423]

very well! congratulations...



[Macovic]

So it seems =D

[Macovic]

oh yes vibrato is science. hate when people have crappy taste. people believe to much in preferences. SgtThumpm congrats in your sound!. it's great! and it's a good opinion.

[SgtThump]

@Macovic Hey man, thank you very much! Looks like we're on the same page. :)

[mazsenior]

I bought the 6L6 Shiva 1 x 12 combo for $1300 used. Using a PRS DGT Gold Top...it's the best Clean/OD amp I've ever used. Makes my Mesa LSS sound dinky, and I've been a huge Mesa Fan (owned 6 Mesa's).

Thanks for the Demo!

[rambolemalade]

VERY GOOD SOUND

[Goth3m3]

I'd love to have Bogner make me an amp with EL84's, crank the gain up to 11, and play a PRS SC250

[MinningAround]

@Goth3m3 They make the Metropolis, 30 watt, el84.

[bladerunner12]

What do you reckon is the heaviest the McCarty can do right? I'm deciding between the McCarty and the Custom 22 but it has to be able to handle up to Iron Maiden type metal.

[SgtThump]

@bladerunner12 The stock McCarty pickups were kinda weak sounding to me. I didn't like the bridge pickup, but a weak neck pickup is always a good thing IMO.

I think with a hotter pickup in the bridge, the McCarty could do anything really.

[TimBatan]

my dream set-up :')

[DeivasLT]

What did you mean by "horrible Kirk Hammet or CC Deville-like vibrato"?

just wondering...

[SgtThump]

@DeivasLT To me, they're vibrato is very fast and sounds "nervous" and "uncontrolled." I just don't like it at all.

[DeivasLT]

@SgtThump ok, now I get it :)

Nice playing. And that amp does sound great.

[theinfernalhess]

@SgtThump there isn't a defined science there dudes. It's personal preference... Stephan Carpenter, of the Deftones, uses a very fast vibro to isolate a single note in a phrase, sounds really cool. Music is all about experimentation, when you following the rules you sound like everybody else.

[SgtThump]

@theinfernalhess Who mentioned anything about a "defined science?" I said I don't like the fast nervous vibrato that those guys have (or any other guys.) Exact, it's a preference.

You're preaching to the choir, dude.

[Noseheros]

@theinfernalhess What did you mean by"defined science"??? He said "To me"...as in his opinion...so you should really read the responces you get before you think u know what ur talkin bout

[RNRDOLL]

Haha yeah, Kirk and CC do have the worst vibrato for such well known guitarists.

[SgtThump]

@Guitarman0876 The stock McCarty pickups were VERY weak. I'm not even after extreme output or anything, but they were just too weak and thin sounding to me.

[jp6l6]

I'm sorry but I've seen you have some top amps and I wonder what you're doing with a Crate ?

[SgtThump]

@jp6l6 It's a great sounding amp.

[jp6l6]

@SgtThump Is it a current model ? Is it modified ? Where is it made ?

Thank you.

[SgtThump]

@jp6l6 No, it was an older model made in the USA. I no longer have it, though.

[ITRIPOVERMYCOCK]

@jp6l6 you might think crate sucks but i run 2 crate flexwave heads into 4 marshall 200 watt cabinets and the sound is amazing.. and i can afford a mesa or a krank but choose to use the crates because they are flexable and the reverb kicks ass... if you need any more gain than the flexwave head gives then you wont be happy with anything really... try one thru a marshall 412 cab.. you wont be disapointed

[mustangcobain65]

Wide Thin necks feel much better.

[misternogreco]

Some great stuff you got here man..!!

How is the neck profile of the PRS? is it fat? (wide/fat) is it comfortable? and easy to play?

[SgtThump]

Thanks! I think all McCarty's come with the same neck shape? I'm not sure if it's special to them or the typical wide/fat shape. I think it's the latter.

It felt great and wasn't too big for me. The neck on my R8 is pretty chunky, so most other guitars never feel "too" big.

