PRS Guitars is marking its 40th anniversary with the release of a new limited-edition model: the McCarty SC56, a meticulously crafted single-cut guitar that blends vintage influence with modern performance. Only 400 units of this model will be produced and distributed worldwide.
The SC56 takes its name from both its Singlecut body shape and the year 1956—a landmark moment in guitar history and the birth year of PRS founder Paul Reed Smith. “The SC56, signifying Singlecut and 1956, model is our most recent tribute to my late mentor Ted McCarty and his impact on the guitar industry,” said Smith. “1956 marks the year that Ted first had guitars made with his newly coined ‘humbucker’ pickups. It also happens to be the year I was born.”
Built with a maple top and mahogany back, the SC56 features a 24.594” scale length, 22-fret Pattern Vintage neck, and hardware designed to support both sustain and playability, including PRS’s two-piece bridge and Phase III non-locking tuners. The guitar is fitted with PRS McCarty III pickups, designed for warm, articulate tones and clear note separation, controlled by two volume and tone knobs and a three-way toggle on the upper bout.
While single-cutaway guitars are traditionally heavier, PRS implemented a weight-relief system that lightens the instrument by about two-thirds of a pound. Crucially, the construction maintains connection points between the top and back to avoid tonal compromise. According to PRS, this design helps preserve resonance and clarity while improving comfort for players.
The guitar’s aesthetic appointments are equally thoughtful, featuring fretboard binding, classic bird inlays, and a vintage-style nitrocellulose finish.
The SC56 is part of PRS Guitars’ ongoing celebration of its 40th year in business, with new products set to be released monthly throughout 2025.
For more details on the McCarty SC56 and upcoming anniversary models, visit www.prsguitars.com/40 and follow @prsguitars on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
