As far as I am aware, David Grissom actually helped design the McCarty when he asked for a thicker Custom 22 with simpler switching way back when. He was offered it by Paul as a signature model, but he didn’t think he deserved to have his name associated with it so they did it as a tribute to Ted McCarty who had originated many of the ideas during his time at Gibson. When the DGT finally came about in the late 2000s in line with custom-specced guitars he had ordered from PRS, he finally got the recognition for it he deserved.
Excellent review, very clear and your explanations was done perfectly. I prefer PRS guitars birds which thankfully is an option on this guitar. It was smart to add a tremolo with the McCarty guitar. The back pickup has a bright punchy Tele sound however sounding fuller with humbuckers. I also have a 594 and this is the guitar I am thinking about as well. I am probably like you that I would prefer to keep it in the humbucker mode most of the time.
As soon as you pick up a DGT, you know you have something special. This guitar really sits well in a mix. When I’m not using my Suhr Strat, the DGT is the one. I play direct to FOH, with a K8 monitor, and when your playing the DGT coming from a Strat, you perceive a blanket type cover over the sound, but when you listen to a recorded track, it’s cutting and blends perfectly with bass and keys. It’s also light weight, and one of the ‘sexiest’ guitars around. Mines a 2011 White.
I have a DGT as well. Funnily enough, even though David is a bridge pickup player, the neck pickup is absolutely ridiculous. Easily the best neck humbucker I’ve ever played
It may be just something David said just to say, but he said after about 10 minutes he couldn't tell whether he was playing the SE or Core, so that's good! I think they were able to get the neck shape just right. Which is what I was worried about. I'm glad they didn't just slap on a wide fat on it just to be easy.
My local guitar shop had a wood library run that wasn't opulent with solid finishes last year....had to jump on one with a champagne gold top, natural back, hybrid hardware, and a nice dark brazillian rosewood fretboard w/ moons and no binding. Classy as hell and couldn't pass it up, my first and only core model to this point. Put 9.5s on it to tighten up the lower end and midrange. Really wonderful guitar.
Nice! I've seen a handful of those "champagne" finishes and they're beautiful! My DGT is a rare burgundy metallic color... I've never seen anything like it. Mine has an ebony fingerboard and binding (which I love, keeps the fret tangs from ever popping out). Great guitar... enjoy!
This is the best video about the DGT i have seen so far!!!! You really demonstrated the amazing specs of this guitar. I was lucky to purchase my first PRS, a used Gold Top DGT~~~ MIND BLOWN!!!! OMG!!! As you demonstrated the clean Jazz tone on this guitar is AMAZING! this guitar just hits every tik box for me.... Sold a Les and Tele to get her, but sooo worth it! thank you
I had finally overcome the GAS for a DGT goldtop and then you post this.... I'm a bedroom player and DON'T need that to spend that much for a guitar. But it sounds and looks so good. GAS restarted! Great video!!!
I've had an Artist Package DGT with a rosewood neck and Brazilian board since 2014. Best guitar I have ever owned. 11s feel like 10s, I feel like fingers go when and where I want them, very smooth playing guitar.
@@mathew_dale Ah what PRS I would get if I was to get another??? A few years ago I swore I would not spend any more on guitars. Well in that time I purchased a really cool Sweetwater commissioned Schecter Blackjack SLS Avenger FR, and a great Strandberg Boden Prog NX6. I have a 2001 McCarty, 2010 Swamp Ash 513 and a very nice 2016 Custom 24 with Indian Rosewood Neck and Ebony Fingerboard with Satin Finish in Peacock Blue. Which was a limited run color. The Studio definitely checks off a lot of boxes. The Narrowfields are really cool. I never owned a Les Paul or Single Cut. The McCarty 594 SC is nice or the McCarty 594 Hollow Body. Then again a DGT would be just fine also…😉
You're awesome Son! I just bought one of these today. Good lord what a treat. Just bought a Paul's Guitar Core Model a month ago. I love, love it, but man this DGT is off the rails great!!! Your video already expresses everything and more I could possibly say, so I won't. ;) Your video is the best damned video on this guitar I've viewed yet. You really drive home the fact of all those useful sounds this gem has in it. Proof positive from your spirit, though your extremely capable hands & playing chops, and out the guitar. Spectacularly well done, and a pleasure to watch.