I no longer have the McCarty, but it was a cool guitar!

[TrodinX]

the wide/fat is more comfy than you need it :p I've got a McCarty, and it's plain awesome.

[topografer]

Does the mccarty has a thicker body than a custom??

[ericwylde]

@topografer

yes

and for some reason, mid 90's mccarties sound even better than the 00's

[topografer]

Maybe that's becayse a 90's McCarty have drier woods due to the passage of time. A guitar with good quality tonewoods always sound better as the time passes. I think that's why people say that older production line guitars sound better. Thanks for the info. Too bad this model is disqualified i can't see the reason why..

[clondan1]

lol u got BBQ's in just about everything

[AskaCB]

Hey man, what you amp have in the background there? Right behind your right leg.

[SgtThump]

That's an older "Made in USA" Crate V30 head and cab. I have videos up of that amp too.

[kielcz]

great amps, great guitar, great sound, and great hand :)

[MaciekClockwise]

Actually, shiva sounds better, more open with better clarity.

I guess the camera made the sound cheap.

[SgtThump]

LOL... I've received more comments from people loving the tone in these Shiva clips than any other clip I've made.

But yeah, in general, a video clip recorded with a camera mic, compressed by YouTube, and listened back over any number of possible playback systems isn't going to sound as good as a real amp in the room. That's a given.

[Macmax7077]

yes, but it will give u an idea, so when i hear people saying they won't know what an amp sounds like, it seems they will not know even if the amp is in their rooms.

Very different to watch a Matchless and a XTC if you ask me, both are great amps!

I own a Shiva and i remember i asked you about it before i got it, thanks, i love it and it is a great amp!

[nancylanesmith]

That is some FAT tone there Brother!

Good job. Keep rockin'.

Vinni from V-Picks

[damics1969]

Geez dude how many amps do you need, i see like 3 different ones in this video alone.

I can understand maybe having both solid state and tube for different sounds.

Looks like you have 3 or more though.

Nice playing and guitar though.

[SgtThump]

How many do I need? None.

Since I'm a human, I really only need food, water, oxygen, and shelter from the extreme cold and heat. But that's really only if I want to stay alive.

[GonzGunner]

@SgtThump Sir, you go right ahead and buy all the amps you want! Your playing is excellent, no stumbling and no hesitation, along with that balls to the wall tone. Most players today just care about how loud they can make the only three chords they know, but you are a TONE MONSTER! Keep up the good work, and I am bookmarking your fine video right now! :)

[SgtThump]

Wow dude, thanks alot!

[GonzGunner]

@SgtThump You're welcome! Thing is, I have had to put up with the same kind of asinine comments from ignorant people regarding my purchase of guitars and amps. I tell them; "There are more amateur musicians than professionals. If the musical instrument manufacturers just made products for professionals, they would be out of business very fast. And, it's MY MONEY!" Keep on playing and ignore the naysayers! Stack those amps up until you have a big city skyline! :)

[SgtThump]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've gotten several comments like "how do you afford those amps" and my reply is usually "I work." LOL...

Besides, I don't have ALL of these amps at the same time. I'll sell/trade to get others. But really, there's no reason for me to justify this to anyone! :)

[GonzGunner]

@SgtThump- Not to keep on this "why do you need it" tack, LOL, but another thing that annoys me is when I have a good looking instrument, people say ; "well, if I had an instrument like that, I would be in a band". Boo hooey! I know you are in a band now, I'm not, but owning a fine instrument is not a requirement to play music with others. I've been in many homes where the finest piece of furniture was a baby grand piano. I don't think they spent every spare hour playing "Great Balls Of Fire" .

[bri59goldtop]

i asked the singer from today is the day, and he recommended the HFS TREBLE PICKUP. its a little pricy but you can find one on ebay fairly cheap used. made by prs,and they come stock in the 22s and 24s. sounds amazing i would recommend the prs hfs treble to anyone who wants more out of their mccarty. and the bogner shiva... downright amazing with this guitar!

