NUGD McIlroy A20

[TBman]

It's a new used guitar day! Today I received a 2022 McIlroy A20 from forum member scotchnspeed. Simple, quick and easy purchase with no hassles or delays. (Thanks!) The guitar was exactly as advertised and packed well for the trip.

Here are some of the specs:

Back and Sides - English Black Walnut
Top - Sitka Spruce
Neck - 5 piece made from mahogany, maple, walnut, maple, mahogany.
Bindings- Santos rosewood with maple and rosewood purfling inlays
Rosette - Paua abalone with rosewood and maple purfling inlays
Headstock veneer - ebony with maple purfling and inlays
Bridge - ebony
Bone nut and saddle
Scale 25.5"
Nut 1.75"

Included was a Hiscox case.

Here's an unedited sound clip (except for a fade). The guitar is in DADGAD:



I like the guitar. The fit and finish is excellent.
I put a black strap button on the treble side of the neck heel and then put D'Addario Nickel Bronze balanced tension 12-52 strings on it. The guitar might benefit from mediums or at least medium trebles. It is a very light guitar and it is responsive.

I'll have to compare it soon to my Avalon to see how it fairs. My first impressions of the McIlroy with the Avalon in the back of my mind was that it is similar sounding, but the bass is a touch lighter. The A20 is slightly smaller than my Avalon L2-320.

The A20 is a well made guitar with the finish being exactly the same as my Avalon. Sort of a halfway point between satin and gloss.

[foxo]

Congratulations Barry, the guitar sounds superb.

[rule18]

Congrats, sounds really nice.

[porchswingpickr]

That is one beautiful guitar! Sounds great, too! I almost pulled the trigger on that one after digging deep into McIlroys on the web...couldn't believe it was still available here after a few days.
Play it in good health!

[Rev Roy]

Sweet, Barry! Congrats!

[AcousticDreams]

Way to go TBman!

What a beautiful sound clip you made...so smooth and warm sounding! Felt right a home listening to that.

English Walnut has a much higher specific gravity than American Black Walnut. Claro is even less. So your English Walnut should give you lots of clarity. Of course most Walnuts have a fundamental nature. Which some say aids in recording.

[scotchnspeed]

Thanks again and enjoy, Barry! I agree on the mediums, or perhaps better yet, bluegrass sets.

[Zissou Intern]

Very pretty!

[Glennwillow]

Congratulations, Barry!

Very pretty guitar and your demo sounds great!

- Glenn

[jaymarsch]

Congrats, Barry. Your new to you guitar sounds wonderful. Enjoy.
Best,
Jayne

[lowrider]

Congratulations on another great guitar. You're really on a roll lately.

Enjoy!

[RodB]

Hi Barry, Nice guitar! Suits your style, but then I’m biased...

A wood combo I have been thinking about, so interested more now after hearing the snippet.

[Aimelie]

Congratulations! What a pretty guitar and the open tuning really lets it ring out nicely.

Looks like another fine addition to your stable.

[sinistral]

Sounds great and looks beautiful. Really nice “chime” and natural reverb.

This thread reminded me of what I said in this other thread:

Originally Posted by sinistral

There are still over eight months to go in 2022!

[Rick Jones]

What a beautiful instrument — both in sound and looks-wise!

I notice that these use the string-through bridge, ala Lowden, but not the split saddle that Lowden and Avalons have in common. Very keen to play one one day as I have never heard one I don’t like the sound of.

Many happy miles!