Great demo and very nice playing. I've got a 2002 McCarty Rosewood that I am rewinding the neck pickup to DGT specs (original was way too thick) and your video gave me a nice reference for what it should sound like.
I love my DGT, I play Strats most of the time but when I want a humbucker guitar the DGT is my "go to"! I really like the subtle flame beauty shining through the McCarty finish on your guitar and that orange tinted back... looks great. You did a great job detailing all the reasons of what makes a DGT great... so I really enjoyed this video!
I asked session guitarist Tom Hemby one time what he thought the best guitar was overall (knowing of course that context rule in session world). He said there is no one perfect guitar for everything but he said... if there was one, it would be the PRS DGT.
I had a 21’ DGT. The bridge humbucker sounded great but the neck was really muddy. The guitar also had so much string tension it was not easy to play. Even with 10s. The trem was great too but I ended up selling it.
Great review. I have an Eddies Wood Library DGT with roasted flame neck, SS frets, bird inlays and ridiculous charcoal flame body...absolute stunner. The DGT neck PUs are pure cream. Although is came "set up," I had to change strings and setup to my liking before fully bonding. It seemed to me, that the string action is very finicky, but also realize that is an individual "feel" thing. This thing is just glorious.
I’ve had my core DGT for @ 6 months and agree that it is a very finicky guitar as far as getting a good setup. Changed from stock 11’s to 10’s and am still tweaking to get max playability without buzzing
Love my gold top, nitro. Threw on 10s but there was some sizzle. The nut on yours looks slightly wider than the neck. Did you gauge down and swap the nut? If so, where'd you get it. The frets accommodate 11's well but 10's are the sweet spot for me. Best voicing on the pups. I've a 594 and Santana Retro but the DGT is the tone king. The Santana a very close second. The 594 still a keeper. PRS finishes? Eesh, long discussion but many years are too sticky. Not a Fender or Gibson issue I've encountered. Everything else is so good, its excusable....
Never loved the 6 screw trem on a strat, but i think PRS nailed it because its like a 2 point knife edge floyd type post except you have 6 contact points giving you 3 times more tranfer than a 2 point. A chain is only as good as its weakest link.
Hey MD! Thanks for the vid. I'm thinking PRS may have the perfect Praise and Worship guitar, or maybe the CE could be, considering pruce point? How do you think the Fishman Modern active pups loaded in a maple neck-thru/mahogany body with ash top would compare?
I'm definitely a big fan of the DGT in a Worship context. Sounds like a cool guitar! I'm certainly partial to my lower output passives, but I'd say you can achieve similar tones with the Fishman's. Try voice 2 (the lower output settings) for similar tones.
@Mathew what kind of pick is that? I am starting to learn electric. Played acoustic for a while so finder picking comes naturally to me. Still learning the pick thing and this seems like a great solution for someone like me
Man so hard pick which model to buy…finally have enough money to by a prs the main contenders would be a modern eagle v or a dgt I am aiming for versatility because who knows if I will ever be able to buy another prs perhaps the dgt has its own theme vs the modern eagle is meant to be a Swiss army… so if I were to buy the dgt I would be stuck with its theme and sound… 🤔
Yeah that's a tough choice. As a DGT owner, I'd still love to get my hands on a Modern Eagle V, but the DGT also works incredibly well in all situations I've been in.
@@mathew_dale i ended up going with a stunning wood library modern eagle v from peach guitars uk it has a mahogany body,a crazy beautiful faded blue jean quilt maple top, roasted flame maple neck,a zircote fretboard and comes with a brown/burgundy paisley case. once i saw it i couldn't pass it up...😍😍😍😀😁
Running through my Axe-FX III. My own custom preset that I'll be releasing in a new pack soon. Until then you can check out my other presets at mathewdale.com if interested.
