McIlroy A65

Being born and raised in Northern Ireland I'm spolit for choice when it comes to 'handmade/high end' acoustic guitars. We've got Lowden, Avalon and McIlroy who until 2years ago I never heard of! All within 50mns travelling of eachother. I bought the following from Dermot McIlroy A65: Serial no. 432; Back (book matched) and Sides- solid figured Claro Walnut. Top/soundboard-solid Western Red Cedar; Neck-5 piece, Mahogany/Maple/Walnut/Maple/Mahogany, custom celtic knots 3,5,7&12 frets. Edge bindings-Koa with Rosewood, Pear&Maple purfling inlays.Rosette-Paua Abalone with Rosewood&Pear purfling underlay. Headstock veneer-Walnut wiht Maple purfling underlay. Bridge-Ebony. Strap button inlay-Koa with Rosewood&Maple purfling. Heel cap-Koa wiht Maple&Rosewood purfling. Machine heads-Gotoh Gold plated with Amber Pearloid buttons. Nut&saddle-Bone. Finish Nitro Cellulose Lacquer (satin). Body sytle 'A' with 20frets. Comes standard with Hiscox liteflite proII. Created 2nd October 2007! All this information is brought together in a goregeous certificate, now framed with pride of place - dare I say where my wedding photograph was! Initially not well received but I'm not in the tent anylonger! Only joking. The exact dimensions are on the McIlroy website.

It almost instantaneously made me sound considerably better. I felt much more confident and truely feel it has improved my playing! My style is approx 60% concert tuning, 30% open 'D' DADGAD&10% open 'G' DGDGBD. Doing mainly covers of Paul Brady/Irish Traditional/Dire Straits/John Martyn I'm sure you gey the picture, the odd original thrown in for good measure! The sound is just amazing! The fullness and richness, the tonal balance, clarity and warmth when picking, bottom end-oh what a botttom end! Volume in sessions of this instrument for me is beyond explanation and comparision. I pinch myself every time I play it and get 'goose bumps' telling others! The only limit on sounds is the player! If I have a dislike its that the lacquer has been sanded reapplied repeated leaving a fine satin finish this is light and subsequently renders it susceptible to bumps and scrapes particuarly the top. I found this out very quickly when being accompanied by my 1year old daughter dummy in hand tapping along percussively only to find she had made several little impressions. Emotionally devastated at first by now it's got a bit of character. I believe spruce tops are slightly tougher however I'm not for parting with it!

As mentioned before its very easy to commute anywhere in Ireland not to mention the North as the distances are so small. I called twice prior to collection and Dermot McIlroy listened to me playing and he set it up beautifully. It does evrything I could wish for and then gives some more, no matter what you ask! The action was lowered slightly to allow for some lead work and plays effortlessly. Dermot also fitted a clear pleck guard which for me allows the whole wood of the sound board to be seen without compromissing the sound in shape or from. As per the features section above detailing this guitar; It is put together seamlessly and no locally produced nor American, Eastern or otherwise stated handmade instrument, of which I played around 200 in total & closely examined 30 others came within head and shoulders of the attention to detail and to put in simple words "the most beautiful and exquisite craftmanship that I have ever seen on an acoustice guitar". I have had 'goose bumps' all over just writing those few lines.

Yes this guitar will withstand live playing! However I don't think that any of McIlroy guitars have pickups fitted unless ordered at the time of production. My A65 did not have a pick-up until I asked Dermot to fit a 'Fishman Matrix Infinity-under saddle pickup system' although Dermot recommended the 'Natural 1' by Fishman the 'Matrix Infinity' has a 'Natural 1' setting. I'm delighted with the pickup as I much prefer to control my guitar volume the 'Natural 1' pickup does not allow this function, unless I am mistaken. Provided I can keep my now 2year old away I feel this is a lifetime instrument for me! The finish as previously outlined above is amazing and I feel regular playing overtime will result in a weathered appearance but if you spend this money on a guitar you will look after it very closely indeed no matter of the lacquer! The strap buttons are solid I've got a photo of it being installed adding further provenance, as if any where required! The pickups strap catch is of an equalling high standard as you would expect. My pet name for this instrument is 'the mail man' beacuse it always delivers! Not to be confused with Karl Malone of NBA fame! I always carry a backup but have not as yet had to call upon it, its only been 18+ months but I feel like I'd have withdrawal symptoms if I had to use anything else!

After the first few bumps and scrapes I called to the factory where Dermot did a complete 'health check' and he refused to accept any monies. Dermot was a real gentleman very obliging and did not rush me at all, even when I felt I had over stayed my welcome. When calling to discuss fitting the pickup some 6 months after purchase Dermot was truely curoius and was inviting my critical opinion of his work. A very modest man with an exceptional talent. Dermot then fitted the desired pickup for a very nominal fee! Compared to those I have had fitted in the past. The warranty is 10 years limited as per website. I have only been in contact 3 or 4 since my purchase and in every case I have found Dermot informative, pleasant and no manner or means pushy. Theres almost a warmth in his voice similar to the richness to that of his instrument

I'm playing over 20years. I play Fender strat when going electric, through Marshal backline (McIlroy also) but I am in the market for some Mesa boogie equipment. I go through a my digitech RP10 bought many moons ago and that has all I need especially for delay I think it superb. I've had Takamines, Ovations, Applause, Yamaha, Hohner and only one Martin and one only, never again! I was well armed entering negotiations for this instrument as I had researched for around two years before luckily happening across this marque. Stolen or lost well I'd simply go mad but unquestionably a replacement would be my only option! Along with a short custodial sentence if stolen! I love the smell of the woods when I open the case, the feel and playability the sound and balance, you've just got to get one of these in your hands and ask yourself two questions. 1)wheres my nearest dealer and 2)when can I pick it up! As above in Action, Fit and Finish section. I played atleast 200 and possibly another 50 or 60 since and as Sinead O'Connor sang and Prince wrote "nothing compares to you". I am a music lover and love playing music. The McIlroy A65 which I own makes me feel humble yet inspires me each time I play it. I feel eachtime I lift the case let alone begin to play like the cat that got the cream. No! more like the cat that won the lottery and bought milk factory! Just play one and you'll find out "it's only natural to want one"!