[bri59goldtop]

Love your setup man! i just became the proud owner of a 95 blue mccarty ten top, ive played les pauls and strats w/humbuckers forever, and this guitar does everything that either of those can do. i love it, and i see you changed out the bridge p/u. i did too,mccarty treble p.u. too weak

[crazyfreak1919]

What do you think of the BBQ bucker?

Sounds ballsy, how's it sound in neck position?

[Andy13deanguitars]

the mccarty is an amazing guitar!

[riffage]

ha, kirk hammet vibrato, classic!

[goingwithzed]

McCartys are the best all around guitars for the money... gunna feel like a log when ya pick it up but for resonance, tone and flexibility pretty much unstoppable. Custom 22/24 are fine but since they are thinner they aren't as alive in your hands as a McCarty.. just love mine and its a 'yellow' base model (no birds or 10 top) and I think thats my preference.

[queteimportaguey]

Custom 22 are the original PRS's.

McCartys are awesome but more of a nod towards Gibson Les Pauls...I like both models. But Santanas III are also Les Paul type and have a tremelo bar. PRS is the leading guitar builder with PARKER SINCE THE 90'S

[queteimportaguey]

PRS custom 24 are the first ones.

[z00zibot]

Rock on, man! That sounds great.

[RV48]

Hmm...

I'll have to try it out. I think I'm going to stick with getting a Marshall. Thanks for the advice!

[RV48]

Hey man

What kinda amp are you using? I bought The McCarty Smokeburst and all I need is a new amp. I have a Marshall MG 10 haha

[SgtThump]

Very cool! Congrats on that guitar. As far as amps, I'm using a Soldano SLO, Landry LS100, and a Diezel Einstein. I rotate through them.

But you can get killer smoking tones for alot less money than I've spent. Sometimes I even feel silly for spending that much on gear.

For example, I think the Peavey 5150, Marshall DSL, Egnater Tourmaster, etc... all rock bigtime and are way less money.

[joshwinger]

What color finish is that? Looks great.

[SgtThump]

I always thought it was "McCarty Burst", but I'm not 100% sure. I've seen people refer to the "tobacco sunburst" finishes as McCarty Burst, so I don't know who's right? LOL! I did love the finish on this McCarty, though. Very nice.

[nakedlungfish1]

Hey got my SHIVA! Totally stoked on the tone. One more question, what kind of delay should I check out for the loop?

[SgtThump]

Since I had the older Shiva with the older loop, I just used my Rocktron Intellifex in the loop. That worked perfectly. In order to use pedals, I would've needed a special cable with a resistor on it and I just didn't feel like messing with all that.

Not sure about the new Shiva with the new loop.

[WG6]

Great tones!! Hard to go wrong with quality gear like that. :)

[Canuuud]

04.35 Whitesnake with Steve Vai?

[SgtThump]

Yes!

[nakedlungfish1]

Looking into getting this amp. Does this amp have a good feel? Will it get into modded Marshall territory on the gain channel? Thanks!

[SgtThump]

My amp had quite alot of distortion in the "boost" mode on the distortion channel.

I see lots of people comparing these to Marshalls, but I don't really hear it. My Shiva was an older one, so I can't comment on the new versions. But mine was much darker, smoother, thicker, etc... in the low mids AND when I'd turn up the treble/presence, I didn't think it was as nice sounding as alot of real good Marshalls.

[DustinG28]

Very, very nice sound, I have a PRS CE24 and i've been looking to swop out pickups, I ordered some Gibson Burstbucker Pro pickups, gonna try them out first, might try that BBQ eventually, such an expensive hobby, lol.

[MrC00L99]

how much did u pay for that head ? :D

[SgtThump]

I don't remember. I got it used. I know they go for anywhere from $1,200 to 1,800 on the used market.