Have the gold dgt,love it,have over 20 guitars from all the big names as well as a few more Prs,love daves style & playingalso the guitar sounds perfect
Had 2 Expensive PRS's Custom 24 and a P22, Sold them both, Love hate relationship with them, Love the playability and the looks/design. Something about the tone I just cannot stand, Never been able to pinpoint what that actually is. my best explanation would be like this...........but I'm guessing. They sound arguably great as in really clear and not dead in any way but also just really really boring and plain. Swapped the pickups in one of them to my usual set but found out the pickups were not the culprit, maybe it's the wiring design.... It's weird as I still get the buzz to get another one. just hearing you play this one reminds me why I hate it. It sound nice but just no soul. rathe rjust pick up my cheap danelectro or Les paul . it might be because PRS have a super even/flat frequency responce it sounds bland. Most guitars have some kind of shape to the tone wether its boosted or soem freqenceys are muted a bit. the PRS is like not saying anyuthign like someone who talks but has no tone just a flat monotone voice.
Totally get what you mean, but I would not put the DGT or recent McCarty models in the same flat category. The man in charge of PRS purchases at Thomann in Germany once said to me he believes the most characterful set neck PRS models are the wood library/PS or special run models with maple necks. I tried them and have to agree, in general they have more texture to them. So if you continue to like PRS in looks and feel, try maple neck versions if you get chance out in the wild. I know Wood Library and special runs typically cost more, but the maple neck versions I have tried are definitely a cut above in terms of mojo.
@@djt6546interesting! I just bought a Fender ultra luxe jaguar which I’m over the moon with. Probably won’t spend a huge amount on another guitar this decade, can’t afford it now 😂😂
As far as I am aware, David Grissom actually helped design the McCarty when he asked for a thicker Custom 22 with simpler switching way back when. He was offered it by Paul as a signature model, but he didn’t think he deserved to have his name associated with it so they did it as a tribute to Ted McCarty who had originated many of the ideas during his time at Gibson. When the DGT finally came about in the late 2000s in line with custom-specced guitars he had ordered from PRS, he finally got the recognition for it he deserved.
He did 100% My McCarty came with a little card telling the story. It was indeed DG.
Absolutely correct. David and Paul designed the McCarty. David's tweaks later down the line spurred Paul to make the DGT.
Excellent review, very clear and your explanations was done perfectly. I prefer PRS guitars birds which thankfully is an option on this guitar. It was smart to add a tremolo with the McCarty guitar. The back pickup has a bright punchy Tele sound however sounding fuller with humbuckers. I also have a 594 and this is the guitar I am thinking about as well. I am probably like you that I would prefer to keep it in the humbucker mode most of the time.
As soon as you pick up a DGT, you know you have something special. This guitar really sits well in a mix. When I’m not using my Suhr Strat, the DGT is the one. I play direct to FOH, with a K8 monitor, and when your playing the DGT coming from a Strat, you perceive a blanket type cover over the sound, but when you listen to a recorded track, it’s cutting and blends perfectly with bass and keys. It’s also light weight, and one of the ‘sexiest’ guitars around. Mines a 2011 White.
Can't wait for the SE version
I have a DGT as well. Funnily enough, even though David is a bridge pickup player, the neck pickup is absolutely ridiculous. Easily the best neck humbucker I’ve ever played
Looking forward to see if they can filter the DGT magic into the upcoming SE version
Same! It will be huge if they pull it off!
It may be just something David said just to say, but he said after about 10 minutes he couldn't tell whether he was playing the SE or Core, so that's good! I think they were able to get the neck shape just right. Which is what I was worried about. I'm glad they didn't just slap on a wide fat on it just to be easy.
It really happen
This might be the best tone I've heard out of a DGT online. Fantastic demo.
