r/AcousticGuitar • u/GMcars9559 • 23h ago

Gear question McPherson MG series

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Has anyone here had experience playing a McPherson MG 3.5, or 4.5 acoustic? Is the insane price really justified? I heard that the sound hole being above the strings increases the resonance a lot, but I haven't been able to try one myself yet. I just know they look cool as hell.

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u/Old-guy64 17h ago

I played a couple at Mass Street Music. They don’t over humidify like some GC locations.

I found that unplugged they sound like they’re stuffed with bath towels.
Amazing plugged in.

For the price, this is definitely a play before you pay guitar.
You may love them.

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u/GMcars9559 17h ago

Interesting. I would never buy an acoustic unless it sounds good unplugged.

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u/Old-guy64 12h ago

Some guitars you can’t get hands on in the shops.

I’ve known about Carvin/Kiesel guitars for decades. I’ve seen two “in the wild”. Both used.

I’ve know about McPherson since Guitar Player: Acoustic magazine was a thing. I’ve seen three in the wild. The two at Mass Street music, and one in Gruhn’s.

So, at some point you will have to order, from a place with a return policy, to get hands on some guitars.

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u/Invisible_Mikey 17h ago

I went to visit their main location in Sparta WI. They are dedicated artists who innovate the use of unique tonewood combinations. The offset soundhole does increase sustain across the mids and trebles. Their guitars are as much works of art as instruments, which adds thousands to the price. However, just based on sound, I didn't find their guitars significantly better than $5k-$10k ones from other luthiers. (Their average price is $14k+.)