So, I played a McIlroy...

Gassage · July 2022

Oh my god.

What a guitar.

It belongs to a pal of mine, who is ironically a McElroy, and was attracted for this reason.

I have rarely played an acoustic with such a thudding and clear bass response.

Absolutely divine instrument- a seriously wonderful acoustic, right up there with Lowdens and the Martin Knopfler that @kjdowd bought.

Any fans on here?

earwighoney · July 2022

Gassage said:

Oh my god.

What a guitar.

It belongs to a pal of mine, who is ironically a McElroy, and was attracted for this reason.

Does your friend know there is a guitar with his actual name?

http://www.mcelroyguitars.com/

TheMadMick · July 2022

In support of my countrymen are you sure it's not a McIlroy?

https://mcilroyguitars.co.uk/

Gassage · July 2022

TheMadMick said:

In support of my countrymen are you sure it's not a McIlroy?

https://mcilroyguitars.co.uk/

As per my thread title, yes....

stickyfiddle · July 2022

I haven't played a Mcelroy and I don't really like the Lowden thing compared to the classic Americana of Martin & Gibson, but there's no doubt a properly great acoustic guitar is a really fine thing to experience.

Both my Atkin and Bourgeois knock socks off pretty much everything I've ever played from the big acoustic makers - I won't shut up about them.

tomjax · July 2022

I've had my McIlroy A30 for over 15 years, it's a simply stunning instrument in every regard. If you've not tried one in alternate tunings (esp DADGAD) then you're missing something special.

In terms of the Lowden comparisons, I genuinely don't think they are very similar in tone (I had a Lowden S23 before I got the Mcilroy), and the Mcilroy definitely walks its own path.

bertie · July 2022

stickyfiddle said:

I haven't played a Mcelroy and I don't really like the Lowden thing

this

guitarjack66 · July 2022

I thought this thread was going to be about a recent round of golf. I'm not sure if I'm glad or disappointed.

PAL · July 2022

Yes there are some beautiful acoustic guitars out there yes they can be expensive but once you have played one
you can understand why.

VimFuego · July 2022

PAL said:

Yes there are some beautiful acoustic guitars out there yes they can be expensive but once you have played one
you can understand why.

the key is to never play a really nice acoustic, cos once you do you can't get the tone out of your head. It'll eat away at you until you lose all sense of reason and blow 10 years rent on buying the one!

Tannin · July 2022

VimFuego said:

PAL said:

Yes there are some beautiful acoustic guitars out there yes they can be expensive but once you have played one
you can understand why.

the key is to never play a really nice acoustic, cos once you do you can't get the tone out of your head. It'll eat away at you until you lose all sense of reason and blow 10 years rent on buying the one!

It's not buying the one that's buggered me up. Alright, it cost me a few quid but I had some savings and could cope with it. It was buying the seven.

VimFuego · July 2022

Tannin said:

VimFuego said:

PAL said:

Yes there are some beautiful acoustic guitars out there yes they can be expensive but once you have played one
you can understand why.

the key is to never play a really nice acoustic, cos once you do you can't get the tone out of your head. It'll eat away at you until you lose all sense of reason and blow 10 years rent on buying the one!

It's not buying the one that's buggered me up. Alright, it cost me a few quid but I had some savings and could cope with it. It was buying the seven.

that's how all the best drug pushers work.

TheMadMick · July 2022

VimFuego said:

It's not buying the one that's buggered me up. Alright, it cost me a few quid but I had some savings and could cope with it. It was buying the seven.

Odd that. I have seven guitars and they all get played to a greater or lesser extent.

CHRISB50 · July 2022

VimFuego said:

PAL said:

Yes there are some beautiful acoustic guitars out there yes they can be expensive but once you have played one
you can understand why.

the key is to never play a really nice acoustic, cos once you do you can't get the tone out of your head. It'll eat away at you until you lose all sense of reason and blow 10 years rent on buying the one!

Yep. I've had CS Fenders and CS Gibsons but still the best guitar I've owned is a Lowden.

Just a stock factory made O22C, so not one of their really expensive ones, but it sounded like a chorus of angels (if angels existed). And it smelled lovely too!

I think I'd struggle to love any other steel string. That guitar tuned to DADGAD really was the sound in my head.

kjdowd · September 2022

Gassage said:

Oh my god.

What a guitar.

It belongs to a pal of mine, who is ironically a McElroy, and was attracted for this reason.

I have rarely played an acoustic with such a thudding and clear bass response.

Absolutely divine instrument- a seriously wonderful acoustic, right up there with Lowdens and the Martin Knopfler that @kjdowd bought.

