Here at MacKenzie & Marr Guitars we produce wonderful all-wood acoustic guitars. We only make one model “Tofino”- a Canadian Western red cedar top small jumbo - and our production is limited to a few hundred guitars a year so we sometimes (with apologies to Stuart McLean) refer to ourselves as “The World's Smallest Guitar Company”.
We're committed to playing our own tune because we think that's what it takes - to stand out in the crowd, to add real value to our instruments and to have our customers embrace us as friends.
For our first guitar we could have followed the herd – spruce top, rosewood back and sides, etc.... but does the world really need one more Martin D-28 “me too” knock-off? The MacKenzie & Marr “Tofino”, while paying tribute to the innovations of past masters with scalloped X- bracing and precision fitted neck, breaks with tradition in both body shape and wood choices.
Playing a cedar-top Tofino for the first time is a revelation. But it's not going to happen in a guitar store. The only two places you can buy a MacKenzie & Marr guitar are at the company and over the Internet. Slightly inconvenient – its true, but knocking out the costs of retail distribution shaves $600 to $1,000 off the price of our guitar.
So in a nutshell:
We're a small company producing a really great acoustic guitar at an almost affordable price. You can only buy our guitar over the Internet but, in the unlikely event you don't like it and send it back - we'll give you a full refund.
"The Tofino Sound" .. sounded great on TV
Sun 01/17/10 by GuitarSlayerJust some comments or questions to McKenzie or Marr and anyone else here:
I have been playing guitar on and off since 1970 ...
1.) I can't wait to buy one 6 String and .. perhaps sooner than later, a 12 String .. any special pricing, future loyalty discount ?
2.) It sounded great on the CBC TV program on Dragon's Den even though the first guitar's intonation / tuning was out. Did anybody else notice this or is my hearing
off :) ? But regardless, the Tofino guitar would be an excellent guitar to acquire, play, perform or collect.
3.) Hmm, how about an excellent version in 12-String, NOW, please ! IT WOULD SOUND FANTASTIC !!
4.) When can I buy a 12-string version this, HURRY UP !
5.) ANY future CUTAWAY versions with or without electronics ?
6.) Why is the Store CLOSED. Okay, so you are playing hard to get :) ?
7.) Please put up on your WEBSITE the demo with O'Leary. And other sound bites of the guitar.
8.) IT APPEARS THAT THIS Acoustic GUITAR HAS THE RARE ANS ELUSIVE SOUGHT AFTER GUITAR SOUND. TYPICALLY, found in most $2,000-5,000
guitars.
This "Tofino sound" .. even on TV sounds better than my Segull guitar or higher-end guitars.
Hey, O'Leary is a very good guitar player. I would like to invite him to a JAM in Etobicoke, Totenham or Hockley Valley ?
Hi GuitarSlayer, Is it
Tue 01/26/10 by JohnMarrHi GuitarSlayer,
Is it possible you like 12 string guitars? If so we're on the same page. And a cutaway with electrics? Have you been peeking in our sample room? How about a hand-made Adirondack spruce and Ankor Wat rosewood acoustic with beveled edges or a parlour guitar with a slot head?
Location???
Thu 01/14/10 by razorI was wondering where the store is? Or warehouse that you would be shipping from? In my first comment I thought it was shipped out of the Water-loo, Kitchener area. But after reading your blog and more information, it is suggested that you would be shipping from Montreal Quebec. If so, would you consider using a different shipper besides UPS? I live 30 miles west of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, 2 miles from the Ontario/Quebec border. I could have your product overnight with Dicom. I do not work for Dicom and am in no way associated with their company, just use their services when ordering things from Quebec.
Ray
Hi Ray, We've been sorely
Tue 01/26/10 by JohnMarrHi Ray,
We've been sorely disappointed in Canada Post. They don't seem to be aware we live in the 21st Century. On the other hand UPS picks up when they say they will and gets our guitars to their new homes faster than they promise. We think that counts for a lot! We'll look at Dicom though. If my memory serves I believe they do a decent job within Quebec.
Our office is in Montreal as you gathered from our web site.
Best regards,
John
Guitar refund
Thu 01/14/10 by razorIf a person were to return their guitar to you guys, who would pay the shipping? For me the shipping is pretty hefty? $250.00 You should consider a cheaper way to ship. $250.00 to ship a guitar from southern Ontario to Northern Ontario seems to me a bit outrageous! It's only a 450 mile trip!
Ray
Hi again Ray, We ship guitars
Tue 01/26/10 by JohnMarrHi again Ray,
We ship guitars all over the country for less than $100. From our warehouse to you shouldn't be more than $60.
--John
Company Info
Thu 11/26/09 by bluegrassgirlI think this looks like a really nice guitar but navigating the site is very difficult. No direct email address to write to and no address or phone number for the company, something that would be very important for people to have before making a purchase. Also, you should include soundbites of the guitar.
Hi bluegrassgirl, Your
Tue 12/22/09 by JohnMarrHi bluegrassgirl,
Your comments are appreciated. The site was a bit ragged when you visited - kind of like Flatt without Scruggs. Contact links and the Store are now active. Sound clips and videos will be up in the new year. My partner, Jonathan is a big bluegrass fan so I hope the two of you get together one day to trade licks.
Best,
John
Guitar prices
Mon 10/05/09 by JohnMarrI neglected to mention the actual price of a Tofino. The guitar sells for $1000.