And now I own one. Thanks for the video, it made up my mind on getting a DGT
@@Think_Up - shopping around now
If anyone has not tried it. Because of the 5 trem springs you can drop to D on the E string and stay in tune. Try it
My local guitar shop had a wood library run that wasn't opulent with solid finishes last year....had to jump on one with a champagne gold top, natural back, hybrid hardware, and a nice dark brazillian rosewood fretboard w/ moons and no binding. Classy as hell and couldn't pass it up, my first and only core model to this point. Put 9.5s on it to tighten up the lower end and midrange. Really wonderful guitar.
Nice! I've seen a handful of those "champagne" finishes and they're beautiful! My DGT is a rare burgundy metallic color... I've never seen anything like it. Mine has an ebony fingerboard and binding (which I love, keeps the fret tangs from ever popping out). Great guitar... enjoy!
@@jlr022159 Yummy!
This is the best video about the DGT i have seen so far!!!! You really demonstrated the amazing specs of this guitar. I was lucky to purchase my first PRS, a used Gold Top DGT~~~ MIND BLOWN!!!! OMG!!! As you demonstrated the clean Jazz tone on this guitar is AMAZING! this guitar just hits every tik box for me.... Sold a Les and Tele to get her, but sooo worth it! thank you
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the video! the DGT rocks!
I have a 2007 McCarty with a factory installed trem. I believe it was just that year in which they could be ordered with a term.
Most important feature
Body is thicker ( more mahogany) than any other PRS.
Proprietary neck
I had finally overcome the GAS for a DGT goldtop and then you post this.... I'm a bedroom player and DON'T need that to spend that much for a guitar. But it sounds and looks so good. GAS restarted! Great video!!!
Thank you and I apologize for the resetting of your GAS!
Good thing PRS just announced a SE DGT in January!!
Most right PRS i own out of my Cores, Les Paul's and Ibanez are the new CE24 with it's shallower top, the way the hand sits in it is epic
Awesome playing!
I've had an Artist Package DGT with a rosewood neck and Brazilian board since 2014. Best guitar I have ever owned. 11s feel like 10s, I feel like fingers go when and where I want them, very smooth playing guitar.
Amen , just picked one of those dreams up .. ~the Rosewood necks are awesome
Beautiful guitar!
Have 3 core PRS myself. Wonderful instruments!💫
I’d love a studio next!
@@mathew_dale
Ah what PRS I would get if I was to get another??? A few years ago I swore I would not spend any more on guitars. Well in that time I purchased a really cool Sweetwater commissioned Schecter Blackjack SLS Avenger FR, and a great Strandberg Boden Prog NX6. I have a 2001 McCarty, 2010 Swamp Ash 513 and a very nice 2016 Custom 24 with Indian Rosewood Neck and Ebony Fingerboard with Satin Finish in Peacock Blue. Which was a limited run color.
The Studio definitely checks off a lot of boxes. The Narrowfields are really cool. I never owned a Les Paul or Single Cut. The McCarty 594 SC is nice or the McCarty 594 Hollow Body. Then again a DGT would be just fine also…😉
You're awesome Son! I just bought one of these today. Good lord what a treat. Just bought a Paul's Guitar Core Model a month ago. I love, love it, but man this DGT is off the rails great!!!
Your video already expresses everything and more I could possibly say, so I won't. ;)
Your video is the best damned video on this guitar I've viewed yet. You really drive home the fact of all those useful sounds this gem has in it. Proof positive from your spirit, though your extremely capable hands & playing chops, and out the guitar.
Spectacularly well done, and a pleasure to watch.
Thanks so much for the kind words! Love the DGT!!
Great demo and very nice playing. I've got a 2002 McCarty Rosewood that I am rewinding the neck pickup to DGT specs (original was way too thick) and your video gave me a nice reference for what it should sound like.
I love my DGT, I play Strats most of the time but when I want a humbucker guitar the DGT is my "go to"! I really like the subtle flame beauty shining through the McCarty finish on your guitar and that orange tinted back... looks great. You did a great job detailing all the reasons of what makes a DGT great... so I really enjoyed this video!
