Verified Review - MacKenzie & Marr Grand Manan
Curtis
From Centuria
Reviewed Product:
I've played on and off for the past 45 years and own a half dozen other guitars but I always wanted a slope shoulder dreadnought. There are of course others for sale out there but none that I could find that had the specs this one has at this price. So I figured I'd order this one, give it a try and send it back if I wasn't impressed enough to keep it. I'd be out $50 but that's the chance you take.
When I received it, I removed it from the shipping box so that I could inspect it for damage,and then let it stay in the case until the next morning. After opening the case and taking the guitar out I was pretty impressed with the case and what a tight fit to the guitar it has. Nice! Much better fit than the original case that came with my 70's J50.
After tuning and playing for a few minutes it was obvious that neck adjustments were needed. The neck had no relief and the saddle needed to be lowered a bit. There was an annoying B string buzz that was still there after proper relief was added to the neck but a little nut sauce took care of that. I checked all frets with a fret rocker and all were perfect. Nut string height was perfect too. I don't consider any of this unusual and didn't take long to take care. The Manan plays and sounds good and the Grover turners work very smooth. The Anthem pickup I ordered with it is the best acoustic pickup I've used and really brings out the voice & sustain this guitar has with just a small amount of volume. The guitar sounds good on it's own but the pickup is impressive. I inspected the inside with a lighted mirror and found it clean of sloppy gluing and all bracing seemed tight.
Also, the appointments and workmanship on the Grand Manan are not done justice in the photos on the M&M website. This guitar is beautiful in a reserved sort of way. The sound hole rosette and bindings are outstanding.
John, keep things the way they are now. As I said recently, you guitars speak for themselves.
My 2c,
When I received it, I removed it from the shipping box so that I could inspect it for damage,and then let it stay in the case until the next morning. After opening the case and taking the guitar out I was pretty impressed with the case and what a tight fit to the guitar it has. Nice! Much better fit than the original case that came with my 70's J50.
After tuning and playing for a few minutes it was obvious that neck adjustments were needed. The neck had no relief and the saddle needed to be lowered a bit. There was an annoying B string buzz that was still there after proper relief was added to the neck but a little nut sauce took care of that. I checked all frets with a fret rocker and all were perfect. Nut string height was perfect too. I don't consider any of this unusual and didn't take long to take care. The Manan plays and sounds good and the Grover turners work very smooth. The Anthem pickup I ordered with it is the best acoustic pickup I've used and really brings out the voice & sustain this guitar has with just a small amount of volume. The guitar sounds good on it's own but the pickup is impressive. I inspected the inside with a lighted mirror and found it clean of sloppy gluing and all bracing seemed tight.
Also, the appointments and workmanship on the Grand Manan are not done justice in the photos on the M&M website. This guitar is beautiful in a reserved sort of way. The sound hole rosette and bindings are outstanding.
John, keep things the way they are now. As I said recently, you guitars speak for themselves.
My 2c,