[gibsonshredder86]

ok i absoulely love this guitar i have it but the big problem i have is the low end isnt very clear at all could it be the amp or is that just the nature of the guitar?

[SgtThump]

Well... It could be either I guess. I'd try another guitar through the amp to see if it has the same "unclear low end" that you're describing. If it doesn't, I'd probably start swapping pickups to get it where you want. Sometimes you can never get it where you want, but I usually try different pickups first.

[gottfriedbrux]

Great sound man. Love McCartys. Best PRS out there. Will get another one! ;-) Peace, -G

[jacky812]

sound very nice!

[SgtThump]

Thanks!

[penguindredg]

THUMP! Hey mang. Great playing.  I sold you a 5150 about 5-6 years ago on the HCAF. I wondered what happened to you. Really enjoyed the clip.

[SgtThump]

Hey thanks man! A good 5150 is hard to beat. :)

[codyt5]

Awesome Whitesnake tone! Sounds like Aldrich for sure!

[sportsportsport]

Damm I just love the carved tops on PRS guitars!

[B2Rockin]

ok, so of all people you would be the best to ask because you have all three... get the lp and save up for the fender once skill progresses, or just throw down on the mccarty and save the others for later? lol

[SgtThump]

Les Paul and Fenders!

[B2Rockin]

well I like some heavy stuff and classic rock, but I want blues versatility, like a strat. And I can't afford both!! Is there a reason may I ask? the prs too thin?

[SgtThump]

Well, I think the McCarty model rocks for sure. It is definitely versatile and can get a close proximation of the tones you can get from a Les Paul or Strat. So yeah, if you only had one guitar, it may be a good one to have!

I just happened to like having a Les Paul and Strat/Tele to nail those tones.

[B2Rockin]

Very good point, gotta love both sounds! I've heard that the prs sounds beast for some reason on mesa rectifiers! and thats what I have, I'm ready to see what the les paul can do though.

[sixstringdemon8595]

mccarty all the way, ive had 3 fender strats, and own a higher end don grosh retro classic, like the strat, and a les paul. im buying my prs mccarty this saturday. i currently only own the prs mira and se custom 22. GET THE MCCARTY. MUCH BETTER.

[gibsonshredder86]

dude i just got the thing (prs mccarty) and im totally in love with it, i cant say much cause i dont own a strat and i have an epiphone les paul, but for what it's worth, the mccarty is rocking my face off

[B2Rockin]

hahaha, dude that is awesome! thanks! i just wish i could have them all. lol

[B2Rockin]

sounds beautiful! and listen to that sustain!! You no likey 6l6's?

[richedie]

Hey Thump! LOving the BBQ/PRS into the Shiva bro. I get pretty close to Shiva tones with the Egnater Mod 50/SL2/EG3/4 combo.

Hey, why the slant cab? How are you getting so much thump with a 412 slant? Ha! Straights seem to have the thump. :)

You have me thinking.

[SgtThump]

Hey man! Nah, I don't like slant cabs either. I'm with ya on that one. Straight cabs all the way for me.

I ran across a good deal on this slant '70s Marshall cab, so I bought it. It sounded great, but not as a straight. I ended up selling it.

[menga111]

that sounds so damn GOOD!, that neck pickup tone is incredible

[thejmaker]

monster tone combined with a tottaly cool playing!!! 5 stars for this!!! I have a 1995 McCarty and I am loving it! Is that Rio Grande kinda.. Texas blues sound PU?

[SgtThump]

Hey, thanks!!! I appreciate it. I love this McCarty too! I've never bonded with a PRS guitar until I tried the McCarty model. Not sure why, but I definitely love it!

The Rio Grande BBQ is fairly hot with alot of lows. Not a real tight pickup, but not too loose and mushy either. It's hotter than what I think of when someone says "Texas blues sound", but it's not metal either. Ya know? My all time favorite bridge humbucker for sure.

[badfish350]

reminds me a lot of cross canadian ragweed

[thejmaker]

thank you so much for the info brother. Rock on buddy !!!