Any fans on here?

@Gassage ;Never played a McIlroy, but my current fave acoustic is the B&G Caletta (after about 2 years of playing). Parlour sized, incredible depth and clarity. Wonderful acoustic guitar.

mgaw · September 2022

Always nice to come across a great acoustic, my latest flame is a Collings OM1 A JL which is quite an OM imo. Never tried a Mcilroy but played a Lowden which was great, Best acoustic I have had was a Preston Thompson D18 style fwtw

woody · September 2022

ive owned quite a few mcilroys, a36c,aj37c ,a56,a65 and a85. All excellent guitars and to my ear better than their equivilent lowdens and avalons,not to mention built in much smaller numbers with dermot involved in every build.. I

jellyroll · September 2022

Out of curiosity, do Lowden/McIlroy owners all play finger style? Anybody flatpick/strum one of these "Irish" guitars?

Tannin · September 2022

There is probably a small circle of Hell especially reserved for people who flatpick a McIllroy. Extra pitchforks if you are overheard doing it and yelling "yee-ha!"

Gassage · September 2022

kjdowd said:

Gassage said:

Oh my god.

What a guitar.

It belongs to a pal of mine, who is ironically a McElroy, and was attracted for this reason.

I have rarely played an acoustic with such a thudding and clear bass response.

Absolutely divine instrument- a seriously wonderful acoustic, right up there with Lowdens and the Martin Knopfler that @kjdowd bought.

Any fans on here?

@Gassage ;Never played a McIlroy, but my current fave acoustic is the B&G Caletta (after about 2 years of playing). Parlour sized, incredible depth and clarity. Wonderful acoustic guitar.

Kev, better than the MK Martin?

Bowks · September 2022

Played several and loved them all.

@Tannin Dermot McIlroy is a plectrum player himself, so he will have guitars that are braced to have the living shit bashed out of them in a noisy pub, as that's his background!

malcolmkindness · September 2022

jellyroll said:

Out of curiosity, do Lowden/McIlroy owners all play finger style? Anybody flatpick/strum one of these "Irish" guitars?

They work very well indeed with a flatpick.

jellyroll · September 2022

malcolmkindness said:

jellyroll said:

Out of curiosity, do Lowden/McIlroy owners all play finger style? Anybody flatpick/strum one of these "Irish" guitars?

They work very well indeed with a flatpick.

Thanks Malcom. I may need to investigate further….

tomjax · September 2022

jellyroll said:

Out of curiosity, do Lowden/McIlroy owners all play finger style? Anybody flatpick/strum one of these "Irish" guitars?
I

Richard Thompson belts out some amazing rhythm work on his Lowden model.

stickyfiddle · September 2022

Yeah, my old band mate would be strumming on his Lowden for a good 8-10 songs in a noisy pub on any given night. Sounded great.

TheBigDipper · September 2022

tomjax said:

jellyroll said:

Out of curiosity, do Lowden/McIlroy owners all play finger style? Anybody flatpick/strum one of these "Irish" guitars?
I

Richard Thompson belts out some amazing rhythm work on his Lowden model.

Yes he does. He has a new live "acoustic trio" album out, actually recorded a couple of decades ago, called "Live From Honolulu" that showcases his acoustic work beautifully. RT on acoustic, playing with a flatpick and three fingers, Danny Thompson on double bass (a masterclass) and Michael Jerome on cajon/percussion. Some fantastic performances of great songs.

TheMadMick · September 2022

I strum my Avalon and I will again when it comes back from being fettled.

DavidR · September 2022

jellyroll said:

Out of curiosity, do Lowden/McIlroy owners all play finger style? Anybody flatpick/strum one of these "Irish" guitars?

Ed Sheeran? Seems to get to strum quite a lot!

mgaw · September 2022

jellyroll said:

Out of curiosity, do Lowden/McIlroy owners all play finger style? Anybody flatpick/strum one of these "Irish" guitars?

Driving rhythm is a crucial part of the folk scene. So grab a plectrum and jump in I say

thomasross20 · September 2022

Would love to try a McIlroy.
Lowden neck less chunky so easier to play than Avalon but Avalon sounds better imo. McIlroy in videos sounds great - wonder if they also have big C-shaped necks like Avalon?

tomjax · September 2022

thomasross20 said:

Would love to try a McIlroy.
Lowden neck less chunky so easier to play than Avalon but Avalon sounds better imo. McIlroy in videos sounds great - wonder if they also have big C-shaped necks like Avalon?

I have an A30. They don't have chubby necks. They're quite slim, with a slight V profile.

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So, I played a McIlroy...

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