Northwood MJC80

This is a Northwood MJC80. Northwood guitars are manufactured by John McQuarrie of Canada. He was a former Larrivee luthier. I bought this gutar used as old, new stock. I contacted John after buying the guitar and he told me it was his 29th guitar made in 1999. All John's guitars are made of solid woods. he is a meticulous luthier and this guitar is as clean as I've seen - inside and out. This guitar has Englemann Spruce top and Indian Rosewood sides and back. It is John's mini-jumbo size with a florentine cutaway. Mahogany neck with ebony fretboard. Chrome Schaller tuners with ebony pegs. The bridge pins look to be hand shaped.

The guitar did not come with any electronics but I installed an older LR Baggs Duet 2 system. This has been a great system capable of blending mic and peitzo easily even while on stage. I have played Fishman blenders and B-Band and have always had issues trying to use the mic on stage. But this review if for the Northwood.

I give this categopry a 9 only because John does not over embellish his guitars. there really are no bells and whistles other then great tome and easy action.

The sound of this solid wood guitar is full and crisp. It is equally balanced top to bottom up and down the fretboard. Very clear tones above the 12th fret. I do equal amounts of fingerstyle and like rythm strumming and this guitar holds its own very well.

The action is low which suits my style perfectly. I have had several Taylor 514 sand the action and playability is as easy and fast as any Taylor. The tone is far superior to Taylor. I will never buy another factory built guitar. The only issue is that there was a touch of string rattle on the hi E & B strings. I talked to John and since this was used and had no neck adjustment wrench, he sent a new one free. This guitar was 6 years old when I bought it had just needed a bit of a set up and is good as new.

This guitar is my main gig guitar and holds up great. I installed the strap pins - none come on his guitars. I use locking srtrap pins and they work fine. It is a very solid guitar and a great gigger.

John is very friendly and always willing to talk about his guitars. We talked a good bit about the neck buzzes and he was patient and helpful. I do not exoect this guitar will need much service any more but I am confident John will be there to help. The biggest problem I had is John's website is a bit weak. I guess that is because he spends his time building guitars instead of websites.

I really enjoy this guitar. I have owned numerous acoustic guitars - Yairi WY1, Tacoma JK50, Larrivee OMV9, Taylor 414CE & 514CE, Breedlove Focus, Martin D1228, and numerous lesser. I have played guitar for 40 years. I can honestly say this is the finest I have owned both in tone and playability. John's workmanship is superb. He sands the interior and there is no glue exposed. I highly recommend John's guitars and would sorely miss this guitar if it were stolen or run over by a Yellow cab.