[Soopar18]

how is the neck on the Mccarty compare to your 58? Is there a huge difference or both pretty big?

[SgtThump]

I guess the neck on the McCarty is big for a PRS (wide/fat I think), but it's nowhere near as beefy as the '58 Reissue Les Paul.

[cucuk666]

go buy an kirk signature and let us watch! :P

[SgtThump]

Watch me throw it against the wall in protest of Kirk's "nervous vibrato" and wah overusage? :)

[moats777]

You got that right!

[heheimfunny]

What are you selling the amp for?

[timjatomnee]

Seriously this sounds amazing! Those heads are so expensive but atleast it sounds expensive too, very high quality sound.

[SgtThump]

Thanks! It's an AWESOME amp!  I'm actually selling it on eBay right now for cheap. Not because I don't like it, but because I need moolah for other toys. :)

[timjatomnee]

What u want to buy that sounds better? I would love to buy a shiva, its my dream amp for the future, but i have got enough amps atmo. Marshall dsl50 1960a, superbass copy w/ 4x12 g12-65, brunetti xl r-evo w/ v30's, so hahah enough :D damn ;P. How u like the woody tone of the bogner cab I see in ur other demo's? It sounds so beautifull airy and woody, maybe want to buy one for my brunetti.

[rockmetalmachine]

great man all, the tone, the player, the guitar.

ohh how much was this beauty=?

[SgtThump]

Wow, thanks!!! These sell for $1,600 or so used. Since times are tough right now, they're going for as low as $1,400. Not real sure about their price new. Over $2k, though.

[woodrn]

Awesome tone man! Love it! Just one quick question...  Les Paul or McCarty? Which one do you prefer and why?

[SgtThump]

That's a great question. When it come to tone, I've never heard a guitar that can beat my '58 Reissue Les Paul with that BBQ in the bridge. I also love the playability.

For versatility and overall comfort, the McCarty wins. I like playing the McCarty live, because it's light, well balanced, and just super comfortable.

But yeah, Les Paul for tone.

[AlexanderBlueAvenue]

but at the end of the day woodrn it's all suggestive. I grew up on a les paul but I prefer mccartys for their tone and playability. theres no right or wrong answer, just try out a couple of each model and decide whats best!

[KAndrewBlade]

nevermind

[KAndrewBlade]

I just ordered an '06 McCarty 10 top. Do you have an aftermarket pickup in the bridge, or is the cover just off?

[probos1]

Sounds great Chris -- makes me want a Shiva again.

[woodrn]

Awesome tone! Great guitar too!  Is that the McCarty burst color?

[SgtThump]

Hey thanks man! Yeah, I believe it's the McCarty burst color. It's very pretty in person.

[SgtThump]

Haha, sorry! Here's some info... I used the head first with an Antone 2x12" cab with G12H30s and it was okay, then the Marshall used in this clip and it was cool. But I just got an oversized Bogner 2x12" cab and there it is! The cab is darker and makes the amp more "woody" sounding. This amp isn't bright, but it does have a unique treble freq in it that CAN be bright with the wrong speakers.

I describe this amp as exactly what you want - vintage Marshall tone with alot more lows and gain

[SgtThump]

I had the gain knob around 2:00-3:00 o'clock on this video, which is ALMOST full blast. This amp is new to me and I'm still learning it. I will say that the speaker cab used makes an ENORMOUS difference on the tone of this amp. I know that's common sense, but it seems to matter more with this Shiva head than any other amp I've owned. I'd say it CAN get fizzy and crappy sounding with some cabs, but find the right cab and it's very warm and "woody." Great, great amp.

[japetus]

I'm really digging those clean tones!!

[SgtThump]

Hey Brian!!! The cleans really are "Fender-like." I know people always say that, but it's true!

By the way, we want to have another get together in December. Are you in?

[pjournel]

Nice tones!

Thanks for sharing.

Pierre.