I feel like DGT sounds similar to gibson more than any other PRS. Am i wrong?
Great review and playing!
Thank you!
Since they're not releasing the Tele in early 2023 yet I'm waiting for the SE DGT. Love their pickups.
I asked session guitarist Tom Hemby one time what he thought the best guitar was overall (knowing of course that context rule in session world). He said there is no one perfect guitar for everything but he said... if there was one, it would be the PRS DGT.
Sounds awesome, I'm interested in buying one.
I had a 21’ DGT. The bridge humbucker sounded great but the neck was really muddy. The guitar also had so much string tension it was not easy to play. Even with 10s. The trem was great too but I ended up selling it.
Great review. I have an Eddies Wood Library DGT with roasted flame neck, SS frets, bird inlays and ridiculous charcoal flame body...absolute stunner. The DGT neck PUs are pure cream. Although is came "set up," I had to change strings and setup to my liking before fully bonding. It seemed to me, that the string action is very finicky, but also realize that is an individual "feel" thing. This thing is just glorious.
Awesome! My 594 is an Eddies Wood Library. That video's coming soon. Love that you got yours with SS frets!
I’ve had my core DGT for @ 6 months and agree that it is a very finicky guitar as far as getting a good setup. Changed from stock 11’s to 10’s and am still tweaking to get max playability without buzzing
Love PRS hate the toggle being placed where it is..great guitars.
I liked your take to the Brazilian music there
Great playing technique dude!
Thank you!
Love my gold top, nitro. Threw on 10s but there was some sizzle. The nut on yours looks slightly wider than the neck. Did you gauge down and swap the nut? If so, where'd you get it. The frets accommodate 11's well but 10's are the sweet spot for me. Best voicing on the pups. I've a 594 and Santana Retro but the DGT is the tone king. The Santana a very close second. The 594 still a keeper. PRS finishes? Eesh, long discussion but many years are too sticky. Not a Fender or Gibson issue I've encountered. Everything else is so good, its excusable....
Same nut from factory but gauged up slightly. I prefer 11-52s on my PRS's.
@@mathew_dale ah... gauged up!
Never loved the 6 screw trem on a strat, but i think PRS nailed it because its like a 2 point knife edge floyd type post except you have 6 contact points giving you 3 times more tranfer than a 2 point. A chain is only as good as its weakest link.
I can honestly say that the DGT 6 point bridge works better than the 2 point on an American Deluxe Strat I had.
@@mathew_dale same here, better than my strat 2 point trem.
It’s my preferred trem over any other, including Fender and Floyd Rose.
Very simple to use, simple to tune, and STAYS in tune.
Is the whole body thicker than other prs or just the carved top part？
whole body is a bit thicker
Your playing is exquisite.
Thank you!
I think I would love this guitar. Thank you for the info. Such a singy tone is the way I describe it. BUILD THAT LEGO MAN YOU WONT REGRET IT
Got it built. Just kept the empty box lol!
@@mathew_dale Whew thank you.... I was worried :) haha. Did you do the red or black color??
Went with the red. Was channeling Mark Knopfler when building.
Hey MD! Thanks for the vid. I'm thinking PRS may have the perfect Praise and Worship guitar, or maybe the CE could be, considering pruce point? How do you think the Fishman Modern active pups loaded in a maple neck-thru/mahogany body with ash top would compare?
I'm definitely a big fan of the DGT in a Worship context. Sounds like a cool guitar! I'm certainly partial to my lower output passives, but I'd say you can achieve similar tones with the Fishman's. Try voice 2 (the lower output settings) for similar tones.
Am I wrong to say that DGT sounds like Gibson than any other PRS models?
Great video. Sounds awesome. What color is that?
McCarty Sunburst
@Mathew what kind of pick is that? I am starting to learn electric. Played acoustic for a while so finder picking comes naturally to me. Still learning the pick thing and this seems like a great solution for someone like me
Fred Kelly Bumblebee jazz- my favorite pick. fredkellypicks.com
What paint color is this guitar?
