Mackenzie and Marr guitars have a curious ability to sound unique.  Some models have distinctive shapes and woods so the difference in sound is to be expected.  What about an iconic dreadnought shape with a rosewood body and an Adirondack top?  Maybe that one should sound somewhat familiar?  It doesn't. The guitar is physically lighter that some of the lookalikes.  The beautiful Bolivian rosewood body has the familiar sapwood back stripe - a combination which has become a personal favorite.  The wood is just prettier than Indian rosewood with a colorful brightness that allows the grain of the wood to shine through.  There's a new thin zipper inlay at the rear peg - a nice touch that isn't a copy of anything. The body, neck and peghead are bound in curly maple with some additional wood accents.  The abalone binding and rosette are familiar and welcome.  My spec says the fretboard and bridge are also Bolivian but neither wood matches the body.  The board is a variegated brown and the bridge looks like ebony.  It's hard to imagine a tree with such a palate of colors. The neck is the only thing left to a CNC process,  If you like the M&M neck, this will be no exception.  The tuners are Grover gold Rotomatics - I prefer the open butterbeans which reduce the weight.  To each their own, I suppose.  I was overruled. I could have written this much within a few minutes of unpacking the guitar.  The sound, however, just left me scratching my head. My old Martins D-28's are more than a little bass heavy.  Apparently it made the Hawaiian players who requested such an instrument happy,  There wasn't a bass slide guitar or bass ukulele and they had need something in this register.  Early country musicians just needed something loud and after Earl joined the Bluegrass Boys there was need of a banjo killer. The Boat isn't in this tradition. So maybe it sounds like a D-18 with little less bass and a little more treble?  That's not quite right either.  My boat is almost even across all six strings with the slightly dominate ones being the 4th and 5th.  Neither the 1st or 6th strings fall into that category.  The 28 style is all about a loud 6th.  The 18's are often VERY bright with a very strong 1st in the treble.  The Boat falls happily in the middle.  Very happily, for a singer. The guitar can be LOUD as needed but still wonderfully responsive with a much lighter touch.  The smooth string balance can be fingerpicked and resemble the sound of an old OM or 000 which is not that common in a D body size. This was the first M&M I order but the fourth to arrive.  It was well worth the wait and I'm anxious to learn what the plan is to do next.

Mixed emotions at this point; fell in love immediately with the guitar for many reasons and have played it with great pleasure since. The pickup will not perform for me.  I have tinkered with it occasionally but have no need for amplification, I figured I would have my luthier try something when I can afford to take it in for fresh strings and set up. Which, by the way, the set up was very workable straight out of the box.  It is also a flawlessly beautiful piece of workmanship  and I genuinely treasure it. This instrument was a treat to myself for sticking with my practice as I continue to recover from a mild stroke.

When I first called Mac Kenzie and Marr to enquire about The Baby Boat Mr. Marr answered the phone. Was I ever surprised. We talked for 20 to 30 minutes and what a fine good natured man he is. I told him I needed to discuss the purchase with my wife before finalizing the purchase. A few minutes later I called back and purchased the guitar and what a beauty it is. There is nothing about it I would change. The sound, the workmanship the over all visual appeal is first class. An employee at a near guitar shop who plays bluegrass was really taken back by the sound and volume from a smaller guitar. When asked, who carries this guitar, the answer was you buy direct. And I’m glad I did. Because there was going to be a number of months to wait before receiving the guitar I purchased another guitar that they had in stock. This purchase was not at the same time but a couple of months into the wait for the Baby Boat. I like a double o size guitar with 12 frets. The Opeongo is a wonderful instrument. It’s beauty is in its simplicity and wonderful craftsmanship. And the sound is just lovely. I’m thrilled with both guitars and should there be a Baby Boat with 12 frets offered one day I’ll probably buy it as well. I’m not rich, but the value for the price is just hard to turn down. Not to forget, their luthier set both guitars up just right for me. Thank you all for making such lovely instruments. Eric

Simply a terrific guitar! I own over 30 guitars, some costing in the multiple of thousands and this guitar is as good or better than any of them. It's also beautiful, plays easily and is an incredible buy. I am extremely happy with my purchase. Nice case too.