Mcilroy Guitars
 

I went to play a couple of these badboys the other day and they blew me away, I've never played anything like these before, I'm looking to get the A30, they didn't have this particular model at the shop, has any1 played this before and how does it compare to other high end American and European acoustis.

Many Thanks

Simon

Hi Simon, and welcome to the forum. Lots and lots of good people here who share your passion and enthusiasm for acoustic guitars.

You are surely not alone in appreciating the work of Dermot McIlroy! There are several of us who've developed a strong attachment to the McIlroy instruments.

The A30 model would be spruce top, rosewood back and sides. I've not played that one, but have heard a number of outstanding sound clips, including this from Gabriele Possenti:

http://mcilroyguitars.de/index.php?o...d=41&Itemid=44

What shop were you sampling McIlroys at? What particular models did they have? My own preference is for cedar tops, but I believe that Dermot himself plays a spruce model.

Bottom line is, you won't easily go wrong with any McIlroy.

Feel free to ask any specific questions. Glad to help.

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you cant go wrong with a mcilroy

pure and simple

if you are going for a spruc top its world the extra few notes to get the italian spruce top to turn a wonderous guitar in an unbelievable guitar

I'm lucky enough to own a McIlroy A25 and a Lowden O25. Both cedar tops (Mcilroy is Walnut B+S, Lowden is Rosewood).

They are clealy cousins, and have similar sound and feel.

I play them equally often (they are the only guitars I play) and like them equally well - they are both fantastic guitars.

If you can find a second hand McIlroy, that provides particually good value, as the (10 year) warrantey is transferrable.

Like others have said, great guitars, you won't be disapointed.

Paul

I believe the redoubtable Simon Fay says on his website (or maybe said on the forum way back when) that his initial reference for "good tone" when he started building guitar was a McIlroy that he used to own.

Given how much I like the tone of Simon's guitars, those McIlroys much really be something!

The A30 is a great guitar. Similar in size to the Lowden F32, but more "woody" sounding. Also, the neck profile is somewhat different.

I own an A30 that I purchased off of ebayl about 18 months ago. I was looking to buy a Lowden having played a number at Rudi's in NYC BUT the price was too dear. Went looking for used and saw an add that described the McIlroy as a "Lowden on Steroids". I purchased it with a trial period but called the seller within an hour of receiving it that we were "good to go" and that the instrument would not be;) coming back. Since then, it is only better! I had a Matrix Infinity pickup installed and am constantly getting comments to the effect that "that is the best sounding acoustic I ever heard".

I love Lowden and would easily recommend them to anyone but my McIlroy is a treasure!!!

Welcome, Simon, to the Cult of McIlroy. All you have to do is play one to understand why so many of us perceive McIlroy guitars to be a relatively unknown and remarkable treasure. Yes, very Lowden-like, but something extremely special indeed (and less expensive than a Lowden).

Hope you snag one and enjoy it thoroughly...

The "Cult of McIlroy". CoM. I rather like that!

Can we have a secret handshake?

..

Put me in the CoM club - I have an A30 and am constantly amazed at what the guitar can do, even with me playing it. It makes me a better player. I bought mine used about six months ago - Dermot has been fantastic at answering all my questions. You cannot go wrong with Macs....long live the Cult of McIlroy!

CoM
 

The Cult of McIlroy (CoM). Let's make it official.

A quick, and undoubtedly incomplete, list of AGF members who would seem to qualify for CoM status:

deemcilroy (!)
deepnback
dmcginnis
DrDavid
GibsonGuy
Kurt
paul84
t1m

CoffeeGuitar (honorary)
martinedwards (honorary)
Rick Jones (honorary)

"Honorary" means a great admirer of McIlroys, but not a current owner.

Please suggest additions/corrections to the list !!

CoM shall rule 'cross all lands near and far. We should have a logo, a secret handshake, and perhaps a tartan.


:)

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OK. I'm intrigued. What McIlroy would you recommend for an exclusively fingerstyle player who's looking for a rich sound and good volume? I'm looking for something with more "punch" than my Taylor.

Paramount Guitars (<http://www.paramountguitars.net/guitars_acoustic.htm>) has McIlroy guitars for sale...their webpage also has some very nice fingerstyle sound clips for you compare. Enjoy.

CoM!

Hi there.

Be careful! You are headed down a seductive road. The CoM draws many in, and few escape. :)

But seriously, almost ANY of the McIlroy models will give you that fingerstyle punch that you're seeking.

Here's an A16 model (mahogany and Italian spruce) with sound clips at Paramount:

http://www.paramountguitars.net/gtr/McilroyA16mi.htm

And for comparison, here are sound clips for an already sold AJ25c (walnut and cedar), also at Paramount:

http://www.paramountguitars.net/gtr/McilroyAJ25c.htm

You can also explore some excellent clips from several players and McIlroy models here:

http://mcilroyguitars.de//index.php?...d=38&Itemid=48

Hope that helps.

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The mahog and italian spruce I have been looking at all month... I am amazed its still not sold. What a remarkable guitar-