The Ian Tyson Inspiration Acoustic Guitar

Hi I had no problems getting it the high e string broke as soon as I played it when I need new strings I'm going put a 11 gauge set of strings on wondering if it might change the sound I didn't put the pick guard on Hopefully I turn it into a Willie Nelson guitar

The Ian Tyson Inspiration has been a delight from the moment I opened the case. In fact, the case floored me as an included accessory. The instrument is a beautiful meticulously crafted instrument of some of the prettiest woods to be seen. Bolivian Rosewood is gorgeous. Looking over the instrument inside and out, it is evident that much care was taken in the crafting of this guitar. Playing the fretboard is as comfortable as playing my Taylor 814 so no time was spent getting adjusted to it. For the size of the body, I am struck by the lighter weight. Tone-wise it is full but not boomy, with a nicely balanced sound. I'm a very pleased customer. Thank you Mackenzie & Marr!

Pour la seconde fois en 1 mois je me suis procuré une guitare MacKenzie et Marr. J'avais déjà acquis une Tofino X qui est excellente mais je voulais un instrument plus imposant avec pan-coupé. J'ai donc choisi la guitare inspirée de Ian Tyson. C'est un très bel instrument tant par sa sonorité profonde,sa belle gamme de tonalités et un son bien soutenu. Avec son pan coupé florentin, ses boiseries riches faites de bois de rose bolivien, sa table en épinette Sitka AAA, son manche en acajou, sa touche et son pont en ébène confèrent à cet instrument une place parmi les meilleures guitares disponibles actuellement sur le marché. Par ailleurs, son prix très abordable est selon moi sa plus grande qualité compte-tenu de tout ce qu'elle a à offrir. Le service à la clientèle de MacKenzie et Marr est également exceptionnel. Je me suis rendu à leur entrepôt de Montréal rencontrer M. John Marr qui s'est occupé de moi comme un VIP ce qui, de nos jours est fort appréciable. Je vous recommande fortement les guitares MacKenzie et Marr, vous ne serez pas déçu et si vous êtes un passionné comme moi, vous aurez un goût de revenez-y! Merci John pour vos instruments d'exception et votre excellent service. Longue vie à aux guitares MacKenzie et Marr! Claude Trudel Piedmont Québec

Lately, I've been looking about for a different guitar. I've been perfectly happy with my Martin HD-28. When I was learning to play in the late sixties, all my guitar influences played guitars like these. My parents were both musicians and I learned on my Dad's ' 51 Gibson SJ-200 and my Mom's '50 J-45. (Yes, I was lucky!) But, finally, after half a century, I finally realized something. I have a low baritone voice, and the boomy bottom end of those big dreadnoughts drowns out my voice when not plugged in. Back in the old days of poor PA systems, we needed all the volume we could get from acoustic. Not so, today. I'd been trying out some smaller guitars that have great sound and better balance. I found I particularly liked the Martin 000-28 style guitars. But...these are WAY over what I can afford! I love the sound of James Taylor's Olsen guitars, but these are much more expensive than even Martins! Strictly fantasy material! For the last few years. I've been watching the ads for MacKenzie and Marr guitars. They looked beautiful. The marketing philosophy seemed logical. The prices were excellent. All the words made sense – but, then again – Everyone makes claims like this! I've been underwhelmed too many times. I would never have dreamed of buying an acoustic guitar that I couldn't try in person. I don't know how many times I've advised people never to buy a guitar online! But, when I first saw the Ian Tyson inspired guitars on your site I was really intrigued. They looked wonderful, but I couldn't believe the claims about them at that price point. But – one day, I noticed a special deal for one that had been damaged and repaired. I contacted you and was assured that it still had a full factory warranty. The price was so good, I HAD to take it! When it arrived, I was thrilled! It was easily as good as the claims. I waited a few weeks to write this, to make sure I still thought so. I still think so. It actually is the same size as my Martin dread, but for some reason, it seems much smaller. It has that lovely rosewood/spruce sound that I want, but it is much more balanced. The play action is probably the best I've ever seen on an acoustic. More like a typical electric. It is great for both strumming and finger picking. The workmanship is exquisite. The look is even somewhat like those Olsens! And, yes, I've always liked Florentine cutaways. (even though I don't really do much playing up there) At that price, I can't believe that the case is as good as any I've seen on high end instruments. It really is as good as competitors' products costing many thousands of dollars. I can't believe my good fortune in finding such a good instrument at this price. There is only one thing I would change, but it's no fault of the guitar. The pickup included is very nice, and considered high end by most people. Again, I'm surprised to see one of these included in this price range. It works well, but it still has that piezo sound. True, it's well damped, but still, they have to give you directions on how to set it to “find” the best sound.. I will probably leave it in there and use it that way, but, I much prefer the K&K pure mini currently in my Martin. On that one, you don't need a battery, and there is only one sound – that of the guitar. It just gets louder when you turn it up. Personal preference, I suppose. I'm sure many would disagree with me on this. But, in general – I couldn't be happier with my purchase!