McCarty Sunburst. My favorite finish.
Love your tone! I have a FM9 - Do you think your FXIII or the FM3 pack would work best for my unit?
The Axe-FX III presets seem to work the best! Cheers!
Yes it is
Sounds great. Maybe I missed it but what are you playing through?
Thanks! I’m playing through my Axe-Fx III
What colour is this?
McCarty Sunburst
Man so hard pick which model to buy…finally have enough money to by a prs the main contenders would be a modern eagle v or a dgt I am aiming for versatility because who knows if I will ever be able to buy another prs perhaps the dgt has its own theme vs the modern eagle is meant to be a Swiss army… so if I were to buy the dgt I would be stuck with its theme and sound… 🤔
Yeah that's a tough choice. As a DGT owner, I'd still love to get my hands on a Modern Eagle V, but the DGT also works incredibly well in all situations I've been in.
@@mathew_dale i ended up going with a stunning wood library modern eagle v from peach guitars uk it has a mahogany body,a crazy beautiful faded blue jean quilt maple top, roasted flame maple neck,a zircote fretboard and comes with a brown/burgundy paisley case. once i saw it i couldn't pass it up...😍😍😍😀😁
Anything you’d wanna use a Les Paul or a Strat for is what the DGT does.
@@mylesadams1662 Congrats! Sounds like a sick guitar!!
Sorry, off-topic: which song are you playing at th-cam.com/video/vpmx7N7nz34/w-d-xo.html ?
Not off topic at all! I'm playing my own finger style arrangement of "A Team" by Ed Sheeran
What amp did you play this through? (Or modeler/preset)
Running through my Axe-FX III. My own custom preset that I'll be releasing in a new pack soon. Until then you can check out my other presets at mathewdale.com if interested.
How’s the tuning so far
Solid as ever!
Hi! Nice guitar but it sounds very plastic… what effect are you using? It’s like a light chorus or dimension
Some examples have a slight pitch detune hard panned
Subtle 😂😂😂
Have the gold dgt,love it,have over 20 guitars from all the big names as well as a few more Prs,love daves style & playingalso the guitar sounds perfect
Had 2 Expensive PRS's Custom 24 and a P22, Sold them both, Love hate relationship with them, Love the playability and the looks/design. Something about the tone I just cannot stand, Never been able to pinpoint what that actually is. my best explanation would be like this...........but I'm guessing. They sound arguably great as in really clear and not dead in any way but also just really really boring and plain. Swapped the pickups in one of them to my usual set but found out the pickups were not the culprit, maybe it's the wiring design.... It's weird as I still get the buzz to get another one. just hearing you play this one reminds me why I hate it. It sound nice but just no soul. rathe rjust pick up my cheap danelectro or Les paul . it might be because PRS have a super even/flat frequency responce it sounds bland. Most guitars have some kind of shape to the tone wether its boosted or soem freqenceys are muted a bit. the PRS is like not saying anyuthign like someone who talks but has no tone just a flat monotone voice.
Totally get what you mean, but I would not put the DGT or recent McCarty models
in the same flat category. The man in charge of PRS purchases at Thomann in Germany once said to me he believes the most characterful set neck PRS models are the wood library/PS or special run models with maple necks. I tried them and have to agree, in general they have more texture to them. So if you continue to like PRS in looks and feel, try maple neck versions if you get chance out in the wild. I know Wood Library and special runs typically cost more, but the maple neck versions I have tried are definitely a cut above in terms of mojo.
@@djt6546interesting! I just bought a Fender ultra luxe jaguar which I’m over the moon with. Probably won’t spend a huge amount on another guitar this decade, can’t afford it now 😂😂
@@BLACKSYNTH Enjoy your cool new guitar. 👍
this goldtop needs the bird inlays.
I think the moon looks better, no?
No!
nope
What is the price of the SE DGT Thanks